malumbu

Maybe there is some one nation conservatism out there. I just don't see it. I know why there is such strong support for the current PM - he delivered on his main promise (Brexit), he is a character, he is now being judged by his success on rolling out the vaccine. But I still don't get it. That's not to say that most of the population are racists, but we are a conservative nation and most are not that bothered about politics. That is a statement of fact not patronising the masses.

Oh I assumed that this was Jersey planning to become an independent nation, leaving the crown, and being a new Singapore. Disappointed. Worked there one summer, strange place. Although nice for a holiday. Nothing like it was on Bergerac. The John Nettles TV series.

ooooh I like that - dispatch 18 grey squirrels one after another, assume they are gassed. Well worth ?170.

Just down the way some interesting history of Sydenham and Forest Hill - a few oddities there http://sydenhamforesthillhistory.blogspot.com/

It was a facetious comment, although he has admitted himself that he is not that familiar with SE London. In the old days this would have been called teasing.

No he didn't Robert Elms has never come further SE than the Elephant. I've invited him few times and he disintegrates into dust just at the thought. Although I think his son is in Peckham so he has a special tunnel to get there. Hope you are watching Robert! Shackleton lived on Underhill or Wood Vale. Joe Orton's film Entertaining Mr Sloane was in part filmed in Camberwell Old Cemetery.

The struggle I have is how parts of the country that were not traditionally Tory see the government as offering them much more than the opposition. Why can they not see through all of this? I understand how Labour became a toxic brand and now come over as pretty toothless. But I see the current lot as one of the most useless government's of my lifetime. I'd understand if many decided not to vote for either, but not the current PM please. Yes, depressing.

Robert Elm's notes and queries is the place to go. Also get hold of one of the various secret London books. eg today two blue plaques in Catford https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=secret+london+books&adgrpid=103176427425&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqaKs8bmy8AIVC5ftCh29ogOkEAAYASAAEgLY-vD_BwE&hvadid=446239367660&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045879&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1196498406437400623&hvtargid=kwd-846396957586&hydadcr=24405_1816066&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_1b3cbwyyy1_e_p50 Reference to Amazon for info only - use your local bookshop and/or independent on line trader!

the-e-dealer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Dont just use your eyes to check the mirrors. use > your head. IE Move your head when you look in the > mirrors then the examiner will see you checking > the mirrors. And the trouble with being stuck in > traffic - you may stall! The most important thing to learn, and this applies to cycling, walking etc, is mirror, signal, manoeuvre (observe, make it clear to others, and then move) Embed that at a young age and it will stay with you for the rest of your life. I see drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who just do the latter. Don't just pretend to do it, do it. You don't need to exaggerate the looking, my examiner clocked me doing it as in the first few minutes when I looked in the mirror I could see his eyes to checking that I was doing it. I'd add the lifesaver look too before you turn left or right, to make sure that there wasn't a vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian who was unsighted when you first checked.

The whole social care agenda keeps getting kicked into the long grass sadly. Even more challenging if those from overseas who were prepared to work on low wages in our care industry decide to no longer work in the UK. I've mixed welfare and social care a little, but hope you know what I am on about....

I liked the bumper sticker which said 'no hand signals driver [self abusing]', it made me chuckle. [The 'm' word but thought best to paraphrase].

On the odd occasion I've been to the new place the 'hoolis' all seem to be hipsters. At the Boleyn they were more old school although I remember the Phil Mitchell incident (genuine banter between the away end and the old boys in the Chicken Run). Are you said Phil Mitchell lookalike quids?

Humane ones worked fine, baited with chocolate and/or peanut butter. Try to work out where the mice runs are so you can put in the appropriate place. Let them go half a mile away else they will be back. I've never had an issues with mice, and see them as being opportunist (coming in for warmth and food) rather than infesting the place. Others may have other opinions. They would try to gnaw through the plastic, so you may have to replace the traps from time to time. I found the ventilation point in the wall where they came through and put some mesh up, not returned since. I have a different attitude to rats, and bought a FO trap from Wickes, that dispatched the one in the shed. https://www.wickes.co.uk/Deadfast-Easy-Set-Rat-Trap---Single/p/100416?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp100416&sc_intid=100416&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1cyh8pyw8AIVDJ7tCh0gMA1QEAQYASABEgK7b_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I made a wild garlic and home made pappardelle (chunky pasta) https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/wild_garlic_langoustine_02012, as seen on Saturday Kitchen. I didn't use langoustine as don't eat animals. First time both for the sauce and making pasta - very messy but will give it another go

Yes good to explain the difference between the 60+ and Freedom Pass. The Mayor was under pressure to ditch the former, and the compromise was to stop concessionary travel in rush hour. It's sad that there are some low paid older workers who have been hit by that, and that London relies on many on low wages in our shops, office services, security and the like. Means testing that element would have been good, although I expect burdensome. The restriction on concessionary travel in the rush hour is supposed to be temporary but I expect with TfL finances will not be reversed in the short term. Irrespective of your views on the current Mayor, the government grant was reduced under the last one, who has a tendency not to get into the detail! Interestingly free bus passes issued to all across the country at the state pension age can be used across the country, not just your local authority area, and some travel by local bus from Cornwall to Cumbria. Perhaps someone had a link - the one I found was on 28 journeys on a hopper fare in London https://citymonitor.ai/transport/i-used-london-s-hopper-fare-take-28-buses-under-hour-150-here-s-what-i-learned-4722 I'll see what Geof Marshall has to say (namedropper...)

The Derry City documentary is excellent, although they had a bit of an up and down history subsequent to being reformed. I worry that the documentary hides some of the secretarian issues that surrounded the original demise - although that is for a separate thread. On fan power not sure why some had to get into Old Trafford last night. On my one visit in the 00s it felt that there were still some hard core fans who were still after a fight after the match. A little uncomfortable and took me back to the 70s when there was always bother when Man U came to town. Maybe I am being unfair and many clubs still have a hooli element.

I've seen 1000s of people behaving badly on the roads since living in London - on foot, bike, motorbike and car. Scooters are a new dimension. This is a society issue, instilling good awareness etc whether that be from parents, schools or the authorities. I was walking home a mile from about the age of 7 with numerous other kids and spending the bus money on sweets (not so good for my teeth). I ran across the road to follow a mate to get to the conker tree first, and almost got run over. Parents will have to accept a certain level of risk. Did enjoy the two kids cycling to Harris East Dulwich up on one rear wheel a couple of days ago. Totally oblivious that I was behind them but impressed with their cycling skills. Scooters as said are a new dimension and not sure how this is best dealt with - there have been discussions already on the forum. There is a bigger picture question on entitlement and parent's indulging their kids.

The media has been demonising Labour for some time - although Labour has hardly helped their cause.... I suppose you could look back on the Blair years and his mistakes (in particular WMD)/sleeze (eg Formula 1) which didn't prevent re-election and compare a tiny little with today.

It's good to debate this. As far as I understand it is the 60 - normal retirement age benefits that are under threat. You can understand why peak hours travel has been restricted - is it right for those still commuting to work to have free travel. I've already argued that it is perhaps best to keep your fingers crossed and keep quiet as public opinion across the country may not be on Londoner's side. The means testing issue is interesting. We have numerous other financial benefits that are not - you get the same basic tax allowance whatever your salary, although I expect those highly paid will argue that they are doing their bit through higher rates of income tax. Good point also about the honour system although I expect few would decline the benefit, and that has made me think about myself too!

GP stands for General Practitioner. ie 'general' rather than 'expert'. Give them a break will you or just go private, which will mean better service for the rest of us. As a general point does anyone of this forum have a good thing to say about anything? It feels that way at the moment.

Good thing Arlene has thrown herself under the bus, that will distract things.

Much of the country doesn't care - they see him as being a funny bloke, and the person who got Britain out of Europe and saved the nation due to the vaccination programme. They may not watch the BBC news who have got it in for him at the moment, not sure how Channel 4 is portraying it, as they tend to be much more radical in reporting the news. What did they used to say about Trump, he could commit first degree murder and get away with it (do provide a more accurate reference). Not really sure why politics and the public's engagement has changed so much and so quickly. There were stories that the knives were being sharpened many months ago, including those in the party who were unhappy with Cummings when he was still the PM's main man. But any recent criticism of him seems to lead to unbridled support by Cabinet members.

For some light relief an interesting article about road user charging, particularly in light of the move to electric vehicles. https://greenertransportsolutions.com/insight/re-charging-britains-road-policy/?utm_source=Transport+Times&utm_campaign=ba4cf607ca-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_30_11_03_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c0cafa3f39-ba4cf607ca-250793593 As this thread shows how concerned many are about air quality I recommend getting involved in what can be done for the country as a whole. Quoting from the article: We stand at a crossroads on UK roads policy. The more we incentivise the take up of electric vehicles the more it costs in government grants and the less revenue the Treasury collects in fuel duty. We are facing a black hole of around ?40 billion in our public finances when the fleet is fully electric. We need to find a new way to pay for roads that plugs this gap and is right for tackling climate change, poor air quality, congestion, and the inequity of those on low income being priced out of purchasing an electric vehicle and is right for the public finances. Road pricing has been one of the best fiscal changes that any government could have made over the last generation. It has always been the most effective way to tackle congestion and pollution. The showstopper is that it has been seen as politically too difficult. What has changed, however, is that we now face a new dilemma.

Oh and cheers Annie4, it's nice out that way but a bit of pain to get to. The hop fields have gone but a few orchards remain. There are other areas around there with plenty of elderflowers in the summer too.

Mushroom anecdote was true but a bit of light humour. I could never find them when I was likely to experiment with this sort of thing. I should never have eaten that yellow snow they encouraged me to.