48 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Smash the phone?😀

Then how would I browse FOC from the toilet? 

My wife has a cash ISA with our bank, and today got an email advising maturity was due soon, as is normal.

What I don't like (and all providers do the same) is that, unless you take action, your deposit is automatically transferred to the account offering the lowest possible rate of interest.

Naturally, we did take action so that bit of cash is now earning a reasonable rate (and out of Rachel's clutches) for a further 12 months.

 

Moving my heater moans over to this thread...

Tried to set the timer on it yesterday.  Even that turned out to be a major mission!  First job was to set the clock (hence doing it yesterday to coincide with clocks change).  The heater display only has 2 digits, which obviously makes programming awkward and time consuming.  It does have app connectivity, but the clock can't be set through the app, no idea why.  Clock setting was bizarre, first have to choose a day using numbers 1-7 instead of the standard lettering.  You could say that makes it easier for any language...but the symbol for day was a 'd'!  Followed by 'h' for the hour.  Then an 'n', which I had to assume meant ninute.  

Once the clock was set, I couldn't be a*sed trying to set the timer through the 2 digit display and assumed the app would be easier.  Wrong again! 😑  In order to set the timer in the app, you still have to select every hour of every day individually and use a slider to choose the thermostat temperature for that hour.  Can't do it in blocks.  Can't choose one temp to copy over several separate hours.  So that's up to 168 separate boxes that have to be adjusted individually. 😒 

For those that don't know, I've got vision issues that make focussing on small screens difficult, so couldn't set the whole 7 day timer in one go.  Just chose 4 hours for one day to see how that goes.  Then set the 'program' to timed on the heater and...the display stayed on.  Bright red display stays on 24/7 on timer mode.  It doesn't even show the temperature, just that it's on the timer mode!  Completely useless for a bedroom of course, but even in a bathroom it's too bright during lower light levels around dawn and dusk.  So not sure what to do with it currently, I've already covered the annoying LED 'on' lights with tape and card, but thought I could leave the display uncovered as it would only show when heating.  Either have to try and cover the whole display now, or just switch the heater on and off manually every day for the next 5 months.  

Honestly don't know who designs this *****!!  Presumably no-one that actually has to live with it in their property!  

fox runs in to side of car full wack and wrecks front bumper, light unit bracket, fog light on the wifes car. 

grrr

I don't like the outdated tradition of the biannual changing of the clocks! Just leave them on GMT and be done with it!

 

 

I don't mind the clocks changing, when I was playing Rugby we did not have Floodlights but when the clocks changed in spring there was enough light to play evening games. 

2 hours ago, Turvey said:

Just leave them on GMT and be done with it!

There is a road safety argument that we should stay in BST, as in GMT, schools finish in the dark more often than if they were in BST.  Perhaps we should stay in BST?

Was bright at 7am today, but dark by 4pm.  I'm not sure what we gain by going back to GMT.  

I really hate these long dark nights myself.  The clocks change puts additional strain on my health conditions as well.

In mid winter this far north it's very dark when the children are going to school in the mornings, just a bit dark at school finishing time.

Some of us are old enough to remember the "experiment" that was tried in the late 1960's of not changing the clocks. 🙁

It was pitch black walking to school (age 7), the local council was so concerned that they made all children wear reflective sashes to lessen the chance of them being hit by a car when crossing the road.

With the war over, Britain returned to British Summer Time except for an experiment between 1968 and 1971 when the clocks went forward but were not put back. The experiment was discontinued as it was found impossible to assess the advantages and disadvantages of British Summer Time.

Second heater test hasn't been a success.  Left it on all day yesterday, but turned the thermostat down by 2 degrees.  Hoping for the 'lower and longer' effect.  That didn't happen.  The room felt cold all day.  Yet the heater used more electricity than it had done on any day previously. 🤔  So it looks like the start stop approach is going to be cheaper and warmer than the all day approach.  Means I'll have to cover the ridiculously bright display and set the 7 day timer.  Although I now believe it'll probably need 6 hours rather than the 4 I was initially expecting.

12 hours ago, unofix said:

Some of us are old enough to remember the "experiment" that was tried in the late 1960's of not changing the clocks. 🙁

It was pitch black walking to school (age 7), the local council was so concerned that they made all children wear reflective sashes to lessen the chance of them being hit by a car when crossing the road.

With the war over, Britain returned to British Summer Time except for an experiment between 1968 and 1971 when the clocks went forward but were not put back. The experiment was discontinued as it was found impossible to assess the advantages and disadvantages of British Summer Time.

Couldn't they just move the start of the school day an hour later during the darkest months?

14 hours ago, unofix said:

Some of us are old enough to remember the "experiment" that was tried in the late 1960's of not changing the clocks. 🙁

That covered my years in the 6th form and first year of work. I can't say I noticed any problem as I had to set off early anyway, so it was dark going to school/work whatever they did with the odd hour.

My Dad had to start work early and always seemed to be working overtime to make ends meet, so he rarely saw daylight in winter except on weekends (even then he usually worked Saturday morning). Same story for my coal miner grandfathers.

17 hours ago, Tizer said:

In mid winter this far north it's very dark when the children are going to school in the mornings, just a bit dark at school finishing time.

I'll see your 'far north ' and raise you! 🤣

In the middle of December we only get just over 6 hours of 'daylight' each day. So kids are going to and from school in the dark anyway! 🤷

 

 

3 hours ago, Turvey said:

I'll see your 'far north ' and raise you! 🤣

I know, some Londoners think Luton is up north😀

I think that children walking to school in the dark is more dangerous in a large overcrowded city like where I live is more dangerous than some not so busy places, especially given the amount of commuter traffic around in the mornings.

More dead batteries!

But not on a car this time...  Cordless phone batteries died when I lifted the phone from the cradle to change the clock on Saturday.  Even back on the cradle it wouldn't hold enough power to change the clock so just unplugged it for now.  But really missing the clock display as I check that more than I thought!  So any suggestions on a reliable brand for cordless phone batteries?  They're AAA 750mah.  

Only replaced them 18 months ago.  At the time it was suggested the phone needs to be drained fully now and then.  Well, it's been drained several times this summer due to electric off and works access, so that doesn't seem to have helped here!

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

More dead batteries!

But not on a car this time...  Cordless phone batteries died when I lifted the phone from the cradle to change the clock on Saturday.  Even back on the cradle it wouldn't hold enough power to change the clock so just unplugged it for now.  But really missing the clock display as I check that more than I thought!  So any suggestions on a reliable brand for cordless phone batteries?  They're AAA 750mah.  

Only replaced them 18 months ago.  At the time it was suggested the phone needs to be drained fully now and then.  Well, it's been drained several times this summer due to electric off and works access, so that doesn't seem to have helped here!

I don't  think many people are using Landlines now, no doubt you and others have a reason to do so.

The last time I bought Rechargable Batteries it was for my portable radio and I bought a well known north of England Supermarket chains own brand ones and the biggest capacity that they sold and they work fine and last ages compared to the branded ones that came with my Charger, which are a smaller capacity though.

2 minutes ago, Tizer said:

I don't  think many people are using Landlines now, no doubt you and others have a reason to do so.

I never use the landline.  But a landline connection is required by my tenancy agreement.  

Tbh I would just have left it unplugged until the next inspection, but I am missing the clock display now, and it's cheaper and easier to just replace the batteries than to get another clock for that area.

Why is there no Diesel ??? 🤔

There seems to be a massive shortage of diesel in the North East of England. Is this just a local problem or is the shortage across the whole country ?

5 garages near me have had no diesel for 4 days now, and the one I did find some at today said it had been a week since there had been a delivery and they expected to run out in the next couple of hours 🙁

5 minutes ago, unofix said:

Why is there no Diesel ??? 🤔

I've noted that occasionally recently. Local Tesco have been out of E5 petrol quite a few times lately, also.

We do now have a shortage of refining capacity in the UK.

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Britains-Golden-Refining-Era-Ends.html

Imagine if you could just plug a car in at home. 🤭

9 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

We do now have a shortage of refining capacity in the UK.

I'd best rush out and buy an EV, no wait I'd best not. I don't want to be responsible for causing global warming 🤣

8 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Imagine if you could just plug a car in at home. 🤭

 

Yeah if only.

Our 3 haven't caught fire. Maybe on 5th nov they will spontaneous combust. 

 

46 minutes ago, unofix said:

Why is there no Diesel ??? 🤔

There seems to be a massive shortage of diesel in the North East of England. Is this just a local problem or is the shortage across the whole country ?

5 garages near me have had no diesel for 4 days now, and the one I did find some at today said it had been a week since there had been a delivery and they expected to run out in the next couple of hours 🙁

 

"Waiting is something you will have to get very used to with an EV. 🙁" 

Now who said that? 😂😂

Your turn. 😂😂

Panic buying going on. Next will be toilet rolls. 

 

I don't like my childish sense of humour seeing filthy connetations in innocent labeling! 😀

 

 

Insert Beavis and Butthead laugh!!!