this may or may not fit …. as I’ve not seen that new type

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plumbers-Radiator-Valve-Utility-Key-Plumbing-Tools-/280631661347?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item4156f35323

but ?? is it the top one ????????

pic would help as I don’t really get your description

I have the square type(which I think is pretty universal) and there is a standard key available.
like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-RADIATOR-AIR-BLEED-BLEEDING-KEY-ALLOY-Fits-all-standard-style-radiators-/170707887710?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item27befba65e

what happened to the ‘paint your roof white’ theory, seems a lot simpler

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/obamas-climate-guru-paint-your-roof-white-1691209.html

have a look at mx or enduro motorbike handlebar guards, as well as motorbike bar mitts (*the advantage of the guards is they provid structure) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HG09-VENOM-REINFORCED-HAND-GUARDS-MOTO-X-ENDURO-MX-Gree-/370246151317?pt=UK_CartsParts_Vehicles_ATVQuad_Trike_Parts_Accessories_SM&hash=item563463ec95

two types
– as above, two fix points,connect to bar and loop round into handlebar end
– single fix point, onto bar
they come in various shapes and sizes, and if you don’t mind looking like a twonk some of my mates did home made ones out of milk 6 pinters or other containers, cheap and waterproof, if somewhat untrendy

Jase, they’re doing the same to me. It’s becaue they want to reduce their liabilities. I would NOT cash in. (*unless you are sure that you will get more money via the cash in route, the hard facts are that this will require you to accurately predict future stock market performance/interest rates/inflation etc and when your Mrs will die, sorry but it is that harsh)

Consider their position, – now they have to pay your Mrs 60 a week [presumably with index linking] till she dies [*IMPORTANT are there benefits for dependents etc as that needs to be costed in], ie they actually have unlimited liability [*ok it’s not totally unlimited, as death is inevitable but say we get 10 years of 10% inflation and she lives to 105 which is possible]

By giving you a one off they convert to a fixed liability – £X, however your wife ONLY gets a better deal depending on, how long she lives, stock market performance etc etc.

In old age people want/need security, I’m not fully aware of the monies etc but IMHO a final salary pension if worth hanging onto, even if that amout it only helps you spread the risk.

Personally I would NEVER NEVER NEVER, NEVER (repeated) transfer out of a final salary scheme (*becuase you have a defined known benefit at a given date [plus likely inflation linked benefits], if you transfer out of it you will have a pot of money invested in the stock market and I hope you’re aware of what’s happened to pesnions there [*down by 15-30% over last few years] – ie you don’t know what you will get when you want/have to take it – much lesser deal IMHO)

I would look at the scheme options, are there scheme trustees you can speak to, any legitimate bodies – Union reps etc that you can deal with.

1 – take professional advice (pref from at least 2/3 sources, so you get a consistency check) and sorry to be a cynic but people make money in pensions from commission, so will generally advice a transfer – on which they get commission.

Fundamental question, what sort of pension is it
– money purchase (where you contribute money to the pension, generally via the stock market) and the pension value is expressed as a cash sum
– final salary scheme (ie defined benefits where you KNOW the value of the pension) in amount you’ll get at a date

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/867663-union-bosses-pensions-equal-to-members-pay

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/central/2010/nr_110210_public_sector_pensions.pdf

57. The cost of pensions being paid will continue to rise. The SPPA estimates that total payments to pensioners for the NHS and teachers’ schemes will exceed employers’ and employees’ contributions after 2010/11. This gap is projected to rise to £489 million by 2014/15 (Exhibit 8, next page). There is also a risk that pension costs will increase further if the rate of inflation rises because pensions are increased annually by the rate of inflation.

1. If it closed today, the local government pension scheme could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11446833
Is the scheme funded or unfunded?

Funded. The pensions are paid for by underlying investment funds, not out of general taxation.

Is the scheme deemed to be in deficit or surplus?

In 2007 there was a deficit of £27bn for the funds in England and Wales.

“The funds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently undergoing their triennial valuations, as at 31 March 2010,” said Terry Edwards of the local government employers organisation.

“The outcome is likely to be that many of the funds will currently be in deficit although some may be in surplus – we will not know until the valuation reports are issued.

“The funds in Scotland undergo their valuations next year, at 31 March 2011,” he added.

What is the value of the scheme’s assets and its liabilities?

The LGPS is funded, like the universities’ scheme but unlike the other public service pension schemes At the last scheme valuation in 2007, scheme assets were valued at £132bn, with pension liabilities valued at £159bn.

Why not try putting your contributions into this calculator
http://yourmoney.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/tools/pension_calculator.html

laterooms has a good search facility
http://www.laterooms.com/en/p1301/pv080602a/Hotels.aspx?LonLat=&sort=TotalPrice&hidfl=&k=somerset&d=20111015&n=1&rt=2-0&distanceUnit=Miles&currencies=GBP#wqutqi

see the ‘place name’ bar on the top off the white bit, click on area and use price button

laterooms and ebay

have a soft spot for Portmeirion, if you were to take the bike and get up very early and go up the road behind the hotel you could get in a short but spectacularly varied route via the Japanese garden, the dog cemetery, the ghost garden, the rockery and then back along the coast edge (*some carrying reqd).

also go to Barmouth, take bikes and do http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/pages/maw_c_ph.htm
(*or do train along the coast)

over 2 months will only make a difference if it crosses a tax year boundary (April) as you get a per year tax free allowance, if not as above

tax is generally sorted out after end of tax year – ie all facts known, you may have to pay more or get a refund depending on how accurate your tax code was

lots, my goodness this really has taken me back in time, thanks

two full size showmans caravans in the garden – we lived there when we stayed, 4 massive sheds, the diesel engine and saw bench and flapping canvas strop (don’t go near it),chicken run, apple trees – lots of blossoms, outside loo, tin bath in the living room, the smell of just killed/plucked chicken being singed with meths in the sink on the back of a hand shovel to get the hairs off, vegetable plot, clumps of pampas grass, home made dandelion and burdock etc in the loft, running through fields, some clumps of grass were cow poo, some were discarded motorbike engines, going down the back path through the field in the early morning sun to get milk from the farm next door, through the rushes, mist, dew and spiders webs, walking down to John Mackenzies boathouse, dragging the boat up the shingle (I had my own boat at 10), fishing, rowing, clam dragging, lobsters, crabs, bleeding jellyfish on the line stinging your hands, flouder spearing, she was a real woods woman, could use a hand scythe in her 80s, used to take me skinny dipping, there was a magic bit of river, sloping sandstone covered in green weed followed by a deep pool, so, so much more,

if you want to go techie you could try SQL/RDBMS area, otherwise what about Dynamics Admin ((**is there such a thing)or even development or more Cognos

try punting through http://www.jobserve.com that is a pretty representative view of the IT world.

as it’s doomed I’d try bending
get a large adjustable spanner (1foot long handle ones), clamp to ring (on outside but making sure it grips the ring not the teeth) and then you need to overbend to correct – ie bend past the ‘straight’ to the other side, do it in graduations and don’t go for the big welly, as you will learn how that specific items bends, I would try using two equidistant points on the ‘bent bit’, and over bend by about 1/2 the dent and then review. To be fair if you don’t get it pretty dead sright it won’t be happy.
People straighten discs this way.

buy some 6″ planks/scaff boards, some 2×2 and an axe and saw. (to cut and shape 2/2 into stakes)
then do some screwing together 4ft x 6ft bed = 6 stakes (corners and long middles)

I dug then down to about 9″ below ground, turned over lots, added topsoil and mature and sophisticated horse pooh, works very well.

However, personally I think it’s a crap idea and I would use the planks flat as edges and just dig down/out and fill with topsoil/horse pooh. (digging/working is easier in a flat area with no obstacles)

*edit spuds should be earthed up as sort of upside down Vs so you might not need as much soil as you think – ie you don’t need to earth up the gaps

cut into squares and use as garage kneeling pads, or for putting bike on when upside down, use a neat strip to protect high wear/dirt areas (front door etc) alternatively fit to a Black and Decker, apply to knees and then wink knowingly at friends when they ask what happened

Sort of like the idea but would improve (imho) it by having something like ‘item specific vat’ and raise it on shoite and lower it on healthy food, agree with education comments.

I migrated to mtb from motorbike trail riding in the late 80’ish monwards, mainly as the writing was on the wall for off road vehicle sports. I didn’t own a car till 27, max motorbikes at once – 8. After dropping out of (motor)trail riding tried road (motor)bikes but I don’t think my heart was really in it, have to say that towards the end I was right on the I’ve can’t live with out it/I’ve done 300 miles this year carry on – so I gave up gracefully. Mtb is just so much more practical – socially acceptable, lots of places to go, limited (*in comparison to motor) costs etc etc, a fantastic hobby.

Hoewever, if you’ve never gone loony on a decent dirt (motor) bike you truly are missing one the of greatest buzzes available.
dt175mx
xr200
kdx200 air
kdx200 water
ktm 500 (*mistake, but I do know why the earth rotates)
serow
beta alp

I had a problem with Merrels, sole coming off, got in touch and they reglued new soles, at no charge (as fairly new boots) ie try contacting manufacturer.

try an ad in trainspotter monthly

any right bike at the right price

fairing/handguards suggested

Kawasaki 500ish twins used to be cheap, esp trailies

so true

being a lightkeepers son I miss that feeling, used to (*and still do when I get the chance) watch waves, absolute fascination with water, rock pools etc, what a fabulous childhood

this takes me back

why not hedge your bets

wigwam (see ebay), or http://www.wigwamholidays.com/

Sadly I won’t be able to report till after next week, but the wigwam decison was based on – more space, heater, ability to maybe dry clothes (as biking), bit more space, cost, area, less luggage in car, and the fact I’ve already been to Scotland in monsoon May….

blimey, you just made me remember a couple of old tapes I have somewhere …..

now gratefully enjoying the power of you tube

and just for the record here’s another bunch of hippies cracking on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ_5G7lF1Zs&feature=fvwrel

‘The Original Patter’ lists both.

Did gfs, but nowhere near your level of sophistication…

Old felt off, new felt on, short clout nails at 6″ on horizontals, bitumen to bond layers of felt together and I covered all nail heads with this as well. Bottom edges fitted by nailing wooden trips over edge and then stanley kniving the overflow.

I wouldn’t bond the felt to anything (except other felt) as otherwise it’ll be an arse to change (as it’ll be stuck to everything)and if you buy crap felt (ie DO NOT BUY CRAP FELT), it’ll only last a couple of years.

We stayed in Plockton (gf loves it), small village on protected coast,I think it’s pretty good, local facilities but an easy stroll from end 2 end, , Skye etc nearby, Torridon etc not too far.

Nearer is Dumfries/Galloway area with Galloway forest, night skies,quiet beach etc. I find it an awesome place. (*Garlieston was very mellow, http://www.whithorn.info/community/garlieston.htm, a pub that you just walking into and became part of, fire on, crinklies chatting, food …..) and the rest of the area is pretty much by passed as everybody goes N rather than W on the A74

If you want a tiny village (1 shop, pub, cafe) have a look at Dunure.
http://www.maybole.org/community/dunure/dunure.htm but Ayr etc near.

Have a look at the Garvault Hotel for Wilderness (but a lot North). Or http://www.ruareidh.co.uk/ for off the wall

not so much capitalism as the combatative/contradictory left/right carry on we’ve swung between for years. I think this prevents true long term planning/stategy and it seems to me that each side is deliberately and maliciously planting ‘cost bombs’ in any policies they manage to implement to prevent them being changed. I’m not entirely sure how this can be legitimately considered in the interests of the country, and sadly that is probably the crux, as I’m afraid that I think that there are lots of other interests being put before the greater good of UK plc.

If it’s any help this house appears to have same tiles and chimmney design

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-34309817.html

!! thanks wrightyson.

I don’t know……………..

The upper edge of the chimmney has leaked for ages I suspect (it looks to me like water runs down roof, hits chimmney and then runs down chimmney brest/wall into loft on the upper side of the chimmney, through insulation onto now yellowing ceiling …… which is when I spotted it

flashing – I think so as I guess that what is meant to seal chimmney to roof tiles, it’s the wood in this area that need replacing ? sorry to not be more specific

Tiles are ridged about 9″ by 15.

sorry can’t do pics

chimmney is on edge of roof, about 6 bricks by 6 bricks, leaded all around to fit chimmney into tiles

some cracking stuff there, just get local OS and look at the trails, also stuff further W (Wantage, E+W Ilsley etc)

yep, dirt bike accident on a beach, had to pick up a 220lb bike and then ride home 6 miles, sent to hospital on train, loop round each shoulder. knot round the back, goodbye…………..

will send stuff later tonight

Possibly my Giant (*as in manufacturer) one, as it’s for sale (near Reading/Swindon).

Was ok for me (*didn’t use on flight, cars, buses, trains etc), pedals off, rear mech off and taped inside frame, wheels in pockets, bars off and zippied to frame with levers pointed inside bag, headeset bits taped in place, I used 2″ pipe foam lagging in various places, including around rings, frame etc etcas protection and to stop them ripping bag. Pleased to say that all taxi drivers took it without arguing.

*Having been surfing via plane and seen 4 surfoards scrapped as they ‘put’ golf bags on top (of the large fragile, top load stickers) I’m not sure I’d use it on a plane.

mip (*requires editing)

off poste, T K Maxx, Reading, have Trekmates ankle gaiters in their bargain bin

When I was a motorbike trailrider we used a 1″ slice of a motor bike inner tube to tighten trouser bottoms etc round boot. (But to be fair an decent MX boot is waterproof halfway up your leg, whereas an mtb shoe is waterproof to the ankle if you’ve masticed the cleat.

Also you can get black waterproof socks of ebay for about 9 quid. I use these as they actually seem to work.

Harris, Tarbert/Rhenigidale is a corker.