pretty sure one of the guys that work in Craigdon in Inverness either hires them out or does guided trips on them….might be worth a phone call….

It’s a short in the control panel. Used to be able to give it a nudge/bang and it would come on but lots of fizzing and burnt circit board smell make it seem terminal. Think it was original with the house so probably 14 years old.

used the wasp nest killer powder – puffed liberally over the entrance to a nest between the roof eve and tiles. Its meant to coat the wasps as they go in and out the entrance and spread it into the nest. Worked really well.

Have done quite a few nests when they are hanging from the rafters. Big knife to cut it down, falls into a bag and then jump up and down on it. (Note – don’t try that unless you are sure the nest hasn’t been built round a 5″ nail sticking through the rafter!!)

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/wasp-nest-killer-powder—150g-189625

Was thinking something very similar only yesterday when i noticed a for sale ad on the works notice board for personal cloud storage. Seemingly you can now get your own personal storage hard drive that you can connect to your wifi box and access it from all you digital appliance and from outwith the house. No idea if they are effective but certainly looks interesting for centralizing storage of music, pics, videos etc for everyone in the house to access…..anyone got any experience of this type of thing in action? or reccomendations?

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1140

Rape alarm with some fishing line attached to the pin and attached to the bike. Just make sure the alarm is pegged down so the pin will pull when the bike is moved.

not just for windy days ;)

p.s. kitesurfing, snowkiting and kite boarding all rock :D

dog soldiers is always a good bet if sleeping out overnight

Mmmmmm you’ll have to share the recipe ;)

how about some JB weld (cold weld) between the bolt heads and the rail while also shaping/smoothing off the bolt head at the same time with it?

Had thought about the stove option but would need a pretty long flue to get up and over the second story. Our house sits lower than the neighbors, wouldn’t want to be smoking them or ourselves out…

Had looked at getting one installed in the living room next to the conservatory (no existing chimney) but was going to be pretty pricy for what we were looking at…

cheers for the suggestions. Been having a nose around and now thinking a home cinema type system may be the way to go. Given a lot of these now allow connectivity with bluetooth/wifi/usb. Could be the one stop shop I’m looking for.

Anything to brands or features to look out for?

I’ve found soda crystals in warm water with a scrubbing brush the best and easiest way to get it properly clean. Then a good rinse down with clean water. Some screen washes can actually leave the screen smeary…

good cheap audible deterrent…… rape alarm secured somewhere discreet and some fishing wire to the pin. Secure line to bike parts or set up as a trip line etc in the doorway….could even have multiple trigger lines to the one alarm….

hope hub?

If using the bike at work for work purposes, then fair enough, the employer has a legal responsibility for the safety of their employees. If requiring you to wear it on your commute, then it’s down to the individual (unless you are in work time for your commute). If its your own time can wear what you want – cammo gear, clown suit, mankini – take your pick.

On the plus side, you might get some free kit out of it to save you getting splatted by the big metal boxes!

We have a radiator in ours but due to the perspex roof and all the glass if still not very effective at retaining heat. Classic problem of either like an oven in the summer or fridge in the winter.

Heard about changing to a solid insulated roof but had heard various issues regards planning etc. as it would then be classed as an extension rather than conservatory and possibly require diff found /build standards…? Been meaning to look into it further as would give an extra room that could be used year round rather than occasionally.

Picked up 7″ tesco hudl (£119) for my mum (primarily to use skype, email and internet) Spec is darn good for the money. Also with the double up on club card points can get it for “free” or much cheapness if you have enough points. She hasn’t got/used it yet but i’m pretty impressed giving it its test run. (A 10″ might be slightly better for size/readability)

No mains gas supply unfortunatly, running the gas fires from propane bottles (as well as the cooker). Have had a purge on draughts etc recently but more still to be done. Does the film that can be stuck on windows for insualtion help at all as a cheap quick fix?

They had an electric immersion heater previously for the hot water but don’t think it has been used in a while as the fire did a grand job of heating the water (also have an electric shower).

I’d imagine the electric heating system would probably be the easiest to install (i.e. no oil/gas tanks required and no re fills to organise etc.) Guessing it would be more expensive to run but this would be offset agasint the convenience of instalaltion and operation? Can they be installed to still include the back boiler or do they need to be a seperate system?

As yous ay trail_rat they are getting on and wont really get the payback on anything expensive/efficient so trying to make what difference we can.

Any idea where i’d look re grants and the like?

Currently looking to get the wife one as well for similar purposes to turneround requirements. Had pretty much decided on the nexus 10 as i think around the house the 10″ screen makes so much more sense. (also the screen being slightly better than the ipad) However the potential launch of the nexus 10 2 is making me hold off (i’m certainly not a “must have the latest gadget freak”) just the possibility of it having a micro sd card slot for expandable memory. Also the likelyhood that the nexus 10 would then drop in price as a new model was released would be rather frustrating. No one has any confirmation when that is though…..

Last rumour i heard was October/November but not heard anything more than that. Someone might have more accurate details?

6’2″ tall 32″ inside leg, sat on a m/l in the shop and it felt fine, picked up a large second hand and it fits nicely (first road bike so just getting into the whole scene/sizing)

Go for it and enjoy! Looking forward to seeing that vid!!!

We use Tooway at work as the work sites move around every few months. Ideal for instant broadband communications out in the sticks as long as you have power (and line of sight to the satelite). Saves waiting for BT to install a landline!

Pretty good connection speeds but as jruk says, the vpn kills it big time. Data usage wise, will depend how much you need, pretty sure Tooway have a variety of packages available.

Also if you go over your data allocation, can top up if required rather than upgrading the package. As far as i understand, in a similar way to mobile contracts you can upgrade to the next package up fairly easily but aren’t able to come back down very easily hence topping up can be useful.

the one i use from here http://www.deliciousdiets.co.uk/recipes/muesli%20bar.php quick and simple once you have the ingredients

Ingredients List:

Makes around 25 bars

2 oz/50g low fat margarine
200 ml runny honey or maple syrup
50g brown sugar
3 oz/75g wholemeal flour
6 oz/150g rolled oats
4 oz/100g chopped nuts (hazelnuts, pecans etc)
3 oz/75g pumpkin seeds
3 oz/75g sunflower seeds
7 oz/175g chopped dried apricots, dates and sultanas mixed
1 oz/25g sesame seeds

(Note: You can change/add whatever nuts, fruit etc to make differing varieties to your own taste/preferences)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180c/340f/gas mark 4.

In a pan over a low heat, melt together the margarine, honey and brown sugar. Cook for a couple of minutes then leave to one side.

Combine together the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and then pour over the syrup mixture. Mix well.

Pour the mixture into a well greased shallow baking tray. Press the mixture down well to get an even spread. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until golden.

Speak to them and tell them. Open and honest, can’t fault you for that! If they think your in with a shout and they potentially want you, then i’m sure they’d come to some arrangement….i.e. why accept second best just because they already had a previous engagment….

got out yesterday for the first time in ages, nice little ride on the singlespeed to check a commute route for a job starting Monday. Note to self – NEED TO GET OUT MORE!

no idea on the wagon but I could fit 2 full sussers (wheel and posts off) in the saloon (2000). Was amazed how much room there was in it with the seats folded through.

For any users of MMTracker be aware that JB breaks the app. I’d rather stay on ICS and keep the app working.

Do you know if it’s the same for the S2? I like being able to view 50K maps on the phone (i just have the trial version for viewing maps as use endomondo for tracking)

i picked up some 661 transition gloves for just that job for winter riding, i find them pretty good for the colder rides

apologies that should be XL based on the spec’s above. On reviewing various forums, lots of info to say the large would be fine

all so confusing

Thanks for all the sizing suggestions. Currently ride an large specialized enduro 2006 and 19″ 2000 rockhopper which is maybe a little on the small side.

Popped into alpine bikes who did a quick check on my inside seam and advised I would be a 58cm on a trek road bike or 56cm on a cannondale.

Ran my sizes through competitive cyclist sizing and got the following results (1st range – competitive cyclist, 2nd – Eddy fit, 3rd – French fit)

Seat tube range c-c 54.4 – 54.9 55.6 – 56.1 57.3 – 57.8
Seat tube range c-t 56.1 – 56.6 57.3 – 57.8 59.0 – 59.5
Top tube length 58.2 – 58.6 58.2 – 58.6 59.4 – 59.8
Stem Length 12.5 – 13.1 11.4 – 12.0 11.6 – 12.2
BB-Saddle Position 71.9 – 73.9 71.1 – 73.1 69.4 – 71.4
Saddle-Handlebar 59.2 – 59.8 60.0 – 60.6 61.7 – 62.3
Saddle Setback 7.9 – 8.3 9.1 – 9.5 8.6 – 9.0

Based on my measurements of
Gender M
Inseam 84 cm
Trunk 74 cm
Forearm 37 cm
Arm 73 cm
Thigh 68 cm
Lower Leg 56 cm
Sternal Notch 153 cm
Total Body Height 187 cm

The bikes geometry (Planet X Sl pro):
L(52) XL(56)
Seat Tube (mm) – Centre to Top 520 560
Actual Top Tube Length (mm) – CtC 550 570
Equivalent Top Tube Length (mm – CtC 570 590
Chainstay Length (mm) 408 408
Seat Angle (deg) 73 72.5
Head Angle (deg) 73 73.5
BB Drop (mm) 68 68
Head Tube Length (mm) 165 190
Front Centre (mm) 600 610
Wheelbase (mm) 1009 1009

Essentialy the effective top tube has only 20mm difference which i think could easily be absorbed by different length stems?

Biggeer difference in the seat tube but don’t know how much of an issue that would be…

Currently thinking the large would be suitable….???

We had a hotpoint dishwasher and when it died no idea of age as was in the house when we bought it (guessing 8 years maybe). For a replacement, we thought it a wise investment, as would last for years and could take it with us, we bought a miele. Doesn’t wash the dishes anywhere near as good as the hotpoint did. Not very impressed to be honest given the cost! Certainly wouldn’t purchase again!

Used to use autoglym super resin polish followed by some of their wax to protect it.

Now using bilthamber products, great stuff – i use their auto wash, clay and autobalm as a combination. Great stuff. If the cars paint is in poor condition, i’d still use a polish after the clay prior to the autobalm to restore it’s shineyness.

As mentioned above, well worth claying the car beforehand (the bilthamber clay uses water as a lube and is so easy to use), you’ll be amazed how much grime will come off a “clean” car. No point polishing a dirty surface.

Iv got one of the early panasonic lumix ft1’s. Been a grest wee camera and does 720p video to boot. Never be as good as the dslr but wins hands down for ruggedness and compactness. Think there must be a couple of models since i got it so bound to be improvements in them. Couple of films i posted on here/vimeo were filmed on it.

Probably not really that helpful a post but when i replace mine i’d be looking to see what was on offer in the newer version as pleased with what i have at the moment.

as Andy says, can order a replacement key with the correct number from various places, just check the number required on the lock barrel. I had to do it for a locked roof box i bought!

Is that only on 3G? i.e. would it work on 2g/gprs etc

just coming to the end of my 18mth contract with O2 and looking at the £10/mth Tesco sim only deal (1mth contract) Assuming coverage etc should be the exact same as i have had for O2?

Andymc06, when you say no tethering, does that mean no using the phone as a mobile wifi hotspot? Been quite handy recently on the Galaxy S2.

I had a brand new pair of snowboard boots i got in the sales at the end of the season a few years back. Stored them in their box in the shed through the summer. Turns out the inner of one boot provides a cosy home for mice who decided to chew up the foam liner and use the boot a nest. Cat got a kick up the backside for not doing what it should do best! ;-)

Meant to say my figures above are based on tank to tank measurements/calcs and not an on board computer as believe these can be a fair bit out.

2.0tdi 140 avant sline 2006 with 41k on clock here, getting around 43mpg running at 60-65mph on scottish highland A roads on longer runs. Did get 46mpg from half tank cruising around 55-60mph for a trip. Sounds as though that may be a bit low from some of the figures above. That’s with regular tesco diesel…did have a read about the higher octane stuff but seened to imply it didnt make that much difference, poss a little smoother running on the engine but not much diffetence to mpg…???