JohnfromUK

One certain 'high risk' thing is that for many (most non UK citizens) you are reliant on their word and that word being the truth. With UK citizens most claims details can be checked (if there is a will to do so, which there usually isn't). Being truthful is not a priority for many these days. Even among our MPs we have a depressingly long list; Jared O'Mara - fraud Eric Illsley - expenses fraud Elliot Moreley (formerly a minister) - expenses fraud Chris Huhne (formerly a minister) - perverting the course of justice Jim Devine - expenses fraud David Chaytor - false accounting Denis McShane - expenses fraud Fiona Onasanya - lying on oath and all of those were convicted in court. A wonderful example to Joe Public from their elected representatives. Is it any wonder people have little respect? For many 'asylum seekers' and similar - it often isn't even possible to be certain who they are and where they have come from. They have no documentation (apparently often taken and destroyed by smugglers) and you are reliant on what they say - which may in fact have been 'coached into them'.

The UK has a reputation (worldwide) for being very generous with benefits. By saying generous I include; Paying a wide range of applicants - not limited to UK nationals and/or those who have previously contributed Being very receptive to 'assisting' anyone who is 'on the run' from anything they can claim (whether true or made up) Not challenging 'claims' or trying (where possible) to check on any actual 'validity'. Therefore if someone is prepared to come here, make some claims (true or false) that the would 'suffer' in their country of origin for their beliefs/ethnicity/sexuality etc. they are very likely to be assisted. Once here and 'on the system', if you are prepared to lie, then there are lots of things you can claim - and make multiple repeated claims for. The UK system (both benefits and courts/justice) relies a lot on 'truth'. In the past this has generally worked sort of OK in most cases because the majority in the UK are reasonably truthful - and if they were born here - it is possible to check. However, some 'incomers' neither have the same culture of truth, nor do we have any easy way of checking on their claims, so they are given the benefit of any doubt. We are MUCH too 'easy' in these matters.

Try this place for blanks https://www.lockstation.co.uk/keys/key-blanks

Absolutely!

Guilty already! I have a nice collection of old folder penknives that have been handed down from my ancestors including my great grandfather's nicely engraved silver folder which was a 21st birthday present from his parents, my grandfather's nice small folder from his parents, again engraved, several of my father's pocket knives - so yes, I have 'a fascination' with knives. My collection also includes a few more modern (again folders) items like Swiss army types and multitools. I am even a member of a 'multitool' forum. As a keen cook, I have a nice selection of quality cooking knives - as we (quite a number of us are cooks or do game preparation) have discussed elsewhere in these pages - that could also go down as being 'fascinated' with knives. Not guilty on the crossbow interest though.

Indeed - and there are those who would believe that killing anything (shooting, slaughterhouse, pest control or traffic accident) is hurting it.

And therein lies a problem. Example; I shoot game and some mammals (e.g. rabbits, rats, squirrels). My aim in shooting is always a quick clean kill. Because I'm realistic and accept I don't always succeed - I carry a priest. Overall, I do not see my shooting as 'hurting' an animal. However, there are others who see any form of live quarry shooting as 'hurting' animals. They have a different viewpoint. How are the police/licensing office staff to decide whether a 'yes' response to these questions is a real 'risk', or just a response from someone who doesn't like any form of killing live quarry? I certainly know people who shoot mainly clays, but do have an occasional few shots at game/vermin with friends - and their partners would wholeheartedly disapprove - and very probably see it as 'hurting' animals.

Masala is also an Italian fortified wine, slightly similar to a Port or Maderia wine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsala_wine

If the locks are Chubb (Union) 3G110 (BS3621) locks, blanks (often called Chubb 110 style) are available for around £4. Most locksmiths can cut these. Older cabinets with two locks often used this type.

Yet again re-awakening an old topic, I read today the fraudster who stole £70,000 (see link to Bristol Post in my post of 26th September 2023 above in this thread) has to pay back just £1 (though she did get a custodial sentence as well). https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13283627/black-lives-matter-blm-fraud-bristol-colston-statue-protest.html

I don't know what became of mine. They have not been fitted to cars for a great many (maybe 50?) years, and I can remember them 'around', but can't remember seeing them in years. Maybe given away, or 'lurking' in a box somewhere - no idea where to even begin to start looking!

We had another that was chromed (presumably steel) with a yellow background. I can't remember if it had a number. Like this (internet photo) Grandfathers was something like this;

My father had a very early AA badge - plain brass (or copper?). It had been his father's (my grandfather's) and had his membership number stamped on it. Not sure what happened to it. I have several photos of my grandfather doing motoring activities just pre WW1.

Welcome back!

I suspect that the "lots of good prices" are just "click bait" to draw people in. I tried the comparison site route a few years ago and ended up trying to sign up with a 'well known name' for a multi car policy by that route who were (on the face of it) cheaper than my regular company (NFU Mutual). However by the time I had got down to the nitty gritty details ...... various extras began to be added on, then one car (my old Defender 90) they wouldn't cover 'on that type of policy' .......... and at the end of the day, I'd wasted a lot of time, would have to have one car insured 'elsewhere' ....... and I just felt drawn in by a misleading advert that didn't deliver. I was by the way (then) a 50 something year old with full no claims, 3 points (speeding), and clean claim record for over 20 years. Result - stayed with NFU. Not the cheapest, but genuine and helpful when I have needed to change vehicles, get a windscreen repair or add a driver short term etc.

The Civil Service have only ever done what they liked from way back. I don't know when Government was last truly able to do it's own agenda? The whole "Yes Minister" series was certainly a comedy - and a very good one, but (as confirmed by Mrs Thatcher) very much based in fact.

Both Netanyahu and the Chief of Staff of the IDF (Halevi) have apologised. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-chief-sorry-as-details-emerge-of-strike-that-picked-off-gaza-aid-cars-one-by-one/ https://nypost.com/2024/04/02/world-news/netanyahu-sorry-for-idf-airstrike-that-killed-7-aid-workers/

/\ This. It was a mistake, and will be costly to the Israelis because many countries are likely to weaken their support. Do remember the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7th was not a mistake. It was a deliberate attack aimed at civilians and they still hold hostages. It was certain to get a massive response from Israel. Israel made a mistake resulting in loss of life as part of an ongoing conflict. Hamas deliberately and calculatedly took lives on purpose to initiate this conflict.

Another good review here I believe they are actually quite hard to actually obtain and neither price nor delivery is yet 'fixed'. Engine (only one choice, diesel) seems to be the same as the outgoing (2020 - 23) model in that it is the higher output version of the 1GD-FTV engine as per the current HiLux. Unfortunately they all have to have DPF and AdBlu gubbins on. The 'new' price for a Grenadier with very few options gets close to £80K. Not sure what the new Land Cruiser will actually cost, but the 'top model' (Invincible) outgoing C150 was around £65K - and virtually everything came as standard. The other problem (for me) is that they have dropped the idea of doing a "90 equivalent" and so you end up with a "110 equivalent" which is a big vehicle.

You haven't commented on whether you like/dislike Branston compared to your usual/former preference? I used to have Heinz (with a splash of Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce), but 'converted' to Branston (also with the splash) about a year ago. Branston has a thicker and more flavoursome sauce, but it does vary a bit between batches. I had one poor (thin sauce) multi pack of 4, but usually good thick sauce and oplenty of beans.

I would agree with your post except for the reason (and I am also now retired having spent a working life dealing mainly with Govt's (Uk and some overseas) - namely The reason I say that is that as far as I know almost no one in the civil service ever lost their pension, or was dismissed/demoted for poor performance/decisions. The worst that would happen was for the career progression to 'stall'. Faster promotion and career progression was dependant on success, but no penalties for poor performance that I was aware of and particularly no loss of any 'accrued' pension rights (this later also often applying in the private sector as well where pensions were often independently run and not within the employer's control).

My mother used it a lot in cooking - coffee cakes, puddings etc.

I have made them (to my satisfaction anyway), but it's quite hard work. The 'problems' are; Peeling and slicing the onions (you need a lot) is tedious - a bit easier with a slicing disc in a food processor, but still a lot of work. The batter mix is incredibly sticky and it makes them very hard to work with, but if you make it too thin, they won't hold together when frying I make mine quite small and 'flatish', being about 2" in diameter and maybe an inch thick. Bigger - and the centre doesn't cook fully, or the outer gets too hard. Smaller is OK, but need careful watching Mine are nice fresh, but don't freeze all that well - they are OK, but need just the right cooking afterwards to get crisp outers and can easily go dry and tough. The washing up of the batter covered utensils is really tedious as it sticks like the proverbial does to a blanket. You have to deep fry them and stand over it watching like a hawk and I don't often deep fry, so often needs fresh oil - and so is expensive. I find deep frying needs very careful on temperature to have the oil as hot as safely possible In view of the above which is an awful faff for a few bhajis - I buy M&S (or equivalent) which are OK - and freeze - drawing out one or two at a time as needed. I am the same with samosas, thought I have had some really delicious home made ones (made by a colleagues wife and brought into the office years ago). IF you do make them, on the plus side you can add spice/chilli/black pepper to the batter, and strips off sweet peppers to the onions, and you can also do other things (i do cauliflower florets) in the same batter.

I also had a curry last night; M&S fiery hot chicken tikka masala (a new one and very nice), pilau rice (homemade with Schwarz pilau spices), Indian cauliflower and peppers (homemade), beef koftas (homemade), onion bhaji (M&S), black dal (homemade).

Quite honestly, I think sunshine! If it has been waterlogged, aerate to improve drainage/reduce/break up compaction would probably be good. I wouldn't add fertiliser until the roots have had a chance to get over being waterlogged. https://www.fantasticgardeners.co.uk/lawn-care/what-is-lawn-aeration-why-when-and-how-to-do-it/