Bought myself a Cannondale F29 Carbon 2 at less than £2k, brand new ,2014 model.

Even got 0% finance.

Will be out soon.

My mother in law has just given me a bottle of Jura Superstition.

Hasn’t got a clue about whisky, but bought it for me because it was expensive.

Just about to open it now, I’m sure she won’t like the slightly peated taste, there’s a pity…….

Probably 5 or 6 years.

20 speed wasn’t really around , except a bit of niche maybe.

Carbon wasn’t as wide spread as it is now, and was a little expensive etc.

Good to be back, albeit a little more unfit and slower.

I remember watching Sparks on Top of the Tops , shows my age……

Might even have been black and white TVs.

You only live once.

If you can afford it, do it.

Life is about living and experiences.

I’ve had lots of stuff, don’t regret any of it. Lost money doing this, but I don’t fret over it.

Jura

Rorschach

I admire your courage.

It’s a little different for me , although it might end up just the same outcome.

Met with my two other friends in the same situation this evening. It seems like we are to a greater or lesser extent, passengers in this process now.

I,ve never been out of work since leaving school, I,m 60 next month!

The thread will likely go quiet from me now, the other two have their interviews this Friday, mine will be when I return to work.

Thanks for all the replies and support , affirms my believe in ordinary folk, cyclists are a good bunch. Hoping to get fit and healthy enough to return to my playground called Afan soon.

cheers.

I’m prepared to just hand my notice in.

But I will return after one month and see what actually happens.

Haven’t been able to switch off when I was in work.

Came home and fell asleep in my chair for a good 30 to 40 minutes each evening.

Used to enjoy reading, but couldn’t concentrate. Looking forward to forgetting the work issues.

Started reading Zero History by William Gibson.

The three of us who have had the same letter are meeting today to discuss how we handle this.

Meanwhile, I have signed up at the local gym, had my first visit and intend to get healthier in body and mind.

Whatever the work situation – I will be changing my lifestyle.

Only one other witness in the room whilst this took place.

Might not be able to count on him.

He used to work for him in their previous jobs.

However, if he goes ahead and changes the SOP, from my draft, then that,lol be different

Easy for me to find out, I, ve worked there for 12 years.

Ref the filter issue.

I’m the filter expert on site. I amended the current SOP in light of the filter supplier saying that the filter will lose it effectiveness after one use.

I suggested in the draft SOP that the filter just be used once and then transferred to a less critical use.

This will cause some issues with the cost of goods and managing a new supply of filters for each separate batch.

the plant manager could see the production implications and asked me if we had any issues in final product testing related to filter effectiveness.

I said, not to my knowledge, which is true.

But I pointed out that it was not good practice and we are going against the filter supplier recommended usage for this particular application.

He said, well we haven,t had any failures. I said that the sample size was too small to draw any conclusions.

That was last Friday afternoon.

The meeting finished and I was handed the letter.

The filter issue is quoted in my poor performance .

The SOP will probably be amended by someone to his wishes without them understanding the implications….

update

Culdn’t sleep – woke up at 3am.

Phoned in to work that I would be going to the doctors.

Doctor gives me one month off, and 14 sleeping tablets.

Went to see the independent counsellor – she said to take the time off and think over the potential options.

Union rep contacted me , discussed the situation. They will represent me when I return to work. They agree that it looks like I am being squeezed out.

Ref the filter situation
email me on singletrack99@gmail.com

I’ll update later tomorrow, thanks for all the support.

I need to get my life back, been too long worrying.

cheers guys.

I will go to the Doctors in the morning.

Contact my area Union rep – no workplace union etc.

Get in touch with the independent counselor that I have been seeing – have a regular appointment for Mondays at 4.30pm anyway.

Said openly in meetings.

Whether or not anyone will admit to it, then I can’t answer.

But the grow a pair was said infront of the QC Manager – same poor performance……

The claim against me under performing isn’t justified.

The manager is a woman, the other two involved are not under performing either.

there has been a change in the workplace, all the very senior management have been replaced. The three of us still represent how the company was in the past in their eyes.

I worked there for 12 years, the other two for at least 8.

I actually enjoy the work content, always have, but the pressure demands and expectations are beyond.

Some of the quotes said to me by the Plant Manager

“Grow a pair” in response to me saying that I would have to think about an answer to a reasonably big decision.

” You are not dynamic enough for me”

” You are way, way too slow with this work”

I have confronted him directly and told him he will not speak to me like that. He didn’t like that.

—

And just to compound it, last Friday.

I told him that a filter that should be used only once for a product to maintain its chemical integrity should only be used once. This is a fact backed up from the supplier.
The filter is £550.

He said, we’re not doing that , use it repeatedly.

I told him that we shouldn’t be doing this, he told me to just do it. The product is used for healthcare disinfection purposes, reasonably critical application.

ninfan

Thanks for the response and advice.

I genuinely hadn’t thought of that.
I will contact my Union Rep tomorrow and attend the meeting set up for this Friday.

Formal notice letter won’t be handed in.

—

Thanks to all the other replies for the advice etc, genuinely appreciate it.

—

Just to shed some further light on the situation.

My manager has four direct reports, me being one of them.

Me, the QC Manager and the Supplier co ordinator were all given the same letter of poor performance on Friday.

Sad news, a true
musician.

Forgot to say.

System provides me with say £900 a year tax free.

Have you seen how much an annuity costs you to provide a £1,000 a year?

I’m looking to retire soon, so even the financial part of it makes some sense.

£100,000 buys £5,000 annuity.

Plus my energy bill is reduced, as I don’t buy as much electricity or gas.

The gas saving is the usage I would have used to heat the hot water. Fitting an immersion heater and then scooping up the surplus solar panel energy heats the water in my hot water tank.

More like £900 a year is realistic.

Panels guaranteed for 12 years, probably last 25+ based on current thinking.

Yep, £7,000 gone.

But reduced energy costs – I don’t think energy prices are going to drop soon……

I’m pleased – doesn’t even compare to buying a used car for £7,000 ( or anything else) come to that.

Tax free…..

Resurrecting an old thread here.

Had my panels fitted over three months ago – cost £7,000.

Just had my first quarterly payment ( tax free) from the FIT (feed in tarfiff)>

£327

thanks

I’ll begin to sort stuff out

Thanks

Do you know where, and what time it kicks off

I think it depends on the condition of your eyesight.

I had a recent assessment where they told me that I would still need to wear glasses for reading. Didn’t fancy going through with the surgery and still having to wear glasses.

The cost was another obstacle.

They quoted me £7,000 for the work, plus I still need glasses for reading.

Switched to varifocal lens now – quite happy.

You need an assessment, it seems to work well for some people.

Just wanted to say a big thanks to smudger666 for his impartial advice and help ( education).

This forum is truly very helpful and friendly.

I will be installing solar panels in the next 4 weeks.

coolhandluke

Thanks, I’ve had a few quotes now – quite a bit of variation in the prices though.

I understand the system requirements a little better now. Some of the contributors to this thread have been very helpful in understanding the whole solar panel issue.

Haven’t changed my mind – will make a decision on which quote this weekend.

Too many carbs was my downfall.

Eat much more protein now – NO snacking.

I have been on the Herbalife diet since 11th February when I weighed in at 96 kgs.

As of this morning I weigh 84.4 kgs

Typical weekly weight loss of 1 kg.

Feel much better, would like to get to around 82 kgs.

I’m not a wealthy person, I’ve worked all my life since 16.

At long last I have some money to invest in lowering my energy costs when I retire (hopefully in a few years time).

I learnt a long time ago that the world isn’t entirely fair – but I have worked hard and made some sacrifices over 45 years of working.

I can’t help the fact that some people might be disadvantaged, by being someone who will pay more for my energy, when I will only have my pension to live on.

I don’t want to see anyone struggle, but unfortunately I’ve had to in the past.

Paying more for my energy won’t directly affect anyone,but me.

Anyone give me some recommendations?

I’ve read this topic with some interest.

I have got the cash sat in a bank account not earning much interest – may as well get a better return on the money.

Can those that have had it fitted successfully give me some companies that they would recommend? It would help me sort out a shortlist of quotes.

reply on here or pm me please.

email address is in my profile – much appreciated.

I’ve read most of the thread, but thought you might be interested in my experience.

I have lost over 22lbs in the last two months.

Don’t eat much carbs these days, very little, eat mostly fish and chicken and veg.

No snacking.

Also been using Herbalife life protien shakes for breakfast and midday food.

Steady lose of weight with good energy levels.

Works for me, I was skeptical – but a friend in work had tried Herbalife and it worked for her.

Only another 7 lbs to go.

lilchris

I had considered the Revo, but the Edelux seems to meet what I need / want in a dynamo light at a cheaper price.

Suppose I have a little more cash in the bike fund for something else soon.

The Revo does look good though.

Thanks for all the replies and advice etc,it has helped make my choice easier.

Going to go for the Edelux , I’ll get it from a well known German site though.

Thanks, I have a total budget of around £200

Perhaps they’re smoking something that’s banned?

Thanks for all the replies, I’ll look at all the recommendations and you’ve all been a great help.

Particular like the look of the deal at Happy Donkey on the Iberital MC5.

And, yes a good quality grinder does make all the difference to the coffee – don’t mind paying the money for something that will give good taste and long term efficiency.

fbk

YGM

Thanks, I’m going to get a set of Whispbars – but might have a re think on the Thule 561 vs 591.

I still like the security of clamping the forks though – I used to have the 591, and the bike would sway a bit with the clamp/arm leverage.

Either system is well trusted and tried though.

Thanks again.

looneylunn

Thanks , yes I would be interested.

Can you send me some images ( email is in my profile).

Whereabouts in the country are you? I won’t be getting the new car until 1st March though.

Thanks for the responses.

Looks like I’ll get a set of Whispbars.

angeldust
I’m assuming that the Thule 561 Outrider has a universal fit onto the Whispbars?