keep 1500, spend 500 on a standard ford or vauxhall because loosing 500 when it breaks (which it will) is better thank losing 2000 when it breaks (which it will!!)

been bought both T shirts and now contract hire a new punto at 136/month inc. road fund license..

good luck

putting my undies on stood up first thing in the morning…according to my physio, it's very common, and ever since i've sat down……simple but effective……

The Italian dream in every sense!!

One night I got a surprise last minute invite to a posh galary opening (serpentine, free beer and celeb spot) so took it. at 2.30am i realised i was taking my daughter on her school farm trip at 8.30am that day. Only trouble was I was at the Serpentine Galary, London W1 and I live in Halifax, WEST YORKS…….1 Iraqi taxi driver and £250 later i arrived home at 6.45am……….

Made the farm and it was worth every penny!!!!

"Privatise the royal family, let them pay for themselves, possibly convert Buckingham Palce to a hostel for all the homeless uk citizens in london."……

Including the Civil list (which has been reduced at a far greater rate than any other govornment, sorry taxpayer, funded department) the royal family are a massive net contributor to the UK economy…..anyone who can add up would want the Royal family to stay firmly where they are so that the beneift they bring comes directly to the uk (I.E. YOU AND ME!!!) and not Royal Family Ltd…….

DZ Nuts works well. I use bog standard bib shorts of varying varieties (as i'm not good enough to buy Assos) but plenty of Nuts cream makes a great difference

Tandem

You sound like you work in the NHS, if that is the case then i appreciate and respect your comments however they are a complete contradiction to both my own experience as a patient and also family members who work in the NHS. It is impossible to bring the debate ref the NHS to money becasue NO ONE knows what it costs. Irrespective of your political persuasion the NHS needs clear direction with specific changes but unfortunately these are too politically sensitive for ANYONE to be brave enough to introduce them. Take a far simpler example and watch how the Unions, in the middle of a financial catastrophy, are actively putting the pensions of 100,000 plus current and ex employees at risk in a game of survival at all costs…against a background of industry change which is unstopable…despite the unpopularity of the word Thatcher, New Labour on several occasions (TB in his own words) have openly stated that they would not have been able to make any progress if it hadn't been for her stance towards Unions and working practices……and to be frank (and possibly unpopular) what we need now is that sort of backbone (excluding the short period of losing the plot towards the end)..difficult problems require hard solutions!!!!!!! (P.S. I've had 3 MRI's 2 private,1 public, so have more than the usual experience at this level).

just having an M&S Chicken Jalfrezi!!!!! very hungry

WARNING!!! whatever you do, dont make the same mistake i did and try to heat a big room with electric underfloor heating!!!!(god knows what i was thinking) my electric bill during the winter is over £350 per month….i am having it replaced with some massive radiators, and hoepfully wont make that mistake again…..

i know it's awful, but if you can help her rise above it and dont sweat the small stuff, then the real important stuff, the great things they did, you, time you all spent etc….will, in time, start to take over…….good luck

Your mate could do well to go have a look at Racescene in Barnsley. They have picked a niche market, with good margins and offer excellent service, and avoid trying to compete with the internet market…up until 6 months ago i'd never heard of them, and dont have any affinity other than a satisfied customer (even though my campag veloce is playing up)…

I think your almost driving the answer, but just the next model down. I have a Fiat Grande Punto, with tow bar and thule bike rack, 7k miles per annum and spends most of it's life in carparks/home. Also i used contract hire for the last 2 cars and it's worked out well this one was approx. £500 deposit (3 months payments up front) and then £136/month, inc road fund license and 1 service due in 3 years. check out nationwide vehicle contracts on google………hope it helps

i've had a bad back for years and just recovered from a prolapsed disc, and absolutely the BEST thing I've ever done is get properly measured and my new bike fitted. I used Racescene in Barnsley and they were great despite scepticism at changing my old (and as i've realised CRAP) riding position. Couldnt afford full carbon but very happy with the Cassati Vinci + Veloce…

I have a rat looking '94 CBR600 F2 american import (with mph clocks). Despite it's age and industrial looking body work it still lead 10 laps on the mallory track day and communted to London and back in the same day. had it 6 years, gave £850 for it, and would buy it all over again.

Rusty…Colin on fighting talk i can see, but Alan Green manages to make everything he commentates on about him, and not the subject. I've never heard the word "I" used more often than Green talking on any subject!!!!!

Yunki—–no one can beat that!!

Specialized BG and despite an oversized arse in jeans i did the measuring thing and came up medium………"does my bum look big on this BG??"

The BBC equivalent of Chiles is that w****r Colin Murray, and the epitome of all that is evil in broadcasting goes to the self agrandising, over blown lard arse that is Alan Green!!!!!

If you like the up to date military hardware, and fast jet pilots with ego's bigger than an A380 then Paris is excellent, and closer to home Farnborough.

tried google, and got 1 possible but a lot of the good stuff is personal rental, so wanted to see if there was something better out there?

Jamie Whitham is not only a great bloke, but quite possibly one of Britains best ever motorcycle racers, and one of the most unfortunate to have always struggled with getting top tackle and then illness…i was fortunate to be on the same track as him and witnessed his genius disappearing into the distance….despite the fact he and foggy are friends, Jamie was possinby the faster of the 2 (although foggy would never say that!!)

Long way round, good TV and Ewan and Charlie very likeable.

If you like your TV intelligent and your swearing to Olympic Gold standard then "The Thick of It" is now available on DVD for all 3 series (well 2 and 2 specials). It is even more poignant now with the recent election result………

Irrespective of your political persuasion it would be very difficult to argue that VAT was regressive, as it allows people to avid the tax by limiting spending, whereas income tax/NI gives Zero choice to avoid any tax. As for it having less effect on the rich, it has the same effect on everyone it's just that some people have more money than others…a fact that people don't like but is inevitable…….

Howies are brilliant, and they do a Jean with a fleece pyjama lining!!!!! OUTSTANDING!! (and i've got big thighs as well)

Just an idea, especially if your leeds based, if you can afford about £100 ring the spire hospital at roundhay, ask for an appointment with their specialist (you dont need to have medical insurance, just a valid credit crad) , they will ask for a GP referral, tell your GP you want to go private (he will try to talk you out of it!!) but whn he's stopped moaning he can fax the hospital, and you'll get seen probably in the next few days. A least then you know youve had the best possible diagnosis going (as you already have had the MRI) and you havnt p***ed about for weeks waiting………..you may not agree with the theory of private medicine, but it works, very well!!!!!

Bustaspoke, you need to get Eurosport for WSB coverage. Great coverage, and also fantastic commentary; Jamie Whitham is a legend and having been on track with him, he definitely knows what he's talking about, big style!!

If you really want to push the boat out try the Excelsior on the Venice Lido, it's a water taxi from St Marks, but it's way way better than staying in the city and you get beach thrown in.

saw him last night at MEN, was excellent. All new material, but weaved in some old references but all in his style, a great night, and thoroughly reccomended…

I went under in 1997, and I only have one piece of advice given to me by my trustee in Bancruptcy…….."get professional advice the minute you think there is a problem" in your case NOW!!!

If i had sought professional advice only 6 weeks before I did, i wouldnt have gone bust…….

Please please get some pro advice. I can reccomend Begby Traynor (nationwide franchise) haed as nails but on your side…

Good luck

P.S. I learnt more in 6 weeks about business/life and me than i had in the last 10 years. I was 27 when it happened….

Mallory is an easy circuit to learn and so you can spend most of the time getting to the limit of the bike/car, and if it is a bike, then you can try to get out of Gerrards FLAT in top!!!!!(assuming the mid corner chicanes not in use)

it's a great place for kids. We've been a couple of times and unless the kids go mental it's a very cool place. Mine are 4 and 9, and really enjoyed it.

it's all down to personal choice, or even DNA….and what IS a ReaL Man ….in my head i'm still 15 and invincible, however i'm 40 with a prolapsed disc, 2 kids, a big job and a beautiful wife so either i'm a real man or a 40 yr old boy….i'm going for the latter…and crying is totally allowed.

I had a C4 for 3 years and it was great, and now a Grande Punto, but when this one goes away (contract hire 18 months to go) i think i'll try the DS3……

just got the gorillaz plastic beach but it's not growing on me yet, however looking forward to the new Groove Armada coming from the amazon latoer this week.

Also can't beat some old skool AC/DC and Whitesnake (back in black and live in the still of the night, respectively)

Just recoverring from a prolapsed disc, so my suggestion would be find out what the real problem is. Bulging, Prolapse etc……I managed to get my local NHS to give mean MRI by sheer persistence……also Accupuncture and as much excercise as possible and I'm almost back to normal.
Get a plan in place and good luck.

I have a Grande Punto a cheap towball and a Thule rack and it took 4 bikes to Cornwall from Halifax and back plus luggage, no problems. Keep everything greased and tighten regularly..i've been very impressed with what is a very basic rack…….

never mind go for the cheapest one, dont go for any MAC unless you are using Photoshop, or want to write a hit single for Jedwood and the Cheeky girls!!!!!!!!! for normal people macs ate B*****it!!!!!!!!

Howies, Jeans lined with Pyjama material. featured in cycling weekly, bought a pair, havn't taken them off.
No contest………………..

tootall
I'm with you.. But there is an art to it, and living in Yorkshire makes it easier. I buy the cloth seperately from a local supplier called Bateman and Ogdens (who have previousley supplied Brioni for the Bond Films) the last lot I bought was a Super 130, wool/cashmere, enough for 2 trousers and 1 jacket (always get the second trouser) £195, and then i have it made up by Micheal Hopkins menswear in Lindley, nr Huddersfield. It's bespoke, so everything from scratch and they charge 375 exc. cloth. I have trield Zegna, Richard james and Gieves and there is very little difference (other than the posh showroom), they are using the same or inferior cloth and the tailoring is a little better but not 1500 quids worth.
As an aside i have my shirts made in Manchester at Frank Rostrans and they are fantastic value (140 each) and you can have them e collared, re cuffed and they are totally bespoke……..the lad who bought it from Frank Rostrun himself has actaully improved the quality…….

Good luck, and enjoy the whole process it feels great and can last 5 times an off the peg.

my late advice might not be of any use, but i'll go for it any way.
Dont go to Blackpool——–DO go to Vegas!!!!!!!!!! it was so good we managed 24hrs, no sleep, and then had to leave, to avoid staying forever!!!!!!!!!