justinlok

Hi James, I've just voted as I'd be interested in a Columbus for my Octi How about a price for a genuine unit without fitting/ coding and a price fitted so those who might be tempted, but are on a budget, could be part of a potential group buy? Justin

I'm on it! I've not added any friends = I did it to keep track of my mileage and fuel spend..... MPG not as good as I'd like, but then life's too short to worry too much Justin Edit: hope you don't mind me adding you to the friends list - interesting to see the fuel economy on other cars.

Echoing some others here - have a look at my sig (Fuelly, currently 42.6 mpg). I don't drive all that economically (could do better, but I do usually stick within the speed limits ), and have about a 30% urban/ 70% motorway mix of driving. When I first started using Fuelly, I was really hammering the car, and did a lot of very short, stop start journeys (not that good for the DPF) when I was moving house in October and December 2010. I've currently tracked about 13000 miles The maxidot always seems to display an average far higher than real life - I'd never trust it for the average mpg. Fuelly does take the hard work out of calculating your average mpg. Car currently has 24000 or so miles on it, and is usually full of (work) junk that if I took it out, would probably improve the economy. Also I tend to use Saisinbury's fuel as it is the most convinient place to fill up (and amongst the cheapest) - not sure if that has any effect on the mpg or not. Personally, to get over 40mpg in a car that's quick, cheap and has loads of room is (IMHO) great! Justin

I don't get a local paper (not even an unwanted free one :'() - really must sort that out if I want to know where I am going!!! I'll be there - hopefully the sat nav will have updated by then ! Justin

Steve, Where is Maidstome???? I know the venue changed last month, but a new town this month? J

I've just been to this place in Crayford for a quote - £65 per wheel all in (remove tyres, strip back to bare metal, repaired, painted, replace tyres - this was for 16" alloys, pretty scuffed). You'll be without the wheels for about 5 days. http://www.goodrims.co.uk/alloys.html I've not had my wheels done yet as I'm trying to get the cash to get the winter tyres so that they can go straight on to the refurbished alloys (and hope that the price of the winter tyres falls a bit more as the summer approaches ). Might be worth a call? Justin

Going to have to skip this one as I've got the little man staying with me (last minute change of plans). Table at 2015 is just a bit too late for him to be eating. Should make it to the June meet...........

Personally, I wouldn't go for more budget brands - as mentioned before, it's the only thing you have between you and a ditch............ I've just bought 2 Conti SC 3's for £131 each (all in) from my local tyre shop (if you want the details, PM me). Fitted to the front where the original Conti SC 2's last 22k miles. The rear's have done the same and have about 4mm to 5mm left. The Conti SC 3's won the Autoexpress 2010 tyre test (see http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/259477/tyre_test.html). Sometimes you just have to pay (or put it on a flexible friend for a month or two ), and grin and bear having a bad financial month, especially when such an important part of your car is concerned. J

9. justinlok - 1 x internal, silver please. Thanks!

Count me in...... Lets hope that the new venue offers more than sparrow sized portions of food and hot (well warm would be an improvement) custard J

I'll be there - I assume you've booked a table in your name Steve (have you confirmed it as well)? J

I've got a fiscon plus installed in my car and I have the mic in the OEM location (light cluster) and all is fine for me (using a BlackBerry Bold 9700 and a BlackBerry Curve 8900). The mic I'm using is the one in waplord's post, and all the settings are the 'default' settings. J

Sent you a PM

Pub in the Notcutts complex - is it this one???? http://www.mypubheaven.com/newnhamcourtinnmaidstone/ If it is, the menu certainly doesn't look too bad and is reasonably priced..... J

Long story, but I ended up at “The Oak on the Green” in Bearsted tonight. Approx 1.5 miles from J7 on the M20. Food was excellent and served quickly (especially as all the tables in the restaurant area were full), it's a "free house" so the drinks are good - I think they had 4 proper beers available tonight (untested as I was driving ). The wine list did not look bad either! Downsides....... 1. Car park is quite small – we could probably get away with blocking one another in if there was a few of us parked next to one another. 2. Always busy - waitress I got chatting to says it's busy every day of the week (she recommended booking in advance next time) 3. Price – not that cheap, but the portions are bigger than at the White Rabbit and not burnt! 4. It was packed with people in the restaurant area and the bar area. Have a look at the website - http://www.oakonthegreen.com/ for more information. J

I would say that anywhere that is 'popular' on a Saturday night is probably going to have a long(ish) wait for food. Don't mind waiting if it's good though........ the pie I had was not as good as in the past, the the pastry top was a bit 'crispy'..... Kathy - It's really odd though that when you (well Steve) ordered your food first, and was one of the last to arrive, me thinks that the kitchen is not that organised......... I'll ask around and see if anyone can come up with some recommendations for a place with good food and proper beer :beer: (for Simon, of course!!!). J PS - I suppose it better have a half decent wine list as well!!!!

Richie, I've just had a repair done (today) on my car by the local ChipsAway guy following an arguement with my driveway gates....... :'( One fairly large dent and three large scuff/ scratches in the paintwork (one of the scratches had got down to the metal). Can only say good things about him really - price was as quoted, arrived on time. You can't see the work that he's done, just unfortunate where the dent was, there was no way to get rid of it completely (but unless you know where it is, you'd be hard pressed to find it). Finally, he left me with a small pot of paint that was left over from the job in case I ever need it! Unfortunatly, I never took pictures of the car before it was repaired......... If you want to PM me, I'll send you his details as I'm impressed with the work that was done - not 100% sure of the area he covers in Kent. J

I'd like to see the Asda travel mug light housings!!! All the other items just don't have the same appeal! J

Count me in. Hope you've booked a big table Steve!!!! J

I've got the same Panasonic TV (G20 - but the 50"), and mine doesn't buzz (well let's put it this way, when the sound has been muted, I can't hear any buzzing)............... My old 32" Panasonic LCD display does buzz, and I was told that upgrading the software fixes it (so far it hasn't - I suspect it is the PSU) My G20 is currently sitting on top of an IKEA TV stand, with nothing else connected to it. I would have to agree with Wardy and give Panasonic a call and see what they say. Justin

Hi Rob, My parents live in Singapore, and I took my son, Samuel to Singapore from the UK (with the now ex-wife) when he was 4 months old (now he's 7 (today!)). We went for just over 3 weeks. All the ex-wife was worried about was how loud he was going to be for 13 hours, and his routine being shot to pieces, but in the end he was fine! I was not that worried having being a regular traveller on that route while at school in Singapore/ UK. Samuel has now been a few times to Singapore and the planning is what makes it very do-able. Earlier this year, my sister took my (then 6 months old) niece to Singapore on her own, and the worst part of the trip was her arrival back into the UK (she went for 6 weeks). She had bought so much stuff back to the UK (she also had lots of hand baggage to carry off the plane), that she was holding everyone up! A very kind bloke in a suit helped her with all her bags off the plane, through passport control, luggage reclaim and out to the arrivals area! She said if she ever did it again, she would make sure she flew into Heathrow, as for a small fee (£9 cash only) she could get a Skycaps porter to help with her checked baggage, out to the arrivals area (www.skycaps.com). She would also not carry so much hand baggage (realised she had gone overboard with things for my niece). There is a company called Diamond Air (www.diamond-air.co.uk) that offers a concierge service, but not sure if they can help make the journey from the aircraft to the grandparents waiting in arrivals any easier? Maybe worth a phone call or Email???? Both my sister and I have regular battles with the respective in-laws putting a guilt trip on us both for taking the kids to see their other grandparents. To be honest, we have now countered the arguments by saying that they still have loads of time with their grandchild/ niece/ nephew when (s)he is back home, and what if the boot was on the other foot, how would they be then? For what it's worth, you and SWMBO need to have a long chat, let her know your feelings about the whole situation, and agree a course of action. Personally, I think you should ignore the comments of other family members and do what you both agree on doing. If she is confident of being able to cope for a long time on her own with your daughter, and really wants to do it, it's going to be hard for you to convince her not to go through with it. Remember, you are only at the end of a phone if either of you wants to talk while at opposite ends of the planet......... If you want more details of my experiences, and/ or those of my sister, drop me a PM. Justin

As I had nothing better to do, I gave the friendly staff at the White Rabbit a quick call. They said "we are gritting the ramp, but not the car park, so people can get in and out, but proceed with care in the car park". Might be worth a call tomorrow afternoon to see if the same applies........ Justin

With the weather as it is, I'm glad you're in the Smart so I don't go hooning off!!!! I'm still up for going, if the trains are running. I guess we'll wait for an update on Saturday night?

OK, serious question time, and the thoughts and opinions of fellow brisokdians would be appreciated......... What's the best way of removing a layer of "frozen on to the car roof" snow without completely ruining the paintwork? By frozen on, I mean it's been on the car for 4 days now (melting, then refreezing every day and night), and even after being in the car for 40 minutes earlier tonight with the heater on full blast it won't move................. I've got a journey on Saturday of over 3 hours, and I don't fancy getting up an hour earlier just to de-ice the roof of my car. Reason for the question is that there is a rumour going around that the police are going to be enforcing Highway Code rule 229: (Copied from the DirectGov website, online Highway Code) 229 Before you set off •you MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows •you MUST ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible •make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly •remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users •check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted [Laws CUR reg 30, RVLR reg 23, VERA sect 43 & RV(DRM)R reg 11] (to read the Highway Code online see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070202) I know I said it is a rumour going around, but I don't fancy being pulled over, given 3 points and a £60 fine for something that can be done by myself, but that won't damage my car. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions. Justin

Is anyone going to be there?