Spartacus

There is now a need to request a collection (this is free) - if you don't the tree won't be collected even if you do pay for a brown bin collection - as I found out to my cost this week! According to Southwarks own website you don't need to book a collection unless you don't have a brown bin or food bin https://www.southwark.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/christmas-period-tips-reduce-reuse-and-recycle

There was an interesting article on the bbc news a few days ago which talked about similar issues with the French healthcare system. Their issues are despite them having a higher rate of Doctors and Nurses per capita then the UK. It seems to be caused by a growing older population who require healthcare and Exacerbated by the pandemic and flu adding pressure to the system including the delays to treatments and operations that hospitals are now trying to catch up on. Question is what is really needed, sure more money but that won't solve the issue for at least 5 years (the training time for Doctors) or the issue with bed blocking because there isn't adequate social care (again time is needed to build staff numbers and add capacity in terms of homes) but not everyone wants to or is suited to working in care so filling vacancies is not just an issue of throwing cash at the problem. I think that the NHS has become a political football for politicians to kick around but the reality is that to fix it is far more complex then just throwing money at the problem. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64216269.amp

I found it sad that yesterday , the 9th of Jan, was the Princess of Wales' 41st birthday but the media choose to focus on Harry's book and not even mention Katherine apart from in context of the book. Hopefully it's all a short lived storm in a China teacup and we can get back to focusing about real world issues again..

Out of curiosity is anyone going to bother to buy "Spare" as most of its so called revelations are being told via the press. Personally I won't be getting it nor watching the netflix documentary as I respect that they want to lead a life away from the media🤣

At least one of the delivery app firms will close as people start to get less takeaways due to the cost of living crisis

Did you hear about the lady who stole a calendar today from the card shop? She's got 12 months !

With the Chinese Government unlocking international travel to and from China in a few days, and with the estimated high levels of Covid cases in China at the moment after abandoning a strict lockdown policy, should tests and quarantine for positive travellers be imposed? The States, Italy, some Asian countries and India believe so. The UK is reviewing it and the EU think its unjustified. The fear is that with uncontrolled infections in China, then variants are more likely. Are restrictions justified and if not can we guarantee a new wave won't sweep the world despite high levels of vaccination?

Brilliant prediction Especially if its called Pizza Excess 🤣

I'm curious SJSL, how often does anyone actually ever see an unprotected open manhole cover? But avoiding doggy doo is a good idea 🤣

For fun, not serious With 2022 almost over, what are your wacky predictions for 2023? Mine are : 1. Elon Musk will prove Aliens are already on earth by stripping off his false human skin and exposing his luminous blue alien skin; 2. One of the Spice Girls will come out as a he/him after masking his true gender for years; 3. Councillor Rose will admit LTNs don't work in a sudden change of heart. Go crazy with weird and wacky suggestions as after the last few years (pandemic, weekly prime ministers, party gate) anything could happen!

Soggy overcooked bland sprouts (they are tiny little things 😆)

What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claus-trophobia!

I just saw a shoplifter stealing a turkey from M&S and running out the store being chased by security... I yelled at him “What are you doing with that?!!” He shouted back “potatoes, sprouts and pigs in blankets!!”

What do you call a kid who doesn’t believe in Santa? A rebel without a Claus.

Is it just me, but reading the news about America experiencing a massive winter storm with "Bomb Cyclones" predicted and flights cancelled for Christmas, does anyone else think about Die Hard 2 ?

Two nuns riding bikes down a cobbled path and one cries "oh I haven't come this way before" and the other replies "of course you haven't, the main road is being dug up for an LTN and we're on diversion"

Charles Dickens walks into a bar and orders a Martini. The barman asks, "Olive or twist?"

I once played as a pantomime horse along with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was very insistent that I was at the front...

J.Lo is great shorthand for Jennifer Lopez, but it's not something you should try if you're Pete Doherty. 🤫

Could this be the end of the postal service as we know it. If people are not sending stuff because of delays or not arriving then it doesn't take much to tip the scales in favour of not using the service in the future 🙄

Losing the end of the sticky tape Grrrrrrrr

I saw 80’s pop star Jona Lewie ushering everyone out of the restaurant section of our local Toby Inn yesterday... He was trying to stop the carvery...

After listening to a podcast on the top ten facts about diarrhea, number 2 surprised me 🤫

Sad news, the inventor of the protractor has passed away. He’s with the angles now...

There is a report in the sun (came to me via next door before anyone asks) that shows where service problems are Se22 is highlighted ... Christmas cards are cancelled https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/17432320/royal-mail-delivery-delays-postcode-list/