This is great – thank you everyone! Loads of useful advice here that I wouldn’t of thought of… especially the Berlingo! Just showed my daughter that one… she looks worried now! haha

Actually I did that… searched for “budget car” and found one or two similar(ish) threads but they didn’t really help. It’s repetitive because it’s a popular and important question people need advice on with some variations on what they need.

Just don’t waste your time responding if it bothers you.

Thanks for the advice Trail_rat and Butcher ;)

Maybe they both already know they have each got a date with you.

Maybe they have done it deliberately.

Maybe this could lead to something interesting.

Go with it and report back on here! :-)

Thanks for the advice and opinions everyone – even the funny ones! Much appreciated 👍🏼

Ive not seen anything to suggest he thinks racism or anything like that are a jape.

I can understand that giving people that spout **** is dangerous but the problem is that boundaries are not black and white and so removing freedom of speech from people who push those boundaries is also dangerous.

Who decides the boundaries? Who knows. Boundaries today might be different from boundaries in 10 years.

Can anyone name a ridiculously wealthy / powerful visionary etc that doesn’t have flaws?

I think it is par for the course.

From what I know about him – I’d rather have him on this planet than not.

His concerns about AI are interesting.

Not that it is an album anyone could forget t but it had been a while until I listened to it a couple of weeks ago…

Nevermind!

You know it’s good. Then you listen to it and remember… it is ****** incredible!

Peanut butter, jam and bananas on toast!!

Don’t tar all agents with the same brush. A lot of them are very good and worth their weight.

I’d suggest finding a smaller one that offers a more personal service. They will work harder to exceed your expectations and should, if priced right and the interest is there – get you more than an online agent or one that just lists and hopes for a result.

Thanks FD. The underfloor heating is a wet (gas) system. To be fair, it is set to only come on for 2 hours and it manages to hit a comfortable temperature in that time which lasts all day (we work from home in the kitchen / diner now).

Thanks everyone :)

Can you get F1 on Virgin? I don’t have Virgin in my area though so they would surely call me bluff!

Ability to record F1 is a must because I am almost never available to watch the races or qualifying live – especially as it is on at different times depending on which part of the world the race is.

I don’t think you can watch F1 races on demand on Now TV.

No crystal ball here but I suspect the market is actually going to pick up in the next few weeks. More properties will come to the market which will stoke the flames and confidence will return. High demand vs supply will keep prices from dropping as much as the media and pub goss will have you believe.

Like I said, no crystal ball but I work in the industry and this is how it feels on the ground to me.

Ps. Defo speak to a good INDEPENDENT mortgage broker about your finances. PM me if you would like me to put you in touch with someone very good. I don’t suggest going direct to your bank.

I know a few teachers (mostly secondary) and not one of the secondary school ones are happy – for pretty much the reasons stated above. Completely understandable in my opinion.

It’s pretty much the same theme from all of them – love the “teaching” bit but dislike all the bureaucracy and ridiculous hours and expectations that comes with it. Only thing that keeps them in the profession… yep… the holidays. And for that reason – they feel trapped in the job. Again, completely understandable.

I always thought “alpha male” was like the leading male in a pack / herd in the animal kingdom.

I figure an alpha male (human) would be strong (in body or mind or both) and reliable with leadership qualities. Nothing wrong with the that.

But you might still be a %*$# ;-)

Therefore referring to someone as an alpha male can be either a compliment or an insult – depending on who’s saying it and the context and tone.

Feet!
Saw them a couple of years ago. Crazy!

“cyclelife
Free Member

Just keeps inflating the market, no win for anyone apart from estate agents (parasites).

Posted 5 hours ago”

—————————

Not true.

Speaking as an estate agent, it actually takes a hell of a lot more time and effort to manage this huge level of buyer demand and to manage best & final offers (if done correctly) takes a lot more time and effort as well.

The increased demand in the property market leads to multiple offers and (sometimes) greedy sellers are the reason for inflated property prices – not the agents. A house selling for £20k over asking makes very little difference to me.

And I hate having to explain to loads of people every week that their offers were not successful. I feel terrible for them and wish they weren’t having to go through this.

I’m not sure why I am a parasite. I know some agents do naff all and treat the general public badly – but please don’t paint us all with that brush. Every industry has good and bad eggs.

Ps. Contrary to popular belief – we aren’t making any more money in this market. We can only market and sell a house (and earn a fee) once – and there is a stock shortage. So not sure how people think we are benefitting from this.

Crisps. Any crisps but I bloody love Walkers Max Jalapeño & Cheese. I just can’t stop myself.

If the kids are getting stuck into the crisps I tell them to slow down, it’s unhealthy etc. As soon as they turn their back I’ll devour the lot! I can easily put a large bag away… with dip.

I disgust myself.

I know it’s not the most exciting topic… but not one recommendation?! :-(

Thanks for the comments so far everyone! Very helpful.
I have also been looking at a fully electric car – but to be honest they don’t float my boat in terms of looks and spec (and yes I’m also taking into account looks & spec when buying a car) :-)

I looked at the VW ID.3 – I quite like the external appearance but inside it is all plastic, very basic seats (with no lumber support), and more- it doesn’t even have speakers in the back! They have basically stripped out the nice features to make it more affordable – or so it seems.

Good suggestions here! Thanks all 👍🏼

Any!
I cant get enough of the stuff!
And dripping in the chilli / soy / garlic sauce…. get in my face!

Such a shame. They have some great characters who are well cast – such as Carmichael!
Just a shame they haven’t produced a script / plot that makes the most of them.

Thanks both!

@Edward2000,

Actually, that doc is useful. Thank you!

I interpret it as “any alterations / additions carried out will not be covered by the NHBC Warranty & the original structure will still be covered so long as said alterations haven’t impacted the original build.” I think ;-)

Great series but seriously depressing ending.

Poor Sunny. And the kids. And Rob. And Cassie’s dad. And her team.

I even felt sorry for the murderer.

Ram got what was coming to him though :-\

5 minutes in and thinking… what the…?

I can’t be the only one thinking this is a bit naff?

Clearly, after reading this thread… I’m not.

How many minutes in for Rach in underwear? Just so I know so that I can skip to avoid that bit?

Nice one – thanks :-)

Samsung Galaxy M31?

£200 on Amazon. We just bought one for our daughter. I guess we will find out on Xmas day if it was the right decision!

What Garage-Dweller said 👌🏼

I get it matey.

For no reason at times I just start having downer type thoughts or get paranoid when there really isn’t any need to. And then I think… is it just me?

Quite often it happens when I’m lacking sleep and start overthinking things. Bit of a pain though because I’m not sleeping great because I’ve been struggling with a bit of anxiety (work stress) – so this is a vicious circle.

I find that if I’m getting enough sleep and also got a 1 or 2 things to look forward to / focus on every week (eg bike ride) then that helps me get on.

Not sure if that helps… :-/

I didn’t know what a Japanese pull saw is… I do now… and now I want one!

Thanks for the advice so far! Especially Cougar! :)

The kitchen has actually been spec’d with a extractor (recirculator with filters) built into the induction hob but holy **** – they are expensive!

Also, it’s a relatively new tech and so there aren’t many reviews online.

Seems like the general consensus is to bite the bullet and get one or we will probably regret it down the line.

https://www.bird.bike/product/bird-down-dropper-seat-post-200mm-drop-arriving-2nd-week-november/

I’m there tomorrow and can’t wait to try out my new Enduros!

The terrain is no different to a typical bike park or natural trail.

Then again… I don’t know how hard you are on your tyres.

This response doesn’t help you at all does it?!

@doomanic – This might seem an odd question… Do you wear a layer under the Fox titan, over it, etc?

I hear you on that!
Years ago I came off on a blue at BPW (think it was Willy Waver) – landed on my shoulder at speed and destroyed it… badly.

Yeah, I don’t think any armour would’ve helped.

Maybe just a back protector is the way to go. Less likely to boil in it and still relatively comfy while protecting something pretty life-changing if it goes wrong.

Thanks for the opinions as always! 👍🏼

Find someone else with similar amount if cash and buy a small buy to let together?

What type of disc brake cleaner have you used?

It might be worth sending the top layer of the pads.

https://www.propain-bikes.com/en/bikes/enduro/tyee-al/