Problem is that the per unit costs as well as standing charges varies from one supplier to another. The water companies have vastly differing running costs depending on what they’re responsible for, the geographical nature of their areas etc. Think about the vast amount of reservoirs Welsh water have and have to maintain then factor in the mountainous nature of their patch then add in what they have to do to get the waste water back out and still make sure all those welsh beaches are blue flag compliant. They also have a fair amount of responsibility for coastal areas too. I’d imagine that lot adds up a bit. They’re not for profit too – imagine how much your bill would be if they had shareholders to please as well.

Just had a look at Travers site – think I’m going to wet myself………….

Triumph dolomite in pale blue. Used to let me steer it sat on his knee. I was about 6!

Annoyingly, and I only remember actually seeing it once, they also had a VW van with the split windscreen that we went around Europe in when I was a baby. My dad shifted it because it was “shit slow”. Probably worth £40k these days…….

Contact lenses direct. Daily ones. I don’t not us ether every day. I lose them surfing so daily makes sense. Cheap as chips ( I can get away with the cheap ones kind). Consistently the best online delivery experience I’ve ever experienced. They even delivered to the caravan I was staying in in Dorset when I forgot to take them with me. Next day and no hassle.

Years ago rode back from a Yamaha track day at Donington to Cardiff in apocalyptic rain. No waterproofs and only a pair of Catapiller boots on my feet. I was so wet when I eventually made it home that the Mrs made me undress on the driveway. I left the boots out there. Were years old, stunk and I figured they’d NEVER dry. Got up for work the next morning and some mentallist had nicked them. More astonishing was that I’d left them next to my bike. Which I’d left the keys in………

Yep, that was great. What a guy, what a trip. 7 months though? Wow, pretty much in isolation. Equally amazing, enthralling and kind of scary in one. Wonder how I’d fair on my lonesome for that sort of time frame. Bloody love to try it though.

Oooof! I don’t watch it and am clearly only being shown the “crash bits” but how far would conditions have to deteriorate past that to make people think “**** it, I’ll just ride my MTB”?

Not the same car but similar family – 307 hdi would also only start on the primer for a while. Turned out that the fuel lines run under the air filter housing and, eventually, get rubbed to the extent that they develop a small leak. Leave it for a while and it’ll start (until it gets really bad) but needed replacement lines in the end. Easy ish job if it’s similar in the Citroen.

It’s the fact that I get grief if I don’t out them on (in the prescribed fashion) to enable me to then take them off again several hours later during which time no one else will have seen them. Uterley pointless process.

Also in Cardiff here. Different for me as I grew up in Manchester so the sheer amount of “not city” that’s local is bloody excellent in my head. Roads out into the vale of glam in the week = hardly anyone around. Taff trail up into the beacons = pretty much noone around, especially once you get up around talybont etc.

Gower is amazing for bike/surf. I drive out there in the late evenings in the van. Park up somewhere. Watch the stars. Get up early, ride or surf. Helps if you can do stuff in the week of course.

TBH with that sort of cash and limited requirements the world, pixel aside, is your oyster. Dell chromebook 13 or Lenovo thinkpad 13 seem to be well thought of. That said, my daughter has an Acer 14 that was both sub £200, good looking and do s everything asked of it so far. Not really sure if it’s necessary to spend more for limited needs?

Left field and only from experience with mine; not tongue tied is she? Mine couldn’t feed fully as it was knackering for her so she’d fall asleep then wake up hungry then not feed enough but drop off as she was knackered then wake up as she was hungry then………

Months and months and month that went on until we got it fixed. Like a different baby after that.

Wow, 30 mins sounds amazing. Tank of fuel doesn’t last that. Battery tech really has moved on. I may look at electric if I continue to be frustrated by this thing.

Not an expert in consumer law by any means but surely PC World are the retailer and the warranty rests with Apple? Certainly when I had a Mobile Phone store we were expressly instructed by Apple to refer any handset issues directly to them. Look at any electrical items in Tesco etc, they usually have a massive sticker saying to contact xxxx in the event of issues instead of Tesco.

Jes – thanks for that, good advice.

I’m all run in now. I think he’s scared of crashing it having witnessed how mortified I was after having done the same (even though most my angst was due to me crashing his pressie). Failsafe is fitted but not tested.

I went nitro after poor battery experiences as a teen. I do appreciate that tech will have moved on massively since then but the fact that it has a proper engine really does still appeal. Plus, the kids at the park seem to think it’s cool……….

You know I’ve never had a decent surf at Croyde but Putts round the corner taught me a valuable lesson in respect for the ocean a few years ago. That is a heavy wave on its day.

Seal freaked me out at Rhossili on a very early morning paddle out. Just came to say hi but I really wasn’t awake properly and he had my heart going.

Scariest thing was an intentional attempt to hit me. Paddling out on a big ish day at fistral, shirt birder coming down the line toward me, I angle right so he can carry on past and , at the last moment, he cuts back on me. I mean RIGHT at me. I only had a split second and tried to roll my board to protect myself but I lost grip and I hit some poor bugger who, unwisely, was following me out. To be fair he acknowledged what had happened and forgave me my poor form even though his mouth was a bit of a mess.

Knobs in every walk of life I’m afraid. Lots of good guys too mind.

Just opened a bottle of Haig club that someone gave me. I was suspicious of it immediately. This suspicion ramped up when I realised it was the stuff Mr Beckham was, I assume, paid an inordinate amount of money to plug. I like Mr B but don’t have him down as a whisky connoisseur (not that I qualify either).

That said, it’s a bit weird. I’m not giving it back or tipping it away but I shan’t be drinking it again. Once the bottles gone obviously.

Edit: actually, that third glass seems to have improved matters…….

All sound advice. I def go salopettes of some sort though. Last thing you want is a wet arse. Almost everyone seemed to be dressed snowboard style last year regardless of board or ski’s. I only mention this as, at 15, these things will, no doubt, be of incredible importance! I’d also say goggles AND glasses. If it snows then goggles are much better. If it’s more spring like conditions then he may prefer glasses. I run hot so never need much in terms of layering.

If you’re lucky enough to know anyone who can lend him some boots I’d recommend it. The hire ones always used to be the bain of my holidays when I was a kid as they’re generally very basic and, I found, not often comfortable or adjustable enough to get a good, controlled, fit.

Top fun though. Hope he enjoys it. Lots of kids don’t get the opportunity.

Embarrassingly I bumped my R6 for nearly a year as I was too tight to stump up for a new battery. No bikes are too heavy if they’re balanced. Just run down the road, hop on and as your arse hits the seat drop the clutch in second. Course, in the end, my battery was so ineffectual that it wouldn’t keep the engine fireing and would only run for half mile or so without a rest. Replace the batttery before you get to that point or prepare to be very tired………..

Wow, Lord Howe island looks interesting. Bet there’s some big fish around those parts. Have you actually been Scuttler or is it a google maps fantasy like my Micronesia surf obsession?

I’d be on Virgin in a heart beat if they fed my area. £25 including home phone via uswitch ATM.

Chicken zhivago bookmarked! Cheers

Jekkyl – cardiff so usual s Wales centres and beacons stuff. Got some manc lads coming with me though and they’ll be unfit and shit – hence 4 day plan.

Brick – cheers, will have a good look at that.

Two wheels, that’s really useful, many thanks.

Recommendations Jekyll? Thanks.

Well is obviously a very lovely Orange that’s been ruined by adding sh!ttyplastic guards!

Just get dirty mun 🙂

Nice day for a ride mind.

Edit: just thought, I might get HER a motorbike. That’d really surprise her!

It’s tricky isn’t it? All the stuff I actually want (a motorbike, a lightweight hardtail, a monster pc, an additional room to use said monster pc) are all, financially, out of reach. Ergo, I don’t actually “want” anything I can have. I’ve already got several years worth of post shave balm and more hankies than one could reasonably shake a stick at but, i suspect, more of the same will be forthcoming. I might just buy my lad a stupidly powerful rc car and claim part ownership on that as my treat. TBH, I’m more concerned about what to get the Mrs as she has a worrying habit of saying scary things like “surprise me”. Might get her a Dyson. That’ll learn ‘er

Great to hear. Been there. Horrible situation. Congrats

Funny you mention surfing. Pretty sure the quote by way of explaining the cerebral, self indulgent joy of “just surfing” was along the lines of “there’s no predefined standard you have to meet to be able to do it, to be able to enjoy it”.

That’s the key I think. I mostly ride alone. I’m a city boy and one of the main attractions for me is to be able to get out into scenery that I’m, even after 19 years of being in Wales, still stunned by. I like to go fast. I like to surf a, to me, massive wave. But, seriously, if I’m in the line up with Laird and he gets a 40 footer am I going t feel like I need to get a 41 footer? Of course not. The guy I do ride with and surf with a bit is younger, quicker and more fearless. He’s quicker as a result (I still surf better than him though 🙂 ). I don’t feel bad about the bike because I still push myself and have an amazing time either on the bike or the board.

Chill mate. Enjoy the opportunities you have. You can’t grade inner enjoyment, you can just feel it if you let your”targets” go.

An aside, admittedly, but Hora, nice car mate. I’d love one of those. Had a 9-3 2004. Selling it was probably one of my poorer decisions.

06 CRV here also. Been bloody brilliant. Had it for 9 years and did think about replacing it but it’s worth, monetarily, way less than it’s worth to me and I’d have to spend a fair amount more to get something that suits me “better”. Boot is massive and it’s worth bearing in mind that the later versions sacrificed some of that bot for looks. Fitted a tow bar myself and it was pretty easy. Only done light trailer stuff with it for camping but it’s a 2.4 diesel turbo so I’d imagine plenty for bigger loads. I’d recommend it for sure.

Slight thread hijack but just for anyone renting a property in Wales I’d advise getting up to speed with the “new” Landlord legislation and how it relates to LL legal requirements to notify utility companies of tenant changes. You’ll be held liable (actiually this may just relate to water charges, I can’t remember) for any period over 21 days if the change isn’t notified. Also, If you personally live in Wales you’re required to register as a LL under the “rent smart Wales” scheme by some point in November. Apparently your right to rent as a LL can be legally removed if you don’t comply. I doubt that’s the first sanction but it seems it could happen. Just thought I’d share. Apologies if you were already aware.

I’m confused by this and please don’t take this as a trolling because it’s really not. I should also stipulate that I’m really not into cars as is evidenced by my current 307 hack. That said, how do you drive? I raced karts as a teen so I understand the difference a tyre makes near the limit of grip but we’re talking mostly motorways here I assume? If it goes round corners, brakes as you’d reasonably expect and you don’t need extreme weather performance (I.e you live in the highlands etc) what real world benefit are you getting from them “premium” brand purchase. I’ve been running the cheapest rubber I possibly could for years and I just don’t get it. You don’t have a sports car. Why would you care if it, as someone noted above, “feels a bit squirmy”? I’ll take squirmy and £30 a corner all day long for a tool to get from a to b. Naturally none of this applies to bikes………

OP, I seriously respect the fact that you’re thinking this way. Genuinely I do. But, you have the means to make it happen. You have an agreement to make it happen. You WILL regret it if you pass up the opportunity and that may even sour things down the line. Your kids will be fine. Your partner is clearly a level headed individual who recognises your desire to do “stuff”. There will be internet somewhere so you can check in. Just do it mate. You really do only live once.

Thanks for all the replies and info. Bit put off by the comment that you can’t leave them at home all day comment. I get it but do wonder how dog owners manage. Can’t all be self employed/working from home surely.

Fancied a lab but kinda thought they were too big. I guess, in light of the comments, that disposition/breed is more important sometimes than mere physical size.

Thanks again. Looks like I’ve a lot more reading to do.

2 stroke. Not smelled often these days but reminds me of my RD350 YPVS. And being a total knob on it.
Tar. Road repairers stuff. Not a lot of it about these days but takes me way back. Nothing specific, just does.
Soles of new slippers. Weird, granted, but reminds me of hot water bottles as a kid. Look a bit strange sniffing them in Tesco mind.

I used to sell these things and I really wouldn’t if you can find another way. Obviously I don’t know who the lender is but I’ve seen so many hike the interest rate over the term and hook their customers back in on a “top up” or whatever they decide to call it with a better rate years down the line(probably not better than the original rate mind). Second’s are rarely fixed rate ime. 7% isn’t a bad rate actually. Nasty business imo. At least you don’t get the ppi hard sell these days I suppose.

Another vote for step change advice here also. Good luck btw

Hmm, I need to consider my own behaviour then. I “often” sit on someone’s wheel on my commute if it’s into the wind and I’m a bit knackered. Usually I’ve caught them at the lights and they look a bit handy/younger than me. If they take off and I can stay with them, make progress and have a bit of a rest I just do it. Feels like it’d be a bit weird to introduce myself……..

Don’t think it’d bother me the other way round. Not that they’d be getting much of a drat at my average speed.

Sorry, but anything like £100 for what is, frankly, a torch is just mental. I could maybe understand it if you were talking about unsupported forays into the artic circle or similar where robustness and longevity were at a premium but we’re mostly pootling around in woods and/or on the commute. 2 years of all weather commuting for me on cheapo Chinese eBay specials. I did cling film the battery pack first but other than that I’ve done nothing and they’ve been spot on. I will concede that the pattern isn’t a great spread and the period from “going a bit flat” to “off” is disconcerting but for £16 I simply can’t fathom the cost differential. Admittedly if my house had melted I’d probably have a different slant.

NO idea which is the better solution from an engineering perspective but I like them. Good work that man.