katie1997

StraferJack Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Food posioning is absolutely brutal, and I'm keen > to avoid > > But given how much I eat in all of the badly rated > restaurants, you would think there would be > correlation between rating and illness, no? > > That there isn't (for me or anyone in my group) > suggests the ratings are not helpful. I'd go as far to suggest that the ratings are worse than simply 'not helpful'; they're downright misleading and thus have the potential to be very damaging to both customers and businesses alike. (And thanks Otto)

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Most local councils including Southwark Council > submit their food safety ratings into a system > called Scores on the Doors. James, I think this whole post is very misleading to say the least. The Scores on the Doors system is not a definitive measure of judging food safety by any means. Its as bad as the recycling fiasco we have already. There have been many criticisms of this scheme (and others across the country,surprise surprise, all have different criteria to the other), including the complexity of the star ratings. What's the difference exactly for places that have 2 stars to those that have 3 stars? Why not a simple pass or fail? If there's got to be a system of measurement for standards, some consistency and fairness is needed. The sort of people that need an app for this and who rely on these so-called scores fill me with despair. Can't people think for themselves anymore? Of course I'm not suggesting that places shouldn't be expected to have standards of cleanliness but if those across the industry don't have faith in this system, how can we be expected to? I think there's anecdotal evidence of places getting marked down for something as ridiculous as not 'upgrading' their kitchen equipment which hasn't got a bearing on cleanliness. Pretty sure there was a thread on here that showed how useless the 'results' actually were. > Food inspectors visit premises at least every 6-36 > months depending on risk and stars out of 5 are > recorded in the system. More stars equal cleaner > and safer practices. > > You can get FREE Android and Apple apps to have > access to this while on the move and help you > decide whether you think a premises inspected > hygiene is good enough for you and your family. > I've found it eye opening. The more people use > these scores the more businesses will take note > and ensure they are clean. Some might even want to > get reinspected.

StraferJack Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > which school, silverfox? Xavier's School for gifted youngsters.

Laddy Muck Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oh that's soooooo funny. > > Where do you get them from, maxxi. (Rhetorical > question). > > > Edited to say: x-post and to confirm no set-up > involved. Yeah yeah, fair enough as you didn't win it here LM but.....correct me if I'm mistaken, didn't you rather suspiciously collect the holy grail on dear old Quids' 100s thread, non? *pooh, what's that lingering musty sour grape smell around here anyway?*

Laddy Muck Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I love my blue bin. No more sorting out: just > throw all recyclables in. Couldn't be easier. > Mine's full already. Dear oh dear Laddy Muck! The objective isn't to get it as full as possible just so they can be recycled...tsk tsk, you're meant to be consuming less in the first place ;-) The blue wheelie bin monstrosities don't appear to have replaced the blue recycling boxes either, they are in addition to them. According to the leaflet, the onus is on me to let them know if I don't need the blue box anymore or would like a different size bin. WTF. Arrived home late this evening to find a brown kitchen caddy on my doorstep so that's now a grand total of 5 different receptacles for recyling. Why didn't they let us use the old green wheelie bins for the same items that you can now put in the blue bin? I like the idea of unsorting, something they were doing in Essex a long time ago. Catch up Southwark but don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hmmm I'm not sure. > > My experience of somewhere like Vietnam is that > the locals don't wear the sort of thing Mamora Man > might want to. That's not what I meant, I meant if you bring some clothing from over here in the style you like, you can choose good quality material over there and hire a good local tailor (based on the recommendations of the expat community who work there and who have done the same thing themselves) to copy it for you in your size. Guess depending on what country you're based in, some are better than others for this. Check out expat forums perhaps before you go? > > Whilst the tailoring there was cheap the quality > of workmanship and materials was poor. Much better > to buy better quality in Britain rather than cheap > tat abroad. > > Also, having met the rather tall MamoraMan, they > won't have anything in his size in places like SE > Asia!

So has Alan restored the faith? (despite the 'paucity of enthusiasm for science' on this friendly, local forum)....And of course I wasn't teasing boffins. They're probably too busy doing boffin-type things to read this. Rosie was correct, I wasn't sneering. Now "inspiring and full of hope; a celebration of the spirit of inquiry and the creativity of our fellow men". 10/10 if that was a deliberate wind-up. New Scientist = the National Enquirer of Science Reporting. A science entertainment rag for the less-scientifically educated - or as Rosie pointed out, its a magazine. Less interested in accuracy than controversy. Its often bought in the misguided impression that its a reliable source of scientific information. If you want scientific facts, read a journal. But hey, it has its place if you're after sensationalist cover stories, designed to sell and at the expense of good science. Yes, science is exciting and for all, this doesn't mean it should be communicated irresponsibly. Which is what I was light-heartedly alluding to when I posted earlier on this thread.

red devil Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Why don't you buy some clothes at your > destination, and just take a few lightweight > basics to see you through the first few days? > What's good enough for the locals will be good > enough for you. Agree with this. I spent a fortune in the UK on what I thought were smartish clothes suitable for when I worked in hotter climates. Didn't wear half of them n the end. Depending on where you are going and for how long, it's best to have them tailored especially for you once you're there. If you have a few decent items to take with you for your first week or so, a good tailor can copy them in fabrics that suit the local climate. PS good luck on your travels. (hope you're not leaving the edf)

Penguin68 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Does anyone else think it's (a) ironic and (b) > confusing that it is the green bin which is for > non recylable, non compostable material? Yes on both counts. > On a wider point, one of the reasons why recyling > etc. doesn't work well in the UK is that every > council has different rules, packaging etc. for > their refuse - so you cannot learn about it once > and re-use that knowledge. Spot on Penguin, couldn't agree more. It varies so much over here, such a shame that we haven't learned from other countries who are way ahead than the UK on recycling and waste management and have been for years. I can understand why some people don't bother with it. Different 'colour codes' can mean the opposite depending on what part of the country you're in. Its like that well-known crisp company putting cheese and onion in a blue bag, just not on :-S Edited to add: received the bright blue wheelie bin today and have tried to line it up out the front alongside the other two bins plus blue recycling box...grr.

civilservant Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > but what happened to the OP? just four posts and > never heard from again Gang activity. No really, it's maybe one of those occasional 'let's sign in to local forum to stir things up' type posts. Like The One About Annoying Cyclists Who Don't Move Out Of The Way For Car Drivers... I think Iceland has a negative image and could do with some help to market itself better. The store front is not very inviting. Until I moved here, I'd never lived close to a branch of Iceland to shop there but my perception was that of row upon row of large freezers, consisting mainly of pre-prepared frozen foods. Having been to the one on LL, I'd say it has a good selection of (local, or at least British) fresh vegetables and dairy products all good quality, reasonably priced. Perhaps this thread is helping Iceland more than we think, hurrah. Also, there's a surprising amount of non-frozen/fridge goods on the shelves, not that disimilar to what's on offer at the Co-Op, Sainsbury's or the one I cannot bear to mention (T....)

maxxi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Anno vero - isn't that what you put on a skin > irritation? Is this the politically correct term for an itchy rash?

And what about BC bikes?! (before strafer says it) ;-)

And what about that fine publication, 2000AD? Wonder what Judge Dredd would have to say? Drokk!!!!

Loz, you forgot to add 'Weeping Jesus....'

Perhaps Frankie will volunteer to arrange the next forum drinks if the lovely Jaws is not able to? At least he'll be easy to spot what with only having one arm... :))

Why not make this one a 'sticky' the week ahead too Mr Bhuna? :)) (Y'never know it might encourage some newbies along to the curry cult...) Btw, I think I can do either Wednesday. Cheers x

PS rosie got it right!! B) And yep I agree with mockers too that it should be (and is) fun...x

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Really? I didn't see anyone teasing boffins here, > I did see someone mention something about trying > to 'sound clever' (implying that they're not > clever), which is tantamount to using the phrase > 'so-called'. That's what made me recall Naughton's > comment. If you mean me Huguenot, feel free to name and shame me. I don't bite...much. > I'm not cross about it, just resigned to the > paucity of enthusiasm for science. Gotta be one of the funniestr things I have read today :)) > But I'll bow to your better judgment. Just want to quickly thank mockney for this thread, its made my day. I know sometimes I take myself (and the forum) too serioously. Will respond late r once the WHOOSHING has died down on this thread and Iwhen 'm not on the move. Good day for the plane spotters in ED tho (tu)

Thanks MM, and yes, I think it does rather answer my question. I'd be loathe to send children to a school that was run by other parents and take a dim view of their experience and ability to manage education. It should be run by people suitably qualified (and where self-interest didn't play a part). Would prefer better pay for (good) teachers and the same educational opportunities for everyone; I don't like the sound of free schools although perhaps I will be proved wrong and we'll discover that they help society (if that's the route we're heading...) A bit like healthcare (in my personal experience), the public sector has had to pick up the pieces when the private sector fails. I hate nanny state and unnecessary government intervention but where health and education are concerned, I am all for the state to provide this.

Thank you, Mr Medic. Also, to avoid any confusion, it was the helicopter that had a little red light underneath it. Not the bus stop. (In East Dulwich).

katie1997 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > PS mockney what have you done!! This thread will > only encourage those who think that reading the > 'New Scientist' makes them sound clever. You know > who you are. > > *sniffs* > > > > > ;-) Signed Beaker and Dr Bunsen Honeydew B) *inserts pic of the Muppet's scientists*

Marmora Man Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > MP - you know better than that. Free schools allow > parents a greater say in their runningbut that > does not mean that he schools will necessarily > pander to fundamental religious views. Those that > do will find themselves out on a limb with limited > attendance fairly quickly. Sorry to go back to this so early on in the thread but I have been meaning to ask Marmora Man about this. Do all parents know how to 'run' a school? Is this necessary if you already have a well-run school by professionals in their field? Or will it be a case of those parents who shout the loudest that get their voices heard? Sorry if that comes across as a na?ve question but I can't imagine my mum having wanted more of a say or being able to know what's best. obviously I'm excluding things that any concerned parent would need to ask if the case arose eg quality of teaching or bullying. > Those that deliver good and inspiring teaching, > strong values, appropriate discipline and listen > to the views of parents will, on the other hand, > become successful with parents queuing to place > their children there. I firmly believe that we all deserve the same chance and a good standard of education (as healthcare). Sure enough I believe in individuality and rewarding hard work, effort, ability but those things can be achieved in a state school offering good standards of education to all.

silverfox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > And...Einstein may be wrong - neutrinos may travel > faster than light (TBC or to be refuted) Refuted. Dodgy equipment. PS mockney what have you done!! This thread will only encourage those who think that reading the 'New Scientist' makes them sound clever. You know who you are. *sniffs* ;-)

I DID see the helicopter last night as I walked home from the bus stop at around 9.11 and 30 seconds. It had a little red light underneath it. If that's any help? I didn't hear any gunshot(s) or fireworks though... :))

I can't remember what its called but the scaffolding on the building works across from Buckingham Palace looks pretty. Its got a vertical garden if that's the right way to describe it. Maybe the forum could advertise on the new Forester's Arms billboard if it goes ahead? :))