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As to item 4, I bought click-clack wastes here a couple of years ago; no problems yet (in hard water areas): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-1-4-32-slotted-clicker-POP-UP-WASTE-suitable-for-basin-with-overflow-W3-/251046597330?hash=item3a738b12d2 The seller has the same item on auction if you want a potentially cheaper punt. But I doubt there is much difference between these and others on eBay at £5 or often less; worth a look in case you have a more preferred type. Re item 2, Screwfix has a stainless band: http://www.screwfix.com/p/sabrefix-builders-band-stainless-steel-20mm-x-9-6m/59863 Must go now - Rebuilding pillars at bottom of steps outside front entrance; good weather for mortar/rendering work etc.

Sorry about the missing 'r' in 'shrink', Freddy - I was merely copying your excellent example in 'wok/work' elsewhere. We had better now each get our 'rs' into gear beforte continuing! (And I have little knowledge of Kentish slang - or that of men of Kent - as I am a Middlesex boy originally, cock.) MJ does all sorts of boots to order, often with 4" or higher heels. Suggest you look at: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/cowboybootsusa/Made-to-Order-boots-/_i.html?_fsub=1008848017 and http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Made-To-Order-Ankle-boots-choose-your-style-heel-height-shape-gallery-inside-/261597052770 Miguel has some ex-stock too. You can find many other styles he has made thru Google, e.g. at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/custom-boots/ I found him pleasant and helpful to deal with (his English is good) and the boots took less time to make and deliver than I was expecting, even allowing for the small alteration he made at my request before finishing them.

Some quick notes as I should be undoing pipework rather than typing. 1. I have used compression for the join, which must be there for 'later' work to be completed. It also allows (though wasn't expected to allow) the alternative solution of a 'push-fit' pipe to be joined to a solvent weld pipe. (As you are aware.) 2. I will see about buying some. The clips I ordered cost £6-15 for 5 delivered I think, which I am happy with. But that strapping material is a great tip. I would prefer the stainless, but would probably prefer the ali version even more, but for the anticipated cost. Ali bends easier, has less spring and cuts easier than stainless. I'm not overly keen on galvanised anything usually, but 'port in a storm' .... 3. The pipe is done, and had I not switched on the computer this morning, might be installed. Or I might still be drinking coffee. Making up a bit of pipe was challenging (f'ing frustrating actually) but was something I may need to know in the future. I have priced up some better quality bending gear to help next time. I will hopefully add some pictures later today. 4. Just to clarify, the sink was supplied with a "push-up" waste, which I didn't/don't like because they look a bit 'Heath Robinson'. They do seem to be reliable, unlike my preferred choice of the click-clack/pop-up waste that is universally unreliable, especially in hard water areas. The £28 version seals on the flat upper face of the waste, rather than sitting internally where it can get gummed up with limescale and soap. I am trying to use the as supplied push-up system, with on order enhancements. If it doesn't work reliably, I will employ the £28 option with 5 year guarantee, or a less expensive one if you have a reliable make you can recommend through experience. In a previous property, a cheap but all-metal pop-up was removed by myself, using a very sharp drill ... 5. The close-coupled toilet has a straight outlet (rather than 'S' type) and it's quite high, compared to height of the original soil stack connection. I managed to connect them all up previously by using an offset connector, but even that sat at an angle. I have repositioned the soil stack, and used a couple of angles to get the original connection point back. I had the option to put a regular length 90' in for the soil opening height, but this would have left the connection point too low still, even though it might have been higher than before. I've sourced a long-neck 90' bend, which will put the soil connection on or about the right place. I can cut it down if necessary, but it means the soil opening will be closer the ideal height. Been a little while since I had a 'Chinese' ... Timely reminder/Freudian slip? I have edited the typo, referencing yourself for the help in the correction. I have replied in kind, elsewhere.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, what does "shink" mean? It's obviously some new (Kentish) slang for shape changing, but Google is not up to date with it and neither am I... As far as feet changing shape are concerned, I believe most strongly, "older" feet spread. Muscle wastage, less flexible soft tissue, more weight to support ... it must all add up? You are right that I (continue) to forget about your MJ's. Does he also do more wearable 'street' styles too? I had in mind some shoes with a slightly more modest heel, and a less pointed toe-box when I made my suggestion. My thinking being a handmade shoe would fit, and allow (encourage) more frequent ventures. I will have to confess, that without the (sometimes reluctant) support from my walking friend (she with bunions and a new/failing hip) and my (resigned to it) better half, I have my doubts I would spend so much time in public wearing heels. I used to go out alone, and late at night, which is not necessarily a great option. More than once I found myself in an uncomfortable situation, though embarrassment, was fortunately the worst outcome. Believe me when I say, I am appreciative to them both for the access to the company of them while I wear a heel in public. There is no greater disguise, than a woman walking with you. Not only camouflage, but visual confirmation that at least one regular person in the world accepts a man in a heel. The 'scene' from your Thursday visit feels familiar. I couldn't say how many times I've seen girls/women out in heels, or even a whole (androgynous) outfit and thought the same thing ... How much I'd like to be wearing that. While I recognise "we" are not physically equal, I have always been a supporter of equal rights for women. Sadly, there are no 'equal rights' for men. While women can dress in anything they like, this privilege does not extend to men. Colours (ie red) are "banned". Whole styles/types are "banned". And of course, what do most people think of men in heels? "Banned". Perhaps in the next life?

Interesting thoughts about leg length and shoe size, Freddy. I think it quite logical that feet are (or normally are) in proportion to build and height, but not so sure that putting on weight will necessarily result in 'fatter' feet, aside from some possible temporary bloating through water retention. Foot size (and height) do tend to shink a little with age, but I guess that foot size does not effectively reduce because stiffness, bunions and other ailments will tend to make feet less flexible and therefore more needful of a comfy/roomy shoe (as most wives, at least, demonstrate). I think you have forgotten that I do have a pair of custom-made 'Miguel Jones' boots from Mexico - pictures posted previously. They cost about £110 shipped and fit very well. They are comfortable enough to wear (given the 5" heel) but my slightly bow-legged gait does not help. Under longish bootcut trousers they are quite discreet (although the long pointed toes are very apparent - which doesn't bother me) but they really deserve to be shown-off under normal length fairly narrow straight jeans - which would doubtless frighten any foreign woman, inquisitive child or horse within spotting range. One day, I might have the courage ... Last Thursday, whilst in another town, I saw a women walking around whose look was one I wish men could aspire to with impunity. She was tall and of medium build (which meant she was of an overall size/outline comparable to many mid-sized men) and wearing a longish black jacket, wide-legged trousers and fully-visible black suede ankle boots with a straight heel about 4" high. She looked very smart-casual and comfortable and I really wished I could have been 'in her body'. The boots were the most obviously feminine thing she wore but seemed to me to be eminently suitable for a man as part of a comparable overall look - if only the (perceived) barrier to male heel wearing did not exist. And I already have rather similar boots:

Progress then, Freddy - even if hampered by various physical constraints and other buggers' bodges. A few thoughts: 1. If bath waste might need temporary removal, why not join with compression fittings until you finalise it, then use solvent-weld fittings? (Compression will fit all pipes - the special push-fit bend you ordered (source/detail?) may well not fit SW pipe.) 2. 'Builders band' or similar perforated metal strip is handy for making things like pipe straps if they will not be on show: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p60768?table=no Lots of other uses too! (I have some in aluminium which is very good.) 3. Could not your 15mm copper pipe run behind the soil pipe (with a little bit of wall gouged out)? That would obviate making a full crossover as a slight set would suffice. 4. The basin waste opened by a rod is a 'pop-up waste', as distinct from a 'click-clack' opened by finger pressure above (although the latter are sometimes also called pop-up). I agree that the former can give trouble. I have bought some very good click-clacks on eBay for around a fiver and had no trouble with them; no need to spend anything like £28. Indeed, the nicely machined and plated brass is quite a joy to behold (as is a lot of plumbers' brassware: maybe there should be a fetish website for it!). Good luck with the fiddly rod extension. 5. Not sure if you are referring to the WC pan connector or the pipe into which it fits - presumably the former. If you really needed a long-neck, there must be something unusual about the pan outlet height or (more likely) the depth/position of the outlet pipe into which it fits, which would normally be flush with the floor or just below it. As to 'No plumber I know (2 plus 3 heating engineers) have "got time" for the wok I want done', I hope you can take time out to enjoy that Chinese meal you thoroughly deserve! (Best to keep off curry too for the moment.)

Regarding fumes, only solvent for welding plastic pipe together. I managed to get a 45' bend in place, so the bath waste works, but I'm not overly happy with it. Everyone else in the world would consider the job done, but I have one last thing to try. To get the pipe run in behind what will be obsolete supply pipes (and will be removed in time) I had to split the 1.7m x 40mm bath waste run. I could have used solvent pipe and used a single run, but then it wouldn't be reusable, and when the new supply pipes are laid, the waste might need moving for a few hours. The thing I want to try is a 32' degree pushfit. It's actually made for this very job. Hopefully here in a couple of days. As the waste can't run alongside the wall, I have not been able to install brackets. In fact the pipe effectively runs into the wall, so I have had to source some stainless P clips for pipe supports. In the post ... The 32mm waste for the sink was easy. Getting the right height for the junction in the stack, less so. It would have helped if the dummy with the saw had cut the correct side of the tape, instead of cutting the wrong side and making the joiner 25mm shorter than "ideal". Took two hours of filing and recutting new 110mm pipe, but the sink waste is good with the junction in the soil pipe correctly positioned. The soil stack now ends in the loft, but needs more work. I have to remove half the stack to replace a mains feed I installed two years ago. Because I have the new stack pinned to an inner wall (not the joists) the pipe runs closer to the wall than it used to. Consequently, today, I had to learn to bend a full crossover. My bending kit was bought so I could put a nice radius on the occasional bit of 15mm copper pipe. I spent this afternoon making a suitable new pipe (about No.6 in the learning cycle) that follows the outline of the newly installed soil stack. Until the new copper pipe is installed, I can't finish finalising the position of the soil stack because the current straight pipe fouls the new stack. To my shame, we haven't had a working sink in the bathroom for some time. (A long time actually.) While doing this work, it became obvious I could now finally connect it. The monobloc tap has always been the barrier I have been reluctant to take on. I recently decided the easier solution to the lever controlled 'push' plug, was a pop-up waste. (Sometimes called a 'click-clack' waste.) Since none of them from the usual 'sheds' seem reliable, and the reliable solution looked like a £28 purchase, I went back to solving any installation problems with the parts I already had instead. The joint (hinge) for the 'push' mechanism as supplied, is an old and unreliable type. A new one is on order. The depth of the ceramic waste on the basin, makes the push-waste as supplied, borderline unusable. To get the actuating eye-rod even in the approximately correct position, has meant winding out the mounting thread too far. I have a small amount of plastic threaded bar ("see I told you 10 years ago that keeping that old number plate mounting screw would come in useful one day"), and I have some threaded joiner ordered too. I'm hoping to be able to make the eye rod about 10mm longer. At the weekend I sourced a 90 bend for the toilet, that has a longer neck than the one found in the 'sheds'. I'm hoping it will put the join for the toilet connector in something like the right place - the first time since the house was built. Some reading this might be thinking "he likes to make things hard for himself". Maybe I do. What I keep thinking is; if it was easy, someone else would be doing it, or would have done it. No plumber I know (2 plus 3 heating engineers) have "got time" for the work I want done. This type of work is very unattractive because it sucks time (money/profit) out of the job. So I'm working on my apprenticeship.

A note on 'leg length' first: I have measured the legs on my jeans/trousers more times than I care to remember. (On some I've even written the measured length on labels to prevent me checking again.) I have found slightly mismatched leg lengths, but not often. Once for sure. I also have a procedure for checking leg lengths on heels, that usually involves a lot of time, 5 pairs of heels, and two mirrors. My conclusion is that the side one 'dresses' must have a consequence on the effective trouser leg length if the trousers/jeans are fitted, as mine are. (I have possibly two pairs that are so fitted, decent folk would describe them as vulgar. ) I have had one pair altered to change a slightly mismatched length, but my choice of 'donor' garment was poor, so I never wore them. At a reasonable £9 a go, I might try again. Two pairs of my heeling jeans have been shortened using this method to allow their use with mens shoes. Getting the length changed was actually cheaper than buying replacements... I used to be a fairly girlie size 7. I am at least 3 stone heavier now, and am not surprised my feet are currently an 8. Mrs Freddy has put some weight on too (though still reasonably trim) and she has grown half a shoe size in around 20 years. (Though sadly, 2 dress sizes.) I'm not in any way suggesting if I or anyone else lost weight, our feet would shrink. In that regard, I think it's a one way street. What I am suggesting, is that weight might have some longterm effect on our shoe sizes? Taller people, need bigger feet to keep upright. Heavier people must need wider feet to accommodate weight or bones would break surely? Even worse, I think the extra weight and our growing years, make us less inclined to endure foot pain. Years ago, Mrs Freddy lived in heels, almost literally as she wouldn't leave the house in a flat shoe. Now, if the heel isn't 'comfy', it's not used and disposed of. I have a little 'trick' I use to help keep my feet pain free, while wearing a snug fitting heel, or one I will wear for some hours: I've owned what look like stocking grade ankle socks, that fit like compression socks. I tend to wear two pairs, and they shape my feet into two little sausages that allow me to wear shoes that might otherwise rub or pinch. A double layer prevents blisters of course (as with Thousand Mile socks.) Apparently (the walking specialist tells me) pushing the fat from around your feet under the sole, helps pad bones and raises comfort levels. Works for me anyway. I've also noticed my feet seem to shape themselves into shoes? If I want to get into some snug shoes, I can do it more easily by wearing a larger similar sized shoe. I used to wear a tight court in say a UK8 for 15-20 minutes before wearing the Schuh Lois I sold on - as they were at best, a UK7. I got them on though, just couldn't walk in them. I've also helped reshape a tight shoe by wearing it having dried off and dressed after a hot bath. Letting the moisture leaving my feet 'steam' the shoe into a more accommodating shape. While your outing didn't seem to produce a very satisfying venture, at least you went out in a heel, which I feel makes it a success. Getting spotted comes with the territory though ... Any man who believes he hasn't been spotted while wearing a heel, can remain blissfully naive, but I wouldn't believe no-one noticed myself. Women, especially those born abroad, will make no secret of them noticing. (Is it still called staring?) Brits seldom bother to take a second look, which I'm glad of. Have you considered getting a pair of boots made for you? A member here (Heels4me I think) got just about any style made for him, for circa £150. Not the price many here would pay, but made for your feet, they should be über comfortable. It's a realistic solution, and they might outlast your interest in wearing a heel? Not a UK outfit. which might be obvious given the price ...