miga

That's PC gone maaaaaad, that is.

Dunno about learning to cycle on the IMAX roundabout. I learnt to cycle as a kid, but when I picked it up again for commuting in my late twenties, I cycled on quiet streets/parks building up my confidence to the Highbury roundabout over some weeks. Be visible, take it easy, practice your turns in a park so you are balanced while turning and indicating. There are fools on the road, be visible and patient. It's really a great way to get about.

I think it's a function of our times. For example, the reported decline of golf club membership is down to middle aged, middle class men just not having the time to idle away a weekend day with their peers on the golf course. People work longer hours, often weekends, and there's the expectation of "quality family time" too. Another factor may be that male friendships, in my experience, are activity/interest based; music, sports, clubs. These are all time/brain consuming things. Time and focus eaten up by the above mentioned. There's a thread of being "put upon" by women in some of the other posts; I really can't relate to that and feel it's a cop out (or the sign of deeper trouble in the relationship).

Ours are a bit older than yours by the sounds of it RobWD, but a few years ago (2013/2014) there was no such thing as a decent babycino in all of ED - we had to explain what the beverage was. And half the time you'd still end up with a cup of scolding hot milk - not the cup full of froth we'd become used to Down Under. Sounds like at least the cafes have lifted their game on that front. Still reeling from the ?5 pint a decade after the fact though.

Timely thread for me. I've had 2 Alturas over the past few years, almost by default, and have been kind of disappointed - fraying of the inside, zips that need to be fixed etc. Have been thinking of Decathlon and now my mind's made up.

Perhaps irrationally I always found the idea of Deliveroo unpleasant. Guy loaded up with takeaways from a place you couldn't be bothered walking/cycling to yourself, cycling in the cold driving rain for ?7 an hour plus ?1 per delivery. And now the thing he's bringing to you isn't even the thing you actually really thought you were getting. (Yes, there are many crappy minimum wage jobs out there, and no one coerces anyone into working for Deliveroo).

The new TL (May) timetable was supposed to give more trains, and a more predictable schedule. But the proposed changes also meant fewer trains through Blackfriars, no express trains skipping various stops and a weird removal of some peak hour trains. I complained about this when the consultation was doing the rounds, but I assume these went into a big black hole (or less likely were the minority position and everyone loved the new timetable). They weren't able to meet the May timetable because of a lack of drivers AFAIK (which is bizzare, they must know how many drivers they employ and how many are needed to drive the bloody things). So, they failed to implement changes many disagreed with, which I think is a suitable whimper to end a grand plan that was originally called Thameslink 2000 and got delivered in 2018. As far as who the winners are from all the turmoil...I find it difficult to imagine. The new trains are nice, but the Kent commuter has fewer express trains, the London commuter has fewer destinations, and the timetable is still in flux. I feel bad for people still barely squeezing on at DH at peak hour.

i thought a pour over is what happens after a reach around.

I went through a period a few years ago of trying to buy British. I did this on ethical grounds - I figured a pair of sneakers made here is unlikely to have been made by a child, or someone making less than the minimum wage. (Walsh was the brand, I think New Balance has some production here also). I've since expanded this to "the first world" on pretty much the same grounds. (Ethical consumption certainly makes me feel better, though I'm dubious about its effectiveness, and it smells a bit fake). On cars: I think the Germans made a choice decades ago to subsidise where we chose to cut. "German engineering" is marketing, like "Italian fashion" or "British diplomacy". Was a Golf that much better than a Marina? Is a Golf now that much better than a Civic? In other words - I would and do buy British, but I'm not sure that's what will save us from Brexit fallout. Corbyn is chasing ghosts from the past. Some wild claims from my Chinese made smartphone.

Joking aside - it did briefly look like an awesome place to go skiing....

You're right - Iran has some good skiing too.

Can get some late skiing in that time of year, last chance saloon before it becomes an activity only to be witnessed on the telly.

I think "I suspect" is offensive to people charged with a crime but not proven guilty. In my view, "in my view" is offensive to blind people. Both phrases also sound pompous.

Sixty percent of the time it works all the time

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.

flocker spotter Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I am right on this. I may be considered rude but i > have outlined how the industry works & the > liabilities of the insurer. This is not > contestable. Whether you take that on board is > your decision. have a great evening Who ate your bowl of sunshine, thundercloud?

"Stupid beards" are a "hipster" staple. I don't think people talk about hipsters as live cultural currency any more, in as much as the term ever meant anything anyway. See this, from 3 years ago, for example, which name checks beards and the end of hipsterism in the first paragraph https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/oct/03/hipster-social-phenomenon-commercial-success. Much has been written about the way pop culture self regurgitates, due to digital availability and other modern factors (e.g. "Retromania"). And thus, given that anything goes, the potential to be embarrassed by something specific particular to now may not be there any more. One of the things I notice as I get old is how time accelerates. Fashions are young people's business and they change before old people can catch up, I think this is how youth culture is meant to work. Unless that's changed too. Self harm, on the other hand, is a serious issue, and should be dealt with as such.

Thanks very much calsug, very informative. The plasterers have already done their bit, but hopefully we can limit damage by getting the skirting boards off before the painting. Skirting boards are original and general advice has been that they'll be ruined if removed to accommodate new flooring, so we're prepared for that. Good to know MDF ones can look reasonable, I've seen ones the profile of which matches originals quite well.

Experienced renovators, advice please. We want to have laid engineered or real wood flooring (TBD), with Amtico etc. an unfavoured alternative. Apparently this necessitates the removal and likely destruction of existing skirting boards. We've just had the walls plastered in advance of having them painted. My worry is about how destructive the removal and replacement of existing skirting will be. Original order of business was going to be plastering, painting, flooring. The skirting makes me think this should now be: plastering, removal of skirting boards, painting, flooring, placement of new skirting boards, touch up and painting of skirting boards. Does that sound right?

Who does work 8 hours a day? I thought that dream fluttered off towards the end of last century along with decent healthcare and housing affordability?

rendel you'll note my succinct comment used the word "probably", and a comparison to other chicken shops. I know what "red tractor" is.

It's "red tractor", so probably better than most chicken shops.

I agree with lavender27. Could you build your husband a run outside?

Hello - any recommendations for a petrol lawn mower; types, where to buy, when to buy etc.

malumbu Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > No Chicken tikka masala or Kingfisher so clearly > rubbish. I suppose I'd better try it out just to > make sure. > > I expect that it will be good as Croydon blessed > with interesting South Asian restaurants. Got there in the end. Low key Indian family joint, really nice basics (dosas, veggie thalis), cheap, slightly disinterested service (need to be a little proactive). Whether worth trip to Croydon....maybe a sidetrip if going to eventual new Westfield, getting train to Gatwick or similar.