Have flown with most of the USA airlines and all wanted passport information in advance.

Well they haven’t asked yet, but two weeks to go and nowhere to add it on delta site, onley ‘redress’ number and Known Traveler Number

You should get a mail with the e-ticket number – I’m surprised you haven’t had this?

I got the e-ticket numbers 24 hours after booking, I used that to get into ‘my trip’ on delta. Info supplied from travelup has been pretty much non-existent.

Delta haven’t asked for esta or api though.

Yeh we’ve got the esta’s printed out, thanks.

Ah that’s good, thanks.  I’m not worried, my wife is though :)

I’ve completed advanced passenger info on the delta site but passport number wasn’t required, apart from dob etc the other info was US specific.

So footflaps do you just present you passport at check in with no requirement to supply beforehand?

Thanks Mike, so no need to enter passport numbers anywhere before we get to the airport.

Yes estas are done.

At the very back of an industrial estate near you is a compound with a Portacabin and two blokes in jobsworth jackets, eating pies, watching TV and waiting for the call from any one of a variety of road rescue organisations.

That’s not my experience, mechanic from local garage turned up. Very professional and very helpful.

We’ve got a fair bit in them, they’re doing alright.

The sub the work out to local garages.  I’m sure they have some of their own vans as I’ve seen them before.  I have a policy with them and used them last year, great service.

Yes they do Kit, if you click on their catalogue link they have soft shells, polo shirts etc.

i went out for a quick 40km on quiet country lanes last night, coming back at 9ish. It was -3c for the last hour

It was -2 on my commute home last night at 6pm and it was fine, but after a night of those temperatures there would be some icy patches no matter how dry it it.

I can highly recommend Orb group, I’ve used them loads in the past and they’ve always done a great job.  Nice people too.

I’ve got loads of shit to do

To be fair that’s a fairly valid reason for staying off work

375 divided by 1% of 30000

1.25% increase

Well that’s an odd way to put it.

But as above anywhere with 30,000 people living there is not a village, I would say medium sized town.I live in a town with a population of around 46k, its a big town.

So, should I MTFU and go anyway, or be boring/sensible and avoid the roads?

It’s not about manning up, riding on ice is horrible.  My commute goes across a moor so the temps drop pretty low, I can leave home where there’s no ice then get to the highest point and it’s like Narnia. Riding on ice is stressful, dangerous and you slide a long way when you fall – which is even worse if you happen to land on a stone and it s;ides along with you – I still have the scars.  Honestly it’s not worth it.

If you are IT literate, keep the house nice, are realistic about price then it works well.

I think you’re over simplifying it just a touch.

anyone dealt with purple bricks etc and if so how did you find the experience compared with a high street estate agent

I sold two properties recently, one through purple bricks in Yorkshire and one through a regular estate agent in Glasgow.  Purple Bricks were awful throughout the who process, trying to speak to them was a stressful event in itself, the agent completely over valued the property so we got few viewings, gave no advice about getting people in, we had to make all the suggestions, they gave no input at all.

Agent for the property in Glasgow was brilliant, handled everything, property went from going on the market on 6th October to sold, as in the money was in my bank, by 26th November. The agent was constantly in touch with the solicitors making sure everything was in progress.

Purple Bricks are dire and I would never recommend anyone use them. Don’t under estimate the difference having a good estate agent makes.

Although I’ve just noticed that Alpkit have a 3 year warranty and I’ve had it less than that so maybe they can find the hole and mend it for me!

I like Alpkit clothing but I’ve been disappointed with a couple of bits of their kit recently.  Bought a kelvin titanium mug and the push fit lid gradually popped off as soon as I put a hot drink in it, emailed them, they said send it back, they sent a replacement which did exactly the same, so sent it back for a refund.

Bought 4 Tau rear lights with a stated run time of 3 hours on high, the last 45 minutes to an hour. Advised alpkit, they said they would test a few and alter the spec on their website, they added ‘2.5 hours in colder temperatures’ which is nonsense. I sent 2 back and kept 2 to use on flashing mode.

Disappointing really but I just don’t think they test their kit properly.

….. and that is the best price from Go Compare, etc, etc.

Have you tried direct line? They’ve been the cheapest for me lately.

I’m burning around 950-1200 calories

On a 1 hour ride? That’s wildly inaccurate, you’re probably burning about 500 each way.

Are a thicker glove necessary?

Depends in the temperatures you ride in, how hot you run and how warm you like your hands to be.  Was -2 on my commute this morning so I had my aldi winter gloves on, I don’t like having cold hands.

If they’re folding, get the worst off then sling ‘em in the washing machine.

I’m pretty particular about keeping things clean but seriously, you put your tyres in the washing machine?

I just give them a hose down, gets the worst off, it’s a tyre, doesn’t need to be spotlessly clean.

So, is this something that people often do, or is it, for some reason, not recommended?

I usually do it in spring to shift a bit of winter fat.  My commute is 20 miles, hasn’t done me any harm.  I just have something as soon as I get to work.

I picked up a new focus estate last month for a bit less that that, titanium x 1.5 petrol 182, so top spec. It’s a cracking car for the money and it’s very quick.  I’ve never had a ford before but I’m serioulsy impressed.

Awful food – i ate in burger king yesterday first and last time this year, poor body was telling it did not like that carp all night. Sadly full of fat kids too, once went in kfc but avoid like the plague.

Are you one the fat kids or did you just go in to be superior?

Pretty sure windscreen replacement doesn’t affect no claims discount.

It’ll save you 20 minutes a day at least

I guess it would only ‘save’ time if the extra 10 minutes you saved by cycling meant you go an earlier train.

It’s just under a mile at either end so not really far enough to justify wearing proper cycling clothing

Hardly worth taking a bike for a 15 minute walk to be honest, but as above you’ll be on the bike for probably about 5 minutes max so any trousers will do.

So, I am pi**ed off … irrespective of whether they eventually resolve this satisfactorily …

I felt the same, mainly their attitude when I first highlighted the issue, then the ‘we’ll do you a favour’ stance when they replaced the bearings.  Haven’t used them since.

buy a better set of wheels elsewhere and ebay the ones they send back

And what do you say to the buyer after they come back to say the wheels are shagged after 200 miles? That’s why I just binned mine.

Complaining it’s not fit for purpose, quoting the SoGA Consumer Rights Act seems a bit premature.

In fairness to the OP and speaking from past experience that was probably a reaction to px’s terrible customer service, ‘it’s just wear and tear’ my arse.

I’m glad to hear your sons ok. I know younguns are not the best with scare tactics but if he has to declare he’s required external help and he declares it on his license renewal he may not be able to drive.

Even if it’s a one off in his sleep?

Also, are his highs an issue at all? If he doesn’t have them now I would highly recommend getting keto sticks. If he’s ever ill he could have ketones even when his BG is fine. I know a lot of people are not given these. Breath smelling like pear drops is always a good indicator too.

No issues with highs, I’ll look into the ketosticks though. He still remembers what it felt like before he was diagnosed so would know if it was an issue I think.

But it’s 5 weeks old and has done under 300km FFS … So, either faulty or not fit for purpose IMO.

Very similar to mine.

Anyway, more positive update. Email back within the hour with a Collect + label, saying to send the wheels back and they’ll have a look at them.

Hope you don’t need the wheel back in a hurry.

Contacted PX customer service (twice) this week, finally got a response today … Basically along the lines that this is a wear and tear item, and thus not covered under warranty.

I had the same issue with an a57 rear wheel I bought a few years ago.  Rear hib lasted about 400 miles on a road commuting bike, px agreed eventually to replace the bearing under warranty, the wheel came back about 6 weeks later.  New bearings lasted about 200 miles.  Wheel went in the bin. I would agree 100% you have a case, their stuff is generally shit.

met a woman there with a hypo dog… gorgeous collie trained to let her know if her sugars were dropping… as I said different but maybe worth considering

My wife mentioned this the other day, if it detects pre-hypo low blood then it may be worth looking at. But it would be pretty selfish of us to take a trained dog, that could go to someone more deserving, so we can go on holiday.

Hopefully he’ll let me go with him to his next appointment and I can force the issue of getting the Libra.

He did say last night that his blood had been a bit lower than usual the past few nights and has adjusted his long acting insulin. He’s still very sore everywhere, must have been him writhing about then me trying to haul him up, but he’s okay.

Interested in this too.  I’ve always used thule bars but need new feet for a new car.  I was just going to buy a foot pack and use the existing bars but I like the look of those Atera bars.

I bought some cordless ones from TK Maxx about 3 years ago, been absolutely fine. I usually cut my hair about once a month, 3 on top, 0.5/1 at the back and sides.

I’ve got really thick hair, no bald spots so get it right up ye ya baldy bastards :)

The OP after his haircut :)

that’s very kind of you to offer Tom, I’ll have a word with him tonight. Best thing might be if you dropped him an email, just to offer advice, he does find it difficult to talk about and just clams up about it, I’m sure speaking so someone in the same position would be different.  I’ll be in touch. Thank you.

Has your son been on the week long DAFNE course?

No and to be honest he wouldn’t go, again that’s an age thing, but he was never offered it anyway. We recently clanged hospital as the first place was pretty poor, at his initial diagnosis the dietician proceeded to inform him that he’ll be liable to all sorts of nasty stuff if he doesn’t keep his levels right, losing limbs etc, just stupid shock tactics that a 17 year old boy didn’t need days after being diagnosed with a life changing condition.

He has an appointment in April so we’ll be going with him whether he likes it or not. Even if it’s just for us to have a chat to someone separate to Jamies check up.