The screen on the iPad 2 is awful (had one with work briefly but swapped it for an Air) so you’ll notice a massive difference. 3rd Gen onwards are great (screen wise)

I’ve also got an old 3rd Gen iPad and I prefer the screen to my brand new Lenovo Tab 4 + (full HD). The 3rd gen iPad itself is almost unusable though and I prefer Android, hence the swap.

Bikemike sums it up well.

I’ve got one, it’s great value. The battery lasts ages. The standard strap can sometimes come undone; I’ve got one of the ventilated straps which clips on the other way round and is much more secure.

I’ve had mine over a year, I bought a spare for £12 delivered when they were last on offer, but my original just keeps on going.

@edukator which Ibanez is that?

My previous electro-acoustic was probably a predecessor to this:

Looked nice. Nice size. Was ok for basic chords, bit of picking. Crap for barre.

Thanks. Currently the only guitar I own is my trusty old Epiphone 355 Dot. I did try setting up the old electro-acoustic but it either buzzed or was impossible to barre. Even with a capo on I had to use the strap type with on highest setting as clip sprung type wouldn’t work.

TBH, I’ll probably get shot down for this, but I don’t want the hassle of getting it set up. I’m not going to be performing anywhere. So something that just works straight out of the box is what I’m looking for.

That seems very good vfm to me. We’ve got a few of them as pool cars at work. I think the estates are basically Mk5s with MK6 front and rear ends. I’ve got a mk6 hatch and the biggest difference I noticed was the position of the door armrest/electric window switches. They’re not exactly quick but then which 1.6 diesel is? Pool cars get abused but the Golfs feel much better than the Foci and truly dreadful 308 estates that are also in the fleet. The Golfs also get booked up first too so get more use.

I usually just use our breadmaker for making dough, then I shape it and cook it in the oven for 20 min (buns or pizza bases usually). It’s quicker and much nicer than just leaving it in the breadmaker for a loaf (but more faff obvs). It’s worth having one just for that IMHO. I like to experiment with different flavours/ingredients. I don’t bother with the whole sticking the ingredients in after the second beep nonsense either, just chuck it all in, option 8 and wait 90min.

I’d +1000 what Pondo and Theotherjonv said. Peter Pan Goes wrong is fantastic family entertainment. We recorded last year and must be into double figures watching it with the kids.
I saw TPTGW in the West End earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed that too. I found CCGW a bit disappointing.

Being as this is turning into a typical OT thread, have you seen what £7.5k gets you lately?

I guess the £520/yr tax goes some way to explaining the cheapness…

The Ipads mid older can be picked up for good prics likem I did with mine from Music Magpie online

I’ve currently got an iPad 3rd gen which is grinding to a halt and also takes an age to charge if accidently left to go completely flat (>24hrs to 100%). It’s lasted really well but I’m not a fan of iOS so don’t want another

I’ve got the lenovo yoga tab 3 plus 10.1. Which is better than the tab 4. As in screen at 2k, battery life, performance and sound quality – dolby atmos jbl is all better than the newer one. Had for a month, but better than the lenovo tab 3 10.1

Yes, it does seem better but because it’s an older model only a few places seem to have in stock for around £300 (it’s showing £250 at a few places but all OOS). The Tab 4 plus is £200 and available to collect. Hmmmm….

I found this too:

I buy CDs cos they’re (for some reason??) often cheaper than downloads

and this:

I buy CD’s from amazon, you get the mp3 for free and it’s usually cheaper then buying mp3 on it’s own

This also makes no sense :? but is my experience. The last 5-6 albums I’ve bought have been on CD and then ripped with iTunes which Google Playmusic automatically transfers onto my phone, where I actually listen to it. I’ve currently got 6 months free Apple Music with EE (data included) but don’t particularly like the interface and can’t be arsed setting up my playlists etc. again.

They make loads of sense if your local MTB stuff is shit.

This. My nearest passable MTB stuff is about 10 miles away and my full suss is complete overkill for it. I should have bought one sooner.

A braked bike trailer for carrying heavy loads? Maybe some sort of regenerative braking or dynamo hubs for generating power for off-grid if touring?

Oops, just re-read the OP, not cool or exiting :P

Just had 3 done. Mine (lost & expired), eldest child (renewal) and youngest child (first passport). Took a week and a half from check+send at Post Office to receiving them back.

I use this to compare prices.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

It will also monitor the prices and tell you when you’re paying too much and then you can swap again. Works very well for me.
I do this too. My recent British Gas fix comes to an end in the next few weeks, which would see my bills increase by £300-400/year. I considered Bulb but switched to OVO* which is fixed for the next 2 years and was only a pound or two more per month. If you think that works for you be quick though, the tariff ends tomorrow!
*is also the MSE recommended tariff

We got one of those Kindle Fire HD Kids tablets on the last prime day. Pretty impressed tbh. You can use it as a normal tablet with the parent log on. The kids have their own log on with age appropriate apps/games/videos etc. Not sure what we’ll do when the inclusive subscription runs out though…
Edit: No doubt they’ll be another significant reduction on Black Friday if you can wait that long and want to pay full price

Don’t need to have the cam belt changed until 100,000 miles unlike VAG cars which a 13/14 plate will probably need doing.

My 1.4TSI Golf is chain driven, not sure if the newer one have changed though?

so while a diesel might be tootling along at around 2000rpm in top, a petrol is likely to be around 3000rpm, now that 6-speed boxes are starting to become more common, cruising rpm is dropping and economy improving. I’ve lost track of the number of petrol cars I’ve driven, and I’m doing 75-80* in top on a motorway, and looked at the tacho and though “why the **** hasn’t this got another gear! It’s running at least 1000rpm higher than a diesel!”

Mine is at 2400rpm in 6th at 70mph. Fuel economy drops off a cliff once you start to go quicker. An 80mph motorway run is lucky to return over 40mpg (high 30s most likely) whereas sticking the CC to 70mph and high 40s, sometimes 50mpg is possible.

If they accepted a salary cut to their top line equal to the cost of their season ticket then they should be better off financially in the immediate term (due to season ticket being bought after Tax/NI deductions).

Quadruple post :oops:

Triple post

Ask your neighbours if they’d recommend whoever did theirs?

Turns out they did their own. It’s not GRP either, but some sort of rubber applied with an adhesive with a trim around the front edge. By his reckoning, our current roof has only been on about 7-8 years; that seems pretty poor imho. Although judging by the piss-poor standard of decorating etc. in our house it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a botched DIY job by the previous owner (one of many!).

Yoga with Adrienne on you tube

This is worth a go. I only started it as my wife wanted to do it and I thought I’d offer some (moral) support. I have never stretch before or after exercise :oops: and it made me realise how ridiculously inflexible I am (can barely sit cross-legged, can’t touch my toes with legs straight, shoulders tight etc.).
We did the introductory video for 7 days straight then moved onto the 30 day programme (@ day 26 now) and probably only had 4 or 5 missed days. I’m definitely getting more flexible (still a long way to go though!), core strength has definitely improved too. When the 30 days is up I’m going to look at the more running/cycling specific ones. Maybe I’ll do a proper class one day (doubt it though), but finding a spare 20-30min once the kids are in bed is much more convenient/achievable.

I’ve got a dedicated commuter (with full mudguards). Shorts are a no go as I need to keep my work trousers dry. I can’t be arsed with having to get changed after my commute (hence riding slowly) – otherwise I wouldn’t bother with waterproofs at all.
The problem I have is water cascading off my jacket and making the tops of my legs soaking wet. There’s the secondary issue of water running into my shoes, but that’s less of a problem.
Thanks – I’ll Google the RAF Goretex ones.

Here’s mine in the woods around the Howardian Hills

EDIT: oh, no idea how to link to Instagram photos :?linky

I got one recently on C2W. I’ve done a few 30ish mile mixed road/off-road routes (and a few commutes :P). I was worried that the hub wouldn’t have enough range but it’s been fine. I’ll probably get some mud tyres for winter but the standard ones seem ok on dry stuff and road (rubbish in mud though). I’m really impressed with the brakes. Overall I really like it, mostly for the options it gives me for riding off-road from home. It’s ‘nicer’ to ride than my road bike – but not as quick obviously. In fact, even if heading out on the road I can’t see me taking the road bike over the Arkose unless I’m heading out with other roadies (it’s probably a good 3-4mph slower). I got mine for £900 after trading in a bike I was going to take to the tip (minus tax obviously :D )

We once had a night round all the pubs in York that served this:

No idea why. Horrible stuff; tastes like treacle. The only way to avoid prolonging the agony was to neck it. I vaguely remember things getting a bit messy…

In most pubs in my home town your choice of draught ale was this or Tetleys. Things have changed thankfully!

Are coaster brakes the back pedal ones? They’re bloody awful in my experience. I had one on my old commuter and despite riding it 5 days/week it still caught me out occasionally (not being able to make the pedals horizontal at traffic lights was a total PITA). I wouldn’t have another. Hub gears and dynamo hubs make a lot of sense for commuting though. I’d have a Dutch bike for commuting if I didn’t live 5 miles away. They’re immensely practical but deeply uncool; so less of a thief target compared to similar priced MTB/hybrid/road bikes/CX (I assume?!).

You should have ordered something really expensive with their card.

An e-bike? :lol:

White Rock Outback. Bought after being recommended on here, can’t fault it. linky
I got mine from Cotswold Outdoor

Cyclescheme – so Evans is included. Hopefully so is the 10% free accessories

Thanks for the info. It has Microshift BS-M10 bar-end shifters (apparently), no idea what they’re like. I’d happily sacrifice STI for proper hydraulic brakes.
Realistically it’s going to be used far more for commuting than anything else, so the Alfine should be ok.
The best dilemma is size. I’m 6’1″ so bang on the overlap between L and XL. Might have to have a trip to Evans over Easter and see if they’ve got any other Arkose to sit on before I pull the trigger.

And its not just £7k – with the RYA discount we are now talking £11.2. Having done those maths I’m strugging to see past it. A £31k car for £20k via PCP at 6% seems perfect for our circumstance.

Are you sure you can stack those discounts???
If so and I was in your position I’d go for it. A quick look on Autotrader shows 15reg with 30k on the clock going for £22k (I also like XC60s). You’re unlikely to get any kind of discount on the new model for ages. Buying new never really makes financial sense, but that’s not really the point. If you want it, get it.

This is the sort of “I’m superior” claptrap that people always spout about any music that’s popular.

Why do you consider it “better” if you have to really concentrate on music to enjoy it ?

And everyone “knows about music” they just prefer stuff that appeals to them, and not necessarily you.

As someone else above said, he writes his own stuff, he plays his own instruments, he plays live (very well) and he can sing.

people who reckon they are always “right” about music will always get their g strings wound too tight and slag off anything popular though, I don’t know why I’m surprised
This^ x1000
I’m not an ES fan, but don’t get the hate. Like anything creative, music is subjective and there is almost an infinite amount of choice. Don’t like a song on the radio/TV? Retune or turn it off :roll:

Hopefully about 5 minutes after I read this

Sounds like my place. I would be covered, but for full family cover I would have had to pay extra (notwithstanding the BIK issue). Even then the kids wouldn’t covered for two years (?!). I turned it down and took the cash alternative instead, which I pay tax on so hopefully helps funds the NHS :-)

You have my sympathy. A few years ago one of my teeth hurt constantly and anything warm or cold caused an excruciating sharp pain (even inhaling air outside). Got that bad I didn’t want to eat or drink anything. Nothing touched the pain. I had to wait over week for an ’emergency’ appointment to get root canal done. Best thing ever. Total instant pain relief (apart from during the procedure when the anesthetic injections he gave me weren’t enough – but I only found that out after he started drilling 8O – still worth it though)

I have an older Lenovo, there’s all sorts of crap on there I wish I had got rid of at the outset. Not sure if the new ones are better or not.