Kettler Basic E Power Centre

Advantages: Weight, Construction, Water Capacity
Disadvantages: Storage Space, Cost

...Mules aren't normally renowned for their water-carrying abilities. That's something that Camels are far more famous for, which is probably where Camelbak got their name from. You see Camelbak specialise in the creation of "Hydration Systems". Simply stated, a hydration system is a rucksack with a water bladder and drinking hose built in. But Camelbak have managed to make it so much more and the M.U.L.E. is just one of an ever-expanding range of "systems" (currently numbering close to 50!), each of which tends to be tailored to the specific needs of a fitness niche. In the case of the M.U.L.E. which stands for Multi-Use Long Expedition, their target market is primarily composed of mountain-bikers and trail runners. But before I dive into the detail, let's get the basics covered. A Hydration system is essentially composed of two... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, robust and easy to use
Disadvantages: No interface to the computer.

...I was introduced to a fascinating new hobby, Geocaching, by a review written by scalywitch in Ciao Café. Geocaching is basically a modern version of treasure hunting combined with orienteering that employs advanced technology to locate the cache. Scalywitch's review highlighted the need for a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). I initially used my TomTom as a portable GPS to successfully find my first caches. Now completely hooked, I realised that to continue with the hobby I need a unit that was lighter in weight, more compact, waterproof (a number of caches are hidden by water and then of course there is the snow and rain!!), a long battery life (imagine being half way up Snowdon and your battery runs out!), and one that is easy to read (both day and night). I trawled the outdoor shops to find the best unit for my need (not... Read review

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Advantages: Good Value for Money, Swimming Pool
Disadvantages: Some of the staff's attitude

...I have been a member of a few gyms over the past few years including a small local gym in which you felt everyone was looking at you in and also Fitness First but usually I end up not using my membership as much as I should do. In February 2005 I decided it was time to get in shape and chose the Galleon Centre, a fitness centre which was another I had previously been a member of, as the place I was going to join this time. One of the reasons that I chose the Galleon Centre was the fact that I could get discounted corporate membership through my fiancee's work at the local hospital. **SOME HISTORY** The old Kilmarnock baths which is where I had learned to swim when I was younger had been deteriorating for years and in the mid 1980's Kilmarnock Town Council decided that a replacement was needed. At this point with the Council... Read review

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