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735846
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 06/07/2008 at 00:55
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Have any Backroomers had quotes for a kitchen refit from carpenters ? If so I?d be interested to know how they compared with the same from specialist kitchen installers.
Thanks.
Clk Sec
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We had our kitchen done by a one-man band cabinet maker. Although the space was fairly regular, we had some specific needs that no kitchen fitter from Moben could have got his head round - such as a free-standing Aga with "wings" (units) at 45 degrees to each side of it.
My advice would be to choose your appliances, and then get them, before they start building the units to house them, so you can check the installation instructions etc.
He cost us £8,500 - and we had another quote for much more, and one for a bit less, but I think he was desperate. My guess is that a top end kitchen firm would have charged about twice to 3x what we paid for the equivalent quality. All finished in French oak. If you are anywhere near Reading I can highly recommend him.
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Thanks for your helpful response, oldnotbold.
Clk Sec
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>Several friends in the 70s had a Zenit (?),
Watching Life on Mars last night I noticed that in episode 4, where Sam and and Gene are staking out the wife swapping car dealer, Sam is using a Zenit.
Kevin...
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My brother had a Zenit SLR - Russian camera.
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You can still buy Zenith cameras at the famous Lomography.com website:
shop.lomography.com/shop/
along with other models from other marques, such as the Yashica Electro 35:
shop.lomography.com/yashica/
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FotheringtonThomas, you were right that lifting the door got it open. Well done.
Turns out the "bolt/hook" was retracting most but not all of the way and has been catching for a while. I have re-adjusted/aligned it a bit and now apart from the bolt not retracting the last fraction it's fine. In fact pulling down the door handle a little harder does open it... so just need to figure out how to adjust/fix the one bolt that does not retract.
Local locksmith might still be called on the fix this - he says fixing it might be £50 including coming to the house.
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I appreciate that fuel costs are increasing but we seem to using electricity at an alarmingly excessive rate according to the meter. We did have a fault a couple of months ago - a shorting which was sorted by an electrician but we still seem to be clocking up around £100 pcm.
The house is 4 years old and we moved in a year ago. We have gas heating, do not over use the oven (gas hob) and to my knowledge the neighbours do not have a cannabis factory pinching our electricity. I'm fast coming to the conclusion that the meter must be faulty but would appreciate any thoughts/assistance as I'll bet there will be a hefty charge to get them to look at it!
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Does the meter continue to spin when you turn everything off (and the contents of the freezer will not suffer it it is off for a few minutes, or indeed, an hour or two) ?
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Unplug /turn everything off bar say 5 x 100W bulbs, and then see what the meter says for 30 mins use. 500W x .5 hr = .25 kwh (Kilo watt hour). If the meter says it's more, call your supplier.
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Thanks. Both good calls. I'll check and post later.
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Alternatively, one of the circuits may indeed have a fault on it. Turn off all the "fuses" at the consumer unit ("fusebox"). Then try each one in turn (for half an hour, maybe) to see if there is an unexpectedly high use.
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I too would start with the light bulb test.
Hopefully only lights will be on the circuits controlled by the low rated fuses / Miniture Circuit Breakers ( MCBs) in the Consumer unit.
Leave only the lighting circuits active and turn on several lights of a known wattage and do the calculations.
This way all power hungry items should be inactive.
If the meter is working correctly then come back for further suggestions.
The problem might be something like the freezer running 24/7 cos it has a fault.
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Spookily enough we've just been through the same loop, and I think just last night we've solved it.
Turned out the backup electric immersion heater has been on for the past four years...ouch.
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I remember in the 70's someone complaining in the press that their electricity bill was too high, turned out they had put a 1kw electric fire in the attic to stop the water tank freezing.
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Oh dear. On present performance I'd better check Mrs Dipstick hasn't got something similar in the attic, probably on since the seventies. If it turns out she's entirely responsible for global warming and peak oil coming twenty years early it'll be a smidge embarrassing.
Edited by Webmaster on 28/06/2008 at 00:54
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Yes but you'd make Gordon Brown's day! We can all do with a smile now and then
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Turned out the backup electric immersion heater has been on for the past four years...ouch.
All was not lost unlike a super hot loft.:-(
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prehaps your elderly neighbour who can no longer afford the prices, has tapped into your supply, or has decided to set up a new HOME GROWN industry.
Hope you get it sorted
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Have you considered one of those widgets which displays real time usage from a sensor strapped to the mains cable going into meter ? If you systematically went around switching everything off you'll find out whether there is some unknown appliance somewhere.
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Have you considered one of those widgets which displays real time usage from a sensor strapped to the mains cable going into meter ? If you systematically went around switching everything off you'll find out whether there is some unknown appliance somewhere.
£40 from Maplin. tinyurl.com/5odjhe
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That's a similar one to the one I considered. Interesting how Maplin's encourage you not to "waste carbon" never thought of it like that !
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Here's what the National Weights and Measures Laboratory says about meter accuracy. tinyurl.com/5p3cpm
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You've not got two teenagers who have started to go in the electric shower for 20-30 minutes at a time, maybe twice a day? And leaving their PCs and TVs on all of the time.
One our eldest moved out the electric used went down a lot.
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When our bill shot up, it turned out that the freezer we kept in the garage had gradually been losing gas (or whatever it is) via a tiny hole in a corroded pipe. It had been running almost constantly in an effort to keep the cabinet cold .... then we finally noticed that things were starting to thaw out!
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Thanks for feedback everyone.
Freezers are both new, have already checked the immersion and constantly having a go at the teenaged population. Also replaced some of the halogen spot lights with conventional fittings. Oh! And have not used the underfloor heating on the kitchen since Xmas. The cat had been the only beneficiary here!
Actually the latest bill arrived yesterday and looks like we are back to more normal consumption. Mystery still surrounds what the real cause was ... am very tempted to invest in one of those meter monitor thingies so I can keep track in the future.
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Hi,I had an email today to let me know that I had won a trip to New York.It was this one..........
www.cineworld.co.uk/Competiti...COMPET=81&VIEW
I'm going to ask the promotor if we could take our 6yr old daughter on the trip if we pay the extra costs involved.Has anyone got any ideas on what ball park figure we may be looking at for this.
I've already started looking at places to visit on the trip.The Statten island ferry sounds good,as does the Rockefeller Centre.Any other ideas.
We will be on bed and breakfast over there so any tips on eating out for the other meals,preferably at the cheaper end.
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top of Empire State Building at dusk.
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Blimey, where to start.....quite honestly the best bet would be to buy the Lonely Planet Guide. They have lots of recommendations at different budget levels.
You can't beat the licensed hot dog/donut stands on every corner. Clean, good and cheap for instant refuelling. The Carnegie Deli is the absolute NY Deli experience and when I was there last was a great, cheap place to get stuff for a Central Park picnic.
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Statue of Liberty is a must. MacDonalds on Times Square (!) - yes honestly. The Bar under the Empire State Building (serve a mean draught Bass) - And the Naval Aviation Museum (on an Aircraft Carrier in the Harbor) - I was privileged to visit the WTC for lunch when we were there in the 90s.
Edited by Pugugly on 29/06/2008 at 23:21
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Yeah the Windows on the World restaurant was fantastic. You could look down on New York and it would appear flat because you could only see the tops of the other skyscrapers. You can still take a helicopter flight though from the helipad.
People laugh at me but every time I visit New York I make a really strict time table, work out routes to take in everything on the way and stick to it religiously. The Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Guides are great for planning. Natural History Museum was a must for me, Dakota Building where Lennon was shot and the "Imagine" memorial. Staten Island and the Immigration centre and I'll second the Carnegie Deli suggestion. FAO Swartz toy shop if you take your little girl. There's just too much to see to be honest and you'll find little treasures as you walk by.
Grand Central Terminal is amazing. TriBeCa district for its restaurants and if you're interested in art there are billions of galleries. You used to be able to go in and watch the traders at the stock exchange if that floats your boat.
It's also one of the friendliest cities I've ever visited, never felt threatened or uneasy and one cab driver even stopped to buy me a bagel once.
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I have redesigned our ground floor and need speakers where I do not want wires. Any recommendations for quality wireless speakers?
Edited by Espada III {P} on 29/06/2008 at 21:59
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This link may help (the younger offspring has the excellent Squeezebox system):
www.wirelessspeakersuk.co.uk/
Also:
www.aspecttv.co.uk/
tinyurl.com/3vckag
tinyurl.com/3qhjha
tinyurl.com/3ou88j
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There was an insert with the Radio Times this week from Sony advertising a cordless system.
Might be a bit more, er, affordable than some of those above.
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Squeezebox server "Squeezecenter" is a cross-platform free, open source download. It's easy to set up and allows streaming from one computer to many, including over the Internet, for when you're away from home. You don't need the Squeezebox hardware to use it and it plays an enormous range of formats. I realise this is not what the OP is asking for, but for the record, it's a great system.
www.slimdevices.com/pi_features.html
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Thanks
I have set my father off searching for the best speakers - he knows about these things far more than I do. His last amplifier was hand built about three years ago at a cost of £7,000 !!!
I thought Squeezebox was a slang name for a ghetto blaster but I assume it is a trade name??
I want to use the speakers with a typical CD player. Will I need an amplifier as well?
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Squeezebox server "Squeezecenter" is a cross-platform free open source download. It's easy to set up and allows streaming from one computer to many including over the Internet for when you're away from home.
So is this basically UPnP server software like Orb, TVersity et al?
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Squeezebox uses Zeroconf networking--like most networked printers and cameras, and like iTunes--rather than 'UPnP'. My experience of Zeroconf is mostly on Macs, which use it extensively--Apple calls it Bonjour--but it is completely cross-platform and free. If you're asking whether Squeezebox works like a UPnP device in the sense of being 'plug and play', then the answer is yes, but it doesn't use UPnP protocols because it doesn't need to.
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For my sins I'm doing some research into British naval history for the purposes of making a documentary. I won't bore you with that but I thought there may be someone here who can point me in the right direction on a minor, but for my purposes, crucial, byway.
I want to know how the Admiralty historically named their ships. Scenarios (none of which are likely) that have crossed my mind include all sitting around a table and picking a name at random, the Monarch picking names, doing it alphabetically like hurricanes, re using old names - and undoubtedly the process changed over the years in any case.
Can anyone point me at a book or other source that details this process, ideally covering the Merchant marine as well? If not I'll contact Greenwich and ask the experts there.
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Janes Fighting Ships I think gave an account - predictably there is a committee involved !
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There's some information in these links:
tinyurl.com/3zuplr
tinyurl.com/4x8394
This could provide some more definite answers via the forums with regard to the Merchant Navy:
www.shipsnostalgia.com/
Edited by Stuartli on 30/06/2008 at 10:11
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Thanks to you both - there is sufficient there to start me on the way. Appreciated.
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CS Forrester relates in one of the Hornblower books that in Georgian times there was a fashion for naming ships after noble opponents. Hence the British navy had ships named after French ships - and vice versa. I guess he is historically accurate on this point, but have no idea.
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They also used to capture each other's ships and keep them in service, and perhaps didn't always change the names. According to the addictive Patrick O'Brian, French ships by the time of the Napoleonic wars were better built from better oak than English ones, but the English were marginally better at gunnery although both nations had good seamen.
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Plenty of fun to be had in the Andrew with the names given to ships. One of the worst-named ships ever was HMS Beaver, a type 22.
www.geocities.com/dkurtz60084/nicknames2.html
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I have a Nokia 3109 classic as a work phone (which may give you an insight into where I fit in the corporate hierarchy!). It has a music player on it so I bought a micro SD card and loaded some music on it. The phone plays music through the speaker perfectly well. However as I am a thoughtful and considerate individual I want to use headphones to listen. I bought a 2.5mm to 3.5mm headphone lead converter off Ebay but the phone itself doesn't have 'headset' as one of the listed enhancements so it won't play music through the headset connection. Does anyone know of any way of fixing it? The Nokia website isn't much use.
Thanks - and thanks for the white pipe insulation suggestions as well.
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I'm going to be spending a large chunk of August staying in a very remote part of Scotland (no mains services and no road access, nearest accessible village, 20 miles) and I plan to do some sea fishing from a jetty to supplement the basic food we will be able to carry with us. I don't expect to catch a great deal, but I'll have time to sit around for hours doing not much, so I might as well give it a try. A fish meal every two or three days will liven up the rations but won't be essential.
I spent a fair chunk of my school holidays fishing in the sea, hence the low expectations, but I realise the tackle has changed in 30 years. I am not intending to spend much, but I have been looking at telescopic rods of about 7 feet fully extended. Does anyone have any recommendations? And what about the rest of the gear? For instance, what size hooks should I get for beach/jetty fishing and what weight of line? I plan to use limpets and so on as bait, but should I get some lures, or will silver foil work just as well?
I'm looking at bare minimum as it will all have to be carried and allowing for losses the hooks, weights etc will have to last a while, so how much is reasonable? Any thoughts?
Thanks
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Buy a few beers and use them as bait to get a bit of local advice when you get there and pop in to the local tackle shop.
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Well your rod will limit your fishing styles as it is only suitable for teaming up with a light spinning reel carrying 15lb (quite sufficient for your needs) main line.
you should forget Limpets!!! i know of nothing much that likes them! except perhaps Hugh Fearnly-thingy!! better of using slivers of either fresh Mackerel/Herring fished at the appropiate depth under a light float on a Aberdeen 1/0 hook.
Alternately, it will be quite happy chucking out light lures 25-50grams wieght, you may catch any of the Pelagic speicies even Bass if you are lucky.
The third choice would be to use a light ledger rigg, - 2/3oz Arsley bomb lead, with a 2-hook trace, baited with either fish or locally dug/sourced lug-worms, to catch bottom speicies such as Dabs/Flounder/or even Plaice.
Billy
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Billy, thanks for that. Very useful details. My memory of sea fishing in my youth is hazy, but I do recall success with ledgers fishing for Dab etc. off Northeast beaches. I remember Mackerel taking bits of limpet, which is why I mentioned it, but maybe I was just lucky, and the fish were hungry--actually my one experience of catching Mackerel involved silly numbers of fish caught off the side of a pier and I doubt that will happen again. I've never tried float fishing in the sea, so that sounds like an interesting option.
The main issue with this trip is going to be isolation--the nearest house will be a couple of miles across country and the nearest village about 15 miles off. That rules out starting off with fresh fish as bait, but no doubt there will be plenty of worms.
Many thanks.
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Just replaced our broken power shower ie. no heating element, just a pump, with temperature and flow rate controls. 2 problems with new one, which is a Mira Event XS (previously Mira Essentials):
- Old one would work without turning on power; water came out slower, but it was a lot quieter which was good because I tend to have my showers when everyone else is still in bed.
- A lot more water comes out of the new one, and the cost of all that extra hot water worries me.
So:
1. Anyone know if there is something I can do to the shower to get water coming out without turning on the power?
2. If I change the shower head to one with smaller holes to reduce the flow of water, will that put extra strain on the pump and damage it?
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Was your old shower a mixer valve with separate pump housed under the bath or in the airing cupboard? If so then it is possible for water to flow through the pump to the valve without there being any power - thus giving you a silent shower!
The shower control you have is completely integrated so by opening the valve you then automatically start the pump. To reduce water usage you just need to run the shower at a lower setting using the flow control. Do not change the shower head as it could strain the pump.
HTH
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We've had a multi-point gas boiler for many years (current one is a Main model, now part of the Baxi group).
Many years ago the Gas Board (yes, that was the name) informed me that, without a power shower, I wouldn't be able to use a multi-point to feed a shower unit.
That proved to be absolute nonsense as, with the addition of an Aqualista shower unit, we conceived a first class shower facility and it's been that way for almost 30 years.
The Aqualista unit wasn't cheap (about £310 in a sale), but it's still going strong and parts are still readily available; interesting to note that in many of the dozens of hotels I've stayed in over the years, the shower unit comes from this company.
To be quite frank, I'd rather have our shower setup than one incorporating an electrical unit - I've always had it drummed into me that electricity and water don't mix...:-)
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Thanks for the replies. Both showers are just 'boxes' on the wall, of the same basic type from the same manufacturer, which is why I am surprised the new one doesn't let water through without motor assistance.
Yes, the flow control does work, but even on the lowest setting there's a lot more water coming out than I would like.
I did look at what I would class as 'expensive' showers such as the Aqualista, but as the old one did the job fine, I thought the new one would be ok. In fact I got a used one on eBay for well under £100; it's the model I would have got anyway. Because it was a relatively simple replacement the fitting was under £100 as well (I'm not a big DIYer).
I think I'll just have to live with it for the moment - if SWMBO complains too much about being woken up in the morning by the noise I'll just start using the bath taps and a jug :-)
Cheers
John
Edited by Focus {P} on 01/07/2008 at 08:43
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Have you read this.....
www.mirashowers.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/p3783_4.pdf
From a quick glance, this shower has a solenoid valve that is used to cut off the water when shower is off. ie no power no shower!
I would guess that the older version had a mechanical control valve linked to the shut off function.
I suggest that you talk to MIRA tech support, it may be possible to reduce flow rate using valves to restrict the flow rate on the inlet side of the supplies. IIRC 8L /minute which is in spec, I find is too little for a decent shower. If the shower has been fitted correctly there should be cut off valves on the inlet side anyway.
pmh
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Have you read this.....
Many thanks pmh, that's a good idea.
John
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If you've got a combi-boiler or suchlike why not try a Thermostatic Mixer shower, they plumb straight into your combi, (so no pump req) and work exactly like a mixer tap.
Because it is fed by both a hot and cold water supply, you get a far superior flow rate to a shower that is fed by a single-pipe inlet.
I've had one years, and would never revert to an Electric unit type again.
This is the sort of thing:
tinyurl.com/3m7glt
Billy
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Hi,
My office is in central Manchester and I'm trying to get a couple of TVs installed. Problem is that we're in a listed building and the legal costs to apply to get a dish or normal aerial installed on the outside are just insanely high. Landlord is less than helpful and we are obliged to go through his solicitor for the planning application for a dish.
Anyone got any bright ideas? We've tried an internal aerial but simply couldn't get a signal. Iguess we could get TV cards installed on the PCs but that's not an ideal option as we want the TV on with the news tickers on them.
Thanks
Edited by Nsar on 01/07/2008 at 10:37
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I guess we could get TV cards installed on the PCs but that's not an ideal option as ..... the TV on with the news tickers on them.>>
You'd still need a decent aerial signal, although you would still see the news tickers on BBC and Sky News if you could get a TV card working...:-)
I suppose there's no cable services available?
One other possible way is via broadband TV services - you can watch BBC News, for instance, on its website. However, it would take up valuable bandwidth from a capped monthly allowance.
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No cable I'm afraid and yes streaming TV would eat bandwidth with 15 people all wasting my money watching Jeremy Kyle.........
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I bought the Telecam TCE2000 portable aerial for £9.99 at Argos, as recommended in this review, for the other half's bedroom 15in Sony portable:
tinyurl.com/y8u6z5
It works remarkably well linked to a cheap Freeview set top box; could be worth trying one in your office in combination with a decent aerial booster.
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Cable would have been my suggestion but a no go. You'd have thought when Nynex sponsored the arena (then became C&W, then NTL then Virgin Media) that cable was in the city centre.
How high up is your office? I'd have thought tall buildings would block a signal.
You could try getting a proper loft aerial from Maplin to try and rule out signal problems. And then take it back for a refund. Using a small internal aerial we get poor reception at home even if pointed towards Winter Hill transmitter. Roof aerial poor too but we have cable TV so not an issue.
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Good Morning, I will keep this as brief as possible, although it is a big subject!
I don't sleep well, partly a function of age, and partly working some late evening shifts which means that I don't always get to bed as early as I would like.
I sometimes take Nytol (diphenylhydramine) but not too often as I believe that regular use might reduce its effectiveness. True or false?
I sometimes take herbal remedies based on valerian which are said to be effective, Boots Natrasleep and Valerina. They seem to help
I have tried Melatonon to no apparent effect.
There is speculation that consumption of sweetners and diet drinks containing aspartame can cause very serious side effects, the least of which is disturbed sleep. I gave up sugar 3 years ago and take the equivalent of 10 sweetner tablets a day. Some Government agencies (UK & USA) state that there is no PROVEN link to health problems linked to aspartame and other research says it is very dangerous.
Some people claim that an infusion of camomile is very effective but admit that it tastes lke the bottom of a hamster cage
Please can any BR members come up with comments on the above, hopefully based on their personal experiences rather than links to websites giving the pros and cons - I have read most of them and my brain hurts!
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"Some Government agencies (UK & USA) state that there is no PROVEN link to health problems linked to aspartame and other research says it is very dangerous."
Some people have PKK intolerence - a protein problem which means a vegan diet. For them aspartame can cause real problems.
Are your 10 sweetners in 10 drinks? If so this is quite a high caffeine intake and could be causing sleeping problems rather than the sweetner. Sucralose is an alternative artificial sweetener which does not contain aspartame. Try this with caffeine free hot drinks.
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Thanks DJP. One can of diet fizz and the rest in mugs of tea or coffee, none of them after 5pm!
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Try yoga and/or TM, plus give up coffee and tea, or change to decaf versions. ;-)
www.insomniacs.co.uk/ProductsThatAidSleep.html
I thought the pharma products you use are meant to be for the odd occasional night or two in a year.
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What does your doctor say?
Cocoa, brandy, whisky, claret (not necessarily in that order) and jasmine tea.
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Nytol is a drug and clearly for occasional use; I tend to think of herbal remedies as OK for regular use in the same way as I take vits and supplements regularly.
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I am pushing 70 AS and find I don't sleep as well as I used to. This is partly a matter of lifestyle, diet etc., but a major factor is that for one reason and another I take less physical exercise than I used to (or should in fact). Not all intellectual labour is as knackering as it ought to be.
Of course anything containing saturated fat will tend to make you sleepy. The reason people recommend cocoa, Horlicks etc. is that they are made with milk. But a bit of bread and butter will be just as effective. However if you have given up sugar for some weight-related reason I suppose you will want to avoid milk and butter. I avoid sleepers because I would be sure to get addicted to them as I tend to do with almost everything else I have ever tried and liked. There used to be a thing called Mandrax that worked very well, but people used to chuck it down in handfuls if they were that way inclined and I don't think you can get it any more.
If I could read in bed I would be very happy and fall asleep easier, but the light disturbs my wife so I can't. And the activity of washing and taking one's clothes off tends to revive one which is a bit annoying.
I believe steady, not-too-hard exercise is the answer, if you can find the time for it.
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>>I believe steady, not-too-hard exercise is the answer, <<
>>if you can find the time for it.<<
and it used to be followed by a ciggy just before closing ones eyes,- if i remember correctly! - anyway it always worked for me.
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That too billy, that too of course (I don't mean the cigarette either).
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I'm certain a couple of pints down the pub preceded it all ;>)
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I am generally a good sleeper, but find that any form of caffeine in the evening can casue me hours of wakefulness.
My recommendation would be a walk of at least 30 minutes followed by a pleasant warm shower or bath and then straight to bed with perhaps a 40 calorie hot chocolate drink (Cadburys do it) or even some Peppermint infusion (Sainsbury and Tetley do it quiet cheaply) whilst watching TV or reading a book.
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>>I am pushing 70
Crumbs I had no idea! If you'd done a bit of mimsing along the way you'd not have got there so quickly...
[google
mimsing -lilla
to see how many other places on the net you might find this verb...]
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A gentle walk after your evening meal, a warm bath with lavender oil, Lud's bread and butter or a banana or a milky drink, few drops of lavender oil on the pillow case and then sleep. Don't have too many bedcovers or too high a tog duvet as you need to be cooler to sleep well. Try not to read, watch tv etc in bed but maybe some gentle music and try to have a routine time for bed and to get up. Keep a water and banana by the bed as sometimes sleep eludes you during the night due to dehydration or hunger.
Above routine suggested by a 'sleep nurse' who, obviously, specializes in people who cannot sleep. The subject was young so she didn't make the other suggestion, even if not accompanied by 2 beers and a few fags!!
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Many thanks for the interesting input, especially for your very complete picture Lud. I was going to say "food for thought" but the drift seems to be "food for sleep"! Thank you all
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Record almost any F1 race.
Get into bed.
Start the tape.
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(... Watch F1 recording ...)
Hah! Very funny!
What about a bottle of Young's Special London Ale to go with that?
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the light disturbs my wife so I cant.
Had this problem and overcame with small led light from Lidl has straps like cradle to wear on your head - 3 illumination levels with good directionall beam. Can continue to read for as long a necessary whilst your wife snores gently beside you.
Sweet dreams of youth long gone for u Lud.
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Too soon to say if cutting out aspartame has done anything, that will take a few weeks, but I havehad 2 very acceptable night's sleep with the help of a herbal remedy based on Valerian. I will give it 3 months and report back.
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Something sweet and fatty just before bed (not the wife!) is meant to do the trick. Full-fat sweetened hot milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon does it for me. Joking aside, conjugal activities are certain to send you off to the land of Nod.
Edited by nick on 03/07/2008 at 08:59
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"If I could read in bed I would be very happy and fall asleep easier, but the light disturbs my wife so I can't. "
Feeble excuse. You need a new challenge every so often as do we all. Learn Braille.
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Camomile tea doesn't taste that bad, and if you like it sweet, it tastes a lot better for a drop of honey ;-)
Sad but true, there is an inverse relationship between booze consumption and quality/quantity of sleep
If you problems getting off to sleep, I find that listening to spoken word tapes / radio does it for me nearly every time, no matter how interested I am in the dialogue (I have the PC tuned to radio 7 and set to shut itself down at midnight !) I also have a few relaxation exercises I could point you if you are interested
Mike
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A friend has just come out of hospital following a minor operation. She has to go to her local GP every day to have her wound re-dressed. The GPs nurse gave her a prescription for the bandages (no medicine) needed to dress the wound. I never realised that we now had to pay for bandages. Is this common practise or is our GP just out to save himself some money?
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I very, very much doubt that our local surgery nurses would descend to such depths.
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Working in the NHS my best guess is that these may have been some special bandages. There are ones for burns with extract of seaweed in them, for instance. Normal gauze etc is free but specialist dressing may be chargeable. That said, where I work there a patient who has been every day for 2 years for a dressing change, GP during the week and our hospital at weekends. I hope they aren't paying for all the dressings they have had!
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The cost can reduced with a pre-payment certificate (PPC) if you need more than 14 items in a year or 4 items in 3 months. tinyurl.com/6qxdxl
Also financial help is available if you qualify. tinyurl.com/5w4lgk
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Bobby, Sorry to take so long to come back on this. Neighbour has searched all his sources and cannot find this car. He still thinks it is French in origin due to engine placement but thinks it must be a toymaker's take on a racecar - very popular in the '30's. Another item for the saleroom in Glasgow for an opinion I think!
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Can anyone recommend a site like this one but devoted to the above please?
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Try this one www.avforums.com/forums/index.php
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Many thanks for these two leads
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According to the official website, Poole in Dorset will not get digital TV till 2012. Yet a bloke who delivered my full HD digital TV today told me it could be obtained via an aerial pointed to the Isle of White. Has anyone tried this? If so, will my Freview-ready set be able to get Freeview? Will it get such HD as is availble?
(AV forum won't accept my login details it previously accepted.)
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Ask a local aerial specialist if using the Isle of Wight transmitter will work?
Re Freeview HD - you are confusing this digital service with the new BBC/ITV Freesat service. See:
www.freesat.co.uk/
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Ask a local aerial specialist if using the Isle of Wight transmitter will work? Re Freeview HD - you are confusing this digital service with the new BBC/ITV Freesat service.
Thank you but the same outfit that supplied the set will supply the aerial.
Will Freeview not supply HD later on?
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When/if digital broadcasts ever to high definition when the bandwidth is available then we'd all need set-top boxes that receive and process HD channels. Your HD ready TV's digital tuner will not accept HD digital channels. You'd need a set-top box or something.
But there is very little HD content for a while. Even Freesat HD currently only has 2 HD channels (BBC and ITV). And there's not much on them either.
People have been easily led to believe an HD Ready or Full (1080P) HD television will have better pictures by default. In John Lewis recently I saw some very expensive LCDs that were very poor with standard definition upscaling. Panasonic seemed the best. But scaling 625 vertical lines to 1080 and guessing the missing info is not easy.
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Panasonic has just launched three new sets, 42in, 46in and 50in, with a built-in BBC/ITV Freesat tuner as well as the Freeview and analogue versions - Freesat set top boxes are available, Humax brings out a Freesat PVR in September and, if you already have Sky, you can fit a second LNB for the service (still need a set top box or PVR).
I second rtj70's mention of Panasonic, it makes probably the best large screen TVs you can buy.
You really need a large screen set to see HD at its best.
Edited by Stuartli on 06/07/2008 at 00:30
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