malumbu

What about my points Rocks? Any views?? Do you agree that it makes sense for cars to be standing still for most of their time? Wouldn't it be more efficient and better for the environment if we just accessed a car when we needed it?

Most of inner London has CPZs. The sun still rises in the morning and sets at night. Workladies and workmen still ply their trade. People still get visitors. Oxford seems to be quite a thriving City despite quite d raconian traffic controls introduced over the decades. It's fundamental questions on what is done with revenue, is this an effective means of reducing traffic, what is done with freed up road space and whether it is right that car owners rent a section of the public highway. Surely we have more intelligence and creativity simply to dismiss the concept.

This was more than a cheap bottle of port from Lidl, which would certainly get me drunk. Should I choose to drink it by the half pint!

I paid £6.80 yesterday in Hammersmith yesterday for a pint of ale. Not craft ale. Not poncy lager. But British ale. Worst still I'm typing whilst half watching Question Time. What a horrid person Rees Mogg is.

Just before I arrived at Hyde Park there was a side street with maybe 100 or 200 Jewish people with their banners waiting to join the march, This probably had the biggest impact on me. Why would they join a march where there may be a few, not many, supporting Hamas. Back to my point about if people had been there they may have a different opinion.

Whatever you want, my interest was of all time but so much depends on when you were most influenced by music

Thanks for this - if you checked the times I was typing at the same time as you S. But what do you suggest Joe public and our politicians do HeadNun? Would you say the protests against Apartheid were similarly futile? If you'd gone to the march you will have seen that white middle class Londoners were in the minority. I've no issue in exposing the middle class hypocrites - Rick from the young ones was a younger pastiche of this, but attending the march may have given you a different opinion.

It's a matter of principle, whether we make a difference or not. Of course it comes out as being selective (ie all the other travesties across the world) but we are dealing with a western style democracy who would notice if the UK, and perhaps other European nations changed their position, and this in turn would have influence over the US and some nations in the Gulf. But just because we can't easily influence Assad or the Taliban (are we going to march to get the UK to take unilateral military action) does it mean we don't care? And some in the Labour party, who are likely to be the next party in power, have strong views about Yemen. It's a sad fact of life that most of us are influenced by what is current news, Syria and Yemen will rarely make any news or political programmes anymore. At a political level there are levers for change in Iran and in North Korea (that went backwards under Trump) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-party_talks /www.politico.com/story/2015/07/hillary-clinton-iran-nuclear-deal-120078 I don't know what pleasure you get out of mocking us.

After seeing possible evidence of sparrow hawks in the garden, and what appeared to be a bird of prey that flew off quickly at last I saw definitely a sparrow hawk on Monday in Dulwich Park. Thought what is that pigeon hovering, then oh wait a sec. I know it is not rare round here but I was excited.

A few years ago I bought a few of CDs recommended on the Guardian's 100 albums to hear before you die. I found it difficult to get into bands that I'd missed first time round such as the Pixies (how on earth did I miss them) and Gang of Four whereas for others such as the Flaming Lips it was immediate. I've just looked through this: www.pastemagazine.com/music/debut-albums/100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-2?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-gb Some great choices and some odd ones. Pleased to see that Wire Pink Flag was on there, different to above I've grown to like them. Should the Queen is Dead be there rather than the first Smiths Album? Where are Gil Scott-Heron and Mark E Smith? First Dexy's album anyone? And Clash first album vs London Calling? Think all of this is UK and US bands so forgets about the rest of the world, and nothing that is in a different language Seen about 15 of those listed, and ditto for albums some even on vinyl What do you reckon? What are your faves??

I'd argue my points are factual. A lost cause in any case persuading the most vociferous posters to change their opinion. Oh and other stuff is just good natured banter.

You've lost me Rocks, your posts can be a little discursive. And Penguin similarly it is good to keep posts short as you may lose your reader. Only comment is there are times when the authorities should intervene, when this is for the national good such as reducing criminality, protecting the environment, and improving health. There will be a similar debate on food, now much free choice should there be when obesity and type 2 diabetes is on the increase - should government ban, discourage or just leave it to consumer (often bad) choices. Rocks, what a shame that there is no scrutiny of government. Oh wait a second, what does parliament do? What do Select Committees do? What about the NAO? Here's some reports I made earlier children: www.nao.org.uk/reports/active-travel-in-england/ This is a tad critical of DfT so that should please you. Main finding on value for money is that over £4 return for every pound of tax payers money spent. That is pretty spectacular for government spending And here's another one https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01097/

It's a new world - I've seen both my local branches of Barclays close, and if I use Peckham there are no personal bankers in the afternoon. There is also a genuine issue with criminality at that Branch, one of the staff shared a few stories with me of theft from people taking money out and attempted use of stolen debit cards. I'll still shop in Peckham from time to time. Nationwide really gets my goat with the pledge not to close branches. This is the second time they've used this to promote their business. I was one of the many who switched to a Flex account when you paid no commission on overseas purchases, then to the subscription version when it made sense for their additional benefits. But then they cut down on the benefits and closed all the branches close to me. I've used Beckenham a couple of times cycling there or jumping on a train from Nunhead and the service is great, like it used to be at high street branches of the four banks, But recently, less that a year since I last used them, arrived to find they are now closed on Tuesdays and Fridays. So still open but only 60% of the time. A general chat about lack of banks but more specific if you want to name and shame Nationwide. No commission on overseas purchases using the credit card though, which is a plus. Good thing that I didn't switch to Metro, that's another story Or is this just a first world problem 😃

Hadn't been to a large march since Brexit and as I crossed Vauxhall Bridge on the way there I could feel a buzz. Saw nothing untoward amongst the 1000s in my vicinity, just chants for peace and a ceasefire. Seeing the Jewish groups who joined the group was particularly emotional. Being with my bike I had a little cycle ride around Pimlico and saw small groups of counter-protestors at the Mucky Duck and Morpeth, pubs that were my work locals and outside of office drinks mainly inhabited by those visiting Tate Britain. Middle aged blokes with little hair and flat caps felt more like being at the New Den (and yes I have been to Millwall and recommend a visit to the Blue Anchor pub to see what parts of East Dulwich were like 30 years ago). Pub is fine, its some of the symbolism there. I decided not to start a chant about them drinking German style lager rather than English ale, but they were quiet and outnumbered by police so surprised it kicked off at the Duck/White Swan later. Hoping it continues to be peaceful and to rub salts into the wounds of the Home Secretary.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I'll report back after I go to the march.

So does the average Palestinian want peace? A serious question? Are they all in full support of Hammas? There are many of us who do not agree with our government's position, You can say that all we are doing is following the Americans. But the US has influence, so whilst they are on one hand giving Israel carte blanche on the other they are carrying out diplomatic work trying to come to solutions. We have bugger all influence so should be doing the right thing. And as for the geopolitics in the region, what a mess the west made, in particular through American expansionism. As Biden said - don't make the same mistake as we did - I think Brian from Family Guy explains this well

I'm marching for peace tomorrow. Whilst I was in loose support for those protesting about carnage in Palestine, and yes you can also say that people can (have, and hopefully will) protest against carnage in Israel, the one thing that motivated me is that hateful (to quote her own terminology) Home Secretary.

Rocks, for the umpteenth time, you've avoided my question, which was what would you do to increase the uptake of cycling, and active travel as a whole? Let's make this simple, do you see benefits in active travel? Do you think more should be done? What do you think should be done If the answer to the first two is "no" I'd be interested in why you think this way. From my understanding this is a community forum that encourages debate, rather than monologues. Thanking you in advance.

We are going through this at the moment but looking to do it as part of a charitable donation. But separately I am also engaged in probate with the executor of a family will - so advice to all is never use a solicitor as an executor, use at least two family members and ditto for power of attorney as much of the estate will go to them........

I'd discourage anyone in using Bolney Court as Bic and I want to keep this excellent practice to ourselves. Sadly my family and friends did not heed my advice and many of them registered with it.

All this begs the question, Rocks, how would have you increased active transport. My view is that we needed a stronger message from the centre (ie government). Eg we've introduced LTNs, you may find it a bit of a pain, but ultimately active travel is good for you, unnecessary car journeys are not good for society and the environment etc etc. But they didn't. Because the Tories are pants. Don't vote for them.

S'pose I'd better add a few more words. I get that you are angry Rocks about some aspects of roads' policy and consider that LCC, Southwark LCC, Mayor Khan, the tree huggers at DfT, Chris Boardman, Peter Walker, ex-Mayor and ex-PM Johnson and Andrew Gilligan are to blame. I don't agree with those views but such is life. But surely you believe that more cycling and walking is a good thing, particularly if that results in less driving. That we both want the same ends even if we don't agree on the means? Otherwise that suggests you want national and local governments to continue with the car-central policies of the last 60 years or more, with the odd blip (ray of hope?) we had under early Blair (fuel protests caused so much longer-term harm....), Coalition government and under PM Johnson. That would be sad otherwise.

wOW

If you want to feel safer FM I fully recommend a cycle lesson - it's free and supported by Southwark (although the money comes from government via TfL). Changed my life. www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/sustainable-travel/training/free-cycling-lessons

I've seen a lot of water today. On the subject of water I'm clearing out excess pond plants and have, for free, oxygenator, brook lime and other plants