malumbu

I walked to school. Our kids walked to school. I am the people's poet. I am right. On the downside the money saved on the bus fare went on sweets. I am suffering now. Interesting observation. When I started primary school there were 140 kids coming on two double decker buses, one from the North and one from the south. By the time I'd left this was down to two single deckers. By the time I left secondary school this was down to a mini bus. And now probably a taxi for the odd kid who can't get a lift. There's lots of stuff on risk adverse parents, but that should be for another thread. My friends moved to Scotland ten years ago and were shocked as the primary school kids all walked together without any parents.

OK time for some myth busting. Government did not say "go out and buy diesel" they incentivised low carbon cars to help save the planet. People (including me) bought diesels because they were fuel efficient, low-end torque, less stressed, reliable etc. There are other relatively low carbon cars - the Fiat 500 (petrol) is an ace city car. Yet even with that model Fiat had to extend it (in size) and bring in diesel variants. We didn't buy diesels 20 years ago as they were awful. Noisy, slow, agricultural, take for ever to start. The French used them in country areas - not us Brits of course. The Sierra had one diesel variant, and that was with a 3L Peugeot engine (compare that to the Mondeo). Then came along the common rail injection system and wow, you'd have to put a label on telling that it was a diesel or you may fill it with petrol. Energy output is much higher on a diesel, but combustion is less complete. The fuel/oxgen ratio is differnt to that of petrol so you can't use three way catalysts. The Americans probably due the the great LA smogs of the 70 realised the need to clean up petrol engines which led to the end of carbureters and the introduction of the aforementioned three way cats. (And helped kill off the Brit small sports car industry, but it was pretty rubbish at that time). The increased particulate matter emissions from diesels have been know for years, which is why all modern diesel cars have filters on them, with the trapped material being periodically burned off. Very successful, apart from the occasional one where it has either failed or been illegally used. You could have a go at government, police or local authorities for not doing more about smoky exhausts. Or the rrsses who don't care. Go back 25 years and you will have seen much more crap in the air. There is no set amount that diesel cars are more polluting that petrol. All depends on the technology and the engine mapping - balance of performance, fuel use and NOx. It's wrong that vehicles are often optimised for the first two, but that is what sells cars. If as consumers we'd asked for low pollution at the expense of performance then the world would be different. But then we'd all be like me who uses a push bike as the main form of transport. VW make some excellent vehicles, have a massive R&D programme so it beggars belief that they cheated. The VW group are the only ones to date who have been shown do do so, and I doubt if it is a log jame. There are no specified emission control systems. Some new vehicles use catalyst, others NOx traps, others exhaust gas recirculation. Or combinations. Depending on how these are plumbed in can help emission reductions. Some manufacturers say they can do it simply by engine mapping. It will all come out in the wash in times to come. Modern direct injection petrol engines may be the next environmental nightmare out there. To date the emissions control regime for diesels hasn't delivered for cars and vans - but has been given a massive kick up its arse so will do. Yet for trucks and buses the new standards have delivered what they say on the tin, so with money and the space to bring in a chemistry kit it can be made to work. (see the Dutch NGO testing organisation TNO https://www.tno.nl/en/collaboration/expertise/technical-sciences/tno-research-on-powertrains/) The health impacts of most air pollutants have been known for some time. We have got rid of sulphur and lead emissions. The impacts of NO2 are now much better understood. This is not a conspiracy theory as the Grauniad makes out. So who's to blame. Government for not putting out better advice? And being afraid of the motor and petrol heads lobby? Local authorities for some pretty wishy washy air quality strategies and communications. Low Emisison Zone was a start but why on earth not have progression in the standards rather than fix them six years ago. The auto industry for doing the least they have to do in terms of meeting standards, not promoting environmentally friendly vehicles (or greenwash using 'eco' inappropriately, and promoting fast and sexy vehicles? Noting that the auto industry has been seen as a great British economic success in recent times and emplys tens of thousands - being out of a job is not good for your health. The beaureau and Eurocrats for getting the standards wrong? The health research community for not getting advice out swifter. Or us for our obsession with speed and power, driving two tonne vehicles with one person in it badly and at times unecessarily. Not that simple eh? And what are you going to do about it! I'm using my diesel car less and less (yes I have one, it is reliable and economic), to the extent that when it falls apart or gets banned I'll consider alternative forms of propulsion and/or ownership and continue to use my pushbike as number one transport. It wont stop the family on the street from owning five cars, and everytime one of their kids hits 17 another one will come on the street. Anyway apart from my jibe at the neighbours no selective use of numbers here. And if I wanted to have a proper moan I'd say why are we also afraid of the black cab lobby. Oh here is some data (the company who unearthed the VW scandal, so I expect pretty reliable) showing that slowly it is betting better http://emissionsanalytics.com/real-driving-emissions-how-real-is-it/

I go to Modern Computers on the OKR http://www.moderncomputers.com/ Google reviews are mixed. They built this PC that I am typing on, maintain it, repaired my Macbook (dunno why, as they are obselete a week after you buy them - and that is a swipe at Apple) and repaired a touch screen laptop (not like the wonkers at PC World)

And similarly to other vehicles (there will be sensible exemptions or discretion) - although I don't believe the cops always have to leave their engines running and when I challenge them on this they are particularly stupid. Not all cops are stupid by the way. A lot are. Anyway people are dying so let's do something about it. Looking forward to the draft air quality plan.

Never been the greatest fan, but the coverage today on the radio cames up with some wonderful dry quips from him, either I am mellowing or I underestimated him.

Gawd David Davis as an objectionable twot, neo colonialist, with England and the English language ruling the world.

Turning my engine off when parked was ingrained as I was a student when I had my first car and did everything to save money. Obviously for many this is not the first thing that they do judging from what I see daily. Over half of new cars have stop start technology that switches the engine off when stationary after a certain time, it takes a few days to get used to then you can just enjoy saving money and saving the environment. Yet many turn the technology off fueled by the popular press and some of the motoring websites that report that it ruins batteries and wears the starter motor out. It doesn't. It's a no brainer. It's a shame that we need national and local government to intervene. But at the end of the day many of us are selfish in our driving habits and it is probably easier to admit to being bad in bed than being a bad driver. Right off my soapbox now. And no this is not all a Brussels' conspiracy

Good. It's not just tradespeople. Good It's not just people who can't speak English Good. PA can the lady who had the wobbly at me on Peckham Rye when I gently asked her to turn her engine off whilst she sat their texting now acknowledge that I am right.

A tired sitcom that wasn't particularly funny in the first place - perhaps that is why Tim Vine left vs some clever writing that will not allowed to bccome tired as it is ending after two short seasons. Bit of a no brainer.

This is also useful http://courses.knox.edu/theatre121/Mousetrap.html

Have had them on and off for years. Don't bother me. We are not infested. Don't leave food out and disinfect work surfaces regularly. I suppose the main thing is to stop them breeding rather than them popping in from the outside for food. Fast blighters, never been able to catch them. Humane traps hit and miss. They gnaw through them too. Funny when it is late at night, and you are watching telly, and suddenly you see something out of the corner of your eye. Most of my work places have had mice.

A sad event. To put into context murder rates in the UK are similar to many of our close neighbours, much lower than the US, and dwarfed by Venezuela. San Marino, Monoco and Andorra reported no murders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate What to do? Ignore it as it probably wont affect any of us, many murdered by those none to them, or in situations that we don't get involved in - we'd have to be pretty unlucky. Or work with communties, through education etc. Did a course with someone from the Met forensic labs once. He told me that we are experts in the forensics of knife crime - often during domestic arguments where one or other partner grabs a kitchen knife. Where as in the US a gun will be grabbed. Not triviliasing this, just adding some context. I've seen three pub brawls, been threatened a couple of times when cycling, and not a lot more in 30 years of living in London including seeing a fair amount of football. But there again I am reasonably streetwise and don't come across as a victim.

The new VED regime is bonkers and is neither fish nor fowl. It will change in a year or two I expect. But there again FK where we will go when TM gets in with a bigger majority (not a snipe, just an expectation of a need for additional revenue) There will be loads of charge points sooner rather than later. See earlier discussion. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1748455 or a long lead outside your house (I've charged normal car batteries in the past doing this and nobody has either tripped up or nicked my extension lead).

This is what Jaguar put out two years ago https://www.jaguar.co.uk/about-jaguar/jaguar-stories/ved-reform.html

Yep they announced it two or three years ago. Maybe you were asleep at the time. It is also good to check first and there is information with all new cars at the showroom. Perhaps it is time to go electric which is zero road tax (cars under 40k so most except the Tessla) or even join a car club. If you are into high end motoring this is a good one http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/

I've posted this on the Peckham consulation thread, but just as relevant here: Interesting chat on Robert Elms about gentification, blink and it has happened. This film is coming out soon, about someone returning to Brizton to make a documentary film about the changes www.amovingimagefilm.com/#in-the-press The film maker talked about growing up in the Elephant and his disgust about the lack of affordable houses. Thining about it, Southwark could have built houses and then acted as a landlord rather than the private sector assuming this role. Don't thnk that idea would ever catch on, local authorities providing housing....

Interesting chat on Robert Elms about gentification, blink and it has happened. This film is coming out soon, about someone returning to Brizton to make a documentary film about the changes www.amovingimagefilm.com/#in-the-press

Licensing laws were local. In my early years pubs shut at 10.30 (10 on Sunday) but ten over the boundary. One pub close to the boundary had to move to the earlier time as there was a mass movement from other pubs to the one with the later closing time after 10 and big brawls. We'd have an extension on New Years Eve and you'd get extensions for our 19th birthday parties in the backrooms - can you imagine a time when pubs would allow 18th birthday parties? It was also amusing as you'd probably been drinking in the pub from 16. Having family down here I knew that there were different closing times in North and South London. Later when living in Oxfordshire we had 10.30 apart from 11 in the summer. Then every where seemed to go to 11 in the late 80s before total liberalisation. A differnt world

EE has just put my bill up by 3.1% quoting this as the rate of inflation. I've told them as a business their prices depend on competitive factors (which should bring prices down), profitability, USPs etc. It's probably down in my t&C that they can use the RPI on a certain month. Interesting that they have picked the highest rate of inflation for about two decades, So RPI has long been ditched by government as a measure of inflation. Many were up in arms as pensions etc are based on the lower CPI, and there were no doubt accusations that the government were no longer using the true inflation rate! I wont win any battle with EE and of course can add to the competitive pressures on them by moving contract. Good to hear from those on the know, rather than "I am a sad person with no friends". I don;t need the forum to tell me this, I know already!

To return to the subject ie speed. Would scrapping speed limits and allow drivers to take sensible decisions about appropriate speed be a way forward? From the stats above I expect not. What is missing is a mechanical failure. I expect due to the MOT, the greater reliability of cars, warning ligths etc not a big issue any more. Certainly was when I first drove as was packing 7 into a mini. The good old days. So it was (1970s or 80s). Seven students cram into a mini on their way home from a party. You'd better drive Dave, your too peed to sing. Well it used to amuse me anyway.

Hmm A brilliant song but the sax (Martin) and strings (Gilbert) aren't needed. Apols for the poor version of the Morrissey version

Electric shower. Bit old school but heats up mains water. Need a separate high ampage powere supply. Would have done this mayself once. I know what I am doing but I expect in wet areas you need to be qualified to put in new electric cabling. Here's some stuff http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/electric-showers/article/electric-shower-installation-guide

Bit early for the weekend but Robert Elms just reminded me what a wonderful song this is. And it is so good here is a cover version

Mark Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > As you said it's a respectable company however it > made a mistake, it's apologised for it and > positive action has been taken. This forum is > meant to be a fun and useful place for East > Dulwich, it's not exactly for "calling out a > commercial organisation for a sh*tty, tasteless > tweet", however it may be used for that, I can't > see any problem. OK they're premises in Forest > Hill and Camberwell but hey, this is the Lounge. > Too true. Well posted. Move on everyone. Nothing to see here. This element (Tweeting) of modern life can be truly rubbish. Let's get back to jolly banter (pub talk as we oldies call it)

What do the Spanish do? Friend of mine lived in Munich and she had to dress up as a fr?ulein and try to sell home made cakes in the street. He donned a false moustache, lederhosen, long socks and a Bavarian hat (not sure what he had to sell in the street). I thought what an unusual hen/stag do. Not sure why the two of them didn't like it!