Nice People Thread No. 15, a Cyber Summer

ivyleaf

Lydia If it's any help, DD2 needed a new one recently and didn't have the cash to spare, so we bought her the cheapest own-brand one in Sainsburys; she's very happy with it as far as I know. I think it was £60. They had several different models so if there's a biggish one near you it's worth having a look

CKhalvashi

ivyleaf wrote: »

Lydia If it's any help, DD2 needed a new one recently and didn't have the cash to spare, so we bought her the cheapest own-brand one in Sainsburys; she's very happy with it as far as I know. I think it was £60. They had several different models so if there's a biggish one near you it's worth having a look

Mine was a cheap Sainsburys one, and I can confirm it lasted about 6 years.

Just had to replace it though, as whilst most of the time I'll cook everything from scratch, I can't live without a microwave in assisting with that (Well, actually I can, but it makes life a lot easier).

Replaced with another cheap one for reasons most NP are already aware. I'm not spending any more than I have to at the moment on anything

GDB2222

Microwaves my 2p worth -

Take along the largest plate you intend to use. Or a tape measure.

Buy a really high power one.

Don't bother with grills and combination ovens. Unless you're going to memorise the manual. And who wants to read a microwave manual?

I prefer analogue controls, just as long as they are large enough that they can be set accurately.

It's impossible for the average consumer to tell how well made the oven is.

Pyxis

I never found the grills to be very good.

I used to have a combination, but didn't use the convention oven bit much, and it was quite large, so took up a lot of space.

I did sometimes use the combined oven/microwave facility.

I don't miss it.

My current one is microwave and grill.

GDB2222

One family's life in the wilderness
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39418054

If you feel like getting away from it all, this family are 100 miles from the nearest town.

bugslet

Go down the middle then, as a centrist in virtually everything, it appeals.

Can't help on microwave advice, I don't have one. If I did it would be the most simple one out there.

Went to the funeral of a driver that retired due to ill health last year and they read out the Paradoxical Commandments, acopy of which he had in his kitchen. Not something I had heard of before, perhaps other NPs have, but in case not, here they are. I can say he lived his life by these:

Pyxis

Thanks, Bugslet.

They're very good!

Such a shame that so few people adhere to them.
Perhaps they'll end up in a paradoxical hell!

Pyxis

I posted this on another thread, but thought the NP probably like skipping through the springtime bluebells, so I thought I'd put it on here as well!

"What’s the difference between English and Spanish bluebells?


Native bluebells are almost synonymous with English springtime, there is little more distinctive and evocative than the haze of blue they spread across a woodland floor. However the native English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), is not the only bluebell we have. The Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) was introduced as a garden flower and can produce fertile hybrids with the natives. Below is a brief guide to help you tell the difference.

1. Look at the leaves

Native bluebells have relatively thin leaves, around 1-1.5cm wide. Spanish bluebells on the other hand have much thicker leaves, around 3cm wide. The leaves of the Spanish bluebell often have a fleshier feel to them.

2. Look at the flowers

Native bluebells are a distinctive deep blue in colour, whereas Spanish bluebells are often lighter, more pale blue or pink. Look also at the shape of the flowers, the native bluebell flowers curl back at the petal tips whilst those of the Spanish bluebells are splayed. If you get down close, look at the colour of the anthers; these are cream in natives and a pale-blue colour in the Spanish.



3. Look at the architecture

Native bluebells have the flowers concentrated on just one side of the stem, giving them the distinctive nodding, drooping look. Spanish bluebell flowers are on all sides of the flower spike, giving the flower a much more upright appearance

4. Sniff the flowers!

You should be able to pick up a sweet aroma from the flowers of the native bluebell whilst those of the Spanish bluebell are scentless.

5. Inconclusive results?

As I mentioned earlier, the two species do hybridise. This is one of the most significant threats that the Spanish bluebells pose to the natives, and also makes identification of some specimens rather difficult. If the specimen has intermediate characteristics eg. leaves around 2cm long, a general tendency for flowers to be on one side of the stem etc. then it is likely that you have a hybrid between the native and the non-native species.

I put together two little cribs which show the key characteristics of the typical English and Spanish bluebells below – hopefully these will provide an useful visual aid!"

chris_m

GDB2222 wrote: »

One family's life in the wilderness
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39418054

If you feel like getting away from it all, this family are 100 miles from the nearest town.

100 miles - by boat, or snowmobile when the river's frozen !!!

michaels

Curious one. My car insurance is up for renewal. I ran a new customer quote with my existing company and it came out 40 quid less. Then I realised the renewal date was a day late and ran it again with the correct date and it was 80 more than the renewal price - so they were smart enough to not only give a cheaper price to new customers but to try and make sure existing customers didn't take advantage by bumping the premium up by 120 if they realise it was a renewal not new business. Cunning I guess but it doesn't exactly inspire customer loyalty.

Of course with 2 cars and a garage we will just not use the car for one day and save the 40 quid....