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My understanding of what Shyheels said is that men should be able to wear, visibly in public, long boots (I assume not above knee-high), even if with flat heels. That implies that they can/should be worn over full-length trousers or leggings etc. I would tend to agree; long 'fashion' boots on men should be just as acceptable as those for protective reasons, whether worn outside or inside trousers. Boots reaching above the knee are for separate consideration - but they could also be considered as suitable for male wear, at least in a fashion context, but perhaps with less of a justifiable recent history (quite apart from unavoidable fetish overtones). Any such boots with heels is another matter; heels on any type of 'male' footwear are not generally accepted (as we well know) and boots, of any length or style, are not outside this prohibition, with the obvious exception of cowboy boots, cuban heeled 'Beatle' boots etc. I agree that wearing long boots inside trousers etc may effectively hide them and thus remove the objection. But there is no more point to doing so than there is to wearing high heels almost hidden under extra-long trousers - except to please the wearer whilst not frightening the neighbours. And, if a good reason for long boots is protection against the elements, snakes and other hazards, then putting vulnerable trousers over them is not a very good idea. Isn't a need for a modicum of such protection a valid reason for long boots on men or women - which is why we wear non-fashion wellies in the rain or mud, or functional riding boots? Long boots don't have to be extreme high-fashion to look good and also give that extra protection and warmth that may be needed.

I would say an "engineer" (and I mean engineer in old school parlance - not someone who has little real world experience though a degree probably achieved with hard academic study), will always assume there will be maintenance work at some stage, and therefore not permanently fix anything that removal involves destruction. I would like to include myself under that umbrella term. There are very few times when I do anything I expect to be permanent, though Mrs Freddy insists the house will fall down before any of my work fails. (Bless her). I'm also a great believer in "re-use better than recycle", and re-using something in the way you plan to, would be the very apex of re-use since some emotion will be involved. Well done sir.

Altho I've heard stories before about sparkies not liking to use what the customer supplies (especially CUs), although not experienced it myself on the few occasions one has followed me on a job. I can think of three possible reasons: (i) unwilling to deal with any unfamiliar product, although quite capable of doing so, because it will involve extra time/effort; (ii) incapable of dealing with any unfamiliar product (in which case I would question his competence); (iii) wants to make extra profit on supplying the item(s). If I did not salvage the (perfectly good) kitchen (inc sink, oven, hob and extractor), they would probably end up in the builder's skip and my son would be paying for both removal and disposal. And quite apart from the merits of recycling and saving expense, I put in that kitchen for mum with both love and care and I hate to see it 'vandalised' when it can easily be removed, relocated and re-used. From memory, nothing was done in the original fit-out that will make removal difficult or prejudice the re-use.

Every man has to understand his limitations ... Some things are literally, impossible. One of the two electricians lined up will only use his own 'supplied' CU, because he's used to them. (We've had a conversation about this some 2 or 3 years ago.) That said, the unit on offer at Screwfix does look a very attractive buy, and I've book marked it in the hope sparky no.2 will agree to install it. (If he ever picks up the phone and replies to the calls from 'landlord' mate.... ) You will know as well as I do, how onerous yanking fuse holders can be, so changing to a circuit breaker technology is very attractive. I'm not jealous of your kitchen re-use plan, though it's both commendable from the 'green' aspect of reuse, and the commercial benefit. You will be using equipment fitted better than the kitchens I had to work around yesterday afternoon/evening. Both installed by fitters 'recommended' by friends of the owners. Neither will be getting work from me. Having almost forgotten to cut a small slot for the washing machine power cable in some new backing material on a sink carcass, I tried to connect the plug to socket without pulling the cable. Not possible. The original fitter had taken the cable which leaves the top of the w/machine UNDER the carcass and back upwards to just under the sink. Sadly, having cut the slot, I found taking the power cable UPWARDS through the same hole the w/m waste pipe uses, was a significantly shorter route. How was that not obvious to an experienced fitter?