Onoff

Crashplan works on all platforms and the free one backs up once a day ( whereas the paid for one backs up continuously). If you backed up to a 2-disc Synology (with two 2TB discs) you could set up for Raid 1 if you're really worried about losing data. Less than £300. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID

"Reconditioned".....probably means they've cleaned it and reseated the cards and leads! I always wonder when I go down the tip how many of the duff pcs down there would be perfectly serviceable with a bit of tlc. For £300 you could set up a nice 2 bay Synology disk station (NAS) with your data spread over two drives for redundancy. All your media would be accessible on any connected device.

Zoom in on the first photo and you can see the top flange of the I beam. This is the I beam in the second photo supporting the line of full depth blocks. Think I'd squirt some foam down the gap (or from the underside) the stop the concrete falling through.

No idea where to put this but if anyone fancies a crack at an iris door/window shutter here's the link to the DXF: http://makezine.com/projects/mechanical-iris/ Should be easy to scale up.

Isn't it if the tv is one of those that comes out of the bottom of the DOUBLE BED in the garden room that you have an issue?

Anyone would think it's April 1st...

Erm.....I think there's rules against that! Might run an intercom to call them in for dinner/bath etc. Saying that I'd probably Skype / Whatsapp / Discord / ooVoo them. Tends to be one of those methods for parent / child comms in this house nowadays! Easier than shouting with their headphones on as it comes up on screen in front of them

Iris brise soleil?

Pretty much my thoughts to do it as a learning exercise. Once the missus sees the concept "works" maybe I can convince her ref the house. It's a good 50m from the house where I'd ideally site it. And yes, MVHR would be the plan.

I knew that dig would be incoming from someone! Easily bored that's my problem! I love this for the aesthetics but can see huge solar gain issues. A bit of decent glass too might be costly but I could possibly get some rectangular, commercial curtain walling. Then have the "round window" as an offset frame and hidden, sliding brise soleil like pocket doors behind that. Gotta have dreams!

Just putting it out there but thinking of building a garden room to get rid of the kids and their friends etc. Think "Dengineers" but a lot more upmarket. The old play house and tree house were fails tba. What's the thoughts to building it to near Passiv standards but on a much smaller scale, maybe 30sq.m. Cost irrelevant. Home made SIPs etc.

Godsend this:

Let's think about this...laying a course now would put you back on track level wise and probably save hassle in the long run. You're likely going to have to cut at the top anyway if you don't. I wonder could you shutter and lay a concrete strip to bring up to level?

I'd lap it personally. Some strategically placed building materials, diversionary plate of biscuits or missus in a low cut top should the BCO pay too much attention.

I find it useful to raid the playroom in order to visualise blockwork, like this as yet unstarted pillar for the gate: Getting a bit more real with some loose blocks:

Went for 5mm gap round the sleeve. Looks OK. Could have easily done 3mm I reckon:

It's ONLY a shed base using up some 1860's stocks and modern Celcon.

Well if that's wrong.....

Thinking back to breaking up any old concrete slab and the real tough, bastard ones would ring as the impact of the whacks reverberated up my arm through the sledge hammer! My bathroom slab makes more of a "thunk". Think it's because I have hollows all over (under?) the area due to the nominal 100mm slab being laid on Polypipe trays. Makes a lighter slab I know. No signs of any cracks to date, thank God for the A142 mesh. Still bugs me I forgot the fibres!

Relax, job's a good'un by the sound (literally) of it: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/theconstructor.org/practical-guide/destructive-non-destructive-field-test-of-concrete/7147/amp/

Proper concrete saws are thicker than wood ones.....or at least my one is. Toolstation I think...

Erm.....I know "a bloke" who's just fitting plasterboard in his bathroom and he has gone down to the floor with it. It is the green moisture resistant one btw. So no gap. "His" plan is to tile the floor first then bring the wall tiles down. All wall to floor junctions will be done with tanking tape beforehand.

As this is a public forum there's a good chance he'd find out anyway that it was you? Btw, what's the purpose of the culvert? To gain access across the burn? Any thoughts of a small hydroelectric plant there? (I'd love a stream like that!)

I LOVE YOU!!

Anything that takes the edge off!