New toys...

[BrilloPad]

I just got myself a robot hoover.

The IRobot, called Roomba - latest model.

I've set him to come on for an hour every day when I'm at work - he's goes all the way round the bottom floor of the house (2 reception rooms, a big hallways, and a large kitchen and dining room), then gos back to his docking station to charge

He was a steal at £300 notes.

I'm thinking of getting his mopping friend next

Get his cooking friend too and your husband will divorce you

[Pogle]

Pogues, if you fit into that, can I have your phone number

I'm rather more curvaceous than the model shown! Mr P's eyes were on stalks when he saw me in it - a most pleasing effect

[SallyAnne]

i've got a roomba, they are the best cleaning product ive ever purchased..

They're totally cool aren't they?!!!

[nerd]

Have you downloaded the SDK for it? I haven't got round to it yet, but I really really want to. I want to see what he's capable of. I'd quite like him to spend more time in the kitchen on a Monday, plus I have a rug that I'd like him not to go round (and those sensors dont seem to work too well for that) - i was wondering if I could program a route in for him?

[/nerd]

[conned tractor]

Be interested to hear how you get on - that's on my list of projects.

Started about two months ago and just finished drinking my first 5 gallon batch a london pride copy- went down really well. Steep initial learning curve though - a lot to get your head around but once you've done a couple its quite easy. Second batch now bottle conditioning almost ready to drink. Requires some patience and a fair amount of time though.

Initial outlay for me was around £400 for all required to brew from scratch including stainless kegs (the rest is plastic). But can be made if good at DIY for a lot less. jimsbeerkit.co.uk is a good starting point. Good forum on there too.

[Moscow Mule]

Bought a bike shed about two months ago. Only arrived last week though.

Other than that, nothing shiny and new.

[AtW]

Yep, until he finds out it cost <£2k. He is Threaded, after all.

You need to look at TCO over time, not just face value that may be free...

[voodooflux]

Started about two months ago and just finished drinking my first 5 gallon batch a london pride copy- went down really well. Steep initial learning curve though - a lot to get your head around but once you've done a couple its quite easy. Second batch now bottle conditioning almost ready to drink. Requires some patience and a fair amount of time though.

Initial outlay for me was around £400 for all required to brew from scratch including stainless kegs (the rest is plastic). But can be made if good at DIY for a lot less. jimsbeerkit.co.uk is a good starting point. Good forum on there too.

Cheers for that. We're planning to have a go at growing some hops on our allotment, and there's a very good homebrew shop locally that I may be frequenting for advice.

[n5gooner]

I'm cycling into work and back most days, and I buy toys the bike and gear for it, I justify this as I'm saving £25 each day doing the ride (round trip 45 miles) I've also started running from Balham to Soho as Balham is a stop on my way in if I get the train.....so now I just need to look at what to buy for running ;0)

I've got the Polar watch and belt that give me cals burnt (about 2800 each day!!) and then puts it onto the computer.....I've got a good MBT bike with road wheels, circa £500 for the wheels and 2k for the bike. The bike went through the company

[conned tractor]

Cheers for that. We're planning to have a go at growing some hops on our allotment, and there's a very good homebrew shop locally that I may be frequenting for advice.

Wouldn't be in birmingham would it?

A good home brew shop would be the best place to start although a lot of the equipment can be DIY'ed - if you have the time - I didn't so the home brew shop owner is my best friend now.

[voodooflux]

Wouldn't be in birmingham would it?

Studley (on the way from Birmingham to Alcester).