Twirly

Interesting article for the torygraph to publish.

Not being able to buy a little bag of nice round malteasers in WHSmiths in Victoria station, but having to buy them in bar format instead. I like being able to roll them around in my mouth, melting the chocolate off, and then biting into the crunchy bit. A flat bottom just isn't the same. *sniff*

Rule of thumb I read years ago was that if it's over 100 years old, always have a full structural survey done, less than that and you can probably get away with a homebuyer's if it appears to be in good condition. I had a full one done for the flat I bought in a Victorian property in ED - I can't see why you wouldn't if the property is old, whether it's a house or a flat.

My Dad' boiler was fitted in 1978 when he moved into his house, and was only replaced this year! So I would say that if yours is still working, there probably isn't much need to replace it. Having said that, in my old flat, we had a boiler that was some indeterminate age, but more than 15 years old, and it packed up. When I had it replaces my gas bills (heating and hot water) did drop significantly, so it's swings and roundabouts.

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > Were you, perchance, sitting on the outside aisle > seat with a vacant window seat next to you > requiring people to clamber over you to get to > it? > > That's a paddlin'! Nope! I was on the outside. I had had to ask the chap to move his bag earlier to allow me to sit down on the particular occasion that prompted this post, but it's an extremely frequent occurrence these days. And normally, when the window seat next to me becomes vacant, I scoot over to fill it, unless a) the next stop is mine b) I'm so laden down with bags that moving is not feasible. And even then I make sure that I catch the eye of anyone who might need a seat and make room for them to get in and sit down. Tis only polite after all. Glad I'm not alone RPC. I tend to just give them a hard stare (to which they are impervious, usually). As for muttering less than sotto voce, I wouldn't worry as most of the time the offenders are wearing headphones anyway.

People who don't say "excuse me" or make any polite request when they need you to move, usually on the bus or train. They just shift around, give you a hard stare or trample you. What is wrong with asking? You're not going to burst into flames if you speak to another person in public you know! Myself, for responding to their fidgeting in lieu of a polite verbal request to get out of their way. I wish I could just sit and stare ahead of me and remain resolutely in their way until they are forced to actually ask. But I am far too polite (and English) for that. I shall have to get some blinkers for wearing on public transport. And then I get annoyed that they don't say thank you when I do move... grrr!

Robert Poste's Child Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Yuck! As if the general slimeyness wasn't bad > enough, I've seen slugs eating fox poo in the > garden. They're one of the few creatures I don't > mind killing (usually in a bucket of boiling > water). I keep a salt bucket in the garden (under cover) to deposit the little (and sometimes large!) slimers in... and snails too if they're going to nibble on something I don't want them to (our garden would be a desert otherwise). Not sure it's irrational rage, but today insurance renewals are doing my head in!

On what grounds would they be able to "take the mortgage off" you if you are making the repayments? If you were defaulting, then they would have a case, but otherwise, I am not sure they would be able to. (i don't know, just can't see it) That would mean them forcing you to sell the house for no good reason To see how you would stand to borrow the extra, put your total borrowing requirements and your current incomings/outgoings into their website and see if they would lend to you. If not, then there is probably little point in approaching them anyway. Good luck!

Tourists. Dithering tourists. I currently have to walk past Buck House on my commute (unless I'm lazy and take the bus) and you can hardly get past on the pavement they are so busy blocking it (around the side where they're all queuing to get in, not out the front - there you just end up in a few hundred photos each day as you dodge through). For some reason it seems even worst than usual this year (which is probably good for the economy, but even so).

Totally agree about the comfortable bed, also king size as if you're used to that at home, it's not great trying to sleep in a double. (I have actually been contemplating starting a website along the lines of tripadvisor but purely for rating beds - whether you like a soft, firm or hard one (oo err missus aside) and what the bed was actually like). Lack of sleep can ruin an otherwise wonderful holiday. Somewhere to hang damp towels after a bath/shower (so many places don't have anywhere, and your woodwork/furniture will end up being ruined). A place to park the car nearby, preferably free. Somewhere to sit outside when the weather is good (essential for city dwellers who don't have gardens at home). Black out blinds/curtains are a must too. If there is little or no mobile signal, then yes, decent wifi is good. Many people never get to take a proper holiday and may need to catch up on work stuff each evening. A decent TV with freeview and a few DVDs. A decent sized fridge (we were in Devon week before last, and the fridge was miniscule!). Make it clear on your website exactly what is provided, e.g. don't say towels (as you could be providing a couple of hand towels for all I know), say large bath sheets. Say if there will be salt, pepper, washing up liquid etc. there. We usually do at least one week somewhere in the UK each year, and I always end up taking these sorts of supplied along, as you never know what will be available, and if there will be any local shops open when you get there. Good photos on the website - I hardly ever read the descriptions, I look at the pictures - that's your selling point. Then I read up on it as it takes longer and I may be looking at dozens of cottages. If the bed is under an eve and we are going to bash our heads getting up in the morning/can't sit up in bed to read, I don't want to stay there, so I'm not going to waste my time reading about how wonderful it is. Be bookable online. Unless the cottage is so fabulous that I can't imagine staying anywhere else (hasn't happened yet) or I simply can't find anywhere else (has been known), I don't want to call or email. I want to know immediately how much it costs and if it's available when I want it. This will probably make your life easier too, as you won't have to field lots of calls/emails that don't come to anything. Decide on your market. Do you want families with kids running around? Do you want couples without children? A mix? We don't have kids, so are generally looking for somewhere with one bedroom only, preferably not over run with other people's children. If you're expecting children, make sure you've got a few suitable DVDs in the selection. If I think of anything else I'll add it!

That's what I was wondering too. After all, everyone can see everyone's, so what difference does it make?

Slugs.

That my phone lists calls I've rejected as "missed". No, I didn't miss it. I could see it was a dodgy number and was probably going try and get me to reclaim non-existent PPI insurance or try to get me money for an accident I've not had. So I pressed the reject button so as not to waste any more of my precious time. So say "rejected call" not "missed call"!

People who go to crowded exhibitions and then block the queue standing there gossiping in front of exhibits about their holiday, or neighbours or whatever! Go get some tea and cake and do that in the caf?! Was at the Vikings exhibition yesterday and there were two women who did it constantly. At one point, one of them leant against the exhibition case thus obscuring with her hand the information that my friend was trying to read. Grrr. (And maybe we should have a ?rational rage? thread, as am not sure this really fits on this thread.)

A couple of times recently I?ve been walking through Green Park in central London when boys (approx. 9 ? 12 years in age I would guess) have approached me asking for sponsorship. I don?t know them, so I?ve said no and walked on. I?ve seen them approach other people too, but last time it happened (this week) I had a quick check around to see if there was an adult with them ? there wasn?t anyone obvious. Is this yet another scam? If it?s not and the boys are genuine, is it a good idea to be encouraging pre-teens to go up to complete strangers asking them for money?

So sad. I really feel for Chris and his staff. Hope he finds somewhere else to open up.

Seabag Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've been guilty of trying to eat a hot chinese > meal on more than one occasion, whilst driving > > Wrong I know, but with a bit of practice it's > doable. However, i'd never do this on the > train/tube/bus, I prefer the privacy of my van > > My suggestion for transport diners is to go solo, > think of your car or van as a private dining room. > And it's positively encouraged, just look at how > many drive thru's there are. All I need now is a > 12 volt micro wave, so I could ping a ready meal > off, as I bowl don the Old Kent road > > Anyone care to join me ? You might want to rethink that policy Seabag - whilst not illegal, the police can deem you not to be in proper control of your vehicle and fine you for careless driving accordingly. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/9197930/Eating-while-driving-more-dangerous-than-using-phone.html

LOL! I think I prefered it back in 2006. Not that gritty, but certainly a bit more normal and less nappy valley, a broader mix of people. Victim of it's own success, but I can't complain as I have done well out of the developments.

Why don't you offer a skills swap? A few hours cleaning for someone to take you through setting up a website? I also recommend the free seminars at the City Business Library for new start ups, including ones on websites and lots of other things. Good luck!

Hardly comparable bodily functions. When I last checked eating in public was neither illegal nor insanitary, however much a big Mac might smell bad. I despair of our society sometimes.

In the past I have offered, but I think if someone helped themselves I would feel slightly put out too, particularly if the milk was almost gone. Last time, when I did offer, I think the brought their own milk as they didn't like my skimmed milk!

I totally agree with you Penguin. We all make judgments about what is important to us and what we are prepared to compromise on, and those things change according to what stage of life we are at and what our priorities are. I would have loved to stay in ED, but simply could not afford the "premium" for the space we needed, so had to compromise. We are loving where we are now, but sometimes it's not until you've made the move that you can appreciate what the compromise gains you.

But the middle classes are some of the worst offenders... Tbh, it's more of a cultural differences issue, since a couple of the names I found funny are non-UK. And I am sure that other cultures would find some of our names funny since they sound like something rude in their language. As for the made up names or unusual ones, I may think they sound silly, but at least they involve a bit of imagination.

How is it this morning? Keep an eye out for infection, as out mouths are full of germs. Maybe rinse out with some dilute TCP or add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to some water and rinse with that? Might sting a bit though. Hope it's better soon. And yes, I agree with Sue, how on earth did it happen (says the woman who once bit her tongue and fainted!)

Our new house has a wood burning stove, so I now have a use for all the junk mail we receive! Particular joy in consigning a Tory newsletter to the kindling pile last night.