JohnfromUK

Thanks for the update and "good luck!"

Would make a nice bubble and squeak!

It was reported on the radio a few minutes ago that Lloyds list has stated that the container ship was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide -which I assume will be very poisonous if it gets into the water.

I read a slightly different version of that; My version said it was part of a reserve fleet of 10 ships that could be immediately requisitioned to be used to transport fuel for the US DoD and was fitted out suitably such that it could be used without delay if needed. From BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgq1pwjlqq2t "this is one of just 10 oil tankers enlisted in a US government programme which is designed to supply the armed forces with fuel during times of armed conflict or national emergency. It means they can be called upon by the US military at short notice but there's no indication that it was being used for these purposes when this accident happened. It is managed by US logistics firm Crowley and owned by Sweden's Stena Sphere which is controlled by the billionaire Olsson family."

I'm not familiar with maritime rules and practices, but as a reader of the news, this seems to have happened in open waters, good weather conditions, daylight with fair visibility - and ships are hardly small and easily 'overlooked'. The tanker was apparently at anchor. Seems to me that there was either gross incompetence - or some 'deliberate' intent to cause a collision?

✔️

Cauliflower florets for me - nice crunch when not overcooked

It started with a M&S pack (https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-rainbow-mixed-vegetable-stir-fry-518615011)which contained pak choi, carrots, tenderstem broccoli, red cabbage, green beans, baby corn, spring onions - to which I added cauliflower florets, onion, green finger chillies, red and yellow bell pepper, mushrooms and chicken strips. When stir fried, I added a jar of M&S Singapore Noodle stir fry sauce and served (not shown in photo) on a portion of Sharwoods wholewheat noodles (cooked separately as they were dried). Splash of dark soy sauce and some black pepper to finish. All that lot made 2 generous helpings - the second of which I ate tonight.

Funnily enough I had stir fry this evening - this is it in the pan before serving on noodles. I didn't take a photo when plated.

If he could manage to operate as a Party, not a 'one man band' he might, but he seems to have two very prominent traits; Capturing the mood and putting it into words and speeches well Being unable to put together and work with a team as a coherent political Party I respect and admire the first, but the second means that he is unsuited as a person to actually do all the humdrum routine functions needed to be a Prime Minister. The key is in the title "Prime Minister" - in that he is in effect the 'top position' of a team of Ministers (i.e. the Cabinet and other lesser ministers). Unusually (and rather reluctantly) I find myself in agreement with Elon Musk (though perhaps not for the same reasons?)

Farage has always been a "one man band". He's not a "team player". Like Johnson, he gets votes. Like Johnson, he is not the right material to run a Gov't.

All the supermarkets do their own label, or there is a Bacofoil brand. This is Tesco's https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/284982972?gQT=1 It is very good for fairly dry things like oven chips, pastry (and things that end up dry like cakes) but I do use foil when I am cooking meats and (unbreaded or battered) fish as the paper can go a bit soggy then. I even use it when roasting potatoes as it makes the cleaning up so much easier. Anything for an easy life! Just be a bit careful if you use a gas oven that it doesn't get too close to the flame!

I do them (sausage rolls, pasties etc.) on a sheet of baking paper on a tray. I think a rack or wire mesh type tray might be better, but I don't have one (in fact I need two as I usually bake a lot when I do bake them as it's for the shoot). Baking paper is cheaper than foil (I think) and is 'non stick'.

...... it made a nice meal Eaten with cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms and crushed new potatoes topped with herb salsa. Made a nice filling meal. Pukka are not a 'high end' product, but in my view that are decent value.

Maybe the 'deal' is; Trump gives Russia a good part of what they want in Ukraine (but leaving some minerals for him In return, Russia doesn't oppose (other than token words) Trump in Greenland?

Some varieties keep much better than others. I believe commercial storage places keep them stored in a low oxygen atmosphere (CO2?) where they keep longer. Fridge isn';t supposed to help - but I guess that rather depends on both the fridge temperature and the room temperature. I do use an old fridge - now used a 'cool cupboard and is set to it's highest temperature (around 8 or 10 C) and keeps things nicely cool in warmer weather. It is not used for normal 'fridge required' foods (requiring around 2 - 5 C) for which I have a proper fridge freezer. They need to be stored in the dark because they go green if light is on them for a time. Green potatoes are poisonous (at least they will make you ill).

Love mashed swede like that. It freezes very well in 'cubes' which I then vac pac.

Your fried potatoes look lovely - just the right shade. As a meal it's not for me as I can't eat eggs.

There is no way Russia will sign up to something that puts US armed forces in Ukraine.

I'm sure that is good advice and I have seen that posted in several places. I've not had a Haldex equipped vehicle ever myself, but there are You Tube of where the Haldex filter is and how to access/clean it for DIY. It is really strange that it is omitted from the manufacturers service schedules as it would seem simple, cheap and very necessary to have it serviced.

Thanks for the update on the problem and good luck with the upgrade to the server.

I can't really add much useful information, but I can give a thought or two; At 20,000 miles a year, economy of running would be a factor (I do under 4,000 a year, so was much less of an issue for me) A number of the 'estates with 4WD' such as Subaru, Skoda Octavia Scout and similar all seem to have a following There are the 'small 'crossover' models like Toyota RAV4 and Virata which are quite popular - there is a thread here from someone who has a Duster I think. The bigger more serious 4 x 4s tend to be quite a lot thirstier, more expensive on tyres and servicing - which would be a disadvantage on higher mileages Do also check insurance costs before taking the plunge as some are considered very high theft risk - reflected in premiums.

Very much this /\. I've done about 35+ years of it and have given up now as the estate we stay on don't do it any longer and although I do still go up and walk the hill just for old times sake, it is VERY different walking on full alert with a gun to shoot to just enjoying the activity and scenery. You work hard for your shots (and hopefully birds) - and it is very rewarding - but you do need to be quite fit and also be capable of walking all day on uneven ground and thick heather/peat hags which can be very demanding walking in places. If the weather is wild, it can be seriously challenging. It is fair to say it doesn't suit everyone! For those it does suit, many regard it as the finest form of sport.

You didn't post a photo of the trifle?

I agree, and also Ukraine isn't very well placed on the World Corruption order, (104=), but Russia is well below at 154= https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/corruption-rank