JohnfromUK

Yes, so I have heard. I have been to Oxford by train, and also by Park and Ride - both of which were OK. I don't visit these big towns/cities now (unless I have to which would be rare) now I'm retired. Visitors by car are in effect made unwelcome - so there are plenty of other places to go where they welcome visitors.

It looks like in Oxford the Greedy Greens are planning a similar tax on suv/4x4 parking. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/suv-drivers-to-pay-more-to-park-in-oxford-under-green-party/

I think you need to forget trying to end up with a clone of the 'ready made' variety - and just develop a way of enjoying the powdered variety. I (sometimes) use powdered made up because it isn't the same as ready made. To me, freshly made up from powder gives a hotter product with a different taste. I usually use just a little tap water to make quite a thick paste. I have always thought (just a guess) that the 'heat' is released by the water, and declines with time, hence freshly made up is nicer.

I think these days with DPF, Adblue and various 'pollution' catchers/treaters/preventers, diesel are less suited to short runs and more 'picky' about usage. In terms of wear/life - both, if looked after with regular maintenance and by that I really mean oil changes with high grade fluids, will last a long time. However, in the event (and it does happen with some engines more than others, both diesel and petrol) of a catastrophic failure like bearing shells rotating, timing chains failing, crankshafts breaking etc. - they are all horribly expensive. Thats where a proper manufacturers warranty can help (if you are getting a new of 'young' car. I would not be so worried about petrol versus diesel as I would about choosing a make/model with a decent reputation for reliability and a good manufacturer warranty if buying a new/relatively new car. All makes can have unexpected major problems - but some seem to have a LOT more than others and can be really expensive to get repaired. Look at the various reliability surveys and both how many faults and the cost and time to fix them. Some manufacturers have long waits for some spares. A neighbour has just had his (2 year old) car off the road for almost 6 months awaiting spare parts.

As said below, I think it is now built into the VIN. In my case (some years ago) there was a plate (under the bonnet or possibly in the door frame) giving the plant where it was built - for example I had a Vauxhall which said something like; Vauxhall Motors - built by Adam Opel A.G., Belgium.

+1

You make some delicious looking food, very tempting, but a lot includes shellfish. I love shellfish, but if I eat more that a very little shellfish and very infrequently, it brings my gout on - and that's not worth risking.

It is probably just my prejudice, but I don't like the idea of CVT transmission and certainly there were questions about reliability on earlier ones. I have only driven one and couldn't get used to it in the short time I had it on loan. From what I have read (and I did quite a bit of research recently as I have just said 'goodbye' to my diesel BMW 3 series estate after a pleasant 16 years with it), in fact now they are no less reliable than other transmissions, but you can always find reports on line of someone who has had trouble for any item! One of my problems was that I tend to buy a nearly new car - then (assuming it suits) keep it for a long time. The recently departed BMW was just under 1 year old when I bought it and almost 17 when I traded it in. For that reason I look for these things; Likely to last 15 years of my usage without major incident or repair Long (or extendable) manufacturer (or manufacturer supported) warranty (i.e. NOT a separate warranty company). For that reason at present anything involving any battery (other than usual starter battery) would put me off as the life/replacement costs seem to be very 'vague'. I would also not go for any make/model where there is a significant risk of major failure outside warranty. I know two people who have had massive bills arrive unexpectedly from 'known weak areas' failing (Google Ingenium or SVD6 engine problems). It probably wouldn't happen - but it's a nasty shock to the bank balance if it does.

One of my relatives has one of these and has been very pleased with it. I believe they are no longer available?

I always found the Rover V8 thirsty. My father had a Range Rover (Classic 4 door 3 speed auto 3.5 litre V8, carburettor - weighted a bit over 2 tons) - slow and around 12 m.p.g. At the same time I had a Daimler Double Six (LWB XJ12 Jaguar, 3 speed auto, 5.3 litre V12 injection - weighed again a bit over 2 tons) - quick and around 17 - 18 m.p.g.

It's the same for Series 1 Land Rover. I had a lovely 1952 2 litre 80". Original engine, gearbox, axles etc, chassis sound and never welded, body all pretty good, MoT pass when I sold it, though bulkhead and steering would have needed attention soon. Full history (ex Severn Water Board) and around 80,000 miles from new. Drove very nicely (for a Series 1). I sold it for around £500 - 600 (around 1990), which was near enough what I bought it for (1981) as far as I can remember. Had my dog's personal plate on it (LAB xxx). To be fair, it was not a particularly pleasant drive in modern traffic, but was fantastic off road, 100% reliable and not thirsty.

The G-wagen was around 12-14 on road, but off road could easily drop below 10. It was a relatively small petrol engine with an autobox pulling an incredibly heavy car and very low geared.

That's nearly as bad as a G-wagen.

+1

As others have said, go Japanese. I have just gone Japanese again (replacing BMW with Toyota). Had 3 Honda in the past, Accord (USA built, excellent), Civic (USA built, excellent), and finally Civic (Swindon built, poor). Toyota I have recently acquired (used) was built in Japan.

Speaking to a local recently who travels round a lot of the farms - all are suffering poor growth of crops right now as it has been so wet. We have had a very mild (very few frosty nights) but the ground is completely waterlogged and the crops roots are suffering. Apparently root growth is way behind where it should be - and IF it was to suddenly switch to hot and dry, the plants will not have developed enough root to survive. I imagine root vegetables and potatoes will also be badly affected. In contrast - grass round here is doing well. We will have to eat more meat!

I'm sure that is correct, but I assume we can't access (obviously only our own record) to check they have it correct and up to date?

I believe it was King George V. The present King's great grandfather

From the above bill, I used 12 cu m in 186 days, so near enough the same at 65 litres per day. It's a standard Severn Trent account.

This is the breakdown from my bill for this period last year. Screen shot of the relevant part of the bill.

I use roughly 500 litres a week. I know this because the meter was replaced between Christmas and New Year and now reads just over 5,500 litres. Single occupancy household with dishwasher and washing machine (both quite modern and 'eco'), plus baths/showers.

Despite my large council tax bill, I pay rather less for water. About £130 a year (metered water, drainage and surface water drainage supplement as some of my roof gutter water goes into the main drains)

We never used to get salted - it's a new thing in the last 5 years or so. We are an unclassified road which is on a 'loop', so no through traffic and all 30 mph limit, so no good reason for it. I'm not fussed about the street light - in fact I prefer without, but we pay more not less than areas with lighting.

It is in Band G - large for a nominally 4 bedroom - in a big garden with garage and plenty of parking. Our area is all 'high price' as we are on the edge of the Cotswolds. Annoyingly, we (well I anyway) get very little for it. We have no public transport (used to have daily buses and two rail stations within 2 miles), no street lighting (used to be there, but taken out), no pavements, bins emptied once a fortnight, never see a policeman (used to be two 24 hour manned police stations within 2 miles), most of the roadside drains are blocked, road signs are falling down, road works signs from weeks and months ago lying at the side of the road rusting........... in fact the only increases have been the potholes, vast amounts of salt spread everywhere when there is no chance of a frost (I'm sure they get backhanders from the motor trade!) and the council tax bills. I have lived here (in this immediate area) for all my life and the state of the roads, grass verges (grass dying from salt and a sea of mud), ditches, drains, street furnishings and signs is the worst it has ever been. I have old photos where the verges were mown around monthly, the ditches were clean, no brambles, signs clear of greenery - and all looking neat and tidy. Villagers used to plant flower beds in an island - but now nothing will grow as the soil is salt contaminated. Local farmers used to do some maintenance of the ditches when they had a wet spell and couldn't get on the ground to farm, but I'm told now they have to apply for permission weeks in advance and have a risk assessment for possible road closures etc ......... so they don't bother. It's all been made too hard.

£2598 payable after 25% single occupancy discount (£3464 gross). Also included (as @armsid post) - £378 which seems to be an 'extra' to fund 'adult social care'.