Buy a Mercedes E Class Coupe.  Has awesome shopping bag hooks, hope that helps.

I’m interested in this too – but I haven’t found anything quite as easy to replace it with.  Tapster keeps coming up on my social media feed but you need to have a ‘special’ account with Curve to run it, rather than just topping it up from your existing bank.

If you search Amazon for EVDANCE EV CHARGER TYPE 2 3 PIN you should get you to the same place, linkies to Amazon don’t work.  Currently at £125.99, less a £10 voucher if you buy the 6m one.

@bassmandan – you can get an adjustable 3 pin charger for under your budget.  I got a cheapie from Amazon back in May and use it a few times a week with no issues (so far).  Gets plugged into the upgraded socket in my garage and set to 13a, I put 34kw in my car last night in 13 hours.  You can drop it down to 10a, 8a or 6a if you’re worried about the infrastructure, it just takes longer.  Even if you’re not using it all the time it’s such a useful thing to have.

Have been lucky enough to see them live a couple of times – in a tiny venue in Sunderland and a packed tent at Kendal Calling.  Great both times, worth looking out for their live dates.  New album coming soon too!

And all of the above is why my better half still drives her dirty diesel even though for 90% of trips she’s going less than 10 miles.

Having had my 60kw Megane since Dec ’22, I appreciate that there’s a certain amount of geeky planning that goes into driving an EV, even one with a (potential) 250 mile range  never mind a 40kw Leaf.  I charge mostly at home so last charged on Sunday.  I’ve been to work and back yesterday and today, 40 mile round trip each time.  My Dad’s in hospital at the moment so we’re going to see him tonight – another 60mi trip but mostly on the A1.  There’s no charging infrastructure at the hospital so I had to have a think whether that’ll be OK to go in my car.  Clearly it will be fine – but I did still need to have a mental ‘check’.  None of that’s an issue in a petrol or diesel, bigger range and ‘instant’ refuelling all over the place.

Luckily I’m a massive geek so really enjoy planning but not everyone does.

Spectating at the NDH TT at Eastgate Weardale at the weekend

I’ve fitted a few of these around the house and they do illuminate faintly when switched off –

https://www.retrotouch.co.uk/touch-light-switches.html

Ryan Adams for me at the Barbican in York tomorrow night.  Probably the 6th or 7th time I’ve seen him over the years, 2nd time at the Barbican.  2 sets, 2 and a half hours of sad but uplifting music.

I’ve never had an issues putting a ‘normal’ unlimited phone SIM into a router – we have a static caravan, it’s the only way we can get data into it.  We ended up with the 4g version of this one and it’s been working fine for over a year.

Zyxel 4G LTE-A Indoor WiFi Router | Share Dual-Band WiFi to 64 devices | Supports VoIP/VoLTE | Unlocked

The office that my better half rents has really poor wifi so I got her one of these a couple of months ago:

TP-Link Cat6 Gigabit 4G Router with Sim Slot Unlocked, 1200Mbps TP Link 4G Router with sim slot Unlocked, 4G Mobile Router with Nano Sim 5Ghz Dual Band, MU-MIMO technology

Both from Mr Bezos, alternatives are available.

Also just been fine and works.  They’re both 4g rather than 5g.  In my experience it all hinges on phone signal where you are – we started with Vodafone at the caravan after testing it with my work phone, ended up with loads of buffering.  Swapped onto Spusu (piggiebacks on EE) and it was much better, much stronger signal where we are.  As mentioned above streaming telly eats loadsa data so you might be surprised how much you can use, unlimited data plans are the best way.

You need to have a drive of them really as suggested above.  I had a quick go in a recent Expert and hated the driving position (felt cramped to me at only 6′) and hated the 6 speed gearbox, felt so clunky and vague.  Not sure I could live with it.

I saw it years ago in London – and from what I remember it was completely hilarious and amazingly offensive pretty much all the way through.  Not sure at what point you’d decide that it was too much and walk?

colpFull Member
Saw The Allergies last night in Birkenhead.

If you like old school hiphop and scratching mixed with funk/soul I’d definitely recommend them live.

I’ve seen them a few times now, always good.  Was it just the two of them on the decks or did they have Andy Cooper, Marietta and the guy on sax too?

Oooh, I’m pretty good.  But for the other awesome losers on this thread – a little tip.

You know those ridiculously small Amazon Fire remotes?  The teeny tiny ones?  That love to hide underneath cushions etc?

There’s a really good Fire TV app for your phone that’s much better to use than those piddly remotes.  Have been exclusively using it for the last couple of weeks since my remote vanished for the last time.

A busy week of gigs for me….. But only because I’m off to Kendal Calling tomorrow :-)

Looking forward to CMAT, The Streets, Paulo Nutini, Andrew Cushin, Lottery Winners, Pip Blom & more.  Am excited!

wooksterboFull Member
Sort of related to EVs, may be getting a Phev but to take advantage I need to really set up the right tariff etc. No smart meter currently so obviously need that sorted. Looked at Octopus and British Gas (currently with) so far. I know BG have been hassling my better half for a while to get one fitted. Can anyone offer advice as to who is the better provider to go with (not just the 2 above) or is it the same installers who fit smart meters anyway?

If you’re getting a plug in hybrid I really wouldn’t bother with a dedicated chargepoint – at £1,000+ to get it fitted, it’s going to take a long time to pay for itself recharging a teeny tiny battery.  Standard Octopus is 22p a KW – I’d just use a 3 pin charger and plug that in.  When I was looking for my last company car one of the choices was the A250 hybrid which I was interested in for it’s low personal taxation – was coming out at about £75 a month in cost to me compared with my previous diesel auto which was costing me £200+ a month.  Ended up with a pure EV and the personal cost dropped to £27 a month.

1
politecameraactionFree Member
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/muddyfox/electric-avenue-hybrid-bike-700516#colcode=70051603

£400…available on Cycle 2 Work if that helps…but no rack or mudguards or lights supplied, and single speed. Black or dark grey frame, so I’d wrap the whole thing in the 3M looks-black-reflects-white adhesive tape/sheets.

We bought one of these 2 years ago, still going strong.  Very different experience to thepodge – it doesn’t look too much like an ebike which is a postitive, it’s easy to ride for my better half as she doesn’t really get on with gears, motor feels strong enough and picks up really well – and the couple of times I’ve ridden it, it doesn’t disengage too harshly when above 15.5 etc.  For an easy bike to get to the station and back I’d recommend it, but you’d want to maybe disguise it as suggested above.

Take pics of every panel and a quick video walkaround. If you’ve taken their optional excess cover then all’s good – if not pickup some before you travel. The last few hire cars we’ve had in Spain have been from different operators, all had a bit of damage when we picked them up but nothing said or happened afterwards when we dropped them off, the last two didn’t even get inspected as the hire office was some distance from the car park.

“We’re up to be filming Public Service Broadcasting in Durham Cathedral on Friday – doing the whole of their Every Valley album.”

I had a ticket for that but had to sell it on – was double booked, we’re off to the Stanhope Weekender (tribute mini festival) Fri & Sat this week. Have seen PSB a couple of times now and am booked to see them at the Glasshouse later in the year. Would have loved to see them at the Cathedral with a brass band, it’ll be a unique experience I’m sure!

There’s loads of AdBlue pumps on forecourts in the UK – just not at supermarkets. The first time I needed to refill my tank back in 2019 I used one of those plastic tubs, like above managed to get it all over the car and my shoes. And didn’t actually fill the tank cos the container was less than the 15l the tank held. Managed to find three service stations within 10 miles of me that have pumps on their forecourts so have never used anything else since. Admittedly I now have a leccy car but my better half still has a dirty diesel that needs AdBlue. Much cleaner and at least you know it’s been filled.

On our cars the AdBlue filler is just next to the diesel one so it’s easy to get right. I think on some vans it’s at the other side (certainly Renault Masters) so easier to get wrong if you’re on autopilot.

I’ve got it on in the background at work and it’s been fairly inoffensive to be fair. Won’t be swapping ;-)

I think you’ve made the right choice Alpin, I’d have done the same. The last case I heard about ended up costing about £6k to fix on a new Renault Master, they ended up replacing most of the fuel system.

I know, I know….. It’s on iPlayer not Netflix – but I believe I need to bring your attention to “The Cops”. 3 Series, originally broadcast by the Beeb in ’98 and pretty much never repeated and unavailable on DVD or streamers….. Until now!

Thank me later if you didn’t watch it first time around ;-) . Or even if you did!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0j0284z/the-cops

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cops_(British_TV_series)

@Ewan – the 3 pin charger I got from Amazon is this one, now showing at £125 less a 5% voucher. Still working OK here, added 39kw yesterday (car was down to 22%) in just over 15 hrs. Can’t seem to link to Amazon at the moment but this is the charger if you use their search – EVDANCE EV Charger Type 2 UK 3 Pin 20ft/6.1m [6/8/10/13A]

I know I’m very much an outlier here but I’ve had my EV since Dec ’22 and am now charging pretty much exclusively on a granny charger at home.

It’s a Megane with a 60kw battery. I used to get free charging at work but that changed a couple of months ago and it’s 30p a kw now so obviously home’s cheaper. I had a second hand Renault 3 pin cable that stopped working last week so I bought the cheapest similar thing on Amazon and I’m amazed – it’s drawing current at 13a now from the (upgraded) socket in the garage and overnight charging used to do 31kw in 16hrs, I did 34kw last night in 12hrs 50 mins. Big difference for a hundred quid. I’ve been checking to make sure the plug, socket and cable haven’t been getting warm and all good so far. A recommended ‘upgrade’.

I know a dedicated chargepoint would be better again but this works well for me for my usual 40 or so miles a day.

Yeah, I was there in Sunderland last night – in the ‘cheap’ seats tho, so mercifully kept nice and dry. First time I’ve seen him, had an outstanding night, the bangers kept on coming. I was moved during “The River” and didn’t miss “Born in the USA”. My thinking was very definitely he’s one to see before he stops touring.

I go to gigs all the time but very rarely in football stadiums – I prefer to be able to see folk without looking at the big screens. I was out in Sunderland on Saturday night to see the Lottery Winners, there must have been less than 200 there – still £30 a ticket for that so not dissimilar in terms of cost per minute.

Must be a great earner for him even with a 17 piece band and all the other costs of touring – 45,000 people there last night and I reckon my ticket at £100 was probably about the cheapest.

@desperatebicycle

“that bloke from the Sopranos on guitar

I’ve been watching him in Lilyhammer recently… does he do that face for real??”

He seems to be mostly all about “that face” – or at least did it whenever he was on the big screens. Could be an affectation, I was too tight to pay for the expensive tickets so was a bit far away to know for real.

Love the Staves! They’re not touring anywhere near me this year unfortunately.

Went to see the subtle and understated Mr B Springsteen last night in Sunderland. Never seen him before, it was an incredible 3 hrs of rawk with saxaphones and that bloke from the Sopranos on guitar. Good times!

Saw the rather marvelous “Lottery Winners” in Sunderland on Saturday night in a teeny tiny venue. They were great and (usefully as I’m an old giffer) started their set at 8:20. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and looking forward to seeing them again at Kendal in the summer.

I had the same rigmarole back in Feb when mine expired. Just the one bike but it had near doubled in cost with my existing insurer. I went away from Carole Nash the year before after 20+ years when they got ridiculous. As above, worth going through the comparison sites – I managed to end up with Swinton for the princely sum of £81.25 for the year. £500 excess but whatever. 54, riding for 24 years never any claims on an old ’07 Triumph Sprint ST.

I love a mirror, gives me so much more confidence on the road. Don’t know if I’d ever bother with a teeny tiny bar end job, certainly I wouldn’t lash out a load of money for rear facing radar. I like a big stupid looking mirror that clamps to the bars of mine. Easy to take off if I’m going off road, is perfect for nipping around the estates / to the shops with it on.

Part of the reason I find it so useful is that my right eye vision is a bit poor and I find I’m looking past the lens of my specs when looking over my shoulder. So big stupid mirror + shoulder checks makes me so much more aware of cars behind, almost feels like having a superpower in comparison with no mirror.

Hives tickets now gone to a good home

If anyone fancies the Hives in Newcastle on Thurs night this week, I’ve just listed two balcony seats on Twickets at less than face value.

https://www.twickets.live/en/event/1710222615236317184

Can’t go, a bit gutted.

I loved visiting NI for work, every time I went to a supermarket to get my lunch I’d be asked if I wanted a ‘wee bag’.

Always made me smile.

I imagined various replies – “no thanks, but I’ll take a regular sized one please” or “no thanks, I’ll use the toilet like a normal person”.

Sad news, 66 is too young really. I loved ‘Goodbye Jumbo’ when it came out – I’ve still got it on LP. Was lucky enough to see World Party twice in the 90s, was always a good night.

It’ll be my third time on the Hamsterley Beast – I’ll be there with my son in May for his first time around.

Think the format’s changed for this year, but last year I think there were 20 and 40 mile options – I did the 20. Some of the 40 mile course repeated the 20 miler from memory. Think the plan is this year that it’ll be split into 7 timed stages.

I’m sure they’ll include the long peat bog sections where you’re up to your axles in water again, it’s a tradition! :-) It’s sold out for this year but there is a waiting list –

https://www.hamsterleybeast.com/

Get a bigger phone? Use voice to text?

Lottery Winners

Not sure you can say the word Sertraline without singing the song now.

I went to a new (to me) venue in Newcastle to see the rather lovely Little Comets for Independent Venue Week. It was at ‘The Grove’ in Byker, the band were great live. Must have sung about 30 songs, first 40 mins or so as a 3 piece, the main set as a full band. Fab night. And only £25.

Disappointingly I’ve got very few gigs coming up – apart from Brrrruuuuce! at Sunderland in May I’ve only got 2 festivals booked in. Northern Kin in Durham in June (Waterboys/Billy Bragg/Elvana/Alabama3/Starsailor/Peat & Diesel/etc) and Kendal Calling in Aug. Both should be good!

Wow, how horrible for her. I’ve never had a total failure with no warning but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

Reassurance from the interwebs:

It is reassuring to note that most cars built since the early 1990’s have ‘dual circuit’ brakes which will still work on at least two wheels in the event of a hydraulic system failure. Dual-circuit brake systems are a safety feature that effectively incorporates two separate hydraulic systems, if one fails the other still operates.

Would guess that there may have been some warning – but as it’s a new car to her she might not have noticed the signs, may have just assumed it was how it drove. Might be worth asking if the handbrake light had come on, that could be an indicator of low brake fluid.