[Bob Williams]

I’ll wait for the Subs plan TBA on the 25th, Lee obviously has a Plan in mind?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

There is always a human being behind the mike, the performance and the lights. I met Keith Richards twice and was pleasantly surprised by his obvious intelligence. Despite a brief first meeting and a gap of 4 years, he remembered me instantly the second time, which was a longer conversation about – prehistory! One of his very dry comments, was that he believed in reincarnation, because he was certain that he had seen himself and Mick pictured in a prehistoric cave painting! I also have his autobigraphy, “Life” in which he was brutally honest about his life. But the best part of the convo, was a long talk about Blues music. A spliff was offered, gracefully declined.

On the subject of First Humans in the British Isles: has to be the Neanderthals, well before the last Ice Age began. They either died out or left as the ice advanced. Dwynne may be happy to present this as a case for Wales being the first home of Modern humans:

https://tinyurl.com/y7yo35ov

Only the Basque language is as old a European language as Cymraeg (Welsh).

Steve and Ed: certainly our Greatest – great grandmothers came from Africa:

https://tinyurl.com/72svq53

A very interesting read.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Got this on my phone this morning while shopping. Blocked it, killed it. It was obvious from the name, was it not? Not wanting to give these sickos any tips, but if they chose a ‘generic’ British name, they might get more results. Something like Smith, Jones or Patel?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I also watched this unfold last night.

My own solution would take note of the true fact that the extremists are born here and radicalised either in a back room of a mosque, or at private meetings elsewhere. (Based upon information from a friend whose family is of Iraqui origin.)

I believe that we need to have some kind of observation within the mosques. The Security Services are already aware which ones produce the radicals. Give them a choice: allow a ‘presence’ within the mosque for observation, or face being closed down as supporters and instigators of Terrorist activities. Time to stop being soft.

It is almost unbelievable that Muslims were informing the authorities about one of the 3 attackers, without any action being taken. How does this help the vast majority of British Muslims, to have confidence that they will be heard? It also appears that the Met Police Counter Terrorist unit, has better intelligence than MI5.

You are correct, Ed: Teresa’s Home Sec. mistakes are coming home to roost.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

My ancient USB/e – SATA IcyBox has served me well, no fancy dedicated electronics, just a bit of PCB and an LED, unscrew 2 screws, slide out and detach the Hdd, slide in a new Hdd. I just buy a new Hdd every couple of years and use the old one for something unimportant. I use it for backups to the NAS. (Belt & Braces, me) 🙂

It ain’t broke, so I don’t fix it. :good:  😉

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I have been making a regular PayPal payment of £5 a month. I started this because I was not looking at it from a financial viewpoint, but because I value what happens here and I value the work that Lee carried out to create the site and the continuing work he puts in to maintain it. If people want to start comparing apples to oranges by pointing out that other sites are free, I believe they may be missing the point. Sorry if that offends some here, but that’s how I feel.

I would cheerfully pay £3.50 and up to £5 a month. What does one get for a fiver nowadays?

And I, like others here, am a pensioner. Why not a Standing Order, if a subscription model is used? Or a regular PayPal payment? I have cancelled my next one, having just made another and expecting a subscription: but I can reinstate it whenever necessary. Forumite, because of the ongoing work and continual improvements by Lee, is such a vast improvement upon the car crash that was MM forum in its latter stages. Let us not forget that.

A FB Closed Group would work of course. I am a member of two such Groups and it really does work, but I would much prefer to remain with the status quo and Forumite. But I also bear in mind that some Forumites have working lives.

EDIT: Lee’s last was posted before I finished typing and posting. Thinking about it.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

The Duke wrote:

I’m so glad I was born a man, I’d of never of coped as a women.

Can we ask the Duchess for confirmation Steve? :yahoo:

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I only flew BA once: to Vienna for a Danube cruise and back from München at the cruise end. Both times I had requested a seat months in advance, with more leg room and both times I did not get a suitable seat. Both flights were carp: awful food, cabin crew who initially refused to help put our (legally sized) cabin bag overhead. The Heathrow Renaissance Hotel had no record of our booking and only several calls to the cruise company turned up the fact that this had been passed to BA. They screwed it up.

In Vienna I was met from the aircaft by an airport lady employee who put me straight into a wheelchair and whisked me through everything to the minibus. I said that I could not walk, but in perfect English she whispered in my ear “No you cannot!”with emphasis.

I have flown over the years with various airlines and Her Majesty’s blue-uniformed one. I would say that the best short-haul of these was Air Malta. Long-haul, Lufthansa to Vancouver. BA was worse than 27 hours in a canvas seat, aboard an RAF Hercules.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Anyone remember the “Two Rons” (Hale & Pace) and the ‘Guide Cat’ sketch? Totally non-PC, possibly offensive. However, I explained it and played the soundtrack to a mate blind from birth who had several dogs over the years and he thought it was hysterical. Make up your own mind:

I laughed at it then and I just laughed again after playing it. Remember, I sponsor a pup in training and I am waiting to rehome a retired Guide Dog.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

You’re right of course JayceeDee, but I wasn’t too bothered about the dog’s reaction: more worried about Misty’s reaction. She is a lovely, quiet cat who can suddenly turn into a terrifying, spitting, wailing, claws-out tiger at the first sign of trouble. Try getting her into the cat box: Wear welding gloves!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I went to school with a lad called Richard Tuff. Dick Tuff had his names reversed, to much hilarity from the 840 lads aged from 11 to 18.

VFM: the first Ankers are American Ankers, the second Ankers are British Estate Agents. It’s a bit difficult to decide which are the biggest ankers…. :yahoo:

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Some years ago, a Traffic Sergeant mate told me that the most secure street to live in, was a cul-de-sac with nosy neighbours. At the time we lived on the longest street in our old village. The pit had closed, there was no work and burglaries were rife: my lad had his car nicked. It was recovered, minus an expensive audio which was taken by ripping out the whole centre console. That was one of the reasons why we moved here and I actually now live at the closed end of a cul-de-sac. When I moved here, I phoned my old mate, by then retired, and told him that I had found a cul-de-sac to live in. The Close was Sheltered Housing until this year: the government has decreed that Sheltered Living no longer exists and gradually others are moving in, but we still have the nosy neighbours I’m glad to say. Some of them are insomniacs and are up, lights bazing and TV’s on, at all hours.

To my mind, that’s a deterrent, as is the fact that this village has a great community spirit and we all look out for each other.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Seems that Tiger is getting some support and sympathy. Have to say that I agree with most of this:

https://tinyurl.com/yb34g2ah

However, I do not condone drunken driving. I have never forgotten as a young squaddie, having to visit a soldier’s wife and baby whilst on a spell of Regimental Police. He had smashed his BMW 1602 into a wall blind drunk, killed himself, his mate died in surgery. Both had blood tests, both loaded. I had to take a screaming baby from a collapsed 19 yo mother, it was one of the worst nights of my life. MP’s went to the other wife’s married quarter, took her there in time to see him die.

Drunken driving can destroy several lives at once. But in Tiger’s case, he “blew zeroes” and was suffering “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication“.     https://tinyurl.com/y8cy47t2

So before we criticise the guy, maybe give him some leeway. His former famous, wealthy life is all gone and the public that once loved him, is kicking him while he’s down. Not just an American thing either: look at all the British celeb’s and sports stars who have been pilloried and hated by the media and public.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Just added mine. Before anyone says so, yes I’m 72 and still here and it reads 2/3/45. But I’m 18 above the eyebrows and between the ears, the rest refuses to keep pace.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Definitely not Dwynne, but I am a bit worried about Misty’s reaction when she meets the retired Guide Dog we are waiting for. She gets on with small dogs, by which I mean she treats them with Feline contempt. A big dog could be a problem, although all the retired Guide dogs are getting on a bit. A daft, tolerant Lab would be ideal.

Getting on a bit and daft. Sounds perfect for this house! :yes:  🙂

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

PlaneMan wrote:

Tonight is the women’s UEFA final down the road from me. Fair enough, apart from the huge amount of hassle it’s causing. I went across the City Stadium car park this morning, I do it a couple of times a week, and was stopped 4 times by armed police. I understand the need for vigilance but 4 times! Don’t the radios work? I’ve also had a helicopter or 2 buzzing the estate for the last 90 minutes and had coppers in the back garden, they regretted that! This isn’t even the big game, that bundle of laughs for Cardiffians starts on Saturday. The maddest bit is they accepted my British Cycling members card as ID, that’s all I usually carry in my cycling rucksack.

Security, or Going Through The Motions…

At least we’re not like the Yanks with their Homeland Security BS. Every little Redneck in a uniform gets to search the women. Well, the good-looking ones anyway. Can’t be too careful.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Dwynne the cat in my profile is actually my daughter’s, but whenever I visit she jumps on my knee and complains if I try to move. That’s Misty and she also has masses of long, silver-grey hair: it almost touches the floor as she walks. She was a rescue kitten and is loved by the whole family, although as cats are, she shows no affection, just demands for food and to be let out! She jumps on the window sill and yowls until someone opens the window, has a sniff and either leaps out or turns around and comes back. If she comes back, we know it’s going to rain and sure enough it does!

If she gets on my knee for any length of time, she falls asleep and purrs, with a sound to rival a 650 Norton! I wind up covered in siver hairs. Sometimes she falls off and that is of course, my fault. How did cats get to rule the world?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Les, my gran, a Rom born in a Romany van in the West Country, was the entire opposite to that. She had no education, could not read or write, but could not be fooled by anyone over money. Had the most ancient radio ever, only listened to Radio 3 and 4, but soaked up news and events like a sponge. Granddad always had to struggle to get her to spend money, but he went in 1954 and she lived to 89 before passing in 1967. She was actually buried in the dress that she had worn daily for many decades, it was like something from Victorian times. She washed it and probably mended it, but there was no sign of any repairs. Her meals were wonderful yet she bought the cheapest cuts and her veg all came from her own garden. The only seasoning gran bought was salt and pepper, everything else came from fields and woods around their cottage on the N. Staffs/Cheshire border.

When she passed away, the cottage was empty of almost anything we use now. There was a Dolly tub and scrubbing board, a mangle and a boiler flued-in to the massive black-leaded fireplace. She had given away or sold a lot of stuff bought for her over the years, except for the 14″ TV that my dad bought her many years before. It used an indoor aerial, but I don’t believe she watched it much.

For all that, she was one of the happiest, most contented people I knew. When I was a nipper and being passed around relatives like a parcel, I loved being there: she would tell me tales of being raised in a Romany van, looking after and riding the horses and touring the country. Sleeping in gran’s feather bed and listening to the old ‘grandmother‘ clock bonging the hours, was just so comforting for a boy with an uncomfortable home.

This is my grandparents, gran in her old frock: the mole on granddad’s left cheek is a family heirloom, many of us have it in the same place. Taken around 1950/51, before granddad had the cancer that took him. 13 children they had – only 8 survived.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

PM the situation you describe, regarding back dated payments, sounds disgraceful. I understand clearly now why they went from DLA (a broken system) to PIP (a system whose breakages they can implement and control). Under DLA and before PIP came in, their own laws stated that each claim should be back dated to the date of the first claim. I was originally helped by a CAB expert: a retired solicitor who had made himself an expert in the field. He told me to photocopy every document I received and every form I filled in, then answer in the same way every time they asked for the same information. I actually scanned and downloaded every document and still have it all on disc and backup. I know that it does not look as if I will need it now, but I do not trust the government – any government – to abide by even their own rules.

There are some proposals I can agree with: eg, Winter Fuel Payments. That was £100 each that helped us at Christmas, but losing it would not make great inroads into our finances. IF – a big IF – it was taken away and the difference given as help to those in real poverty, I would be in favour. However, that is not going to happen, is it? The money will disappear into the Treasury and be swallowed by the black hole that is government (mis) spending. Better to stop paying Overseas Aid to all those countries which either hate us, or spend it on bigger dicator’s palaces and weapons to dominate their own people or their neighbours.

Wow this turned into my second rant of the day here: sorry guys.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Ed I think that situation is a result of the same reaction which makes people empty supermarket shelves of any product(s) said to be in short supply, and leads people to empty their bank accounts in times of severe economic and monetary pressures. ‘We think there’s a train coming, let’s get out of the tunnel!’

The political situation is a really strange one: polls see-sawing, politicos running around like headless chickens. The limited number of the next generation I know around this neck of the woods are divided, but do not seem to get annoyed at each other’s POV like their elders and supposed betters. They don’t like our MP, and a sizeable proportion want change in the way they see the future. I asked about Social Care and one particularly perceptive young lady said “The government needs to look after my gran! And you! And anyway, we will be old someday. If they {gov’t}  get used to treating old people like (carp) how bad will it be by the time we’re your age?”

Out of the mouths of babes….

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

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