Thanks for the tips, I’ve ordered a replacement headset, also bearings, which I eventually found at ukbikestore, so will take the stem etc off over the weekend and have a deeper look and make sure it’s all greased up and tight. And with a bit of luck will have a spare for the future.

Yeah it’s 10 years, so your photo stays (mainly) up to date.

I have to renew mine every three years due to being diabetic which is a bit of a ball ache but there you go.

Did someone say that you’ll be able to buy this in June? This year?

Very very tempted to get a group set and hopefully save faffing about with different brands mixing and matching, was about to order a new rear mech tonight but if it’s going to be June I’ll wait and get it then…

EDIT Just read it again, so will wait and start saving……. Woohoo!

I’m with Sky and am seriously considering switching.

Currently paying circa £70 a month and had a letter yesterday saying their TV price will be going up £3 a month as they are buying so many programs that I never watch. Have just got off the phone and within 20 seconds was offering me ‘a fantastic’ (in his words) £30.40 a month for ‘original’ tv and normal broadband for 10 months, then goes up to £45 a month – but it puts me in another 12 month contract with them. Drives me crackers.

BT has an offer of £30 a month, which includes some tv, and 38mbps broadband. They have a £50 activation fee but offer a £125 Sainsbury’s card, so could make some money on the deal!

Sorry I don’t get on with dogs, so I’m out.

It’ll only be National Grid if you live in their gas network area, different areas of the country are owned/operated by different companies, though usually this type of work will be done by outside contractors, it all depends.

If you are worried, call the network and explain, you will usually be able to ask for someone to visit you and explain. Try to speak to the project manager or similar.

As above, more than likely they will be able to do it without digging up, but if you’re not in and they have an issue doing it, they won’t wait to speak to you before they get the jackhammers out. You need to make it clear to them that this would not be at all acceptable. The problem is, that they won’t know exactly what they’re dealing with until they start doing the work. But the vast majority of the gas networks are doing everything possible to avoid complaints, so don’t be shy about getting in touch with them.

Again, message or email me if you want more info.

Email/message me for more info.

Domestic meters are usually U6 = 6 cubic meters = 65kW, so depends on the appliance rating and the total amount that could be demanded at any one time for all your gas appliances (boilers, gas fire etc).

The service pipe can potentially support more than this, depending on the pipe size and distance from the gas main. Speak to your supplier and ask for a GT1 check, that should give you an exact figure of what your service pipe is capable of. If it’s within what you need, it should just be a case of them fitting a larger meter.

If not, the service pipe might need to be upgraded, this would be done by whoever owns the gas network in your part of the country – whereabouts are you? Depending on your requirements this may well be done FOC if the meter position isn’t moving.

If this is for commercial use though, then an external isolation valve needs to be fitted outside whatever the case.

As I said, message me for more info, this is my day job.

PM me if you need gas, always pays to look at that and the other utilities earlier rather than later to avoid potential surprises!

Thing is, how many mountain bikers have died or been seriously injured, say in the last two years? Could be an argument to not allow that. I seriously don’t understand how they can possibly say rallying is worse.

sharkattack, I’ve been in Riccarton (and Wauchope) more times in the last ten years than I care to remember. The spectator junction on the map is a fast straight into an open hairpin left, quite good views, would have hoped maybe some trees would’ve been chopped down to improve the view. Depending on the parts being used, you might be able to walk the other direction to a tight 90 degree right junction, with a big deep ditch on the outside.

I’ve no idea about the Traquair stages as I’ve not been lucky enough to see them used for rallying, or rather not since walking through the bracken and it was taller than me (that was some time ago – circa 1986!)

You’re right, everyone is on edge about safety as, put simply, if there is one more accident with spectators/media then it would be easy for the FC to say ‘no thanks’ to any more rallies in the UK. It is that serious. And what a hell of a shame to those of us that are responsible when watching, never mind the crews with expensive cars and businesses who make a living from the sport. It would absolutely break my heart, as rallying is a huge part of my life.

Please go out and watch (at the mentioned spectator areas), and take photos, and above all, enjoy it. But just use some common sense when choosing your location, always have an escape route to jump to if the worst does happen.

I’ll be out there as well and was also thinking of taking the bike up for Sunday, will depend on how the weather is looking towards the end of the week.

Killed the engine on my mum’s Saxo in about 2004, luckily my dad filled it with some thick oil and it made it to the local car auctions for a poor unsuspecting buyer…
Killed my first Panda about a year ago, I wasn’t really paying attention approaching a mini roundabout, only noticed the van to my right at the last second, I stupidly braked and he hit my rear wheel and spun me around and backwards into a bollard. If I hadn’t braked he would’ve missed me, oh well… Has made me a lot more careful these days though. Upgraded to a newer Panda afterwards (and to my surprise had zero excess on the insurance), quite like it, will do until I can save for a newer something.

Be careful if the proposed extension may go over your utilities – gas is a no-no to build over so might need moved.

When I was first diagnosed my parents did my injections for the first few weeks (one would sit on me to hold me down, the other would inject. Then decided one day I’d go for it, never stopped since. So sounds like he’s doing better than me so far.

It’ll become second nature before long, and it’ll fit in with his lifestyle without him thinking too much about it.

:D

My previous car, it wasn’t a 4×4 but a little technique goes a long way. Oh and winter tyres, they help too.

One thing that really annoys me is that it seems to be impossible to tell anyone else these days that you are actually a good driver. There aren’t many things in life I consider myself quite good at but driving is one of them. Everybody just laughs though as, obviously, there is nobody on the planet that could ever be considered a good driver.

Fair enough, I’ll leave you to enjoy your 20mph drive along the A68 last weekend and wear your brakes out every time there is a crest or bend, Ill be home and asleep waaaaaaaaaaaay before you.

Yup call the police as soon as you can. Must surely be CCTV there.

Are there any legalities to look out for on these? I.e. max noise level?

Oh and I’d also recommend the DAFNE course. I did one a year ago and it really opened my eyes. Wish I’d had that years ago.

Warm hands and try holding your hand below your waist when standing for a few minutes, gets the blood down into the fingers. Sometimes it just doesn’t work though. Try to vary which finger you use, it works the vast majority of the time :)

Really enjoy it and tried a few over the past 2 years, but mainly due to lack of speed (fitness), always finish last and get beaten by 60 year old women.

Apart from that, it’s great fun :)

Another type 1 here – I’ve co-driven on rallies so nothing stopping you competing in Motorsport!

Lucozade works best when I go hypo, I carry it around with me everywhere I go. These days the first sign is being confused, first noticed this about ten years ago on a ferry on the way back from the Isle of Man, was playing monopoly with the family and couldn’t work out how much change to give! Can’t recall that happening before that, just the usual sweating.

One piece of advice I’d give is to be realistic, it’ll take time to get used to it by you all. When I was young and going hypo I’d sometimes refuse to cooperate and my parents would literally have to sit on me and pin me to the floor and force me to have some sugar or whatever. But it saved my life!

Only other thing my mum said to me when leaving home for the first time, maybe she was a bit paranoid but she told me that if I ever got arrested the n to tell them I was diabetic. You don’t want to be going hypo locked in a cell with them ignoring your pleas for help…. Luckily never had to test that one out….

When I used to work in Edinburgh I got the bus everywhere and didn’t need a car. When my employer relocated to Sunderland, my gran gave me her ’05 Panda as she was giving up driving due to her age.

I used that with enthusiasm for 18 months until it got written off (my fault), but spent the payout on a newer 09 model which featured a 12v socket so was a good upgrade!! :) It suits me as it’s cheap to run, tax and insure, and as the ride height is better than a normal car, means when I go to film rallies and drive through forests before and after ~100 rally cars have ripped the roads to shreds it’s less likely to rip the floor off or get stuck. I’ve done 25k miles in 10 months and it’s never let me down, and only had a basic service and MOT.

I do have a personal reg which I need an 11 plate car to use it, so that’s the only reason I’d change but would have to be a decent small and above all reliable replacement. Would have to save up though, couldn’t face getting a car on credit but can see why others do, not an issue to me.

I found a really handy app called “What the Font”, you take a photo of some text, give it a few hints what characters are what, and it (usually) tells you what it is.

Fabulous.

I have used Memory Map for ages and think it’s really good, I like it for plotting routes to follow. I don’t have a Garmin but copy it to my iPhone and use MM on my phone too, quite handy. I use this when I’m at rallies and wouldn’t be without it these days.

I bought full UK 2014 OS 1:50k HD maps for £60 last October (special offer before the new 2015 maps came out), HD makes a heck of a difference and was only £10 more.

Still think the 1:25k is very expensive so don’t that though any emails with info would be appreciated………

I struggle going outside to reach the car on my way to work in winter, shorts don’t exist to me even on the hottest days of the year.

Unless at that moment I’m playing tennis outside.

But trousers on all the time for cycling.

Snooker overruns every year and messes up recordings, I can’t see why Sky, having it set to “automatic” before/after the show, don’t adjust it if something else overruns, the best thing that I can find to do is to set it to 10 mins before & after, sometimes it still misses part of it :-(

I did notice there is a repeat on around 1am though.

I bought a near top of the range laptop a few months ago as my old one had died, I must have only used it about a dozen times for video editing. Everything else at home I use the iPad for, brilliant device.

Got some much needed enthusiasm for my job and quite enjoying it now, first few months of the year were terrible and I was thinking of leaving, glad I didn’t in the end.

Had my first car accident in Feb and my car was written off, very disappointed that it was my fault but at least the other guy was completely fine (whiplash aside). Replacement car is better and enjoying driving that, done 18000 miles since then.

Finally got around to getting my co-drivers license and did my first event when a friend came over from Kenya to do the rally. Sadly we crashed after I made a slight mistake (oops!). Sorry Geoff!

Above friend got me to co-drive in his new rally car on the Safari Rally, a dream come true! Looking forward to doing it a bit more and a few more trips to Africa are on the cards for next year depending on date clashes / time off work / sponsor paying for flights (fingers crossed).

Filmed a lot of rallies for lots of tv programs, met lots of new people and enjoying that too.

Didn’t do much cycling really, bought a road bike in July and have done less than 50 miles on it. Enjoy using it but it’s getting around to it that’s the problem. Been down to Dalby lots of times and have a lot more confidence on my MTB, again same as previously, just need to get a lot fitter and get out more often.

Went to watch the French Open (tennis) in Paris and enjoyed it, want to see some more.

Crisps.
Any sort of non-nut sweets, could gorge for hours on end.
Cup a soups, stocked the cupboard up last week when they were on offer for 50p a packet.
BBQ Super noodles.
Bombay mix (leave the peanuts).
Hot dogs, oh yes.
McDonald’s breakfasts, mmmmmmmm!

Can’t do mince pies, liked them as a kid until I got a hold of a few packets in the church kitchen and what followed can be described as a “major puking incident” in the hall, oops.

I’m not mechanically minded and don’t have a great understanding of how things work and next to no enthusiasm. However, I did change my HT to a single chainring this summer, was quite impressed with myself.

However, I do like things done properly so it got put into a LBS for a full service for the second time since I got it. They said it had been sorted and I took it away happy enough, but on the first ride the headset was making cracking sounds, so they’ve not even looked at it properly, also the gear cable hadn’t been renewed.

So, not sure I’ll trust a shop ever again, will have to work up some enthusiasm to do everything myself, I do t mind buying the tools!

I recently got a set of Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited, seem very good, brighter and whiter.

I’m in Sunderland, but I’m hibernating until spring :(

Had type 1 for 23 years, never had a sharps bin since changing from syringes to pen needles about 20? years ago. Nobody’s ever mentioned anything to me about it. Meh.

I’m not really a gig goer and haven’t been to many concerts but I do like a bit of Coldplay, saw them in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow in 06 (?), then again in Madrid two years ago, then in Sunderland, took my family to see them in Manchester, then happened to be in Auckland when they played there. Superb.

Went to T in the Park in something like 2009 and enjoyed the bands I saw but the other people made me sick, throwing pints of p!ss over the crowds in front of them, huuuuuuuge queues for everything, expensive prices, no thanks. Have seen Feeder a couple of times too.

Having said that, I’ll be hoping my boss at work doesn’t notice me using company time on Friday morning for Foo Fighter tickets at the Stadium of Light next year.

Still closer to a date than I’ve had recently.

Gave up on POF as nobody ever returned any of my messages.

Plus I noticed that a girl in my office had viewed my profile, totally put me off.

Well just to add an isolated disagreement with most of the previous posts…. I moved to Glasgow when I graduated from Uni and signed a years lease on a flat which I almost immediately regretted. Despite being in the Merchant City (which I’d been told wasn’t a bad area ), it is a year of my life that I’ve been quite happy to totally forget about. Found it an awful place. Regularly had to step over drunken bodies/urine/faeces on the doorstep of the block of flats on my way out to work, nearby stabbings were common. Most people I worked with were utterly, utterly miserable and it really tested my “half full” mentality. Two of my neighbours beat up their wives when Rangers lost. One of the two times in my life when I’ve been in urgent need of medical help and I was just laughed at as I was obviously drunk on my way to work at 7am.

I was delighted to move back into my parents when the year was up!

I thought it was just me that is scared of the dark.

How do you expect them to move the meter without doing anything to the ‘inlet’ cable?

Have a look at the uk power network site for details of their costing methodology, it’s a condition (by ofgem) of the work they do that that you should be able to see that, or request they send you one.

FYI I design similar things to this but for gas. If I understand what you’re saying correctly, then we’d normally have a small standard charge for moving your meter and then carry out the other work required at our cost.

my house is terraced so there would be no separate access for the annexe. We are fine that the access would be through our house. The plan was to use our gas, elec and water supply but have a separate boiler. Didnt realise about council tax. I thought that as it wasn’t a separate address it wouldnt change. Will look at that though. It will not be done as an extension though

Let me know if you want any advice about gas, as I work in the industry – whereabout in the country is the house?

Not related to the technicalities of the build etc but more the practical sure of things.

I appreciate its your father and this is not meant to be offensive or anything but have you thought about the long term? We have very recently been in a similar position with the MiL but in the end my wife felt that she could not risk end up being her mums full time career of it came to that.

Even if she was in health the thought of sharing space for what could be another 10-20 years was not something we could manage. Yes she would have her own accommodation etc but how often would she end up in our house for the evening? How reliant on its would she become for shopping, cooking, general day to day living that she would manage perfectly well if she were not with us.

It may sound a bit selfish (it may even be a bit selfish) but if you haven’t thought about it/spoken about it you should.

dannybgoode I see your point, but you could look at it the other way too. My parents have already decided that when the time comes (probably not that far away now unfortunately) that my mum’s mum cannot look after herself, their dining room is getting converted into an extra room for her. This is due to the way that my dad’s mum was cared for in hospital and, basically, left to die and we still don’t think she saw a doctor in months. Of course, when the time arrives it means me and my siblings will have to do the same for them.

B******s to that. Do fancy giving an indoor climbing wall a go, but as I have no upper body strength think I’d probably struggle a lot.