big william's world

William (little) when you constructed a family tree, years ago at Shustoke School, you discovered the famous chemist in your lineage I think. Back me up here if you can!
I need forgiveness from my son for not teaching him to repair burst pipes - I must have fixed a lot at Shustoke when we first (stupidly) tried to reinstate the "laundry" for its original purpose and piped hot water from the kitchen. the pipe used to burst every time there was a frost.
Problem is in these days of soldered joint you can't get the water out of the pipe sometimes so you cant raise the temperature high enough to melt the solder. Old style compression fittings were easier and sometimes they just slipped off and could be replaced (with a new ferrule or olive as the Brits call it)
As to plastic pipes they are the worst of all and split even without frost. I had the 50mm main to the house break in California and the lost water cost me $250.
It is so interesting the different forms of comment one gets from a blog. Sometimes direct and everybody sees it - often wishing they couldn't see it.
Sometimes people email me privately and support me and condemn other commentees
Sometimes I know people read the blog but never comment - like Shira my hairdresser and Cassie my (step) niece.
I love you all. We are all looking in Elaine's direction - to Oxford - seat of learning and childbirth.