TandemKate
@tandemkate.bsky.social
Active travel enthusiast, mobility impaired, enjoy outdoors, making stuff, reading, games, music
I work for Wheels for Wellbeing - all views here are my own
I work for Wheels for Wellbeing - all views here are my own
Sustainable drainage feature nearly finished! It’s only taken 2 years…
“If we do this, the drive won’t end up as a lake when it rains & you won’t have to cycle through mud all winter” was a great excuse to motivate teens & husband to dig, but honestly I just wanted to grow pretty wet-ground flowers…
“If we do this, the drive won’t end up as a lake when it rains & you won’t have to cycle through mud all winter” was a great excuse to motivate teens & husband to dig, but honestly I just wanted to grow pretty wet-ground flowers…
November 1, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Sustainable drainage feature nearly finished! It’s only taken 2 years…
“If we do this, the drive won’t end up as a lake when it rains & you won’t have to cycle through mud all winter” was a great excuse to motivate teens & husband to dig, but honestly I just wanted to grow pretty wet-ground flowers…
“If we do this, the drive won’t end up as a lake when it rains & you won’t have to cycle through mud all winter” was a great excuse to motivate teens & husband to dig, but honestly I just wanted to grow pretty wet-ground flowers…
Figs (outside) and grapes (unheated greenhouse) still ripening. In the midlands.
Climate change? What climate change?!?
Aargh!
(I am enjoying the fruit, but…)
Climate change? What climate change?!?
Aargh!
(I am enjoying the fruit, but…)
October 22, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Figs (outside) and grapes (unheated greenhouse) still ripening. In the midlands.
Climate change? What climate change?!?
Aargh!
(I am enjoying the fruit, but…)
Climate change? What climate change?!?
Aargh!
(I am enjoying the fruit, but…)
Turns out figs can ripen in October, in the midlands. This has not happened to us before!
Good thing that having this fig tree has trained me to like figs… or something…
Good thing that having this fig tree has trained me to like figs… or something…
October 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Turns out figs can ripen in October, in the midlands. This has not happened to us before!
Good thing that having this fig tree has trained me to like figs… or something…
Good thing that having this fig tree has trained me to like figs… or something…
Good deed of the day: Cutting overhanging branches obstructing a busy path.
Turns out a backful of steroids is all I need to be able to use light tools!
Told off by 1 person, thanked by 2.
#ActiveTravel #Maintenance #Access
Turns out a backful of steroids is all I need to be able to use light tools!
Told off by 1 person, thanked by 2.
#ActiveTravel #Maintenance #Access
September 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Good deed of the day: Cutting overhanging branches obstructing a busy path.
Turns out a backful of steroids is all I need to be able to use light tools!
Told off by 1 person, thanked by 2.
#ActiveTravel #Maintenance #Access
Turns out a backful of steroids is all I need to be able to use light tools!
Told off by 1 person, thanked by 2.
#ActiveTravel #Maintenance #Access
I’m a bit overexcited about this: Our council have new bin lorries- and they’ve got low cabs! Wooo! Big win for road safety. Going to be much nicer walking/wheeling & cycling around these.
Thanks Derby!
#ActiveTravel #disability
Thanks Derby!
#ActiveTravel #disability
September 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I’m a bit overexcited about this: Our council have new bin lorries- and they’ve got low cabs! Wooo! Big win for road safety. Going to be much nicer walking/wheeling & cycling around these.
Thanks Derby!
#ActiveTravel #disability
Thanks Derby!
#ActiveTravel #disability
Today, I have succeeded in raising the ghost of my 25-year-old, very loved pannier. New fabric, old hardware should last some more years.
Tomorrow- full reanimation out of traditional ghostly Old Sheet - it’s going to be Pink!
Really enjoying puzzling out how to end up with what I want for this!
Tomorrow- full reanimation out of traditional ghostly Old Sheet - it’s going to be Pink!
Really enjoying puzzling out how to end up with what I want for this!
August 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Today, I have succeeded in raising the ghost of my 25-year-old, very loved pannier. New fabric, old hardware should last some more years.
Tomorrow- full reanimation out of traditional ghostly Old Sheet - it’s going to be Pink!
Really enjoying puzzling out how to end up with what I want for this!
Tomorrow- full reanimation out of traditional ghostly Old Sheet - it’s going to be Pink!
Really enjoying puzzling out how to end up with what I want for this!
“Close Encounters of the Kerb Kind”?
Symptom - mysterious regular bumping from rear wheel with worrying increasing size.
Fortunately curable with a new tyre.
Not really sure how this happened though - We’re not regular kerb-hoppers or vigorous riders. Wonder if it was a manufacturing defect.
Symptom - mysterious regular bumping from rear wheel with worrying increasing size.
Fortunately curable with a new tyre.
Not really sure how this happened though - We’re not regular kerb-hoppers or vigorous riders. Wonder if it was a manufacturing defect.
August 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
“Close Encounters of the Kerb Kind”?
Symptom - mysterious regular bumping from rear wheel with worrying increasing size.
Fortunately curable with a new tyre.
Not really sure how this happened though - We’re not regular kerb-hoppers or vigorous riders. Wonder if it was a manufacturing defect.
Symptom - mysterious regular bumping from rear wheel with worrying increasing size.
Fortunately curable with a new tyre.
Not really sure how this happened though - We’re not regular kerb-hoppers or vigorous riders. Wonder if it was a manufacturing defect.
There I was, thinking our current living room setup of piano obstructed by bike trailer with a bass clarinet on it was relatively unusual!
July 22, 2025 at 3:38 PM
There I was, thinking our current living room setup of piano obstructed by bike trailer with a bass clarinet on it was relatively unusual!
Me, repeatedly including this morning: “there are no pens in my bag, I’d better remember to put one in.”
Me, this afternoon: “What am I stabbing my fingers on? Why are there all these spiky things in here? Which fool managed to put 7 pens in one small bag side pocket without noticing?!”
Oops.
Me, this afternoon: “What am I stabbing my fingers on? Why are there all these spiky things in here? Which fool managed to put 7 pens in one small bag side pocket without noticing?!”
Oops.
July 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Me, repeatedly including this morning: “there are no pens in my bag, I’d better remember to put one in.”
Me, this afternoon: “What am I stabbing my fingers on? Why are there all these spiky things in here? Which fool managed to put 7 pens in one small bag side pocket without noticing?!”
Oops.
Me, this afternoon: “What am I stabbing my fingers on? Why are there all these spiky things in here? Which fool managed to put 7 pens in one small bag side pocket without noticing?!”
Oops.
Here’s the best limbo tree on a different bit of the route! It’s now the full asphalt path width (there’s an extra bit of setts but it’s too bumpy for me to ride on) and branches when dry are now maybe 1.2m above the ground. I’m contemplating bringing loppers on the school run…
July 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Here’s the best limbo tree on a different bit of the route! It’s now the full asphalt path width (there’s an extra bit of setts but it’s too bumpy for me to ride on) and branches when dry are now maybe 1.2m above the ground. I’m contemplating bringing loppers on the school run…
It’s the season for path maintenance.
Local NCN route today - & it’s time for the regular reminder that the brambles & bushes need cutting back *as well as* the soft grass and herbaceous plants!
Nobody wants to walk, wheel, cycle or run through thorns.
Local NCN route today - & it’s time for the regular reminder that the brambles & bushes need cutting back *as well as* the soft grass and herbaceous plants!
Nobody wants to walk, wheel, cycle or run through thorns.
July 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
It’s the season for path maintenance.
Local NCN route today - & it’s time for the regular reminder that the brambles & bushes need cutting back *as well as* the soft grass and herbaceous plants!
Nobody wants to walk, wheel, cycle or run through thorns.
Local NCN route today - & it’s time for the regular reminder that the brambles & bushes need cutting back *as well as* the soft grass and herbaceous plants!
Nobody wants to walk, wheel, cycle or run through thorns.
On the down side: Climate breakdown killing loads of people, harming many more, age of extinction, loss of biodiversity…
On the up side: On track for amazing grapes this year.
Sadly the second does not even close to make up for the first.
On the up side: On track for amazing grapes this year.
Sadly the second does not even close to make up for the first.
July 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
On the down side: Climate breakdown killing loads of people, harming many more, age of extinction, loss of biodiversity…
On the up side: On track for amazing grapes this year.
Sadly the second does not even close to make up for the first.
On the up side: On track for amazing grapes this year.
Sadly the second does not even close to make up for the first.
Kid just took this photo at a nearby building site. We’re feeling that “site team, please don’t be so incompetent you kill each other, ha ha ha” is a worrying either asa “funny” sign or as a bar to be setting for safety notices on a construction site?
June 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Kid just took this photo at a nearby building site. We’re feeling that “site team, please don’t be so incompetent you kill each other, ha ha ha” is a worrying either asa “funny” sign or as a bar to be setting for safety notices on a construction site?
Little miss has “behaviour charts” at school regularly.
Feel this one encapsulates the sheer futility of charts/stickers etc with a person who doesn’t yet understand cause & effect except very concrete & immediate.
Fortunately staff are great & provide lovely constant support.
#disability #inclusion
Feel this one encapsulates the sheer futility of charts/stickers etc with a person who doesn’t yet understand cause & effect except very concrete & immediate.
Fortunately staff are great & provide lovely constant support.
#disability #inclusion
June 26, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Little miss has “behaviour charts” at school regularly.
Feel this one encapsulates the sheer futility of charts/stickers etc with a person who doesn’t yet understand cause & effect except very concrete & immediate.
Fortunately staff are great & provide lovely constant support.
#disability #inclusion
Feel this one encapsulates the sheer futility of charts/stickers etc with a person who doesn’t yet understand cause & effect except very concrete & immediate.
Fortunately staff are great & provide lovely constant support.
#disability #inclusion
Look at the amount of flexible space on this train! And there are actual seats near the wheelchair spaces & more than one wheelchair space so I could- whisper it- travel with friends and family!
Nice one Northern Rail
Nice one Northern Rail
June 25, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Look at the amount of flexible space on this train! And there are actual seats near the wheelchair spaces & more than one wheelchair space so I could- whisper it- travel with friends and family!
Nice one Northern Rail
Nice one Northern Rail
Simultaneously feeling sorry for the people affected by serious incidents which closed roads in Derby Mon & Weds this week, & glad I was cycling not unnecessarily driving both days. Pretty sure I’d still be at the station if I’d driven today. Or taken the bus. Instead, mallow flowers & orange juice!
June 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Simultaneously feeling sorry for the people affected by serious incidents which closed roads in Derby Mon & Weds this week, & glad I was cycling not unnecessarily driving both days. Pretty sure I’d still be at the station if I’d driven today. Or taken the bus. Instead, mallow flowers & orange juice!
Not quite what I’d call prioritising #ActiveTravel
We just wanted to go for a swim, and we’ve ended up campaigning again!!
We just wanted to go for a swim, and we’ve ended up campaigning again!!
June 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Not quite what I’d call prioritising #ActiveTravel
We just wanted to go for a swim, and we’ve ended up campaigning again!!
We just wanted to go for a swim, and we’ve ended up campaigning again!!
Love this defunct trolley bay: Provides very nice roll-in roll-out #accessible #cycle parking for our tandem, right by the pharmacy door.
June 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Love this defunct trolley bay: Provides very nice roll-in roll-out #accessible #cycle parking for our tandem, right by the pharmacy door.
Spot the barrier!
Suspecting no council or police enforcement would be interested in this one, even though to anyone using small wheels or crutches/sticks or who doesn’t see it, it’s the equivalent of scattering marbles across a polished floor…
Suspecting no council or police enforcement would be interested in this one, even though to anyone using small wheels or crutches/sticks or who doesn’t see it, it’s the equivalent of scattering marbles across a polished floor…
June 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Spot the barrier!
Suspecting no council or police enforcement would be interested in this one, even though to anyone using small wheels or crutches/sticks or who doesn’t see it, it’s the equivalent of scattering marbles across a polished floor…
Suspecting no council or police enforcement would be interested in this one, even though to anyone using small wheels or crutches/sticks or who doesn’t see it, it’s the equivalent of scattering marbles across a polished floor…
Today’s adventure in path obstruction: Basal or epicormic growth - those little shoots that grow from the bottom of some trees.
Usually need hand cutting to avoid damaging the tree.
Solutions: Widen pavement. Careful species/cultivar selection. Better planting. Plant trees further from paths.
Usually need hand cutting to avoid damaging the tree.
Solutions: Widen pavement. Careful species/cultivar selection. Better planting. Plant trees further from paths.
May 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Today’s adventure in path obstruction: Basal or epicormic growth - those little shoots that grow from the bottom of some trees.
Usually need hand cutting to avoid damaging the tree.
Solutions: Widen pavement. Careful species/cultivar selection. Better planting. Plant trees further from paths.
Usually need hand cutting to avoid damaging the tree.
Solutions: Widen pavement. Careful species/cultivar selection. Better planting. Plant trees further from paths.
Nettle hedge!
Reason #643 why good maintenance is needed on active travel routes - so users aren’t put off by all the stings…
(Yes I know nettles are important for wildlife. Active travel is also important. & people won’t reduce car use if the other choice involves regular stings and scrapes)
Reason #643 why good maintenance is needed on active travel routes - so users aren’t put off by all the stings…
(Yes I know nettles are important for wildlife. Active travel is also important. & people won’t reduce car use if the other choice involves regular stings and scrapes)
May 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Nettle hedge!
Reason #643 why good maintenance is needed on active travel routes - so users aren’t put off by all the stings…
(Yes I know nettles are important for wildlife. Active travel is also important. & people won’t reduce car use if the other choice involves regular stings and scrapes)
Reason #643 why good maintenance is needed on active travel routes - so users aren’t put off by all the stings…
(Yes I know nettles are important for wildlife. Active travel is also important. & people won’t reduce car use if the other choice involves regular stings and scrapes)
Sparkly aquilegia at the park - it’s covered with fluffy willow seeds!
May 25, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Sparkly aquilegia at the park - it’s covered with fluffy willow seeds!
Those little kids you towed around in the bike trailer & taught to ride tight beside you on roads
Suddenly turn into teens who look after you on rides - except when they accidentally zoom off into the distance when distracted chatting on a ride out for lunch.
I have e-assist. They do not.
#Cycling
Suddenly turn into teens who look after you on rides - except when they accidentally zoom off into the distance when distracted chatting on a ride out for lunch.
I have e-assist. They do not.
#Cycling
May 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Those little kids you towed around in the bike trailer & taught to ride tight beside you on roads
Suddenly turn into teens who look after you on rides - except when they accidentally zoom off into the distance when distracted chatting on a ride out for lunch.
I have e-assist. They do not.
#Cycling
Suddenly turn into teens who look after you on rides - except when they accidentally zoom off into the distance when distracted chatting on a ride out for lunch.
I have e-assist. They do not.
#Cycling
British apples, crisp enough to be new season, bought end April.
Cameo variety which apparently ripens in October.
Modern food storage techniques are incredible. Actual real magic.
New season apples will be ripening by June- no gap!
(Yes I can nerd on a whole range of social justice-related topics…)
Cameo variety which apparently ripens in October.
Modern food storage techniques are incredible. Actual real magic.
New season apples will be ripening by June- no gap!
(Yes I can nerd on a whole range of social justice-related topics…)
May 4, 2025 at 2:54 PM
British apples, crisp enough to be new season, bought end April.
Cameo variety which apparently ripens in October.
Modern food storage techniques are incredible. Actual real magic.
New season apples will be ripening by June- no gap!
(Yes I can nerd on a whole range of social justice-related topics…)
Cameo variety which apparently ripens in October.
Modern food storage techniques are incredible. Actual real magic.
New season apples will be ripening by June- no gap!
(Yes I can nerd on a whole range of social justice-related topics…)