Watched a bit of a live programme last night on tv then decided to go to bed and watch on tablet.
First part of programme was missing, I wonder how many other things I've watched have had bits missing on I Player.

1. It did originate from a lab, not a live animal market
2. Lockdowns and mask wearing made no difference to the number of cases and deaths.
3. The average age of deaths in the UK was 83. That is higher than normal life expectancy in the UK.
4. There are a million cases currently in the UK, but for most its a mild cold
5. Lockdowns and social distancing has caused kids to lose natural immunity, which has meant a higher number of cases of Flu and Strep A.

In an attempt to simplify and mechanize the cooking process I have bought a 2 drawer programmable air fryer, as seen on TV.
While my searches on-line have produced much data on cooking times and recipes I can find little on food preparation.
Can any kind soul out there offer me a few SIMPLE rules on how to prepare the food for simple meals, what you might call pub grub.
My only real success in this field is sausage toad at which I think I can claim to be a champion, but it gets a bit boring 7 days a week.😊😊

Do those sheets of silver foil to place behind radiators do any good ?

Bedroom curtains overhang radiator a little bit so have been tucking them behind but now they are getting creased up.

This small heater sounds interesting. Read the reviews and see Amazon.
Link -
https://page.buypurecare.com/avoid-huge-gas-bills-this-winter-1-1/?a0v5la7bquf89=a84becf9bff302169ca1e89ba0419c35&uy3ubftvh0u6o8=15e73d61170dd352d98405d43289e67b&cusduxj27i=1406231&xnfrr0ncac=282&zsmoi87pih9=trace-eu.mediago.io&lzzgnpz8d=9220dd482c2a49631b4e66cca9f5f0ee
Amazon -
Enter 'Heater Pro X' in Amazon search

A friend requested a nice looking ornament for garden which one can use as an ashtray. Easy to empty and not costing the earth. Any ideas please.

Are you looking forward to this?

This is a VERY long slideshow of stars and celebrities showing how they were then and how they are now. It will take you a long time to scan them all, if you like the challenge - I spent 30 minutes and then capitulated, but I found it very interesting indeed.
Some of these people look better now than they did then.

https://tinyurl.com/33hk5w85

Yesterday".
My breath`s a little shorter now,
My strength is not so strong,
My step is slow, and faltering,
It`s hard to get along.
My body`s less the straighter now,
My ears will miss your word,
My speech to those around me,
Sometimes will not be heard.
My eyes are dulled of vision now,
My bones all ache with pain,
My skeleton is used away,
But some things still remain.
My memory is young, and bright,
Still vibrant in it`s way,
With brief reminds of history,
That happened, `yesterday`.
For `yesterday`, I fell in love,
And `yesterday`, we kissed,
And `yesterday`, you went away,
Though still today you`re missed.
But `yesterday`, was `years ago`,
That`s what other people say,
But not to me, for in my heart,
Yesterday, was `yesterday`.
xxxx.
Mick.

As more of the household tasks are falling upon me and I am "learning on the job",
coping with the washing machine is one of them.
This week I found, by chance that the machine was sticking on 11 minutes from the end of a wash/dry programme. It had been on all day. My first reaction was to assume that the electronics had failed and to send for an engineer.
Fortunately I remembered the advice that I had given to so many budding photographers over the years, and I read the handbook and I found that with the Drying programme this fault can occur and that the solution is to run the Drum Clean programme on cold which I did and the problem was resolved.
I am reporting this as it illustrates how easy it is to rush into precipitous action, I saved an expensive callout fee with 5 minutes reading.
So remember, When all else fails, read the manual.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63927502 And left many people with substantial financial problems, though I'm sure he's got a very comfortable cushion himself.

Hi-De-Hi actress Ruth Madoc dies aged 79 after accident

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/danniella-westbrook-given-heart-attack-124625357.html

Call an ambulance we are told. Not sure how lucky anyone would be with that.

Glad to have you all here again

https://news.sky.com/story/third-child-dies-from-strep-a-in-a-week-12760187

The tap I had installed in August now wont turn, what can I do ? [ only used it once]
I have messaged the plumber who installed it but he hasn't answered.

It’s bad enough to know someone has broken into your home when you’ve not been there but to hear that armed robbers have broken in knowing your small children were there must be devastating

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63854197

Said to be the alternative John Lewis advert
😢

https://youtu.be/V_KjgSyGhzQ

click on

My understanding (from having once prepared and filed a deed poll for a client) is that one's legal name is whatever one decides it should be. The deed poll doesn't effect any change from one's original name; it's just a useful form of official evidence of that change.
But my credit card issuer has taken it upon itself to rename me, which drives me crazy. They insist on calling me by my first given name and middle initial, rather than the first initial and second given name by which I've been known all my life, supposedly "due to anti money laundering guidelines and fraud prevention measures".
There's no more elementary rudeness than deliberately calling someone by the wrong name. I complained to Sainsbury's Bank that they were miscalling me back in April, when a statement turned up in that wrong form rather than with my initials (which were how the account had been named since I opened it in 1996). It took months and months of complaining about the same problem, compounded by the bank's becoming ever harder to contact by any means (except snail mail, which I refuse to use) as its staffing issues got worse, to get anyone to answer at all. Then they focused on the communications issue, ignored the misnomer and have complacently told me - well after issuing their 'final decision' - that they won't call me by anything but what they consider to be my "proper legal name" ie bloody "Mary".
They must be assuming that there's some legal rule which defines one's "proper legal name" as invariably consisting of one's first given name, the initial(s) of any subsequent given name(s) and then one's family name - but I know of no such legal requirement. I'd surely have heard of one if anyone had tried to impose such a daft definition, not least because lawyers and other City types are particularly prone to using something other than their first given name, often preceded by an initial.
If Sainsbury's Bank won't either concede the point or cite the supposed rule that they're so pig-headedly promulgating in practice, I'll have to complain to the Financial Services Ombudsman about the bank's rudely insisting on calling me by the wrong name. What worse way could there be to waste the FSO's time than the bank's insisting that I go to such a silly-sounding extreme?

Had an email yesterday at 2pm saying my parcel would be delivered between 2.30 and 4.30, waited , never came - no message about delay or cancellation.
Another email today at 2.20pm saying the same delivery times - it's not here, again.
this is the 3rd time had problems with them in the last few weeks.

Read this in Amanda Platell's newspaper column.
A BBC insider has revealed they are working towards "a fully inclusive non-white final of Strictly".
Firstly the comment is contradictary. How can it be inclusive but have no white dancers?
Secondly, saying they are working towards a non white final is admitting they are fixing the results.
Probably explains why Oti Mabuse kept winning every year with help from her big sister Motsi as a judge.

My normally excellent practice has begun filtering requests for GP appointments by asking one first to fill in the eConsult questionnaire, which would be fair enough if it did what it promises and took one on to book an appointment if needed. But it doesn't - at least not from the patient's point of view (perhaps the practice's version works better).
All I got when I'd answered all the questions was a blandly unhelpful screen, telling me that I had to speak to someone today (as if one could achieve that...!). The system didn't even send all that painstakingly completed data to the practice, so that the doctor could use it.

The practice has just won an award for their reception staffing but the silly girl who took my call insisted that she'd fill in the form for me (as if I were incapable of doing it myself, as I made very clear that I am not) and put the 'phone down on me after I told her why that wouldn't work and explained the problems that I'd had using it directly.
Surely patients should be free to point out that there's a problem and ask that the practice staff work around that, rather than the staffer sticking to a script which assumes that everything works and the only problem must be the patient.

what a lovely sight in Upminster this afternoon!!!!

the time taken to take it out of the fridge, get a fork out the draw to pierce the film and get a microwaveable plate out of the cupboard.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63825860

Recently bought some from Amazon and I'm really pleased with them. They have 3 heat settings and can be used as power banks to charge up a mobile phone if needed. I have very poor circulation and they certainly do make a difference to my hands

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/vladimir-putin-falls-down-stairs-28636599

With luck the big C will get him sooner rather than later.

I love having an Urban Bees calendar because it's just so useful to keep by the window. Thanks to last year's one, I'm becoming slowly better at identifying the bees which frequent my garden, and the new one has lots of new pictures to help further. https://www.urbanbees.co.uk/calendar2023/calendar.html

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/world-s-oldest-tortoise-has-seen-off-two-world-wars-and-the-british-empire/ar-AA14P8Cd?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=a421af7d00284a67add5a9fe1dcbf788

This evening the Germany v Costa Rica match was refereed by an all woman team.

This will have been seen world-wide by billions of viewers.

It was a very important game, but the ref and lineswomen were always in control.

They did not wear head-scarves, did wear shorts, and highly competitive men showed full respect.

It's a huge step in the education of male dominated societies.

I bought his excellent lamp from Amazon at around £30 including postage.

It is absolutely fabulous, very attractive, having a folding carrying handle and has a very bright light (3 settings including, high, low and flashing). Lights up an entire room.
It comes supplied with a USB cable which can be either plugged into your computer or a USB power plug (not supplied).
Initially it takes about 5-6 hours to charge on receipt, I used my computer on standby.

Highly recommendable for possible black-outs we may get this Winter due to the energy crisis. I have it in my living room for easy access.

I need a new freezer. Now do I click connection and disconnect for a charge? Or am I able to pull a plug out and plug in to connect.

November 22 at 9:31 PM ·
⚠️🦔⚠️ ATTENTION PEOPLE⚠️🦔⚠️
It is November, the winter hibernation period of Hedgehogs.
If you find a "dead" hedgehog, do not bury it, do not throw it in the trash ... We know that no one wants to see a dead animal in the garden etc , but it could be a hibernating hedgehog.
Hedgehogs hibernate from November to March, usually burrowing for safety, but since we have less green areas, bushes or forests, it is harder to find safety.
Some may come into your homes looking for safety and warmth to hibernate, some are so exhausted from the search that they fall asleep in the strangest of places. When you hibernate, your heart rate and overall body function slows down as a way to conserve energy, which can make it harder to be sure between hibernation and death.
If you see a stationary hedgehog, make sure it is in a safe, warm place where it can stay for up to 5 months.
If you find a disoriented hedgehog in your garden , house or street, put a cardboard box lined with newspaper in a dry, safe and quiet place for him to rest peacefully
Hedgehogs are an endangered species, completely harmless and very important in our ecosystem.
Please be careful and protect the hedgehogs, it costs nothing to help such a fragile animal.
Please don't ignore it!

Wondering when as...

So many Pre-Black Friday offers!

Are all the unbelievable fantastic discounts just that?

Your thoughts...

I need to get a compact bluetooth speaker to go with my laptop, the sound on it is appalling. I don't want anything big and flashy with loads a base, just a nice little speaker so I can hear what's being said.

Any recommendations?

I ordered 2 jumpers from the above, when they came both were much too large so I returned them via the post office, both in the same parcel.
They have credited me with one of them but not the other one and now want proof of purchase, description of item and even a bar code ! - how I am supposed to know that I have no idea.
Let battle commence.

Check your hot water bottles for when they were made!

I didn’t know this until I saw a clip off This Morning - I know we’re all using these more atm because of the heat prices so thought I’d share.

All hot water bottles should have this flower symbol on them. The number in the middle is the year it was made, the flower segments represent the 12 months of the year and the dots inside those represent the number of weeks.

So this one was made the 1st week in June 2019. You’re only meant to keep them ❗️MAX 3 years❗️and then replace as they aren’t safe anymore (looks like I need to get a new one - I thought this was fine too) if your hot water bottle doesn’t have this symbol - get rid asap as it means it’s that old!

A thrilling 0-0 tie!


Friday: The United States squad surprised many by playing to a 0-0 draw with England.
Iran's national soccer team sang along to their national anthem at their second World Cup match against Wales, having refrained from doing so in their opening game in apparent support for protesters back home.

Oh, and by the way: Iran beat Wales 2-0.

And he didn’t win but Hancock really was a disgrace

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFQhMe6y/

It never fails to bring back sentimental memories and great pleasure to listen to the Golden Oldies of yesteryear with the sheer quality, expertise and abundance of the artists we had in those glorious days. Our choice was astronomical.
Today's music and artists ? No contest.

Here is just one of the hundreds of songs that we enjoyed in those days - what is yours ?

https://tinyurl.com/2bzhp8vj

It’s very easy to feel everything in life is deteriorating and we can easily become entrenched in a feeling of hopelessness. So just for a change let’s focus on what’s getting better. ONLY positives allowed on this thread. I’ll kick us off - if you don’t know how to do something there will be someone on YouTube available to show you how.

Thank you so much to the loyal supporters who continue to donate to Beatrice and the Rescue Cats, our local independent one woman heroine, out in all weathers 24/7. The situation has of course become far worse at this current time. Please contact me direct if you would like to help.

Thank you so much to the loyal supporters who continue to donate to Beatrice and the Rescue Cats, our local independent one woman heroine, out in all weathers 24/7. The situation has of course become far worse at this current time. Please contact me direct if you would like to help.

Talking to a friend we were remembering what we used to get but can't anymore,
Sliced tongue, jellied veal and haslet.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/nov/27/matt-hancock-im-a-celebrity-tiktok-votes-jungle 'members of Hancock’s PR team were lobbying for votes on the app – encouraging people to vote for him repeatedly and giving them step-by-step instructions.'

Fgs.

Received today - apologies cannot paste so that links work!





Good afternoon

Thank you for responding to our consultation that took place earlier this year. I am now contactng you to let you know that the Mayor of London has decided to expand the ULEZ to outer London so that it will apply London-wide from 29 August 2023.

This followed a public consultation that took place between 20 May and 29 July 2022. The Mayor’s decision was informed by the consultation responses that we received and other relevant information such as the Integrated Impact Assessment which considered the possible impacts of the proposed expansion. The consultation reports which summarise the issues raised in the consultation and TfL’s response to them can be viewed here.

To support the ULEZ expansion, the Mayor has announced that he is funding a £110m scrappage scheme for Londoners on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, charities, micro businesses and sole traders. The scheme will open on 30 January 2023, but the website has already been updated with some details on what the scheme will look like and who will be eligible to apply.

To help London’s disabled drivers and community transport minibuses run by not- for-profit organisations, the existing exemption periods for these vehicles will extend to October 2027 and October 2025 respectively. There will also be new exemption periods for disabled drivers and wheelchair accessible and adapted vehicles. These will apply from the end of January 2023 until October 2027. For more information please see the TfL website.

Additionally, to maximise the potential benefits of expanding the ULEZ and strengthen alternatives to private cars, the Mayor today announced a plan for improving the bus network in outer London. Two new routes will be introduced in Sutton and in east London, new zero-emission cross-river services will be introduced, subject to consultation, as part of the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel in 2025.

In addition to ULEZ expansion, we also consulted on changing the way Auto Pay works, increasing the level of the penalty charge for non-payment of the ULEZ and the Congestion Charge, and asked for your views on the possible future of road user charging, as well as a revision to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

The Mayor has also decided to:

Remove the annual £10 per vehicle Auto Pay registration fee to make it easier for people with non-compliant vehicles to pay the charge and avoid unnecessary penalty charges
Increase the penalty charge notice for non-payment of the ULEZ and Congestion Charges from £160 to £180 (or £90 if paid within 14 days) to ensure it remains an effective deterrent
The consultation also asked a number of questions about how people felt a future road user charging scheme might work by the end of the decade. The full consultation report details the response to these questions.

The MTS Revision and its post adoption statement, as well as the Integrated Impact Assessment of the proposed revision and the Habitats Regulation Assessment, may be inspected during office hours at TfL’s main office: Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NJ; and at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE. These documents are also available on our website.

If you have any questions about the impacts about any of the information in this email please contact our customer services team.

Kind regards

Christina Calderato
Director of Transport Strategy & Policy
Transport for London

Any power cut in your area yet?

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/nov/26/brexit-britain-japan-trade-deal-exports-slump

I've occasionally heard Radio Four's 'Sliced Bread' (as in, the best thing since sliced bread) in the past but this episode is one that I really wanted to hear, for obvious reasons: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001dxtx#xtor=CS8-1000-[Discovery_Cards]-[Multi_Site]-[GR07]-[PS_SOUNDS~N~~P_SlicedBreadPortableHeaters]

The only portable room heater I own is an ancient (inherited), two-bar radiant electric one, which is probably very power-hungry and inefficient. So, if there were any home gadget that I really want this Christmas, a good modern alternative would probably be it.

Interesting reading.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11462995/Face-face-GP-appointments-highest-level-Covid-nationally.html