pdf’s formatted for Kindle I think, stuff not sourced from Amazon.

I recently got one and downloaded some free e-books (legally free)to try, but so far am still on the ones I bought direct from Amazon so haven’t tried it yet.

Stayed there once, it was decent, I don’t remember much though as I was hammered when I got back to it and left early doors.
My colleagues really rate it and stay there every week.

I usually stay at the Novotel, which is passable and close to my office. The Mint is definately nicer.
For another option I thought the Thistle was quite nice, just round the corner, and is a 3 star therefore a bit cheaper.

I’ve been to Chez Bruce in Wandsworth. It was very nice. I wouldn’t recommend Wandsworth for a romantic getaway though…

I’m think I’m unlikely to be doing enough mileage for the Diesel to be worthwhile. Likely to be doing quite a few short trips in it too, which I am led to believe can lead to trouble in the diesels?
Happy to be corrected on this.

Said by me:

he’s not the best ever in his position, but nobody ever claimed he was.

by TJ:

People are always claiming this

Go on then, who?
Everyone I’ve ever spoken to about it acknowledges that he is not the best ever fly half, even the most one-eyed England fan can see that Dan Carter is a more complete and exciting player. Wilkinson is still a great of the game though.

Laud him for what he is.

What he is is the second highest international points scorer of all time, second only to Carter who is up there as the possibly the best ever. In a career racked with injury. He also got it done under the greatest pressure possible on a rugby field (extra time drop goal, last kick of the game, in Australia, with the wrong foot!). He also did it with the utmost class and professionalism, an example to any young player.
Personally I think that qualifies him to be considered great.

He has never been the most exciting fly half or the best runner, he’s not the best ever in his position, but nobody ever claimed he was.

How utterly depressingly predictable that this would be posted by some miserable sod knocking the man. That chip on your shoulder is enormous.

My opinion – buy it in advance and surprise her. She will love that you have sort time energy and thought on getting the ring. Buying it together smacks of a cop out to me and is a wussy move.

+1 for independent or jewellery quarter/ hatton garden type place. High st don’t get near in terms of quality or size of stone for the same money. In my experience they were really really helpful and guided me through picking a stone, picking a setting etc. I managed to get the only ring out of her jewellery box that is too big for her for the sizing.. But no bother as it was resized without any hassle.

It’s not something I’ve studied particularly, but isn’t it the case that the much-lauded ‘all protein and nothing else’ Atkins diet is actually only the first part of the diet, to throw your body into ketosis, and then you’re supposed to change to something less extreme? (Except, people see the initial fat loss and go “I’ll keep doing this”, hence the problem.)

DING DING DING DING!!!

^This.

So many people misunderstand what Atkins is that it isn’t even worth discussing it any more.

The extreme zero carb no fruit and veg bit is supposed to last for two weeks only, and yes the weight drops off. You are then supposed to phase back in fruits and veggies and stuff (still no processed carbs), and you what you end up with is something pretty normal but low carb.

People assume it is just the first bit, forever, and then talk a lot of ill-informed bollocks.

I think bombers and weeing in shoes is a bit strong, it’s not like they cracked on to your wife. May I suggest that a strongly worded text message would be the way to go… :wink:

Bicester is only just up the road, I could do that easy if they are good.

Have green superfeet in my snowboard boots, made a huge difference. Used them in the rental ski boots last year too. Had no discomfort issues at all with those rented salomon boots and my superfeet insoles.

They are a baggier fit than the Stealth, but they should be as the material isn’t stretchy (unless they’ve changed it – mine is a few years old now).

Stuey, whereabouts are you?

Live in Windsor. Work in London (sometimes – travel a bit at the mo).

All thoughts welcome….?

Don’t piss about with roadrats and cross checks and the like, get her a proper road bike.

I had mine fitted professionally. So should you. Ignore the brand, go to a good bootfitter and be open minded. Just because their board boots fit, doesn’t mean their ski boots will.

I quite agree. And I shall.

I have used their ski boots and they were comfy, they felt a lot like my snowboard boots. But if something else fits better then I won’t be precious about the brand at all.

The calves comment is an interesting one, quite large calves have caused me a problem with boots before – I had to write off some snowboard boots that were otherwise comfortable because of it. That could be a big factor.

Re: Anchorman – defintely a grower – I saw it at the cinema and hated it. Watched it again years later and laughed from start to finish, love it.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Desperado is one of my alltime favourite movies so I had high hopes for this, but I couldn’t get into it.

Kill Bill volume 2.
Volume 1 I thought was ace but volume 2 didn’t half go on a bit.

Made
This was Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn’s follow up to Swingers (which is in my top 5 ever movies), and it was woeful, I turned it off.

Be Cool
Follow up to the ace Get Shorty, but rubbish.

There is a definite sequel theme going on with my picks!

Thanks muddydwarf. I was confuddled for a minute there.

I really should go to the Natural History and Science museums again. They are awesome.

Also, foreign visitors to our museums bring in £315 million per year it seems.

So are they free to british residents, but not to visitors? How do they work that then, passports on entry?

9 pages and all it took to kill the thread was a transcript of what was actually said.

I for one am disappointed, this thread has been tremedous entertainment.

Oh, and +1,000,000 for this:

I think the thing that you notice most on this thread, is that so many of the people who don’t find something, or someone “funny” think that they are somehow superior…

That’s why I won’t buy a Fire. It’s no longer an ereader, it is a tablet.

Worldwide 3G is pretty cool. The 3G is only on the keyboard one isn’t it?

You’re right 5Lab – fast and furious out and out sportscar is not really what is needed. GT type or warm/hot hatch would do very nicely indeed.
I’ll show her the Crossfire coupe, it’s based on the Merc SLK iirc.

The Mini and Fiat 500 aren’t on there on the basis of their looks, she just doesn’t like them, simple as that. I suggested them previously.
S2000, ditto, and the high reving engine isn’t doing it for me either.

It’s frustrating isn’t it, having perfectly good and suitable cars ruled out on a cursory glance at them. But it’s going to be her car, not mine, so she can choose it on whatever basis she likes.

I think she’ll rule out the MX5 for being a rag top, but I’m going to get her to drive one because they are supposed to be so good.

I’m not too worried if what we end up with is similar to the Focus, we like the Focus. I’m even toying with another, lower mileage ST170!

Thanks everyone.

Shortlist:
mk5 Golf 1.4TFSI (170BHP version)
mk5 Golf GTI
Leon FR
Leon 1.4TFSI (170BHP version)
Alfa GT
Maxda MX5
Fiat Panda 100hp
BMW 3 series coupe
New shape Fiesta Zetec Titanium (slow sensible option)

The Leon and the Golf are, as I understand it, the same car in a different set of clothes. I’d prefer the VW but she prefers the shape of the Leon.

I think the panda is a no go for her, but I’ll keep it on the list cos I really fancy one and I think in many ways it is exactly the right car.

I like the z4 coupe but it’s out of price range.

Am I right in thinking the display isnt backlit? Thats a major omission if you need a light building into the case. Or have I missed something?

You’re right it isn’t backlit. The point is that the e-ink display is like the page of a book, and just as easy on the eye.

M3 and the like a bit faster than I was looking for, thinking more long the lines of a 325 or 330 coupe – better example for the same money and not M3 insurance.

The Mk1 TT is out, she won’t go for that.

Mk5 Golf Gti is a great shout – I’m trying to sell her on this one on the basis that it is the same engine and gearbox as the TT, she inexplicably has decided that the Golf is ugly though, which is crazy. The Seat Leon with the 2.0 TFSI engine might be an option though.

Any recommendations at the smaller slower end of the scale? Fiesta zetec, panda 100HP, clio, polo?

I really like the look of the new Polo GTI 1.4TFSI – 180bhp and 47mpg combined cycle, great looking too – but they are still going for mk2 TT money as they are so new.

You’re basically looking at the big powerful estates from the German premium brands I would have thought.

530i Touring? They do a 550 which is silly quick but I can only find it in Auto

Mondeo ST220 estate for a cheaper option?

MX5 is definitely going on the shortlist.

The missus doesn’t like the 350z, nice suggestion though (I do like it!)
The RX8 fails the “my wife must like the looks” test as well as the economy test.

Alfa Romeo… mmmmmm. Good shout, not sure about the V6 though, thirsty.

If it was publicised nationally then people would be whining about how London does not equal the UK. Can’t win either way. Whinging buggers.

Bugger, wrong forum… Can a Mod move it please?

The only time I’ve ever wanted to lamp someone when out on the trail it was a MTBer.
I was going down BKB in the Hurtwood with my new to MTBing wife following behind me (she refused to go in front). I got to the bottom and she was no longer behind me, a group of whooping nobheads came flying down the trail. I overheard one of them talking about overtaking someone on the way down, so thought that must be my wife and I’ll go and find her.
So I walked back up to find my wife off the side of the trail, off her bike crying, trembling and with a cut leg. Turns out lead whooping nobhead had shouted abuse at her and then run her off the trail, all because she is a bit slow.
By the time I had got my wife and her bike down to the bottom said group was gone. I was **** fuming. In fact I’m **** fuming now just writing it.

What an absolute ****.

Never met an aggressive hiker. They must be about due to the prevalence of the stories on here. I find it odd that people would go out in the countryside for a walk and looking to start trouble with MTBers. I think there must be some kind of provocation going on, perceived at least.

Buzz buzz buzz worker drones… come to my meetings and HEAR ME ROAR!

:wink:

I’ve emithered you stuey.

Ta, I’m offshore at the mo (get me), so I’ll check when I get back later.

Not today obviously, others yes I just don’t have the time to spend an hour talking about what colour files someone wants to order or the brand of tea bags people think we should be using…..

Far more important things to be doing? Like whining about the management on STW? :P

I’ve got an pair of rs80’s 50mm rear 25mm front with conti gp4000’s ….less than 200miles on them for sale.

How much?

no, the most important thing about deep-section wheels is the extra space they provide for branding.

Yeah, cool looking branding.

The most important thing about aero road wheels is that:

a) they look cool
b) they sound cool

Everyone knows that is the most important thing. Who gives a stuff about the weight ;)

“I value your input and would love to hear your suggestions…….but at the end of the day I need you to do exactly what I want at all times”
Said to me stoney faced and with not an ounce of irony at a staff meeting.

At least you know where you stand…