JohnfromUK

About 5 years ago a major accident occurred only a few vehicles in front of me when travelling on the "Smart" section of the M5 in Worcestershire. We all came to a rapid halt and it was clear that one vehicle (a small hatchback) was very badly damaged. Because the whole motorway in that direction had stopped the emergency services were unable to get through for quite some time and had to come down the (closed) carriageway against the normal direction of traffic as the whole 'behind' the accident was solid with no hard shoulder and no way for fire engines to get through. Sadly there was a fatality. Whether the emergency services getting there sooner would have helped I don't know, but it can't have helped that assistance took quite a while to get there. I can't really say how long as I was (perhaps fortunately) just screened from sight by other vehicles in front of me. I was sat in the car stationary for several hours whilst the 'investigation team' did their stuff. Not a nice day - and it highlighted to me how when there is an accident, emergency services can't get proper access if all lanes are blocked.

I would think it's an unfortunate handicap for a politician, having principles. It could easily ruin a promising career and generous expenses package.

They have principles?

See here https://www.nationwidefuels.co.uk/faq/red-diesel-faq/

They are good with chips - and some mayo with a little curry powder stirred in ........

I did these to a (internal measured) temperature of 75 - 80 C, which did take around 10-15 mins at 200C ........ but done on a tray with parchment underneath. There was plenty of steam! They had been 48 hours in the spiced yoghurt marinade, and 4 hoursv before that in lemon juice/ginger/garlic mix.

All (except two lumps to try) gone in the freezer, vac packed in 100g bundles. In fact, it's nice with a 'wet' type curry like a vegetable curry, which I make when I have leftover veggies and add the frozen chicken tikka pieces and a (often from a jar) curry sauce. Makes a nice 'two pots meal' with some rice.

The coal man was a small lorry (Bedford?), the pop man Corona, The van that sold everything (hardware, paraffin etc.) was Giles of Winchcombe, the milkman was a "Morrison Electric" float and was Granger's dairies. We also had a fruit and veg van - (name forgotten), Taylor's Fish and Chips, Davenports Beer at Home, John Walker - Mobile Butcher, Draper's Bakery - and no doubt others I have forgotten. We also had both ******** (Clean Easy) and Bettaware reps who called and took orders, and delivered a few weeks later.

Not tried yet, just out of the oven, but I make them for shoot days in season and they are always popular.

Well - it would have been the tandoor if I had one, but the oven did a very passable imitation. Chicken tikka pieces;

Looks nice. Late in the season for sprouts.

It seems that DEFRA have now lost a case brought by Wild Justice (WJ) in relation to issuing licenses for game bird release. This appears to relate to the individual licenses issued by DEFRA for release on or near SPAs (not the General Licenses themselves). https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/uk-government-broke-law-over-gamebird-licences-wildlife-conservation-therese-coffey-richard-benyon/ https://www.endsreport.com/article/1869000/defra-concedes-licences-gamebird-releases-protected-areas-unlawful Google brings up LOTS of triumphal posts from WJ, Raptor Persecution UK, Leigh Day (WJ's legal firm), but little 'unbiased' (or for that matter 'pro DEFRA) sources. The two above are the best I could find. WJ have been awarded costs, so the taxpayer funds both sides legal costs - as always the lawyers do well.

Great trip and photos. Thanks for posting.

I have always understood that a small amount of choke (e.g. Improved Cylinder, IC) greatly improves the pattern consistency between different cartridges. Not tried it myself, but I am happy with most combinations of anything between IC and half choke. More than that I don't need for what I do.

This is my gun cleaning rod holder; approx 145 mm diameter and 535 mm tall/long. I believe it may be WW2? It is very heavy!