GrumpyOldGuy

Thats true, but the manufacturer will only replace the sub assembly and not replace all the associated bits like fuel injection, alternator, water pump etc because the motor is frazzled, however VW wont charge you to remove those parts from the old sub assembly, including the gearbox and drive train and refit them on the new sub assembly, which is substantially a lot more work - you take the vehicle in and get it back in driving condition - no charges extra. So its actually not a bad example at all.

Possible I guess,.......see if it improves for you by reducing protein then you can be sure I guess. Personally a low carb diet doesn't work for me, I tend to get headaches and feel flat so I enjoy complex carbs like Potatoes, Rye Bread, wholewheat pasta etc, and my weight is not effected by eating them, obviously if you want to watch your weight its not a good idea to have them with loads of high fat cream sauces and butter etc but with a tomato base sauce or olive oil instead of butter I can easily enjoy a protein-less meal of say a green salad and a baked potato for example and feel very satisfied.

I agree with Dean Bean, the headaches are most likely coffee withdrawal symptoms but I must have a cast iron constitution, I drink 5 cups of coffee before lunch, .......at least 8 or even more, in a 17 hour day in general. - no side effects that I know of. B) Medically we all function much the same but I guess we are all different in preferences and what suits us, and a not so big secret is that one persons dietary intake is not necessarily going to work for another, so personally, I think we all just need to monitor what works for us and stick to that with small modifications as we go along.

- Ha, Ha, I had a good chuckle at that LL.

Correct, the dim beam is permanently on, been like that for a while now, at least three / four years. On a car I hired in March this year the seat belt is also automatically brought forward on a rail as well as soon as the ignition is switched on, almost impossible to ignore it then.

Yes, me too, he has had a great career but I think his best days are behind him realistically.

I think Chris is been a little optimistic but, who knows. Although the safe money is still probably on Nibs, I am hoping Valverde or Uran can upset the apple cart a bit.

Sure, no problem, I understand, I was just thinking that maybe it was something mechanical which could have gotten worse if it was just sort of ignored, but as you have sought medical assistance and obviously they haven't told you to not ride or something, I can well understand your dilemma, I wish you well and I trust you can find a long term solution.

Would it not be beneficial to go see a neurosurgeon or maybe an orthopedic surgeon to see why the issue is in your neck,..... or do you know what the problem is already? I dont know, I am not a doctor, but to me if there is a known cause, surely it makes better sense to treat the cause than skirt around the symptoms.? Wont that maybe make it worse.? I remember my old accounts lady also used to get terrible headaches, tried all the general stuff like Physio etc didn't work, eventually she went to a neuro surgeon and he found the cause, it required an operation, but from there she was as strong as an ox again. There are some very good medical doctors here I understand, who may also have some advice though.

Yes, "Chasing Classic Cars" is actually an excellent show in my view, that old boy knows his cars for sure and indeed, he has no ego and just talks like a normal person, I quite like his show.

Yeah, so many reality shows on DSTV now its ludicrous, although I have to say I usually enjoy Gold Divers, the other gold shows dont really interest me and my pet hate reality show is "Counting Cars" - man that smooth talking, ultra cool dude with the pony tail and the 60's vocabulary drives me insane.

Yeah, I agree, my new interest on TV is the show "Dr G - medical examiner" and on one of the episodes an elderly man had choked to death on his false teeth (yeah I know sounds crazy but there you go ) but when he fell unconscious his dog had realized something was wrong with his owner and had Jumped on him and scratched him all over his body trying to wake him up, I thought it was quite remarkable that the dog realized something was going wrong but didn't know what obviously, I think our pets are a lot more intuitive and brighter than we give them credit for.

- that little fella's in 7th heaven man.

Great shots IanJ and great to see these magnificent animals doing what they just love to do, running with a sled, you can just see the joy in their faces, really makes me happy to see. Sadly as you say later many owners dont understand working breeds like these who need lots of exercise and activity to keep them from getting bored and becoming destructive, I have boxers and its much the same, I take them running with me at least three times a week and walk them almost every other day and they still have tons of energy.

Must say that does surprise me Mojoman. Was this at their main Honeydew office.?

In reality, like 'Berto unfortunately, I think the chances of Basso winning another grand tour are fairly slim, age and a host of other factors are pretty against him now.

Yes, theres a few who are having terrible seasons, Saxo is just one, but Lampre, BMC, Vacansoleil, Euskaltel, and FDJ are having an awful season. Radioshack is not doing too well trophy wise either.

Yeah, I took a look at the course, very mountainous, which should give a pure climber like Scarponi a good shot, plus of course he had very good form at the Giro, so I am now quite hopeful he rides. Nibali must go into it as favorite but there are some others I guess, providing they ride, Valverde, Rodriguez, Daniel Moreno, Igor Anton are all good possibilities, I think its going to be a somewhat depleted peleton "Big name wise" though - which is also okay, sometimes they just spoil it with tactics anyway, the opportunistic hopeful's sometimes make for great racing.

- Haay, didn't think he was gonna ride, .........well that made my morning.!

Great stuff man, I would all her "Blondie"

Indeed, I see animals as little gifts from God, I cant understand it. I cant understand how anyone can mistreat or hurt an animal, and that includes things like letting them sleep out in the rain and cold, it makes me so angry. I had an issue with one couple here in our complex who are fortunate enough to have received the house as a wedding gift from the parents, they have two lovely dogs on their property, but are seldom here because the wife just had a baby and so they are staying at her parents for the moment, they just arrive twice a week throw down a whole lot of food in a big plastic trough and fill a bucket with water and off they go. The poor animals dont even have a kennel in the cold, they sleep on the tiled floor on the porch, obviously the poor dogs are cold and lonely and show this by howling at night and keeping the neighbors awake. About a month ago I caught them and told them the BC is getting complaints about the way they treat their dogs, they were very aggressive and told me as long as the dogs have food and water there is nothing we can do about it. Since then we have shown there is a lot we can do about it and sent an attorneys letter instructing them to get the dogs a kennel and ensure it has bedding, and the dogs must get fresh food daily at a minimum, or we will start procedures to remove the animals. They have complied I am pleased to say, but I am Persona Non Grata with them. I dont care.!

Clever,.......... hook and loop can be used for a lot of stuff and its very strong, did the space shuttle not use hook and loop to attach some heat tiles? cant remember but I am sure it was on the Discovery Channel somewhere.

If I remember it was on Supersport last year, maybe it will be televised again.? I am struggling to build up some enthusiasm at the moment, I think I am all "toured out" at the moment, maybe later.!

I had to sort of chuckle at this comment below the story, rings true though. "And Please, when you start questioning trainers, you must include Chris Carmichael and his CTS. I mean seriously, how could he not know those guys were on EPO and recovery steroids when you look at the amount of anaerobic threshold work that guys has in his programs. He was riding LA coattails to the top and he should disappear with him." lease, when you start questioning trainers, you must include Chris Carmichael and his CTS. I mean seriously, how could he not know those guys were on EPO and recovery steroids when you look at the amount of anaerobic threshold work that guys has in his programs. He was riding LA coattails to the top and he should disappear with him. lease, when you start questioning trainers, you must include Chris Carmichael and his CTS. I mean seriously, how could he not know those guys were on EPO and recovery steroids when you look at the amount of anaerobic threshold work that guys has in his programs. He was riding LA coattails to the top and he should disappear with him.

I see the SANDF may have to sell its Gripen's and some if not all of its helicopters, especially the Agusta A109's as they cant afford to keep, fly or maintain them. Budget cuts have meant there is just no more money for the military. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SANDF-not-commenting-on-chopper-claims-20130724