Today's FA Cup 4th round is an East Midlands derby. Get your predictions in by 3.30pm.
Good luck

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLY8WEnw/

Is it only me that has problems scanning their Nectar card in Sainsburys? About 9 times in 10 I have to give up trying and hand the card to the checkout person to do it for me.

It's an all Premier League clash for today's 4th round FA Cup tie. Get your predictions in by 7.15pm.
Good luck

A beautiful video and photography to brighten everyone’s day

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLFTSfr7/

Did anyone watching the opening ceremony on tv at lunchtime

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/04/beijing-2022-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony-11-key-moments

I have to admit I hadn’t seen or realised that the government had already made a U turn on the mandatory vaccination for frontline NHS

https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o269

In my opinion despicable but not unexpected as I had always wondered why the date had been sent so far away after the vaccines were in circulation .

Let’s hope they get there in time

Poor little mite

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/04/moroccan-five-year-old-boy-trapped-in-well

I'm very sad to say that Vera died on the 14th. As you probably noticed, there had been no posts from her for a little while and she will be much missed.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/toxic-downing-street-hit-fifth-26137080?__vfz=medium%3Dtray_top_pages

Council tax £150 rebate explained including who qualifies for help as energy bills soar
https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/council-tax-150-rebate-explained-26130044

At last football is back with the 4th round of the FA cup in a Premier League against Championship clash. Get your predictions in by 7.30pm.
Good luck

That’s the choice millions of us already faced, even before today’s catastrophic energy price hike news. [1] Now, we know that from April the average household will be forced to pay an extra £693 a year on their gas and electricity. [2]

The Government knows people can’t afford this. Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, just announced a new loan scheme: £200 off your energy bills - less than half the amount they’ll increase by. And you’ll have to pay it back. [3]
The pressure is mounting. This news is breaking all across the media and people up and down the country are realising what this means for our bills. [5] Together, we can make sure the Chancellor knows how we feel – and that we expect him to do much, much more to help.

So, , will you sign the open letter telling Rishi Sunak that too many of us simply can’t afford this hike – and that he has to do more to tackle rising bills? For every 100 signatures we’ll send an email to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, notifying him.

Why trans women, who are really male, shouldn't be permitted to self identify as women so they can take part in women's sport.
Even Caitlyn Jenner has called out this swimmer saying what they are doing is not fair.
https://www.sportbible.com/australia/news-trans-swimmer-who-broke-records-says-competing-against-women-is-fair-20211210

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/feb/03/boris-johnsons-policy-chief-quits-over-pms-scurrilous-savile-remark It's always heartening to see someone prepared to stand down from a good job as a matter of principle.

later it will be 22 22 2 2 22

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10465155/Thousands-Platinum-Jubbly-memorabilia-feature-misprint.html?fbclid=IwAR3pk_yfV_Di-V340gnnukmuN2yZVVvoF2BgBcGoyYkGMG28q2eiw53DJOw

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/new-highway-code-rules-what-you-need-to-know

I see there are 2 or 3 tents on the central reservation, Wandsworth end of Trinity Road!!, how on earth can these people get away with this??

Just released my latest track! Enjoy! And please drink responsibly.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLNTYjp5/

It’s a Bateleur Eagle

😂😂

Victory!
Our Maida Vale Hero Driver is now free and will not face any charges! So happy for him. A big Thank you to all the people who signed this petition. We did it. Strength in numbers works.
Keep standing up for what you believe in. It makes a difference.
And a huge Thank you to Change.org for an amazing platform.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-60218733

One hour of careful observation by us produced a meagre result, namely 1 Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 very cheeky Robin and 2 Wood Pigeons.
By our standards a poor result but understandable as I had been very remiss in cleaning our feeders and they were in a very sorry state, so Saturday I took them all down, dismantled them and gave them a good clean and disinfectant and filled with fresh seed.
While watching we did see a pair of Red kites on the wing, two huge and magnificent birds.

The games afoot!

When High Tory Andrew Mitchell MP publicly withdrew his support of Boris Johnson this afternoon in the House of Commons debate, that was a sure signal to Conservative members that the revolution is ready.

A new Prime Minister by Easter is getting more likely,

Your thoughts?

It is 6 years today that we lost the best ever broadcaster, Sir Terry Wogan. Lovingly remembered by all who still miss his dulcet tones on Radio 2.

https://mol.im/a/10457923

Veterans find employment in Lorry Driving

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-60140431

Jesus College at Cambridge University are going to remove a statue of Tobias Rustat, who died in the 17th century, because of his links to the slave trade. He actually earned less that 2% of his fortune from slavery and the £2000 donation he made to the college was from money made after he was no longer involved in the slave trade.
At the same time the college have happily accepted donations of £200,000 from the Chinese State and £150,000 from Chinese smartphone company Huawei.
When someone from the college was asked, "aren't you being hypocritical accepting these donations? what about the plight of the Uighers, who are essentially modern day slaves?". The man from the college replied, "The Uighers are below my level of caring".
I really think we should stop wasting our time removing statues of people who died hundreds of years ago, and put more effort into rescuing existing slaves and people in forced labour.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/jesus-college-cambridges-plans-remove-20744583

Does your budgie talk ?
https://tinyurl.com/mrxn3mpy

Following the Government’s shocking decision to approve the use of the banned neonicotinoid thiamethoxam on sugar beet in England, a debate will take place on Wednesday 2nd February to discuss its use and impact on pollinators.



Former Shadow Environment Secretary, Luke Pollard MP has secured a Westminster Hall debate at 0930 on Wednesday 2nd February to challenge the Government decision. This follows over 60,000 signatures from members of the public calling on the Government to include action on pesticides in the recently passed Environment Act, that would have stopped this wildlife harming chemical being used. MPs voted against the inclusion of this amendment.

Buglife and other environmental campaigners will be briefing MPs ahead of the debate. Please ask your MP to attend and speak up in favour of protecting pollinators.

Thank you for standing with me on this issue.

Paul

@adler Cowley -
You may recall that recently I posted to the effect that I had taken a gamble and risked some money on plugin energy saving devices.
All the clever dicks told me that I had been conned, possibly true,
Now while it is early days yet the results from daily readings suggest that I am saving, on average, 1.66Kwh's per day, doesn't sound much but based on my average annual consumption over the last 20 years this will equate to 606Kwh's p.a. or 12.4% which on my present tariff will amount to £121 p.a.
Now I am on a 2 year contract taken out immediately before the price explosion so am already paying far less than most, so hopefully I am not so dumb as the smart "experts" thought. (less)

Drink-driver banned after ‘driving through’ McDonald’s restaurant

Must have mistaken it for a drive through restaurant!

https://www.aol.co.uk/drink-driver-banned-driving-mcdonald-085008926.html

https://tinyurl.com/mvmucb2h

To all fish and chip lovers out there, have you tried the Parade Fish Bar, on Balham High Rd??. If not, I would recommend this shop to you, I have been using it for a long time now, best in the area!!,without a doubt, and NO rip off prices.
Yesterday teatime, my wife and myself ate in there, she had cod, and I had plaice, absolutely delicious, and the shop is run by very friendly people, our food was cooked to order, and served piping hot.
Total cost for 2 excellent meals, a miserly £17!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last few days I have had the pleasure of visitors in the shape of insects I have never seen before. They look crossed between a mosquito, a fly and a very small moth. They hang around lights or well lit areas. They are not very active or fast. Sadly I have taken pleasure in exterminating them with my magic zapper. Though not proud of killing my visitors…
Has anyone seen those? Know what they are?

Many cat trees are advertised for sale as such when in fact they are only suitable for kittens. The size of the beds and platforms are different. Pointless buying a kitten tree that will only be suitable for a short time. Do pay attention to the sizes mentioned. I get offered for my rescued cats unwanted cats trees which are in fact kitten trees and not much use to cats. But most people are not aware. Better off too large than not large enough. Also it is better to buy one which has pillars covered with string/rope rather than partly covered. More likely to get used for scratching. You might waste money unless you acquire a suitable one. Best to get a taller model if there are dogs or small children around. And don’t forget suitable toys and best quality catnip items such as Yeowww bananas. Not to mention best quality food rather than cheap rubbish. Do spoil your kitties. They deserve it!

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tomato-juice#antioxidants

A daily dose of tomato juice is high in nutrients and beneficial to good health.
Fact or fiction ?

I was lucky enough to get to see Dad yesterday in his dementia nursing home. We weren't sure if they had relaxed any rules but happily they are still very careful. The visit includes:
Standing outside and doing a LFT before being able to sign for the visit
Walking outside to the conservatory that had been washed down and prepped , we are not allowed into ANY parts of the care home other than this so do not come into contact with anyone.
Visit undertaken with gloves, masks and aprons
Going out the same way so as not to see anyone from the home.

They are being very careful which I am totally grateful for!

This organisation called my landline this morning. The caller didn't address me by name but introduced himself as Alex from the Medical Alert Service and said that they understood that I might be eligible for a medical alert pendant, free of charge. He then immediately asked if I was over 50, which I didn't answer.
I told him that I had not requested any such call and asked how he had obtained my number. Not satisfied with the assertion that his manager gave him a list of people to call every morning, I asked what name was associated with my number on that list - which he did not answer. I repeated the question, varying the wording slightly, twice but he avoided answering and ended the call.

Does this sound familiar?
If he'd had any form of my name as well as the number, I'd be wondering which of the organisations I'd recently first dealt with might have shared my details.
The lack of a name to go with the number suggests that they might have called me by random dialling, although I didn't notice the characteristic pause before the caller took over from a machine.

Now doubts have been raised about NoVaxx and his convenient positive test

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/59999541

It always seemed damned strange to me

Please sign this petition to save the man who drove into a murderer from being prosecuted

https://www.change.org/p/maida-vale-police-maida-vale-driver-is-a-hero-and-shouldn-t-be-charged-with-murder

An absolute great

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-60154371.amp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59505637.amp

We asked thousands of people: Do You Trust Boris Johnson?

The results are in…

34,612 people completed the poll.

54.5% (18,875) of people said YES.
45.5% (15,737) of people said NO.

from unredacted

And their children. Just to survive

https://news.sky.com/story/amp/afghanistan-parents-sell-children-and-kidneys-to-feed-starving-families-12525919