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Hello, Jazzgirl,
Yes, that is the best angle for the "now working" camera.
All the other sites are showing the same angle.
It is a "must" to catch the arrival of the first bird of the year!


Hello, Pigale!
I think they were trying the sound earlier.
There was an awful screeching sound lasting several seconds, repeating, for a while.
The infra red is working again.
So, a cautious "well done" to the team for their efforts this week.
I'll perhaps email Christy to that effect in a day or two.

Hi, Rusty!
Oh dear, you are not doing well with your favourite choices in the racing!
Still tomorrow may be better?
No, you are quite right........£8 is a measly annual saving in using our washing machine!
And their overall savings for the year, considering every available option, only amounted to £50!
£1 per week!
Honestly, why bother?
I am not looking forward to this visitation tomorrow by yet another TW man.......
So how I wonder does he trace a leak.....?
I have just finished my book......
I may do some browsing on Amazon.......
Now that I have gift money in my account, I can do so with a clear conscience!
I never asked how you are feeling today, after yesterday's hospital visit?

Hello, Elle!
No, you do not understand.
It's the racing I like, I care not if I lose.
It just adds a bit of spice, that's all.
Seeing the great horses take each other on, the bets are unimportant to me.
Willie Mullins had three winners, and Lizzie Kelly rode her first ever Cheltenham winner and was very emotional after!
So, a great afternoon's entertainment, for me.
And Nina is riding the cross-country tomorrow.
Another great afternoon ahead.
ITV's coverage is excellent, too.
I am perfect after yesterday.
It was just a minor procedure.
Miss ATW is coming to see me tomorrow.
Hopefully she'll bring fish and chips!

Hi, Rusty!
I perhaps put that badly!
Yes, I do understand that the betting is just a bit of fun....but it's still nice to win!
And as you say, the anticipation thereof adds a bit more excitement to the event!
Willie Mullins did well with his horses.
Tomorrow's programme sounds good too.
That is nice that Miss ATW is coming to see you tomorrow.
You haven't mentioned her in a while?
The potential fish and chip supper sounds good!
(We had Indian cuisine tonight!)
It has been raining heavily here this evening...but we are supposedly set for sunshine tomorrow.

Hello, Elle!
Part of the fun at Cheltenham is the rivalry for the Prestbury Cup.
The winner is whichever country, Britain or Ireland, has the most winners at the Festival.
Ireland has won it the last three years, but after today, it is Britain 4 winners, Ireland 3 winners, for this year's trophy, but a long way to go!
I am sure the Water Board lads will have hi-tec equipment for finding leaks.
Not sure if they would be doing any dousing!

Or is it "dowsing", maybe ?

Hi, Rusty!
Fortunately, at present our water meter is not activated, and we have a two year hiatus before this becomes mandatory.
I have been looking up TW's policies and, apparently, once we are being metered for the water supply, we shall be liable for payment for water wasted due to leaks!
This is copied and pasted from TW online information.....

"If you have a water meter, your charges are based on all the water that passes through it, whether it is used by you, or wasted due to a leak.
As a result, leaks can add hundreds of pounds to your bill. However, we'll consider giving you a leak allowance for the cost of water wasted due to the leak, as long as you haven't received a leak allowance for the same property before."

This sounds to me like a huge con?

! am not pleased by the fact that these water meters are mandatory and we have no say in the matter.
P.S I think water divining is "dowsing"!

Hello Elle,

I have been meaning to ask you this ever since you started talking
of water meters -
How on earth do you pay for your water at present? I mean, how do they measure how much water is consumed by each household?

We have always had meters in our houses (or flats), and yes,
we are responsible for any leakage from pipes either indoors or
in the garden, until the end of our property. We are covered from
house to edge of property by the water board minimal insurance
cover, and our own home insurance covers for any leakage indoors.

It works very well, and we know that what we pay is exactly the
amount we owe for the amount of water we used (plus VAT etc)

So I can't imagine how you can be sure that what you pay now
reflects exactly your own consumption?
Or am I missing something?

No, Pigale, at present we do not pay for what we consume.
Our water bill is based on the rateable value of the property.
And is a fixed charge.
It depends on the number of bedrooms you have and the Council Tax band.
When the meters become "law" in two years time, we shall then be charged for what water we actually use...but also seemingly for any water wastage due to leaks too!

Well, probably because I am so used to it, I think it will be better;
As things stand, your house, from what I gather, has several
bedrooms, so you are 'water-taxed' for a potential of, say, at
least 4 people living in the house, whereas there are in fact only
two of you. Surely there is a big difference in consumption between
4 people perhaps all taking one bath a day, and two perhaps
taking just one shower a day? plus the amount of washing etc...
and, most important, more toilet flushes (the biggest consumption
of water in most houses).

As for leaks, I understand it is not a pleasant prospect, but how
often do you have a leak in your house? and if so, I am sure you
notice it soon and have it repaired straightaway?

Would you not be able to adjust your house insurance so that
you are better covered in case of leaks?