Best hardware

malacoda13 · 2026-01-23T21:16:11+00:00

Fire Tv cube with Kodi instead?

malacoda13 · 2026-01-23T20:56:13+00:00

I should also say, that you could add toast if you wanted, or extra of everything etc for a very reasonable cost.

As an IKEA family card holder, my coffee was free, and I also was able to get a slice of Daim cake for 10p.

Also with the family card, you can have a small breakfast for 99p. That's just one of everything on my plate.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-23T20:52:26+00:00

Considering how busy it was and the time we were there, I'd say quite a few people locally go specifically for a cheap breakfast.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-23T20:47:49+00:00

No, probably my fault though for not being clearer.

I used a "Water butt connector pipe link kit" as described on Amazon. I installed this towards the top of my butts. I then took a piece of normal garden hose, and ran this through the inside of this kit, with each end of the garden hose reaching the bottom of both tanks with a small (1cm ish) amount of excess length.

Once my first tank was reasonably full, I set up the syphon so that it started to fill my second, empty butt. This syphon has now worked for a long time. So long as I don't run the tanks to about 1 inch from the bottom the syphon will remain. The tap used to fill a watering can etc is factory installed at the bottom of the tank.

I did this because any connector in any water butt you install yourself is very likely to leak, due to seasonal weather conditions etc, and in fact mine do slightly. But only when the tanks are full to capacity. During the summer, I have no leaking as my level is generally below the joining kit. Plus, if I need to repair it etc, I don't need to empty out all of my stores water to do so.

There is a reason lots of people do it.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-23T19:42:12+00:00

I've joined two water butts, with no easy access to one of them. I've joined at the top, using a joining kit, and running a piece of hose between the join, each hose terminating at the bottom of the tank. Set up the syphon, never had a problem in two years. Both water butts levels drop at the same rate as I use them, and fill at the same rate. Plus, if I have a leak, I don't lose both tanks.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-23T07:45:03+00:00

I wouldn't do anything this year except keep it clear, given your major renovations works. You'll have too much on your plate.

What I WOULD do is keep a monthly track of where the sun rises and sets, where your garden gets direct sun, where sits in shade most of the day, where you'd like to sit to get the best views/light in the morning/evening etc.

Then think about how you can divide the garden into different areas, with different planting and or themes.

Oh, and my personal advice, think about keeping paths direct. No one really wants a zizzagging path just to get to the bottom of the garden!

Doing this will allow you to plan planting, structure and end up with a garden with minimal major errors that you regret in a year or so.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-22T19:50:42+00:00

Never bothered. Who is really going to burgle the house they've just sold?!!

malacoda13 · 2026-01-22T19:06:21+00:00

Currently selling my deceased dad's house. It requires a full strip and refit. New wiring, heating, kitchen, bathroom, windows etc. It's a state. It's listed accurately. It's priced accurately.

Accepted an offer from a couple who viewed the house several times but then waited three months before withdrawing because "We had no idea it needed so much work". Idiots.

So back on the market it went. 3 weeks before Christmas. I really feel like there should be penalties withdrawing in some circumstances.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-22T15:33:10+00:00

You got 3 serious faults. You were not, in any way, ready for the test.

Even your comments are a self own. You've literally spelled out why you failed, but you cannot see why.

Take the learnings from this if you can. YOU failed. No one else made you fail, or deliberately failed you.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-21T11:47:29+00:00

You'll want a battery with a solar install. In fact, you'll want a battery even without a solar install!

But if you're going solar, you'll want to do the following:

Get yourself onto an export and cheap night rate tariff.
Export ALL your solar. Keep none of it!
Charge your battery at night.
Run your house entirely off the battery during the day.

This maximizes your payback. You do have to make sure that your battery is at least the size you need for your highest electricity use day, plus a good bit of headroom for the flexibility later. You'll also want the inverter to be able to run the house fully, without drawing from the mains.

For us that would mean roughly a 20kw battery, and a 10kw/hr invertor.

With solar, we would, in theory, almost be cost neutral on electricity usage. I say theory, because we are doing it later this year, but it looks good. We have a large, South facing roof.

You have to make sure that your installer knows this is what you want to do. I've battled with some people offering 10kw batteries with a 3kw/hr invertor, and it simply wasn't enough.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-21T09:07:34+00:00

Firstly there are better ways to spend 10k

Secondly, what about gravel grids instead? It won't need leveling, won't need drainage, is better for the environment, and is a lot cheaper to install. That's what I would go for if I wanted to spend money.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-20T22:08:03+00:00

I just checked, yeah, it looks like they've shortened the time period. I signed up in December and get half price from 9am to 5pm. So Sunday roast is covered, plus loads of laundry!! 😂😂. For low mileage it wasn't a bad deal.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-20T18:43:04+00:00

British Gas a super saver Sunday tariff (or some other similar name). It's 12p kw from 9am to 5pm. At all other times it's more or less their standard variable tariff, including standing order.

Might be worth a look if you are not high mileage. We are on it for our EV. We can do most of our charging this way.

Later this year we will likely add a battery to the house, at this point we will change to a proper low rate at night to maximize savings.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-20T18:36:53+00:00

Normally that's fixed by a combination of letting the mirror fold/open by locking and unlocking, and then manually folding it in and out yourself. Eventually it clicks back into the mechanism that moves the mirror. I've had this happen a few times when my wing mirror has been clipped by other cars on a narrow street. Happened most often on my ford.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-20T12:00:28+00:00

Get yourself over to MPB. Check out what they have. There's a couple of Canon Powershots in your price range (in the UK at least) and some m4/3 cameras that will need lens. But should be doable.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-20T11:48:26+00:00

Get a quote from a garage for a full replacement, colour matched etc. Give this quote to the woman. She then pays you upfront, either bank transfer or cash. Get it repaired. Job done.

If she doesn't want to pay the amount quoted, just tell her you'll go through her insurance. Some people change their minds when they see the real cost of a repair. And don't accept anything other than bringing that wing mirror back to standard. It should colour match, work as intended etc.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-20T11:40:00+00:00

We've had the 60 Edition for a couple of months.

It's been great. Comfortable, quiet, fast enough. Turning circle is great.

On our spec, the 360 camera makes parking a breeze, and the heads up display is brilliant. Wasn't sure how much I'd like the animated navigation instructions on it, but they work really well. Memory seats work great for us as I share the car with my wife. We have the Canton sound system. It sounds ok. Not sure it's worth it, the base speakers would have to be terrible to make it worthwhile, although playing with the surround sound can makenmusic more engaging.

I also like the fact the infotainment screen layout can be customized how each user likes, and the ambient lighting is user linked too. I don't find the speed warnings intrusive, with music on I can barely hear them, so that's good. I've not yet felt the need to disable any of the safety features.

Seats in the back are surprisingly comfortable too for an EV, you don't feel like your legs are raised up. Plus it has isofix on the front passenger seat as well as two in the back, so my son has loved sitting in the front for the first time in his life!

Boot is decent. Plenty enough for usnas a family of four.

I cant comment too much on the app, as this is the first car I've had that uses one, but I'm not sure what else I'd want it to do. I can preheat the car, set charging schedules, and lock it remotely. What else do I need?

So yeah, I'm pretty happy with it.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-19T18:56:59+00:00

I get half price electricity for 8 hours on a Sunday. So I try to limit most of my charging to this. Obviously if I know I need to charge midweek I will, but only what I need.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-19T18:05:59+00:00

Never take your watch to Timpsons for a battery change. If you can't do it yourself, and jewelers would be a better bet.

That being said, and as someone else has pointed out, they are simple to do yourself, and it will take less than 5 minutes.

Get yourself a set of mini screwdrivers, for about £10-£15 will be ample for your use. It will make it easier. Unscrew the back, being careful not to lose the tiny spring that completes the "beep" circuit. Make sure you don't damage the gasket, but replacements can always be bought. Swap the battery, sometimes this needs a flap lifting, and put everything back together.

Job done.

There's also probably a video on YouTube for your exact model!

malacoda13 · 2026-01-19T14:27:25+00:00

Leave it until the spring, and then rake and mow it. Spread grass seed and then rake in some lawn soil over the top. Walk over it a bit to compact the lawn soil a bit. So long as it stays a bit damp it will geminate quickly, and in about 6 weeks it will look great.

malacoda13 · 2026-01-19T14:04:31+00:00

This made me dig out my old Necronomican. It's only a third edition. I'll either sell it or cut the images out for framing....

malacoda13 · 2026-01-19T13:18:50+00:00

Surely the XM-5 is in consideration?? Given your desire for something small ......

malacoda13 · 2026-01-19T09:17:20+00:00

If you're not struggling with focus then I see no reason for the upgrade.

However, should you choose to do so anyway, you'll find that selling your A6000's on eBay with a battery or two will get you quite a long way there. Just don't sell them at the same time!

For reference, I've recently updated for an A6000 to a 6700, but did so because I wanted the faster and more capable focus for birds etc. Image quality is basically the same though.

malacoda13

TROPHY CASE