Thanks OMITN. That helps a fair bit. Does that mean that come 31-10, other ISPs will be able to offer ADSL2+ (up to 24mbit) or are my choices Talktalk (LLU) and BT?

TT are looking tempting at the mo – their price seems almost too good to be true. Still concerned about quality of service though – mind you, the complainers always seem to have the loudest voices.

Interesting topic – I’m just about to quit Virgin (I’ve been with them since 1996). The service has been superb, but they’re simply too expensive. The price doubled a couple of months ago and they’ve just announced another smaller hike to come in November.

I was about to sign up to Talktalk this coming Friday. They’re charging about a third of the price, and our rural exchange has Talktalk as the only LLU operator (whatever that means!) – they’ve told me I should average 12Mbps downstream compared to my current 4. The other “thing” I’ve just spotted on Samknows.com, is my exchange is to be “21CN WBC…RFS” on 31-10-12. Does this mean BT awesomeness is due to arrive??

Forgive me, I am a (very) simple person but fascinated by the images from Hubble.

Someone mentioned that the Big Bang didn’t happen in a single place, rather everywhere at the same time. But what went Bang? Surely there was something to go bang in the first place? Nothinghness doesn’t go ‘pop’…. does it?

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.

Do you then have the non-tacky side of the masking tabe in contact with wet paint?

If you mask the carpet and/or use a paint shield, as soon as you let go of the shield, the carpet is going to spring back up and make contact with the wet paint on the skirting. Just pull the carpet back at the edges.

Get the best:

Isn’t that a blender/smoothie maker?

Another vote for a Kenwood Chef. If you have a Makro nearby, they quite often have good deals on them.

It does have some karaoke games although I cant vouch for them – a quick google shows quite a few.

I have heard about the Wii U but am reluctant to splash the cash while the games they want to play are all pretty lo-tech.

It’s fine for my two. Games are still being produced and I have no intention of letting them anywhere near some of the shooter-style games for a good few years yet. When they’re a bit older, I’ll consider a change (they’re 5 and 6.5 now). It’s great fun to see them and their friends playing Mario and the dancing games together :)

What about a Wii?

My sons cheapie is no worse than my daughters expensive-ie – no corrosion, still folds nicely and is in almost constant use – it was bought for him aged 3.5. Go figure. :lol:

Listening to Jonnie Peacocks mum on the radio this morning.

Little MissG has one of these:

Young MasterG has one of these:

The first was about £60, the second about £20 (from Amazon I think).

There’s not a great deal in it. The Micro is slightly better finished and the Razor has withstood a right good thrashing.

Edit: MissG is 5.25 MasterG is 6.5.

Actually….. Just went to order one and standard delivery more than doubles its price! Maybe not, then :?

Edit: Any first hand reviews of the STW mug?

Edit #2: Just checked and the tea mug is no longer listed. Ho hum.

Klunk – did you not buy another? They’re only £5.75! I might buy one for myself and get MrsG to give it to me for Christmas.

MrsG tends to ban me from any sport leading up to holidays. I have (on numerous occasions) boarded aeroplanes sporting casts, bandages, bruises, crutches etc. Both biking and, mainly, football related incidents. So I completely understand where the OP is coming from.

Great news PhilC by the way 8)

My Cousin is competing in the Paralympics – he’s a sailorist and has a nice shiny BMW 520D courtesy of a sponsorship deal. He’s well chuffed!

Come on John!!!!! :D

I’ll need a 4 berth as I will have to take MrsG and the kids. Bunk-beds would be great too!

The more I look, the more I’m finding it easier to justify – we must have spend a fair few £££s on cottage holidays in the UK since the children were born. Each holiday preceded with ridiculous stress levels: hunting for an available cottage in the right place (that we can afford) as we’ve left it to the last minute AGAIN. :D

Thanks Molgrips – its a 2009 320D. Just looking at Gumtree – some second hand jobbies that seem to offer a lot of ‘stuff’ for the money. I really must get some work done instead!

All this talk of caravanning has got me thinking! Any tips for getting a tow-bar fitted and approximate cost?

Interesting stuff. I’ve been with vodafone for a fair number of years; my current HTC Desire contract ended before summer but I haven’t bothered putting any real effort into upgrading as the handset is still great! Having had a quick look around, I quite fancy the One X.

Something Fishy?

Mussels – Moules Mariniere is very easy and delicious.

Thai Fish cakes & salad. With a nice, spicy (but not too hot) sauce

Or how about a light soup (eg fennel, pea & mint or watercress?)

Many thanks – some brilliant stuff there. Downloaded a few already for the Kindle 8)

DrP – Thanks. The missus has bought that but only got a few pages in…. :|

Any views on the Lemony Snicket books – are they a bit old? As in aimed at an older age group?

trb – we had similar questions with the Enid Blyton!

Ted Hughes – tick, now on the list – a great book, I read that too.
Roald Dahl – tick, now on the list
Thomas the tank engine – we’ve done most of them and all of the Mr Men books too.

As an aside, I was recently given the Charlie Higson books. They’re supposed to be kids books too (maybe teenagers??) and gave me nightmares! Enjoyable though.

Uphillcursing – I work away for 3 or 4 nights a week. This time with the kids is very special. I’ve recently bought the missus an ipad so I can read to them from my hotel. It’s not too successful at the moment however!

-1 on Reiss. I had one and it fell apart. Unless they’ve improved their quality in the last few years I’d avoid. M&S for good value for money, nice fabrics, nice cut.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it. It’s great 8)

Yes. Just phone them up and tell them. They’ll look on the internet just like you do. I did this when I got my HTC Desire from Vodafone. It took a couple of calls and the request of my code, but it worked.

What do you have? I’m after a few bits

EDIT: In particular some 753 feet and a 3028 fixing kit.

Don’t forget, 20 years ago there was no such thing as motorcycle instruction, people bought a bike, did a 100m test and got their licence… next thing they were out riding.

I’m fairly sure the vast majority are still kicking round.

<waves> Yup, still here.

Although I did cheat and complete some IAM training a few years ago (am now a qualified Observer) :D

If you do decide to continue with your decision to get a bike, get some additional training after you’ve passed your test – IAM, RoSPA or Bikesafe (very good sessions run by the Police), there’s loads available and it’s not too expensive.

Loads of deals for the S3 (and the others you mentioned) listed here[/url]

They’re not bad to eat too. A bit like lamb / duck. Nom.

Do you really spend the brief time off that we have wondering what will happen this upcoming season?

Yes.

To some of us, it is very important. To others, it isn’t. Mleh :roll:

And:

Man C
Man U
Spurs
Arsenal
Chelsea
..
..
..
SAFC somewhere in the upper middle (I hope)

Let us not forget:

and

:D

Boooo.

Essential around here.

The quidco + galaxy tab deal above is tempting. I may get one for myself!

Although its potentially a bit of a sh!tty trick, CBike has a point. Plus, it may not have even entered into his head that you had placed so much importance on this.

Is the nexus7 available much cheaper than £199 on-line?

If not, get down to a shop and buy her one. If they’re only a few £££s cheaper on-line, suck it up and still go to the shop and buy one.

A per diem allowance is tax free for the first two years in a single location. If you change location (country, city etc.) the clock resets. However, as soon as you are aware that you will be in the same location for over 2 years, you will be taxed from the point in time you were made aware. For example, you’ve been on location for 14 months, your employer tells you you’ve another year. You’ll be taxed from 14 months when you declare it. Your employer may adjust the per diem so you don’t lose out. Mine does, and they’re notoriously stingy!

I understand that you’re not being contrary; I think the problem people have with this incident is it was so blatant that both pairs were trying to out-lose each other.

‘You are quite right though, enforcing this is going to be very, very difficult. If teams want to proceed down this path then they are indeed going to need to be considerably more subtle. In which case, wouldn’t their energy and focus be better spent trying to win ‘properly’ rather than influence the running order of the knock-out stages? (rhetorical q.)

Yes, what they did was within the rules of Badminton, but it was also in opposition to the Olympic oath that all the athletes pledged to adhere to.