twobears

Ok, thanks. Repair it is, assuming it can be repaired. Hmm, I've no idea what make or model it is. I'm down here in Weybridge and the boiler is in Yorkshire so I can't go and look either I know this sounds odd but I don't like wall cupboards in kitchens so I haven't got any. I've got freestanding wooden cabinets and they are all full of baking equipment etc so there really isn't anywhere to put the boiler so that it would be unobtrusive. Also, just to complicate things even further there is only one possible spot in the kitchen that the boiler could be installed because the oil line has to reach it and it has to be vented to the outside I think. I am dreading the plumber ringing to say that he can't repair the old boiler

That is true. I was thinking it would be better to fix it if possible but wasn't sure if people now demanded certificates for things like heating systems as I know the whole house selling process has changed since I last did it. Does the 'energy certificate' thing have much impact I wonder? My current boiler is not efficient energywise but it has worked for many years and scrapping it for a new one would surely waste more resources? It all seems too complicated to me

If you were selling your house and it had an elderly central heating boiler, would you install a new boiler before you put it on the market? My current boiler is ancient and has just broken down so I have a dilemma. The plumber is looking for spare parts and, assuming he can find them for such an antique, I have the option of a possible repair. If it can't be repaired I will, obviously, have to have a new boiler fitted so the question will be answered for me. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the current boiler is fitted into an old chimney breast, where it sits neatly, but current regs won't allow a new boiler to be installed in the same place so I would have to have an ugly boiler in my otherwise beautiful kitchen. Any advice please, assuming the boiler can be fixed?

it was for the fishes well being. they dont want to lift the fish out of the water for anything other than a quick picture and as you can see with the Arapaima they dont even do that. they are all treated with an antiseptic on any injuries or sores or bite marks (yes they bite!) before they are released Oh, that's good then. They are such impressive creatures that it would be a huge shame to hurt them unnecessarily. Puts the biggest fish I've ever caught to shame I have to say and I was quite proud of that tench as well

Wow, those fish are impressive Some of them almost seem unreal because they are so perfect looking. Can I just ask, why did you have to get into the water? Was it just to put the fish back or were you standing in the water to fish?

SMD, unless I'd spoken to his guardian I couldn't really know what he was having to deal with so I wasn't angry with him either. If I had spoken to him and he'd said that he'd let his child become feral because it was a bit of a laugh I would certainly have judged him but I doubt that was the case. I've got over the surprise now but I would still hope that the child in question doesn't get the chance to go for someone else who might be more vulnerable than me because he was a big lad and he could definitely hurt someone if he wasn't prevented.

Squee and Vik, I agree that it wouldn't be fair of me to blame the child because, like I said, I believe that he had some sort of issues since his behaviour was definitely outside the bounds of normal children. I know it seems silly to be shaken by the experience but I honestly wasn't expecting it and I think that made it worse, the shock factor. I assessed his age at around 7 but he was very big and overweight for his age. I think that his father/guardian needed some help to control him because he really can't be allowed to growl and lunge at strangers and punch them if he gets close enough as he could certainly hurt someone now and that will only get worse as he gets even taller and heavier. I don't know if I could cope with a child with autistic spectrum disorder or similar but you wouldn't have any choice if your own child was affected so I really did try not to judge too hastily as you are both right and I didn't know what was wrong with the child. I didn't react to the situation or say anything to his father/guardian and neither did Mr Two Bears because of this very fact. I actually like children a lot and they often make a beeline for me when I am at the yard seeing to my horse or whatever because they know I will talk to them, unlike most of the others there who just want to get on with their chores.

I've never had 'road rage' or even 'road mild irritation' but I always drive defensively because there are undoubtedly many drivers out there who are dangerous, either because they are aggressive and think they own the road (BMWs) or because they seem to be having a nice daydream as they go along and don't notice other the traffic sharing the road with them

We are trying to find somewhere to live. Needless to say Bognor hasn't made it onto the short list I loved Arundel and there was actually one very nice looking building on Bognor sea front but we didn't find our dream house on this trip. Having fun looking at the various Southern counties though Got the chance to drive Stanley for hours as well which was another bonus

Ha ha. Weybridge considers itself far too posh to have a McDonalds I was in Bognor Regis at the time I'd never been there before but now I understand George V's final words i.e. "Bugger Bognor". My sentiments exactly

Got to admit I have only ever eaten one burger in my life and I hated it so have never tried another I really like the chocolate frappés in McDonald's though and they are equally unhealthy I agree that his father seemed a bit unworried that the child was launching attacks on random women but, like I said, either the child had a known medical issue or the father himself had a lower than average IQ? It did unnerve me at the time and Mr TwoBears was a bit angry on my behalf but my main concern is for the next person that gets attacked. It might not end so well for them or perhaps the child himself if he attacks and hurts another child and their father decks him?

I should point out that the child hadn't eaten a burger at this stage. He was waiting for one though. Maybe he was so hungry that he was hallucinating that I was a burger? I knew I shouldn't have accessorised today's outfit with a gherkin

Dan, I agree that the father (if that's who he was) didn't seem too put out by the child's actions. If my child had done that I would have been mortified and straight on the phone to a good child psychiatrist I have to say but maybe he had a medical problem that I was unaware of? It can't be long before he does it to someone who does retaliate so maybe that will force his father to seek help?

I momentarily thought of 'revenge' but then I figured that I didn't know what medical issues the child may or may not have had so remonstrating with his father may not have been appropriate? Who knows? It could have just been a family with low IQ but what can you do about that? His behaviour was certainly out of the ordinary and I am grateful I was able to get back into my car in one piece and drive away. I could never cope with a feral child myself

The child was certainly no stranger to the burger if his size was anything to go by When children are that old you can't really keep them on reins like a toddler but I am not sure what the answer is if they are hellbent on violence towards strangers? The problem will only get worse as the child gets older unless someone can tackle his obvious anger issues and poor impulse control. His father/guardian was a large man himself and didn't seem able to control the child or surely he wouldn't have let it try to head butt me twice in the space of a few minutes?

No, I'm not put off. Your are lovely and have never shown any sign of wanting to punch me I was too shocked to react at all but, yes, I would have probably been in the wrong even if I'd put my hands out in self-defence. I honestly think the child is dangerous though, for whatever reason, and if I'd not had Mr Two Bears to protect me I think he could easily have made me fall on the floor if he'd head butted me in the stomach as he appeared to be trying to do. His father sort of muttered something which might have been "Sorry" but imagine if he'd done it to a pregnant woman or old person or similar

Good point

I spent the day down on the south coast today and had the oddest experience when I stopped at McDonalds for a coke. A tall, overweight child of about 7 or 8 was standing near the entrance with his father or guardian, waiting for their order to be got ready and as I walked in the child took one look at me, his face went like thunder, he made a growling noise and then charged at me I was surprised and stood rooted to the spot but Mr Two Bears jumped in between me and the child and got punched in the stomach for his trouble. Amazing! I hadn't done or said anything to the child and I am still a bit stunned by the whole experience. On my way out the child took aim at me again and went to charge at me like an angry bull but this time his father/guardian grabbed hold of him so I could walk past safely. I didn't dare look at the child in case it broke free (it really was a chunky thing) and scarpered back to the car whilst the child made growling noises at me. They eventually came out carrying loads of food in bags and jumped in a taxi and I sighed a sigh of relief but what a weird thing to happen. All I can think is that the child had special needs but imagine what it will be like in another few years. In a secure unit I expect. Mr Two Bears was ok by the way, just shocked like me but we didn't really know what to do apart from keeping the child away from me. If he had special needs I feel sorry for him but he is a bit too dangerous to be out in public if he's going to try to attack people maybe?

Glad you were all ok.

Thank you both SMD, great lyrics. Bit of a problem with the scansion in the second line but I will ask if I can do a solo and dedicate it to you at Christmas. It's bound to be a winner

Thanks Ken, Harryjax and the ever cheeky SMD Actually, "Walking in the Air" is one of the pieces I have to learn for the Christmas Eve concert. I wonder if they'd notice if I sang your 'new and improved lyrics' instead?

Thanks again everyone

Erm, if it is your tenth anniversary maybe you should just have a nice salad so that you aren't too full and bloated for when you get home?

Love the badger pic Pete but not sure about the fox. It looks as if it's doing a big poo in your garden I went for a walk round the block after dark last night and I saw six foxes within the space of half an hour. I got so close to a couple of them that I could almost touch them. In Yorkshire, where I keep ducks, chickens and geese, I rarely see a fox. Which is great, of course

Thanks Will The singer on that emoticon looks quite angry though. Must be a metal band 'cos I'm sure I don't pull that face! Actually, maybe I should offer my vocal services to my daughter's boyfriend's band "Shadows of Violence" who are, I believe, a thrash metal combo