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Do as I do – politicalbetting.com

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  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    Leon said:

    Saw these on a Rick Stein-in-Cornwall programme the other day

    Bought one. Hand forged and hand smithed on Bodmin Moor from recycled high-grade car metal (some obscure engine part, I think)

    God's honest truth: this is the best chef's knife I have ever used. Alarmingly sharp. Chops through veg like it is Cornish mist off Carn Brae

    The blade will of course get blunt, and I do not know if I can sharpen it back to its present state. But, its present state is WOW

    https://www.atkinson-art.co.uk/product-category/wolf-dingo-chef-knives-for-valhalla/

    Not sure its going to help you make those flint dildos any quicker....
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,102
    Dura_Ace said:

    TimT said:

    Been comparing the Ukrainian MOD figures for Russian casualties (first number) with the confirmed kills from Oryx (number in parentheses).

    One would certainly expect the numbers of actual casualties to be way higher than the Oryx figure, given each claimed kill there has to have been photographed and identified as a unique vehicle. But what do PBers think: given the lower Oryx figures, are the UkrMOD figures credible?

    UkrMOD/(Oryx)


    Aircraft: 108 (15)
    Helos: 124 (35)

    The Ukrainians are obviously lying for obvious reasons but the aircraft claims are just ridiculous. When you've got one pilot who has claimed more kills in a week than the best three Israeli jet aces got over their entire careers combined you know you're in piss take territory.
    Tell us more about the theory of the "complete pointlessness of British NLAW exports" as expounded by, er, YOU, in late February 2022
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,502
    LD hold in Test Valley, North Baddesley by 64% to 36% over the Tories.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,102

    Leon said:

    Saw these on a Rick Stein-in-Cornwall programme the other day

    Bought one. Hand forged and hand smithed on Bodmin Moor from recycled high-grade car metal (some obscure engine part, I think)

    God's honest truth: this is the best chef's knife I have ever used. Alarmingly sharp. Chops through veg like it is Cornish mist off Carn Brae

    The blade will of course get blunt, and I do not know if I can sharpen it back to its present state. But, its present state is WOW

    https://www.atkinson-art.co.uk/product-category/wolf-dingo-chef-knives-for-valhalla/

    Oh, I'm tempted.

    "some obscure engine part" is one for @Dura_Ace though?
    Try one. They seem to be selling out

    It is the sharpest knife I have ever used. Unbelievably good

    However I emphasise this is when using them fresh out of the box. Can I hone this knife to its original sharpness? We shall see

    Even if I can't, they are beautiful looking things: in a primal, Cornish, Anglo-Celtic Mad Max kinda way, and would make a great and unusual present for a cheffy relative or friend.

    I honestly have no personal commercial interest in this business! Tho I do like the fact this mad bloke hand-hammers these devilish bastards out of recycled car metal atop Bodmin Moor. He's a dude
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,520
    Almost not worth mentioning these days as it's so common, but I've picked up the bug - felt sniffly, shivery and out of sorts all day without it developing into a cold, and someone suggested a test, and lo, two bars. That's probably due to the reception in Westminster on Tuesday - I did wonder whether having 80 unmasked people in a mostly enclosed room was a good idea, but I've got a bit blase about it (I'm sure some here will approve)..

    Irritating, as I had a holiday booked to visit family, and I have to take leave as it expires on March 31 if I don't. A week of poker and computer games is indicated, which I'm sure is Much Less Fun than visiting elderly relatives. That's my story for them, anyway.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,102
    Further information. This is the knife I bought


    https://www.atkinson-art.co.uk/product/kollell-139-not-dead-yet-recycled-high-carbon-steel-cornish-chef-knives-wolf-and-dingo/


    The handle is slightly shorter than I like, tho it balances on a finger in the middle (which is the best test). And the sharpness - as it arrived - is unlike anything I've known. And I have been experimenting with knives and steels for a few years

    I adore the fact it is recycled from car parts. It is a healing thing. We can take trash metal and turn it into something beautiful AND superb, and we can do this on a farm in the bleak wilds of Bodmin Moor. All is not lost
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    edited March 2022
    Leon said:

    Further information. This is the knife I bought


    https://www.atkinson-art.co.uk/product/kollell-139-not-dead-yet-recycled-high-carbon-steel-cornish-chef-knives-wolf-and-dingo/


    The handle is slightly shorter than I like, tho it balances on a finger in the middle (which is the best test). And the sharpness - as it arrived - is unlike anything I've known. And I have been experimenting with knives and steels for a few years

    I adore the fact it is recycled from car parts. It is a healing thing. We can take trash metal and turn it into something beautiful AND superb, and we can do this on a farm in the bleak wilds of Bodmin Moor. All is not lost

    These kind of businesses making bespoke or niche things have been thriving over the past few years as people desire something special among their identikit homes from Ikea. With the squeeze in disposal income, I think it could be very tough times for these kind of people who sell lovely but expensive items.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,502
    South Korea, New Zealand and Australia registering high Covid-19 figures over the last few days.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,102

    Leon said:

    Further information. This is the knife I bought


    https://www.atkinson-art.co.uk/product/kollell-139-not-dead-yet-recycled-high-carbon-steel-cornish-chef-knives-wolf-and-dingo/


    The handle is slightly shorter than I like, tho it balances on a finger in the middle (which is the best test). And the sharpness - as it arrived - is unlike anything I've known. And I have been experimenting with knives and steels for a few years

    I adore the fact it is recycled from car parts. It is a healing thing. We can take trash metal and turn it into something beautiful AND superb, and we can do this on a farm in the bleak wilds of Bodmin Moor. All is not lost

    These kind of businesses making bespoke or niche things have been thriving over the past few years as people desire something special among their identikit homes from Ikea. With the squeeze in disposal income, I think it could be very tough times for these kind of people who sell lovely but expensive items.
    Indeed. Which is why I am more than happy to enthuse about him

    Very pricey, but actually worth the money

    I was making a fish curry a few hours ago, and used this knife for the first time. Nearly cut my bloody thumb off. Phenomenal. Unlike any knife I have used before
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    edited March 2022
    Andy_JS said:

    South Korea, New Zealand and Australia registering high Covid-19 figures over the last few days.

    Reality of the big O, you can't really stop it unless you literally imprison everybody in their homes for weeks on end.

    Even "Gold Standard" South Korea, now 1 in 5 of the population have had COVID....and to think until a couple of months ago basically nobody had there.

    https://news.sky.com/story/south-korea-covid-19-cases-hit-10m-leaving-crematoriums-and-funeral-homes-struggling-to-cope-12573261
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,040

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    edited March 2022
    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    I have a teacher friend who never stopped in person teaching throughout the pandemic and their own kids have had COVID twice. Still not had it.

    I so far have managed to dodge the bullet, but then I worked from home until end of last year (and still work from home quite a bit), so does Mrs U, and we don't have kids.
  • SeaShantyIrish2SeaShantyIrish2 Posts: 17,559
    Saddened that Leon is now flogging knives on the internet. Surely things aren't THAT desperate?

    Ginsu Knife Special
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wzULnlHr8w

    My favorite TV knife commercials, are the hour info-mercials airing 3am or thereabouts, where you can buy a hundred or so knives of various types and sizes and all garbage:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGHYhEjrZo0
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,102
    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 13,464
    *Spring Statement
    Is the freezing of the pension pot cap and the fact 1.6 million now get caught by pension stealth tax as inflation drags them into governments 55% withdraw band, an example of “drag economics” PB grinders warned us about yesterday?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    edited March 2022
    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,102
    edited March 2022

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836
    edited March 2022
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    I think you are right. I am not exactly going to go around hunting out every ill looking person on public transport asking them do they mind coughing my direction, but I am now at the stage where I wouldn't be unhappy if I could get it out the way.
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 13,464

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    I think you are right. I am not exactly going to go around hunting out every ill looking person on public transport asking them do they mind coughing my direction, but I am now at the stage where I wouldn't be unhappy if I could get it out the way.
    “Silly Leg” Francis? Are you still posting here after you spoiled everyone’s fun today 😧
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 13,464
    Kate looking absolutely magisterial on front of the Peoples Paper

    image
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,502
    City of London held its election yesterday.

    Results:
    https://www.agrayarea.info/cityoflondon2022.pdf
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,836

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    I think you are right. I am not exactly going to go around hunting out every ill looking person on public transport asking them do they mind coughing my direction, but I am now at the stage where I wouldn't be unhappy if I could get it out the way.
    “Silly Leg” Francis? Are you still posting here after you spoiled everyone’s fun today 😧
    If I understood a single word of that I might be able to reply.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,777
    Fishing said:

    kle4 said:

    Fishing said:

    The government rarely breaks its own laws and publicly admits it.

    Far more often, however, it conducts pointless consultations to rubber-stamp foregone conclusions. Having worked in government for many years I've seen more than my fair share of those. I can certainly understand the management's impatience with them, however much lawyers love them.

    They are usually rubber stamping, yes, but like justice needing to be seen to be done, it is important for decision makers to prove they follow correct processes. It at least gives the possibility of catching errors and changing tune, and that possibilitu cannot be discounted as worthless.
    It is not worthless, but on the other hand consultation is not costless either. Where the right dividing line is, is of course a matter of opinion.

    I can see why government decisions should be subject to consultation, because the government has no profit incentive to get the answer right in the way that the private sector does, and has powers of compulsion that businesses do not have.

    But management should be allowed to manage, with the bottom line the judge of whether or not the decision was correct.
    The dividing line is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of law.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,468
    Pete Buttigieg (translates as chicken owner/farmer) do something too?
    Andy_JS said:

    Tonight is chicken night. Eve Chicken was elected in Northumberland, and the successful Labour candidate in Thanet owns chickens according to her Twitter feed.

    On that note, good night PB.

  • TazTaz Posts: 14,329
    TimT said:

    Pete Buttigieg (translates as chicken owner/farmer) do something too?

    Andy_JS said:

    Tonight is chicken night. Eve Chicken was elected in Northumberland, and the successful Labour candidate in Thanet owns chickens according to her Twitter feed.

    On that note, good night PB.

    https://youtu.be/EqaGwaOCEz8
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,164
    dixiedean said:

    Good Tory hold in Seghill and Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. Tories hold their Majority on the council. Well done for Stodge and dixiedean for calling it.

    Labour certainly has major issues at a local level in Blyth Valley constituency which was apparent last year. Labour also got 73% in this ward in 2013.

    The Budget clearly a disaster in northern red wa...hang on, that can't be right.....
    If you think Seghill is the Red Wall you clearly haven't visited recently.
    Either way the swing is very clear. Also shows the wobbly thinking there is about what the 'Redwall' means. It was never thousands of benefit claimants, etc suddenly voting Tory. It was more the lower m/c in parts of the north and Midlands voting Tory as their counterparts, in eg, the Medway towns have been doing for the past 10years or so. Of course there has veen some swing back in the past year or so generally and many of the seats could revert to Labour still. I actually doubt if it will be all of them but 2 years out from a GE none of us really know.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,485
    edited March 2022
    I have no idea if this is Russians, Ukrainians or is from another conflict altogether: but the following is jaw-dropping, funny and potentially tragic:

    https://twitter.com/Stuckvisor/status/1507137154065088518
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,329
    edited March 2022
    felix said:

    dixiedean said:

    Good Tory hold in Seghill and Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. Tories hold their Majority on the council. Well done for Stodge and dixiedean for calling it.

    Labour certainly has major issues at a local level in Blyth Valley constituency which was apparent last year. Labour also got 73% in this ward in 2013.

    The Budget clearly a disaster in northern red wa...hang on, that can't be right.....
    If you think Seghill is the Red Wall you clearly haven't visited recently.
    Either way the swing is very clear. Also shows the wobbly thinking there is about what the 'Redwall' means. It was never thousands of benefit claimants, etc suddenly voting Tory. It was more the lower m/c in parts of the north and Midlands voting Tory as their counterparts, in eg, the Medway towns have been doing for the past 10years or so. Of course there has veen some swing back in the past year or so generally and many of the seats could revert to Labour still. I actually doubt if it will be all of them but 2 years out from a GE none of us really know.
    As I said yesterday, knowing this area reasonably well, the surprise for me is that this area was staunch labour for so long. Although dixiedean is quite right this is not what you would call archetypal red wall it was still labour a few years back. I expect some seats will swing back to labour but others will keep trending Tory as they have been doing for several elections.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,164
    Taz said:

    felix said:

    dixiedean said:

    Good Tory hold in Seghill and Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. Tories hold their Majority on the council. Well done for Stodge and dixiedean for calling it.

    Labour certainly has major issues at a local level in Blyth Valley constituency which was apparent last year. Labour also got 73% in this ward in 2013.

    The Budget clearly a disaster in northern red wa...hang on, that can't be right.....
    If you think Seghill is the Red Wall you clearly haven't visited recently.
    Either way the swing is very clear. Also shows the wobbly thinking there is about what the 'Redwall' means. It was never thousands of benefit claimants, etc suddenly voting Tory. It was more the lower m/c in parts of the north and Midlands voting Tory as their counterparts, in eg, the Medway towns have been doing for the past 10years or so. Of course there has veen some swing back in the past year or so generally and many of the seats could revert to Labour still. I actually doubt if it will be all of them but 2 years out from a GE none of us really know.
    As I said yesterday, knowing this area reasonably well, the surprise for me is that this area was staunch labour for so long. Although dixiedean is quite right this is not what you would call archetypal red wall it was still labour a few years back. I expect some seats will swing back to labour but others will keep trending Tory as they have been doing for several elections.
    Very much like my home town of Sunderland - almost the whole town went Labour - even the leafiest and poshest wards for several years. Over the past few years slowly they have moved back into the blue camp - as a result in 2019 all 3 Sunderland seats moved back into marginal territory. I should think they are now safe Labour again although Sunderland Central will still have a good Conservative showing. I taught in Dartford for many years - a Labour seat after 1997 but the whole north Kent area is now packed with lower m/c safe blue seats. In many ways much of the north-east is similar outside the urban Newcastle zone and will remain susceptible to the blues if the political climate changes again. Too many on here don't really understand the 'redwall' mentality at all.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,485
    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    Our Little 'un got it at the beginning of February. A tiny sniffle was the only symptom (the day before he tested positive, he got his fastest time on Junior Parkrun, which shows how ill he was).

    So we were exposed to Covid. Three days later, I felt really bad. The next day, Mrs J did. We had three or four days of feeling a little ill - headaches, sore throats - but we tested negative throughout.

    I've no doubt it was Covid, but am curious as to why we both tested negative. Or was it just Covanoia?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    Our Little 'un got it at the beginning of February. A tiny sniffle was the only symptom (the day before he tested positive, he got his fastest time on Junior Parkrun, which shows how ill he was).

    So we were exposed to Covid. Three days later, I felt really bad. The next day, Mrs J did. We had three or four days of feeling a little ill - headaches, sore throats - but we tested negative throughout.

    I've no doubt it was Covid, but am curious as to why we both tested negative. Or was it just Covanoia?
    I don’t know, not being a scientist.

    If it had just been me, I would have assumed I did the test wrong. I have a terrible gag reflex and trying to rub something on my tonsils is impossible.

    But my sister, who trained as a lab assistant even if she is now a civil servant, also tested negative when all her family had it and she was showing strong symptoms.

    So I am assuming she and I have some peculiarity that means for whatever reason the test can’t pick up the virus from us.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677
    edited March 2022

    I have no idea if this is Russians, Ukrainians or is from another conflict altogether: but the following is jaw-dropping, funny and potentially tragic:

    https://twitter.com/Stuckvisor/status/1507137154065088518

    It's obviously not ideal but possibly not as dangerous as it looks. HE rounds are usually fuzed by undergoing forces in magnitude and sequence consistent with being fired from gun - set back, spin and creep. Or maybe it's all on an app or in the cloud these days.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,577
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    Our Little 'un got it at the beginning of February. A tiny sniffle was the only symptom (the day before he tested positive, he got his fastest time on Junior Parkrun, which shows how ill he was).

    So we were exposed to Covid. Three days later, I felt really bad. The next day, Mrs J did. We had three or four days of feeling a little ill - headaches, sore throats - but we tested negative throughout.

    I've no doubt it was Covid, but am curious as to why we both tested negative. Or was it just Covanoia?
    I don’t know, not being a scientist.

    If it had just been me, I would have assumed I did the test wrong. I have a terrible gag reflex and trying to rub something on my tonsils is impossible.

    But my sister, who trained as a lab assistant even if she is now a civil servant, also tested negative when all her family had it and she was showing strong symptoms.

    So I am assuming she and I have some peculiarity that means for whatever reason the test can’t pick up the virus from us.
    Fox jr2 had it in January, but completely negative on LFT every day, then as classic symptoms got a PCR and was positive. I have known a few others the same. I would only count it as definitely negative if testing with both LFT and PCR was negative and both in a timely fashion.

    It is also possible to test for viral antibodies which are distinct from vaccine antibodies, but only really done for epidemiological research. As official policy is to now ignore it and hope it goes away I don't think much testing in the future.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,485
    Dura_Ace said:

    I have no idea if this is Russians, Ukrainians or is from another conflict altogether: but the following is jaw-dropping, funny and potentially tragic:

    https://twitter.com/Stuckvisor/status/1507137154065088518

    It's obviously not ideal but possibly not as dangerous as it looks. HE rounds are usually fuzed by undergoing forces in magnitude and sequence consistent with being fired from gun - set back, spin and creep. Or maybe it's all on an app or in the cloud these days.
    Well, considering one want bang (perhaps not main charge), I'd argue it was as dangerous as it looks ...
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492
    Dura_Ace said:

    I have no idea if this is Russians, Ukrainians or is from another conflict altogether: but the following is jaw-dropping, funny and potentially tragic:

    https://twitter.com/Stuckvisor/status/1507137154065088518

    It's obviously not ideal but possibly not as dangerous as it looks. HE rounds are usually fuzed by undergoing forces in magnitude and sequence consistent with being fired from gun - set back, spin and creep. Or maybe it's all on an app or in the cloud these days.
    Did you watch the whole video? including the bit where one of the shells exploded?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,485
    Dura_Ace said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    I have no idea if this is Russians, Ukrainians or is from another conflict altogether: but the following is jaw-dropping, funny and potentially tragic:

    https://twitter.com/Stuckvisor/status/1507137154065088518

    It's obviously not ideal but possibly not as dangerous as it looks. HE rounds are usually fuzed by undergoing forces in magnitude and sequence consistent with being fired from gun - set back, spin and creep. Or maybe it's all on an app or in the cloud these days.
    Well, considering one want bang (perhaps not main charge), I'd argue it was as dangerous as it looks ...
    Yeah, I'm not your guy if you want a dispassionate evaluation of relative danger.
    Genuine LOL. :)

    In Cambridge, there is a set of rollers near the millpond that allows punts to be moved down to the middle river. I once tried standing on one as it went down the rollers, with the obvious result.

    I can imagine you doing a Slim Pickens on one of those shells...
  • StockyStocky Posts: 10,193
    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I may be a weirdo. Never had it (neither has any of my immediate family).
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340
    Foxy said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    Our Little 'un got it at the beginning of February. A tiny sniffle was the only symptom (the day before he tested positive, he got his fastest time on Junior Parkrun, which shows how ill he was).

    So we were exposed to Covid. Three days later, I felt really bad. The next day, Mrs J did. We had three or four days of feeling a little ill - headaches, sore throats - but we tested negative throughout.

    I've no doubt it was Covid, but am curious as to why we both tested negative. Or was it just Covanoia?
    I don’t know, not being a scientist.

    If it had just been me, I would have assumed I did the test wrong. I have a terrible gag reflex and trying to rub something on my tonsils is impossible.

    But my sister, who trained as a lab assistant even if she is now a civil servant, also tested negative when all her family had it and she was showing strong symptoms.

    So I am assuming she and I have some peculiarity that means for whatever reason the test can’t pick up the virus from us.
    Fox jr2 had it in January, but completely negative on LFT every day, then as classic symptoms got a PCR and was positive. I have known a few others the same. I would only count it as definitely negative if testing with both LFT and PCR was negative and both in a timely fashion.

    It is also possible to test for viral antibodies which are distinct from vaccine antibodies, but only really done for epidemiological research. As official policy is to now ignore it and hope it goes away I don't think much testing in the future.
    We were both negative on LFTs and PCRs. So even that doesn’t work.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,485
    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Putin, your boys took a hell of a Beatty-ing?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,404
    Mornin' As my MP, Ms Patel would say! Ms Cycefree, as you indicate, a contemptible state of affairs.

    I am NOT going to discuss the header, or my health. I'm going to be positive. Mrs C and I went out for a meal last night at a local pub; very pleasant, and to my amazement an excellent glass of a very smooth Merlot. Mrs C had a very good Pinot Grigio.
    They weren't particularly expensive, either!

    I wonder, has Greene King got a new wine buyer?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,486

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    A 'Lt General' even more impressive if accurate.
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
    Hope you're keeping well. All a bit mad at this end.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492
    edited March 2022

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

    9 generals arrested? I had heads of one, supposedly under house arrest, but not 9 do we know who/why they were arrested?

    P.S. the navy captain, was a 'Captain first class' which in the UK and most other navy's would be a Commodore.

    P.P.S I understand there have been one Lt Colonel captured also, that perhaps should make it to the list.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,486

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    LibDems, this is what a decapitation strategy looks like....
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
    Hope you're keeping well. All a bit mad at this end.
    Not too bad thanks, if I ignore the upcoming trip to hospital. During the Easter holiday though, so no need to set cover.

    We are also preparing for a major software change at school; to my slightly cynical eyes it’s seems to be going as well as I thought it would…
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    BigRich said:

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

    9 generals arrested? I had heads of one, supposedly under house arrest, but not 9 do we know who/why they were arrested?

    P.S. the navy captain, was a 'Captain first class' which in the UK and most other navy's would be a Commodore.

    P.P.S I understand there have been one Lt Colonel captured also, that perhaps should make it to the list.
    Plus (according to one report I saw) one colonel run over by a tank driven by a disgruntled subordinate. He survived as it only went over his legs.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
    Hope you're keeping well. All a bit mad at this end.
    Not too bad thanks, if I ignore the upcoming trip to hospital. During the Easter holiday though, so no need to set cover.

    We are also preparing for a major software change at school; to my slightly cynical eyes it’s seems to be going as well as I thought it would…
    I've just had fun and games with the SIMS iPad app. It decided to scramble all my data after I entered it and I do not know why. Caused endless trouble.

    Not that the data based as it is on OFQUAL approved assessments would tell anyone much to be fair, but when I'm uploading nonsense I prefer it to be accurate nonsense.
  • ClippPClippP Posts: 1,900

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    LibDems, this is what a decapitation strategy looks like....
    OK, Mr Mark. Next time we will do better......
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340
    edited March 2022
    BigRich said:

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

    9 generals arrested? I had heads of one, supposedly under house arrest, but not 9 do we know who/why they were arrested?

    P.S. the navy captain, was a 'Captain first class' which in the UK and most other navy's would be a Commodore.

    P.P.S I understand there have been one Lt Colonel captured also, that perhaps should make it to the list.
    Just one? Unambitious. Putin seems to be trying to get heads of many.

    (I hope you will forgive me that one...especially as autocorrect tried to make 'unambitious' into 'unambiguous' for reasons that defy logic.)
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
    Hope you're keeping well. All a bit mad at this end.
    Not too bad thanks, if I ignore the upcoming trip to hospital. During the Easter holiday though, so no need to set cover.

    We are also preparing for a major software change at school; to my slightly cynical eyes it’s seems to be going as well as I thought it would…
    I've just had fun and games with the SIMS iPad app. It decided to scramble all my data after I entered it and I do not know why. Caused endless trouble.

    Not that the data based as it is on OFQUAL approved assessments would tell anyone much to be fair, but when I'm uploading nonsense I prefer it to be accurate nonsense.
    When that app works it is great as I don’t have to lug my laptop around the school, but it’s been playing up badly for me too this last week.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,340

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
    Hope you're keeping well. All a bit mad at this end.
    Not too bad thanks, if I ignore the upcoming trip to hospital. During the Easter holiday though, so no need to set cover.

    We are also preparing for a major software change at school; to my slightly cynical eyes it’s seems to be going as well as I thought it would…
    I've just had fun and games with the SIMS iPad app. It decided to scramble all my data after I entered it and I do not know why. Caused endless trouble.

    Not that the data based as it is on OFQUAL approved assessments would tell anyone much to be fair, but when I'm uploading nonsense I prefer it to be accurate nonsense.
    When that app works it is great as I don’t have to lug my laptop around the school, but it’s been playing up badly for me too this last week.
    That's a real relief. I thought it was just me and I must have screwed up somehow!
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 10,975

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    I have a teacher friend who never stopped in person teaching throughout the pandemic and their own kids have had COVID twice. Still not had it.

    I so far have managed to dodge the bullet, but then I worked from home until end of last year (and still work from home quite a bit), so does Mrs U, and we don't have kids.
    I’ve not (knowingly) had it. At the other extreme, I know someone on their fourth go!
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,577
    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    Foxy said:

    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.

    Hitting something with gamma radiation does not make it radioactive…

    I assume they mean it was contaminated with a gamma emitter.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,486
    BigRich said:

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

    9 generals arrested? I had heads of one, supposedly under house arrest, but not 9 do we know who/why they were arrested?

    P.S. the navy captain, was a 'Captain first class' which in the UK and most other navy's would be a Commodore.

    P.P.S I understand there have been one Lt Colonel captured also, that perhaps should make it to the list.
    No more detail than this list. Could be Ukrainian's keeping count - or maybe the Americans. Perhaps even a Moscow whistleblower - the UK/US have been very well informed on Russian internal decision making. Could be it is just the number of Russian generals that have stopped feeding them information....

    I had heard that the Russian comms system stopped working in Ukraine when they took out the relay towers. D'oh!

    "Lessons will be learnt" as they say. First lesson: don't invade your neighbours, unless you have 10 times the number of body-bags planned.
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    Despite everyone around me (literally) going down with it, I am so far officially free of it (as in, consistently tested negative).

    In the real world, I’ve had it twice. Wasn’t especially ill on either occasion, but on the second it was bad enough to keep me off school for three days even after a negative test - more days than I’ve had off ill in the whole of the rest of my career.
    I remember being that young.
    These days I’m doing well if I go half a term without being off that much.
    Hope you're keeping well. All a bit mad at this end.
    Not too bad thanks, if I ignore the upcoming trip to hospital. During the Easter holiday though, so no need to set cover.

    We are also preparing for a major software change at school; to my slightly cynical eyes it’s seems to be going as well as I thought it would…
    I've just had fun and games with the SIMS iPad app. It decided to scramble all my data after I entered it and I do not know why. Caused endless trouble.

    Not that the data based as it is on OFQUAL approved assessments would tell anyone much to be fair, but when I'm uploading nonsense I prefer it to be accurate nonsense.
    When that app works it is great as I don’t have to lug my laptop around the school, but it’s been playing up badly for me too this last week.
    That's a real relief. I thought it was just me and I must have screwed up somehow!
    Anything to do with SIMS and the odds are that the software has gone haywire rather than user error.

    Next term I should be able to tell you if other programs are different.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,486
    Eabhal said:

    Heading up to Assynt/Fisherfield/Torridon.

    Incredible forecast. Life is good.

    https://www.mwis.org.uk/forecasts/scottish/the-northwest-highlands

    Heavenly. You lucky so and so!
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,577

    Foxy said:

    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.

    Hitting something with gamma radiation does not make it radioactive…

    I assume they mean it was contaminated with a gamma emitter.
    Presumably so. It certainly sounds heavily contaminated. The soil probably even more so. I wouldn't want to be in a trench there.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492

    BigRich said:

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

    9 generals arrested? I had heads of one, supposedly under house arrest, but not 9 do we know who/why they were arrested?

    P.S. the navy captain, was a 'Captain first class' which in the UK and most other navy's would be a Commodore.

    P.P.S I understand there have been one Lt Colonel captured also, that perhaps should make it to the list.
    Plus (according to one report I saw) one colonel run over by a tank driven by a disgruntled subordinate. He survived as it only went over his legs.
    I hope that subordinate gets a medal :)
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,485
    Eabhal said:

    Heading up to Assynt/Fisherfield/Torridon.

    Incredible forecast. Life is good.

    https://www.mwis.org.uk/forecasts/scottish/the-northwest-highlands

    So jealous. Have a great time.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,404
    Foxy said:

    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.

    One does wonder about the quality of the Russian military command. Were they like that in WWII. or was it just numbers, and the fact that the Nazi's had 'upset' the locals in every country they visited.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,582
    Nigelb said:

    Farooq said:

    kle4 said:

    I know it was not what I should take away from all this, but Mr Hebblethwaite may just be the most English name I've ever seen.

    I take issue with a part of the final paragraph though. I don't think the outrage is itself faux outrage, it is merely inconsistent and hypocritical outrage given the approach endosed previously.

    "thwaite" is Norse word, meaning "meadow". I don't know who or what a hebble is.
    There is of course a river Hebble in Yorkshire.
    This is why I'm inclined to think that there is more than 1 root/route to hebble. I would imagine that the river is named after roses growing along the bank, rather than its bridge. But I can quite imagine that the the towns are named after the bridge they grew up around.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 11,773
    edited March 2022

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    I have a teacher friend who never stopped in person teaching throughout the pandemic and their own kids have had COVID twice. Still not had it.

    I so far have managed to dodge the bullet, but then I worked from home until end of last year (and still work from home quite a bit), so does Mrs U, and we don't have kids.
    I’ve not (knowingly) had it. At the other extreme, I know someone on their fourth go!
    Not knowingly had it either. A friend was seriously exposed twice and didn't get it.
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    Foxy said:

    Foxy said:

    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.

    Hitting something with gamma radiation does not make it radioactive…

    I assume they mean it was contaminated with a gamma emitter.
    Presumably so. It certainly sounds heavily contaminated. The soil probably even more so. I wouldn't want to be in a trench there.
    Any alpha or beta emitters will be safe assuming the soldiers are all able to avoid getting any soil on their skin, or in their food, or breathing in any dust…
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492
    ydoethur said:

    BigRich said:

    here seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships generals today.”

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507193029064593409

    Career path in the Russian armed forces? He chose....poorly.

    Updated numbers as at 25 March 2022 of Russian officers

    - Min of Defence Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gerasimov MIA;
    - 9 Generals arrested;
    - 8 Generals KIA;
    - 14 Colonels KIA;
    - 15 Lt Colonels KIA; and
    - 1 Navy Captain / Deputy Commander, Black Sea Fleet KIA.

    9 generals arrested? I had heads of one, supposedly under house arrest, but not 9 do we know who/why they were arrested?

    P.S. the navy captain, was a 'Captain first class' which in the UK and most other navy's would be a Commodore.

    P.P.S I understand there have been one Lt Colonel captured also, that perhaps should make it to the list.
    Just one? Unambitious. Putin seems to be trying to get heads of many.

    (I hope you will forgive me that one...especially as autocorrect tried to make 'unambitious' into 'unambiguous' for reasons that defy logic.)
    LOL There is nothing to forgive, I do laugh at my own mistakes, and would be disappointed if others felt they could not join in, at least when its funny!!!!

    I would also love to know more about the arrested Generals
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,486

    Mornin' As my MP, Ms Patel would say! Ms Cycefree, as you indicate, a contemptible state of affairs.

    I am NOT going to discuss the header, or my health. I'm going to be positive. Mrs C and I went out for a meal last night at a local pub; very pleasant, and to my amazement an excellent glass of a very smooth Merlot. Mrs C had a very good Pinot Grigio.
    They weren't particularly expensive, either!

    I wonder, has Greene King got a new wine buyer?

    Or perhaps your good lady is doing some consultancy for them, on the quiet? "Oh, he'll like this Merlot...."
  • HeathenerHeathener Posts: 7,084
    edited March 2022

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    I have a teacher friend who never stopped in person teaching throughout the pandemic and their own kids have had COVID twice. Still not had it.

    I so far have managed to dodge the bullet, but then I worked from home until end of last year (and still work from home quite a bit), so does Mrs U, and we don't have kids.
    I’ve not (knowingly) had it. At the other extreme, I know someone on their fourth go!
    Me neither despite people around me getting it. I'm very careful and always wear a mask in shops and use my stick to keep people at a safer distance*.

    But it only takes one slip up I guess. I really don't want to get it for health reasons. Nasty virus which is spreading fast again in the UK and hospital admissions are rising. The Government have this appallingly wrong.

    (*NB Boulay I don't hit them with it, I use it as a safe distancing device.)
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,404
    kjh said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    I have a teacher friend who never stopped in person teaching throughout the pandemic and their own kids have had COVID twice. Still not had it.

    I so far have managed to dodge the bullet, but then I worked from home until end of last year (and still work from home quite a bit), so does Mrs U, and we don't have kids.
    I’ve not (knowingly) had it. At the other extreme, I know someone on their fourth go!
    Not knowingly had it either.
    After your hospital trip, too. Hospitals are a notorious source of infection. Captain Sir Tom is an example!
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,606

    Foxy said:

    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.

    Hitting something with gamma radiation does not make it radioactive…

    I assume they mean it was contaminated with a gamma emitter.
    I saw a documentary, exposure to high level of gamma radiation turns people into the Hulk. A Russian division populated by Hulk like soldiers could turn the tide, Cunning.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,582
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Saw these on a Rick Stein-in-Cornwall programme the other day

    Bought one. Hand forged and hand smithed on Bodmin Moor from recycled high-grade car metal (some obscure engine part, I think)

    God's honest truth: this is the best chef's knife I have ever used. Alarmingly sharp. Chops through veg like it is Cornish mist off Carn Brae

    The blade will of course get blunt, and I do not know if I can sharpen it back to its present state. But, its present state is WOW

    https://www.atkinson-art.co.uk/product-category/wolf-dingo-chef-knives-for-valhalla/

    Oh, I'm tempted.

    "some obscure engine part" is one for @Dura_Ace though?
    Try one. They seem to be selling out

    It is the sharpest knife I have ever used. Unbelievably good

    However I emphasise this is when using them fresh out of the box. Can I hone this knife to its original sharpness? We shall see

    Even if I can't, they are beautiful looking things: in a primal, Cornish, Anglo-Celtic Mad Max kinda way, and would make a great and unusual present for a cheffy relative or friend.

    I honestly have no personal commercial interest in this business! Tho I do like the fact this mad bloke hand-hammers these devilish bastards out of recycled car metal atop Bodmin Moor. He's a dude
    Might I suggest. https://knifesharp.co.uk/
  • HeathenerHeathener Posts: 7,084
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    There is no need whatsoever for this complacent approach.

    We should continue to be cautious, mitigate its spread and protect the vulnerable.

    Otherwise we will continue to cause needless deaths, which doesn't bother capitalists but does concern those of us with a heart and soul.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,404

    Mornin' As my MP, Ms Patel would say! Ms Cycefree, as you indicate, a contemptible state of affairs.

    I am NOT going to discuss the header, or my health. I'm going to be positive. Mrs C and I went out for a meal last night at a local pub; very pleasant, and to my amazement an excellent glass of a very smooth Merlot. Mrs C had a very good Pinot Grigio.
    They weren't particularly expensive, either!

    I wonder, has Greene King got a new wine buyer?

    Or perhaps your good lady is doing some consultancy for them, on the quiet? "Oh, he'll like this Merlot...."
    Liked, and the thought, but not unless she's got a secret stash of cash I don't know about. Always says what I earn is ours, what she she earns is hers.
  • Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,284
    Heathener said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    There is no need whatsoever for this complacent approach.

    We should continue to be cautious, mitigate its spread and protect the vulnerable.

    Otherwise we will continue to cause needless deaths, which doesn't bother capitalists but does concern those of us with a heart and soul.
    “Capitalists”? What is this, 1950s Moscow?
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,329
    felix said:

    Taz said:

    felix said:

    dixiedean said:

    Good Tory hold in Seghill and Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. Tories hold their Majority on the council. Well done for Stodge and dixiedean for calling it.

    Labour certainly has major issues at a local level in Blyth Valley constituency which was apparent last year. Labour also got 73% in this ward in 2013.

    The Budget clearly a disaster in northern red wa...hang on, that can't be right.....
    If you think Seghill is the Red Wall you clearly haven't visited recently.
    Either way the swing is very clear. Also shows the wobbly thinking there is about what the 'Redwall' means. It was never thousands of benefit claimants, etc suddenly voting Tory. It was more the lower m/c in parts of the north and Midlands voting Tory as their counterparts, in eg, the Medway towns have been doing for the past 10years or so. Of course there has veen some swing back in the past year or so generally and many of the seats could revert to Labour still. I actually doubt if it will be all of them but 2 years out from a GE none of us really know.
    As I said yesterday, knowing this area reasonably well, the surprise for me is that this area was staunch labour for so long. Although dixiedean is quite right this is not what you would call archetypal red wall it was still labour a few years back. I expect some seats will swing back to labour but others will keep trending Tory as they have been doing for several elections.
    Very much like my home town of Sunderland - almost the whole town went Labour - even the leafiest and poshest wards for several years. Over the past few years slowly they have moved back into the blue camp - as a result in 2019 all 3 Sunderland seats moved back into marginal territory. I should think they are now safe Labour again although Sunderland Central will still have a good Conservative showing. I taught in Dartford for many years - a Labour seat after 1997 but the whole north Kent area is now packed with lower m/c safe blue seats. In many ways much of the north-east is similar outside the urban Newcastle zone and will remain susceptible to the blues if the political climate changes again. Too many on here don't really understand the 'redwall' mentality at all.
    Ah, right, I didn’t realise you’re a Mackem. You’re right. People think these red wall seats are all grinding poverty and back to back terraces. Sunderland has some lovely areas which if they were where you are now would be rock solid Tory.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,404

    I don't know what P&O Ferries expect as fallout for their decision, but I've just cancelled a booking I had with them for late June. I've lost 15% of the fare and rebooked with Stena for a shorter crossing with more driving. Looking at reviews of Stena by staff, they seem on the whole fairly happy with Stena.

    It's a very poor situation where mainly Filipino seafarers can be made to work for less than half of our minimum wage, a long way from home, in conditions totally dominated by their employers. There is also the safety issue of long hours working for a company comfortable with breaking the law, relying on safety inspections from countries like Cyprus. Notably P&O have not sacked Netherlands or French staff.

    I am not at all confident that P&O Ferries will even be trading by June after this disastrous decision, which is another consideration customers need to think about.

    I know they are separate companies, but I wonder if the directors of the cruise line are getting worried.
  • state_go_awaystate_go_away Posts: 5,808
    Andy_JS said:

    City of London held its election yesterday.

    Results:
    https://www.agrayarea.info/cityoflondon2022.pdf

    Thanks - I would have missed that and I love quirky elections and admin!
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,404
    Taz said:

    felix said:

    Taz said:

    felix said:

    dixiedean said:

    Good Tory hold in Seghill and Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. Tories hold their Majority on the council. Well done for Stodge and dixiedean for calling it.

    Labour certainly has major issues at a local level in Blyth Valley constituency which was apparent last year. Labour also got 73% in this ward in 2013.

    The Budget clearly a disaster in northern red wa...hang on, that can't be right.....
    If you think Seghill is the Red Wall you clearly haven't visited recently.
    Either way the swing is very clear. Also shows the wobbly thinking there is about what the 'Redwall' means. It was never thousands of benefit claimants, etc suddenly voting Tory. It was more the lower m/c in parts of the north and Midlands voting Tory as their counterparts, in eg, the Medway towns have been doing for the past 10years or so. Of course there has veen some swing back in the past year or so generally and many of the seats could revert to Labour still. I actually doubt if it will be all of them but 2 years out from a GE none of us really know.
    As I said yesterday, knowing this area reasonably well, the surprise for me is that this area was staunch labour for so long. Although dixiedean is quite right this is not what you would call archetypal red wall it was still labour a few years back. I expect some seats will swing back to labour but others will keep trending Tory as they have been doing for several elections.
    Very much like my home town of Sunderland - almost the whole town went Labour - even the leafiest and poshest wards for several years. Over the past few years slowly they have moved back into the blue camp - as a result in 2019 all 3 Sunderland seats moved back into marginal territory. I should think they are now safe Labour again although Sunderland Central will still have a good Conservative showing. I taught in Dartford for many years - a Labour seat after 1997 but the whole north Kent area is now packed with lower m/c safe blue seats. In many ways much of the north-east is similar outside the urban Newcastle zone and will remain susceptible to the blues if the political climate changes again. Too many on here don't really understand the 'redwall' mentality at all.
    Ah, right, I didn’t realise you’re a Mackem. You’re right. People think these red wall seats are all grinding poverty and back to back terraces. Sunderland has some lovely areas which if they were where you are now would be rock solid Tory.
    Fulwell, and other areas North of Roker, if memory serves.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,577
    Some people are just lucky I think. Fox jr1 has never had it, despite working throughout from the office, and going to football stadia unmasked. Neither has his other half who works as a teaching assistant.

    Despite measures still being in place at work, it is pretty rampant. About 25% of hospital patients with it catch it after admission, and staff are constantly coming down with it. Indeed I am covering again for a colleague who got it yesterday.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 11,773

    kjh said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    I have a teacher friend who never stopped in person teaching throughout the pandemic and their own kids have had COVID twice. Still not had it.

    I so far have managed to dodge the bullet, but then I worked from home until end of last year (and still work from home quite a bit), so does Mrs U, and we don't have kids.
    I’ve not (knowingly) had it. At the other extreme, I know someone on their fourth go!
    Not knowingly had it either.
    After your hospital trip, too. Hospitals are a notorious source of infection. Captain Sir Tom is an example!
    Yep and I travelled during the peak as well. 3 trips to Europe, eating out every night.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,486
    Jonathan said:

    Foxy said:

    This really doesn't sound very clever.

    https://twitter.com/MrKovalenko/status/1507200151689084931?t=iiyjJaxrPJCzDRYJ5D0YxA&s=19

    One more sign that #Russian generals throw #soldiers in war as a cannon fodder: they dig trenches and build fortifications in extremely #radioactive Red Forest near #Chernobyl #nuclear power plant. Source: Olexander Syrota, head of Ukrainian Exclusion Zone agency. [Thread⬇️] https://t.co/rtDupmsEK2

    [2] Due to the #Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986, the 10 sq. km forest was hit with Gamma #radiation. The pine trees changed color to red. The forest still produces lethal doses of 500+ Millirems/hour. Healthy limit is 1,000/year. 3+ days in there & Rus. soldiers may get sick & die.

    Hitting something with gamma radiation does not make it radioactive…

    I assume they mean it was contaminated with a gamma emitter.
    I saw a documentary, exposure to high level of gamma radiation turns people into the Hulk. A Russian division populated by Hulk like soldiers could turn the tide, Cunning.
    Ah, but the Ukrainians had a research facility shared with the Yanks, where soldiers were bitten by radioactive spiders. That's why the Russians have to level all the buildings as they go forward - to stop them sneaky Ukrainians using spidy-webs....

    I read about it on Twitter.
  • state_go_awaystate_go_away Posts: 5,808
    Foxy said:

    Some people are just lucky I think. Fox jr1 has never had it, despite working throughout from the office, and going to football stadia unmasked. Neither has his other half who works as a teaching assistant.

    Despite measures still being in place at work, it is pretty rampant. About 25% of hospital patients with it catch it after admission, and staff are constantly coming down with it. Indeed I am covering again for a colleague who got it yesterday.

    Which begs the question why do anything about it if so rampant ? If 25% are getting it in hospital (the one place where measures are in place) why bother staff isolating if they have it but well enough to work?
  • Heathener said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    There is no need whatsoever for this complacent approach.

    We should continue to be cautious, mitigate its spread and protect the vulnerable.

    Otherwise we will continue to cause needless deaths, which doesn't bother capitalists but does concern those of us with a heart and soul.
    “Capitalists”? What is this, 1950s Moscow?
    What an utterly ridiculous last sentence @Heathener
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,577
    Taz said:

    felix said:

    Taz said:

    felix said:

    dixiedean said:

    Good Tory hold in Seghill and Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. Tories hold their Majority on the council. Well done for Stodge and dixiedean for calling it.

    Labour certainly has major issues at a local level in Blyth Valley constituency which was apparent last year. Labour also got 73% in this ward in 2013.

    The Budget clearly a disaster in northern red wa...hang on, that can't be right.....
    If you think Seghill is the Red Wall you clearly haven't visited recently.
    Either way the swing is very clear. Also shows the wobbly thinking there is about what the 'Redwall' means. It was never thousands of benefit claimants, etc suddenly voting Tory. It was more the lower m/c in parts of the north and Midlands voting Tory as their counterparts, in eg, the Medway towns have been doing for the past 10years or so. Of course there has veen some swing back in the past year or so generally and many of the seats could revert to Labour still. I actually doubt if it will be all of them but 2 years out from a GE none of us really know.
    As I said yesterday, knowing this area reasonably well, the surprise for me is that this area was staunch labour for so long. Although dixiedean is quite right this is not what you would call archetypal red wall it was still labour a few years back. I expect some seats will swing back to labour but others will keep trending Tory as they have been doing for several elections.
    Very much like my home town of Sunderland - almost the whole town went Labour - even the leafiest and poshest wards for several years. Over the past few years slowly they have moved back into the blue camp - as a result in 2019 all 3 Sunderland seats moved back into marginal territory. I should think they are now safe Labour again although Sunderland Central will still have a good Conservative showing. I taught in Dartford for many years - a Labour seat after 1997 but the whole north Kent area is now packed with lower m/c safe blue seats. In many ways much of the north-east is similar outside the urban Newcastle zone and will remain susceptible to the blues if the political climate changes again. Too many on here don't really understand the 'redwall' mentality at all.
    Ah, right, I didn’t realise you’re a Mackem. You’re right. People think these red wall seats are all grinding poverty and back to back terraces. Sunderland has some lovely areas which if they were where you are now would be rock solid Tory.
    Pretty much every town or city has some lovely areas, and some really horrible ones, just the proportions vary.
  • HeathenerHeathener Posts: 7,084
    Disturbing study that for the first time has found micro-plastics in human blood.

    We are destroying this planet and human life on earth. Pandemics, wars, climate change.

    Industrialisation and capitalism: the systematic rape of life on earth.

    https://news.sky.com/story/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time-after-scientists-make-concerning-finding-12574356
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,958
    Heathener said:

    We are destroying this planet and human life on earth. Pandemics, wars, climate change.

    Industrialisation and capitalism: the systematic rape of life on earth.

    The matrix is a documentary
  • HeathenerHeathener Posts: 7,084

    Heathener said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    There is no need whatsoever for this complacent approach.

    We should continue to be cautious, mitigate its spread and protect the vulnerable.

    Otherwise we will continue to cause needless deaths, which doesn't bother capitalists but does concern those of us with a heart and soul.
    “Capitalists”? What is this, 1950s Moscow?
    No it's 2022 green revolution. People turning their backs on modern life and returning to simpler, greener, truer, more nature-based and off-grid ways of living.

    The pandemic has caused some people to recalibrate. I wish it were more and it may yet be.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,962
    edited March 2022

    I don't know what P&O Ferries expect as fallout for their decision, but I've just cancelled a booking I had with them for late June. I've lost 15% of the fare and rebooked with Stena for a shorter crossing with more driving. Looking at reviews of Stena by staff, they seem on the whole fairly happy with Stena.

    It's a very poor situation where mainly Filipino seafarers can be made to work for less than half of our minimum wage, a long way from home, in conditions totally dominated by their employers. There is also the safety issue of long hours working for a company comfortable with breaking the law, relying on safety inspections from countries like Cyprus. Notably P&O have not sacked Netherlands or French staff.

    I am not at all confident that P&O Ferries will even be trading by June after this disastrous decision, which is another consideration customers need to think about.

    I know they are separate companies, but I wonder if the directors of the cruise line are getting worried.
    As far as I know most if not all cruise companies have similar crew wages and conditions
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,577

    Foxy said:

    Some people are just lucky I think. Fox jr1 has never had it, despite working throughout from the office, and going to football stadia unmasked. Neither has his other half who works as a teaching assistant.

    Despite measures still being in place at work, it is pretty rampant. About 25% of hospital patients with it catch it after admission, and staff are constantly coming down with it. Indeed I am covering again for a colleague who got it yesterday.

    Which begs the question why do anything about it if so rampant ? If 25% are getting it in hospital (the one place where measures are in place) why bother staff isolating if they have it but well enough to work?
    To stop the rest of the staff getting it, and even more patients.

    Pretty much everyone at work who has had Omicron was too unwell for work and grotty for at least a week. It is not being asymptomatic.
  • HeathenerHeathener Posts: 7,084

    Heathener said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Do we have a pool on last PBer to catch COVID?

    I have so far managed to avoid it, even when my 11 year old son had it.
    You might be one of the 5-10% who are, supposedly, naturally immune and will never get it?

    I wouldn't rely on that, tho. My 20-something niece in Falmouth was congratulating herself on this status, even as her husband went down with the lurgy for the Nth time.... and then she caught it, and now she is feeling shite

    We will all get it, barring a few genuinely lucky immunological weirdoes
    I have a relative who throughout the pandemic wasn't exactly very careful and only got double jabbed, but weirdly became a test-aholic. They dodged it until last week.

    I have a load of in personal meetings lined up over the coming months through out the country, so I shall be awaiting my call...
    Right now my older daughter, my niece, my niece's husband, my stepmother, and one of my best male friends: all have it (and all of them for the first time)

    This wave is mopping up everyone who has avoided it until now, or so it feels. But much better they get it now, when we have mollifying vaccines and when the variant is mild, than some other time
    There is no need whatsoever for this complacent approach.

    We should continue to be cautious, mitigate its spread and protect the vulnerable.

    Otherwise we will continue to cause needless deaths, which doesn't bother capitalists but does concern those of us with a heart and soul.
    “Capitalists”? What is this, 1950s Moscow?
    What an utterly ridiculous last sentence @Heathener
    Ridiculous you say? Ridiculous is a human race raping the earth: directly causing climate change, plastic to fill our oceans, wars, pandemics through appalling health food standards, flying pieces of fruit half way around the world, belching out fumes from cars driven on depleting natural resources. I could go on and on but if you want to see ridiculous hold a mirror up to the modern world.

    Many of us have had enough and we are taking action for ourselves against it. I don't expect you to get it, but your grandchildren are.
  • Heathener said:

    Disturbing study that for the first time has found micro-plastics in human blood.

    We are destroying this planet and human life on earth. Pandemics, wars, climate change.

    Industrialisation and capitalism: the systematic rape of life on earth.

    https://news.sky.com/story/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time-after-scientists-make-concerning-finding-12574356

    And communism slaughtering innocent men women and children in Ukraine receives a pass does it ?
  • Its a great header, and does indeed demonstrate a new political truism - the rule of law no longer applies.

    This is what happens when you have a PM and most of the cabinet who are liars, charlatans and/or morons.

    The challenge is how the powers that be clamp down on P&OF-style outrages. The government have no moral authority and no interest in acting. The only legal failing on P&OF appears to be not consulting the union - are this lot really going into battle to stand up for unionised workers? The "they broke the law and we'll have them" defence of the Big Dog at PMQs fell apart - what a surprise - when it turned out that he was clueless about the law.

    So that is the P&OF calculation. A slap on the wrist and thats it. The fear now is what other similar outrages are coming. Fire and rehire is exactly what the Jacob Rees-Mogg Singapore-on-Thames Brexiteers had in mind anyway, and we know how in hoc the Big Dog is to people like Steve Baker...
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