UlsterRugby1999

I'm sorry to visit this old chestnut again BUT - I need to ask a few questions of you wise owls. Last year (2009) we had a thread discussing solar water heating. It was a great thread and loads of very useful information came out of it. It is something that I will be opting for at some point in the future but not just now. Funds and all that. During the discussions, I had indicated that our electricity consumption was very high and I suggested that our hot water use might be seriously contributing to the high consumption. Some of you guys had looked at this with me and suggested various routes to follow and tests etc. I have been trying a wee test this week to see how things might work out. Using the HC charging rate for electricity (21:45 through to 5:45) only to heat our chauffe'au (plus 1 hour during the day time) we have been able to reduce our weekly Kw consumption by an average of 105 Kw. I know this figure cannot be simply multiplied by 52 weeks to give a reasonable annual saving but lets assume that we do so and use only 80% of the total. This would give us an annual reduction in consumption of 4368Kw. At a cost of 0.0839 (HT) this would save us circa 438.1€ (TTC) per annum. No mean sum. Here's the BUT - we never get to the end of a day without running out of hot water. During the test, no dishes were washed except one dishwasher load which uses cold water anyway as is the case for the washing machine. The usual mode of a half full sink of hot water to wash a few knives and mugs etc didn’t happen. Showers were kept to the shortest time possible and so on. Our tank is 250 litres and the unit is heated (I believe) by a 3Kw heater. My 84 year old mother-in-law has twice tried to run a bath and the water has been tepid at best. Now I'm not quite flavour of the month. [:(] So, with the best intentions in the world (and of my pocket too) I have to revert to leaving the Chauffe'au on 24 hours a day. Even with the solar systems that we see advertised which generally use a 300 litre tank, would I still end up with a tank of hot water for her bath each night. I understand that they have an electrical element too to augment any additional requirements but could this be taken up with charging/heating times during the HC hours? You see what I mean. What are your thoughts folks? All advice, as always, gratefully appreciated.

One of the problems with many of the slate roofs, in this area at least, is that the slate is very very thin. Quite often they look in good order but when you inspect them they are quite crumbly and porous and on their last legs. If you can get up there to have a wee look I'd advise you to do so and have a closer inspection. Just a wee thought.

You saw him [:@] you actually saw him. God I hate you already. Kidding. I'm green with envy. He's playing here in France over the next few months and my son and I will be going to see him, probably Nantes or Bordeaux - most definitely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbvSBNLLoo IMHO - probably the best all round guitarist I have ever heard.

It just got better - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/8438018.stm with Ulster beating the Turnip munchers from Munster 15 - 10. Bonne annee indeed..........

[quote user="Anton Redman"] With the possible exceptions of the hot water cylinder and wiring to a very large electric cooker it is very unlikely the wiring on the out let side of the T d E is anything other than 230 volts. One curious part of EDF pricing for two 6 amp supplies is less than the standing charge for one € 12 amp supply. I believe the last three in the list are three phase only. 3 amps KW 15 €66,82    0,1078 6 amps KW 30    €77,08 0,1081 9 amps KW 45 €96,78 0,1125 12 amps KW 60 €168,13 0,1125 15 amps KW 75 €204,76 0,1125 18 amps KW 90 €241,40 0,1125 24 amps KW 40 €412,66 0,1125 30 amps KW 50 €560,19 0,1125 36 amps KW 60 €707,71 0,1125[/quote] Hi Anton - could you (for those thickos like myself) add a wee bit more meat to the data table you posted. Presently, we have Triphase with each phase operating one area of the house only and no actual three phase appliances. Is it difficult to switch over to monophase? Cheers - and sorry if it is being deemed a thread hijack.

[quote user="Quillan"]So only the Super 14's and the French championship is left to play for and hopefully we have learn't enought from the lesson Munster gave us to win both.[/quote] Morning Quillan - you could, as an alternative, follow Ulster. Could be very uplifting for your soul amongst other things[;-)]. We still have an outside chance, despite our defeat in the bizarre arrangement on saturday, of qualifying for the knock-outs or even the Challenge Cup. So, you could be singing "Stand Up For The Ulstermen" before too long. And very welcome you'd be too. [:D][:D] We were supposed to be playing Stade Francais in their home game but in Brussels as their ground is under reconstruction yet when Brussels was snowed out, off we trooped to where - Paris for Gods sake. How insane and unfair is that. Our supporters had paid small fortunes to travel and stay in Brussels and then have to cough up loads more to move to Paris where the damn match should have been played in the first place. Lunatics in the ERC. [8-)][:@][8-)]

While this started off a serious thread it only got better. No offence meant bigears - but this is a funny thread. Thanks guys [:D][:D]

I got this by email earlier today and I laughed. Man I laughed. At least there are still human beings with real humour left in them. I'm assured that it was genuinely sent to Miliband - but hey - who cares - its funny anyway. Rt Hon David Miliband MP Secretary of State. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR 16 July 2009 Dear Secretary of State, My friend, who is in farming at the moment, recently received a cheque for £3,000 from the Rural Payments Agency for not rearing pigs.. I would now like to join the "not rearing pigs" business. In your opinion, what is the best kind of farm not to rear pigs on, and which is the best breed of pigs not to rear? I want to be sure I approach this endeavour in keeping with all government policies, as dictated by the EU under the Common Agricultural Policy. I would prefer not to rear bacon pigs, but if this is not the type you want not rearing, I will just as gladly not rear porkers. Are there any advantages in not rearing rare breeds such as Saddlebacks or Gloucester Old Spots, or are there too many people already not rearing these? As I see it, the hardest part of this programme will be keeping an accurate record of how many pigs I haven't reared. Are there any Government or Local Authority courses on this? My friend is very satisfied with this business. He has been rearing pigs for forty years or so, and the best he ever made on them was £1,422 in 1968. That is - until this year, when he received a cheque for not rearing any. If I get £3,000 for not rearing 50 pigs, will I get £6,000 for not rearing 100? I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 pigs not raised, which will mean about £240,000 for the first year. As I become more expert in not rearing pigs, I plan to be more ambitious, perhaps increasing to, say, 40,000 pigs not reared in my second year, for which I should expect about £2.4 million from your department. Incidentally, I wonder if I would be eligible to receive tradable carbon credits for all these pigs not producing harmful and polluting methane gases? Another point: These pigs that I plan not to rear will not eat 2,000 tonnes of cereals. I understand that you also pay farmers for not growing crops. Will I qualify for payments for not growing cereals to not feed the pigs I don't rear? I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send any information you have on that too. Please could you also include the current Defra advice on set aside fields? Can this be done on an e-commerce basis with virtual fields (of which I seem to have several thousand hectares)? In view of the above you will realise that I will be totally unemployed, and will therefore qualify for unemployment benefits. I shall of course be voting for your party at the next general election. Yours faithfully,

Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdSaWW9vuow   Ah man did I laugh at this. I hope you enjoy it and it brings a wee smile to your self [:D] It has some strong language in it BUT............

[quote user="Richard"]I didn't know they were so expensive!!! Might hold off for a bit then. The glass is in in place, just broken. The fire is going. I'll check my insurance tomorrow. Well that's the third thing. Last week, the laptop died and my taps broke, now the glass on my burner has broken.[/quote] Aye - and Everton were beaten too [:D][:D] Seriously Richard I replaced glass for a woodburner for a client earlier this year. I got it in Mr Brocolage and it cost a tad over 100€. The size wasnt huge I think it was about 400 x 300mm. Maybe a wee bit squarer on reflection but anyway, they seemed to be the cheapest around here. Good luck with it though.

Agreed Gardian. I went to post the same thing yesterday but decided against it. But I'm going to respond to the Henry issue quickly Richard off side (as Keane was) and handling twice are not the same thing and while they are both ref errors, Keane didnt do anything illegal whereas Henry certainly did and twice. Each are incorrect but thats where the similarities stop. Moreover, Georgia werent put out of the competition at that stage whereas Ireland were. Finally, they are both proof that the bent game of soccer needs a bloody good clean up including a system to counter awful ref decisions.

[quote user="DerekJ"][quote user="UlsterRugby1999"]How good was that. Ireland 15 - South Africa 10. Best still is the demise of ROBOT O'Gara. Jonny Sexton was immense. Roll on the 6 Nations. [:D][:D][/quote] Great performance by the Irish.  Sexton...yes, agreed, a terrific game. The last couple of minutes I wasf out of my seat "willing" them to keep SA out through the mist. [/quote] Sure aren't you a mighty man of yourself. I'm only getting my voice back now. Mind you, the rest of the family have enjoyed their morning of peace and quiet. [:D][;-)][:D]

How good was that. Ireland 15 - South Africa 10. Best still is the demise of ROBOT O'Gara. Jonny Sexton was immense. Roll on the 6 Nations. [:D][:D]

Massive congratulations to a truly fantastic golfer. Highly deserved and its brilliant to se him back in this form. As he says himself, its probably the best day of his career. I hope that he can continue this form for a long time to come as his is a wonderful player to watch, a real gentleman and just the sort of role model the youngsters, coming through, need to see. Oh and he's a solid rock in the Ryder Cup team

[quote user="Richard"][quote user="ali-cat"]For once in my life I agree with Roy Keane. [:D][/quote] I wouldn't take much notice of him. The guy is a serious fruit loop. Plus he hates the Irish FA.[/quote] Aint that the truth. Typical scorned Corkman. Once a thicko always a thicko. [:D]

[quote user="Quillan"] As a schoolboy I represented the UK internationally (rowing) and can remember the talk given before we went about being 'ambassadors' for our country. I, like the rest or my team, was over the moon to be selected and of course extremely proud (I still have my cap and badge somewhere in a box). We didn't win but we came in 4th out of about 20 countries. Our parents had to pay for us to go.[/quote] Sadly, how times have changed in such a short time. IN any sport it was always viewed as the ultimate. [quoteuser="Quillan"]When I have ever watched international football I don't see the proudness that I felt. What I see is a group of men who are told not to get hurt under any circumstances because they are worth so much to their club and thats what its about, the money. Likewise I often get the impression they don't really want to be there.[/quote] How true is that - sadly.

[quote user="Quillan"] I have been following this in the French papers and in particular La Figaro. The French run true to form in that nobody wants to take responsibility or make a decision, they wait for somebody else to do it. By this I mean that since the match many have said its a disgrace for France, the government should get involved (why?) etc, etc. They all wait for Fifa to make a decision and then the mood changes. First they say it was allowed because the ref allowed the foul by Shay Given on Nicolas Anelka (didn't watch the game so I don't know if this is true). Then they go further to comment on games where other countries have been knocked out due to bad referees decisions (or lack of them). Some go on and pick on fouls Ireland have committed in the past that allowed them to win a game. It seems strange that now Fifa have made their decision the French have changed their attitude. I don't think we were ever going to get a replay for more obvious reasons. Fifa is the head of one of the largest and richest global industries in the world, football. Games are arranged so far in advance both nationally and internationally that you can't just call the players back which is why they have a penalty shootout to get a result. This to my mind is more to do with money than anything else. Personally it seems to me that if you want to sort it out (I am a rugby man and don't watch football) the obvious decision is to cancel the goal then do what would happen next as it was at the end of extra time, have a penalty shootout. This would be quick, can be done any time anywhere. Anyway judging by the amount of comments about which teams have won by 'cheating' (there words not mine) I think there should be three major changes to international football. The first (and I know you will see this coming) is video refs. This works well in rugby, we are all used to it by now and would stop people digging up the past about who cheated in which game etc. Don't forget that ref on the pitch still has the final decision regardless of what video ref says. The second, just like rugby have a 10M rule for dissent towards the ref. The ref only talks to the captains and if other players ignore him telling them to go away he simply moves the free kick 10M forward and keeps doing so till, in the case of football, he gets to the penalty box. Thirdly I think that with the aid of the video ref those caught taking a dive should get an immediate red card. Did Henry deliberately handball, well for me the first touch was an accident the second a definite redirection of the ball and whilst it was not him that scored the player who did would not have done so if Henry had not deflected the ball deliberately. I can understand the temptation for Henry to do what he did, it was a gift and will probably never happen to him again. What he forgot about was the TV cameras else he would probably have gotten away with it. His shame is that he has only half come clean by, to my mind, only admitting the accidental first touch and not the deliberate second one. One thing we can do in rugby is penalise a player after the match if a complaint has been made like a match ban for one or more matches. Not knowing football rules I don't know if you can do this. So I am sorry for Ireland to have been knocked out in such a fashion. Could they have won the game, I don't know. Could they have won the World Cup, again I don't know but I think I know what an Irishman would say. [;-)][/quote] Aye - its all a pretty sad affair and it shows football in a very poor light. Worse still is it shows FiFa in an even poorer light. Their aim is clearly monetary and given the uproar both here in France and world wide to this fiasco, their actions, or rather lack of, has clearly shown them for what they are. When the player himself does the decent thing you'd think that the governing body would follow suit. Obviously the FFF wont rock the boat as they have too much to lose. Would Ireland win a replay? Who knows? Would they win the world cup? Not in a month of Sundays. I feel sorry for Henry. He is a great player who acted instinctively and did what many other players would have done. Not that this is right but we can all understand how and why. What is wrong is the system that doesnt offer any instant recourse to a grossly wrong decision. It was a wrong decision and if the ref didnt see it, he has 3 other match officials who should have seen it and if this fails then there should be the equivalent of rugby's TMO. Anyway, its done and wont be undone so we've just got to move on. Sure its hard on those Irish players who wont be around for the next world cup but there is nothing that can be done now.

[quote user="Richard"]Well sharkhunter, this is exactly why I don't want video replays in football. It would remove too much controversy and there would be far less debates. Sure, maybe have another couple of officials like they're trying in the Europa Cup, but it's controversy like this that makes footy all the more enjoyable. Better to have a moan about something that doesn't really matter that much and to get on with stuff that does.[/quote] Poetry - pure poetry Richard. Love it [;-)][:D][;-)]

[quote user="maude"]Havnt seen any-that are less than Uks finacial deficit. Maude[/quote] Sorry maude - just what do you mean [8-)] [8-)] [8-)]

Everyone has talents Richard  -  everyone - even you and me [;-)] [;-)]

[quote user="Richard"]Agreed Ulster. Even with Hillsborough 20 years ago, there was a togetherness. Don't think it's there anymore unfortunately. I take it you're a red? I'm a blue.[/quote] I used to be a passionate Red Richard but I've lost 99% interest in soccer these days. Just, as the name suggests its rugby. Strangely I was a much better footballer than I ever was a rugby player but I am so passionate about my rugby (its an age thing maybe [;-)]). I loved standing in the boys pen and watching my, then, heros. Ray Clemence (I was a keeper) Keegan, Toshack, Heighway - ah man. The derby matches were the best ever although I was never at Goodison despite the fact that we could see it from the pen. Strange eh? Some of the best humour and banter came from those matches. If only I'd written it all down I could be a ............................. [:D][:D]

[quote user="Richard"][quote user="UlsterRugby1999"][quote user="Northender"][quote user="Chancer"] It is only another game, albeit mediatised and commercialised, why do people get so worked up about it? [/quote]   1 "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly [/quote] I remember that. Shanks was a great man and a great leader. I was a boys pen lad in those days. God he walked on water. [:D] [/quote] And the only manager both Evertonians and Liverpuddlians both respect together. Think he ended up being more Evertonian in the end after the way Liverpool treated him. [/quote] When Shanks died, I went to the gathering in St Johns Square (I think it was - so long ago now) and I saw a sea of red and white and blue and white scarves all standing together and grown men crying. I was only a wean/wayin (child) at the time but it was one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen. Dont see things like that in football these days. More's the pity.

[quote user="Northender"][quote user="Chancer"] It is only another game, albeit mediatised and commercialised, why do people get so worked up about it? [/quote]   1 "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly [/quote] I remember that. Shanks was a great man and a great leader. I was a boys pen lad in those days. God he walked on water. [:D]

[quote user="Iceni"]Th end of the world is nigh, a footballer cheated. How many Irish fouls went unpunished in this match, I wonder or does that not matter ? John[/quote] I take it John, your TV is a serious shade of Rose. If you are serious about match stats go a look them up and then quote them rather than throw some glib, unfounded piece of horse dung out like that. fouls bear no comparison to a player deliberatley handling the ball TWICE, while also being in an offside position, to ensure that his team gets to the finals of the WC. If it was the same it would be headline news. Its not. Go and search out the stats. I'm sure they are easy to source and then come back with some accurate data and not some fantasy rubbish. [:@] The discussion here also includes the fact that the player actually admitted what he had done to the ref who chose to ignore it. Then after the match he again stated what he had done. For those serious sport people in this world, this leaves a very bitter taste in their/our mouths.