SNS

We had a couple on the farm we live next too. But no sign at all of them all of last year (I suspect due to the barn being disturbed by its new billionaire owner). However since the start of this year 2 are back again and fabulous to see - especially as one seems quite happy to hunt by our back garden about 630 / 700am as I am leaving for work. Needless to say I've been late every day that I have seen it !

Yeah, that's rather how I felt about the place up north. It looks like I could be fishing with a few people now so maybe will have to go and try it and then and save the Coln for a trip by myself

Cheers both - I shall have a look there Someone locally mentioned Lechlade to me - any thoughts / experience of there as I fished a 'big fish' water up North a few times but didn't particularly enjoy it

I was buying a 6 series BMW back in 2006. I got a quote online for a basic 630i and strolled along to my nearest dealer. The salesman opened up by saying they wouldn't give a discount off them as they didn't need too. And then proceeded to look on their system for cars built, but not yet sold to try to find me the black one I wanted. He found one, but with £4500 worth of extras on it. He showed me the price and I thought I would try and get a discount, so I said it was the car I wanted, but it was much dearer than the quote I already had. He frowned. Played around with his calculator for an age, typed into his computer for a while and said 'right, ok if someone else is selling at that price, so will we' - he printed out the quote onto an order form for me to sign. I couldn't believe my eyes. He had essentially sold me a car with £4500 of extras for the price of the car with no extras. Not bad for a car on which they didn't need to give discounts in order to sell them !

Chaps, I'm thinking of dusting down my fly tackle and having a day out after some trout whilst I await some pigeon getting beyond PC's guns and down to me in the Cotswolds - I've not fished since moving here (save for a day as a guest fishing for salmon on the Wye) so haven't a clue where is good / bad / indifferent, so I'd be very grateful for any recommendations. I don't mind an hour or so driving either if needs be......

I don't feel as bad now for forgetting to tip you off that you had a few pigeon on your permission near to me !

But more importantly, did you get the roast done ??

That first picture is an absolute cracker !

Truly spectacular. And answers my question as to why I couldnt find any to shoot yesterday when I had a quick look around - you were shooting them all before they got to me !

Don't forget the guru's tip of getting them laminated though.......

Oooooh, what have you gone for ??

Though of course when you cancel part way through the year they refund you (less admin charges and costs) the rest of the premiums. After all their premiums, to a degree, are supposed to be priced on risk - and if you are not going to be driving the car for the rest of the year, then they have little risk against which to insure. I'd have a chat with the ombudsman's office - charging all of the outstanding premiums, if not provided for in the contract, seems a bit over the top by reference to their guide on charges for cancelling annual contracts, and even if provided for in the contract may not be enforceable in any event, given the Unfair Terms regulations

Surely PC could have lent you some of those little letters and numbers he uses in his photos ?

A couple of points then: 1. Are you sure HMRC have got your tax code right anyway ? They do often make mistakes...... 2. You can agree with them, I think, to pay the £895 through your tax code (i.e. paying it monthly / weekly out of your salary rather than all in one go) 3. Have you claimed for all reliefs ? Perhaps you have joined a professional body as part of your studies for instance ?

PM me if you want me to have a quick look at the tax for you. Don't worry, it's not an amateur view I'm offering as is sometimes seen on these threads - I'm a tax partner at one of the 'Big 4' but happy to offer a quick freebie (in my personal capacity)as it sounds like you're having a nightmare week !

And funnily enough my Mrs has done just that !

What about us all nominating our very own Pigeon Controller for services to crop protection ? Can't see the BBC going for it, but would be hilarious if he won and they had to show some clips on TV ?

The Drunken Duck Inn. And Chesters by the River if you like cakes !

Anyone else see this in today's Sunday Times ? http://coolest.com/about-coolest-com/ I thought we could perhaps design a PW version and send them some suggestions. Naturally for use locally in the Cotswolds it would require sufficient space for the champagne and canapés. But the cocktail making blender could work too

Great work. Especially for the game dealer as presumably he just takes a truck to you each week and doesn't need to go anywhere else.

Yep, a Rapide S and a great spot by magman of the wife's car too !

As opposed to my 2 hours at the party which were very much wasted indeed. Save for the brownie points, obviously. Mrs SNS did point out that her shiny car is not quite as shiny as it was due to having to drive on a grass verge in order to get past a rather smug pigeon shooter on his way to my local !

You flew there ? Beats a 4x4 I guess

Ha ha, very fine shot though !

About what ??