monsieurhappy

Let us know if you find a "good" one as normally they stop working after you have paid!

The last foot pump I bought fell apart the first time I used it. Then I bought one of the long hand pumps you hold down with your feet. It worked for a while but if you pulled up too hard the cap came off and you had the fiddly job of getting the plunger back inside. The battery operated ones are not too expensive and work OK for a couple of years but like everything here the climate detererates the rubber parts unless you keep in cool, dry conditions.

I bought a Honda 160GXV lawn mower last year at Tool Pro (Udon). The machine is fine, but I'm unable to find a 21" replacement blade in the area. Tool Pro is ordering one for me (only one available), but they won't reveal where they're getting it from (I assume Bangkok).

Searching online for Honda lawn mower parts came up empty. Can anyone give me an idea where (in Bangkok, Korat, Khonkaen) these blades might be available?

Sorry, can't tell you where to get new blade from but surely after 1 year it shouldn't need a new blade!

My original blade lasted many years and I sharpened it myself with a small grinding wheel on a Black&Decker. It was made from thickish steel. Then on one of the times it went into the shop for a "service" I foolishly asked them to sharpen the blade. I didn't notice for a while but they had exchanged it for a thin piece of steel that wasn't up to the job.

My mower at the moment is in a shop waiting for new parts! It's nearly 6 weeks since I left it with them and I'm beginning to think it's not going to see the light of day anytime soon.

Hi MsClueless, in my first reply to your query I told you to check out coach tours in the UK which I still maintain is your best way to see more of the UK for less money. I have been Googling and found this site that might interest you. There are 3 tours on the first page that to me look good value for money. The 20 day tour would take up your 3 weeks and cover most of the UK. All hotels and most meals are included so you would only need to find some pocket money. No driving, no parking just door to door. BTW I am not anyway associated with this company. I honestly don't think you could see as much of the UK for less money, the cost is per person. See the price in $ or pounds sterling.

Escorted Coach Tours Britain Scotland | UK tours, Britain + UK Vacation Packages - England, Scotland and Wales Travel Tours 2012

The UK is not that big. London to Edinburgh is only four hours by train.

Maybe start in London go North with maybe one or two stops checking out the east coast, return south on west coast to Devon and Cornwall and along the south coast to Brighton and finish in London.

With a car could take a week to do that journey, now you have to decide where you want to stay and for how long to fit your three weeks.

So many nice places to see.

UK is not cheap for travelling etc, hope you have allowed sufficient funds.

At last! Someone has admitted the truth. A hire car will set him back at least 100 pounds a week with fuel at well over 6 pounds a gallon! Train fares are the most expensive in Europe. Taxis from stations etc. will be much more than the OP is bargaining for. Who suggested hiring a car with chauffeur driven lady drivers! Is this guy a millionaire?

Then the cost of hotels? The OP won't get much for less than 50 pounds a night ( double that in big cities especially London ) and not including meals. All in all he's looking at a minimum of 1000 pounds a week for some of these suggestions. Maybe he should buy a tent and a couple of sleeping bags.

OP - if you have at least 5000 pounds to spend including your flights you may just get to see 3 weeks in the UK using these suggestions. If not you may well have to curtail your holiday by at least a week.

My advice to the OP would be to Google "Coach trips in the UK " and take your time reading about the many and varied coack trips all over the UK. These usually offer very good value for money holidays where all travel and accomadation is booked for you saving you time each day finding somewhere to stay. Most offer good hotels with meals included and the services of a driver and sometimes courier, most helpful when you want to see a sight and no worry of finding somewhere to park or getting to and from a railway station. You would be able to book your pickup from close to your arrival airport. Depending on your finances, you could pick maybe 2 tours to coinside with any days left over in London or close to your departure place.

One consideration is access! If you cannot get a backhoe on site, carting all that sand away could prove quite expensive!

Another point is how close to other buildings would this pool be? I don't think I'd want the deep end right up to my house unless it was well reinforced!

Some of these new avatars are sending my eyes crazy!

Before I could block them when I was signed in, can I do the same now?

Sorry I haven't replied, hard drive on comp. packed up!

LennyW--I think I can remember seeing that shop on Suk. rd. but when I tried to find it the other day I either missed it or it's no longer there.

As for an electric machine-- all the ones I've seen are quite small--30cm. cutter. It would take an age to cut my grass! There's also a lot of trees in my garden so I don't want to get tangled up!

I really want to find a repair place that someone has used and can reccomend them or who has bought one of the mowers that are currently on sale at Home Pro or Home Mart-- Asgatec.

Pattayapope-- I'm pretty sure it's more than a blocked filter because when I run it it uses more oil than petrol.

Whenever I've taken the mower for repair and service they've just got it running and then think it's OK!

Thanks for the replies.

There's only one sauce to put on a Scotch egg and that's HP !

I have a Briggs & Stratton mower which is nearly 9 years old. I'm sure there are still some years left in it but I can't get anyone to repair it. It has an engine problem, probably piston rings as it's using lots of oil and smoking. I recently took it to a mower repair shop near the Suk. rd. Thai intersection but the guy refused to look at it because it was Briggs & Stratton, said I should get a Honda because they never go wrong! Anyway, the shops that sell mowers seem to push the Honda models probably because they are more expensive. When I've asked about other brands they just shrug their shoulders and smile. Home Pro and Home Works have a brand called Asgatec and I was wondering if anyone on here had bought one? If so, can you recommend the brand or should I just bite the bullet and buy Honda? If anyone has any advice on this subject of mowers ( preferably the mechanical type ) I would appreciate it. Does anyone know of another mower specialist other than the ones at Pattaya Nua ( near bus station ) Pattaya Thai or either Home Pro or Works?

Thanks!

I remember 77 in 2008, that would be great again. Maybe i am a bit greedy but really would like to see a better rate.

In your dreams mate, it barely reached 77 back in 2004.

Fees

1. Bangkok Bank in New York charges the following fees for funds transfers initiated via the US ACH system:
   Transferred Amount Fee Not more than USD 50.00
   

   Free

   USD 50.01 - 100.00
   

   USD 3.00

   USD 100.01 - 2,000.00
   

   USD 5.00

   USD 2,000.01 - 50,000.00
   

   USD 10.00

   USD 50,000.01 or more
   

   USD 20.00

   
   

2. Bangkok Bank in Thailand also charges a fee of 0.25% of the amount in the Baht currency (minimum of THB 200; maximum of THB 500) when the funds are deposited into the recipientÆs Bangkok Bank account in Thailand.
   

Thanks, maybe saved me a trip as I don't intend bothering with flat sheets again.

I've tried the search function, it's like wading through mud!

Can someone give me any info about the shop on Pattaya Thai ( I think )?

The one that sells sheets etc. for hotels.

Where on Thai? What sort of quality? Costs etc? I'm looking for king sized fitted sheets.

Do they sell domestic or just trade?

Thanks.

I am still convinced that draining, cleaning and refilling to pool is the best solution, but it seems I am in a minority, so here is an important point if you don't,

Algae reoccurrences happen in a swimming pool because the algae was not completely eradicated when treated. Sometimes poor or misdirected water circulation can prevent the pool chemicals from removing all of the algae.

When treating a swim pool for algae, it is important that all parts of the pool receive a dose of algaecide. Some of the many types of algae can exist outside the pool and will reinfest the water when brought back in contact with the water. An excellent example of this is yellow, commonly called mustard, algae. These spores can survive outside the water for extended periods of time. It is important that when you treat for algae you submerge your cleaning equipment in the pool overnight, so that the algae on them is killed also. If you don't take this precaution, the next time you vacuum or skim for leaves you may reinfest your pool with algae spores.

In that case you must also empty, clean and refill your sand filter as this would be the best place for algae to remain! I would also like to know from where you obtain your fresh water as this also could be a source for recontamination with algae?

I think you are going over the top with your treatment but everyone to their own. Usually I would say "if it works then go ahead."

I think you are trying to do "too much, too quickly" if you can understand where I'm coming from.

Backwashing should only be done about once a month and only if there's indication the pool is in need of backwashing. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge on the sand filter, there's usually a mark or a coloured area that indicates b/wash is needed.

It's a good idea to vacuum to to waste but only when there is a lot of crud laying on the bottom of the pool.

I would tackle the algae problem first. After vacuuming, give the walls of the pool a brush down if there's any algae sticking to them. Then add some extra chlorine. For a pool about 80,000 litres I would add about 1 kilo of chlorine granules. Set the pump for 2x 3 hour sessions and leave for a couple of days. If no more algae has started to grow around the pool you can go on with the treatment. If algae is again growing or if test kit indicates chlorine low,then add more chlorine but remember a little at a time. Check the ph. and if low add about a kilo of soda ash ( mix in bucket with water before adding to pool ) Don't add too much too soon, if still low add same next day. I've found that some brands of soda ash ( may even be the chemical for testing ph. ) don't always give the same colour indication on testing kit so I use colour nearest without going over. When I first started cleaning my own pool I made the mistake of adding too much soda ash too quickly and found the water went very cloudy!

Before anyone criticises my method, let me just say I'm NOT an expert but have been cleaning my own pool for the last 5-6 years. I've learnt a lot, mainly the hard way. After a while cleaning becomes less hard and less time consuming, just keep an eye on things and do what's needed WHEN it's needed!

Hope that helps.

I think the first question you should ask yourself is do you really need a pool?

Sounds daft I know but many people, myself included, find that after the initial excitement of owning a swimming pool don't use it! Or at least don't use it enough to warrant the cost. If you have kids it may be different but in that case you will probably have to be there every time they want to use the pool for safety reasons. Then comes the 3 months or so at this time of year when the water feels so cold you don't bother using it anyway! If you still want to go ahead then fine.

I can't tell you exactly what it costs to run my pool but here are a few facts.

I use the pump for about 6 hours a day spread over 3 run times.

20 kilos of chlorine granules cost about 2200 baht and for a 10metre x 5 pool will last between 6 - 8 months.

50 kilos last time I bought cost 3400 baht.

40 kilos of soda ash for ph. will cost approx. 600 baht but should last more than 1 year.

testing kit costs about 500 baht.

This is only relevant if you do your own cleaning which only takes about 1 hour per week and you have your own vacuum hose etc.

Vacuum hose, head, net and brush with telescopic pole will set you back another 5000 baht +

You can always get a pool man to do the work for you, anything from 1500 baht upwards, but if you're not watching he will probably skimp on the chemicals, especially the soda ash. Don't be taken in when they say they will come everyday because unless your pool is used by loads of kids each day it only needs cleaning about twice a week.

Cleaning yourself is easy after the initial few months getting to know what to do and "when" it needs doing.

Best of luck!

There used to be a group of archers meet in Pattaya around the Siam CC road. Not seen them there for a while but did hear they were asking about using a piece of land next to Elephant Village. I will make inquiries.

I appologise if this is answered somewhere else but all the threads I have seen regarding HM's resignation have been closed.

I realise that the consulate will only open 1 day a week but will the same services be offered eg. pension letter for visa?

I need to know if a trip to BKK will be necessary?

Thanks.

I was having disconnect problems for about a week (could momentarily log-on and surf but would get disconnected within a few minutes and couldn't re-logon. Sometimes couldn't log-on at all). Had their techs out 3-4 times in a week. First they checked the computer settings and the modem...nothing. The next time, they checked the in-home cable run. Finally, they started checking their cables out on the utility poles to my house and replaced some of them. Problem solved and have not had any problems for the past 3-4 days. They said the "signal" was low...maybe something to do with all the electrical storms we have had over the past month.

By the way, my house in on NPW near the ESSO station.

Are you saying you use BTV and is your internet working OK now?

If that's the case then what they are saying about the trouble in BKK is a load of BS!

Not that I believed them anyway!

Thankd all the same

Anyone else using BTV getting problems?

For the last 5 or 6 days constant disconnections sometimes every few seconds.

The person in office always says there's problems in BKK and will be OK in afternoon! It never is!

My opinion is they haven't paid their bill because I keep getting this on screen:-

Any ideas?

Why not start using rechargeable batteries. Saves you money and means you don't have to chuck the old ones. As for the old batteries you have, leave them out by the bin and if there's anywhere in the area that they can be recycled then one of the garbage scavengers will take them away.

Even rechargeable batteries wear out after so many charges!

F1 has been given the go ahead in Thailand!

The new circuit will be built near Pattaya.

The contractors have already been signed up, the same contractors who have nearly finished their last multi billion baht scheme at Theppasit/Thappaya roads.

Completion date and first F1 race scheduled for 2325.

Get your tickets here!

Thanks !

Did what you said and it's gone.

Seems like a lot of people having same problem.

I only noticed this yesterday so I don't know how long this unwanted contact as been on my list.

When I'm in hotmail and want to send email I click on "new" at top to open new email heading.

Then I click "To" to find contact and email address.

All my contacts and their addresses are there but when I get to the bottom of the list I find an unwanted contact with no address. The contact is "Girls Gone Chat"

Now before you all start giving me grief about dating sites etc. I do not use these sites and never have! I am the only person using my computer.

I know I will never click on this contact but I am worried that if I ever use the "select all" function to send a general email to all my contacts, then this unwanted one will attach itself to that.

I have a feeling that this might be how I picked it up in the first place.

Anyway, if I access the contact list that I can edit so that I can delete this unwanted contact it no longer appears on the list.

How can I get rid of this unwanted contact?

Is it a bug, a virus, malware or something that's been added by hotmail?

Can it cause any problems if it's left there?

I do a virus scam and bott check every week.

Thanks.