I think the groups now exist [at least - when I go to the 'make a new post' section, there they are, in the "Audience" section] Hope someone uses them soon - after all the time its taken
alan h's activity
Questions Asked
Anyone used the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry service? I'm hoping to drive down to the holiday home later this year, and was thinking of using the service.
By chance I went on the old Forum yesterday - found that someone had PM'ed me from that forum only a few days ago. I hadn't got any notification of a PM, but obviously the old Forum PM system still works It might be worth doing the odd visit
Hopefully they may start flights to the North soon ? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8630455.stm
what else can one say?http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1232160/Italian-police-manage-write-15
I can't beleive that its 17+ hours since the last post - or has my PC taken over and hidden everything?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8307267.stm Hopefully this will kill Blair's ambitions off.
Comments posted
" .. geological survey .....Pools literally weigh many tonnes when full, and our 'pool people' reminded us to get this done prior to digging the first hole in case we had to have vv expensive concrete piles dug down to the bed rock. If this was required then we would have scrubbed the idea as it would not have been economically viable." I was taught at Uni that when you dig a hole for a swimming pool, the weight of the soil excavated normally exceeds the weight of the pool plus water when completed - and as the soil doesn't collapse under its own weight, it shouldn't collapse under the weight of the pool structure plus water. [unless a lot of the pool is above water]. Localised soft spots can cause problems - differential settlement leading to cracking, but these are easily sorted out, without using piles [mind you =- there's a lot more profit in piling!!!]
According to http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g188096-i857-k3471670-Furka_Pass-Valais_Swiss_Alps.html the Furka is open June – September, so it might shut when you want to traverse it This site also gives info [in German] http://www.tcs.ch/main/de/home/verkehrsinfo/paesse_tunnels.html
double posting - see below
What you describe " looks like the rubble from building crushed up" sound a bit like what we call 'hardcore' in the UK. Hardcore, which is literally the old building broken and used for ground 'stabilisation'. Crushed hardcore is useful, when spread and compacted as a base on which to build [usually as a base for casting concrete flooring/foundations on]. hardcore usually consists of any part of a building excluding the 'organic' parts [timber etc] that would rot and cause voids. The "white/cream looking mush" stuff you mention is probably things like plaster rising to the surface during compaction, and shouldn't cause too much of a problem - the strength lies in the crushed stone/bricks/concrete below For more details see - try Googling "hardcore building". BUT, don't just Google hardcore - you'll just get porn
You could ask customer services at Calor Gas;- http://www.calor.co.uk/customer-services/contact-calor/
"Lighting by candles is not the best when trying to cook though!!" You might want to consider buying a cheap 'inverter ' for future power cuts. They convert 12v DC [car battery] up to 240v and can supply enough power to run a few lights etc Typical example [in UK] is;- http://www.flatbatt.co.uk/Electrical/12v_to_mains_inverter/12v_to_mains_inverter.html which supplies up to a max of 450W [but continuous use of 150W] and costs about £40. Assuming energy saving bulbs, you could get plenty of lights going, although its best to just have 1 or 2 to extend the battery life
"Are English electric blankets safe in Italy or can you buy them locally?" Yes and Yes
“Can anyone help me with an idea of how much it might cost to heat a small 2 bed apt over the winter, ……………………….All suggestions to maximise efficiency and reduce costs will be welcomed.” I’ve been thinking about how to make the place warmer, and would suggest that you consider the following points, to see if they apply to your place’-
Hope this helps
Snow causing problems elsewhere http://www.agi.it/english-version/italy/elenco-notizie/201103030847-cro-ren1009-weather_woes_snow_blizzards_on_highways_of_emilia_romagna
We use 'bog standard' convector heaters at our place - we have ones that can heat at either 750W, 1250W or 2000W. This allows you to run 2 or 3 at a time to heat more than 1 room, but also allows you to 'blast' a room you want heating quickly Most effective in Winter to help heat the place up until the CH takes over on its own