I hate boilers. I didn't think there was a way of changing the temperature on mine until my mum was over at some point and pestering me.  I reluctantly dug out the manual that the previous tenant had left, and it turned out that a whole panel yanked off the front revealing an exciting range of dials and buttons.

Well how was I to know?   

The problem with the manual to ours is that it doesn't seem to contain anywhere a simple diagram of the boiler with all the various buttons and knobs labelled.

I did of course, before even consulting the manual, take the usual first course of action which is to phone my dad, but he said, effectively, that it sounded like a combination boiler and he had no idea how they worked, he only understands the more complicated kind.

Funny you should be talking about boiler controls - I was going to post on r3ok asking if anyone had the Instruction manual for the timer on a Vaillant TURBOmax combi boiler that they could copy for me - but then I found a Vaillant address to write to (can't find one on the internet to read). However, as I haven't got around to writing to Vaillant yet I may as well ask here! It's been set to come on for an hour or so every morning but I can't work out how to change it. My expensive plumber didn't have a clue - just said "Best not to touch that!".

Ooops this the Happy Room not Eyes to Heaven Room...I'm actually quite happy that my special needs Y6s did fairly well (considering their ability) in their practice Science SATS - they have readers for their exams so they can at least attempt them. One answer amused us all though - when asked why the extra information on the table was better than the data on the graph a girl wrote "Because a table has got legs." She wasn't trying to be funny.

And finally, I'm very happy that my sofas arrived at last!!! We no longer have to take turns sitting on the old beanbag on the floor! They are a nice dull red colour and didn't cost a fortune so I'm not nervous of kids and cats using them. Zoe looks lovely draped along the back cushion.

M

The lock-out on my boiler is simply a safety thing that comes in when the gas supply has been interrupted, and which keeps the boiler off when the supply is reconnected. I don't really understand the ins and outs of it myself; my dad seemed to suggest that it was to ensure the flat didn't fill with gas if the supply came back on while no one was here to re-light the boiler (NB I may have misunderstood this completely! ), but since the boiler here is of a type that doesn't need re-lighting, I'm not quite sure what danger the lock-out is designed to prevent.

I'm very happy that my child has taken to playing the piano so easily.  One of the forum members and I were chatting on the phone last night while he was practising.  He's coming along very well considering it's only his second term of playing.  He enjoys it at the moment - long may it last.  As far as I know, he's the only child in his class having piano lessons which saddens me but it did mean he came away with the Music Prize at Prizegiving, there being a distinct lack of competition. 

Seriously though, my friend suggested that we might do a duet together and I do have the Dolly Suite which has a very easy right hand for him.  I don't want to push him but this weekend I might suggest it and make a game of trying it out.

They are encouraged to do music at his school.  There's a whole range of instruments to learn and some wonderful teachers, but it is expensive and on top of the school fees.  He has his lessons privately with my own teacher so I didn't go through the school system.  However, not many parents seem to be taking advantage of the musical facilities unfortunately.  The school is much better equipped than most for teaching music.  It's a shame.  Anyway, on a happier note, literally....

Horowitz, Geza Anda, Alfred Brendel, Murray Periah and Glenn Gould are my favourites, so he can choose!