This looks like a thread to keep child protection officers in business.

Its going through my Mum’s homemade jam store that frightens me. She stockpiles the stuff. Some of her own concoction and some from the local WI group. All neatly labelled up by Mrs Goggins of Fir Tree Farm, Chuleigh by Little Moor or something.

I have thrown away stuff from the 80s in the past couple of years but every time I visit she’s sneaked something in from the garage. I think she has jam jar piles like Mcmoonter has log stores.

Thanks but its not pad locks that I want. Its those proper door locks that have to be fitted into the door and I want them all to be worked by the same key. Whilst I can pick up ones with individual keys easily enough the big sheds can’t give me the three locks that match.

I just use an IKEA case with wheels. Proved great value for money and amazingly durable.
As a frequent flyer in Europe I’ve noticed how fussy they’re getting with hand luggage now. Whatever you get must hold the shape or you could get it rejected.

I’d make sure I was only doing that with mates. Say to them lets do it on whatever day rather than just sitting down and consuming 12hours! The contact with others is important even if you don’t talk to them much.

Not wishing to repeat to much but there is a lot of sense here. Ten years ago I got together with Mrs W and it has been wonderful. She tells me that the thing that was attractive was that I was comfortable with myself. (and I had been in some dark places)
I sorted myself out by doing much of what has been suggested but had realised that it was very easy to drift (even when doing nice things) The key to me stabilising was to create a structure.
Everyday/week putting some set points in. Work/physical/domestic/social. It meant that if I hadn’t ridden in the week I had to go out no matter what the weather on a Sunday even if I’d been on the booze/pull the night before. The structure stopped me from indulging myself and continuing to spiral down. It helped to focus forward. Doesn’t matter if the proportions get moved a bit. But achieve a bit of what you said you would.
Good luck doesn’t come till you’ve made the effort to deserve it.

Good weight as well.

The River

Was having tea in my mates garden a few weeks ago. I’ll sell tickets next time.

I’m happy to offer my services and be a “wet athlete”. I assure you I’ve trained hard over the last few weeks and with the right sponsorship…….

Bang on the numbers with wiggles (except kids) Want to take off two stone. Didn’t ride or run much after august last year and know if I do exercise it can come off reasonably easily. Using the fitness pal thing has helped as well in the past. Will start with a vengeance after the weekend trip to the out laws in Holland.

Are we going to have a reporting in session as in previous years?

I’ve used the Blacks Octaine 1 that Clink has posted the link for. I’ve used mine over the last 4 or 5 years on an annual three week trip riding around Europe. Up and down every day and some big storms (all be it not in mountain conditions) it has been great. I got mine secondhand for £35 hardly used to see if it was any good prior to planning to spend a lot more. No need to as it turned out. At the price it is unbeatable and until you start spending £500 plus I don’t see anything better.

Its a bloody nightmare. sometimes I’ve got things through with no issues but recently its cost me about 40% on top!

Splitlip – thats a kind offer and I’ll take advantage please.

Any pics? I’ve got similar issues which are compounded by glassing bars standing up into the flashing. Think its going to have to be the standard skirt into the wall and down wall over the roof butting up with a small fabricated piece soldered onto it. F….ing complicated and good lead workers rare as hens teeth.

Dutch skinflint brother in law gave me a 12 year old Islay – from Tesco. I opened it while he was here so nothing else was decimated. However its not too bad for a gentle sipping session. What I wanted and have found hard to source though is some Bruichladdich Rocks. Any ideas where I can get some?

Got the Endura. Excellent.

Its a great area for riding, particularly those who want a leisurely experience. the river side cycle ways are being given a really big push by local councils We’ve (a group of mates who ride all over the continent) been to Saumur several times. Plenty of places to stay and the ability to ride to places and catch the train back.

If you can go at the end of June there is the Anjou Velo Vintage event (google it). We went last year and there was so much going on in a retro styleeeee that the riding almost got in the way. We’re going again and taking the wifes this time! You get to ride with people like Joop Zoetemelk and Bernard Thevenet and they talk to you as normal people. Food, wine, jazz, music and bikes. Can’t recommend it enough!

Disappointing amount of vitriol in the post history! Sent some paracetamol over.

I always get the most massive turkey I can so that I have doorsteps with pickled red cabbage. Delayed gratification this year as we’re doing our family bash today. Tomorrow I’ll start with a 4″ high creation that will start with a structurally sound base of granary topped with salted butter, layers of turkey, stuffing, pickled cabbage, followed by more turkey and dijon mustard bound together by another binding slice of granary. There will be a wooden skewer to hold it together and a side of red cabbage. Wonderful but it will probably run out by mid February unfortunately.

I haven’t had a dog for years but I’d have been in there even if wasn’t mine. Well done you.

The cleats are almost impossible to put in and extract unless attached to the shoes. when on the end of your legs it will prove much easier.

Agree with Jamie, the kindness of strangers etc. Could even be combined with a ride. I mean this is a bike site occasionally isn’t it?

There is a lot of good advice here and I’ll just add a couple of personal notes. The “Festive” season will heighten the feeling of desperation on all sides. It is a stressed period for one reason or another so leave the much needed discussions till there is less pressure. Also stay away from us! If you keep popping off to check the advice on here it will heighten your anxiety about what to do and raise suspicions when you don’t give a coherent answer. Bizarrely whilst you are looking for ways to restore the relationship, your behaviour might well be sending other odd signals.

And its not greener on the other side at all. It took me 10 years to sort myself out. Happily thank goodness.

Repointed flashing washed out by rain and resultant waterfall in bedroom kept us awake last night. Mrs W off to work thinking the house will have floated away when she comes back tonight. My trip to the pub at lunchtime looks as though it will be on hold for a while. BUT only for a while!!!

haven’t listened to it ye’t but there is a radio 4 drama series on afternoons this week called “Borgen – outside the castle”

wwaswas – much of my body is distorted but not that bit of anatomy!

On play ground duty years ago, before schools became fortresses, and an irate mother came storming in. She was looking to wallop a kid who had (accurately) called her 15 year old daughter a slag. I intervened to stop the potential fight and got a kick in the nuts for my trouble. Didn’t hurt as it was slightly off target thankfully!

if you want a different read with cycling and a really personal story try Matt Seaton’s Escape Artist. I can’t recommend it highly enough. One of my all time favourite books.

Ours isn’t the clubman though.. Just read title.

My mrs has one. Chocolate with cream roof and candy bonnet stripes. The interior is toffee leather with vanilla piping FFS! Purely female marketing drivel. It’s also got huge wheels 18″ I think which make it horrible to be a passenger in. Really choppy ride. Not sure on the mpg but not too bad. We had on of the old “One” in diesel and it was a gutless wonder. This one is about two years old and is much better, nice to drive if not ride in. Over priced but good build quality. BMW servicing is bonkers. They suggested changing the brake pads and if we do that sir it might be advisable to do the discs at the same time! WTF!!! At 20k miles. That might all sound grumpy but it’s an ok car.

With about three hours of stretching/warming up I get there. Got significantly harder over there last year though. As have my arteries I think.

I like the idea of a video, but its being administered today and I’m 80miles away. Perhaps the NHS is missing a trick by not offering a recording service. I’d pay handsomely for this one.

Not worried! Just thought it it was funny (in a laughable way) really. If any Nigerian could find any money in my accounts at this time of year I’d happily invest in releasing his millions for a 40% share.

jam bo – where do your in laws live?
Don’t have the upstairs option, so just leave in a kitchen draw. Due to a spate of garage thefts locally we have now started being much more careful about locking and alarming the shed etc. Going to fit more lights for the cats to set off soon.

Nope, but dream of it sometimes.
This year I’ll be able to do a good couple of hours out on the bike in the morning and drink myself into oblivion rapidly on my return so mother in law may the treat me as though I’m on my own.

Don’t you mean esecially Bennie’s ?

^^^^ that has …. well stopped me thinking about the personality of a wottie.

I’m smiling at the thought. No I’m now embarrassed about the wet patch between my legs.

I’m with molgrips in my love of turkey. I also can’t wait for the endless round of turkey sandwiches with pickled red cabbage afterwards.
But Mrs W is a veggie and we are doing our duty this year and will be at the mother in laws this year.
So the bonus (just about) will be akee and salt fish for breakfast followed by fried snapper/jerk chicken/curry goat with rice and peas later. Hoping that one of the uncles pops in and insists on making guiness punch! Its no wonder Caribbean men have health issues. I can feel my arteries stiffening in anticipation.