Is your insurance valid if it’s left unlocked/unsecured?

Head west. Spend a bit of time in Pembrokeshire. Hop over to Ireland. Tour up to Belfast. Ferry to Stranrar. Tour Scotland. Back home.

Rich.

Good manufacturers/makes

Wilderness Systems – Tarpon 100/120

Emotion Temptation (10 or 11)

Perception Scooter (comfort)

Ocean Kayaks Frenzy

These are Sit On Tops and would be ideal for starting off as you don’t need to learn to roll, they are generally quite stable, they don’t fill up with water if you capsize and they are easy to get back into if you do come out. You will get wetter and colder than a sit-in.

Sit In Kayaks are more advanced – manufacturers/models:

Dagger Blackwater or Approach

Robson Waikiki

You won’t go far wrong with any of the above manufacturers. Avoid cheap Chinese imports. A lot of sit on tops are fun beach boats which are more suited to surf than rivers/estuaries and coastal waters.

Obviously this is all very simplistic but hope it helps.

Rich.

Short answer – no pullcord required.

Firstly, check the power shower’s pump rating. I would guess it’s around 500W. This equates to about 2amps load so 1.5mm FTE is fine run from an FCU with a 3 or 5 amp fuse.

The FCU should be outside zone 2 – ie further than 0.6m from the edge of the shower/bath.

The RCD should be rated at 30mA.

The pull cord is not really a requirement as you’ve got a point of isolation with the FCU. I’m guessing the pump only runs when the water flows so it’s not like an electric shower which would need a suitable isolator.

If you’re replacing like for like there is no requirement for notification to building control unless it’s in a special location (ie a place containing a bath or shower). However, if the pump’s under a floor somewhere it’s could be argued that it’s not a special location.

Obviously it’s difficult to give guidance without actually seeing the job so “caveat emptor” or the electrical consultancy equivalent applies.

Any questions, just ask.

Rich.

Recently went to Llangollen Canal for a short break. Not cheap. Family of 5 in a 10 berth boat. Would not have wanted many more than that.
Llangollen (Trevor Basin) is a busy route as you have the famous aquaduct to cross, but if you can do it out of the holiday season you’d be ok.
Take a look at AngloWelsh[/url]

Rich.

Remember that just because it’s 50cc doesn’t make it a moped. A moped is limited to a maximum speed of 50kph (31mph).

If the 50cc moped has been derestricted, it’s a motorcycle for the purposes of licencing and a person will need to be 17 years old to ride it.

Rich.

Just to add, the Speedfight is the Saxo of the 50cc world so any secondhand one is likely to have been run full bore for most of it’s life.

Our apprentice is about to pass his driving test so his bike is probably going to be up for sale – only problem is it’s in Pembrokeshire but if you’re interested I could put you in touch.

Rich.

Our apprentice used to ride a 50cc stepthrough to work; a journey of around 20 miles each way. Admittedly he was a bit large (rugby player) but frankly it wasn’t up to the job. In the end he went for a Rieju MR50 which is a proper geared bike. Less sophisticated but much more reliable and suited to poor weather etc.

I would probably avoid Chinese models which are usually cheap but are of questionable build quality. The Peugeot Speedfight is supposed to be a good bit of kit if a stepthrough is the preferred solution.

Rich.

Perception Scooter is well thought of. Good at the beach, coast, rivers etc.

Ocean Kayaks Frenzy

Robson Kona

Emotion Temptation (not a surf boat but good allrounder)

I assume you’ve not got his cable?

It is unethical. You owe the rent so have an obligation to pay it. Informing the local council would be vindictive.

Karma will get you.

Rich.

Second the use of an etrex 20. No need to buy maps, use openstreetmap. (I have a UK OS style map I have produced from OSM you can have if I can get it on a disk!).

Can also be used for walking. Download routes from tracklogs etc.
Good bit of kit.

Rich.

Were you certain that the sump and cooling system were both full? 5 litres of oil (approx). plus a full block of water is a lot to lose and would take more than a minute or two.

If it’s now holding oil and water levels and it’s not billowing smoke at operating temperature then I’d question a catastrophic failure.

With the engine warm and running, put your hand over the exhaust. Does your hand get wet/oily?

Rich.

Mach Loop[/url]

Not weekends. Can’t guarantee flying, but if they do, it’s great.
CAD West is good and you don’t have to go too far up the hill.

Rich.

started at 40
52 now. not doing any at the moment due to work, kids and old knees.
I am still 21 in my head and want to take on the youngsters.
Be careful with knee or shoulder injuries.
I probably won’t do much more as i don’twant to risk an injury that will affect my cycling which I see as being ideal for old age.
My coach was over 60 and he could flaten the best of them.
Go forit and enjoy.
Rich

Nothing will come of the swearing.
I don’t think anything will come of reporting it to the police because there is no independent evidence.
Your best recourse is to the bus company. Explain the situation clearly and honestly and ask them to have a quiet word with the driver. This is likely to have the best outcome.
Rich.

http://www.coolcamping.co.uk/campsites/uk/wales/west-wales/pembrokeshire/1052-tycanol-farm

Rich.

it’s also extremely dangerous for motorcyclists – it’s like riding on marbles.

10 years ago I used to travel from Staines to Richmond. I bought a season ticket from Ryde Esplanade to Ryde (IOW) – which gave off peak discount the savings of which more than covered the cost of the season ticket. You also got a couple of free tickets each year as a season ticket holder.
Not sure if this was just Network South East (do they still exist?) or whether it could be modified to suit your circumstances.
Probably closed the loophole now.
Rich.

Glad it all worked out. Good luck with the electric bikes!
Rich.

My neighbour!

Definitely a modification for insurance purposes. I’d also be slightly concerned about the extra strain the additional BHP will have on the engine.

Rich.

He lived in Maenclochog for a while

My village!

Ambrose,
Another thought – if it comes to cremation, maybe ashes scattered on Carn Ingli would be appropriate?

Rich.

Do you know of Brithdyr Mawr? The roundhouse in Newport. The community there might be able to recommend something.

Another avenue is giving the steiner school at Nant Y Cwm a ring and see if they have any ideas. Without wishing to stereotype or sound disparaging, they attract the more alternative type who might have some ideas.

If I think of anything else, or you need help with phone numbers, let me know.

Rich.

The DR is probably a 50mph bike. Yes, you’ll get more out of it in some situations but I wouldn’t expect you to maintain much more than that as a cruising speed.

My (admittedly limited) experience is that Learner legal 125s are just not A road bikes. You’re having to ride them “balls to the wall” to make them keep up with the traffic.

I had the DR for about 3 months and put 1300 miles on it before doing my A licence. I had thought I’d use it to get around the county but in the end it was mainly used to practice what are arguably the more important bits of the A licence – slow speed handling and the procedures (positioning, lifesavers etc.)

You’ll pretty much recover your outlay on a 125 and it will probably work out cheaper than extra lessons/retests if you fail first time.

Get the A licence done then find something that’s good for the commute.

Rich.

Just sold my Suzuki DR125SM – good for the taller rider but not a fast bike. Around town though it was excellent. If you’ve no long stretches of A/B road I’d say it was a good bet.
Rich.

Benz, no problem sending pictures, my email is in my profile.

Just so I understand correctly, it is ok to join the flexi to the outlet of the icon directly and seal with duct tape or cable tie?

Yes, that’s the way it’s done.

Just so I am clear, the exterior vent is about 1.5m above the fan…..not below it. However where the flexi leaves the fan, it does drop slightly before heading vertical.

1.5m is ok if the fan can lift moist air that far. I’d prefer not to see the flexi drop slightly as it’s effectively a “U” bend in which water will gather if the air condenses before being extracted.

As others have implied, you could fit a more powerful fan that has a greater extraction rate but to be honest I wouldn’t fret about it.

Take a look a couple of times a year and see whether there is any water in the flexi. If not, don’t worry. As long as the fan isn’t venting into the loft (ie the flexi has come undone) then there’s no real issue.

As for sealant around the vent outside, I’d ensure it’s weatherproof but at worst any moisture penetration will just go down the cavity (assuming it’s cavity wall) which is what it’s designed to do.

Rich.

We install Icon fans with flexi ducting. I’ve had a number rattle due to the fan hitting the flexi – the fan is very close to the top lip on the Icon fans. They often need repositioning or the fixing hole expanded so the flexi doesn’t concertina so much.

I’ve seen plenty of fans with bigger lift than 1.5m and plenty with lots of twists and dips.

I’ve also had to empty large pools of water out of flexi ducting.

Duct tape or cable ties are the norm for joining the flexi pipe.

I don’t like fans mounted anywhere other than on external walls with a short, direct outlet. Warm moist air is going to condense very quickly, particularly in a cold loft space and I don’t think many fans have the capability of extracting sufficiently unless it’s a flat, short run.

If your installation has a fall from the 90 degree bend to the outside vent, even just a small one, I’d say it’s ok.

Without seeing it it’s difficult to say for certain but I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about particularly.

Rich.

I’d also add that I would rather open a window than have a bathroom extractor fan. If you can do that, turn off the isolator and it’s no longer a problem.

ADI too and simmy/deano8 are spot on.

My advice is to find someone your teenage son can build a good relationship with that enables him to be himself and gives him confidence to try things and not feel he’ll get a hard time if he makes mistakes.

Don’t be afraid to change instructors if the relationship doesn’t work out.

I also think an instructor should be looking to teach overall driving skills, not just to pass a test. It costs more initially, but the winner isn’t the first to pass the test, it’s the last one to have an accident……

Rich.

Electrician here. Happy to answer questions if you’ve got them. Email is in my profile.

Rich.

Passed my Mod 2 for an A licence week. Did the CBT in February, bought a Suzuku DR125SM (for sale if anyone’s interested!) and put on about 1300 miles before doing the direct access. Passed mod1 and mod2 first time with clean sheets.

I’m 52, a qualified driving instructor, and thought it would be a good form of “continued professional development” as they like to call it.
It’s improved my teaching and my road skills are better too.

I didn’t enjoy the CBT and at the end I said that I wouldn’t take it any further. However, I felt I’d be quitting if I didn’t give it another try and so bought the bike.

Once I’d got past the stage of being nervous of the bike and felt that I was controlling it rather than the other way round I was much happier and have really enjoyed it.

The bigger bike I used on Mod1 and 2 (A Suzuki Gladius) was much easier to ride than the 125 – more manoeuvreable and able to keep up with the traffic.

I’d certainly say do the CBT and see how it goes. It’s obviously not for everyone but it’s an itch that won’t go away until you’ve scratched it.

Rich.

Been doing second fix on a property in the north of the county (Pembrokeshire). Hot as hell; nose streaming, sneezing, itchy eyes. Very hard to work. But, if hayfever is all that’s ever wrong with me I’ll take it anytime.
Rich.

Thanks for the replies. Had a chat with my local bike shop owner this morning: “Honest opinion – the ’04 BMW F650GS you’ve got in the showroom or an ’03 Transalp with 40,000 on the clock?”

“I’d have the transalp even if the BMW had only 1 mile on it – they’re rubbish”.

So, bought the Transalp.

Rich.

Why is it always a police matter?

You call police for this?

Ideally no. I would like to live in a society where a) this sort of behaviour didn’t happen and b) that on the rare occasion it did, it would be dealt with by those that were witnessing it taking place acting together to make it stop. Unfortunately because people tend to cross the road rather than get involved or, when they do, are not supported or face allegations of racism/excessive force etc. we have to resort to the police to do society’s work for us.

your country you mess up.

yep.

I think it’s a police matter. Section 5 public order offence at the minimum. Nothing might come of the specific incident if you do report it but if it’s not reported a “pattern” isn’t recognised so in modern policing there is no problem to deal with.

A good neighbourhood officer will have some contacts in the community, maybe with mosques/temples etc. and might be able to tackle it indirectly that way.

Personally, I always felt that a midnight phone call to a parent to say little Johnny was enjoying the hospitality of our custody centre was an excellent way to galvanise them into taking action against their offspring’s behaviour.

Is there a reason why you’ve narrowed it down to just the Transalp and F650GS?

Where I live is rural with plenty of gravel strewn lanes. Always liked the transalp style of bikes and that would be my first choice but there is a F650GS (a 650 version, not the later 800) locally – ’04 plate with 23000 miles on it. Better fuel economy but don’t feel it’s as bombproof as the Honda.

The bike is going to be stored outside and will be day to day transport, not a fair weather “toy”.

Section 703 of BS7671 wiring regs covers the electrical requirements of a sauna. It will require Building Control signoff or work done by a electrician in one of the scams Part P schemes as it’s a “special location”.

I can give you more info if you require.

Rich.

The little girl who was singing at the Rememberence do and her navy dad turned up to see her when she thought he wasn’t coming home for months.

Think big.