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Plusnet are owned by BT but run as a separate company. They even use BT re-branded routers. You can also use John Lewis, which is owned by Plusnet (ta da!) and also use a BT style router. Like you - I'm rural and those are my only 3 choices. I'm currently with John Lewis. As the freebie router is a bit rubbish and not dual band and the fact they they all use BT routers, I got a BT HH6 Business version for £20 off eBay (£100 new) and it's so much better. Ultimately, your BB will come down BT copper cable and you just pay someone different, although technically, they are all BT. Simples.

JDog - totally agree. My post wasn't really about access to education but how well brought up individuals can be detached from what are perceived as real world issues. Like I said, I was generalising massively in lieu of writing a history essay on the Landed Gentry v the Serfs etc. It was about the perception of rich v poor, upper class v working class and north v south. They are all well documented `them and us` scenarios. I believe that Parliament is heavily influenced by that, hence my earlier statement that a lot of people in Westminster can be detached from the `real world`. I still believe, through life experience, that a being born into money makes a big difference in terms of your informative years and ultimately where a lot of people end up in life. Doesn't make them `better` but their views of what is/isn't a trauma/drama may be different. As much as everyone is entitled to an education, I'm not sure that everyone can afford £15-£20k a year, per child, to send their kids to private schools. Doesn't necessarily make them any better but it gives them a good step up in life (the old boy network seems to like a good Eton/Harrow education). A lot of politics and industry circles are based on networks, who you know (went to school with) etc etc. It's just an opinion - not trying to alter anyones views. It may be narrow, but it's just an opinion.

I agree with sportsbob to an extent and I think it is just another version of the class divide. Well healed and educated (that really means wealthy and privileged) tend to float in their own circles. They can be very detached from the `reality` of debt, mortgage payments, how to make ends meet etc. That is a massive generalisation, but it's very much a reflection of how `common` folk view a lot of the more academically gifted and Oxbridge types. Smarter doesn't mean better after all. Speaking of Oxbridge - as an aside, I saw this today and thought it was quite relevant. I'm sure they have a lot of discussions about when their MOT is due or how to pay those damn school fees....

His profile says Market Rasen

I know plenty of academics with degress, Phd's and lots of `qualifications`. They are generally very intelligent and `well read` people. Just don't ask them to change a bulb/tyre/fuse* (delete as applicable). The world needs smart people, but it also needs people who are grounded, impartial and can see beyond the books and unltimately think `out of the box`. I have 2 friends who have studied Theology, Latin, the Arts etc. They are a library on legs. Lovely people, but in `real life` situations they are pretty useless! Politics and business leaders are one in the same - it's all linked, it's all about money and climbing the greasy pole. There are some very good `people orientated` MP's but sadly they rarely make it to the upper echelons due to the backlog of greasy pole climbers and brown nosers. That is of course just an opinion and I'm generalising and I have no facts/figures/statistics to support that.

Fenn traps and peanut butter worked well for me. I made some homemade tunnel traps. They are very wary to start with but will soon get used to them. I've also tried poisons but when the rules changed regarding the over the counter stuff, I found it less effective. I'm a big fan of body count, so prefer traps/air rifle when possible. As has been said - removing or limiting access to the food source will help. They'll also tend to defer to that first rather than poison. I find that a hungry rat will eat poison, a well fed one won't.

Nothing like stating the obvious!

Good shout. I'm glad they have "Tripe stitched side seams"

Sorry to hear that. They are magnificent animals.

The only one I've ever seen was a few years ago when a friend had a go at a few. He stayed away from the darker meats as they were too strong (personal preference) and did something along the lines of hare/rabbit/pheasant I think. He just added some seasoning and not much else. I think he did something clever to bond the meat together but can't remember what. Half the fun is experimenting!

Damsons can be elusive creatures. In the wild, you just need to be lucky to find a decent (mature) tree. My best crop came from a village pub who happended to have one in the garden. I've seen others in gardens of older houses that used to have orchards and fruit trees. They're quite an old fashioned product in that respect so some tree are very well developed. I have found some sort of hybrid Damson/Bullace trees in the wild but the results were average. You end up with a small damson meets a large sloe type affair and they are not 100% damson. The pub damsons made a good crop - I would call they `pure` damsons - no cross-fertilisation. In terms of harvesting - IIRC the end of August is generally the best time. They are very closely related to plumbs and will ripen and quickly fall off the tree. I usually find a window of 7-10 days to pick them. Some places sell them mail order at the right time of year or look locally on places like Facebook for people selling them from their gardens. The good thing with them is: you need less to fill a Kilner jar compared to sloes the brew can be ready in 3 months (longer is better though). I find that sloes really need 12 months to fully develop. the booze soaked fruit can be used for crumbles, jam or dipped in chocolate and made into festive treats. Just remember to remove the stones. I make mine almost a syrup consistency - lovely mixed with champers/prosecco or in a hip flask. Can also drizzle on vanilla ice-cream or a nice warm sponge! I get requests every year for it from certain family members. It's like an addictive, alcoholic cough syrup.

(double post)

I've been lazy this year and missed the damson crop. I actually prefer them to sloes as they are sweeter and can be ready to drink a bit quicker. I usually leave sloes 12 months to brew properly. I have got damsons from last years crop still in the loft. They need sorting out for this years Xmas gifting. We do seem to have some decent sloe crops, so I'd better get out and grab some when they are ready. Happy brewing.

This is the original thread with regard to the Fox 40 In relation to the OP - I echo a lot of what other people have said. A mixed breed is just that and it's a lottery regarding the outcome. We have a pure bred black lab, mainly as a pet but he's a fantatic dog. We also inheirited from the inlaws a cockerpoo - he's first generation and so far no issues. They got his as a pet, we said bad idea and after 6 mnoths they agreed. He was just too much for them. VERY energetic and they couldn't cope with him (complete lack of discipline didn't help). We've had him 2 years and he's an absolute joy now. Good nose and works quite well when out for walks but not used as a gundog. VERY smart and we're doing dog agility with him to keep him occupied and tire him out. The only issue is he's got a bit of an `only child` syndrome about him and can get jealous/possessive. We manage it but its a trait we don't like. Personally, if I wanted a gundog I would not go for a mix/mongrel - too many variables. Some people will always have success and that's great but it's not for me. They cost so much because it's a fad, supply and demand and just a case of what's en vogue. A lot of them are very cute as puppies but complete **** when they grow up and need firm handling and boundries setting. I think that an experienced handler could get a lot out of one but it's not an ideal first dog. I'll always say labs followed closely by spaniels.

I haven't checked this thread for a while. It's a bit like Eastenders. I can dip in every 6 months for 5 mins and the main characters are still there and the plot line is very similar/repetitive. You feel like you've never been away. 😉