Today I shall be Mainly...

[Moh]

Definitely welcome back John - look forward to some of your input.

[Stanley]

John. lovely..... As David says, raises the tone a bit. I think you ought to let me start a new topic and let me kick it off with some questions. I know you don't want to go public about all the new research but I think we ought to start a discussion about ancient settlement to raise awareness that there is something there that will benefit from having more attention paid to it. It will then be up to you how far you want to take people.

[Marilyn]

Searching the grey cells...did you have a different name back on n the mists of time?
( we're you BJ?)
It's all right for you folk that know things and can possibly put a face to a name, but for us out in the colonies it is a bit harder...

Today I spent trying to sort out my washing machine...which is 15 months old and has a 2 year warranty (phew!)...and was doing bizarre things today. I rang the store that I bought it from twice, but could only get their overnight answering message that I was ringing out of hours and should ring back during proper hours ( some klutz had obviously forgotten their morning job of switching the phone on!).
Not to be deterred, I put the n a personal appearance and gave all my details and problems ( as well as telling them they forgot to turn their phone back to shop). I was given a customer care number to ring. They took my details and problems and said a man would ring within 24 hours...though they pointed out that, as it was Friday, it may take longer.
At this rate, we may be turning our undies inside out by Christmas!

[Stanley]

Good luck with the skid marks Maz.... John was always known as Barrowford John.

[Marilyn]

Ah...that is what I thought..BJ...Barrowford John...brain didn't fail me...

Wonder how Julie's train trip went and if the Bacon Sarnies travelled well.

[John C Layton]

Thanks for comments everyone - I had to rejoin as I fear Stanley may get a bit violent otherwise.

Stanley - the new topic on Barlick district early settlement etc. is a good idea: bring it on.

[Wendyf]

He was threatening to send me to break your windows! So pleased it didn't come to that......

[Julie in Norfolk]

York by steam was brilliant. A right good day out with the Duchess. Mind you, she had to keep stopping to take on water, much like some people and beer. Bacon butties traveled well, the benefits of thick sliced bacon cannot be overstated. Photographs to follow when I have remembered how to upload them, also struggling with Microsoft 10 vagaries.

[Whyperion]

The water stops also allow the 100mph/125mph EC trains to get past too.

[Stanley]

Glad you enjoyed it Julie. I still have very fond memories of the trip on the Fellsman.... Must do it again next year!
Will put a new topic up John.....

[Stanley]

Getting in the shed but I am under pressure to write for the BET. I may have to stay out of bed this afternoon!

[Sue]

Having had the first part of the revitalisation of our house completed, today I may get some sewing on my jacket done today. Bob has nearly finished the work on the folding doors separating the lounge and dining room, and we have had the centeral heating boiler changed and the radiators upgraded. Now comes the wall paper stripping and the dismantling of the brick chimney breast. Not much more will be done before Christmas.

[Marilyn]

I do hope the Washing Machine repair man phones to make an appointment tomorrow. I shall be ringing them again by lunchtime if I haven't heard from him.
Did a small load of essentials the 18th century way today ( hand wash)... But I have no intention of doing towels and sheets the same way! We should be right until about Wednesday, but I could be a young Mum with half a dozen kiddies and a hubby with a dirty job...and so far I don't think much of their "customer care".

[Stanley]

Sounds like my version of hell Sue....
Maz, we never miss the water 'til the well runs dry. Commiserations.... Mind you, your predicament reinforces my attitude these days towards white goods despite my hatred in general of the 'throw away society'. If they give trouble after a reasonable life, bite the bullet, ditch them and replace with new. The delays you are experiencing are all designed to wear you down and buy new. If you ordered a new one they would be with you like a winged arrow!!

[Marilyn]

It is rather new, Stanley! 15 months old and still under 2 year warranty!

We actually gave our Washing Machine away when we moved ( and Dryer) as there was a Washer and Dryer in our new house. That Washer blew up (!) about a month after we moved in, so we bought new.

They are coming Friday, though they say that if it needs a new "board" we shouldn't hold our breath about it being fixed prior to Christmas, oh, and they are closed between Christmas and New Year. Just brilliant...
One could describe me as "peeved".

[Sue]

Not good. Ask for a new one, an inappropriate wait for a new washing machine.

[PanBiker]

Not because of failure but today I will mainly be waiting for delivery of our new washing machine. When Jack moved back with us he brought his virtually new machine with him. Our existing one at the time was on it's last legs (8 years I think) so we have been using his. The one we have bought has a full 5 year warranty as standard, lets hope we don't need it.

[chinatyke]

It is rather new, Stanley! 15 months old and still under 2 year warranty!

We actually gave our Washing Machine away when we moved ( and Dryer) as there was a Washer and Dryer in our new house. That Washer blew up (!) about a month after we moved in, so we bought new.

They are coming Friday, though they say that if it needs a new "board" we shouldn't hold our breath about it being fixed prior to Christmas, oh, and they are closed between Christmas and New Year. Just brilliant...
One could describe me as "peeved".

Just to wind you up Maz: our Sanyo front loader automatic washing machine developed a fault last week and my wife called the service centre. After giving them the serial number and date of purchase she was informed that the machine carried a 1 year "total guarantee" and 3 years free replacement of defective parts guarantee and their local engineer would contact us within 1 hour. He called as promised and arrived within 2 hours of our initial phone call. After checking our sales receipt - the machine was purchased in May 2013 - he went to work.
He said it was a faulty automatic valve and it was quickly replaced free of any charge. I would stress that this is normal for repair service and not something out of the ordinary, some things in China are great.

[Marilyn]

You have made me feel very deprived now, China.
If this carries on past Christmas, I shall certainly complain to someone...( I am not a demanding sort and don't mind things taking a reasonable time frame...but if it gets ridiculous, I shall have my say).
And of course, there will be no return business from me to that particular store or brand. Mercedes Benz discovered that when I returned a car and got a full refund a few years ago. I went "to the top" because I was sick of dealing with the twits who were obstructing things at the front line.

[Stanley]

That's too soon for a failure Maz. Send a written letter today to the top person saying that if they don't deliver a NEW MACHINE IMMEDIATELY TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE WHICH WAS NOT OF MARKETABLE QUALITY you will take steps that will astound them. It'll take you five minutes and will get their attention! (Bugger caps lock)

[Julie in Norfolk]

Christmas is a nightmare in the Smith household for white goods. Last year was a cooker bought at haste and delivered Christmas eve at 20.30 (they were stuck in a traffic jam after an accident). The first meal cooked in the new oven therefore was Christmas dinner. All went well thank goodness. We have also had to purchase fridges, washing machines (2), tumble driers and kettles galore due to Christmas white goods catastrophes. Quietly awaiting this year's breakdown....

[Sue]

Exactly Stanley. That is what we would do

[PanBiker]

Sorry Maz, we had our new washer delivered yesterday afternoon. Warranty is actually better than I thought, it has 10 years on the direct drive motor and 5 years on all the other parts. All our appliances are stainless steel,silver or graphite and this one is no exception. Stainless steel and chrome, it would not look out of place on the engineering deck of the USSS Enterprise. First load last night and you cannot hear it in operation including the spin cycle, I like it.

[Marilyn]

( oh well...sounds like I may not be the only victim of white goods gremlins at Christmas...so I shall stay tuned)
I refuse to get too disturbed about it. I rinsed a few things by hand again this morning, the hardest part is wringing them as it sets off discomfort to some old finger fractures. Being Summer, things drip a bit and dry easily on the line. There are only two of us, thank goodness, and I can see it would be more difficult for some. I pretend I am on holidays ( when I've often rinsed essentials in hotel sinks). Couldn't change the sheets this week, so just changed pillow slips and rinsed them. We will survive, and being warm weather we are not wearing socks/jeans/jumpers...
Good one Panbiker...hope it gives you good service...

[PanBiker]

Today I have mainly stepped back into gainful employment. Only part time but after my brief interview with the Examinations Officer up at West Craven High School this morning I will be invigilating examinations when required up at the school. I will have the new DBS (formerly CRB) pack sent out to me for completion shortly. First tranche will be the mock exams in February.