JohnfromUK
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Posts posted by JohnfromUK
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6 minutes ago, RockySpears said:
It's not the actual Covid-19 that will get you, but the fact that you cannot leave your own home for two weeks or more,
That will be nothing more than a minor inconvenience - in any case - at present there is nothing like that in the UK.
8 minutes ago, RockySpears said:water and a filter system may not be a bad investment too now.
A water filter will not remove viruses.
8 minutes ago, RockySpears said:"Police, and if necessary the armed forces, will have the authority to ensure the regulations are enforced. "
It is right that quarantine is enforces correctly - or it is a waste of time.
Putting this in perspective - FAR FAR more people die from flu than this virus. Flu kills 646,000 people every year.
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2 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said:
But people are idiots! Who goes into the HoL shouldn't be picked by people who are clueless as to how it actually works!
Which is why the 'incumbent' HoL creates a shortlist from which the public select the sitting member
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29 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said:
they're there for a particular reason, often because of serious expertise in a particular area.
That is certainly how it should be, but these days, it isn't.
In my view - there should be senior persons from 'public life' such as ;
- retired Bishops (and equivalents from other major religions),
- Military (all services),
- the legal profession (e.g. judges),
- business and industry,
- finance
- the medical profession.
- academics
The should become eligible after they have retired from their occupation, and have a term of 5 years, and allowed a maximum of 2 terms. Selection of candidates should be a shortlist selected by the present HoL (non political), followed by a public ballot to choose from the shortlist. What is being looked for are expertise and 'level headed' reasoning.
The following should not be eligible to stand;
- Former MPs (they have done their time in governing)
- Civil servants from normal civil service jobs in government (i.e. not (non government specialists like legal, military etc.) - they have also done their bit in governing
- Officials from political organisations and parties, trades unions, pressure groups - the aim is to make it a group of subject matter experts, not political.
There should be a minimum level of attendance of (say 80% of sitting days) and an MPs salary and legitimate expenses. The 'title' is relinquished when you leave the HoL. Those who fail to meet the attendance without good reason (e.g. health problems) should loose their seats.
There should be a significantly smaller number, thinking about half of the number of MPs.
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Just now, Old Boggy said:
Have they changed or is it our tastes that have changed ?
I suspect both. The modern trend to reduce salt (especially) and sugar has led to food being blander as they often seem to reduce other seasonings/flavours at the same time.
In some cases there is a recovery plan available. Amazing how tinned beans can be improved by a pinch of smoked paprika, a pinch of garlic powder, a splash or Worcester sauce and a squirt of tomato ketchup.
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1 minute ago, old man said:
We are all somewhere on various spectra?
It is a popular view, but I'm not sure I agree. If you are on the level he obviously is, it should prevent him from being a broadcaster on public interest issues - unless part of a debate where the whole spectrum of views are represented.
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4 minutes ago, old man said:
His nature and self assurance that he is "right" are the driving forces there?
He has acknowledged that he has a mental health condition (Asperger syndrome) which (apparently) leads to obsessive behaviour and an inability to see other points of view and understand other views. That is exactly the sort of behaviour that people with that condition show.
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These days with good and inexpensive vacuum flasks with a wide mouth, you can put some real stew/pasta/chunky soup/minced beef and veggies in one - and it keeps nice for many hours.
Therefore pot noodles have no place in this world.
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6 minutes ago, Old Boggy said:
I didn't fully realise that the barrels can be removed without removing the sliding breech, so many thanks for clarifying that.
The barrels only need to move back about 3/8" to be removed. Once the sliding breech is opened and slides back, there is loads of room (probably 3" plus as there is room for an opened out 2 3/4" cartridge).
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Just now, Old Boggy said:
However, surely there are still 3 parts, the sliding breech which comes off first, the barrels and the action.
There can by three parts, but the original poster was talking about taking the gun down to put in the car. I don't take the sliding breech off then (it doesn't change the length of ability to put in a case). In fact I almost never take the sliding breech off. I genuinely believe it is at least as quick if not quicker to separate the barrels than on a normal s/s or o/u.
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15 hours ago, enfieldspares said:
To take it down you have to hit...yes, hit...the muzzles of the barrel onto a hard floor.
I have a Darne; the above is certainly not true for mine.
- Open the breech
- Place stock on the floor/table
- Press the button (under the action and about where the hinge pin would be on a normal s/s)
- Tap the muzzles with the palm of the hand - and the barrels slide back and off.
If anytrhing, because there are only two parts, not 3, it is faster than a normal s/s or o/u.
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2 hours ago, ditchman said:
a marrige aint going to last long without give and take
Just what they have - he gives, she takes. Don't all marriages work that way?
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16 minutes ago, nabbers said:
You can't ban the sale of wet wood.
To be fair, they are to ban the sale of wet wood in volumes less than 2 cubic metres. I'm guess ing the assumption is that someone who buys a larger quantity will manage the wood drying etc.
My neighbour has a structured wood plan where he dries it (2 seasons I think?) and has a carefully thought out plan for the future supply. It never bothers me with smoke despite me being 'downwind' on most days, the way the prevailing wind blows.
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14 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said:
how are the above going to heat their homes or ones they rent
If they rent a home - it is particularly difficult as 'investing' in improved heating/insulation doesn't have the same attraction - because the landlord may not allow changes and at best you are improving the landlords property ...... at your expense.
About 5 years ago I embarked on a major refurbishment/upgrade of my house - which was to include full rewiring and replumbing. I did a significant amount of research on how to make the house comfortable and sensibly cost effective for my long term future there. I have mains gas. A quick summary below;
I started out with two separate gas heating systems, both quite efficient condensing boilers - one quite modern, the other old and though reliable getting hard to get parts, very old (mostly 30 to 50 years old) radiators, old gas AgA and two quite modern 'fully glassed in' gas fires.
I wanted to end up with one large zoned heating system, as economical as reasonably possible to run in what is a large, old, listed, but quite well insulated (for its type) house, and take the rest to suit that in the most economical way based on a 20 year service life. The house has a heat 'demand' of 40 KW.
I looked at the following fuel/heat sources;
- Electric heat pump: Air sources has no good location and to give 40 KW is pushing it for this type. Low flow temperatures mean very large radiator surface areas, underfloor was not practical given the building type and listed status. It also didn't suit my (then) lifestyle of being out most of the day. Ground source would have been better, and though I have 'adequate' area, it is heavily infested with tree roots from protected trees. Initial costs were VERY high, and running costs estimated to be low to moderate.
- Wood pellet: No suitable accommodation for boiler (flues especially) and fuel storage. Uncertain future pricing. Very high initial costs, and low to moderate running costs - but subject to uncertain pricing in future.
- Wood logs: Similar to pellets and a thermal store was also impossible to accommodate without other major space problems. I do have access to cheap/free wood. Very high initial costs, and very low to low running costs - assuming access to free supply remains. 'Work' probably too much for me as I get older.
- Mains gas: Cheapest to install, most flexible to operate - and low(ish) running costs. At the time - gas was considered 'politically' correct.
- Oil and bottled/tanked gas were ruled out as being similar but more expensive to mains gas.
- Localised log burners would be nice, but less practical for me 'day to day' and there are flue issues to overcome which add significantly to the costs.
I went mains gas with a 42KW Worcester Bosch and all new (generously sized) radiators allowing lowish water flow/return temperature giving improved efficiency. Ditched the gas AgA (vastly expensive work needed to replace obsolete burner and very costly and difficult bring flue up to modern regulations) and have electric induction cooking - which is very good indeed. I retained and added to the room gas fires (up from 2 to 3) which give a fallback in the event of mains power failure and are a nice source of radiant (rather than convected) heat with convenience and moderate running costs.
I appreciate that this is not always possible - and needs significant investment. What I do when the current boiler expires and I can't get a replacement remains to be seen.
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Just now, Yellow Bear said:
Many thanks - interesting link
It is good - and I think I have to thank someone else (unknown and a while back) on PW for bringing it to my attention
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1 minute ago, Yellow Bear said:
The lunatics think that this can all be supplied using renewables
You can see here http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/
where our electricity is coming from at any instant in time in real time.
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With his contacts in 'natural world' broadcasting ...... it is totally inconceivable that he could not easily have a very good concealed camera installed. The technicians he will work with in his broadcasting on Springwatch/Naturewatch etc. do just this in nests, burrows, dens to allow us to watch them rearing young. Either he is 'toxic' to his technician team and they won't help - or he has taken a decision not to have this done for his own reasons.
If one of us here on PW had a problem that CCTV might assist in solving, there would be post after post here with offers of advice, help, choice of kit etc.
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5 minutes ago, old man said:
Hence the push for smart meters to give control over the little electric left over after the cars are charged?
Well, as things are looking at the moment, IF we were to move all cars onto electricity, and all gas heating/cooking onto electricity in say 15 years ......... electrcicity will need to be rationed. There is neither enough generating capacity, nor distribution capability to cover that load.
As a simple example, as of now (e,g winter month 2020), I use each day roughly;
11 KWhr electricity (mainly cooking and refrigeration)
90 KWhr as gas (heating and hot water, plus gas fire)
15 KWhr (equivalent) as motor fuel (based on roughly 6000 miles per year at 35 m.p.g.)
Looking at this VERY simply, if all of this was converted to being fuelled by electricity, would need 116 KWhr per day. So my electricity consumption would go from the current 11 KWhr to 116 KWhr .......... a staggering 10x as much.
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6 hours ago, Scully said:
If you have your own supply then I don't see how it's enforceable.
I heard the ban was on 'selling' it - so if you have your own supply, no problem.
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10 minutes ago, bavarianbrit said:
the actual co2 etc footprint
I'm sure the CO2 and particulates are bad enough to wipe out at a stroke the whole of Extinction Rebellion (who are apparently particularly susceptible to these things)......... but since it only does a few hundred miles a year (and in 27 years has done less than 100,000 miles), it's overall footprint would be very good indeed.
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12 minutes ago, mick miller said:
Funny thing that, my old 300Tdi Defender (now for sale guys) that I have driven, daily for 12 years has broken down once - when I ran out of fuel. It's 23 years old today (like to see any Tesla lasting that long). My old series 11a, which I drove for 10 years, never broke down once (and it's still on the road). There is a lesson in simplicity there and, if you look closely, another in being genuinely environmentally friendly. Although, clearly, parts have broken during that time, but again, I could replace all of those myself, with regular, simple hand tools, on the driveway.
I would say that any of the newer, ECU sporting and over-fangled Land Rovers do spend an inordinate amount of time in the repair shops it seems and it would be true to say that the panel fit in any old Defender leaves a lot to be desired.
My 200 Tdi Defender has (as far as I can remember, but I have owned it for over 20 years) NEVER broken down other than a flat battery, and has never failed to complete a journey. Yes, it leaks, the wipers are arthritic, the heater a joke, it is noisy, cramped for large people, badly made with bad quality materials - especially anything marked Lucas ....... but it is reliable. Mine is 27 years young.
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6 hours ago, Harry136 said:
Unfortunately I can’t see the outlet pipe as it has been plumbed into the guttering. Would it be same for me to remove the case of the boiler to see if it’s been leaking inside?
Could you temporarily slip a bit of hose or plastic tube over the expansion outlet just while you see what is going on? I doubt you can see from the inside.
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10 minutes ago, buze said:
Ultimately I'm not complaining, seems Purdey and the like are training, and hiring, and paying gunsmith to continue the tradition; which is great. I can't afford them, but I love the idea that the tradition is "safe" for the time being.
I entirely agree. I have never understood why anyone orders a new Purdey/Boss/H & H/Piotti etc. when you can get a great older one (they are after all built to last) and have it fitted.
Same applies to an AyA. I shoot an old (42 years young) No 1, cost me about £3500 about 7 or 8 years ago including fitting to me. New they are £18,500 plus any fitting needed.
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7 hours ago, AVB said:
What do other retirees do?
I have been retired about 3 years. I have never regretted it and never feel 'bored'. What do I do? It is quite hard to pin things down, but;
- The house is large (and old) and always needs something doing somewhere
- The garden is large
- I do some matters 'horological' (clocks) and have attended lectures (and given a couple), written papers, done research etc.
- I enjoy cooking - and avoid ready meals, takeaways etc.
- I do enjoy visiting things like National Trust properties for a day out now and again
- I shoot a bit in season, and clays about once a week with friends
- oh - and I spend probably far to much time on this forum!
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16 minutes ago, matone said:
The Powell looks like it was built down to a price! You`d have to be mad to pay the asking price in todays market...
The current AyA list prices are no longer the bargains they once were - A standard No 2 is over £8,500 list price (inc VAT) and a No 1 £10K more than that. I think the Spanish gun trade doesn't have the same ability to produce at the competitive prices they once did, because I think the trade struggles to prosper even at these prices. I won't speculate on why, other than to say that production volumes must be a fraction of what they were 20 or 30 years ago, but whether that is cause of effect (or more likely both), I can't say.
Retirement
in Off Topic
Posted
+1
I have only been 3 years retired, but I have LOTS of things I do, time flies by. I was always confident I wouldn't 'struggle', and so it has proved.
It was brought home to me how lucky I am by the sudden death (from a blood clot) of a very good friend and former work colleague who died 4 weeks before his retirement.
Try lots of things - if you aren't a good hands on DIYer, what about doing some research? People have a really interesting time doing their family trees etc. I have done some research on various horological subjects, and a bit of informal research on various firearm aspects and some antiques/collectables aspects as well as some family tree stuff.
I have done some upholstery (chair seats), I'm going to try some stick making, I cook and have very much enjoyed that (but it's not good for the waistline). I always do some 'home cooked' items for our shoot snack at lunchtime, caught up with old friends and colleagues having a 'reunion' here at my house - some of whom I hadn't done anymore than exchange Christmas cards with for 30 years.