Got a 650 Transalp. First and only bike so not really qualified to compare anything. However, very pleased with it. Good economy (50+ mpg but I don’t cane it). Good view. Handles better than I’ll ever need. I’m 5’11” but only a 29″ trouser and just on the edge of comfortable to put a foot down.
700 ‘Alps are supposed to be underrated.

Rich.

Perhaps at the age of 42 i am just too old and jaded to really give a toss about anything anymore……..

wait ’til you get to 53………

you should have some caps to go on top of the valves. Their job is to close off each zone. Put three on and see what zone warms up. Swop around as necessary until you find the one which is the open zone. If you don’t have caps, use the actuators and turn the stats down very low which will stop the valves opening.
Rich

edit:
Actually swop them round as necessary until you a) find the openzone and b) associate a stat. with the zone otherwise you’ll have a stat. controlling the wrong zone.

Without a picture it’s difficult to tell, but what you describe are the valve actuators that are controlled from a box somewhere that also takes in feeds from the stats. There is probably 4 zones in your system, one of which is an open zone designed to act as a heatsink if the three that are controlled are shut as they are up to temperature. The open zone is going to be the one without the thermostat; possibly the hallway or area where it’s likely to be coolest.
To reactivate the zones, put the 3 actuators back onto the manifold on top of the valves corresponding to the controlled zones. ie the open zone should have nothing on it.

Any questions, post away!

Rich.

When you say servos do you mean two port valves?

You will probably have thought of this, but if you recess it, then change the TV in a couple of years, you could be looking at a hole that is not of a suitable shape/size and you’re back to square one.
This may be relevant if the “fad” for wrap around TVs takes off.

edit:

Not sure if building regs stipulates the amount of depth that can be taken. I would sink 47mm cooker boxes into a 100mm block but wouldn’t want to go much deeper. Also, 75mm would only leave 25mm for screws unless you want them sticking out in the next door room.

Radiators operate at a higher temperature (60 degrees?) than underfloor heating (30 degrees?). Underfloor heating takes a long time relative to radiators to heat an area. Radiators on a off-on-off-on cycle will get the house warm but underfloor heating won’t warm up sufficiently.

God and ghosts are human simplifications of things that we don’t yet understand. The human race, no matter how bright we think we are, are probably the equivalent of a single cell amoeba, maybe less, in what in probability is a very much bigger picture.

I think there’s probably something “paranormal” that bumps into our dimension but ghosts as we define them is probably not the right answer.

Rich.

I’d recommend a search for Chris Hadfield – he’s got a lot of really interesting videos from the ISS – very educational.
Rich.

A Shot In The Arm

wobbliscott , you can get what is called a setback stat. which is designed to set the temperature back 3-4 degrees when the programmer is “off”. It requires a 4 core cable to the stat. which might be a show stopper though.
Heatmiser DS-SB Setback Stat.[/url]

Rich.

Started off as a programmer. Went up the management chain and got to a point where I couldn’t stand talking corporate speak any more. Taught myself java and went back to programming. Then, a move to West Wales (aged 42) meant no work and another change. Qualified as a driving instructor and about 6 years ago an electrician. 53 now. No regrets.
Rich.

NSFW

My mate works out there for Qatar Airways. Not had any adverse comments.
Rich.

Personally, I’d go for block. More solid, better soundproofing. Never sure about the longevity of wooden buildings in the uk. Built my own extension in blocks. Not quick but easy enough. If you have the skills as a carpenter you’ll have the skills with blocks.
Rich.

photos?

As thrustyjust says.

Assume you’ve put them one in each terminal (not intending to insult your intelligence but must ask). Switch packaging should say they are one gang one way. If 1 gang, 2 way, put one wire in C and the other in L1 (if marked L1, L2, L3, use L1 and either L2 or L3).

If you’ve another switch, try swopping it.

Rich.

Less than 15,000 miles a year? Buy a petrol engined car. Diesels might have better mpg figures but this will be offset if the DPF or dual mass flywheel let go. Not so much of a problem on a lease, but if you own it you won’t want to be hit by the bill.

Rich.

The earth (yellow/green or sometimes just green) of the cable that appears into the dry lining box can safely be attached to the earth terminal of the metal switch.

Rich.

OP – a complete bastard would never have bothered to post. You posted because you care, it’s just that you’re overwhelmed by it all at the moment.

ransos on page 4 was spot on – when you’re stressed, put baby down in her cot and walk away. Shut the door, have a brew and come back in 10 minutes. She’ll come to no harm; the person who is more likely to break will be you. That ten minutes is a life saver.

The only advice (which you should ignore!) is don’t take advice from anybody about childcare. Too much conflicting info. Do you’re own thing and you won’t go far wrong.

Good luck, keep us all posted.

Rich.

If you get an electrician in, get a Part P registered one unless you know the quality of their workmanship is good. You should get a minor works certificate for it unless it requires a new circuit. It doesn’t need to be notified to building control (so you can legitimately do it yourself and thus a non part P electrician).
Normal disclaimer given that I’ve not seen it in the flesh.
Rich.

Still got all your fingers?

I’d go with cougar. If it’s rewritten too much the letter won’t match the “franglais” he will inevitably speak at an interview. A simple covering letter with a bullet point type CV will get all the necessary points across without the risk of any prejudice against a less than grammatically perfect CV.

Rich.

it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are an idiot than open it and remove all doubt.

it’s better to have loved and lost than spent your life a w*nker.

Washington – London on Concorde – 3 hours, averaged 1000mph. Worst jetlag I’ve ever had.

1 – Believe in your abilities.

2 – Measure twice, cut once.

What bit was original?

Just insured my son who passed his test back in April. Admiral were cheapest by far. He’s a named driver though, not a policy in his own name. Obviously YMMV.

Rich.

PS No boxes required.

There is no need to split the ring. The square meterage is a recommendation but as long as you design the circuit balance the loads across the two two legs and meet the Zs requirements for the breaker you’re ok.
The 17th edition requires you to make suitable provision for dividing circuits in a way that doesn’t provide undue risks as a consequence of tripping. Ie a single 30mA rcd as the main switch is not really ideal. I would be looking to ensure lighting circuits are split across RCDs or better still put on RCBOs such that if there is a trip there is still borrowed light from another area of the house.

Rich.

Firstly, get the ground cleared from around the walls to allow evaporation to take place.

Don’t use cement or gypsum plasters on stone buildings. It’s important to use materials that allow moisture to pass in and out through the walls. Lime based mortars, renders and plasters should be used.

Lime is not a cheap solution but is well worth it. Used it on my stone house in Wales and it works.

Rich.

its in maths mode. press the s-d key and it will display the answer as a decimal

One of the all time great bowlers, Glen McGrath was getting frustrated at being unable to dismiss little known Zimbabwean cricketer Eddo Brandes.

McGrath: “Why are you so fat?”

Brandes “Because every time I **** your wife, she gives me a biscuit.”

Thought it would be too good to be true!

Another cricket “sledging” one that allegedly took place, which I believe was during an Australia/England match although I don’t know the participants was:

Bowler – “How’s your wife and my kids?”
Batsman – “Wife’s fine but the kids are retarded.”

Not mine I’m afraid; one I read on another forum a couple of years ago.

A guy was cycling along and someone shouted “Oi, fatty!” at him. Quick as a flash, he came back with “I’m only fat because every time I ‘have sex’ with your mother she gives me a biscuit.”

Rich.

It depends on the size of the garage/workshop and what you’d ultimately like to use if for. Unfitgeezer’s solution is certainly the better one.

The kits will provide basic lighting but little else. I am not convinced either are good quality but the solarshop one looks a bit better.

No chance of running a circuit out to the workshop?

Rich.

Sorry!

Surveyors are going to cover their backs (understandably) and will report everything they see, or think they see, regardless of whether it’s an actual problem or not.

Get a trusted builder to take a look at the place. They’ll take a more “real world” view and it will enable you put some sort of perspective to the problems the survey raised.

Rich.

Just done my DAS – age 52. Now riding an ’02 plate Transalp.
Had a 125 for about 3 months which I thought was worthwhile as it enabled me to practice the key slow speed control skills. Not so useful for faster/longer trips as it had to be caned a bit and you ended up riding a bit too ragged. However, bike was a trails type bike whereas a 125 Varadero is probably a bit better.

a_a’s list of bikes is a good one. Add the Transalp too. Good all rounder.

Rich.

We would normally fit Click or Robus GU10 firerated downlighters with Robus LED bulbs.
As for the bathroom there is no need for low voltage lights, you just need suitably IP rated fittings. Again, Click or Robus but there are other good manufacturers. A visit to your local electrical wholesaler should give you plenty of options.
Rich.

There are a number of inflateable users on Song Of The Paddle, the canoeing forum. I think Sevylor get a good writeup. Not as good as a rigid obviously but good nonetheless.
Rich.