JohnfromUK

Everyone got rather sick of Johnson's 'smoke and mirrors' and 'difficulty with the truth' - and Starmer faithfully promised to bring back truth and honesty; Link here (if you can abide Starmers Facebook). https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1483517055398169 In fact if anything I think Labour so far have been worse. We have had; Starmers freebies of suits, accommodation etc. Rayners questionable tax affairs on sale of her Council House Reeves's incorrect CV Louise Haigh's resignation on fraud and truthfulness (lack of) and no doubt others I have missed. It isn't a good record for less than 6 months in office on a promise to restore truth and trust. But then they have made SUCH a good start.

The Essex Chief Constable was on BBC R4 this morning being interviewed about this. He raised various points, the jist being; Much of this is 'old news' are many of them are already recruited, being paid, but may still be under training. It's not 'new' as in under this Gov't. They have not actually been given any 'figures' for the 'extra' money they will get, but the suggestion has been that it will be less than the extra costs of the public sector pay award made by Labour and the additional NI costs put in by Labour. He expects to lose around 200 officers who will not be replaced - which will not mean redundancy, but will have less police employed due to the extra costs, but could be mitigated if there actually is any extra money - or if this is a 're-announcement of existing money' He as good as said that the Home Office was either 'confused' or lying when it made those promises of 'new' police.

Rachel Reeves is said to be 'disappointed'. Why? It is exactly what she set up by raising the costs of employment. It all seems to be going true to form, and we have been assured they have made a 'really good start'. I'm amazed how quickly they have ruined what promised to be the beginnings of a bit of an slow up turn and turned it into what looks like a spiral of rising inflation, rising taxation and rising unemployment so quickly. Rayner's plan to build 1.5M 'homes' suddenly and quickly will cause massive inflation in the building sector - but I can't see any plans for new infastructure, sewage works, reservoirs, power stations, transport etc to meet the needs of all these extra houses - and employment is in decline, so many of the houses (if they are ever built) will go to people living off the taxpayer (again).

Yes, I think that's probably right. Many of the most powerful/biggest engined versions of the 'normal' model ranges (such as the BMW 335 I had) were restricted and if modified to be de-restricted would have (apparently) done a bit more.

It was a requirement of my former employer (a multi national USA based organisation) that if requested any employee must undertake a drugs test. Failure to comply would result in penalty up to summary dismissal. I was never asked, but I understand the test was used in other countries, but not (at that time) in the UK.

In fact I'm getting the idea of something a bit like that (from the freezer) tomorrow evening.

Similar - (this is 20 years ago) crippling pain, called surgery, no appointments. Drove there (about a mile), and said I wasn't moving until I'd seen Doctor. My 'own' Dr (who I knew and was both good and pleasant, sadly now retired) came out, took one look at me and took me straight in to his room. Quick quiz and exam - kidney stone suspected. Injection there and then (pain killer) and hospital appt same afternoon - not to drive yourself.

I'd happily eat that.

/\. This I believe it is now mandatory (in some countries) that the speed limit in which the vehicle is currently travelling is flagged to the driver. I noted in a review by Harry Metcalf (of Harry's Garage on You Tube) that the new Land Cruiser he was testing both flagged the speed limit and sounded an alarm if it was exceeded. He had not at the time of doing the review managed to turn it off, though he believed it was possible somewhere in a menu. My car shows the current speed limit and the display thereof changes from 'normal' to red if you are exceeding the limit, but no audio alarm (or if there is it isn't turned on). It's a very short step from there to a box that either 'reports' offenders, or limits speed automatically. Mine is not particularly reliable as the car system sometimes conflicts with Google maps (which is what I tend to use) and at times BOTH are wrong. Most German cars have been restricted to 250 kph (155 mph) for some time

I hope all goes well. I had a session in hospital (one of these 'get someone to drive you to A&E NOW' instructions from Dr.) during Covid (late 2020 and not related to Covid) but suffice it to say that 'whatever' was making me ill responded to a cocktail of IV antibiotics over a few days - and I never got to the real root cause, but have fortunately been fine since. Stuck in hospital on a forrest of drips and monitors does make you think a bit! Planned follow ups to investigate were cancelled (allegedly due to Covid pressures) and since I'm still well (at 4 years on), they don't want to take it up again.

Guess, but if the weather has been windy (as it has over most of the country) - your antenna may have been blown round (i.e. now pointing wrong way) - or antenna or it's cable may have got damaged.

A I had a Dolomite Sprint in around 1980 and an XJ (Daimler Double Six) around 1984 and kept for about 12 years. Both were good cars in the time, the Double Six/XJ12 being exceptionally so if you got a reliable one, which luckily I did. I have had a small selection of other 'sporty' cars from BMW and Mercedes since. I tend to keep cars that 'tick the box' for me a long time, the Daimler being with me for around 12 years and the recent BMW 335D estate for 16 years. Now I'm nearer 70 than 65 - I drive a Toyota (and of course my old 30 year old Defender).

Similar for me; original pair bought around 15 years ago, and still going strong and still waterproof, though rather cracked now. Been expecting them to start leaking any time, but they are OK so far. Bought a new 'identical' pair when on a very good 'offer' a couple of years ago. Look and feel identical, but not yet pressed into service. I use cheap (under a tenner a pair) short calf Dunlops for odd short jobs, gardening etc. and the Le Chameaus are used when I have a long day, lot of walking, or need the extra warmth (hence how they have lasted so well).

You can shorten that to; and the answer is "No, none at all"

They have at the top ' "Sir Humphreys". Mrs Thatcher was a great admirer of Yes Minister and even appeared in a cameo in it - but she said that most people would not believe how like the real thing it actually was ........... and since Blair's time it has (in my view anyway) got MUCH worse.