Vince Green

Its a serious problem, often the subject of discussion in our club house. Theories why its so bad differ but a lot of people are looking towards the Phoenix and the hope that some of the dealers there will have stock.

The trouble with that theory, nice as it sounds, is that the political machinery in Russia doesn't allow sensible people to get close enough to mount an insurrection. The only people that could do it would be from Putin's immediate inner circle and they are all Putin clones in terms of ideology. The State controls the press, the police and the army. There is no way it could ever happen, they don't have free and fair elections. The best outcome would be if Putin died, then his successor would at least be able to pretend to be more reasonable. Victory Day parade: Moscow readies itself and turns up rhetoric - BBC News

Its hard to see how this will end. Russia cant withdraw and they cant be seen to lose. Its not in their political DNA.

why dont you accept cookies? your firewall software will delete them straight away. Every time you click on anything these days like Argos or the AA you get cookies even though they don't tell you.

You wont get in depth news on TV, you have to read the newsfeeds to get any real news. And they require a subscription. TV news can be good but they only give you a 2 minute snapshot of a story. And if its not got a visual element they won't run it. The Guardian or the Telegraph newsfeeds are both good value. About the same cost or less than actually buying the paper. I wouldn't have given the Guardian the time of day a few years ago but they have improved tremendously since then.

Not much can survive Sodium Chlorate but you dont spray it.

The best bacon we have found is Lidl's thick cut. It is genuinely thick cut compared to most these days and its really good. Did you know that in the middle ages people used urine to cure their bacon? Salt was too expensive for most people. It must have given it an interesting flavour. So when you see bacon advertised as "traditionally cured" be careful

If you don't read links why did you ask in the first place?

The bloke he has put in charge while he goes into hospital is a complete fruitcake for one. Mad as a box of frogs Putin 'will have cancer operation in the near future' and 'hand over power to hardline ex KGB chief' | Daily Mail Online yes he has been eliminating the competition, but he can't eliminate them all. He needs his 'friends' around him to maintain his protection but he must realise that they are all weighing him up

Be careful what you wish for, there are worse people than Putin waiting on the sidelines ready to jump in. Russian politics is all about being seen as a strong man. Who ever comes next wont be a pacifist

I have said it many times, parts of the civil service are seriously out of control. Saying that there has to be safeguarding checks and balances in place

That's why the Rwanda option is so brilliant. Before, when they arrived with no paperwork they were impossible to ever deport. No proof of where they came from Now they can go th Rwanda and think about their options

A big part of the problem is (as you say) the Civil Servants not doing their jobs properly. They will give this initiative the silent treatment like they have with every other initiative in the past. Why? Because it involves having to get up off their backside and do something for a change.

That's why you have to be tough and say "no paperwork? Back of the queue, those with paperwork please come to the front"

The British Government is legally obliged to provide accommodation etc. But it doesn't specify where.

Probably the most common garden bird round north London these days. They were popular pets to be kept in outdoor aviaries at one time when such things were fashionable. Thats because they were Hardy enough to survive the British winter. They drive out the other birds

This, they knew the system was at fault but went ahead with the prosecutions anyway

Garden wire would be better?

All centrefire ammo has gone up by much more than inflation or the cost of metals these past few years. Thats if you can get it. Reloading is no cheaper, components have gone up the same way and shortages are a constant problem too

The trouble is shooting is littered with legislation that started small and then grew bit by bit Thats the fear, if game cartridges with steel were dearer than clay cartridges with lead it would be hard not to imagine what would happen. Some people would always choose lead, even when they shouldn't. Already the "lead banners" are claiming that the lead ban for wetlands is not being adhered to. I don't believe that to be true for a minute but how do you prove that? they are out to get shooting banned completely. Thats their real agenda

There are reports that Hamilton is suffering from long covid. Something Hamilton himself has hinted at

That the NHS is wonderful . It is pretty good but the money it wastes is eye watering. Its a sacred cow, nobody can speak out against it. A bit like the BBC

I think Macron is the best choice, even though he hates us. Maybe now he will grow up a bit and stop treating the job like a vanity project

Yes it does look like it. Putin cant hold on much longer surely?.

I found this, absolutely full of unproven claims regarding numbers uf birds that die every year. Totally made up Tackling lead ammunition poisoning our wildlife | WWT but the bottom line is they are asking for money. Hmmmmm? Donate | WWT now I get it