Plumbing is nearly always a nightmare . I take on jobs and then think ——- IDIOT !!!! My most recent plumbing  job was to change some kitchen taps .  How complicated could it be ? Luckily the sink in this house was close to an outside door . The waste needed to be removed to gain access to the tap tails and existing tap retaining bolts . However this sink waste as is normal included the washing machine waste . No problem , the machine is empty enough to disconnect , the water level is lower than machine door glass . REALY !!!! I removed the waste but full flow still , turns out to be from the washing machine outlet hose ! Turns out the machine was not empty but full TO THE BRIM !! ( hence why there was no water level showing through the glass door )  Full , higher than the top of the door and turns out it has been like this for months , so the water STANK , turns out the machine had not been used due to the problem but the client decided to keep that to themselves ! By the time I grabbed and held my hand over the end of the machine outlet hose the kitchen floor was soaked . I asked the client to grab a bucket so I could then remove my hand and fill the bucket which he could then empty outside and return to repeat the process . Five buckets later the machine was now empty ready for us to remove it to the garden , clearly past its best . After 20 mins mopping the laminate flooring I could then proceed swapping the taps out , never a pleasant task at best , especially when you are soaked with stinking waste water ! It is always mentally hard swapping out conventional taps when you have actually drawn up a design for an easy change system for mononlock taps that you can install totally from above the work surface apart from connecting the flexi tails . Sadly no one ever showed any interest . Still not available on the market from anyone as far as I am aware . Bristan have an , EASY FIT system but my system allowed ANY monoblock tap to be fitted , Bristan’s system depends on their own easy fit taps being fitted .    Sorry but taps are a sore if amusing topic to me .    Back on topic , my father had 100 year old taps on one of his basins , still working fine , washers rarely changed , yet I regularly get customers reporting dripping/worn taps ( and I only use more renowned makes ) , literally two years after fitting . Embarrassing as a supplier/fitter but I am just as disgusted .      

Hello All               Our downstairs shower has been faulty for a while (to hot!) It my have been damaged back in the Summer as we had solar water at 80++ degs Perhaps that was a bit hotter than it was designed for our Son says it may damaged the cartridge?? So a look on line and after feeling feint at the prices £100 to £150 So plenty hunting and found one for £56 The next problem how to get the front ring off? it is just circular with no gripping grooves and nice and shiny! So a good measure up and off to the workshop and made this and even fitted Brass plugs in front of the 6mm screws! Then it worked perfectly and no marks in the ring Then bit of a fight to get the cartridge out and get the new one in I have roughly set the maximum temperature but need to get the water a bit hotter to make sure? Roger (the part time Cheap Plumber!!)

I was in Aldi this morning, ans was struck by two tools on offer.   An Infrared thermometer (Pyrometer?) @ £12 and borescope with its own screen @ £34. See below. I didn't buy, as I have an IR guage and don't plan anything for a borescope.   But I did get an electric screwdriver,as my old one has a dicky trigger.   I it use more for drilling small holes than screwdriving. John

Well, the countdown is well and truly begun, my RBRR weekend starts in just over 2 hours with about a 4 hour drive down to my co-driver's place in Stevenage.  Car is packed, just my bag to pack and away after tea.  Had some of these printed on A5 stickers for the car:    

Will keep an eye here perhaps the organisers will give a pre start update   https://www.traffic.gov.scot/traffic-information/bridges

Just received another weather warning update, wind warning has been upgraded to Amber. This probably means the Dornoch bridge will be closed and possibly the Kessock Bridge too? There are alternative routes for both but obviously these add distance and time. Drive carefully everyone    Ian

@rogerguzzi Thanks for your efforts posting all they photographs on here Roger!  The scenery and architecture both look amazing in my opinion.   Sorry, I am about to rant a little....... I enjoy watching the Grand Tour cycling races on TV, or at least I used to.... My favourite was the tour of Spain. For the last few years it has only been the Tour de France I have watched on ITV4. Unfortunately it seems that this is all over now because ITV have lost the rights to broadcast coverage. Yes I know the cycling is on Discovery Plus but it has went from £30/year to £360/year and not only that, I also simply just don't like their coverage.     Yeah, camera phones are very good nowadays but once you start making enlargements then ye old fashioned cameras come into their own. I am thinking your house Roger is filled with framed photographs you have taken of Spanish scenery.   Thanks, Ian    

Here we go again... rbrr 2023 part 2!

Drivers window mainly done . 

Indeed. Another “amphibious assault” on Scotland seems on the cards.    At least you are in a relatively modern, civilised and presumably waterproof car…..