A quick note for anyone encountering similar misery with Windows 7 updates, failed installations, and TrustedInstaller.exe gobbling CPU. Here's a solution that does not involve reinstalling Windows. My Windows 7 64-bit PC failed to install an update to Paint.Net a few weeks ago – mildly irritating at the time, but in fact just the first in a... read more

I made the puds at the weekend. Here’s my recipe, developed over the last ten years. NB nut free. We also found the last of the 2011 puds on top of the cupboards – well matured and delicious. For 4 pints of mixture 8oz plain flour 6oz wholemeal breadcrumbs 1 level tsp salt 2 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp ground cinnamon 4oz dates 4 ... read more

A blustery walk up Pen y Fan VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL ... read more

Back in June I posted some research into Mountain Marathon cooking kit, in particular the pros and cons of solid fuel versus gas, and foil cartons versus aluminium pots. I was reminded of this because Stewart B is away this weekend doing the RAB, while I moulder at home recovering from the broken patella (another story…). Anyway, since writing... read more

Stewart B has told me he uses solid fuel for MMs, and I remember Mark Rigby saying the same, while I’ve always used my MSR Pocket Rocket + gas. With the Saunders looming in a couple of weeks I thought I’d check this out. Stewart’s claimed advantages: Instead of a pan, you can use those foil containers like you get a Chinese meal... read more

An email from “SI entries” reminded me there’s a Mountain Marathon to be run in a mere 4 weeks. Having run less than 30 miles in the last month, this is a pretty dire situation. Add to that the weirdness in my left foot, which has been kind of not working for the last three weeks. Still, must keep buggering on, so headed for the Black Mountains ... read more