What's made you smile today?

[varesecrazy]

My yellow Dysons are 'cylinders'
Bought on Ebay 99p the pair

One had a tugged flex.. shorten flex by 3" fit a screw.on plug .. good machine

Other had been used as a 'wetvac' result.. motor brush turned to pulp

About £4 for brushes.. sorted

Had them about 4 years.. apart from filter washes .. this is their 1st maintenance

It'll do
.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Dare say the cylinder type are a lot less complex. Their's are this type: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dyson-Multi-Floor-Upright-Vacuum/dp/B00SMLK2KW
Not this actual model, their's are older, but looks the same.
PS Respect to you for such a bargain buy!

 

[DaveMcT]

My mother had a "cylinder" type. I've always had uprights. They perform a lot better take less storage space and and have bigger dirt bins.

 

[SB1500]

I went to view some nice penthouse apartments today overlooking the River Foyle here in Londonderry. I’m thinking 16 months time I’ll be in a position to buy one and take the next step forward!!!

Was nice to see and set my target towards!!!

 

[portland_bill]

Our Dyson is a handheld unit. I think it gets a lot of stuff off the floor mostly because of the driven brush bar, then the suck does not need to be that great. Previously we had small Black & Decker handhelds that were really annoying. Low voltage, made a lot of noise, achieved little. When the last one gave up, I tried to ignore it, but was pressured into relacing it. Researched the weights of the options, found the Dyson to be the lightest, necessary as partner's arms are weak. With the powered brush, the tiny pot fills very quickly. If used for a mid-sized room, needs empptying three times. Gave feedback to Dyson while training some staff at head office, I see latest ones have bigger pots.

An upright of any make usually has a powered brush bar, but only really do large areas. Later ones with detachable hoses can fit to tools to do the harder to reach areas, but can clog easily, dependent on type of debris encountered. We had one at the bowls club that I had to dismantle and clean out twice a year, repalced with a Karcher, similar to a Henry.

I have an Electrolux cylinder, bought in 1979, still going strong, mostly used in the garage for cleaning the cars, and for DIY debris. Needed a new hose a few years ago!
The 'new' Electrolux cylinder was bought in 1989, works well, much nicer to use than the Dyson and needs a new bag occasionally.

As Jock says, the Dyson is full of fragile complexity, and needs occasional maintenance. The Electrolux ones need replacement filters infrequently. Hi-tech, not necessarily progress.

 

[dave]

 

[Paddynabs]

I heartily recommend all those things except for drinking high pH water. That's a bit weird. Everything else I'm totally onboard with...!

 

[DaveMcT]

I went to view some nice penthouse apartments today overlooking the River Foyle here in Londonderry. I’m thinking 16 months time I’ll be in a position to buy one and take the next step forward!!!

Was nice to see and set my target towards!!!

Watch the market carefully. Post Covid there's likely to be a lot of turbulence and possibly some cheap mortgage deals to push people into buying. Cheap loans are usually nice but not so much if your new place slides down in value.

 

[varesecrazy]

Watch the market carefully. Post Covid there's likely to be a lot of turbulence and possibly some cheap mortgage deals to push people into buying. Cheap loans are usually nice but not so much if your new place slides down in value.

The banks supposedly agree..
50% of the business covid bail outs are prrdicted to see no return.

 

[varesecrazy]

Joining the M4 is saw a badged up 'pick.up'

Reading the signwriting.. not local

Then noticed a FIAT badge

Between the tail lights

D O B L O

a dropside doblo.. never seen the like

Only got to see the rear of it... but looked really useful

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

At the bottom of my, smallish, garden I have a shed and on either side I have a large clump of peony roses. They give a glorious show early in the year but only last briefly. Unfortunately every year even this brief show is cut short by rain, they don't like rain. This week we had an evening of heavy rain a couple of nights ago which smashed them flat. The bunch on the right was beyond saving and I cut them back yesterday but the clump to the left has responded to being tied back up again. We'll get another 2 or 3 days or so out of them. The string has bunched them up a bit but don't they look grand?

 

[puntofan01]

Pretty much decided what my next car is...

It's going to be a...C3 Aircross.

Which is an odd choice I'll admit as I've been fairly open about the relative joys of my wife's Citroëns. Also I dislike SUVs intensely so again a bit of an odd choice.

But at no point have either of the Citroëns failed to proceed..also much as love my Mazda the Cx3 and 3 are too small and CX5 and 6 are massive and the CX30 is brand new and 20 odd grand at least.

As a prospect they are very space efficient, fuel efficient and cheap. Also they quite a funky thing and most other options are tragic, dull or both. I'm looking at picking up a 2019 which even in top spec is about 12k and having it all paid off by the the time the warranty is up. At that point I can decide if it stays or goes the ones we've had have given decent service.

They do drive badly, but no worse than the C3 we've had for the last 3 years...and I'm planning to make it even less fun by adding some nice all season tyres on. But it's a tool for the job at hand not a race car.

The other part is the Mazda isn't getting traded in so if I want a go in a car that drives properly I've still got one..but we aren't using decade old car as the main family transport.

I only wanted the last sentence, but for some reason, the app wouldn't let me delete the rest. [emoji52]

Anyway, why on earth not? As long as you keep it looked after, I'd almost put money on that Mazda having years of life left in it, plus I'd imagine just continuing to run that would be more cost effective than a new/ nearly new car, not to mention the fact that you actually like it, which is priceless! With regards to age, nothing wrong with older, well maintained cars, lol! My *only* car is now 12 years old, and still drives sweetly, plus has the added advantage that it was completely paid for more than 6 years ago. All while it continues to be dependable, I'll continue to drive it. [emoji846]

 

[StevenRB45]

I only wanted the last sentence, but for some reason, the app wouldn't let me delete the rest. [emoji52]

Anyway, why on earth not? As long as you keep it looked after, I'd almost put money on that Mazda having years of life left in it, plus I'd imagine just continuing to run that would be more cost effective than a new/ nearly new car, not to mention the fact that you actually like it, which is priceless! With regards to age, nothing wrong with older, well maintained cars, lol! My *only* car is now 12 years old, and still drives sweetly, plus has the added advantage that it was completely paid for more than 6 years ago. All while it continues to be dependable, I'll continue to drive it. [emoji846]

My hand is being forced by the C3 being up in October combined with my wife not wanting to pay for another car so I need another car. Kinda my turn given she's had 3 since I picked mine up.

Also the 3 despite it's size doesn't work brilliantly as a family car. Back doors are small, and rides low for a hatchback, front seats are thick heavily bolstered buckets that curve out at shoulder height. The dash curves out at knee height to give a wrap around feeling

These combine to make putting a squirming child in a pain in the bum..or a pain in the head for him given I keep accidentally cracking his head on the sloped door frame. Also means the passenger seat needs to be set forward, so anyone over 5'8 has their knees in sticky out bit of the dash. Naturally my wife is 5'9 so she has to set the seat back.. he then kicks it and the black interior shows footprints lovely. This will only get worse he gets taller.

There's no false floor in the boot, boot itself is smaller than many current superminis, I could go on but I think you'll have the idea by this point!

Basically when it was me and my wife it was a great car, still is, just not designed for small people.

The other bit is my dad is 70 soon with a history of back problems so he really enjoys the fact that the best way to get into it is swinging yourself on the A post so you can fall drop into a bucket seat. That and the sports suspension...

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

My hand is being forced by the C3 being up in October combined with my wife not wanting to pay for another car so I need another car. Kinda my turn given she's had 3 since I picked mine up.

Also the 3 despite it's size doesn't work brilliantly as a family car. Back doors are small, and rides low for a hatchback, front seats are thick heavily bolstered buckets that curve out at shoulder height. The dash curves out at knee height to give a wrap around feeling

These combine to make putting a squirming child in a pain in the bum..or a pain in the head for him given I keep accidentally cracking his head on the sloped door frame. Also means the passenger seat needs to be set forward, so anyone over 5'8 has their knees in sticky out bit of the dash. Naturally my wife is 5'9 so she has to set the seat back.. he then kicks it and the black interior shows footprints lovely. This will only get worse he gets taller.

There's no false floor in the boot, boot itself is smaller than many current superminis, I could go on but I think you'll have the idea by this point!

Basically when it was me and my wife it was a great car, still is, just not designed for small people.

The other bit is my dad is 70 soon with a history of back problems so he really enjoys the fact that the best way to get into it is swinging yourself on the A post so you can fall drop into a bucket seat. That and the sports suspension...

Our Ibiza is not a difficult car to get in and out of and I've never had problems getting grandchildren, including the latest addition, in and out of their seats. However Mrs J has mentioned, on many occasions how good the access is in the Panda. The seats are rather higher than the Ibiza and the headroom is certainly more - you might even be able to wear a top hat? (Mrs J is somewhat "vertically challenged" and I was around 5ft 8ins last time I was measured) Mrs J's sister, who is "volumetrically challenged" has also commented how easy the Panda is to get in and out off. Really the only problem with using it as a family vehicle is perhaps the small boot space? - although actually it can swallow more than it looks it should?

 

[portland_bill]

a dropside doblo.. never seen the like

Swindon Council have/had a couple. Chippenham council have one, saw it yesterday. As you say, looks really useful. Presumably those who might like it, don't know it exists.
Bit of a risk for a dealer to put into stock.

The other bit is my dad is 70 soon with a history of back problems so he really enjoys the fact that the best way to get into it is swinging yourself on the A post so you can fall drop into a bucket seat. That and the sports suspension...

The reason so many older people buy Scenics, Qashqais, etc. as the seat is at hip height. When Renault intorduced the original Scenic, aimed at young families, they were surprised that half their customers were retired.

However Mrs J has mentioned, on many occasions how good the access is in the Panda. The seats are rather higher than the Ibiza and the headroom is certainly more - you might even be able to wear a top hat? (Mrs J is somewhat "vertically challenged" and I was around 5ft 8ins last time I was measured) Mrs J's sister, who is "volumetrically challenged" has also commented how easy the Panda is to get in and out of.

My partner had to lose a leg 18 months ago, so is now a wheelchair user. Getting her out of the chair into the Panda is reasonably easy, the Fabia is quite a struggle. The folded chair sits in the Panda boot, held tight by its cushion placed against the tailgate, so it sits still and hardly rattles. The Fabia's bigger boot creates a problem as the chair tries to move around, even when 'jammed' in.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

My partner had to lose a leg 18 months ago, so is now a wheelchair user. Getting her out of the chair into the Panda is reasonably easy, the Fabia is quite a struggle. The folded chair sits in the Panda boot, held tight by its cushion placed against the tailgate, so it sits still and hardly rattles. The Fabia's bigger boot creates a problem as the chair tries to move around, even when 'jammed' in.

So sorry to hear that PB, I hope she otherwise keeps well? Age comes not alone eh? Mrs J has just commented to me that we'd probably need a foolscap sheet of paper to list all our "ailments"

The Panda's boot can hold a surprising amount. My younger boy's wife has been sorting out baby clothes and toys not now needed any more to take to the charity shop when it reopens (I know, I've warned her that as soon as she gets rid of them it's bound to cause another "addition" to the family) We got the whole lot in the Panda's boot in one go, I wouldn't have believed it.

 

[StevenRB45]

It is the height of the car that makes the difference for entry and exit. As a comparison a Panda is 7cm (just under 3 inches) taller than my car.

Basically a good car...for carrying adults and it will carry 4 and their luggage happily (360l boot compared to 200 in a Panda). But the low roof and hip line make along with several sporty choices in the design process mean it's very space inefficient.

Things like it has a long 4-2-1 exhaust manifold for efficiency, and the engine is mounted with exhaust ports to the firewall so it eats into cabin space. Then there's the Sporty wrap around interior with a large transmission tunnel blending into the dash, puts the MX5 inspired stubby gear lever in a great spot..not a great use of space though! The boot would be bigger if it didn't have fully independent rear suspension as well.

Basically was perfect for me when I bought it, and it's still a nice thing to commute in and do long journeys and back roads in but taller and squarer just is a better use of a vehicle footprint.

Cars still the same unfortunately priorities have moved.

 

[jimboy]

Going a bit stir crazy at the moment, even though I’m in lazy mode. Decided to snow foam my daily driver *again* it’s a nice toy to play with ? I purchased a Makita pressure washer on eBay years ago, it was advertised as a return, a missing hose end which cost me pennies to replace and no box. I bid something like 20quid max’ and won for the princely sum of 16 quid? An absolute bargain considering these were three figures brand new.

Washer arrive complete with snow foam attachment, believe it or not this was a time before snow foam was fashionable/used a lot. I was unaware of its uses and only started using it this last couple of years or so. I know there mixed views about foamers and there is no substitute for a real good wash by hand, but I have to admit, it’s fun spraying the foam...?

 

[varesecrazy]

'FOOLSCAP' Jock..

I've still got mine from school

We always use the panda for moving 'oldies'.. the punto is more comfy for LONG journeys.. but getting them out after is still a challenge
(Strangely.. my mum loved the 156..)

 

[portland_bill]

In 2007 I took out a subscription for a monthly magazine.
Mid 2013 the publishing company, based in Bristol, ran into financial difficulties and most titles were taken over by a company based in Kent.
Latest issue was due Friday, still not arrived by today so I called.
Seems a hiccup when transferred over in 2013 set my subscription as free, and they've just decided to stop the free subscriptions due to needing to save costs. Failed to email affected subscribers, as such an email would have been helpful.
So it seems I have enjoyed a free magazine every month for 7 years, as no direct debits have been taken. We've set up a new subscription from today.

Of course, when checking bank statements, we are checking that outgoings are as expected, no payments that should not be there. But I doubt many of us would notice payments that had not been taken.