Articles and advice on cycling, technology, home efficiency and more

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These pages are written and managed by John & Julii Swindells, and we take every effort to ensure their accuracy, relevance and engagement. If you don't think this is the case at any point, please contact us and explain where you think that we're going wrong. Otherwise, happy browsing!

Support the Campaign for Broadband Honesty

Internet Access: UK Broadband 18 Nov 2010

A Virgin Media campaign is gaining momentum: broadband providers need to be more honest about their service speed. "You should be getting what ...

Did HP or UPS Damage My Elitebook?

HP Elitebook 15 Nov 2010

I'm sure it's not a ticking bomb... but ever since my laptop returned from a UPS-handled trip to HP's Poland service centre (for a simple night ...

About.me Launched: another platform we don't need?

The Social Web 12 Nov 2010

About.me is now live, on an invitation-only basis, and allows you to create an online profile of yourself and your interests. Sounds familiar ...

It Pays to Invest in Quality Kids' Bikes

Kids on Bikes 10 Nov 2010

Many years ago we started out buying and acquiring cheap quality kid's bikes. A 12" solid wheel Little Mermaid bike when our eldest son Daniel ...

How to Repair a Mamas and Papas Stroller

Child Help 07 Nov 2010

The Mamas and Papas Sport-03 three-wheeler stroller might look the part, and its chunky tyres are handy for negotiating rough ground. However ...

Broken Elitebook Night-light

HP Elitebook 07 Nov 2010

My Elitebook is currently winging its way back to an HP service centre, simply because its night light won't retract. The night light is located ...

Free Vodafone Mobile WiFi

iPhone and other Smartphones 07 Nov 2010

Get a mobile wi-fi device from Vodafone for free by purchasing a £25+/month 18-month contract. Here's what it does: When you are on ...

Mobile calls to 0800 Numbers

iPhone and other Smartphones 07 Nov 2010

Something I've learnt recently is to take nothing for granted with your 'inclusive' minutes on your mobile contract. One thing I would have ...

Rollercoasters

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk 31 Oct 2010

There are three rollercoasters at Pleasurewood Hills, at three quite different levels of scariness. Wipeout (blue metal pipework) is the worst ...

Pirate ship - back and forth!

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk 31 Oct 2010

Fancy a little bit of stomach-churning? The pirate ship swings back and forth, and takes you around 20 feet into the air.

Go-Karting

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk 31 Oct 2010

The go-kart track is quite short and narrow, and the cars have a pretty low top speed, but it's still good fun. It can take a while for the ...

Timber Falls

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk 31 Oct 2010

An easy ride with a couple of fun drops, and the only downside that you may get quite wet! As expected the front rider gets the wettest.

Water Slide

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk 31 Oct 2010

A very quick ride where two people share a dinghy and shoot down a lido. It takes a lot longer to climb the steps than to shoot down to the ...

Wedding of Edith Sherwood to George Swindells

Swindells Family Photos 24 Oct 2010

1915 wedding of Edith to George. People labeled on the back include Billy Bishton, Uncle Fred and Auntie Gertie, Uncle Charlie and Auntie ...

The 4 Swindells children: miscellaneous pictures

Swindells Family Photos 23 Oct 2010

More Misc. Pix of the 4 Swindells children. Taken around 1928-1942.