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Hi there, we're in the same position here, just say nothing or you could end up having to install expensive and unnecessary filtration equipment and be lumbered with an annual examination fee. If your really concerned then build yourself a 'slow sand filter' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_sand_fi...

Hi Tessy, we did think about letting just to keep it in the family so to speak as the 'wee hoose' holds many happy memories but it's a case of needing the money to build our dream house completely powered by wind, sun and water. http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&...

Nice part of the world you're in too Maggie, though it's many (30 :shock: ) since I was that far north. I keep threatening to go and visit Loch Eribol again with my son. If I'm ever up that way your 'Craft village' will certainly be on my 'must see' list. Macedonia Demi, definitely can't compete wit...

I know it's been a while since I was on here and this is a cheek but we're selling a little bit of paradise to finance our new house around the corner so to speak. http://www.iosea.co.uk/3sarnish.shtml Completely 'off grid' powered by the wind with land available for those who want. If it is possibl...

I see Stonethrower, in that case would it be possible for him to have a large battery bank that he took home every night and charged at home? Of course this would only really be practical if he has a car and can park right next to the shop, it would also need sizing correctly and an expensive invert...

Hi Stonethrower, I live 'off grid' myself and have a great fondness for it, but a shop in town sounds like a complete non starter. The cost of a reconnection, no matter how expensive will soon be recouped against the expense of a reliable battery, inverter solar set up. You say it's only for a few l...

I went for a Studer AJ500 in the end moderately OK. some anomalies that I haven't sorted yet isn't it strange how the very-friendly salesmen lose interest once the sale is made? Hi Dave, contact the company direct in Switzerland, they're very helpful and have good English. I'm not familiar with you...

We use a similar method to Contadina, A rope with a weight on is dropped down the chimney and a sweeping brush is then pulled up and down till it's clean. When I had a Rayburn in the kitchen burning coal and wood it needed doing every 6 months. The Morso Squirrel in the living room that has a flexib...

Hi Hopeful's We've kept Tamworths and Old spots for 4 years now and never castrated one yet or experienced 'boar taint' despite keeping our boars for 7, 8 and once 9 months before eating them. Whilst I'm sure it does exist it certainly does not seem to affect the offspring of our 4 breeding sows. As...

i need to buy a new generator, and am having solar power put in too. i want the generaot to start automatically once the battery power from the solar power fails. do i need a special generator or just a special switch, and would the special switch work with any generator? Hi Sandy, you say you need...

We use both and the LEDs certainly use less power than an equivalent CFL but they are not ideal for many applications. We have warm white ones in the bedroom, cool white as spotlights in the kitchen and they are ideal but for lighting in the living room I think even the warm ones would be a bit hars...

Thanks for the comprehensive reply Paul. Reason I ask is that I bought a pedal generator to go under my desk so that I can pedal while I work. I already bought a car battery without thinking too carefully. Then I bought a multimeter. At the moment, I'm using my car battery to recharge my shaver and...

Hi Rod, In answer to your first question yes they are deep cycle batteries as in a fork lift truck. As regards 2nd hand it's always a risk though I know a few people who've been lucky. Firstly if you are going to look for 2nd hand take a hydrometer and volt meter with you, make sure the batteries ha...

Fresh water or sea? I've quite a bit of experience with salmon and the main problem is that all the bodies concerned and there are lots of them here in Scotland but I'm sure it's the same with you don't differentiate between a couple of dozen fish and a million so you still need to go through all th...

Morning Duncang,

How about something like this, http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_deta ... 1&catID=77 there are several different sizes available and you could take it with you when you leave.

Good Luck, Paul