My ROI showed a positive return of 530% (not a typo-five hundred and 30) The document was shared as a model formula and so my salary is the only one to be have been shared amongst 22 people of differing roles, qualifications, experience and pay grades. The person who shared it also changed the title so that it looked like he was the author and is now wanting to share further on a much wider platform 🤨 .

Thanks to everyone for their input, truly appreciated.

Thanks for the feedback Mike and Spooky, I wanted the manual anyway 🐱 And yes,  it’ll have winter boots on year-round.

Convert; apologies for the delay in replying but I have a job, a training programme and a life. Thank you for your lengthy explanation – you have just proven the adage that ‘Women are from Venus, Men are from Mytholmroyd’. I’m not of the ‘professionally offended ilk’ but I genuinely don’t understand your face allusion. I repeat, please explain.

Convert; really? Genuinelyl not getting your allusions, so I’d be grateful for an explanation.

Convert – ‘the face’? Please expound/ explain. With illustrations.

Returning to the original post and the immediate responses, OMG how scared are you of your girlfriend/ wives/ partners? It was her misdemeanour, not yours, just say ”is this you?’, and then support her as necessary. With the exception of CFH and his (hopefully!) tongue in cheek post, many of the other comments just go to reinforce a lot of, frankly, 1970’s prejudices along the lines of Rigsby/ Fawlty/ Stan Ogden. And BTW, you don’t need permission to ride your bike, just do so at  an appropriate time for those that with whom YOU have chosen to spend your life.

If it’s a hot summer night and the werewolf has red roses then just offer him your throat* – make love not war.

*May only work if you’re a girl, but I’m not judgemental, if he’s a werewolf that’s into guys and you’re a guy then it’s all good 😍

THM – I hope you ride bikes* better than you write a supportive argument (that YOU started!). I … actually can’t be bothered

THM

‘you don’t need a degree to understand that’

What? You repeating verbatim what I’ve just written and then not offering any justification for what you said in the first place or argument against that which I wrote in response?

My degree encouraged me to question, challenge, research and find answers. I can only surmise yours was in algorithms.

THM – WTF?

‘the student body is much greater and with more diverse needs’.

In what way? Since the 14th century British universities have been educating firstly men and  then (a lamentably long time later, but that’s a different thread) everyone else including women and LGBTQ+ from all over the world. We all went to university to gain a degree and experience. Yes, the student body is now greater thanks to New Labour, but how are the needs of today’s students now so much more diverse than those that, for example, were female students during the 19th century, LGBT+ students before the recent enlightenment, BEM kids, those from secondary moderns, . .. ?

This happened to me; far from doing nothing, the police later arrested the driver and he was prosecuted for racially aggravated assault (he also called me a ‘dirty white b*”ch). Turned out he had a string of previous convictions and was wanted for a similar incident where he threatened a driver with a metal bar. He was sent down for 6 months. And sorry rOcketdog but yes, the police did ask if I had washed the saliva off (I had but that made no difference, they pursued it anyway). It’s a horrible thing to happen but you did the right thing.

Definitely badger VW for a goodwill gesture; I’m in an almost identical situation right now – 2007 Suzuki Jimmy, only 27000 miles and completely knackered – Suzuki ‘never seen anything like it’, can’t tell if the problem stems from the gearbox, 4WD transfer, front axle…£4-5k to fix, worth £3.5k if running correctly, FA as it is. Suzuki have offered me £2.5k for a trade in which I have accepted and I collect my (albeit unwanted) new car next week. Annoying as I had no thought of replacing it but it’s always been a bit of a pup so I reckon it’s worth cutting my losses. Good luck!

I’ve lived with coeliac disease for 7 years, during which time the variety and quality of gluten and wheat free products has increased dramatically (NB make sure everything you buy is gluten AND wheat free – the two are different and you are intolerant to both). After trying loads of different products I’ve found the Tesco Free From range to be best in terms of bread, pasta and cereal. I don’t really eat cake and biscuits but bought a Tesco g-f chocolate cake for my partner’s birthday which was yummy. Always check EVERY food label as ingredients such as malt barley and wheat can turn up in the most unlikely things – a lot of condiments contain either wheat or malt vinegar and even things such as Mars bars and Pringles are out because of the malt barley in the Mars nougat and Pringles are coated in flour. However, there are always alternatives and not necessarily the expensive gluten free stuff. As for the all important alcohol, Daura g-f beer is palatable, whilst Wold Top Brewery do a great range of g-f real ales including a fab porter. There are loads more to choose from, these just happen to be my favourites.
Regarding eating in cafes and restaurants, I simply don’t trust the kitchen – stating a dish is g-f is all well and good until the chef uses a knife/ board/ pan that has been used to cut or cook something containing wheat. Even someone failing to wash their hands in between arranging the bread rolls and putting your salad on the plate will cause problems (and once wheat or gluten has re-entered your system it takes around six weeks for your gut to recover).
I’m sorry if all this sounds drastic; you DO get used to being ultra-careful (eg don’t put your g-f bread into a toaster used for normal bread) and you WILL feel like an utterly different person once your system has recovered from trying to cope with something that is causing so many problems. Good luck!

As has already been said, depends on the book(s) and the author, but also depends on your state of mind and stage in life. I’ve re-read classics because they’re great, childhood stuff (Lewis to Blyton via Adrian Mole) for nostalgia, evocative (Herriott, Bronte), life-changing (‘Tipping the Velvet’, ‘The Beach’, ‘A Life Without Limits’). And my guilty pleasure is Jilly Cooper. Don’t question it, just enjoy it. And be glad you have a love of stories and aren’t just watching dross on the box. Or wasting your time on an internet forum

Is it just me or…

Is this supposed to be a celebration of the best creative talent of the past twelve months or a platform for anti-Trumpism? Irrespective of political stances this seems to be collective angst and breast-beating rather than the far more important role of promoting the very real stories of those very real people showcased in films such as ‘Fences’. Or am I expecting too much of the frontispiece of the all too real La La Land?

Closed for having an opinion on having an opinion (mutters…could change the world, obvs)

Tangle-free hosepipes. I can’t believe we can send people into space but can’t invent a hose that unwinds and winds without kinking.
And no, those fabric corrugated things don’t count, they’re not long enough.
BTW I’m also quite sane (except when having to roll and unroll hosepipes)

‘Rosemary and Thyme’ – the plots, acting and whole concept are hilariously dire but it’s still entertaining.

Melchett: ‘Blackadder! You twist and turn like a twisty-turny thing. I say you’re a weedy pigeon and you can call me Susan if it isn’t so’.

I think she does a great job both as anchor for the Olympics and presenter of other programmes. She also deserves kudos for the courage and dignity she showed when she took on the uber k**b AA Gill when he called her a ‘dyke on a bike’. But yes, she deffo didn’t ride the Packet Well section of the road from Hebden Bridge to Haworth in her ‘Britain by Bike’ series.

Marathon and ultra running and wishing I wasn’t gay so I could chase after CFH (sigh?).

A haaaaandbaaag??!!!

Dame Edith beat both Boris and Dave in terms of political (small P) kudos. But at least we’ve snubbed Obama’s ‘go to the back of the queue’ blackmail, no?

Know the area well. Speechless.

Cheers all, every scrap of advice gratefully received. Except about the budgies;
New thread proposal – THEY* (insert Govt, MI5, CIA etc) have the ability to rid the North of Britain of this pestilence. So why don’t they?

Biggest problem (sorry) you’ve referred to your companion of the next 10-18 years as ‘it’.

With the greatest respect, speaking as a boarding kennel owner who spends seven days a week looking after all kinds of these wonderful animals, ALL dogs, regardless of breed, need a responsible, committed, genuine owner who wants to share their life with a friend. There are no quick fixes, no short cuts and you’ve chosen a breed that is particularly loyal, loving, clever and – err – feisty; one of the best guard dogs you could ask for which makes them – unless you train and keep them occupied – noisy, troublesome and even potentially ‘beyond feisty’. bruneep is entirely right, dogs train their owners. You don’t give any circumstances but if you’ve got small children then please make sure a) the breeder/ charity is aware of this and b) the whole family, including the children, know that this is a lifelong (the dog’s life, so could be 16 years) commitment.
Wishing you and Unknown Hound the very best (and please post photos if applicable)

Keswick Caravan and Camping Club site is within easy riding distance of Whinlatter and many mountainous bridleways, a few minutes’ walk from Keswick town centre with its myriad pubs, cafes and restaurants including the fabulous Dog and Gun (does exactly what it says on the name minus the guns) has a superb location literally on the shoreline of Derwentwater, is full of like=minded people (ie mtb’ers, runners, climbers and the ‘odd’! walker).
Bog my opinion, look it up.
Enjoy your holiday!

<posts only whilst waiting for the actual game to improve>
<pauses: Rooney near miss offside anyway>
Actual post:
Is this a bit of a dig at Brexit? You know, land a kick at a ‘turncoat’?
Forget that, England are on the score sheet!

HOW has this got to this point without even a ‘wey hey, I have no problem dropping off to sleep after an epic ride, night or day’? It seems that the STW forum has grown up *sobs*.

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. I’ve downloaded a 50 mile training plan and am trying to talk the OH into spending our November break on the Gower Peninsula, purely for the beautiful location and nothing at all to do with the Coast Trail marathon that just happens to be on then…Feeling tons better 😀

‘Calm down, calm down…you look to me like a mad man’ Has Jonathan Davies never met Brian Moore before or has all that code-switching left him with no ability to discern a pertinent point made by a (albeit opinionated) man who knows his mind, knows his sport and most importantly, knows his code.

Steak and barbeque place near Sowerby Bridge called Bare Grills

Does anyone become a doctor for the 9-5? Surely no junior doctor thought they’d work Monday to Friday 9-5: personally, I’m self-employed and so have the luxury of working 7 days a week in an industry where it’s deemed ok that you can contact me on high days and holidays. I’ve had calls and even visitors – ‘we were just passing’ – on New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Mother’s Day.. Yet I greet each and every one with a smile. And to supplement the inevitable quiet times I do agency work for the profession I am qualified to do.
It seems the NHS is in financial and workforce freefall so maybe it’s time to admit defeat and start charging?

A12 Suffolk to Essex, specifically Colchester. Almost every driver a ‘me, me, it’s my road and I am going to use every lane whenever I like and not signal be because I’M BEST AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU’. And if you obey the Highway Code and observe lane discipline then you’re just pathetic and deserve to be obliterated by my own and my car’s superiority* (*perceived).
Yeah, but you can’t cope with snow can you? Or ice? Or wind? You Southern driver you

*like*
Good shout Flashy, I’ve had the same thought myself.

Always came across as warm, friendly and approachable unlike so many other ‘celebs’. A true entertainer who seemed to genuinely like talking to people. A sad loss.

All the norm – our inside units are centrally heated whilst the outer runs are like an individual conservatory with (very secure!) opening d.g. windows. And if any place allows cats from different families to mix report them to the licensing authority and RSPCA, cats can easily get extremely freaked and intimidated when faced with a potential rival/ enemy/ over-ardent admirer.
Looks a good one, wishing you all the best with it. Wish we could charge London prices…

Unfitgeezer: we’re in God’s own country on the hills above Hebden Bridge (just do a Google search, we’re the only one in HB, and even if we’re nowhere near you, our website gives a lot of info you may find useful). BTW good point about vaccination certificates; we insist on seeing them every time a cat comes in and keep the certificate for the duration of the stay. And definitely take your cat’s own blanket/ bedding and toys – in our case we supply the baskets, litter trays, food bowls etc and ask owners to supply the soft furnishings to help the cat to feel at home. We also advise owners to bring an item of clothing belonging to the cat’s favourite human as an additional comfort blanket. And we buy Dreamies (crack for cats as we call it) in bulk!

As a cattery owner, I can report that in thirteen years we’ve never come across a cat who hasn’t settled in. We always offer new customers the opportunity to come and look round the cattery so owners can see where their cat(s) will be staying and ask any questions. Any decent place should be more than willing to do this. Check that the cattery is licensed by the local authority and it’s always worth asking your vet if they can recommend anywhere. We also offer a ‘taster session’ where, during quiet periods (ie weekdays outside school holidays) we’ll take the cat in for a night or two at a reduced rate and give the owners honest feedback.
We spend a lot of time playing with and fussing the cats and in almost every case (one notable exception being a hissy-fit pwincess who will tolerate being chatted to but goes ballistic if you try to stroke her, but the owners assure us she’s just the same with them) the cats are so relaxed that they jump on our laps for a cuddle and roll over for tummy tickles. No smutty remarks please.

Abcess on my inner ear. Sobbed with pain whilst on a school trip* to Hampton Court Palace (*I was one of the teachers)