About this little place

Welcome. This isn't a large site, just a little place for a few thoughts.

I wanted.

The rest is a list of things people have asked me about in the past, and while it seems obvious to me it may not be to you.

Rules of the House
Alcohol I rarely drink, an occasional whisky. Don't feel you have to do the same, just don't spill. The wine glasses are very wobbly.
Calls I work with lots of companies, and I get lots of calls. Sometimes these calls are urgent, confidential and at odd times, I may need to take them in the office. Don't be offended.
Cleaning The carpet is a nightmare, don't spill or drop anything at all. I try and clean up as I go, please do the same and leave it as you found it.
Computers There is a lot of technical stuff here. It's generally locked most of the time, if you want to use anything just ask. Please don't turn any power sockets off unless there is a risk of fire.
Covid There is plenty of gel and soap about the place, please follow all the usual hand washing precautions. The first thing I do when I walk in is wash my hands.
Drugs No, not here please, and I don't want to know.
Functional Things have their place, I'll loose them if they arn't in the same place when I go looking, and I'm usually looking when I'm in a rush.
Noise We have to keep the noise down between 11pm and 7am. The flat underneath can hear heavy footsteps on the floor.
Recycling We have recycling bins for cardboard and plastics only, I try and keep a seperate bag for them. Bags are in the narrow cupboard below and to the right of the hob.
Security Physically this is a very safe place, the front door is usually unlocked. Digitally though a different matter. Please don't post any photos or information online about the place or give anyone the address or location. Angry customers (and a lot worse) have been known to visit. I take my privacy seriously.
Shoes Off please, just a thing, sorry.
Smoking I smoke, I try and do it on the balcony. There are plenty of ashtrays and always a spare chair. If smoke bothers you let me know.
Storage If you need to store stuff, there is a room for that, feel free to use it.

You can find more information about where things are, both inside and out, right here, but if there is anything else please just ask (and I'll add it to the list).

Facilities

Pretty much everything you would expect is here. If you can't find it then just ask. Generally things are either in the kitchen cupboards, the main bathroom or the utility room. Have a look in that order for anything you need.

Inside

Here are a few things you might be looking for around the flat, and where to find them.


There are plenty around. There are always-on high-speed chargers in the office to the right of each computer (lightening and USB-C, just look for the cables).

There are also high-speed lightening and USB-C chargers under the coffee table by the sofa. These two are on timers and come on in the afternoon and overnight. If you want to turn them on or off just say 'Alexa, turn on/off sofa chargers'.

There are also two low-speed charger points, one on the other coffee table in the lounge with some pre-wired cables and another in the corner of the shelving unit in the office storage room, both have lightening, USB-C and micro-USB. These are also on timers, to turn them on or off just say 'Alexa, turn on/off lounge/office charger'.

An always-on wireless quick-charger pad can be found to the left of the bed in the bedroom.

If you just want a USB plug, they can be found in the basket under the sofa coffee table, along with a collecton of various wires. The bigger the plug, the faster it will charge.

If there is a charger on somewhere in the flat, then the plasma ball will be on in the hall.


Everything is in the utility room. The washing machine is a tumble dryer as well (manual is on the shelf above it), although I usually just hang things to dry on the clothes horse, they will dry overnight.

There is also a steam iron in there (at the back) and an ironing board. I have a hand-held steam crease remover as well if that is easier.

If you are going to do a wash, have a peak in the laundry baskets in the bedroom (woolen and special wash things) and the ensuite bathroom (general wash), anything in there needs washing too.


Everything is in the kitchen and should be obvious. The top oven is a microwave and oven, the bottom one just an oven. The hob is an induction hob, you turn it on by pressing the power symbol on the surface, select the hob area you want to use then slide the power up.

Pots and pans are in the cupboard above the microwave, anything you can use in an oven is stored in the main oven.

The drawers under the hob have the cutlery and plates at the top, and a general assortment of cooking equipment in the bottom drawer. Kitchen knives are in the block left of the coffee machine.

Any cooking ingredients I have are in the top cupboard to the right of the microwave, and everything else is stored in the lower cupboard underneath it.

There is a toaster in the lower corner cupboard just to the left of the sink. It's on a pull out shelf.

If you do cook, please clean up afterwards, and use the cooker hood fan to keep the steam to a minimum.


The bathroom is in the main hall, next to the shoe rack, try not to go in the cupboard. In there you will find the loo, soap, and towels and plenty of spares. In the cabinet behind the mirror to the left there are the usual collection of home medications if you need them.

I don't think I've ever used the shower in the main bathroom, instead I use the ensuite. If you want a shower feel free to use that as well, saves cleaning the big one.

If you need more towels they are in the utility room on the top shelf above the washing machine.

I do own a hairdryer, it is in the bedroom in the main wardrobe, right on the top shelf on the left hand side.


The TV in the lounge is setup for Freeview. The remote should be around somewhere. Turn the TV on, press the home button on the remote then you can use the remote itself as a pointer to move the cursor on the screen, just wiggle the remote in your hand, you'll get it.

There are some apps on the TV, including Netflix, but all the usual channels are on there.

I have Sky, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+ and just about every other streaming platform there is going, but they are all loaded up as apps on the PlayStation - if you know how to drive a Playstation then feel free to use it - and if you feel like adding some trophies to my account, again, feel free.

There is also an Apple TV plugged into the TV, the remote will be the flat black one with the touchpad on the top. It may be in the basket to the right of the TV.

You can connect your Apple device to the Apple TV and output your screen there if you want to. Instructions are on the screen when you start up the Apple TV.

The TV in the bedroom isn't connected to Freeview, but it does have a Playstation and an Apple TV connected so all the same apps will work in there too. The remote is in the basket to the left of the bed.


There are two music systems in the lounge. One is on the Apple HomePods on the coffee table, and the other is on the Amazon Echo devices under the TV and at the near end of the kitchen worktop.

If you want to play music on the HomePods (best sound), just say 'Hey Siri, play some U2', or whatever band or genre you like - she understands most things. Similarly for the Amazon Echo devices just say 'Alexa, play some U2'.

If you want either of them to stop, just tell them to 'stop'.

There are some playlists already setup if you prefer that. Just ask one of the girls to 'play/shuffle playlist x', where x can be 'Background', 'Chill Out', 'Classic', 'Dance', 'Inspire', 'Morning Shout', 'Noise', 'Quiet Evening', 'Relax', 'Sing Along', 'Summer Bounce', 'Summer Chill', 'Sunday Rock', 'Warm Evening', 'Winter Evening', 'Working'.

Volume controls are on the top surface of whatever device you are playing from, or you can always tell them to 'turn the volume down'.


Other than the light switches... most of the lamps in the lounge, office and hall are controlled automatically. They come on when it's getting dark, go off when it's light, and turn on and off automatically if as you walk around the flat.

If you sit still in a room for longer than 15 minutes you may find the lights turn off automatically.

To turn lights on and off by command, talk to 'Alexa' and tell her to 'turn x on/off' where x can be 'lights', 'lounge', 'office', 'hall', 'sofa', 'left' (sofa), 'right' (sofa), 'table'.


The door to the balcony, I'm told, has a funny handle, it confuses a lot of people - although I don't know why.

I keep it locked most of the time, turn the key anti-clockwise a quarter turn to lock, and clockwise to unlock.

The handle either points down (door unable to move), or to the left (door able to move). This allows you to fix it half open if you want to.

You can only lock or unlock the door when it is closed and the handle is down.

So, to open a locked door, turn the key clockwise, lift the handle and push the door. To close and lock the door, make sure the handle is pointing left, close the door, move the handle down, turn the key anti-clockwise.

Trust me, it is easy.


All the bathroom cleaning things are in the bathrooms. Anything else is in the far right cupboard in the kitchen.

The vacuum cleaner is in the utility room. A handheld vacuum is on permenant charge in the main cupboard in the hall, just to the right on the floor. Push it back and lift the front up to release it from the charger (and mind the kit in there please!)

Bin bags are on the top shelf in the small cupboard in the kitchen down and to the right of the hob.


There are two coffee machines. A bean-to-cup and a Nespresso. All the cups are in the cupboard to the right of the cooker hood.

The bean-to-cup is the most complex. Beans go in the top-left, lift the panel from the left side. Water goes in the reservoir on the right, pull it all the way out towards you for topping up.

Coffee grounds are collected inside the machine, and get full quickly. To empty the collection bin the front panel opens like a door to the left, pull the coffee dispenser towards you to open the magnetic clasp and then slide the drip collection tray out towards you. The grinds collection bin is brown and lifts out from the drip collection tray from the back left.

To turn the machine on press the big power button on the front left. The machine will heat up and do a little rinse cycle (so leave something under the coffee dispenser to catch the water). Once it has completed and gone silent you can use it.

If there are any red lights on then deal with those first - it will either be no water (the jug light) or the grinds container (the icon with bits in a bucket). If it's the far right red light, that means the machine needs descaling and that is not something you can do, it takes an hour, but it will still make coffee.

To make coffee just press the single coffee button for a half cup (or a small glass cup) and the double button for a mug.

The Nespresso machine is super simple. The hardest thing is turning it on. The power button is on the top surface at the rear, it is the same colour as the case so quite hard to see.

Once the machine is on, if there are orange lights that means it needs descaling, and you won't be able to use it.

Check the water container at the back. If it needs filling, lift the clear lid up and pull the whole clear unit up out of the machine. Do not use the machine without enough water in it, it will take ages to get the water back into the machine if you do (you have to keep turning the machine on and trying to make coffee without a capsule at least ten times).

Lift the silver handle on the top up, put in a capsule, and press the silver handle back down. Put a cup underneath the coffee dispenser and press either the large or small coffee button on the top briefly. Do not hold the button down.

Once your coffee is made, lift the silver handle again to expell the used capsule and then press it back down. If it won't go back down then the capsule bin is full, just pull out from the font of the machine using the ridge on the side to the left of the coffee dispenser.

Both machines turn off automatically.

About this little place

So there arn't any rules... more like guidelines really. This is home, where I live, and I do have neighbours above and below so just some basic common sense is good.

Above all else, treat the place like it was yours. If you are here then feel free to lounge about, spread yourself out, and generally treat it like you lived here. Help yourself to anything you find in the kitchen, (and while your at it, make me a coffee) and watch whatever you want on TV.

Supplies are always welcome, milk and coffee beans are always gratefully received, but anything else perishable will probably go to waste.

The rest is a list of things people have asked me about in the past, and while it seems obvious to me it may not be to you.

Rules of the House
Alcohol I rarely drink, an occasional whisky. Don't feel you have to do the same, just don't spill. The wine glasses are very wobbly.
Calls I work with lots of companies, and I get lots of calls. Sometimes these calls are urgent, confidential and at odd times, I may need to take them in the office. Don't be offended.
Cleaning The carpet is a nightmare, don't spill or drop anything at all. I try and clean up as I go, please do the same and leave it as you found it.
Computers There is a lot of technical stuff here. It's generally locked most of the time, if you want to use anything just ask. Please don't turn any power sockets off unless there is a risk of fire.
Covid There is plenty of gel and soap about the place, please follow all the usual hand washing precautions. The first thing I do when I walk in is wash my hands.
Drugs No, not here please, and I don't want to know.
Functional Things have their place, I'll loose them if they arn't in the same place when I go looking, and I'm usually looking when I'm in a rush.
Noise We have to keep the noise down between 11pm and 7am. The flat underneath can hear heavy footsteps on the floor.
Recycling We have recycling bins for cardboard and plastics only, I try and keep a seperate bag for them. Bags are in the narrow cupboard below and to the right of the hob.
Security Physically this is a very safe place, the front door is usually unlocked. Digitally though a different matter. Please don't post any photos or information online about the place or give anyone the address or location. Angry customers (and a lot worse) have been known to visit. I take my privacy seriously.
Shoes Off please, just a thing, sorry.
Smoking I smoke, I try and do it on the balcony. There are plenty of ashtrays and always a spare chair. If smoke bothers you let me know.
Storage If you need to store stuff, there is a room for that, feel free to use it.

You can find more information about where things are, both inside and out, right here, but if there is anything else please just ask (and I'll add it to the list).

Elements

Text

This is bold and this is strong. This is italic and this is emphasized. This is superscript text and this is subscript text. This is underlined and this is code: for (;;) { ... }. Finally, this is a link.

Heading Level 2

Heading Level 3

Heading Level 4

Heading Level 5
Heading Level 6

Blockquote

Fringilla nisl. Donec accumsan interdum nisi, quis tincidunt felis sagittis eget tempus euismod. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus vestibulum. Blandit adipiscing eu felis iaculis volutpat ac adipiscing accumsan faucibus. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus lorem ipsum dolor sit amet nullam adipiscing eu felis.

Preformatted

i = 0;

while (!deck.isInOrder()) {
    print 'Iteration ' + i;
    deck.shuffle();
    i++;
}

print 'It took ' + i + ' iterations to sort the deck.';

Lists

Unordered

  • Dolor pulvinar etiam.
  • Sagittis adipiscing.
  • Felis enim feugiat.

Alternate

  • Dolor pulvinar etiam.
  • Sagittis adipiscing.
  • Felis enim feugiat.

Ordered

  1. Dolor pulvinar etiam.
  2. Etiam vel felis viverra.
  3. Felis enim feugiat.
  4. Dolor pulvinar etiam.
  5. Etiam vel felis lorem.
  6. Felis enim et feugiat.

Icons

Actions

Table

Default

Name Description Price
Item One Ante turpis integer aliquet porttitor. 29.99
Item Two Vis ac commodo adipiscing arcu aliquet. 19.99
Item Three Morbi faucibus arcu accumsan lorem. 29.99
Item Four Vitae integer tempus condimentum. 19.99
Item Five Ante turpis integer aliquet porttitor. 29.99
100.00

Alternate

Name Description Price
Item One Ante turpis integer aliquet porttitor. 29.99
Item Two Vis ac commodo adipiscing arcu aliquet. 19.99
Item Three Morbi faucibus arcu accumsan lorem. 29.99
Item Four Vitae integer tempus condimentum. 19.99
Item Five Ante turpis integer aliquet porttitor. 29.99
100.00

Buttons

  • Disabled
  • Disabled

Form