Reflections on January 2026: Wet Weather, Work Woes, and Hammock Tweaks

Spoon and her first vinyl

January has been and gone—and, as expected, February has rolled in. I’m not sure if it’s a sign of getting older, but that month flew by alarmingly fast. So far, 2026 has been chaotic in almost every way.

Work has been particularly challenging. Last year’s key phrase was “unprecedented.” This year, it seems to have been replaced by “business as usual.” Many friends and colleagues have said they’re unhappy—mostly in the context of work. I’ve already heard about three dismissals this year (two within my own patch), and that’s not counting redeployments and a whole host of HR issues. It feels like everyone, everywhere, is struggling with something.

My outdoor adventures have taken a bit of a knock too. I’d planned a few tandem rides with my blind cycling buddy, Roger, but the weather put a stop to that—two cancellations in a row. Staying safe is always better than being sorry, but it’s still frustrating.

The endless wet weather also scuppered a group campout, which means my new hammock remains untested. Poo and pants! I don’t think I’ve managed a wild camp yet this year.

I did, however, learn something useful that might help me—and maybe others—get a better hammock setup when I finally get out there. Historically, I’ve been attaching my Structural Ridge Line (SRL) to the carabiners on my Alpkit Mora hammock. But that’s a no‑go. Here’s why: an SRL works best when it’s connected directly to the hammock’s continuous loops. That keeps the geometry consistent every time you hang it. Clipping to the carabiners changes the effective length each time you adjust the suspension, altering the sag and messing with comfort. Attaching to the loops also keeps everything soft‑to‑soft—avoiding metal wear, shock loading, and twisting—and ensures the ridgeline manages only the hammock’s shape, not the suspension forces. The result: a safer, sturdier, and far more predictable setup, especially when you’re tired or pitching in the dark.

Similarly, my Alpkit Mora underquilt—attached via two straps at each end—will perform better if both straps are clipped to the same continuous loop. Doing so keeps the quilt centred, evenly tensioned, and aligned with the hammock’s shape. When straps are split between the loop and carabiner, the mismatched angles can cause twisting, uneven tension, and cold spots. Keeping everything on that single soft loop should give a warmer, tighter, and more reliable setup.

ParkRuns haven’t gone to plan either. I’ve only done one so far—two were cancelled because of bad weather, and I lost my mojo a couple of times, too.

Cycling’s been a bit better. I’ve managed a few outdoor rides—one ended in a fall, another in a soaking! Zwift has been my saviour though, and I’ve completed four stages of the Tour de Zwift 2026 so far.

Father John, Aye (eye)

Family-wise, things are mostly good. My nephew Jack turned 30 recently—I can’t actually remember the last time I saw him, but it must be at least 15 years ago. My dad has just had one cataract removed, with the second operation pending. Meanwhile, my eldest is about to turn 13. Oh man—more crazy times ahead for sure!

I’m hoping February brings a few more adventures. For now, I’ll finish by sharing my latest vinyl additions. The most recent—and my favourite—is Silent Alarm Remixed by Bloc Party. Spoon received her first record too: Hatful of Hollow by The Smiths, which also happened to be the first Smiths CD I ever bought. The other two records were The Eight Legged Groove Machine by The Wonder Stuff and Blue Moon Safari by Vegyn.

Hopefully my next post will shout out more about adventure and less about vinyl...