Any conversation should be phased as “I want to progress – what training can I do?” Not how much will I get. Look like a contributor not a taker.

But being prepared is a key to making it a worthwhile conversation for basing any future decisions on. Do the CV. That will help get a real handle on your son’s skills, for agencies to suggest alternatives, for the current employer to realise what they might lose, to identify possible training opportunities. It will also help your son start or reinforce the right terminology for any conversation.

The suggestion to look at the company structure and pay scales is a good one. It will help decide if the prospects are reasonable, if the gap is reasonable/achievable, if qualifications are really a barrier.

Doing any qualification/training is never a waste. It gives you time to learn something and get a piece of paper that will open doors at the very least or it gives you time to reflect on things (crap or otherwise)

I did it a few years ago own business not restaurant though. Even when the cash flow gets interesting its so good compared to the corporate life!

Orbit did loads of those paint jobs IIRC.

Can’t upload photos (I really must learn) but my solution is a Racelight Gran Fondo TI. Quick to ride when not loaded and ready with rack mounts when I want to do haul. Got a carbon fork in France a couple of years ago that had front pannier rack mounts built in so it can take big loads. Got enough clearance for tracks/bridleways if you haven’t got mudguards on. My go to bike.

Have no idea if they are any good or not but Citroen are obviously trying hard to attract the bike market. I saw one at the weekend that was badged up as an XTR. And it wasn’t a an Ebay sticker, it was a proper chrome and multi coloured injection moulded jobbie.

Someone called?

Got EVOC and its ace. All sorts of abuse. Bought it from a shop when I was in Holland and was substantially cheaper than even the mail order boys. Get one! True STW type recommendation!

In France at this very moment for the (Le) Anjou Velo Vintage! Built a 1978 eddy Merckx for it last year. One of his first bikes and actually done by De Rosa according to the frame number. Full Campag. Will post a picture when I get home on Tuesday.
It’s lovely to ride and I’d forgotten how sweet tubs are to ride.

This is a wonderful event. Perhaps the first where I felt I was missing something when I was riding! Last year rode for 100 km with Joop Zoetemeik and Bernard thevenet. Google them if you don’t know! They were friendly and humble.
Spent about an hour riding with one of Zoetemelk’s old GAN teammates, called Regis Delpine. We were going up a slight incline and we both fluffed our gears at the same time. We laughed and he said “we stop after the hill for wine”. As it was 10.30am in the morning I asked if he meant after the ride? NON! And we pulled straight over into a wine promotion and necked 3 or 4 glasses of local produce!

http://www.anjou-velo-vintage.com/en/

I prefer the current one. Although the strength of the story may help more opportunity for the actor.
KB was absolute pants!

Had it done by my own garage. The genuine BMW turbo was £1100. They photographed each stage, documented and retained all parts. If I had more time and we didn’t need the car straight back I’d have towed it to BMW and started fighting but my own business just requires to much input at the moment. I’ve notified them and will be devoting time to them shortly. May be the wrong way to do it but I just needed the car back and done by someone I trust.

Well the update is £1200 later. Correct it was oil starvation. In the Peugeot based engine the feed is through an open pipe. BMW put gauze filter arrangement in the line. This apparently often restricts the flow! Anyway sorted and not so many beers this weekend then!

One interesting thing I found out though. I thought as it was a job that meant taking the grill of etc, why not change the belts now if they were going to be due at 60/70k miles. They car has done 40k. Early but cheaper when combined with the other work. A preventative action rather than required. We looked it up. The change interval is 150k regardless of age!!!!!!! Never heard that length of time or milage before.

And enjoyed the hijacks. I remember a disreputable youth in a blue Mini van.

Any issue with the plastic ports for the cables?

Have been tempted down this route. Me doing the sanding and an acquaintance who owns a car shop doing the spraying. Special paint?

Looks very good.

I’m in the same dilemma. I think that I will be going with Enigma for my Trek Madone 6.5. All the paint has to come off by hand which is why the cost is so high. The only issue on mine is some bubbling around the holes on the brake bridge. The paint is really thick and peeling. Had wondered about asking them to just prep, mask a small area, but I think it might be better to do the whole job.

DrP – “I really liked the wingnut for the low weight and how it sits on the hips! Mrs W says much the same!!!!!! (In my dreams)

Del – “I have a 2.5 which is pretty knackered after not that long.” Another Mrs W quote!

cinnamon_girl – “My only niggle was that the pull thingy they used was red and not white.” Mrs W is out now want to pop round and check the colour?”

toppers – I thought you meant Mrs W

I’ll get an A series after this one is sorted to keep you boys happy!

Back in after a medicinal pint or two:
Pepper – no idea
Stumpy – I’ll be strident in my efforts to involvement of BMW uk. I drive past them often and am happy to doorstep individuals.
Loddrik – I probably can but never liked it as a car really and if you pay reasonable money then you should get reasonable life from it! BMW always say how you pay for quality
Maxtorque – Full BMWSH so will spend time in the show room being vocal. Apparently not over revving so hope its not as dire as it could be.
I’ll update tomorrow.

Bought as a demonstrator and always serviced by them under one of those packages. I’m going to try the goodwill thing to see what they say though. Some hope. She may be in my bad books but to be honest she doesn’t rag it.

My son got me one of those Moonpig ones with him looking like a knob on the front of it!

We’ve already started on this one. I haven’t heard a single comment about needing a new handbag or frock since it happened so its not all doom and gloom.

Its a disgrace! All that thick thin thing going on. Far too busy and all out of proportion. I had one of the Lotto team bikes 15 years ago and it was great. All yellow, black and stiff as. Thats the point of the triple triangle. Stiffness, rigidity, harshness. A great road bike characteristic and here they are having to engineer the carbon to fight against the natural inclination of the design.

Isn’t it just. Feel like I’m missing loads of interesting stuff.

Lets stop bemoaning this! The answer is so obvious! Flashy empty the spare change out of your pockets. I’m sure there’ll be more than enough to buy and restore this emporium to its rightful place as purveyor of high quality accoutrements.

Headfirst – I’ve got exactly the same stats as you and have realised that I’ve got to get it down. Work issues make it difficult to create a sensible routine for food or exercise but I’m trying really hard to sort out both.

BMI doesn’t bother me but people half my age going faster than me does!

I’ve just booked a similar appointment. Its a just in case thing and maybe combination of things. Recently my children have started putting labels on things they want because I’ve been complaining about left arm aching (old crash injury) hot flushes (the sun’s out), slight tightness in chest (hay fever which I haven’t had since I was 14). Sure its to do with working to much and not exercising enough but feeling knackered/stressed isn’t pleasant. Seriously watching my diet and upped riding. Better safe than sorry.

Hope its ok and let us know how it goes.

There’s always a penalty for Dad dancing! Can I have what is inserted?

OFSTED are hard on the governance of schools and therefore the direct responsibility is Gove’s. May is only involved if something illegal has happened. Being radical isn’t illegal in its self. The National Health Service was the result of radicals.

Graham is just somebody taking the calls for him! On the news yesterday he said he was using his OAP bus pass a lot. Interesting balance about attracting sales with the celebrity angle versus the possible hate/crank interest it would raise.

No Speeder, I think its a smashed egg.

i always the hardest thing is to get the body to ballast ratio right. (oh thats patios isn’t it)

Lovely little film about an interesting bloke. Thank you.

You have to try don’t you! I’ll let you know how I get on.

About 18 months ago I bought a 159 2.4 JTMD saloon as a stop gap as I had some repairs on the Octavia estate done and it wasn’t practical to use the Caterham on a daily basis. Some 35k miles on its the only car I’ve got now. Sexy looking car, great for doing distance in. You can buy them cheaper than the equivalent 3 series but, I’ve replaced the clutch, had a new cam belt and sorted some minor electrical gremlins so probably ended up what I’d have spent on the same age condition Beemer. Do I think its been worth it? Yes, and the key to it is that its a car you have a relationship with. Not faultless, not the best driving car but its got character and if you stay on top of potential problems you’ll love it. Try to find a good independent garage like I have and you’ll enjoy it.
I’ll get a newer 159 sportswomen next time as that’ll be more economical. The Alfa forums are a good source of info and if you buy with your head you can enjoy it with your heart.

I’m now trying hard to incorporate some of those in my work presentations. If we could find a link between head teacher appointments and volume of dog poop I’d be a happy man. Just thought is that link Gove?

LOL @ junkyard. I’ve got the collection! Mind you they were a lot rubbish so perhaps another thread.

Get them out of the house delivering UKIP leaflets so your digging can be conducted in peace.

Burgh Island is expensive but vvv special. If you can scrap it together you won’t regret it.

Is that a positive or negative response zippy.