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September 2024: Wedding Bells, 3D Prints, and Seaside Escapes

There’s something bittersweet about September—the last gasps of summer mixed with the promise of cosy autumn evenings. Looking back at my camera roll from this month, it’s clear we packed a lot into those final warm weeks.

Celebrating Stacey & Leigh

The highlight of September was undoubtedly attending Stacey and Leigh’s wedding. There’s nothing quite like watching two people you care about tie the knot, especially when kilts are involved. The venue was gorgeous, the cake was incredible (multiple tiers of deliciousness), and yes, we absolutely made the most of the photo booth.

Photo booth fun at Stacey and Leigh's wedding
Photo booth shenanigans at Stacey & Leigh’s wedding

The evening reception had us at Coyote Ugly, which was exactly as chaotic and fun as you’d expect. Dancing on bars may or may not have been involved. What happens at the wedding stays at the wedding, right?

Coastal Day Trip

We also managed to squeeze in a day trip to the coast before the weather turned. There’s a particular kind of contentment that comes from eating a chippy tea in the car while watching the waves roll in. It was grey and overcast—peak British seaside weather—but honestly, that just made the hot food taste even better.

Takeaway food with a view of the sea
Nothing beats a chippy tea with a sea view

Sometimes the simplest days end up being the most memorable. No grand plans, just good food and good company with the sound of the sea in the background.

Tech Corner: Adventures in 3D Printing

On the tech side of things, I’ve been getting back into 3D printing this month. If you’re into 3D printing (or curious about starting), you’ll recognise the little boat below—it’s the famous “Benchy,” the benchmark test that every 3D printing enthusiast uses to calibrate their printer.

3D printed Benchy boat test print
The classic Benchy – every 3D printing enthusiast’s first benchmark

Here are a few tips if you’re getting started with 3D printing:

  • Start with the Benchy: It’s not just a cute boat—the design tests overhangs, bridging, small details, and stringing all in one print. If your Benchy looks good, your printer is dialled in.
  • Level your bed religiously: 90% of failed prints come down to bed adhesion issues. Take the time to level properly, and use a piece of paper to check the nozzle gap at multiple points.
  • Temperature towers are your friend: Every filament brand (and even colour) can print differently. Running a temperature tower test helps you find the sweet spot for clean prints without stringing.
  • Keep your filament dry: PLA absorbs moisture from the air, which leads to popping sounds and poor print quality. Store unused filament in sealed bags with desiccant packs.

There’s something deeply satisfying about designing something on screen and holding it in your hands a few hours later. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a 3D printer, prices have come down significantly—and the learning curve is much gentler than it used to be.

Looking Ahead

September flew by in a blur of celebrations, seaside trips, and tinkering with tech. As we head into October, I’m looking forward to more cosy evenings, perhaps some autumn walks, and definitely more time with the 3D printer. Sometimes the transition between seasons is the best time to try something new.

Until next time!

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