Loz

I have a small stupid car... where do I park?

And there was me thinking it stood for a MILF that couldn't give a F. :))

Yep, that'd sort the problem out PDQ. But I can hear the howls of anguish coming fast...

A couple of years ago I complained to customer services, having seen something similar. Their response? "Oh, we allow our employees to use the disabled bays at night". It's not on. PippaD - I think it is wrong to let anyone other than the disabled to use these bays. Parking somewhere else is inconvenient for a parent and child; it's a major issue for the disabled. Sainsburys should be taken to task for that policy, too.

But.. they're BYO aren't they??

OK, I'm going to go all Daily Mail here... This is theft. The kid is a thief. Getting someone to just get the bike back is not going to get the message across. Press charges against him. Maybe if he cries and begs and mows your lawn for the next forty-three years, drop them, but don't let him get away with this. Don't let the police fob you off.

The problem, matthew123, is that you are wrong - and your own posts of the Code show that. You have made two points repeatedly: that "pedestrians have right of way at junctions" and that "pedestrians have priority at road junctions". Both statements are dangerously wrong as they miss a very, very important point. Skidmarks' post is correct, though. The code says that pedestrians have priority provided they have started to cross. This is an important distinction. If a pedestrian steps out into the path of a car turning at that junction they will be at fault: as per highway code rule 7d [pedestrians] If traffic is coming, let it pass and highway code rule 8: [pedestrians] At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. So, if a pedestrian wished to cross the road at a junction and a car wishes to turn at that junction the car has the right of way. If the pedestrian has already begun to cross then - and only then - do they have priority. The exception to this is at a zebra crossing where pedestrians do indeed have right of way.

matthew123: That's a major change from your first post, that pedestrians "always has right of way on our roads".

Good God, no. The foodie bloggers will be twittering in no time...

You can't have frequented it too often - it's been gone for a few months now.

You've got it already. It's hidden behind the three rocket leaves.

Where's Emily's??

[FULL ON RANT MODE] NGGGGGHHH!! Sainsburys are doing their 'move stuff around so you can't find anything' exercise again. All the cold meats/soups/pasta etc have been randomly hidden. I suspect it's the start of a wider exercise. I don't have a problem with rearranging to bring in new stuff, but this is usually just change just so shoppers are forced to wander around more. Don't they care how bloody frustrating it is?? Barstewards. The lot of them. (Feeling slightly less stressed now...)

Wo Hing - the little Chinese takeaway near DKH park, next to the strange furniture shop - seems to have closed. No signs or anything, though. Does anyone know if this is temporary or permanent?? Shame if it has gone - it was a handy little place.

Springers not only survived, but thrived. They only closed down due to retirement.

Springers not only survived, but thrived. They only closed down due to retirement.

Probably a end of financial year, spend-it-or-lose-it, silly season wheeze. The public sector is always chucking their unspent money about this time of year to ensure they maintain budgets for next year.

"takings", I suspect.

The British Crime Survey 2007/08 is a mass of statistics, but from what I can make out: - you are roughly twice as likely to be mugged if you are male than female. - Males 16-24 most likely victims (by a long margin), followed by females 16-24 and males 25-34. - Those three categories are the real statistical standouts. Interestingly, females 25-34 aren't a particular high-risk group. Mugged is defined as both robbery and snatch theft. The chances of you being mugged, whatever age or gender, is about 0.7% in any year. Caveat: This is my translation of a lot of stats. Feel free to dig through them yourself here.

Often, there is no way of confirming that the item you have in your hand is the one on offer. Simple answer - print the barcode number on the sale paraphernalia. But I would back Ratty's comment about the staff. Friendly bunch, though sometimes the people at the butcher/fish/deli counters prefer to finish off their natter to other members of staff than serve you.

Looked into this last night. I'd read the fine print. Carefully. I've been a member of Hamlets Health Club before and probably will be again sometime soon. It's a nice gym that's good value for money. If you join directly (see HHC Site) then the price is: Single: ?30/month or ?150 for six months in advance. Couple: ?50/month or ?250 for six months in advance. This is for gym (any time) and sauna. The minimum commitment is 6 months. The offer (through Change 4 Life) is ?21 per month single. No couples membership deal. ?15 up front enrolment fee. Lots of fine print, but not much detail on what your membership entitles you to. The sting in the tail is that you are signing up for a 24 month (!!!) commitment. More worryingly, this offer is being made through a third party - Ashbourne Management Services Ltd. I googled the name and, frankly, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. My google query is here. It's a bit more expensive, but I'd go directly through Hamlets, especially if you are a couple.

I'm in full agreement with the restocking 'specials' area with different stuff and/or not going through the tills correctly complaints. Especially in the wine section - it's not uncommon to see, say, Oyster Bay Sav Blanc on special, but a load of Oyster Bay Chardonnay in it's place. I notice that the 'it scans correctly or it's free' guarantee died a death PDQ. It must have cost them a fortune. But a big thumbs up to the many new self service tills. They make things so much quicker as the luddites stand in line leaving me a clear run. The 8pm till close down every night used to catch me out every time. As an interesting aside, I overheard two employees talking once - apparently, Sainburys DKH is the most profitable store in the entire business. We should be getting the best service...

When I was taught to drive by my father, he also taught me the concept of 'defensive driving' which, in summary, is to to presume that everyone else around you is an idiot. Driver, cyclists, motorcyclists: never assume anything. Especially if you've have never driven/ridden the other type of vehicle. I know never to go around corners side-by-side with long vehicles even if there is two lanes, but it confuses other drivers behind me as to why I have slowed down. I know that most vehicles have a huge blind spot just behind the passenger side rear door that no amount of mirror twiddling completely eliminates - people who have never driven may not realise that. But I've never ridden a motorcycle in traffic, so I don't always understand what the hell they are going to do next and so I keep an eye out for them. As for cycling around E&C roundabout? Good grief, it's terrifying enough in a car - there are things coming at you from all directions. You couldn't pay me enough money to attempt it on a bike. Frankly, I'd feel safer going bungee jumping with a piece of old knicker elastic.

Dunno about a good reason, but a comedian once pointed out the best way to handle telemarketers was to say, "yes, I'm very interested in your product. But first I'd like to talk to you about God...". I reckon that'll see the little buggers off...

For those of you that think CPZs are the answer to parking problems, please note...