Just looked at BBC traffic jam cams and they seem ok. M27 and M3 look clear snow wise and traffic wise. It’s the roads to get Onto them. I’m stuck in Crawley at the moment and need to get back. Going to put the chains on in a mo!!

I’ve not had Carol singers this year. Actually don’t remember any Carol singer singers since moving to Pompey

Is it from cold or when warm? I had a 306td and I adjusted the cold idle valve (on throttle body) and it reduced. I might be able to dig out a how to from a forum I joined Once if that would be any help?

Bought 9boxes from tesco (buy 1 get 2 free) and bought 3 boxes last week. Got one left and not sure of it’s because I can’t face any more or because I’ve run out of brandy butter. I am sharing in case you think I’m a bloater

A colleague ordered three things separately and they all came in pretty quickly

Ride it! You know you want to

I sent ecards last year and donate one money to charity instead. Not done anything this year though. Sent one ecard but thy had 12topless ladies on… dnot think the family would like that so much

Not me but work mate has a 59 plate and two friends own older models – no issues worth mentioning that would cause a concern. The older have all been reliable and still feel a solid drive and only had general servicing needs.

Only issue my work mate has is a lot of p***taking about being a hairdresser…

I had a 306 d-turbo. Engines on those will go well into the 200k’s. Had it for four years and barely cost anything but then I did a lot of bits to it myself. Good thing about these is they are very common at scrappies so you can pick up almost anything that needs replacing from there for cheap or alternatively from GSF / ECP.

I have a Cat D 206 at the moment and all that was wrong with it was a cracked rear bumper and a dented tailgate. It depends on what the issue was that made it a write off and how excessive it is. Over the winter is the best time to get Cat Ds as garages tend to bump up repair prices as they’re so busy.

I would like to, hoping that maybe after lunch I will get a few miles in but will be riding on Xmas eve and Boxing Day morning [as I have to get up for the p***ing Next sale]

Missed out on a classic frame on ebay in the last few minutes. Got a few others in the pipelines, but how does Cr-mo butted steel fair in the game? Always thought it was a budget material but Sheldon Brown says it’s used on most high quality frames.

Picture from a while back… Been advised by the mrs not to put a facial picture up as my nose might scare you all. Cheeky mare

I would probably only use it for 2-3hours tops and would be more of a training aid and possible commuter when the needs arise. Originally I wanted to build my own fixie as another new project that would be relatively cheap to build but fun to ride

I have the ignitor on the back and fire xc on the front. Think they are about the same but the fire xc is slightly better. It’s not as good on wet roots and rocks but it has a nice stable feel and gives you a sesne of confident when sliding the back end. It’s not bad climbing in the mud or sand based surfaces. I prefer it to a high roller xc but think that may just be me. Ive run super tacky’s for about 5 years and my hardcore hardtails/ dh bikes and find them irreplaceable. Don’t know if any other maxis ones would compare better than the Ignitor

5 years ago for radiotherapy

I had the casio ones frOm primary through to secondary… Rather fix my Nixon than go back to that – kept having the face ping off when it caught on something so spend more money on new pins than was needed. The idea of the breo is good but does look like my niece Gould be wearing it!

hmmf, I was a bit worried that it may be crap. May buy her one before I buy mine then. Trashed my riding watch so don’t want to ruin another

I need to change mine but they’re the iridium ones and are therefore very expensive. A mechanic friend of mine has advised that I need to stick to the interval changes as a backfire can cause damage to the cat… rather change the plugs than a knackered cat

In that case I would temporarily seal up the electric fire fireplace so that it can be removed in the future for cleaning etc.

On the outlaws house we framed and plasterboarded the fireplace leaving an alcove but put in a 200x200vent within the plasterboard so that the void could breath a little without leaving a draught. This was to prevent a spider nesting colony

With the one that you’re sealing off completely, presuming that its a completely seperate chimney then I would cap it off at the head with a big bit of slate or paving slab if you can’t get hold of the slate. Are you closing up the fireplaces too?

Did you spray the crown as well and if so how did you mask the threads neatly? My Fox’s are in grey at the moment and want to spray the crowns black and the legs white. Sprayed a fair few frames in the past but with the current temperatures and masking required I may go and get it done.

Did you spray the crown as well and if so how did you mask the threads neatly? My Fox’s are in grey at the moment and want to spray the crowns black and the legs white. Sprayed a fair few frames in the past but with the current temperatures and masking required I may go and get it done.

I’m not to bad driving myself. Don’t have a major amount of snow and ice experience but to try to get out on it if obly to practice. I did do a few controlled handebrake assisted slides on compacted snow and was quite chuffed that I was able to keep ‘in control’. As said above I’m more worried about other peoples abilities on the road I’ve found that in the past few days pedestrians have just been stupid. A woman was pushing a pram down the road yesterday making cas go around. was a bit cross at work mates yesterday who didn’t even attempt the commute. I had 6-7inches and roads uncleared they had 2-3inches and a third of the distance and don’t want to risk it. Seems stupid people don’t try especially if the roads are definately going to be quiet

Taff – what are you watching?

I was watching QI

I’m usually a late one but neighbours put theirs up in November which prompted the badgering from herself. Considering the cost of it I gave in for Dec 1st but it will come down day after boxing day… Bah humbug

Very nice. Hoping the snow won’t all disappear into a slushy mush with the rain that’s forecast for Hampshire.

Loving the photos

Here’s ours although been told off for taking a photo of an incomplete tree

Are you after it in digital? Think I have it on VHS along with Getta Grip, Mud Cows and a fair few others from that era..

enjoying the roads in and around Pompey at the moment

Ps the socks are meant to have benefits in shallow snow and ice

I haven’t used them but on a car forum people who had them said that were good to get you out of a sticky situation didn’t compare with chains. Not very helpful I’m afraid

Is it in a new house? Some housebuilder use a breathable roofing membrane which is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Do you have vents in the eaves and has the insulation been pushed tightly into the corner of the trusses? Best bet is to put in tile vents but be careful about the membrane where you cut it as it’s the second defense line if a tile leaks.

The boiler is going to be serviced first and I will give it a week or so and see how it goes. The house cools far too quickly which is why I’ve been contemplating the insulation.

That’s another concern I have is the condensation. I don’t have trickle vents at the moment but if I insulate I will probably need to fit some but that’s not a biggy either really.

Best of luck

I did excepting same last time i visited my old man and had no idea where I went wrong. A rider behind me did the same but I left him and went off on some of the old school tracks instead

Budget?

Currys have got a few good offers on especially of you but as a pair. I’m looking around to replace the stuff in my kitchen which is new world and is all pretty crap but still good condition. Been looking at indesit and belling ones but I’m also intrigued about the samsung ones. From what Ive see though 500 will get you a decent combo providing you’re not including fitting in that. The one thug I’ve noticed isthat variable temperature grills don’t seem readily available anymore

My mrs works closely with social workers in Portsmouth city council. She though about it as a career but speaking to her colleagues there are more cons to the job than pros. Evasive seems to e miserable in their role which isn’t a way to live