JohnL

Small queues outside Tesco in Rye Lane - just a couple of people but they weren't there since July. I wonder if the arrows and spacing will return.

exdulwicher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > On another note, it's the anniversary of Mayor > Boris Johnson introducing the uncosted Over 60's > concession which Prime Minister Boris Johnson has > just told Sadiq Khan to cut as evidence of > London's bad financial management. Yeah but Boris never knew if he was coming or going. Next year he'll deny he was ever Prime Minister

I always assumed Halloween stuff could stay until just after Guy Fawkes night (like 12th night for Xmas) But no proof of that.

Just noticed this in the opinion column of the standard https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/evening-standard-comment-boris-johnson-lockdown-b36456.html "Support bubbles are needed so those living alone do not have to endure this darkest of autumns in isolation" I live alone and am pretty isolated during this pandemic (I'm OK with that as I choose it) but nobody has contacted me if I wasn't happy and I very much doubt anybody will - if you're alone people forget you are there and the lonely are the least likely to seek support.

My masks are pretty basic - just 3 layers of cotton - but then I hardly go out (one visit to local Tesco last week) But maybe I order to look at buying better ones.

For years as a boy we made the cake about now IIRC - I remember eating the leftover mixture. It needs to mature and it was the first sign Xmas was coming :)

"But we also uncovered some poor one-layer face coverings that blocked as little as 7% of particles from penetrating the mask. " So is Which assuming the job of a facemask is to protect the wearer - that isn't what I thought the primary role was.

So when the next bailout is needed - will the same agreements be followed or is everything at stake again ?

Metallic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------ > > I don't think for a moment local Ward councillors > hold any sway on behalf of their Wards. They do > as they are told, vote for what they are told to > vote for, and although may have personal > misgivings that they voice, it doesn't make any > difference to what they do in council. They will > find out though, in May 2022. But likely deselected if they refuse to follow the party line. Same goes in Westminster. I'd like to see MPs/Councillors acting independently - but then how would a government or council function - We all know Westminster whips use every dirty trick in the book to make MPs do as they're told.

Meanwhile Nigel Farage has renamed the Brexit Party as an anti-lockdown party.

I love how they have Anthony Scaramucci as a regular on Sky News and he hates Trump. Better as an occasional political commentator than in government.

Tommy's back (from Spain) and yelping as he gets arrested just for being him (I guess it's as he arranged a meeting bigger than 6) https://twitter.com/mi6rogue/status/1322924697781260291 I could have picked many links to this comedy.

TFL has signed a deal with the government for another bailout. Not sure what the conditions are except for hints of higher council tax.

There was apparently an error in the App that made it pretty much useless - just been rectified now. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/software-bungle-meant-nhs-covid-app-failed-to-warn-users-to-self-isolate-6tzstqnr9

Nigello Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I agree that mid-long distance cycle journeys are > prioritised with special lanes, lights etc. > (Shorter journeys on cycles will of course benefit > from such infrastructure) and walking or > wheelchair use for shorter journeys isn?t promoted > because maybe the powers that be can?t demonstrate > they?re doing good for pedestrians because, well, > what needs to be done to promote and facilitate > walking? There?s no road to paint or lights to > install because the general road furniture > (lampposts and traffic lights, zebras, etc.) is > there already, mostly. So, walking is just > assumed to be a default option needing little > support. > What to do? Pedestrian rights just doesn?t have > the same ring as cyclists? rights. The Government has said painted shared roads for cyclists aren't sufficient and are not supported at present. It has to be physically separated.

Metallic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > if this is all that matters. I reckon the two e > petitions show what the majority think and we are > sharpening our pencils ready for May 2022. The > majority of residents do not like this enforced > change to their life in a free country. > I wouldn't place all your eggs in May 2022 as if you lose that election that's it. The Cladding and Leasehold issues are going to be huge next year.

Bleach - about 4 bottles. (edit: obviously a better solution is a rat blocker - but my natural reaction to everything dirty is bleach) There are reports all over about this - they're hungry because we're all staying in. https://www.environpestcontrol.co.uk/rat-control/rats-coming-up-toilet/

The worst leaks are the ones that effect you but aren't yours to fix :) I knew a flat roof was horrible for leaks but you'd think someone, somewhere had the ability to fix them, but no they don't. a leak in a flat roof will just return (my mother told me this in 2007 and I laughed)

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > JohnL Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > All our flats have to use thermostatic showers > - > > problem with them is you can't have a really > hot > > bath if it's a dual bath/shower. > > Hotels have them, stops people from accidentally > scalding themselves, I thought most have an > override facility, e.g. press a button to turn the > valve more to get hotter water, and when the valve > is switched off the safety button re-engages... There is an override facility - 38 degrees is normal then the override will allow it to go hotter. But you can't get the extremely hot you do out of the non thermostatic taps - I'd say 50 degrees is max. Good if children around obviously. Personally I'd prefer the bath taps had no control but the shower did (this would be considered a scald danger though)

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The only downside of a Combi I can think of is > when using a shower and someone else runs a tap, > say in the kitchen or even if a washing machine or > dishwasher draws some water, you then get a sudden > drop in pressure and water temp drops. > As KK says, not ideal for a busy, multi-bathroom > house but good for flats or small occupancy > houses... All our flats have to use thermostatic showers - problem with them is you can't have a really hot bath if it's a dual bath/shower.

uncleglen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > In the words of Anne Widdecombe- 'We're Off! to drink wine in a hot tub' https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/celebrity-big-brother-tv-show-series-21-elstree-studios-hertfordshire-uk-28-jan-2018-9330726ac

Wales (The Senedd) has mandated that no supermarket can sell non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54662795

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A Dutch journalist got into his Twitter account by > guessing the password was MAGA2020... :) I saw that but it means he changes it every year so he has some security regime

Nigello Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Mayors are not powerful enough to make any real > impact. They?re another layer of administration. > Why not get rid of devolved government/larger > councils and give local power to local people > across the UK? Powerful city/conurbation mayors > could effect better change if given the powers in > the right context. Khan isn?t impressive but > neither was Johnson. You'd need a vote in Scotland and Wales and independence is gaining ground in both not losing ground

No funding for cycle ways that aren't physically segregated will be allowed IIRC. On bike theft - surprised they're not all chipped with GPS in the frames already - not sure of the best process to manage stolen bikes that are being tracked though.