Maker Faire UK, day 1
The trip to the Maker Faire in Newcastle started off with a trip to Bedminster to collect an eBay purchase: a monitor swing arm, for 99p (shame shipping was expensive, due to weight). Then, pack the car and set off up the M5, M42, M1, M18 and A1 to Newcastle. Arrived by 7pm, but promptly got lost just south of the Tyne -- and my destination was just north of the Tyne. So I arrived with only limited time to unload, but boldly drove across the pavement and right up to the marquee entrance and set about getting the UK101s inside. The guy doing the PAT testing was there, as expected, and he immediately set about testing stuff as fast as I could get it ready for him. To my immense relief, nothing failed!
Today began early, with a drive back into Newcastle (north of the Tyne) from the hotel (south of the Tyne). Didn't get lost this time and parked very close to the Centre for Life, where the Faire is located. Got the three UK101s running as soon as I got to the marquee, and they all ran first time. Stand looked great, and I was surrounded by some amazing contraptions. Just next to me was a CNC router, people passed by on an electric skateboard, a mechanical horse marauded outside and everybody seemed to have an Arduino. I was interviewed for Radio 5 Live and the UK101s were filmed for the BBC Technology show (a BBC researcher said that they'd be filming the full interview tomorrow).
I'm now very tired from standing and talking about UK101s all day, but it's been well worth it. Another day tomorrow, and I hope I'll be able to take a break and see more of the other exhibits. Lots of photos, as usual, on Flickr.
Things I have found out about Newcastle: the Discovery Museum has Parson's original Turbinia; there's a rapid transit system called the Metro, but it doesn't go to the Metro Centre; the city centre is served by bright yellow electric buses.
Today began early, with a drive back into Newcastle (north of the Tyne) from the hotel (south of the Tyne). Didn't get lost this time and parked very close to the Centre for Life, where the Faire is located. Got the three UK101s running as soon as I got to the marquee, and they all ran first time. Stand looked great, and I was surrounded by some amazing contraptions. Just next to me was a CNC router, people passed by on an electric skateboard, a mechanical horse marauded outside and everybody seemed to have an Arduino. I was interviewed for Radio 5 Live and the UK101s were filmed for the BBC Technology show (a BBC researcher said that they'd be filming the full interview tomorrow).
I'm now very tired from standing and talking about UK101s all day, but it's been well worth it. Another day tomorrow, and I hope I'll be able to take a break and see more of the other exhibits. Lots of photos, as usual, on Flickr.
Things I have found out about Newcastle: the Discovery Museum has Parson's original Turbinia; there's a rapid transit system called the Metro, but it doesn't go to the Metro Centre; the city centre is served by bright yellow electric buses.