DizzyKipper

Damn I forgot to say how nice the drivers are (it's true though)

Been to Bruges, Belgium. The market wasn't huge and I can't really say we got a lot of stuff. It was absolutely freezing. There was a lovely cafe with a large roaring fire... we asked for hot chocolate and were brought two mugs, a huge jug of the the most gorgeous hot choc I have ever tasted, plus whipped cream. Worth going just for that!! And of course there is the small matter of the chocolate shops... mmmm. So Bruges, worth a visit if you are passing through. more tourists than locals it seemed to me. I wouldn't make a special trip just to see it though... there are better ones to visit.

ok I confess don't shop at Mainlands very often, I've only been in four or five times, for the reasons stated before. I'm going back to an article I read somewhere (ST?) that compared prices in local shops around the isles. It was before we moved up, so I didn't really know where the shops were, but all the shops were seemingly more expensive than town, some more than others. As you rightly say the offers are only a bargain if you would normally buy them, otherwise you have parted with money you would have used elsewhere. The shop was probably overstocked or the products near their display until date, etc. I might try and get over to Mainlands for another mooch about

Thanks for the advice folks. @Paul, we have no transport, so despite the interest in the peat bank, we can't get there to work it. We'll chase the supplier suggestions.

The size of a 'big shop' we'll need to stock up again would clean them out. Fruit, veg and meat etc I prefer from Shetland, but ordinary groceries like toilet rolls and tins are much cheaper at tesco. I know there are arguments for buying locally to help the outlying stores, but doing all the shopping at mainlands might be pushing it I would prefer Co-op delivering to tesco, but only tesco do it. Delivery is free. I just wish they would get their van fixed. I hope they are just not trying to wriggle out of the service they are supposed to provide.

yea, we put frame sealant on it and it still is coming in, not sure where though, it's at the top. Will have another look tomorrow. The misted units themselves although unsightly are not urgent.

Not as simple as I thought. I was thinking it might be the bit between Channerwick and Bigton, on the south side of the road. Maybe not then. I don't know what the cost would be hiring someone to do all this and just buying it in (or coal)

Quendale, but I'd have to walk 2 miles there and back to get to it. It doesn't have all of what I need we need though, especially the larger size packs of things that are easier to store and work out cheaper.

Well the gentleman at Quendale mill made a few enquiries for us. It's apparently the hill at Levenwick. I think we are Sumburgh estate? If we wanted to use it, we would be met there and be given a bank.

So would I. All our meat is local, and we'd love to buy fresh produce here. We used to grow our own down south, and will try it again here next year. The fruit and veg at both co-op and tesco, is usually quite poor - parsnips that can be bent double etc. Some is Ok. We'd love to visit farmers markets etc but most need a car Tesco deliver but they are restricted. They are not allowed to advertise, or mark their van with tesco livery. You have to pick your shopping and pay instore (no tesco.com here), and then it's taken away and delivered in the afternoon. I certainly don't agree with tesco sourcing policies, but 'needs must' as far as delivery is concerned for us. I'm surprised more don't use it, the manager told us not many do. They have to provide it, it's a condition of them coming to Shetland when they took over from Safeway. I can see families doing their shopping early on a weekend morning, and rather than having to go home or leaving all the food in a warm car, go shopping in town instead for all the stuff they'd rather buy locally

Anyone know when tesco home deliveries are coming back. We keep getting fobbed off by customer service staff They said 2 weeks, 2 weeks ago. And they are still saying that. It was a van problem apparently. Thought they were big enough to get it fixed. I believe tesco had to take on the deliveries when they took over. I'm surprised more don't use it, although the fact that they are not allowed to have tesco livery on the van means probably not that many are aware of it. I know there are tesco haters out there, but you try doing a big shop with two buses, it's not funny. Having a stockpile is good esp when the weather turns bad. I really don't know what we'll do if they stop it

Aye! At the risk of indeed taking over the thread, wouldn't it be nice if we had an open gardens week, say in June, where people could have a look and see what others are growing. They don't have to be fantastic gardens, but i think every gardener no matter how successful they are, is pleased when a passerby takes an interest in what they have grown. In Shetland especially, as it's twice the challenge, isn't it? Seen it down south, all the gardens are listed with times they would are open to visitors. Gardeners are supposed to label as many varietes as possible. Some will make drinks and things. Visitors are asked not to take any cuttings themselves but to ask the owner. I think it's a lovely way to share your garden and your achievements!

I wouldn't mind having a go at doing it... need to buy a pair of wellies and some skin so soft. As i understand it, you dig it, stack it with gaps, and then go back and restack it... before collecting it and stacking it at home. No transport rules it out. Anyway it's too late for this year isn't it, May is the time to start i believe... Might have think about it for next year. no idea how much to offer, surely it depends on how much they dig? how would I know what they have done?

Ahh Ok, looks like hardwood then. All custom sized Another one started leaking overnight, and quite a few are misted. When it dries up will see if some sealant will do a temp fix whilst we look at the leak in the roof

Indeed

Just curious, down south most windows are replaced with PVCu, and new homes are built with them in. In Shetland they are all wood. Is it because you can't buy it here, so it's very expensive to get a south company in? Or the weather affects it badly? Or some other reason...

Thanks for that. It's for a single room. The Rayburn is oil, but struggles with all the radiators. The single room, the lounge in in the south east corner and is a bit chilly, and the radiator never really gets that hot tbh. We'll look into coal then, although I love the smell of peat. Thanks!

Well we have found out we do have peat rights, but no transport It's also too late for this year. Where would be the best place for coal?

Hi, we're looking for peat to be delivered as we don't have transport. As we are south end we were advised to ask John Halcrow in Cunningsburgh. This we did and were told that 1 ton of peat loose, is £93 with £50 delivery Or we could have bags £3.60 each with 65p delivery on each bag. We thought the loose delivery would be cheaper as it's in bulk rather than bagged, although it would mean more work to get it up the drive and stacked. We hadn't banked on the delivery charge though! Does anyone have any other suugestions for suppliers? Or would it make more sense to use coal or wood? They burn at different rates don't they, so which is the best 'burn per pound'? Thanks

Saw the street car in tesco car park this morning. With a nice rain cover over the camera

Well, its only purpose is to filter the extension wiring, so if you don't have any it won't make any difference at all. If you do have extention wiring a cheaper option, and even better, is to remove the 'bell wire', on a correctly wired facepalte this is on terminal 3. bit of a late response to this sorry "Even if it doesn't improve the speed the I-Plate can help stabilise your broadband line making it more reliable. " From their site. I have no extension wiring and it improved my speed by nearly 2MB. Not saying it's going to be like that for everyone, one friend only had his improve by 0.5Mb, but very bit helps. I have previously disconnected the ring wire at a previous address, and know there will be people out there not that comfortable with fiddling with wires, as simple as it is. Just thought this might help

Select the European view and refresh the page I just looked in the clear slots and I can't see anything :'(

yes tonight and tomorrow http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/Default.asp?Date=20100804 weather for tonight 'partly cloudy' - hope to see it in a clear slot, if dark enough

Water went a nice shade of brown too... About the electricity, does seem to go off momentarily (sometimes a bit longer) a couple of times a week. The PC is on a very good belkin surgemaster powerstrip, and has a quality PSU and isn't usually affected. Other electrical items are though. Went off again today. Is it normal like this?

Thanks. I think forky tail is nicer