Fish n Chips 56

John.

I love to hear about your little walks that usually finish up with a pub lunch or at least a drink, I'm not much of a drinker still the pub and its social side really is something I still miss after all these years...

I'm very much a car person and would find it difficult to give up 4 wheels, but lately I really fancy a country walk or bike ride, I really think I would make it a regular part of my life in the UK...

Love the Bluebells too, we have some in our garden.

Thanks for posting.

J.JsOH

Glad it cheers you Fish. It does me the world of good to have these little adventures.

No, I'm not much of a drinker either, I do enjoy proper british ale, 2 pints usually, 3 sometimes, and usually only twice a week on our eat-out lunches. Nor do I go for the the loud groups of boozers and buying rounds. There are couple of my local pubs where I know I can get a one-to-one chat at the bar if I need to.

Yesterday, it was entertaining being a people watcher in the pub. These were proper original Norfolk country folks and very entertaining to peep into their lives. (where I live the Norfolk folk are hidden by the incomers from both ends of London.)

The ready availability of buses near us makes it easy to leave the car at home. Planning the walks around bus times and pubs makes for satisfying trips, like a little project - I'm an organizer at heart.

There seems to be profusion of wild flowers this season. The dandelions are showing well on the roadsides.

J.JsOH

There is no match for a walk in the UK countryside, walk in the US yes but not like these. The woods yesterday are reputed to be the origin (one of many places) of Babes in the Wood story.

Public transport can take about 50%-100% longer than driving, door to door. Locally not a problem, not so bad by train to city centers and airports, but we drive if we go see friends in another part of country where train - bus connections would really make for long days traveling.

J.JsOH

Today's fun.

Post Office Online saver account.
I have one of these, just a savings account operated solely online. So today I wanted to take my ££'s out, right, just click on the link to transfer to another bank account. Yeah, right, Error, "sorry this operation cannot be completed" A few more tries, gave up called Help line. After 10 mins on hold a premium priced phone number the response was "oh, must be a computer glich, I'll put a work notice into IT. But I want my money!!. Oh Ok, I will do that here and it will be actioned in a few days." Oh, OK, I guess I didn't really want to use the instant benefits of online banking after all. Unrealistic expectation on my part I suppose.

Hozelock pressure washer.
Bought it last year, worked OK a couple times when I needed it. Went to use it today, dead!!. After 3 premium price phone calls to help centre (3 got through, 6 others I waited 5 mins for someone to pick up) After a few silly simple suggestions and four hours of water on/off, power on/off, letting water run, holding my tongue out to left instead of right, came an offer that if I can get it to their site 100 miles away then they would check it for £40 and I then only have to pay for it be shipped back. Of course, the warranty is 2 weeks out of date.
Conclusion, it's a piece of rubbish. I will strip it down, see if I can find anything fixable and if not then into the bin it goes and Hozelock products won't be in this house ever again. (Oh can't put it in bin, has to be taken to Recycling Centre) Unrealistic expectations on my part I suppose.

J.JsOH

Update;
Ha, although the power washer was designed not to be disassembled I made a tool to get the screws out, inside I found an electro/pressure switch with the actuator pin seized in extended position, a firm push and it was back in, cover screwed back on and the thing is back up and working . 30 minutes in all. Would have cost me £40 +p&p for 10 mins work on their part since they would have right tools and know what to look for. So now I can celebrate having a free machine since if I hadn't looked inside I would have junked it and was facing £100 for a new one.

Perth

Have you thought about being the neighbourhood handy man? Would keep you busy and looks like you could make a good few quid

Fish n Chips 56

Brilliant !!!

jasper123

John thats fantastic, great Job done, I'm a little curious on how you made the tool to get the screws out, perthhomeschool's Idea of the handy man sounds a good idea, it looks like your good at fixing things, it would be a good little hobby for you.

islandwoman120

Do you know about this website where you can look up alternatives to the premium numbers? Often the owner has a regular number that can be used, no fee involved: http://www.saynoto0870.com/

J.JsOH

The screws are recessed deeper than my long screwdriver, well all except one where I could see the head slots are not a standard slot or cross. I happened to have a steel rod with enough length and I filed a tip onto it that fitted the screw head, then with grips on the rod I was able to get them all out.

Good thought, I would take on employment as a handyman but am leery of doing it as self-employed :concerned about being licensed and insured, knowledge of all equipment.
I fix stuff by discovery and intuition, rather than by product knowledge, I'm probably better and more conscientious than all the other handymen I see advertising (especially some of those I used) but my conscientiousness restrains me from fooling about with other peoples stuff and potentially not having an answer or even worse, breaking the thing beyond hope of repair.
Sure, I would help a neighbour but only on friendly basis so they don't sue me if I ruin the thing.
One neighbour recently was making comments about needing decorating done, but I'm currently off decorating, used to be and still am good, too particular though, takes a long time, and had enough of it doing out the whole of our US house for sale (worked though, had sale contract within 24 hours).
Re: any kind of work (other than around my own house) I am really liking being retired and being free of work commitments.

Anyway, my new hobby is curiosity for learning the violin - although I can only do that when wife and cat are out the house !! So far, I am a better handyman than violinist but if you don't try then you never know, right?

J.JsOH

Thanks, yes, it is often a good source but there were no alternatives to the help(?) desk I had to call.

Perth

Good on you learning the violin. Music will be soothing to you in your times of frustration. Maybe the cats will sing along

We may be headed to Norfolk after all for a look around when we do actually get that planned OH has found a concertina folk club (or some such) and I have been looking at photos of the Broads. I may have found heaven

islandwoman120

Have a new website for cheaper calls worldwide, including numbers in the UK - landline and mobile, plus - and this is a biggie - cheaper usage of the 0845 premium numbers: http://www.discountdial.co.uk/index2.php

I used it today to call an 0845 number - it cost me 4p per minute instead of 10p. Cheaper times too, but they are on weekends or at earlier times as per their blurb:

* BT charges to 0845 local rate:
Local rate: Sa-Su: 1p per minute
Mo-Fr 6pm/8am: 1p per minute
Mo-Fr 8am/6pm: 3.95p per minute

trottytrue

Jasper123....My mouth was watering when you described the pork bap....I was walking around with you. The Strawberries nothing like them. They were always so sweet and juicy and with a dollop of cream on top

I cannot believe its been two and a half years since your return. Its seems only like yesterday. You stuck it out and perceviered and got through the little patches of uncerntainty and look at you now. Well and truly established and no going back. A true winner Give your Mum my best wishes. That is the icing on top of the cake having all this time with her. Those are memories to keep.

I agree about the money those who dont have alot of years to save up just pack up and make the best of it and think small dont try and compare to what you had. But if you are planning ahead then start saving and getting ready. Its comes faster than you think.

trottytrue

Aries..How are you feeling. I forget if you left family back in Oz. I think if your health improved things would get better for you. My best wishes to you, I would exchange with you even with all the rain you get. Just to do those little things that so many of you take for granted. The buses the places to visit I do hope you are soon able to do more. Health is such a bummer at times. Without health things can be so difficult. I understand that. Bless you and keep trying......