A while ago I came across a post about using pi-hole to block ads and secure DNS across my network. Pi-hole is described aas offering a black hole for internet advertisements and it will block known bad domains (and more, depending on the lists you use). As I had an old pi3 floating about I thought I'd give it a try. …

A few years ago we stopped for a couple of days in Caen on the way back from the Loire Valley and we always said we'd go back to Normandy. This summer we took that opportunity. We found a small gite not far from Bayeaux in the very pretty village of Cerisy-la-Foret that turned out to be perfect for us. Really peaceful …

After my sister's success with the Frontline Walk 2017 she decided to keep up with the walking. On a whim we decided to take ourselves off to Switzerland for a week of walking. We drove to Interlaken via an overnight stop in Nancy, the French toll roads were empty and the long drive was actually a pleasure. Door to …

It’s been a while so a long overdue blog post. 2017 was a busy year – trips to Andalucia in Spain, Belgium (3 times!), a return to the Loire Valley and Normandy in France, and Reykjavik in Iceland, a mix of work and pleasure. Most of 2017 was spent training for my second go at 100km in 3 days along the Western Front. …

You may remember in 2015 I did 100km in 3 days along the Western Front in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. A couple of weeks ago, some of the walkers of 2015 had a mini reunion in London. You can see what’s coming... In a fit of madness I signed up to do it again in 2017. This time however, I’m being joined by my …

Following on from this, the kit arrived yesterday. Two boxes, with very ‘apple like’ packaging, all the way from Munich. As I currently have a wireless thermostat I needed the extension kit too. The initial process was very simple and all handled through tado’s very slick website. Create an account at tado. Tell tado …

Being into gadgets I never pass up the opportunity to indulge. I’ve been following the development of the various ‘smart’ home thermostats for a couple of months now, the likes of Nest, Tado and Hive. A long running thread on Pistonheads (a great source of information and recommendations!) gave an insight into all of …