I’ve been to Breadsall – its Ok but very full of golferists. I’m one so it didn’t much bother me….

We had a ‘package’ with dinner chucked in and I remember it being better than most.

Btw, I won’t be doing this myself (as you may have guessed!). Any recommendations for a good spark in Macclesfield area?

The flat was built in 2002 and showers are of that vintage. For the novice, how would I determine what power the current showers are? Would it just be a label somewhere? Ideally I’d like to avoid re-wiring but that sounds unlikely?

Just for clarity – there is no gas in the flat at all.

So, I can rule out a pump by the sounds of it. Upgrading the power of the unit with similar to the wiring sounds like the option.

THanks all

Almost bought one last year, 2008 model. Loved the car on the test drive but the salesman (at a VW place) started playing games so I walked. I then spoke with a mate in the trade and read Honest John…first time I’ve been grateful for a smarmy salesman!

This won’t help but I had a pipe laid for a previous house and it was the worst experience of customer service I ever had!! Price changed every time I called (which ended up quite helpful!), they ‘lost’ quotes 3 times and then turned up and started digging across a courtyard that wasn’t mine. This was also the route they told me I couldn’t use previously! I ended up paying about 1200 for a pipe no more than 30 metres long, which included the backhander I had to pay for the pipe to cross land that wasn’t mine.

The company was Trans something or other. Idiots to a man.

Thanks for the replies – will probably try the hacksaw method…then call the plasterer!

I’d be interested in buying a PS3 version of MW3 if any of you hate it that much…sensible price mind, under thirty new now.

What is drop zone btw?

Don’t rule out coal suppliers – our local ones supply all fuels including logs

Last time they toured, tickets were pretty much given away on ebay… worth checking if you can’t stomach the cover price.

As I read your post you are asking about the principal of owning a fast car rather than a recommendation of which car. IMO, you’ve answered your own question in that you intend to drive sensibly.

If you can afford it (you can) and you want it (you do), then buy it. Drive as you say you will and you won’t have any problems

Get a new wife?

Never done it but a colleague’s 3.0TDi Audi A6 (with 78k on the clock) went for 3800! I think there is about 10% of fees on top and you get a very short time to inspect the car before you are stuffed. If you have a friendly mechanic and are serious about buying it may pay to cover a day of his time to take him with you.

I use a laptop with Skype at the same time. Mute everybody else as they all seem to require gangster rap playing the background. I only have one friend tho….

Letsure references are hardly rock solid! My existing tenant asked me to give him a reference for a new property that he is going to be renting. They called and basically said “is he all right”, I said yes and the conversation was over. I could have been his best mate or partner in crime!! Calling the employer would give me the most comfort.

First at hossie, Second at home. Your missus’s feelings outweigh any study – if she’s stressed it ain’t gonna be fun. The at home experience was great for us but it went smoothly apart from the phenomenal amount of tea and biscuits the midwives go through!

You owe someone a beer…

I love the online playing – can’t be bothered with campaigns. The PS3 to me is an online gaming experience. As for the MW3 / BF3 debate – I’ve played both, am crap at both and thus far prefer MW3 where carnage is the name of the game! Fivespot McSlim on the PS3 if you fancy an easy kill…

Speaking as a landlord (reluctant one) what TJ says is true in that I could evict tenants at 2 months notice, given that they have been in the property for over two years and are effectively on a rolling contract. I think that is wrong unless breaches of contract become obvious (that is where this thread started after all).

The reality is somewhat different as a sane landlord would never want to evict a decent tenant. When trying to evict a problem tenant there are far too many hoops to jump through to re-gain the property. Idiot tenants cause good landlords problems and idiot landlords cause good tenants problems. I blame the idiots!

Shame we sold off so many LA properties back in the day…

Great vid, I thought they were quite restrained given the attitude of the runner.

Letting agents are scammers in all of this. They claim “collection of rent” as part of the management fee, what they should say is “passer on of rent from tenant to landlord should the tenant decide to honour the contract, on and by the way, if the tenant decides not to pay the rent we will do **** all about it”.

Not that I’m bitter…

BTW, if the property is managed and the tenant is not paying the rent, the agent will almost certainly continue to rack up its monthly charges, irrespective of whether or not you are receiving income. I’d have an early word about that if they are not pulling their weight.

MF – that’s the site yeah. Various links to deals come up on there. Do a quick search and you’ll find some incredible ones. I think Sainsburys are doing 25% consoles at the moment as well – or they were went I last went shopping.

These deals were not around when mine went bang!!

Get new and buy it now – look on hotdealsuk and there are bundles on there that make the console similar prices to the cost Sony levies on refurbs. Mine broke by the way!! It froze after an update from Sony and hundreds of people had the same issue (online forums were awash with the problem).

It took a LOT of discussion / arguing with Sony to get anything out of them but they did do the right thing in the end and provided a free refurb machine (which looks like new). Sony originally wanted 135 quid for a replacement refurb with 3 months warranty!!

As you are coming from Sole Trader status, there is an opportunity to essentially ‘sell’ your current company to the new limited company. Know nothing about it but a friend did it (he was well established in his field) and he saved a shed load of tax going forward. Ask an accountant for more detail

Drac – that’s exactly why I like it!!

what channel please – this needs a watch!

If these gits are targeting high end bikes, and they clearly are – then I’d rather they took them from my garage than broke into the house to get them. Of course I’d rather they kept their thieving mitts to themselves. Anyone ever ‘caught’ a thief in the act and managed to keep them there until plod arrived? I wonder how quick plod would turn up – would it even be a priority?

Carden park has a decent play area for the nipper as well, Mottram a bit dull (I play golf there), tho not so far for trips into Manc

OK – thanks.

Quick check on ebay says 650 – 700 stock. Maybe better to split and sell, will list in classifieds later today

Thanks all

any ideas on value – some bits including the wheels have been upgraded DT 5.1 on ProII

Thanks Rad – spot on.

Black Ops a complete pig online for many months (PS3). Now better though a pain with joining your mates if NAT setting is wrong. MW2 never had a problem.

DT78’s explanation makes sense – I upgraded to fibre optic bb and suddenly started killing people rather than being cannon fodder. Then suddenly things change and it lags – is the host the one at the top of the list?

I’ve played BF3 already and its great – just too difficult for me – don’t feel ‘involved’ if that makes sense.

Edukator – just shut up.

Jesus! He only asked for advice…

I can offer none except a name of a very good family solicitor – good luck OP.

What on earth was someone doing with 5 large dogs in a small terrace in the first place? Maybe we should all go round and break the original owner’s neck. Its very clear that someone’s neck has to be broken…

I have a new one to add, from 5 minutes ago in fact. “This bloody key doesn’t work!!” said the missus after having to walk home from the gym (don’t go there) because she couldn’t open the car. Having just walked down to retrieve it I’m sure the bloke who owned the car she was trying to get into would have been amused to see her clicking her key at his car!! Ours was 100 yards away in a different car park – where she had left it 2 hours earlier…

Some “lifestyle” limitations are imposed because they are included within the head lease (if a block of flats for example). Right to quiet enjoyment of their own property for neighbours (no parties), no smoking in the building etc etc. The landlord may HAVE to impose these on tenants.

To the OP, I would suggest that if you don’t like the smoking, don’t renew their tenancy – just issue notice as outlined in your contract with them. Then deduct the money necessary to clean from the deposit. I had the exact same problem (the only ‘bad’ tenant I’ve ever had). He did a runner without paying his final rent bill but stupidly nominated his mother as guarantor (I’d advise having a guarantor if possible).

Abergavenny yesterday in a cafe – “Do you want milk with your black coffee”!!

The link from vanman seems spot on – the very same symptoms at least – will give it a try.

Thanks all