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Thursday 30 September 2010
Thursday 23 September 2010
Thank you Ikea
The story begins a couple of months ago when the bedroom began to smell of very strong body odour, so after a check of the room for dirty old clothing under the bed etc and a good shower for me the smell still lingered, so frantic bed washing and mattress sniffing commenced but the culprit still could not be found. It was only a couple of weeks later I by chance noticed a very strong whiff of the smell when opening a wardrobe door, on closer inspection the wardrobe doors and bridging unit doors over the bed all stank of old body odour.
So onto the internet I went looking for similar cases, I found one that had been reluctantly dealt with by Ikea in Warrington, they eventually offered a partial refund to the customer despite the 10 year guarantee on the doors.
At this point I'm getting ready for a long a drawn out battle especially as we had mislaid the receipt and the doors were purchased with the units way back in April 2008. I'm not happy at the thought of a partial refund but the doors simply had to go, the smell was awful, and even cleaning with strong detergents did not do the trick.
So first contact is made with the Nottingham store, this was not a good experience, the woman did not believe the doors could smell of B.O. and promptly and smuggly told me I needed to prove the doors were authentic Ikea items with a receipt. Of course they are authentic, theyve got bloody IKEA stamped all over the inside of them. She then said once I had proof of purchase they would send someone out to inspect because she could not smell anything (she clearly has issues with her sense of smell).
Any way, after ringing the credit card company we got proof of purchase and I spoke to the Ikea contact centre over the phone, they traced the purchase on their system and asked me to pop back to the store with all the smelly doors, this despite me being told someone would come to me.
So I play the game, remove the doors, load the car up and head for Ikea, very calm and polite but ready to dig the heels in if needed.
Arrive at the store, smelly doors in tow, I got a few looks as I sailed past folks leaving a distinct aroma in my trail. I'm greeted with a very polite lady who listens to the saga thus far, she then checks the transaction from 2008 and brings up the price paid at the time (£105 for 6 doors in total) I was already aware that the doors were no longer sold and had an alternative in mind.
Without even checking the doors the lady tells me that yes they will exchange for my choice of doors, at this point I'm prepared to pay any difference in the cost, but I'm keeping quiet on that one for now. The new doors come out at £180 in total. "Give me ten minutes to get the doors to you" she says as she hands me a coffee voucher for the bistro. After 10 minutes and a very nice complementary coffee she reappears with new doors. No mention of paying the difference in price, just a sign here to say you've received your exchange doors.
So a big thanks to Ikea for sorting the issue out, today's visit was a pleasant one with a satisfactory conclusion.
So onto the internet I went looking for similar cases, I found one that had been reluctantly dealt with by Ikea in Warrington, they eventually offered a partial refund to the customer despite the 10 year guarantee on the doors.
At this point I'm getting ready for a long a drawn out battle especially as we had mislaid the receipt and the doors were purchased with the units way back in April 2008. I'm not happy at the thought of a partial refund but the doors simply had to go, the smell was awful, and even cleaning with strong detergents did not do the trick.
So first contact is made with the Nottingham store, this was not a good experience, the woman did not believe the doors could smell of B.O. and promptly and smuggly told me I needed to prove the doors were authentic Ikea items with a receipt. Of course they are authentic, theyve got bloody IKEA stamped all over the inside of them. She then said once I had proof of purchase they would send someone out to inspect because she could not smell anything (she clearly has issues with her sense of smell).
Any way, after ringing the credit card company we got proof of purchase and I spoke to the Ikea contact centre over the phone, they traced the purchase on their system and asked me to pop back to the store with all the smelly doors, this despite me being told someone would come to me.
So I play the game, remove the doors, load the car up and head for Ikea, very calm and polite but ready to dig the heels in if needed.
Arrive at the store, smelly doors in tow, I got a few looks as I sailed past folks leaving a distinct aroma in my trail. I'm greeted with a very polite lady who listens to the saga thus far, she then checks the transaction from 2008 and brings up the price paid at the time (£105 for 6 doors in total) I was already aware that the doors were no longer sold and had an alternative in mind.
Without even checking the doors the lady tells me that yes they will exchange for my choice of doors, at this point I'm prepared to pay any difference in the cost, but I'm keeping quiet on that one for now. The new doors come out at £180 in total. "Give me ten minutes to get the doors to you" she says as she hands me a coffee voucher for the bistro. After 10 minutes and a very nice complementary coffee she reappears with new doors. No mention of paying the difference in price, just a sign here to say you've received your exchange doors.
So a big thanks to Ikea for sorting the issue out, today's visit was a pleasant one with a satisfactory conclusion.
Friday 17 September 2010
100 Greatest Climbs
I figured that at my tender age (34) I have plenty of time to tick off the UK's 100 best climbs, so I got myself the book and ticked 3 off straight away from my c2c ride, so only 97 to go and only a handfull within cycling distance of home, it's going to take me few years to tick them off.
The book is a safe bet to be on most UK cyclists bookshelves by the time christmas dinner is served this year so beat the rush and head for the hills.....
http://www.100climbs.co.uk/index.html
http://twitter.com/100Climbs
Buy the book from all good bookshops (amazon stock it)
The book is a safe bet to be on most UK cyclists bookshelves by the time christmas dinner is served this year so beat the rush and head for the hills.....
http://www.100climbs.co.uk/index.html
http://twitter.com/100Climbs
Buy the book from all good bookshops (amazon stock it)
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Siamese Sunflower
OK it may not be the tallest sunflower at 7ft tall but it is a Siamese Sunflower grown on my allotment, never come across one(or two) like this before.
Had to be on the way to see the Tour of Britain
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Sunday 12 September 2010
Sunday 12th September 2010 *Road*
Five of us rode out to Wootton for the first climb of the day on stage 2 of the tour of britain, I'd allowed 3 hours to get out there....it wasn't enough, I thought I was being generous with the timing allowing for riders with less speed than myself, I under estimated it a bit and as we joined the tob route at the bottom of the hill they had gone through about 10-15 minutes previously.
It was a nice route though and a good ride out topped off by two sociable pub stops, also managed to take in Cloves and Drum which I haven't seen for a while now, also felt the fitness was coming back to me a little.
Distance = 74.4 miles
Time = 5 hrs 39 mins
Ave Speed = 13.2 mph
Top Speed = 38.4 mph
Hillometer = 72.6 ft/mile
Weather = Sunny Spells, 19c
2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2382.2
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2498.8
It was a nice route though and a good ride out topped off by two sociable pub stops, also managed to take in Cloves and Drum which I haven't seen for a while now, also felt the fitness was coming back to me a little.
Distance = 74.4 miles
Time = 5 hrs 39 mins
Ave Speed = 13.2 mph
Top Speed = 38.4 mph
Hillometer = 72.6 ft/mile
Weather = Sunny Spells, 19c
2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2382.2
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2498.8
Saturday 11 September 2010
Time to start planning
I've enjoyed my first year on plot 71 and feel as though I've learnt a fair few lessons.
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Sunday 5 September 2010
Camelia and Canal Bridges 107k Audax - Sunday 5th September *Road*
Back on the bike after over a month off, very nice ride starting and finishing in Moira near Asby de la Zouch. Met Dad for Tea and sign on just before 9am and we set out at half past, pretty much downhill for the first 10k, when I say downHILL I really mean downslope, pretty flat out that way and the ride managed to avoid any hills the area has to offer as you'd expect from a ride with CANAL in the name.
Audax rides are paced to avoid the racer types blasting round, we met all the checkpoints (except the last) bang on the fastest ave speed limit at a leisurely 15.4 mph, the second cafe stop we did stop for coffee and a rather tasty slice of carrot cake, the topping was to die for.
Somewhere near Atherstone we picked up a wheel sucker, he would not do any of the work at all, letting Dad and I ride at the front, this really pissed me off when he waited for us to leave the cafe so he could continue to have a 'free tow'. The next info control we outfoxed the old devil and stopped to write down the required info, he was in front of us and not happy, he waited for us to catch him up and like a fool I obliged and went past, he clung on again refusing to do any work, so I put the hammer down, the old bugger wont follow this... I didn't go too hard but enough to let him know, the old bastard still clung on. Next junction I faked a pull off, he was in front again, this time I was not passing him! Well he slowed right down to 10mph in places, I sat on his wheel with a smug grin across my face, I wasn't passing, this continued in a stop start fashion for some time until around 2 miles to go I passed him, again he followed suit until 500 yards to go and he nailed it like a chav in a Saxo, did I let him let him go.....no I followed suit and followed him into the car park and passed him on the line :)
All in the silly games cost us a bit of time but we still got in 4 hours 15 mins, not a bad time considering my lack of activity recently, you really do loose that fitness fast!
A good ride and good to be on the road again, next Sunday a ride out to watch the pro's pass by on the Tour of Britain stage 2.
Distance = 64.7 miles
Time = 4 hrs 15 mins
Ave Speed = 15.2 mph
Top Speed = 37.3 mph
Hillometer = 41.2 ft/mile
Weather = Overcast/Showers, 15c
2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2307.8
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2424.4
Audax rides are paced to avoid the racer types blasting round, we met all the checkpoints (except the last) bang on the fastest ave speed limit at a leisurely 15.4 mph, the second cafe stop we did stop for coffee and a rather tasty slice of carrot cake, the topping was to die for.
Somewhere near Atherstone we picked up a wheel sucker, he would not do any of the work at all, letting Dad and I ride at the front, this really pissed me off when he waited for us to leave the cafe so he could continue to have a 'free tow'. The next info control we outfoxed the old devil and stopped to write down the required info, he was in front of us and not happy, he waited for us to catch him up and like a fool I obliged and went past, he clung on again refusing to do any work, so I put the hammer down, the old bugger wont follow this... I didn't go too hard but enough to let him know, the old bastard still clung on. Next junction I faked a pull off, he was in front again, this time I was not passing him! Well he slowed right down to 10mph in places, I sat on his wheel with a smug grin across my face, I wasn't passing, this continued in a stop start fashion for some time until around 2 miles to go I passed him, again he followed suit until 500 yards to go and he nailed it like a chav in a Saxo, did I let him let him go.....no I followed suit and followed him into the car park and passed him on the line :)
All in the silly games cost us a bit of time but we still got in 4 hours 15 mins, not a bad time considering my lack of activity recently, you really do loose that fitness fast!
A good ride and good to be on the road again, next Sunday a ride out to watch the pro's pass by on the Tour of Britain stage 2.
Distance = 64.7 miles
Time = 4 hrs 15 mins
Ave Speed = 15.2 mph
Top Speed = 37.3 mph
Hillometer = 41.2 ft/mile
Weather = Overcast/Showers, 15c
2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2307.8
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2424.4
Thursday 2 September 2010
Whats occuring?
Cycling has been replaced by painting and child care duties, work is a drag, sinister goings on which have happily resulted in two colleagues keeping their jobs but under not so good circumstances. I have been forced out of my current role at one site into the same role at another, not a huge problem and of course I'll do it, just don't like the circumstances leading up to it.
Been to an interview today for a new role within the same company and am very hopefull after what seemed to me to be a very good interview, just hope I fit the desired criteria.... despite being a slave to a corporate giant I would never go back to self employment, being your own boss and having the responsibilty of others is definately not worth the limited rewards.
The last weeks have seen my family loose another loved one, 'Aunty Dawn' finaly passed away after a 15 year (on and off) battle against cancer. My Grandmother (83) has lost 3 of her 8 children now, I can not begin to understand how she feels, just the thought of loosing one of mine is unbearable never mind experiencing it 3 times over! Of course my Dad and his remaining siblings have buried 3 of there own now as well, all ofthem taken far too early. My heart also goes out to cousins Sandra and Paul right now, I know the loss they are suffering all to well after loosing my mother (54) to cancer as well.
On a brighter note and looking forward, the bike will finally be wheeled out of the shed on Sunday for a 107k Audax ride with Dad, kids bak at school next week and then on Sun 12th I'll be heading out Stoke way on the bike to watch the Tour of Britain. And hopefully a new job too :)
Been to an interview today for a new role within the same company and am very hopefull after what seemed to me to be a very good interview, just hope I fit the desired criteria.... despite being a slave to a corporate giant I would never go back to self employment, being your own boss and having the responsibilty of others is definately not worth the limited rewards.
The last weeks have seen my family loose another loved one, 'Aunty Dawn' finaly passed away after a 15 year (on and off) battle against cancer. My Grandmother (83) has lost 3 of her 8 children now, I can not begin to understand how she feels, just the thought of loosing one of mine is unbearable never mind experiencing it 3 times over! Of course my Dad and his remaining siblings have buried 3 of there own now as well, all ofthem taken far too early. My heart also goes out to cousins Sandra and Paul right now, I know the loss they are suffering all to well after loosing my mother (54) to cancer as well.
On a brighter note and looking forward, the bike will finally be wheeled out of the shed on Sunday for a 107k Audax ride with Dad, kids bak at school next week and then on Sun 12th I'll be heading out Stoke way on the bike to watch the Tour of Britain. And hopefully a new job too :)
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