but the occasional emails I received from Amazon about them making Smile donations always did seem to report surprisingly small amounts of cash, given how much their overall UK turnover must be.

Exactly what I thought.
The reasons given for ending it seem disingenuous, blatantly just a cost cutting/profit increasing measure.

Years ago I had a Golf TSI. Mpg dropped by about 10% after swapping all 4 tyres from the standard OEM energy efficient ones
(which were useless in snow) for some Bridgestone All-seasons. And it never snowed again in my ownership of that car (Typical🤣).

Surely the wee little cranky is going to spend it on trying to find a way to force through Indy ref 2?

🙄 Responded perfectly by Dovebiker
Personally I’d be delighted if they moved the border south and annexed Yorkshire. I’d happily pay more tax if it meant the SNP were in charge rather than those that currently rule in Westminster.

Cordless Shark pet thing ordered 👍. Thanks

Any 20mm watchstrap will fit (or 22mm, assume it’s 20mm though). Just have a look on Amazon. I’ve had a leather backed material strap from somewhere which was comfy, I’ll see if I can find the link

Ok. Update for those interested. I managed to get a Google Nest WiFi and point for £63 from Argos (crazy BF price, cheaper than just the Router direct from Google), so I now also have a basic mesh system. Setting the Router to modem mode was pretty easy – but finding the correct port to plug the ethernet cable in was pot luck (can see how this has caught people out, thanks for the heads up on Cougar). The system was pretty easy to set up though as I’m used to Google Home. I ended up using the same SSID and password so all my devices connected automatically (thanks again for the advice on here)
The difference is massive. Teams just works perfectly. All devices are connected.
I Chromecast in UHD earlier and it worked flawlessly (it was hit and miss before and would buffer all the time despite 100+ meg).
I should have upgraded ages ago. So for anyone else that is struggling, ditch the standard Router, you won’t regret it👍

Nope – free weights aren’t a good idea for a beginner – why do people keep saying this shit?

I’d disagree, but with the caveat of getting a few 121 PT sessions first, starting (very) light and putting the focus on form and technique.

Free Weights and build up gradually. Get an induction from an expert who’ll devise a program for you.

OP got the correct response in the first response /thread.

Or…. Do I wait for Black Friday and get a Google Nest WiFi so I could add to it in the future if ever required?

Would this work?

NETGEAR Wireless Access Point (WAX204) – WiFi 6 Dual-Band AX1800 Speed | 4 x 1G Ethernet Ports | 802.11ax | WPA3 Security | Create up to 3 Separate Wireless Networks Linky

Claims to support up to 64 client devices. I assume this means anything that’s connected to the WiFi? I’m running at about 40 I think. I don’t think I need to go full mesh. My biggest bugbears are the TV streaming using Chromecast (next room though stud wall) and my office connection on Teams (directly above).

so we suffer the same issues as the OP (fast vm broadband, good enough signal but stuff stuttering/dropping out, (sonos being the worst but the kitchen lights made a UDI before now) but reading the thread and understanding about 60% of it, is there a numpty plug and play way to increase stability for the many many devices in the house?

You’re doing well at 60%!
So…
Looks like I need a new router
I should set the ID name and password to the same as my current to avoid having to reconnect everything
Ideally I want 2.4 & 5GHz (most of my bulbs etc. Are 2.4 only) or just 2.4

How easy (or not) is it turn the hub into WiFi mode?
What (not too expensive) hub is recommended? (I don’t think I need an expensive mesh system due to the construction of my house, I also have a few plug in TP link boosters kicking about if need)

I don’t think the issue is with WiFi range, but device capacity. I tried getting a free signal booster out of VM, but when I used the app I had excellent signal strength through the entire house.
I’ve used one of I those TP link mains Ethernet extenders in my garage/mancave for a camera looking over my bikes. It worked pretty well.

Oh, Bestard…
I’d echo above. Assumed they were an SP own brand as never seen them anywhere else.

you can’t just have smart TRVs, you need some method of calling for heat from the boiler. It is possible to DIY such a controller though.

Surely that’s just an app controlled over WiFi though? Rather than a separate physical controller. I have a similar thing with lightbulbs. You can have a bridge with some (Hue etc.), or with others you can just control off your phone using an app and/or Google home
I have two rooms that only need heating 3 nights a week and an office I only need heating during the day if I’m WFH, so I’m thinking they may be worth getting for that (though I’m not sure whether they’d pay for themselves or not).
Edit: I could just manually alter the TRV in each room but it’s a PITA.
Second edit: Ok, re-read and see your point. I was thinking more of a way of shutting down rooms remotely when not required (or on a timer) AND more accurately controlling the temp in then (than TRV numbered 1-6 which are crap)

They’re separate from your boiler/thermostat. I think the advantage of smart TRVs are that you can control the temp in any single room (assuming the heating is on).
You should never end up with the boiler pumping water and all rads off, as there should always be an open rad (usually this is the bathroom one). The key is not to have your thermostat and smart TRV in the same room (which would be pointless anyway)
EDIT: I’m referring to retrofitting smart TRVs without a full integrated system. Considering doing this myself to create an upstairs zone – normal TRVs are crap IMHO. My original Hive system is a bit basic

Type C charging too, which is bonus. Probably not the brightest, but for £13 you can’t go far wrong

You’re not wrong. Oh wait, you are.

Gazelle C8 belt drive here (not the eBike version). Hate it with a passion. Heavy, draggy, slow. I like the Alfine on l my chain driven Pinnacle Arkose. Hate it on the Gazelle. Similar tyre size. But the belt drive is waaaay more draggy. I wouldn’t get another

Following with interest. I use a really old Vax bagless cyclone Dyson ripoff that would have otherwise gone in the bin. The design of my wood burner means ash falls down the back of the ash pan and isn’t easy to sweep out due to the base not being flat.

I was going to start a thread asking if anyone can recommend any budget bone conducting headphones for running (budget as in half the price of the Aftershokz/Shokz ones).

*Apologies for the thread hijack

I was tempted by this a full price on C2W as our choice was v limited (due to a crappy restrictive C2W scheme) and that was the nearest I could get to what I actually wanted. Decided against it, but I’d definitely bite at C2W for that price, alas I don’t think they price match and I can’t get it from Evans on the scheme. Shame.

EDIT: But those callipers would need to go. Immediately.

Assume it’s cheaper or quicker to install(?). The M1/A1 link road is the same. It’s awful

Hated my coaster brake on my (very) old hub geared work bike. Awful in traffic. Just my 2p.

Caveat Emptor

2 months though… Discovered on the drive home he might have a point. 2 months later. Nah. At best he sounds like a chancer. At worse like he’s trying to exploit his senior position at work to bully you into something you’re not liable for. Block his number and ignore him unless specifically and exclusively work related.

I bought a Roku Express HD stick for £20 recently for an old FHD TV in the conservatory (though seems to be £30 in Argos now). It’s great and more versatile than a Chromecast (I wanted YouTube and all the catch up TV without needing a Phone to make it work). There is a 4k version, but you’re possibly into Apple TV /Google TV money (?).

It might be airport specific. I flew out of LBA to Barcelona 2.5 weeks ago. LBA was horrendous. Only 2 security scanning lanes open, 2+ hr queues out of the door, people missing flights etc. Barcelona for the return flight was a breeze, baggage dropped and through security in 15 minutes. I flew out of Newcastle on Saturday morning (half term, jubilee week, so expecting it to be horrendous), paid for Fast Track as had the kids with me, needn’t have bothered. Puts me off LBA even though it’s my closest airport.

Thanks. One of our party was under 18 on the original booking but it got postponed due to COVID and now they’re over 18. Online system won’t allow them to check in as their DOB is ‘wrong’ even though it hasn’t changed. Apparently Jet2 IT are supposed to be sorting it but no joy so far.

When I went to Morzine (a summer a long time ago), I destroyed a set organic ‘downhill’ pads in half a day. Swapped to sintered, they lasted the rest of the week (and most of the following UK winter). Discs got an interesting red glow on the longest descents, but braking was fine (Shimano deore)

Another Poco F3 here. Couldn’t resist for £180 with the rucksack (needed to hit a threshold to stack discount codes) – 8GB/256GB 5G and fast processor. Amazing value. The only extra thing I’d like is wireless charging, but the battery lasts ages anyway. Keep an eye on HUKD deals website and go for whatever Xiaomi is on offer. The prices are up and down all the time so don’t be surprised if you order something and it’s £10-20 cheaper the following week (though I can’t see the recent F3 flash sale price being beaten)

Fossgate Tap has 2for1 cocktails on Thursday (though maybe not with Easter?) and some decent beer on (and nice food). It’s virtually next door to the Blue bell mentioned above (which is more a CAMRA type place). There’s a few other gin/cocktail type places down Fossgate too, all under 10 minutes walk from your Hotel and en route to the pizza place

Gravel bikes are ace; ride from home on the road, do some local non-technical BWs, return home. They’re definitely a compromise, but not sure I’d want to make mine more off-road focused at the expense of of speed on the road by adding massive tyres and suspension, but I can see the see the appeal.

If the diaphragm in the expansion vessel has failed then it will be full of water and the system will heat up to the max pressure before the prv releases it outside. Then when it cools down it will drop below the pressure you had set it to.

Had this exact issue with my Ideal boiler. Boiler constantly losing water and turning itself off (so no hot water either) – re-pressurising only worked for a week or so, so likely a tiny in the bladder . Bought a new pattern expansion tank off eBay for £47 Inc a new PRV (Vs £100+ from Ideal) Didn’t bother with the PRV but fitted the expansion and all sorted. Maybe not a job for the OP’s 79 year old mother. But mine didn’t require touching the electric or the gas element so was a relatively simple DIY job.

02 aren’t introducing EU roaming charges from what I’ve read. I’ll be ditching EE when my contract is up for that exact reason.

Thanks everyone. Loads to go on there. I’m there on a date weekend, so no biking at Hamsterly 😆. Fingers crossed for good weather though as I like the idea of the boat trip, trip up the tower etc. during the day.

Not mountain biking, but my work bike has a belt drive and I wouldn’t recommend it, it’s sooooo draggy (paired to 8 speed Alfine). For comparison I have another bike with the same rear hub and a normal chain which is loads better. It has been reliable though, but SS chains are cheap as chips, so does it really matter?

I had my Oakleys reglazed last year. £47.50 from Direct Sight (inc £5 P&P). That was for ‘Gold’ lens package (thin, coated etc.). Only complaint is they billed me twice, but that was quickly resolved with an email.

Can’t you just disconnect the receiver and run the CH off the timer? That’s how mine was set up when I moved in (rubbish set up). I then added a Hive.
EDIT: Why would hot water need a timer on a combi? Surely it’s on 24/7 but only heats up when there’s demand?

Everyone knows the best CX riding is heading East, Dave, not West 😉

Same sale as previous, but much lower stock. The jacket is a bit boil in the bag and I haven’t tried to the trousers or the waterproof rucksack I bought. Can’t grumble at those prices though.

They should make a 1 day safety course compulsory for this reason alone, similar to the bike CBT. Not expensive, a few hours long and enough to stop you making big errors.

Totally agree with this tbf. I’m pretty experienced with towing, understand the speed limits and restrictions, but many don’t. And you’re never too old to learn/refresh.