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Latest news and views from our Social Network

Since Dec 2022 we have been running our own Mastodon server linked to the Fediverse. Social timelines are now in our own hands, not manipulated and free from trackers and intrusive advertisements!

And, what a breathe of fresh air the Fediverse has been. We have made many hundreds of new friends from around the world, mostly related to our mountain and nature interests.

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Facebook making it really hard for me to delete my account permanently! ๐Ÿคฌ

I haven't used it personally in over a year but have been contributing to our business account. In Europe you have until 27th May to opt out of your posts being used for Meta AI. Problem is, they make it very hard for you to actually "opt out". Turns out, they make it very hard for you to delete your account too.

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25/05/2025 View on Mastodon

I attached a SenseCap T1000-E credit card sized tracker to my lovely but very naughty dog, Rita via a small pouch on her collar. When she escapes out of our grounds on her adventures to visit neighbors etc we are able to keep track on where she is via a map on the Meshcore web app.

No monthly fees, initial cost โ‚ฌ42 for the T1000-E and โ‚ฌ20 for the Lilygo Lora V2.1 attached to laptop. I have contributed to the developers of the software.

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25/05/2025 View on Mastodon

I screamed again today ๐Ÿ˜ฑ as I disturbed a warming snake out of it's morning slumber. It ran at an alarming pace past my legs stopping briefly to hiss it's annoyance and headed off into the bush.

Dark color, so possibly a Ladder Snake. Could also be a Montpellier or a Horseshoe Whipsnake, I was too frightened to stop and study. Harmless unless manhandled and I certainly wasn't likely to do that ๐Ÿ˜€.

Here's a archive image of ours of a ladder Snake.

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25/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Plenty of water still coming down from the Sierra Nevada on this morning's dog walk. Long may it continue!

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25/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Yesterday I did get 12km line of sight messages through without a problem

24/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Test ... tracking @khusky and the morning dog walk from my home laptop using radio network and the repeater on my rooftop.

Interesting possibilities for hiking and backpacking in groups?

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24/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Amazing archive. Wouldn't mind getting into this style of mountain biking myself ๐Ÿ˜† and the Lairig Ghru route through the Cairngorms is spectacular

youtube.com/watch?v=cZk2jV5gJb

23/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Got a right shock getting into my car yesterday. As I reached for the door handle to close the driver door I felt something run over my hand. It was a Scolopendra! I screamed like a demented banshee & flew out of the car, must have looked funny as ๐Ÿ˜€.

Now we don't have much in Spain that will hurt you but a Scolopendra can inject a venomous bite that can cause intense, long-lasting pain & swelling. I love most living things but draw the line at these ๐Ÿ˜‚

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23/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Exciting 4WD exploration/adventure this afternoon into some hills to our SW. Sketchy tracks with huge ruts and big drops. No real idea what was coming round the next bend. Mrs Google no help at all ๐Ÿ˜€

BTW at furthest distance, managed to send a text message 12km (straight line) back to my house via radio. A record distance for me. Used a SenseCap T1000-E

22/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Building a small local Meshcore network here with LoRa radios. Managed to communicate with the repeater on my roof from a SenseCap T1000-E, some 7 kilometers away. Much further reach than I originally anticipated.

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20/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Just started using the excellent gpx.studio to create and edit my gpx files. Very accurate and intuitive to use. Free to use, so please support the developer if you find it useful.

18/05/2025 View on Mastodon

I know it's old news now but I wish I had been able to sit down and take a morning coffee chatting to Jose (Pepe) Mujica. He certainly led by example, a trait our current leaders fail to do.

apnews.com/article/uruguay-pep

18/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Just ordered a new thru hiking tent from Durston - a X-Mid-2. My first purchase from them. 3 season, good reviews, only 880 grams (31oz) and very reasonably priced.

Hoping it arrives from Canada in time for our adventure to the Pyrenees in June.

durstongear.com/products/x-mid

17/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Unusual hike to visit the Cascadas del Rio Dilar yesterday. Route up the valley involved 30 river crossings! 15 there and 15 back. The water was between knee and mid-thigh level deep, flowing quite strongly with extremely cold snow melt from the . Care required, walking poles very useful. Great fun though!

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15/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Cascadas del Rio Dilar today, , .

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14/05/2025 View on Mastodon

400km round trip taking my mate back to Malaga airport but managed to visit a few nature reserves along the way ... Fuente de Piedra (Flamingos โœ…, Dark Spreading Dragonfly โœ…) and El Torcal (Griffon Vultures โœ…).

@khusky will have some good photos, I just took my binos. Only problem was the amount of very loud and uncontrolled school kids at El Torcal. Any species would have been long gone by the time that they arrived. Not really getting in touch with nature?

12/05/2025 View on Mastodon

The wonderful Barranco de la Luna today. A short half day trip but well worth it.
The ravine features dramatic rock formations, lush vegetation, and a small, crystal-clear stream.

The trail follows the ravine, with some rocky sections and shallow river crossings - adding a sense of adventure. The highlight is the "Caรฑรณn de la Luna," a narrow canyon with towering walls that feel almost otherworldly.

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11/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Not often we head for the beach but glad I did yesterday. Nice hike between the Playa Nudista at Cantajirran to Playa Caleta, Costa Tropical

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10/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Yesterday we hiked the Ruta Gollizno, Moclรญn, a scenic trail that offers stunning views, through areas with rich history, including old defensive structures & remnants of medieval pathways.

The trail is a mix of dirt paths & rocky terrain, winding through forests, deep gorges & open landscapes.

Some spectacular sections in the gorge itself with a high bridge & raised platforms to provide some superb situations. See photos

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08/05/2025 View on Mastodon

Today we've been exploring, amongst other things, the charming village of Fondales in the Taha del Pitres. Known for its traditional whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets & flat slate roofs.

Like much of the Alpujarra, Fondales has Moorish roots and was heavily influenced by the Berber settlers who farmed the terraced hillsides.

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06/05/2025 View on Mastodon