Nice People Thread No. 14, all Nice and Proper

Generali

GDB2222 wrote: »

It's easy enough to get the times, eg
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_Kingdom&region=England&city=London

However, these are nearly all at fairly unsocial times, eg 5AM. From what Gen said, I expected all the times to be either just before dawn or just after sunset, but the only ones NASA published for London over the next week are pre-dawn. I don't feel like getting up at 5 on the off-chance that there are no clouds in the way at this time of year.

I think that's just the luck of the draw. I've found that if you look out for times then you end up getting one at 6pm with a high elevation on a clear day. It's why getting the emails is good: you can simply glance at the time and bin all the ones at stupid o'clock.

I reckon we get a dozen or two passes a year at very sensible times and maybe a third have a high elevation too.

Nikkster

PasturesNew wrote: »

That's the thing, you have to be really interested and set your alarm ... and hope the weather pulls through.

Last night, about 1am, I was outside in the garden (told you I was weird) and, looking South, I saw there were two exceptionally bright stars, almost like twins. One was SSW and the other WSW, so almost like opposite sides of South.

I looked and thought "Bet they're something different; bet they'd turn out to be Venus/Mars or something" ... but even with the comfort of a house and a sofa and the power of the Internet, I didn't bother to try to start to work out what they were

I've got an app on my phone (Google sky map or something like that) which you just point at what you're looking at in the sky and it tells you what it is. And you can search for whatever you want to look at and it'll tell you which way to look. I'm sure I could look it up on the Internet but it's much easier with the app.

Doozergirl

PasturesNew wrote: »

Returning to some previous thoughts I had of a small (it grows by the minute, by the time you try stuffing into it everything you could ever think you'd like to solve every problem you think you've got ... then realise there's no room, so add a bit more on) .... extension.....

What are the "magic letters" I should look for when choosing a small/local architect type that works from home (so I am not paying for them to swan around in posh offices and I don't get squeezed in between their two major clients who are demolishing/building an eco home for £6million)? I mean the letters that denote qualifications/ability.

"All I want" is a straight forward single storey extension with a utility, loo/shower, entrance porch/conservatory..... er ... with a coat cupboard ..... so 10' x 15' or so.

And so on.

Job will also include some minor remodelling of the current house/ground floor.... I'm not going mad and doing anything upstairs.... no 3rd/4th bedroom .... no en-suite ... not changing the bathroom fittings round .... no loft extension.

Guesses of how long I'd have to live in a cr4p-hole while work's going on would be welcome.

Morning. I don't think this was replied to?

The letters are ARB or RIBA. Or both.

Crap hole, I'd say a couple of months outside, but the builder should aim not to knock through until the last possible moment, keeping inside clear. So, a few days to a couple of weeks of builders being 'inside' the house, depending on what you're asking them for in the way of fittings.

blin

silvercar wrote: »

If you had a boiler that was 22 years old, would you replace it before it dies?

I have recently (and reluctantly) replaced a boiler that died at least 28 years old. No hard stats to offer, but the bills are noticeably going down, and the house is definitely warmer.

michaels

blin wrote: »

I have recently (and reluctantly) replaced a boiler that died at least 28 years old. No hard stats to offer, but the bills are noticeably going down, and the house is definitely warmer.

Our bills are way down and the house warmer this year, however it is the same boiler just that December was as warm as a typical April....

ukmaggie45

PN, the Victorian Bakers programme is coming up again on BBC2 at 5.30. I think I might watch it again (there's precious little else on!).

ukmaggie45

PasturesNew wrote: »

Just turned over to BBC2 to try to ensure I don't miss it

EDIT: Went off and did all the washing up, quick cig in the garden, made a coffee... now all ready and on time to watch it

Ah, so you didn't see the disgusting stuff about parasites that left my skin crawling and me suggesting OH brought the sick bucket up then! :eek: Enjoy the Bakers!

blin

michaels wrote: »

Our bills are way down and the house warmer this year, however it is the same boiler just that December was as warm as a typical April....

Recently in this case = 2 years ago. Your point may still hold, though, depending on temperature records which I cba to look up.

silvercar

blin wrote: »

I have recently (and reluctantly) replaced a boiler that died at least 28 years old. No hard stats to offer, but the bills are noticeably going down, and the house is definitely warmer.

Our house got warmer when we replaced some radiators and some pipework a couple of years ago.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

I'm mildly surprised at the results from this thread...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5394051