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Would these from Matalan be of any use to you, Freddy: http://www.matalan.co.uk/womens/footwear/s2604927/over-the-knee-boots From the pic I saw in a mag, they looked fairly close fitting on the model. The heel is not very exciting but the price is right. Worth a try-on?

On your last point, Freddy, I have used Toolstation (and Screwfix) for years and find TS slightly better on price and service where there is compatibility between products, although I accept TS has a smaller range. Until recently, TS did not sell copper in 3m lengths (only 2m) but now does, and its current price is a little less than SF. You might find a trip to your local scrap merchant useful - I can buy 'virgin' 3m lengths there at a significant saving over normal trade sources. (You can only speculate as to why anyone would sell unused lengths of pipe for scrap, or unused fittings for that matter. My scrappy usually has both for the choosing.) Hard water here too - and everywhere else I have worked at! Yes, some limescale does build up but never found it an issue in waste/soil pipes. And I use one or other descaling devices on incoming mains.

Interesting pics, Freddy - thanks. You seem to have all in hand, so just a few follow-up points (same numbering): 3. The differences in dimensions between soil makes is rather surprising and can indeed lead to problems. The BS probably covers little more than pipe diameter! (Not so many years ago, almost every drainpipe/gutter maker had different ideas and little was compatible in the way that the standard roundline stuff, at least, now is.) The boss sizes are a particular problem, although many are the same and take the Floplast (Screwfix) or Kalsi (Toolstation) adaptors. The Kalsi range is about the cheapest for soil that is readily available. 4. Yes, it is still necessary for the sewer to be vented regularly; I think BC normally requires it once per three adjoining dwellings with stink pipe above roof level. Are you saying that you have two vertical soil pipes and intend to terminate just one at AAV? (Not a problem if so, as far as I can see, but two pipes in normal house not common.) It is now possible to get and install an AAV externally - risk of jamming from frost used to be the problem. 5. I agree about flexi conns. They do have their uses, however; I have had to use them, pretty well compressed, to join an old earthenware soil pipe under a floor to a vertical WC pan connector when replacing a WC - not an 'official' use but totally effective. With ordinary flanged plain pipe/fittings/pan connectors, I rarely find any significant 'dirt' build-up when dismantling. Indeed, it is surprising how generally clean and sweet (relatively) most systems remain - given 24hrs for the last curry to flush away. 8. An awkward set-up indeed. Not sure why you need any floor under the bath (assuming it is panelled) and that thin ply doesn't achieve much anyway! I have sometimes removed all the boards under a bath and let its feet rest on just the joists (or a stout board across them). That way, the trap depth/access is optimised and the bath may be able to sit a little lower - avoiding the need to wear high heels whilst climbing into it . I wouldn't worry about the cable; mechanical or water damage is unlikely but, if worried, enclose it in a piece of square trunking with a snap-on lid through the danger area. One very small point. When I have to leave a soil pipe 'open' during work, I invariably plug it with a carrier bag stuffed with newspaper and handles tied to make a 'ball' - simple but effective smell-eliminator and won't get lost in pipe. Today is your last chance for a free carrier bag - 5p charge from tomorrow!

The sink sits between the bath and the soil pipe, so the sink run is a bit under 1m. Manufacturers using different sized bosses, had me thrown for several days... Unbelievably (though with plumbing anything is possible) the Floplast standard branch, sits lower than the Wickes short boss junction... By at least an inch! As a temporary measure, I have bought an AAV. It's longterm home will be in the new kitchen. I intend to re-use the original roof vent with the toilet stack. I have read somewhere Building Regs don't like every soil stack to be AAV'd, and I won't have a choice about the kitchen one. I will not be using a flexible connector under any circumstances. I have all too often seen the inside of smooth connectors ... As smooth ones gather (ahemm) "dirt", I am not giving a flexible one the chance to store debris. You are right about "not pretty". Bug ugly... The is one already at the base of the stack, and they'll be one at the bottom/top of the kitchen stack. Were possible I am using joints that can be separated too. When I construct something, I like to "build in" maintenance provision, unlike the original builders. I always allow for movement. I have a picture somewhere in this thread showing the hole in the floor. Might even show the electrical cable that runs right underneath it. You REALLY couldn't put the cable in a worse place. Circa 3 sq metre of floor, and the builders run a cable right underneath not only the only hole in the floor, but were water leakage might occur at some stage in the life of the building. Repeated below. Comment "9" raises an interesting query/solution. In the gaff I'm supposed to be going up for an impending let, I had to do some work around the ceiling inside the shower cubicle. Standing in heels was much easier than standing on tip-toes for any length of time. The solution was a sturdy toolbox, that not only gave me a welcome 25cm of extra height, but prevented me from puncturing the shower tray. Getting on and off the toolbox inside the already raised cubicle, was a little interesting though ...