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One of many dealership cons. The actual cost is a fraction of that.

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My Clio has 2 keyless entry cards and one of them I keep in my wallet so I just approach the car and I just open the door, the other key I keep in my man-drawer. My son came to stay at the weekend and he thought it would be hilarious to hide both keys. I was just on the phone to Renault to be told another 2 would be over £500 when he appeared out of nowhere waving them about.

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I was driving home from my sons house and as i exited the fiveways roundabout there he was,an elderly gent with a huge white bushy beard and a full head of frizzy white hair ,my first thought was bloody hell it's santa he actually is real :)

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I travelled to London and back on the train. My journey wasn't disturbed. Not because I wasn't on a timer but because the trains actually arrived earlier than scheduled. Bar the tube it was relatively quiet. It was a nice soothing ride.

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Last years rooted Christmas tree, carefully grown on outside in the summer , repotted and brought back in. Bigger of course...

Might get another year out of it, before it has to planted permanently outside.

#sustainable_tightwad

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After 10 great years working for the Law firm I’ve been accepted in to a new job starting next month.

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Are they getting you a dyson ;)

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A bar of Dairy Milk arrived today, from the Cadbury Secret Santa :D

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Well I'm signing off until Monday the 16th December, as I'm flying to Nuremberg at 7am tomorrow morning for my birthday on Friday.

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Travelling again on the train. Popped in to see my mum in London.

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Just paid the outstanding £4.5k for our trip to the Dominican Republic in March, so starting to get excited, but avoiding looking at the credit card balance for a few days so I don't spoil it.

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I had a great 4 days in Nuremberg, we went to the zeppelinfeld and I stood on the exact spot that Adolf Hitler once did, it was a surreal moment.

I do recommend it unless you don't like sausages or beer (bottled water can cost more than a beer)

I loved the Kartoffelpuffer's which are made with potato, onion, flour and egg and shallow fried, I didn't know there was onion in them until I saw them making a batch, I then could taste it.

Nuremberg Bratwurst is a local sausage I had 3 of them in a roll.

In the end we walked about 35 miles, my calf and lower back aches.

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Last weigh in before Christmas. Down to 12 stone 3 1/2lb a total loss of 18st 12lb. 2024 has been a mighty good year for me. I feel like I have worked hard and deserve it. At the start of the year I was chasing a memory of how I felt when I was fit and strong. Now not only did I catch the feeling I have surpassed it and am stronger and fitter than I ever thought I would be again. 2025 is mine for the taking

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Well done. But are you less than half the man you used to be? ;)

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Very impressive. Can I ask how you have done it?

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over 60 % body weight lost

---------- Post added at 21:21 ---------- Previous post was at 21:20 ----------

Calorie controlled diet for 6 months then moderate exercise building up to insane amounts of exercise. Tracking calories has been the most important single thing

I now do mostly cycling and walking. I cycle around 25 to 30 miles per session and walk between 8 and 12 miles per session. Often supplement with extra 4 to 6 mile walks

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That is amazing :clap: :clap:

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Outstanding!

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Just broken up from work for the 12 day Christmas break, so looking forward to this break without early shifts involved because the older I get the more I can't handle getting up at 5am without falling asleep on the sofa at 4pm every other week.

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I had a lovely day in Brighton today visiting family. A friend's dog died and my aunt was left with a full bag of wet food so my aunt drove to Dogs Trust Shoreham and donated it all to them. What a heartwarming thing to do, the dogs there made me laugh all with different personalities :LOL:

The train was therapeutic as always :D

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Just picked the lad up from Leicester and he’s with me for New Year’s Eve. With a bit of luck my daughter will be here a few days too.

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Jay there is not enough words to express my admiration at your seemingly unattainable quest to lose so much weight and on your own, which may have seemed at times, there was no end in sight. As I recollect you had a similar weight loss some time ago, this time don't put it back on again. The world is your oyster, go for it!!!!!!!!!!!:nworthy:

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Went to the Casino last night for our anniversary, didn't realise the boxing was on so there was a bonus. We had some nice food, a few drinks (soft for me as I drove) and non of us are big gamblers but we all left a few pound up.

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Unexpected visitor to our back garden this morning

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...8&d=1734947671

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...9&d=1734947671

A sparrow hawk

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Lovely to see, and good pic too. We get those around here quite often but always a quite a sight and a joy to see. Where we are we get mainly woodpeckers, Jays, magpies, the odd hawks, crows and all kinds of small birds. The oddest one we've had turning up was a parrot.. And then we have squirrels, by the bucket load, never a day goes by we're not visited by so many of the blighters.

We have 3 birdfeeders, 2 coconuts and 1 fat block and any scraps for them, always on the go all the time.
Costs a small fortune to feed them (food from Brinvale), but always such a joy and so rewarding to watch. One of life's pleasures.

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Top twitching Hugh ! :tu:

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We used to get one regularly

https://i.imgur.com/G3wWCbc.jpeg

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Cataract operation Saturday, wish me luck. :)

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Best of luck Tinky. Hope it goes well.

Everything that needed to bought has been bought. Everything that needed to be wrapped has been wrapped.:)

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I was in recovery and met 2 lovely people pre and post op cataract surgery . Both said it was a breeze and both were sorted within an hour

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Good luck Tinky.

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Thank you all for your good wishes, my only concern is can I lie still on my back for however long it takes when I have asthma amd copd and nasal problems. Or am I worrying for nothing? :erm:

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Finally got my new Galaxy Tab S9 that O2 couldn't ship out. Had been waiting 15 days.

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All the best :tu:

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I would think the hospital people will be aware and adjust as needed. They are used to all sorts of people with other issues. Make sure that they know about any possible problems you have.

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Won 2 prizes in our local social club Christmas draw.:)

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Spent this lunch hour at our local Social Club in the company of friends and neighbours, good time had by one and all. Wil be seeing our daughter and son in law down from London, and youngest son and family within the next few day, happy days :):)

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To be honest, it was a struggle. The headrest was low which does put a quite a bit of strain on your back and on my neck. Ask for a pillow to put under your knees which does help. The op lasts for about 10-15 mins and I only just managed to get through it. My back was knackered for a couple of days afterwards.

I can't lay flat, due to bowel probs and lower back issues, so I knew it wouldn't be easy, it's same with when it comes to MRIs or scans. But I'm sure I'm more of a problem than most.

The main thing is that the op isn't painful, certainly uncomfortable without doubt but if I can get through it then anyone can. Saying that my other eye is now booked to be done within the next month or two. Not looking forward to it but the results are amazing and that is the main thing by a mile. Absolutely well worth it without a doubt.

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Happy to say op was a piece of cake, unknown to me my son's girlfriend who works as a theatre nurse in the eye dept of our regional hospital, phoned our local hospital to ask them to kindly look after me. Which they did in spades. However the following the day I had a bad ache just above my eye which was bloodshot. Now so far need glasses for reading, which I did'nt need before, still early days yet.:)

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Celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary today, where has the time gone? :):):)

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Things will settle. I will need reading glasses when the other eye is done. But straight after the op the eye struggled quite a bit and couldn’t focus on anything under a meter away. but after a bit of time it settled down. Everything was super bright sharp but that also settled too which was a relief. Glad you got through it without any issues.

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Congratulations Tinky to you and your other half..

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Well done.A great achievement.:clap:

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Congratulations :)

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Congratulations. Here's hoping for many more.

Did you happen to mention in passing (drop the hint) that 48 is your Amethyst wedding?

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Thank you all fot your good wishes, Grim I was not aware it was our amethyst, drat missed out on yet another ring. :D

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I had to look it up!!

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Congratulations. :tu:

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Near half a decade together. What's your secret? I can't stop kissing people :shocked:

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Half a decade..... :erm:

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Oops century :o:

Congrats Tinky!!!!!!
 

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Thanks to Grim's suggestion that amethyst was the stone for a 48th W/A, I bid for a sweetheart amethyst and diamond ring on Ebay and won! :hyper::hyper::hyper:

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Very nice, glad I could help :). 49th is copper which seems a bit of a step down to me.

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This time next week , I’ll be in a swimming pool and enjoying a nice cold drink

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Somewhere warmer than the UK I hope ... ;)

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Koh Samui , about 28 during the day & 23 at night

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I won't be going for copper Grim , falls a lot short of gold for 50th, if we make it that is.:D

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I got the train to Brighton today then went to Worthing by car, my aunt loves the Chipwick, now I've travelled back by train. I refuse a lift because I love the train. And I was in luck today travelling I only ever waited for any form of public transport for a few minutes at most, a rarity.

It's lovely seeing the seafront. My aunts asked me numerous times to move in with her but I love my own space. It is tempting though especially on hot days.

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3 - 0, Nuff said :D

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Turned up to the gym at 7.50 tonight ready to be in a grumpy mood due to my expectation of there being other humans in the place especially as January is “new year new me” period.

There was not a soul there. Very happy Russ tonight. Smiled a few times too.

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A league double in the same season awaits.:)

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Bittersweet day as after 11 years I left the office today for the final time. Achieved everything I wanted to so looking forward to my new start on Monday. Had a pile of emails from people I work with now or alongside over the 11 years wishing me well which was really touching, some of them I’d not actually seen in 3 or 4 years.

Hard not to get sentimental as the company was very supportive during my Dark Clouds and the people who helped me are still there in many roles and although my new job is in the same building, due to the nature of the business we wouldn’t have any interaction during the working day so I won’t see them anywhere near as often.

But the new job starts next week and with even greater perks (the ones I had for 11 years were good) I’m looking forward to it. Apart from the daily commute in to Cardiff for the next 8 weeks (the now-previous job was WFH 4 days with just once a week in the office)…..

Congrats Russ!!!

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Good luck in your new job Russ :-)

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Kooking forward to delivery of a Chinese meal tonight, King prawns in batter with sweet and sour sauce, Kitchen special with noodles and beef and mushrooms in black bean sauce. :):):)

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Travelling into London to see my mum. I love the adventure that London serves up :D

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Travelling to Brighton. Southern rail now go to Hove before Brighton. Love the seats on southern, very comfy.

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Also full of rather unhappy seagulls supporters atm. :D

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My happy thought is that there's hope for everyone :)
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-e...-b2694884.html

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well more voted for it than against it , so maybe he's just a nob who hates democracy.

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You didnt need the last part. ;)

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Last night I got an email form nectar thanking me for spending my 18,000 points (£90) at Wellingborough Sainsbury Petrol Station, but it was 2 late to do anything, and I have never been there.

So at 9am I spoke to a guy who saw that it was about 65 miles from my address, plus I said I only use BP to fill my car.

He said it was obviously fraudulent and have cancelled the card and will send me a shiny new card with the 18,000 points plus transfer the remaining points on my old card.

So now to wait up to 10 days for the new card.

Boy am I relieved as I want to get to 20,000 points and £100. then spend it on booze.

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There seems to be a lot a fraud on Nectar cards. Best to spend a soon as you qualify for anything, and don't let large amounts pile up.

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Set up 2fa on your account

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How do you figure that from one report ?

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I too got an email about spending on Nectar somewhere I wasn't. All dealt with quickly and easily. I have now put a spending lock on my account.

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Travels on the train awesome as always. I accidentally sat opposite my old English teacher :LOL: I felt bad she said you've got a good memory remembering me, aww bless her clever lady. Brighton was nice, a lot of police out though at the train station on my return journey.

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No heating or jumper needed this weekend!

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Standing charges for lecky and gas are going down in this area. Per unit is going up but at least that's something one can economise on.

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I've just signed up to another Tracker to beat the standing charge rise, what are your standing charges in your area?

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This weeks local weather.

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...chmentid=31309

Wow I love that forecast Paul :)

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Same here near Cambridge, gave the car a good wash for a change.

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I finally manage to swap my Xbox primary email address to a new one as the old one was linked to my dads VM account, and VM claim they can't transfer it to mine

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Hopefully you didn't use another VM email address?

If I have to ever change my Sony PSN account email I feel that'll also be a nightmare.

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I didn't use a VM address

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I gave the car the full monty at the weekend and it looks great, wash with wax in bucket, spray with ceramic wax, pumped up the tyres as well as coated them, cleaned glass inside and out plus hoover the car and then topped up oil and washer bottle. I guess I'll have a week of perfect weather before it rains again because I won't be doing all that again anytime soon.

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Ordered some more coffee capsules from Nespresso last week, and they arrived on Tuesday, nothing special in that.

However, I got another parcel from them today, unexpected as I'd not ordered anything else - opened it up and it was the same capsules order again.

Got enough to last me a while now. Bonus. :)

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I had this happen with 24 cans of coke zero the other week Ordered one off amazon and got it next day then the day after I got it again hahah

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i ordered a service kit for my boats pump out toilet, another kit arrived about a week after the first one, i was happy these aren't cheap.

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Bought a pack of 12x Grenade energy drinks on a discount. The flavour is “cherry bomb” which is just about palatable but they for some reason sent me 2 packs instead of the 12x cans I ordered.

I rang them then morning to ask about it and they said it would be more effort than it’s worth to return them so they already cost me £10 as a great offer for the 12 and now I have 24.

They they work amazingly as a pre-workout ��

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I just applied for a job and I think its in the same law firm my sister works.

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Good luck!

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Good luck Hom3r, time you had some good news.

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First day of a sneaky fortnight in the Dominican Republic. The weather is hot, sunny and the pool bar is open.

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My aunt came to Crawley today and we went to my nans. Old age don't play by the rules. It can be hilarious at times. e.g. We put a movie on later in the day (film presence 2024 - which was crap) and my nan starts a conversation :LOL: very witty. We went out and about to Horsham got my nan a new saucepan set. Happy days.

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My sister was talking to one of the partners in her law firm, she spotted her shiny new Monte Blanc fountain pen and commented it looked nice and her brother would be jealous, as he collects them, she gave me he old pen a Waterman 24k gold Hémisphère Fountain Pen.

I'm well chuffed

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Been selected to play in the Scotland Transplant Active football team at the European Championship in Oxford next month, 2-6 April..

Never did i ever think I would be representing my country in a football tournament. So chuffed.