Ruark mr1 mk2 and then use a chromecast audio on the aux input on the Ruarks. Done.

Its what I’ve done – with the mk 2 you have an optical in so you then have TV on optical, Bluetooth as needed and Spotify connect etc from chromecast.

In the vein of recommending what you have, the Cambridge Audio TV5 we use is pretty decent at both TV and music (used via Bluetooth with Spotify).
I also have a pair or Ruark MR1s in another room which work awesomely too. The Mk2 version of them has aux, optical and Bluetooth. Another separate active speaker option could be the Steljes NS3.

I gave up on NAS drives totally after yest another Synology update meant I had to rebuild the library on mine. Total POS. An It mate advised me to subscribe to OneDrive.

That Lezyne chuck head is the bike equivalent of Satan’s ringpiece. A malevolent hoop that causes immense pain. I hate it with a passion. Pump consigned to dusty shed corner.

Uggski – I have done some careful helitape but the little stones will know to avoid those areas!

Once the first scratch happens I’ll relax 😂

Sour grinch was a case of sip. Confirm disgust. Give to Mrs I to confirm disgust. Pour down sink.

Bleurgh

I’ve a set of RC41s still and they were serviced by Tim at Fork English. Mine are to fighters with 20mm axle – still work great FWIW. Launch control works just fine and as described above.

I ended up having their travel shortened to 130 from 150 to match a bike I’d moved them to and it does make them more stiff and they ride better as a result.

OK. Thanks. Glad it’s not just my failure of ability!

Qwerty – seatpost slides up and down with a hidden retainer expanding thingy in the top tube.

Only problem with the whole paintjob is that I am slightly scared to ride the bike now… I’ll weep when it gets the inevitable scratch or chip…

He is a legend and the paintjob is superb! We had loads of discussions and back/forth chats about the design itself and it isn’t what I had thought of at first. It is however way better!!

Update for you lovely experts – the element had failed. Resistance from both terminals of it to earth was 20 ohm at one side and 1 ohm at the other. RCD had not tripped though nor the thermal cut out on the thermostat. Removed and replaced with a new unit which is working perfectly…

Cannot explain why it went so soon (was only installed in June) nor why no tripping but…

I’ve emailed a chap near me to ask if he does electrics and plumbing as it seems I need both!!

Thanks again team.

The Brick – a good question. Yes I think so but it’s hard to he sure as you say.

Thermal trip seems OK.

If any of you are Brum-ish do please let me know!!

alanl – thank you so much for the step by step. I will have to do it in the morning as the tank etc is literally just by my daughters bedroom and she is now asleep.

There is only one cutout on the immersion – a small pip on the thermostat and that has not tripped.

The immersion is on its own RCD on the main board and was off when I did the tests (excepting the first one measuring the voltage. The resistances all measured with the RCD flicked to off)

The thermostat and element is this one – tesla incoly 14
The thermostat has two tabs on the back which slot into to the L and N on the immersion coil and then have the screws on them for the brown and blue wires.

I have double checked the earth is secure.

When I have the RCD set to on and power to the thermostat, with the thermostat set to 60, voltage across the L and N is 230.

It sounds like you are the exact sort of expert I need – if you are anywhere near Brum/Stourbridge might you be free for a job?

I will do the other tests in the morning.

OK thanks Flaperon – it has not tripped the overheat trip on the thermostat itself nor the MCB.

I am planning to call a plumber but had thought if it was the thermostat it would be an easy fix. Replacing the whole thing I most certainly cannot do.

I have a Vertuo having had the smaller capsule machines before. I’d say the Vertuo is better and deffo produces a better cup of long coffee. FWIW I am a bit of a coffee addict so also have cafetiere, a clever dripper, an aeropress and an a Moka Pot. Each has their particular strength but I do think the Vertuo holds its own against them.

We go through loads of fizzy water at home and went with a sodastream yonks ago – at the time it was a plastic reduction thing rather than price as the cost of the gas refills meant the end cost was roughly similar BUT if you go to CO2 supermarket website you can buy an adapter to refill your sodastream bottles yourself. You’ll also need to find a local pub gas supplier and get wither a 6kg or 12kg CO2 bottle from them. For me there was the initial deposit to hire the bottle from them of about £60 but that is refunded when you return it and then a 12kg bottle is £20. Given the 450g sodastream bottles are something like £15 it is much cheaper.

The actual refill is easy. Take empty sodastream bottle and freeze it for a couple of hours. Attach adapter/filler from CO2 supermarket and fill. I put the big CO2 cylinder upside down to ensure liquid CO2 goes into the sodastream bottle. Done.

Little tricks I have learned – 1. some sodastream bottles have a valve on the end to stop you refilling them. Again CO2 supermarket sell an alternative valve you can swap in so you can fill easily. 2. Some teflon tape around the thread of the sodastream bottle before you screw it into the filler adapter helps the process.

https://www.co2supermarket.co.uk/adapters-for-co2-regulators-co2-cylinder-refilling-adapters-gsc92.html

Ooh. I liked the Cream Soda one. Lots. But then I like cream soda.

Cube Agree? If the size is right this may be a good choice – bikey

I won’t go back to inner tubes – tubeless has been brilliant. Best example is a crit I racwd last year on an unswept airfield after rain. Loads of people punctured and I was just fine – not because of lack of punctures, I got several splooshes of latex on my legs and the frame had several areas of latex splurge at the end of the race, but because it really is effective.

Caveats – check your sealant levels – Milkit valves help in this respect, and carry a good anchovy kit, preloading the steps if yiu don’t use a preloaded system. When you use an anchovy let air in gently. First time I used one I used a co2 cylinder all at once and simply shot the anchovy back out the tyre!

Have a look at IRC tyres – Cycle Clinic stock them. They are the longest lasting tubeless I’ve used. Others I have used:

Challenge Paris Roubaix HTLR – pretty and feel nice but do lose air slowly.

Pro 1 – nice middle of the road tyre

Hutchinson Fusion – much like the pro 1

Mavic Yksion II – was an emergency purchase and I was dubious but it’s a nice tyre and easily as good as the pro 1.

IRC Formula Pro RBCC – all weather on the commuter. Excellent grip and longevity. A bit heavier than most of the above but hold air superbly with bugger all leak and utterly reliable.

Hope that helps.

I have tried and tried to get it to show and now give up in a fit of childish rage.

So the Cervelo is mine. Its in my living room now and it is amazing.

I hope the image embed works, otherwise see this:

Insta

It’s fantastic. The paintwork is immense and Richard is a super super nice guy. We changed the design a few times during the process with it being a series of chats about what may or may not work. He’s patient and a total artist.

Bontrager Double Gel tape is great from my experiences.

Mountain High by Daniel Friebe. Love it for a flick though bit of riding inspiration.

Thanks clarkpm I’ve joined the lounge and emailed FLO.

Reakky appreciate the guidance. It’s a bit nebulous otherwise.

Yep – you lot are truly a bunch of stars

Thank you all! Decision basically made I think with the Skywatcher Heritage 150 and some books/apps.

Now to try to find one…

Clarkpm is my worry that the lack of interaction from an app to directly help target the scope a silly concern? Or do the other apps you can get achieve much the same thing? I’d assume that they are harder to use to point the scope in the right place hence the attraction of a motorised scope or equivalent?

Sort of. Yes!!

You lot are amazing. Reading this has brought tears and smiles all at once. Scrumpy went peacefully and is in a place without cancer and for that I am glad but I miss him so very much. Every year we made a photo calender for our family and friends of him and we have 11 years of them and a mass of photos to go though. Xx

Thank you all. Big love to all your 4 legged crew, both here and passed.

Honestly I’m a total mess today.

It’s truly awful. Cancer diagnosis out of nowhere a month ago and he’s gone downhill so fast. He was our test run for kids and as such our first kid. Our girls have only ever known life with him in it.

It’s honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with.

Bigyim – I’m DY9 and have a cervelo S3 I was looking to get repainted. Would that be suitable?

I have a Domane SLR and would happily recommend one. I also ride a Lynskey R275 in the autumn/spring but although its disc, like your Genesis it won’t take proper guards. I have the Trek with guards and 28s with plenty of clearance.

One’s I have not ridden but like the look of and which may fit your bill: Reilly Gradient, Vielo V+1, Parlee Chebacco (all rather gravelly although the Reilly do the Spectre Road disc).

Bit of a fantasy fan here, so:

Raymond Feist and the Magician series is superb and as been said a total classic.

David Eddings – also classic. The Belgariad and Mallorean series and then the Elenium / Tamuli are supreme.

Terry Brooks and the Shannara series are good too.

Melanie Rawns Exiles series is good but frustrating because booms 1&2 are super engaging but book 3 is still not written 20 years later due to author health issues though she’s apparently starting on it.

Trudi Canavan and the Black Magician and Age of 5 trilogies are good too.

Last but not least Katherine Kerrs Deverry Cycle series are superb and expansive!!

My wife bought me a watch which I absolutely love.

In laws bought me a painting – they asked me to pick one I wanted and I had a budget set by Mrs Infidel!

Shimano tend to run large and Bont too. Sidi do the mega fit which is a wide.

I’d also suggest trying shoes with arch supports – my road shoes are giro which feel very narrow with the low arch supports but fit beautifully with the high arch support (giro come with 3 different height inserts).

Charlie’s Bum Butter. About the best I’ve used.

Radishes. Basically Satan’s testes. Awful vile things that can basically f off. Also tinned tuna – bleurgh. How anyone can ruin a lovely bit of fish like tuna by tinning it is beyond me. Yes, preserving it, but it’s preserved by turning it into catfood.