Leaderboard

I've just remembered, as the nights are about to draw in, another occasional drink that is welcoming on a cold evening, perhaps after returning from an outside foray (e.g. frightening bystanders by being seen abroad in heels). I refer to drinking chocolate (ideally made with a little evaporated milk) to which a slug of some peppermint-type liqueur has been added. (Crème de menthe is ideal, but anything cheapo and minty will do.) If you like After Seven MInts (I can't wait until 20.00), you will know and appreciate the resultant taste.

I will skirt round the alleged Americanisms, Freddy. I have no problems with your 'gotten' (an old English word which remains valid) and can overlook 'advise' (noun), for example. And, if you disliked my use of 'thru', I merely claim it as a convenient abbreviation, regardless of its origin. Boss White used to be perfectly acceptable on potable water joints (as did lead/tin solder) and I don't get excited by seeing either still in existence, although lead-free solder and harmless jointing compounds are now the norm for such purposes. The Fernox LS-X is fine but several (usually cheaper) equivalents are just as good, but I haven't yet tried the stuff from TS. I'm not aware that plumbers don't like them; you and I do, for the same good reason that they work! As to compression torque, the main problem if overdone is that the tube can be distorted and that can start a leak; half a turn beyond hand-tight should be enough, assuming that (i) fitting, pipe and olive are not damaged/distorted; (ii) a little compound is smeared around the olive at least. I think I misled you about the descaling crystals; it is the colour that is 'ochre' (almost yellow). The compound is essentially sulphamic acid, relatively non-toxic but not to be trifled with. It turns most brass fairly pink, probably because it attacks the zinc rather than the copper. Citric acid is altogether milder but does the job reasonably well, if more slowly.