Puffer

You could simply try a long strip of rigid board cut from a carton and creased to make a 'vee' shape (for rigidity). Or wrap a newspaper roll in some lining paper or similar if you are worried about its chemical properties (which never did my fish and chips any harm and neither of my heads has had cause to complain either. ) If you have a carpet dealer or layer handy, try scrounging the long cardboard tubes used inside a carpet roll - even a bent/discarded one should yield what you need. My rubber waders (utilitarian, not fashion footwear) hang in the shed clipped into one of Mrs P's skirt hangers. (I'm surprised that she's let me keep the waders - surely they are too kinky and pervy for any normal male, or even me?) I think one potential problem with newsprint in landfill is spontaneous combustion if it is piled up and overheats - as can happen to haystacks etc. But that would scarcely be an issue in a 'boot roll'.

Hmmm. I wonder if simply using some sealant (Tru-Blu or similar) will suffice to stop the weep. Worth a try, rather than replacing? I know that Freddy Towers is not a small dwelling and I'm just wondering whether a combi is going to be man-enough for all your needs. (I don't know what kit you have in mind but I'm guessing 30kW minimum.) But I suppose that, unless Mrs F likes to spend hours in a deep bath in the East Wing, the chance of your abode being rendered uncomfortably chilly whilst hot water is being drawn is acceptably low.

Do you mean 'siphon' - or is it a tundish, which is overflowing?

Oh, dear! My future was looking quite a lot rosier [blush] until that bit was mentioned. So, no more 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire; Jack Frost nipping at your toes' ??

What? Without me? Does Mrs F approve?

Agreed. It is the physical aspects of breaking-up (house sale and moving etc), rather than anything purely financial or emotional, that provide the main stumbling block. Frankly, I have doubts that I could survive the turmoil. For the time being, better the devil you know ...

I can certainly see your dilemma, Freddy. If only the spring was just about here, you could get on with the replacement rather than the repair without time and comfort being 'of the essence'. It must sound like a hollow offer, but I rather wish that the limitations of geography and time did not preclude my practical assistance to you 'on site' for a week or so. I'm sure that, between us, we could get all that old and new pipework sorted out and the new boiler in and working before your fingers and toes went completely blue. That is, of course, if we could each tolerate the other's particular (peculiar?) ways of tackling the various tasks! (My wife will be glad to provide a glowing reference as to my mild, co-operative and flexible attitude to work, and life in general. See separate correspondence on that point on this board. )

As Freddy says above, your comments and conclusions are both clear and accurate. My marriage is unlikely to endure until one of us pops clogs; the incidents already mentioned being but one minor trigger to a break-up. My wife and I both have a stubborn streak, and some uncompromising views that often don't coincide, so some clashes are inevitable, but the crux of the matter is that anyone who does not conform to her ideals of conduct and attitude and doesn't work to her agenda is, at the very least, going to be the butt of repeated criticism. I live under the constant threat of a break-up on the grounds of either my (allegedly) unacceptable/perverted/deranged views or actions or because she no longer needs or wants anything I can provide. With her sons now grown-up and living away, her focus is on aiding an ailing mother (with my active help, I would add), but the time will come when that no longer applies and my wife will be able to free herself from her chains, notably including me, and she has often indicated her intention to do so. Are there any redeeming features in a marriage which she clearly feels has gone downhill to the point of being bitterly regretted? The answer is, thankfully, 'yes' (from my perspective at least) in that we are both hard-working, practical people with largely complementary skills who have together made a comfortable home for ourselves, together with a holiday home and many contributions to those of our five boys, her mother and her aunt. There are elements of synergy that should not be ignored but I have to say that we are both basically independent people who (like Freddy) like to plough our own furrows in our own way. We both have a previous failed marriage behind us and that perhaps tells its own story.

The sometimes anarchic kid's programme 'Tiswas' (on ITV 1977 - 82) was hosted by one Sally James, who quite often wore OTK boots on it. I believe she (and her boots) gained quite a following, and postbag, from randy adolescents. (No - I wasn't one of them; she is only a year younger than me.) Here she is - and there is at least one video online too at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joWDBSNButM

That's almost the understatement of the year! My wife knew that I had a liking for high heels and that, years ago, I had bought a pair of stiletto courts (since disposed of). That was the cause of a big argument at that time but had not surfaced again. The recent 'discovery' was by chance when she thought (quite wrongly) that I was looking guilty about something and searched the area I had been in, finding one hidden pair of HH boots. (My other modest 'stash' was not found although she suspects it exists.) I was told in no uncertain terms that I was a pervert, a cross-dresser, a gay, etc etc, and that it made her feel sick. I denied all of that, naturally, and told her (truthfully) that it was a harmless and totally private 'interest' that had developed partly as an experiment (to see what heel wearing was like, as I admired heels on women) and partly because I found that my sporadic back troubles had benefited from walking in a modest heel. That appeared to cut no ice and she came very close to finishing our marriage on the spot. It so happened that I was then away from home for a couple of days and the dust was therefore able to settle a little. Strangely, nothing more has been said since - or wasn't until a few days ago when she indirectly threatened to tell her sons and mine about my 'sordid little secret' after I had annoyed her over another matter entirely. I don't respond to threats or blackmail and told her so. As you can tell, my home life is a bundle of fun.

My considered recommendation to Freddy (and indeed Mrs Freddy), pending replacement of the 'old boiler' (and I don't mean Mrs F)!!

Entering the 'new year' is one of my least favourite times. I have a strong nostalgic streak (medication awaited) and always feel sorrowful that the good and positive things of the past are, yet again, retreating in favour of unknown (and frankly uninviting) future prospects. (The uncertainties of Brexit and its divisive and disruptive effects on the UK do none of us any favours and I do fear the more anarchic elements that seem to be sharpening their weapons on the sidelines.) And making dubious resolutions is but one unwelcome but expected immediate chore. Like the others above, I suppose my main resolution is to get more out of life before old age, increasing deafness and the ever-tightening band of external red-tape preclude most of what small pleasures remain open to me. (Cue violins.) Heel-wearing ought to continue to feature, but will be constrained by my limited opportunities and the recent unwelcome discovery of my very low-key activity by my totally disapproving wife. Other than that, I will endeavour to maintain a reasonably healthy lifestyle - i.e. not putting on weight permanently and getting a little more exercise (through useful activity as I loathe any form of sport or work-out) and continuing to do my best to help my sons, stepsons and (now) grandchildren with their various property ownership and improvement/renovation problems - whilst not totally ignoring my own.

I wish you well with the repair, Freddy. I had thought you were going to bite the bullet and bring forward the complete boiler replacement, but the repair will buy you some time and should get you warm again rather more quickly. Meanwhile: leggings, jeans and thigh boots around the house.

Bad luck, Freddy - especially at this time. WB boilers, although dearer than most, are usually considered reliable and longish-lasting but I suppose it had to fail sometime. I don't know what model you have but I think a replacement heat exchanger can be bought for under £200, and even with fitting costs would likely give you back your boiler for much less than any complete replacement - assuming the existing boiler is not otherwise potentially cream-crackered. I would caution against buying any used boiler (complete) unless it is very new and has only recently been de-commissioned; I understand that boilers can deteriorate quite rapidly during storage out-of-use. PM me if you want to run any ideas for the repair/replacement past me. Meanwhile, snuggle up under a warm duvet, woman or both - and leggings and thigh-boots will help too.

Have you ever tried 'Springolator' mules (from the 1950s)? They might be a better fit on you. No longer made, although maybe still available as originals or good copies. Much more info here (too big to show in full): https://www.flickr.com/photos/robynmichaels/galleries/72157622746271106/?rb=1

But you'd better get down to Toys 'R' Us today, Freddy, before it finally collapses. (I can just imagine choosing a pair of sparkly pink 'dress up' girly mules!)

Won't make any difference to you, Freddy, will it? What you usually do made you go blind, surely? (If not, white stilettos could help you to see your way ahead.)

The congregation will now sing: Ding-dong Merrily on High Heels Lo! He comes with Heels Ascending

I can think of at least seven!

I mentioned 'stretching' as you had effectively done this when you leaned over the basin. I'm sure your trousers ascended as you did so. A similar, indeed more extreme, effect arises when reaching up or bending/crouching down, as with getting items off shop shelves. Possibly the most revealing situation for a male heel wearer when others (shoppers or assistants) are hovering and one is, briefly, a captive 'entertainer'. I understand the need to cross the road sometimes to minimise detection when out. Lately, I've found people crossing the road to avoid me - I wonder why?

I realise that you wear your trousers long, Freddy, but I'm sure that you will reveal somewhat more than half an inch of heel when walking, sitting or stretching. If the observers in the loo saw only an inch or two of heel, it would hardly indicate their true height or style, unless they had been alerted by sound or the relatively slim profile. Certainly, seeing a man in heels of anything up to 3" ought not to be too noteworthy unless they were very slim or noisy as a man's Cuban heeled boot falls into that category. My own (very comfortable) 'cowboy' boots, worn under ordinary length jeans, do not advertise anything untoward - I hope! But these, for example, probably would as the heel is higher and tapered:

Indeed they are, and very stylish too! Two minor criticisms, however: (i) The close-fitting shaft emphasises the 'rear projection bulge' of the boot with foot, especially if the heel is itself placed towards the back of the boot. Although that would be equally true of a court shoe, the presence of the uncovered shaft highlights it; (ii) The trend to wear the boots with a skirt or cropped trousers, revealing the entire shaft (and emphasising the bulge per (i)), is the opposite of what seems to have become common, i.e. covering most of any boot/heel worn inside trousers. I'm not sure which I like least, but clearly the idea is to show off the sock boot shaft. The sleek lines of a sock boot seem to me to be a good male fashion, ideally worn with narrowish trousers just breaking across the top of the heel. Any heel of width around 1" or less would be fine - stilettos for the really daring.

Very nice boots, Freddy! The way the heel cuts into the uppers rather suggests that the heel is not quite the full 12cm (at the back) indicated by the tape; is that so, or an optical illusion? Impressive heels regardless and a good choice for cautious public wear.

I think 'tacky alti' is closer!

My late mother never wore heels of any significance (alas), although in her late 30s when the stiletto era was emergent. Stockings/suspenders, yes, but she preferred to go bare when possible and was always a (flat) sandal lover. Thinking about it, she was pretty unfashionable all round and somewhat bohemian; never glamorous. There was an easy way to approximate a post-decimal conversion back to 'real money'. Double the decimal figure and put a 'shilling stroke' between the figures, e.g. 27p = 5/4d; 93p = 18/6d; £2.63 = 52/6d (£2.12.6). (it works the other way round too: 4/9d = 24p. I remember too bombsites, rationing (just), smog, Sputnik and the Suez crisis!