Knock-an-Stock a Must See

Hey all,

Only back yesterday from a fantastic small music festival that one of our friends bands played at. It was based in a beautiful Wicklow village called Ballyknockan, sitting on the easterly bank of the Blessington lakes. We arrived late Saturday night to a small sports bar pumping out melodies and rhythm on a warm July eve. A marquee was erected outside and bands were also playing indoors to a packed house. The atmosphere was friendly and alive. We had missed alot of great acts from what I heard from many people and I'll be sure to make a full weekend of this one next year. It ran over three days from Friday through to Sunday and it was unbelievably well organised. A camp site was available a mile or two from the pub with parking and a particularly dry field for the recent weather we'd being having. Port-a-loos where clean, with toilet paper and ready available at both locations throughout the whole event. This was a extra bonus from my point of view. The music was a mixture of rock, indie-type, country-dirt and eclectic sounds from small upcoming bands from all over Ireland. Some of my personal favourites where Hot Sprocketts, Lord of the Black Mountain and The Fear Brothers. Staff were very friendly and helpful and always available. Buses ran from the pub to the camp site regularly and it was made very clear before they left.

We arrived back to the camp site at around 2ish and there was a big blazing fire, an outdoor marquee with music playing and people spinning fire poi under a full moon. Everyone was open, friendly and made you feel relaxed. I've being to Electric Picnic and Glastonbury and I have to say this set-up felt more homily than anything. When the sun came up the next morning I was greeted by the most amazing views all around. The camp site was elevated looking down over the wide expanse of the most spectacular Blessington lakes framed by dark evergreens. Behind sat the rolling lush green hills of Mullaghcleevaun interspersed with grey rocks. John Hinde worthy imagery surrounded us.

The next afternoon an earth angel called Nicky had here own hand-built tee pee open to anyone that was looking for some breakfast. She had it laid out with rugs and sheepskins and she was cooking a hearty veggie brekkie in the centre. This amazing girl was offering a place to relax, get a bite to eat and all for free. Thanks Nicky it was much appreciated.

I will be watching out for the next KnockanStock and I recommend to all kindred souls to do the same. I can see this one becoming a definite for our Irish Summer. I offer my congratulations and thanks to all the people that worked, organised, played or promoted this event.

http://myspace.com/knockanstock

Let's start again!!!

Okay, so perhaps I was a little ambitious initially with to coin "Sam's Daily Blog" so I'll try again. Starting today. Currently on my third week teaching in FAS Loughlinstown. My car decided to break down over the weekend after only getting it back from a service costing nearly €800. These are the prices you end up paying when you decide to buy a 10 year old 5 series BMW. An adorable car to drive. An utter pleasure accept when stuff goes wrong. For someone that has had over a dozen cars at this stage you think I might have learnt by now. Nevertheless, this brings me to today's theme. DIY.

Most things we lack knowledge in, end up costing us an arm and a leg. Sometimes literally. Cars as I have said I have a lengthy experience with and through this I have begun to gain more and more knowledge to the point I'm not intimidated when I lift up the bonnet. My last car two cars I did all my own servicing on. This was due to a short ten week car maintenance course I did in my local school. Highly recommend this. It really pays off. Yeah, it requires you get a bit dirty. You'll need to pick up some basic tools (this is probably the biggest reason more people don't do more DIY is the lack of the necessary tools). These cost overall very little. Then it takes a book or two or more efficient and cost effective, is the web.

So, here I am last Friday evening. All chuffed with my car getting the final thing done to it. Got myself a brand new Sony Ericsson w850i with 3 mobile. Its going to be a great weekend. Within a few hours I noticed that the car started doing its old problem of revving randomly and sporadically cutting out at lights. Em. So, I put to one side and that night while driving home the car lost most of its power. Had problems changing gears and was barely breaking 30mph. I was so disappointed. I was worried it was a clutch problem. I felt that it was going to be expensive whatever it was.

Next, morning I morning I jumped up to give a test run and see if anyhting had changed. it got worse. I called inot a local garage and asked a mechanic if he would put my fears to rest and tell me whether it was the clutch. He thankfully stated it was more than likely the Air Flow Meter. With this I took a positive view point on the whole scenario and rang around to find where I could get the part. I was quoted €3o0 approx and it was 3 miles away. I drove to the supplier and the car declined in speed and sound as we got closer. Speed dropped down to below 10mph. The supplier had presumed incorrectly and we found it was the wrong part. The part I needed had to be specially ordered and might cost in the region 0f €500. Off, I sped at 8mph to see if there was anywhere else I might pick it up new or 2nd hand. To no avail, we literally rolled back home after around 2 hours. The car had lost all power, barely reach 5mph and was cutting out every 100 meters. Stressed was not the word. I left it alone for the rest of the weekend.

Yesterday, I got word that the part might take up to weeks to get a hold of. When, I got home I decide to give the car a once over. For some reason, I was a little more intimidated than previously due to it being a BMW. Nevertheless, I looked under the bonnet, turned over the engine in neutral and looked, poked, listened and learnt. There appeared to a rather unusually loud hissing sound. It came from roughly centre front of the underside of the car. Tyres where all inflated and looked grand and the hissing continued. This intrigued me. I tried to look under as far as possible although could not source the sound. From the engine side it was no help because you had the sound of the engine turning over. So, I left the car and went to the net.

No, for anyone that is using the web 10 years or more you'll know what I mean when I say searching is a skill. Different combinations of words gets totally different results. Through my new knowledge "hissing" and "air leak" and "Maf" or "air flow meter" and/or "bmw" started bringing up some amazing new results. With bizarre similar symptoms to my very own. A new path of insight appeared before me. The Air Flow Meter or MAF may only be dirty. I'll bet that this is the primary problem. Additionally any air entering the intake manifold can cause serious problems where the car starts acting as if it is having major gear problems. All this research took no more than 2 to three hours. I have learnt a whole lot about my car, fuel intake, air flow and the lot. I'm off at lunch to pick up some Carb Cleaner (leaves no residue) and some heavy duty tape or something to stop an air leak. When I get home I'm going to get down and dirty and see if I can save myself €500 and feel fantastic. So, I reinvest my belief in the wonders of the Internet again. It is a DIY enthusiasts dream tool, when you have the time that is.

Welcome Digital Travellers

All are welcome to the wonderful world of Sam Lyons and his blog of energy69. Let start with some introductions.

I am 33 years of age, a passionate educator, regularly very energised and in love with life. My intent, only recently formulated in to words, "to help others find their inner potential through education and development". I consider myself charitable and believe in honesty at the foremost of my being. People and the world amazes me and I constantly see the positive side to things.

Over the coming months you will get an insight into the mind that is Sam. Perhaps this may initially scare some although others it may thrill and others bore. Nevertheless through all adversary and disagreement I will attempt daily to post some thoughts, inspirations and learning that I feel someone can take something from. Feel free to comment, criticise and suggest nuances to this place at anytime. So here it goes will blog no:1. Let there be many more and hopeful and wonderful journey has begun for me and others.

Sam Lyons