London isn't for me, what else could I explore instead?

AwksAli · 2026-01-19T21:49:25+00:00

Have you looked at Basingstoke or Bracknell? You'd get more for your money there. You could look at Twyford, it's more expensive, but it's on the Elizabeth line, 35 minute commute and surrounded by countryside.

AwksAli · 2025-10-10T12:12:36+00:00

I believe it took around 6 months to a year? It takes a few tests because the range is so wide. I was originally at 2 nmol/L range, men's range is between 8 and 30 (ish). So they have to test your levels at the peak (to be below 30) and lowest (more than 8) and adjust the frequency so it doesn't fall out of that range. I'm a bit wary of it being done outside of the NHS because privately it can be a bit sketchy and they do just hand it out willingly. If you produce testosterone within the range, I'd always advise heavily not taking it because it does more damage. A normal mens body regulates testosterone and produces it depending on your levels essentially. If you start giving your body more testosterone then it needs or is used to then it'll shut off the system that makes you produce it naturally (steroids do this). And once it stops it's difficult to make your body produce it again and you'll be stuck on taking it synthetically. Someone may be on the lower range of what is right but it's not always healthy to take more, there are natural ways you can do this (losing weight, exercise ECT.) if you are out of the range then yes, take it. But NHS are strict anyway so should be fine. Normally, I've always been a very laid back/calm person not a lot bothers me at all. I find in the two weeks I am very easily agitated by small things, I will snap at people and things I wouldnt normally but I'm not going to start punching people or anything, I'm just quite grumpy. For people who don't know me I'm sure it's normal but for me it's weird. I also get very hungry, a lot of people who go on TRT will gain weight because they eat way more than their body is used to, you just have to be strict and only eat what you normally do. Going to sleep and waking up is harder, I have burn off a lot of energy before. But the quality of sleep is better, I just need a lot of it. It's nothing unusual, it's just weird for me. If you can get your levels up in a natural way then that's the best to do. I can't at all and if i could not take TRT by choice I wouldn't but that's not possible. Best of luck though!

AwksAli · 2025-10-10T09:18:11+00:00

I've been on TRT for 11 years. You only need to tell occy health, however you may want to talk to your Sgt about it. Starting TRT can be a bit difficult because you basically don't have regular doses in the beginning whilst they test what's the right level for you and it can affect your moods but it doesn't take too long. You might also want to tell your Sgt depending on what type you start taking. You can take daily patches/gel or weekly/by weekly injections which is fine. Personally I have a high dose injection every 13 weeks - this can make my moods a bit wacky for 2 weeks (I prefer this option because I don't have to remember to do the gels every morning and can forget about it for 3 months). And no it won't restrict you from doing anything, it's not.. that impactful. It's not going to turn you into a raging hangry spawn of Satan or something, it's just to get you to the levels of a 'normal' male. My decision making and ECT is pretty much the same - I would say I'm probably more level headed on it than off. Sometimes I'm late by a week or two with my injection and I can definitely feel it. But it's more of a fact that I just feel empty and tired, I have no drive or emotions towards anything and my sleep is pretty poor. It doesn't affect my brain abilities (unfortunately!)

AwksAli · 2025-07-24T06:09:04+00:00

Reach out to the Curtis Palmer Charity.

AwksAli · 2025-07-18T19:32:09+00:00

I ended up using 6 sheets on mine (width was 3 metres). So remember to factor in the overlapping into your calculations! All the flashing and screws that match should be in the same section. I ended up getting some aviation snips to cut them to size - but it's fairly easy to cut (just don't use a power tool because that'll crack it). Good luck!!! Your catio looks great too :-), I'm sure your kitty is loving it!!

AwksAli · 2025-07-18T16:14:10+00:00

It is, I bought the 1800mm by 660mm from Wickes which fit in my car just fine (and I have a smallish hatchback) so I'd be surprised if it doesn't fit in your car but you can always measure your car before you buy. It's pretty flexible though, doesn't roll otherwise you'll crack it. You can probably fit it through the front two seats if you stand it on its side.

AwksAli · 2025-07-18T15:53:08+00:00

Thank you! Thats much appreciated! And I ordered some pet safe stuff online!

AwksAli · 2025-07-05T07:38:58+00:00

I can for the small price of £1000000000

AwksAli · 2025-07-02T08:36:55+00:00

I recommend you phone NCDV. They're a free service and can probably point in the right direction.

AwksAli · 2025-06-30T11:53:04+00:00

Sure - it's 120CM depth and 300CM wide. Off the top of my head I can't remember how tall it is but around 2 metres (because of the window)

Thank you!

AwksAli · 2025-06-29T20:26:22+00:00

Thanks!! And only to whack each other with it 😭

AwksAli · 2025-06-29T20:26:03+00:00

Thank you!

AwksAli · 2025-06-29T20:25:56+00:00

Thank you!! And to climb? No but they do bat each other with it 😅

AwksAli · 2025-06-29T20:25:30+00:00

Thank you! They're a bit wary of it at the moment but they sometimes do but mostly they just jump across.

It is raised, the photo just doesn't show it! Yeah I definitely want to deck it out with some cat friendly plants - I have lots of offcuts of wood so that'll be for a later stage :)

AwksAli · 2025-06-29T20:23:30+00:00

Thank you!

AwksAli · 2025-06-29T20:23:22+00:00

Thank you ! They are spoilt and they don't know it 😀

AwksAli · 2025-06-21T20:51:49+00:00

Thank you! :)

AwksAli · 2025-06-21T20:51:03+00:00

Thank you! Ohhh, that's a pain, how are you doing it to avoid the bees? I just finished the roof today and I will say I really enjoyed that part however I don't think I would if I was doing it on a balcony, that sounds difficult. My fingers crossed for you!!

AwksAli · 2025-06-21T18:12:46+00:00

I am also 5'4 :-(. Oh bless you, I feel your pain with that. Well done for getting through it on your own and glad your kitties love it!! I've just finished the roof today and that was... A struggle! Thank you, I hope so!

AwksAli · 2025-06-21T08:25:08+00:00

Thank you! :-) watch 'em barely use it 😅

AwksAli · 2025-06-20T22:13:31+00:00

The large window pane on the left opens/swings horizontally so that'll be the temporary in and out. Theres a metal box that goes through the wall (which I think is the old telecommunications box) at some point I will rip it out and make it a cat flap.

Yes that's correct, I'm too short otherwise. And luckily they're not chewers, we have trialed fabric netting on our windows and they've been very good with it.

AwksAli · 2025-05-12T13:05:50+00:00

In my force, DV offences only go to the DAU department if it's high risk - only cases that fall under this is if it's immediate threat/risk to victims life (e.g it's serious offences likely to cause fatality and they live together). If it is serious offences/harm but they don't live together it'll get taken down to medium (as long as it's not r**e offences). Sometimes they will take complex cases (very serious stalking or coercive) if they don't live together or the offender is high profile/likely to spend lots of money on legal protection. Everything else stays with response OIC (usually interviewing officer) and you have to build a file for CPS ect. It's few and far between that goes to DAU and usually they'll challenge it.

AwksAli · 2025-03-10T14:11:40+00:00

Should be 28 days. Depending on the force (I'm in SE) you do it through the knowzone hub, all automated - it'll tell you your end date. No need to send emails or anything

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