I should have added that I also applied to one postdoc where I did have the skills required and got it :) Not exactly my dream job or location but it's something! Hope you find one too!

Yep this is what I have found - I've had rejections without interviews (2 so far) from 6 postdocs I've applied to where I don't have the exact skill set required.

There are blogs and articles I've read from academics saying how to write these contact emails for PhDs so I assume you can adopt a similar style. I can't find the links now though.

I don't know anyone who has done this and found it to be successful (except international students with funding looking for PhDs) but I do know people that have got postdocs from their supervisors contacting their 'friends' and asking them if they want a postdoc. They would then just go through normal employee enrolment.

My supervisor told me to contact random PIs directly, but like you, I wondered how to do it and how effective it would be so I didn't.

So true Caro!

I still think it's the same risk as in any field with any job. Chances are any job you get once you finish your PhD is going to pay more - it's not hard to find a job paying £18k a year, which is the stipend equivalent considering tax. Furthermore, I can earn minimum wage and easily cover my mortgage so it's not something I'm concerned about. I believe I can get any old random job if needs be.

You should put her on there. She's still your supervisor. She will be annoyed if you don't. I have had to include my 3rd and 4th supervisors on my paper and one has had no input whatsoever. Do they deserve it? No, but it's expected some supervisors have limited input and are named as authors.

I could have written this. My thesis timeline is the same as yours and I'm working as hard as I can. I don't know what the solution is.

Basically, what I'm saying is it is difficult to give an answer because it varies so much. You are better off checking with your supervisor and looking at theses in your dept.

I think this is totally normal. You would miss your friends or family if they were gone right? You've just spent years of your life immersed in your PhD, of course you are going to miss it if you enjoyed doing it!

Don't worry about the missing blank page, if that's the only 'mistake' in your thesis I think you've done very well and should be proud :)

Right now I am in the few months before submission where I hate my thesis and I feel like it hates me but I think I will feel like you when it's all over.

In a thesis? It should be sufficient for someone to easily replicate your work and the rest is probably up to you, your supervisor, your university and your discipline.

We can't attach files on here, we can only use links.

They are allowed to do in the UK. The recent proposed MSc and PhD loans have cut offs of 30. And I've seen that when applying for funding from charities as well.

I must admit I'm very glad I've done that as I've gone along...!