malumbu

Mrs May, why did you try to stop the government publishng it's air quality plan?, and why do you need to intervene in/clear virtually every other important decision since you came into power? Why does everything that your government do have to be seen to be popular? Why are you bally hedging your bets in your answers??? (and I very much expect that I wont, and cannot, vote for the three main parties (and UKIP and the Greens)).

He has been a bit of knob (JP), but there again that it why he is there. I was actually more struck by the ad for on-line bingo after Corbyn. What have we become? I may have a slight adiction to social media, but I am not losing my shirt. That would be a good question, not would you get rid of the monarchy? (where I am with Corbyn, agreeing that this is a low priority) but what would you do to control on-line betting? Oh and payday loans? Oh and cheap alcohol? I'm on a roll.

I think that it must be time for a good conference, perhaps Sheffield? And could the last person to leave Britain after Brexit turn the light out. It's the EDF wot dun it. Up yours Delors.

Bananas do in deed turn.... (soft bananas, yuk, but at this time you can bake them or put them into a desert). If you want to ripen your rock hard avocado then put it in a sealed plastic bag with a banana, which throws of ethylene. Remember to eat your lovely ripe fruit - which as said can go off very quickly. Still want some good recommendations for varieties of spuds. I should charge for all the advice I put out on the EDF!

In an accident you have to exchange details. First you have to stop of course. Report to the Old Bill, and make sure that they follow up. You can also search details of the car through the DVLA database - this will at least tell you it is taxed and MOT'd - if not..... https://cartaxcheck.co.uk/ This one is a commercial one, slightly quicker than SVLA (which is good), you need to have the reg and the make. I usually do it for smoky exhausts because I am a zealot. PS all - you should know all of this when you take your driving test. And remember it. Insurance companies sell on your details. At least we don't live in America where ambulance chasing is many times greater.

Most supermarket fruit and veg is tasteless/unripe. Avocados that would break windows. Ripen in the box fruit that you could use for hard core in the road. Trouble is shoppers buy them. You will see me outside the supermarket on Forest Hill Road having a good feel of the melons (actually the smell is more important). And groping other exotic fruit. Nothing like a ripe pair of plums. Best spuds - Warsaw. Best exotic fruit? Bali. Best tomatoes? Bulgaria. All a bit far. Best strawberries - PYO from my childhood. Would love suggestions on varieties of spuds and where to get them.

Just reminds me of the odd time I travel on the tube (or at a gig) when occasionally someone shoves their way through and even at my advanced age I give them a little shove, elbow, kick. Was gobsmacked - we know the bloke is no statesman but this is just bullying (and makes the nation a laughing stock). Shame the chap from Montenegro didn't deck him one! Wonder what the excuse will be this time.

When I was young mild was an old man's drink (I've now joined the old people's club so OK to drink this, Manns, Mackeson etc). Up in the real world it was generally dark, but in the South due to White supremacists it was often light in colour. Clearly that is not the real reason. Mild was quite weak, and distinguished from bitter as the malted barley was toasted and the beer sweeter (and not so hoppy). Historically milds were not necessary weak and the new microbreweries do quite strong mild. M&B did a brilliant mild at their Highgate brewery, closed, but no doubt brewed elsewhere under license. Perhaps the dog will stock it. I see that Highgate mild has been relaunched http://www.siba.co.uk/2015/01/30/award-winning-historic-highgate-dark-mild-relaunched-a-true-taste-of-history/ To be serious it would be nice to have a wider range of beers as opposed to the now ubiquitous super-hopped American style beers - some being supercooled and fizzy and ?5 a pint. The Dog in recent years had a good range of ales and my only criticism (avoiding the masses on Sunday lunch time) was no free cashpoint in Dulwich at a time before cards were accepted.

Judging by your age you'd enjoy a nice pint of M&B mild Mr Fox. Yes I have done the M&B bit before but still enjoy it. And it is May mild month (try the Speaker in Victoria) - doubt if any of you young hipsters would appreciate it. Couldn't find an M&B ad but the next best thing is Banks and here's one featuring the late Roger Moore, very fitting

There is the law/highway code And then the rule of vulnerability Buses/trucks bigger than cars, cars bigger than bikes, bikes bigger than pedestrians and you respect that (ie appreciate the vulnerability of those smaller than you. I am very much towards the law, but have become progressively so as I become older, more mature and influenced by others. If I am driving I am also influenced by some bloody good tuition, including motorcycle training, and that in my youth we were always being stopped by the feds mainly because we were driving old cars, but often they'd then threaten to do you for a bit of dirt on your headlamp. Different days now as the police don't stop motorists any more. But if I come to a red light at 3 in the morning on my push bike and nobody around, beyond 'letting the side down', it doesn't make the damned difference to humanity that I go through it. I'll also run the red light, as a protest/political statement around Mostyn road in Loughborough Junction, as this is the most pointless/unecessary red light in London, and not far behind it the lights on the South side of Lambeth bridge, which doesn't make any difference as all the motorised vehicles drive nose to tail blocking the roundabout in any case. Now on Rye Lane I just curse muttering to myself about the dwell times that are far too long, and that there are no pedestrians in any case, and stay put for fear of being seen by Rendel. My point here is that my Golden rule is however good or naughty I am don't harass pedestians being one myself on a regular basis. Robert Goodwill has been long gone from DfT, and if he was unwise saying something about cyclists not being prosecuted for cycling on pavements, he was at least being truthful. At the end of the day it's up to us to behave ourself. I will shout at any cyclist going full pelt through lights with pedestrians on it, and similarly on the pavement. If there is nobody about I may say something or not depending on the situation. I am far far more bothered about driving standards, selfish behaviour, speeding etc. Generally us cyclists are on the side of the angels. Funny story, saw a cop on Rye Lane, and I thought he was on a mobile, before realising he was drinking coffee. Well, still only one hand on the wheel. Then I looked at the number of cars parked on the double yellows and I thought it was pointless saying anything. Driving without proper control, whilst others park dangerously, seem the norm. Separately there needs to be a campaign for pedestrians to have stop and indicator lights. How many times have I almost walked into someone who just stops to check a text? If you stop to check a text and get an earful then it will be probably me.

Great thread, I'll refrain from commenting on the excellent posts (beyond I almost bought a MZ150 and my mate ran Jawa 350s). More please. My only other addition is that the incredibly unreliable GT380 - one big end seizure, and two broken pistons, all separate incidents, and three sets of points, can now fetch ?4 - ?6k, I sold if for a few hundred in today's money. Now as for a kettle.....

Struth. We are one of the three big players in Europe and can be seen to dampen down the power of the Germans. In my particular area we dressed up some good areas of EU policy as our own, almost as if we were embarassed to say good things about the Union. "It was the prospect of that "ever closer union" concept (driven by France and Germany) that frightened these voters -quite understandable, given the failure of monetary union." Maybe the view of some of the informed voters, and similarly that the EU was an evil institution that supported the mill owners and bankers that did not benefit the masses (I assume Corbyn's core beliefts). But for many (if not the masses) - misinformation, immigration, loathing the metropolitan elite, lack of perceived benefits from gloablisation

Wow, perhaps a letter to the Dailty Mail (angry of ED), I'm not taking the pee rather that would be an interesting experiment.

Cycling for an hour or so in London is good for your health. If you were cycling all day then the exposures would outweigh the cardio-vascular benefits. These aren't my words but an acedemic expert. Air quality is worse in-vehicle, particular for cabbies. There have been some good pop science programmes that explain this well. Sadly I can't find the programme on Youtube http://www.open.edu/openlearn/whats-on/tv/bang-goes-the-theory-series-7-episode-8 https://www.ovguide.com/tv_episode/bang-goes-the-theory-season-7-episode-8-air-pollution-4520959 Neither actually seem to show the programme, anyway they put monitors on a commuter cyclist, rail commuter and driver in Brum and exposure increased in that order. It was repeated with the same results on a more recent science programme.

I expect that most posting here feel passionately about leaving Europe, many like me will be in denial for the next two years, others are being more pragmatic, and some welcoming it. I don't think that we we are representive of the nation as a whole where there are no doubt many 'weak' remainers and leavers who just want to get on with it all, and a fair number may not even be bothered to vote in the GE. Don't take this as a sign that it was a good decision to leave.

There was a lot of interest on air quality on this site, but it seems to have gone quiet. Respond by 15 June. www.gov.uk/government/news/new-air-quality-plan-published-for-consultation I think most manifestos have commitments. I've tried to raise the broader picture under the diesel cars thread. Do read the plan and give views, there are no simple answers in a Western economy and I worry that Brexit and the Election will marginalise the Environment and that future governments will not want to intervene against the motorist as this loses votes. No rise in fuel tax for 13 years now.

Started on a Yammy RS 125 single at 20 (relatively old), then a 250 Honda Superdream (as the masses did, but got caught up when learner laws changed making it worthless), Suzy 380 two stroke GT380 tripple (knock knock, who's that, my piston seizing - but now quite collectable, weird Honda CBX 550, monster Kwaka Z1100A shaft (disolved into rust), ancient Honda 250 (about 1975), French grey import Yamaha 750 shaft, then two Kwaka ZZR600s, first got stolen and the seoond I used so infrequently that it just started falling apart. Then, even though I hadn't reached middle age, just seemed pointless as I wasn't riding. Had push bikes for most of the time too. Always wanted a A10 (Beezer) and have ridden a couple of them. Borrowed a BM k100 (odd tripple 1000cc) and also ran a c90 step through doing it up for someone and got a Suzie 100 dumped on me once. Dunno how I would cope if I was a kid nowadays, 75 part test and insurance at about ten grand. Have a Jersey motorbike license somewhere (long out of date) as well as a UK one. Sometimes I surprise people by telling them of my biking days. Doing 500 miles in day coming to an interview for example. Only one crash when a Riley Elf (in Jersey) pulled across me driven by a old lady. I had to call the OB who turned up on a BMW R80 twin and worked out quickly who was to blame. A Riley Elf was a variant of the mini (like the Wolsley Hornet). Leathers and helmets are probably still in the loft. Tell us about your bikes, young and old (bikes and people).

Ah 'minorit' of motorbike hating cyclists. Apologies didn't read this, there are so many blanket statements made on this site. So I am definitely and ass for ass-uming. EV (electric vehicle) access to bus lanes is being proposed and may already be happening eg in Milton Keynes. And in Norway. Watch this space.

I've known a couple of Beverley (males) both would now be between 60 and 90 suggesting that it was a bloke's name. What a great term bloke is, and geezer too. They'd make great names. Mate was dog sitting for 'Scrotum' and 'Retch' walking around the park shouting their names. John Seldom Gummer called his dogs Saddam and soemthing like Tariq (it wasn't Tariq but another henchman) What about Renton?

Should'nt be allowed full stop - a popularist move by Boris, and I resonded to the consultation. Nor electric cars. And this is from someone who rode motorbikes for a long time in central London and is a supporter of electric cars. As a cyclist I used to note a pecking order in ability from motorbike (best) to scooter to cabbies doing the knowledge (worst). Doesn't seem so pronounced nowadays. My commmute on motorbike from Havering to SW1 in the late 80s is for another thread. It was like war out there! Why the comment motorbike hating cyclists? We all have to get on together and generally do.

Nope they sell cars that will sell. Nice balanced post Cardelia. Nitrous oxide is not toxic in fact I understand that celbs take if for fun. For many giving birth its essential. It's a nasty greenhouse gas though. I'm going to start a thread on consultation on the air quality plan, to bet a greater interet on this pretty important issue.

How fast were you driving? If you were speeding it may have been me. Life is too short. Move on. That will no doubt fick you off! The thread on irrational rage seems much more fun.

My point was it isn't simply a case of those dirty disel cars, and there are many reasons why we are in this position. I wasn't talking about totally redesigning engines, rather the control systems that help determine power, fuel efficiency and pollution. I expect that as more and more testing results come out, and the new standards are introduced, we will find out that some diesel cars are much cleaner than others. Now whether that is luck, the design of the engine and pollution reducing technology, or the way the engine is managed I don't know. For heavy vehicles there had to be some more fundamental redesign to meet emissions standards, there again there tendes to be far more space in a truck or bus to fit a chemistry set. Go back 25 years and many cars were much lighter and flimsier. Road safety standards changed making them heavier, and weitght has a big influence on fuel economy. Going back further as a young driver there were plenty of cars (virtually all petrol with decent fuel economy). And nobody wanted a diesel because they were agricultural in performance. (Yep the turbo also had a big effect). A quick Google shows that, for example, an estate car can exceed 1.5 tonnes and go up to a Range Rover and over two tonnes. OK we don't all drive Range Rovers but with the popularity of SUVs, and the 'I'll be more safer than you' weights are going up. The 1990 Citroen AX sports was like sh... off a shovel, weighing less than 800 kg so you'd come off pretty bad against a modern car. Crash impact systems leading up to autonomous cars could lead to considerable light-weighting but that is some way off. I'm still not convinced there are government files warning that there would be mass adoption of diesel cars and that we'd all die. The state of knowledge until recent years was that fine particles were dangerous, and that these would be significantly reduced as technology was fitted. Which has happened - less and less is from diesel, and much you can't do a lot about blowing over from the continent. And as many have pointed out construction. Nitrogen dioxide moved from an irritant to something more sinister in recent years. It was not hushed up, or a coup by the Grauniad/Greenpeace. Read the expert Committee papers eg www.gov.uk/government/publications/nitrogen-dioxide-health-effects-of-exposure There has also been a number of select committee reports and it is a bit rich of Ed Davey to blame the Tories when his party were also in government. Anyway simply trying to put a bit of balance/context into the argument. I'm a tree hugger but I simply don't buy into much of the popular views. And if you are going to get stuff delived, for the time being it will very likely to be a 'dirty diesel' Here's something to help you save fuel - buses use it, but will it catch on for car drivers? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/magazine-39792384/could-this-box-make-you-a-better-driver

And I genuinely worked with a Mike Cox (not Hunt)

Worked with a Nicola who married a Mr Nicholls. And a Lynn who became Lynn Flynn. A Ms Cunze (German name) who probably couldn't wait to change her name. And a friend who's maried name became Bowel, and they changed it to Bowl. A bit like Keeping up Appearances, the sitcome where the name was pronounced Bouquet not Bucket. Which leads me onto Penge pronounced in a Frech style (the fun we had with Sarf London names in the 80s and 90s.