"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Middle class families will be struggling with rising interest rates. Yes, they'll still be able to eat, but they'll be feeling poorer than they were.
I can't see how rising unemployment would be good for the Dems, so they're pretty much screwed whatever happens?
Will Voters Send In the Clowns?
As a recent analysis in The Economist pointed out, given the historical relationship between economic fundamentals and sentiment, you would have expected Americans to be feeling pretty good about the economy right now. Instead, they’re feeling very gloomy — or at least telling pollsters that they feel gloomy. The Economist, not mincing words, says that “Americans’ opinions about the state of the economy have diverged from reality.”
Perhaps voters have noticed the collapse in American life expectancy? The ravages of drug addiction ? The homeless encamped in their great cities? The rise in crime and the flood of illegal migrants?
Yet they’re meant to be happy just cause GDP per cap is ostensibly rising and there’s full employment. “Diverging from reality”. Pff
The collapse in life expectancy happened under Trump and was in no small part because of Covid.
Maybe they should take their vaccines and not ingest other drugs instead.
There are many reasons why life quality for millions of Americans is in decline. None of them is anything to do with Trump
Indeed Trump is the one politician of any hue who has an idea to solve the drugs problem. Wade into Mexico and treat the cartels like a mortal and military enemy. That might actually work. I can’t think of anything else at this late extreme stage
I remember something about a wall....
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise....
In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected.
Trump is a bad dangerous bastard. But, awkwardly, he does have good ideas and he thinks outside the box
I know PB hates hearing this but I can see why Americans vote for him
Yes yes I’m a fascist etc
All bad dangerous bastards have the odd good idea. Hitler famously invented the goose step having realised that one large leg movement was more efficient than two smaller steps. Mussolini invented Tiramisu, Pol Pot invented the pot and an JK Rowling invented anti-trans sentiment.
And General Boulanger invented the baguette.
Apparently, the biscuit is really named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
There's always the Empire, aka Belgian, aka German biscuit.
Who can forget king Leopold’s venture into the fruit juice for lunchbox market when he invented Um-bongo.
Never heard of it. *checks* Good grief, the "original Congo-coction" ...
"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Middle class families will be struggling with rising interest rates. Yes, they'll still be able to eat, but they'll be feeling poorer than they were.
I can't see how rising unemployment would be good for the Dems, so they're pretty much screwed whatever happens?
Will Voters Send In the Clowns?
As a recent analysis in The Economist pointed out, given the historical relationship between economic fundamentals and sentiment, you would have expected Americans to be feeling pretty good about the economy right now. Instead, they’re feeling very gloomy — or at least telling pollsters that they feel gloomy. The Economist, not mincing words, says that “Americans’ opinions about the state of the economy have diverged from reality.”
Perhaps voters have noticed the collapse in American life expectancy? The ravages of drug addiction ? The homeless encamped in their great cities? The rise in crime and the flood of illegal migrants?
Yet they’re meant to be happy just cause GDP per cap is ostensibly rising and there’s full employment. “Diverging from reality”. Pff
The collapse in life expectancy happened under Trump and was in no small part because of Covid.
Maybe they should take their vaccines and not ingest other drugs instead.
There are many reasons why life quality for millions of Americans is in decline. None of them is anything to do with Trump
Indeed Trump is the one politician of any hue who has an idea to solve the drugs problem. Wade into Mexico and treat the cartels like a mortal and military enemy. That might actually work. I can’t think of anything else at this late extreme stage
I remember something about a wall....
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise....
In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected.
Trump is a bad dangerous bastard. But, awkwardly, he does have good ideas and he thinks outside the box
I know PB hates hearing this but I can see why Americans vote for him
Yes yes I’m a fascist etc
All bad dangerous bastards have the odd good idea. Hitler famously invented the goose step having realised that one large leg movement was more efficient than two smaller steps. Mussolini invented Tiramisu, Pol Pot invented the pot and an JK Rowling invented anti-trans sentiment.
And General Boulanger invented the baguette.
Apparently, the biscuit is really named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
There's always the Empire, aka Belgian, aka German biscuit.
Who can forget king Leopold’s venture into the fruit juice for lunchbox market when he invented Um-bongo.
Never heard of it. *checks* Good grief, the "original Congo-coction" ...
Yes, it’s up there with Kia Ora for racial sensitivity in advertising aimed at children.
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Middle class families will be struggling with rising interest rates. Yes, they'll still be able to eat, but they'll be feeling poorer than they were.
I can't see how rising unemployment would be good for the Dems, so they're pretty much screwed whatever happens?
Will Voters Send In the Clowns?
As a recent analysis in The Economist pointed out, given the historical relationship between economic fundamentals and sentiment, you would have expected Americans to be feeling pretty good about the economy right now. Instead, they’re feeling very gloomy — or at least telling pollsters that they feel gloomy. The Economist, not mincing words, says that “Americans’ opinions about the state of the economy have diverged from reality.”
Perhaps voters have noticed the collapse in American life expectancy? The ravages of drug addiction ? The homeless encamped in their great cities? The rise in crime and the flood of illegal migrants?
Yet they’re meant to be happy just cause GDP per cap is ostensibly rising and there’s full employment. “Diverging from reality”. Pff
The collapse in life expectancy happened under Trump and was in no small part because of Covid.
Maybe they should take their vaccines and not ingest other drugs instead.
There are many reasons why life quality for millions of Americans is in decline. None of them is anything to do with Trump
Indeed Trump is the one politician of any hue who has an idea to solve the drugs problem. Wade into Mexico and treat the cartels like a mortal and military enemy. That might actually work. I can’t think of anything else at this late extreme stage
I remember something about a wall....
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise....
In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected.
Trump is a bad dangerous bastard. But, awkwardly, he does have good ideas and he thinks outside the box
I know PB hates hearing this but I can see why Americans vote for him
Yes yes I’m a fascist etc
All bad dangerous bastards have the odd good idea. Hitler famously invented the goose step having realised that one large leg movement was more efficient than two smaller steps. Mussolini invented Tiramisu, Pol Pot invented the pot and an JK Rowling invented anti-trans sentiment.
And General Boulanger invented the baguette.
Apparently, the biscuit is really named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
There's always the Empire, aka Belgian, aka German biscuit.
Who can forget king Leopold’s venture into the fruit juice for lunchbox market when he invented Um-bongo.
Never heard of it. *checks* Good grief, the "original Congo-coction" ...
Yes, it’s up there with Kia Ora for racial sensitivity in advertising aimed at children.
Checks that too ... good grief, Wiki:
'The brand-name is taken from kia ora, a Māori language greeting which has entered New Zealand English. [...] In 1982, Kia-Ora launched a colourful, animated advertising campaign, directed by Oscar Grillo of Klacto Animations, which used the jingle "We all adore a Kia-Ora", and featured a child in a straw hat, a dog called Fedora who served the drink, and several crows which pursued the boy for a drink, with the boy responding with "it's too orangey for crows". Later promotions included Caramba's song "Fido"; the jingle was referred to in the Spaced episode "Gone". The advertisements attracted criticism in later years, because of their use of Jim Crow laws style racial stereotypes in their depiction of the characters.'
"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Middle class families will be struggling with rising interest rates. Yes, they'll still be able to eat, but they'll be feeling poorer than they were.
I can't see how rising unemployment would be good for the Dems, so they're pretty much screwed whatever happens?
Will Voters Send In the Clowns?
As a recent analysis in The Economist pointed out, given the historical relationship between economic fundamentals and sentiment, you would have expected Americans to be feeling pretty good about the economy right now. Instead, they’re feeling very gloomy — or at least telling pollsters that they feel gloomy. The Economist, not mincing words, says that “Americans’ opinions about the state of the economy have diverged from reality.”
Perhaps voters have noticed the collapse in American life expectancy? The ravages of drug addiction ? The homeless encamped in their great cities? The rise in crime and the flood of illegal migrants?
Yet they’re meant to be happy just cause GDP per cap is ostensibly rising and there’s full employment. “Diverging from reality”. Pff
The collapse in life expectancy happened under Trump and was in no small part because of Covid.
Maybe they should take their vaccines and not ingest other drugs instead.
There are many reasons why life quality for millions of Americans is in decline. None of them is anything to do with Trump
Indeed Trump is the one politician of any hue who has an idea to solve the drugs problem. Wade into Mexico and treat the cartels like a mortal and military enemy. That might actually work. I can’t think of anything else at this late extreme stage
I remember something about a wall....
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise....
In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected.
Trump is a bad dangerous bastard. But, awkwardly, he does have good ideas and he thinks outside the box
I know PB hates hearing this but I can see why Americans vote for him
Yes yes I’m a fascist etc
All bad dangerous bastards have the odd good idea. Hitler famously invented the goose step having realised that one large leg movement was more efficient than two smaller steps. Mussolini invented Tiramisu, Pol Pot invented the pot and an JK Rowling invented anti-trans sentiment.
And General Boulanger invented the baguette.
Apparently, the biscuit is really named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
There's always the Empire, aka Belgian, aka German biscuit.
And our former Chancellor with his eponymous Osborne.
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
If I'm flying Virgin to LA, I simply leave the flat two and a half before my flight. I'll get there an hour and forty-five before, and all is good.
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Yep. I recall from trading days how strong employment numbers - 'US payrolls' on a Friday - were terrible for Markets. What a crazy system, I used to think, *do* think. What's it called this strange construction? I asked all and sundry around me. They all told me the same thing and in the exact same words. "Capitalism mate. Great innit". I'd nod and grin, like the spineless collaborator I am.
As capital's quisling, can you say why?
Is it just the reduction in bargaining power/natural rate of employment stuff or is there any more to it?
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
If I'm flying Virgin to LA, I simply leave the flat two and a half before my flight. I'll get there an hour and forty-five before, and all is good.
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
But T5 has no annoying long tunnels to trundle down underground
"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Middle class families will be struggling with rising interest rates. Yes, they'll still be able to eat, but they'll be feeling poorer than they were.
I can't see how rising unemployment would be good for the Dems, so they're pretty much screwed whatever happens?
Will Voters Send In the Clowns?
As a recent analysis in The Economist pointed out, given the historical relationship between economic fundamentals and sentiment, you would have expected Americans to be feeling pretty good about the economy right now. Instead, they’re feeling very gloomy — or at least telling pollsters that they feel gloomy. The Economist, not mincing words, says that “Americans’ opinions about the state of the economy have diverged from reality.”
Perhaps voters have noticed the collapse in American life expectancy? The ravages of drug addiction ? The homeless encamped in their great cities? The rise in crime and the flood of illegal migrants?
Yet they’re meant to be happy just cause GDP per cap is ostensibly rising and there’s full employment. “Diverging from reality”. Pff
The collapse in life expectancy happened under Trump and was in no small part because of Covid.
Maybe they should take their vaccines and not ingest other drugs instead.
There are many reasons why life quality for millions of Americans is in decline. None of them is anything to do with Trump
Indeed Trump is the one politician of any hue who has an idea to solve the drugs problem. Wade into Mexico and treat the cartels like a mortal and military enemy. That might actually work. I can’t think of anything else at this late extreme stage
I remember something about a wall....
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise....
In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected.
Trump is a bad dangerous bastard. But, awkwardly, he does have good ideas and he thinks outside the box
I know PB hates hearing this but I can see why Americans vote for him
Yes yes I’m a fascist etc
All bad dangerous bastards have the odd good idea. Hitler famously invented the goose step having realised that one large leg movement was more efficient than two smaller steps. Mussolini invented Tiramisu, Pol Pot invented the pot and an JK Rowling invented anti-trans sentiment.
And General Boulanger invented the baguette.
Apparently, the biscuit is really named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
There's always the Empire, aka Belgian, aka German biscuit.
Who can forget king Leopold’s venture into the fruit juice for lunchbox market when he invented Um-bongo.
Never heard of it. *checks* Good grief, the "original Congo-coction" ...
Yes, it’s up there with Kia Ora for racial sensitivity in advertising aimed at children.
Checks that too ... good grief, Wiki:
'The brand-name is taken from kia ora, a Māori language greeting which has entered New Zealand English. [...] In 1982, Kia-Ora launched a colourful, animated advertising campaign, directed by Oscar Grillo of Klacto Animations, which used the jingle "We all adore a Kia-Ora", and featured a child in a straw hat, a dog called Fedora who served the drink, and several crows which pursued the boy for a drink, with the boy responding with "it's too orangey for crows". Later promotions included Caramba's song "Fido"; the jingle was referred to in the Spaced episode "Gone". The advertisements attracted criticism in later years, because of their use of Jim Crow laws style racial stereotypes in their depiction of the characters.'
There was something retrospectively wrong about the ad that was worryingly ripping off the film “the song of the south”.
Ignoring your Sturgeon 2011 faux pas (as pointed out by Theuniondivvie), there is unlikely to be much worry in Scotland at Holyrood 2026 that the Tories are going to be the largest party, so there will be a comparison made with Labour run Wales, which will not flatter Labour, especially as they have been in power there since 1999.
In spite of comments by some to the contrary, the SNP do want independence , and the blocking of a referendum by a Labour Westminster government will progressively irritate the electorate.
Those who suggest that independence will fade away are liable to be presented with the Lord George Robertson award for political naivety (devolution will kill the SNP stone dead or some such nonsense was his foolish claim)
No, it will progressively irritate Nationalist elements of the electorate. However as last night's results show they are smaller than they were in 2015.
Indeed on the swing last night it is not impossible Sarwar could replace Yousaf as FM by the end of 2026
Would the Tories vote for Sarwar, if abstaining meant Yousaf stayed FM?
The final episode of “Race across the world” has never been so riveting. Who will win, Leon, SeanT, LadyG. Join us after the break to find out who wins a lifetime supply of fentanyl.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
OT. Not sure if this has been covered earlier but this Government is once again proving what a bunch of utter shits they are.
So we all know that they are selling off the land that they bought for the Northern section of HS2. What I wasn't aware of until now was that they have to offer it back to the former owners first.
So far so good. That seems a reasonable and fair thing to do.
But if you want to buy back the property you were forced to sell to the Government you have to now pay more than you got for selling it to them. Many of the homes were subject to compulsory purchase as far back as 2015 and the former owners must now pay the current market value if they want them back. Many of course cannot afford that.
Ignoring all the other stuff about them salting the earth, this is a fucking atrocious thing to do. I was and still am in favour of cancelling HS2 (the whole lot) but this sort of behaviour just makes you realise what utter scumbags this lot are.
OT. Not sure if this has been covered earlier but this Government is once again proving what a bunch of utter shits they are.
So we all know that they are selling off the land that they bought for the Northern section of HS2. What I wasn't aware of until now was that they have to offer it back to the former owners first.
So far so good. That seems a reasonable and fair thing to do.
But if you want to buy back the property you were forced to sell to the Government you have to now pay more than you got for selling it to them. Many of the homes were subject to compulsory purchase as far back as 2015 and the former owners must now pay the current market value if they want them back. Many of course cannot afford that.
Ignoring all the other stuff about them salting the earth, this is a fucking atrocious thing to do. I was and still am in favour of cancelling HS2 (the whole lot) but this sort of behaviour just makes you realise what utter scumbags this lot are.
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
If I'm flying Virgin to LA, I simply leave the flat two and a half before my flight. I'll get there an hour and forty-five before, and all is good.
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
But T5 has no annoying long tunnels to trundle down underground
Nor does T3.
T2, I will admit, is about an hour's walk.
(T5 also has the disadvantage that you usually have to take the little train to the main terminal from B and C gates.)
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
Ignoring your Sturgeon 2011 faux pas (as pointed out by Theuniondivvie), there is unlikely to be much worry in Scotland at Holyrood 2026 that the Tories are going to be the largest party, so there will be a comparison made with Labour run Wales, which will not flatter Labour, especially as they have been in power there since 1999.
In spite of comments by some to the contrary, the SNP do want independence , and the blocking of a referendum by a Labour Westminster government will progressively irritate the electorate.
Those who suggest that independence will fade away are liable to be presented with the Lord George Robertson award for political naivety (devolution will kill the SNP stone dead or some such nonsense was his foolish claim)
No, it will progressively irritate Nationalist elements of the electorate. However as last night's results show they are smaller than they were in 2015.
Indeed on the swing last night it is not impossible Sarwar could replace Yousaf as FM by the end of 2026
Would the Tories vote for Sarwar, if abstaining meant Yousaf stayed FM?
Possibly, though on the by election swing last night Labour would win most seats anyway so LD support and Tory abstention would be enough to make Sarwar FM
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
Hmmm: I don't think that is that amazing; I've regularly made it onto a Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line train in less than 30 minutes from touchdown. (Admittedly, it does depend on the timing of the trains.)
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
Hmmm: I don't think that is that amazing; I've regularly made it onto a Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line train in less than 30 minutes from touchdown. (Admittedly, it does depend on the timing of the trains.)
From touchdown and in an economy class cabin?
I mean the moment the tyres hit the tarmac and I’m at the back of the plane and I landed at T5 - so I also had to do the little train, and you have to add the extra 12 minutes on Heathrow express (from T5)
I accept we are entering technicalities here, which may be of slightly less interest to non travel specialists
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
Hmmm: I don't think that is that amazing; I've regularly made it onto a Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line train in less than 30 minutes from touchdown. (Admittedly, it does depend on the timing of the trains.)
From touchdown and in an economy class cabin?
I mean the moment the tyres hit the tarmac and I’m at the back of the plane and I landed at T5 - so I also had to do the little train, and you have to add the extra 12 minutes on Heathrow express (from T5)
I accept we are entering technicalities here, which may be of slightly less interest to non travel specialists
I grant you, I will have been at the pointy end of the plane which will have saved at least ten minutes.
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Two Elizabeth Line trains an hour, but don't forget you also have four HEx trains an hour from T2/3. So SIX trains an hour T2/3 > T5.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
Oddly, it's one of the few foreign holidays I didn't really enjoy. It was boring.
Maybe it was because it followed a week in Sri Lanka, which I enjoyed very much.
Dale Vince @DaleVince · 4h Fairly big news breaking right now is an announcement from me.
I’ll no longer be funding Just Stop Oil as I feel that more protest and disruption will just feed the new Tory culture war narrative; it can’t actually stop oil.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
Oddly, it's one of the few foreign holidays I didn't really enjoy. It was boring.
Maybe it was because it followed a week in Sri Lanka, which I enjoyed very much.
Yes they are really boring. There’s nothing to do and you’re usually stuck on the one island, paying £1k a night or more
But quite a few really rich people want exactly that. Two weeks of total privacy and luxury with choices taken away. You are forced to relax
If you’re a multi millionaire businessman with a usually-hectic life I can totally see the appeal
The sommelier on the 2nd hotel - Constance Halaveli - claims they have “the best wine cellar in the Indian Ocean”. We had a tour. He says the guests absolutely exploit it
Eg He told us he has a regular Swiss mogul client who comes twice a year and before he arrives he emails a list of the wines he wants for the whole holiday. Petrus one night, Grange Hermitage the next. The sommelier reckons this Swiss guy spends $1000 a day on wine alone
Rutherglen was a mighty result for Lab but the SNP are still ahead of where they were as recently as 2010. I suspect they will comfortably be in double figures but that the chances of the Lib Dems overtaking them and regaining that sweet PMQ publicity have gone up almost as much as Lab's chances of an overall majority.
Looks good for Lab in Tamworth - though far from in the bag. Mid Beds is rather more tricky.
OT. Not sure if this has been covered earlier but this Government is once again proving what a bunch of utter shits they are.
So we all know that they are selling off the land that they bought for the Northern section of HS2. What I wasn't aware of until now was that they have to offer it back to the former owners first.
So far so good. That seems a reasonable and fair thing to do.
But if you want to buy back the property you were forced to sell to the Government you have to now pay more than you got for selling it to them. Many of the homes were subject to compulsory purchase as far back as 2015 and the former owners must now pay the current market value if they want them back. Many of course cannot afford that.
Ignoring all the other stuff about them salting the earth, this is a fucking atrocious thing to do. I was and still am in favour of cancelling HS2 (the whole lot) but this sort of behaviour just makes you realise what utter scumbags this lot are.
Utter utter shits. There is something really spiteful about Sunak and the party he leads now.
My quickest door to door involving a flight was just over 2 hours.
From the firm’s office in Antwerp, 15 mins to Antwerp airport 25 minutes before the flight (yes really, this was back in 2009), flight to LCY around 45 mins, out of LCY in about 25 mins, then 20 minutes on DLR and Jubilee to the office in Canary Wharf.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s all well and good but I write for the Knappers Gazette and we’re trying to diversify their economy into granitic vibrators. You should be applauding me not seething with envy
My quickest door to door involving a flight was just over 2 hours.
From the firm’s office in Antwerp, 15 mins to Antwerp airport 25 minutes before the flight (yes really, this was back in 2009), flight to LCY around 45 mins, out of LCY in about 25 mins, then 20 minutes on DLR and Jubilee to the office in Canary Wharf.
Used to do that in 2019.
Durham tees airport at 6:00 for the 6:30 flight, land Schiphol 8:30, walk out of airport and 300 more yards, into clients office at 8:45 (7:45 uk time).
Got to be a running joke on week 3 that the person who lived abroad was the first one in..
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s all well and good but I write for the Knappers Gazette and we’re trying to diversify their economy into granitic vibrators. You should be applauding me not seething with envy
No not envious at all.
When I travel, I am interested in local culture, food, customs, and even politics. I like to spread the money to local people, so that they too can benefit, rather than just be house elves or in a human zoo.
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
I’ve wondered occasionally whether, if you could only afford to fly first/club one way and economy the other which way round is best?
If you take the more comfortable option on the way there, you start the holiday more relaxed, your holiday has started earlier in a way. You come back economy and it’s more grim but then your holiday is over and it’s a stark reminder that the holiday is over and normality will resume.
If you do it the other way round you have a more uncomfortable journey there but it doesn’t matter because you get to your destination and luxuriate so the journey didn’t matter and the return in first/club softens the blow of the end of your holiday and just extends that feeling of relaxation to the last moment.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
Oddly enough - I've been watching an increasing % of people on Australian cookery shows who have fled from the Maldives.
I'm now looking forward to both a Guardian article bemoaning them being 'victims of global warming' and a Flint Knappers Gazette article bemoaning them being 'victims of their own success'.
All the while the poor f**ks drowning in a rising sea created by a heady froth of religious intolerance and CO2.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s all well and good but I write for the Knappers Gazette and we’re trying to diversify their economy into granitic vibrators. You should be applauding me not seething with envy
No not envious at all.
When I travel, I am interested in local culture, food, customs, and even politics. I like to spread the money to local people, so that they too can benefit, rather than just be house elves or in a human zoo.
You do realise I have been to all seven continents and maybe 120 countries? And just occasionally I write about things other than exceptional wine cellars? Like, say, customs, culture, food, and even politics?
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
Over 80 minutes ? The members of the Reform Club demand half your fortune.
OT. Not sure if this has been covered earlier but this Government is once again proving what a bunch of utter shits they are.
So we all know that they are selling off the land that they bought for the Northern section of HS2. What I wasn't aware of until now was that they have to offer it back to the former owners first.
So far so good. That seems a reasonable and fair thing to do.
But if you want to buy back the property you were forced to sell to the Government you have to now pay more than you got for selling it to them. Many of the homes were subject to compulsory purchase as far back as 2015 and the former owners must now pay the current market value if they want them back. Many of course cannot afford that.
Ignoring all the other stuff about them salting the earth, this is a fucking atrocious thing to do. I was and still am in favour of cancelling HS2 (the whole lot) but this sort of behaviour just makes you realise what utter scumbags this lot are.
But if they get to buy back at the original price (which I think included a premium for disruption) then you are just handing an immediate windfall to well off people
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
What did you think of the new uniforms?
Nice
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
If I'm flying Virgin to LA, I simply leave the flat two and a half before my flight. I'll get there an hour and forty-five before, and all is good.
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
But T5 has no annoying long tunnels to trundle down underground
Nor does T3.
T2, I will admit, is about an hour's walk.
(T5 also has the disadvantage that you usually have to take the little train to the main terminal from B and C gates.)
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
And they have a huge heroin problem.
Hard to think why anyone would want to escape there as either a refugee or into the despair of addiction isn't it?
I’m genuinely curious. How many PBers would turn down a free £10k holiday in the Maldives for all the reasons @Foxy says? Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change, etc?
I am happy to accept that @foxy might actually do that - consumed with pompous Puritan moral self congratulation as he is, he also seems sincere
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s all well and good but I write for the Knappers Gazette and we’re trying to diversify their economy into granitic vibrators. You should be applauding me not seething with envy
No not envious at all.
When I travel, I am interested in local culture, food, customs, and even politics. I like to spread the money to local people, so that they too can benefit, rather than just be house elves or in a human zoo.
You do realise I have been to all seven continents and maybe 120 countries? And just occasionally I write about things other than exceptional wine cellars? Like, say, customs, culture, food, and even politics?
I’m genuinely curious. How many PBers would turn down a free £10k holiday in the Maldives for all the reasons @Foxy says? Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change, etc?
I am happy to accept that @foxy might actually do that - consumed with pompous Puritan moral self congratulation as he is, he also seems sincere
Wouid anyone else say No? Please be honest!
I would turn it down. As reviews go "Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change" isn't really selling to me.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
And they have a huge heroin problem.
What, all of the Speccie's writers ?
He’s actually right. They do have a heroin problem in the Maldives. It’s because they don’t allow booze. See Iran for something very similar on vastly greater scale
However most of the locals - in my experience - absolutely love the hotels. Before tourism arrived the Maldives was a fly blown malarial archipelago ignored by the British (we owned it)
Now the men have a route out of poverty and a gateway to global jobs. And the women have a way out of that veiled sharia law
And of course it all brings lots of money which DOES go to the locals. I’ve been to the main island of Mahe - and stayed there. And talked to the Maldivians. I doubt if 5% of them want to return to the old impoverished life. All they can offer is tourism
"Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, almost double what had been predicted, confirming the overall strength of an economy that is facing challenges." NY Times
This is not good news for the Democrats.
So long as the job market is strong, it means the Fed will keep interest rates high. And that means that a lot of people may be employed, but they're still struggling with rising mortgage payments as their ARMs reset.
There's something wrong with a system whereby a strong jobs market is considered bad news.
Middle class families will be struggling with rising interest rates. Yes, they'll still be able to eat, but they'll be feeling poorer than they were.
I can't see how rising unemployment would be good for the Dems, so they're pretty much screwed whatever happens?
Will Voters Send In the Clowns?
As a recent analysis in The Economist pointed out, given the historical relationship between economic fundamentals and sentiment, you would have expected Americans to be feeling pretty good about the economy right now. Instead, they’re feeling very gloomy — or at least telling pollsters that they feel gloomy. The Economist, not mincing words, says that “Americans’ opinions about the state of the economy have diverged from reality.”
Perhaps voters have noticed the collapse in American life expectancy? The ravages of drug addiction ? The homeless encamped in their great cities? The rise in crime and the flood of illegal migrants?
Yet they’re meant to be happy just cause GDP per cap is ostensibly rising and there’s full employment. “Diverging from reality”. Pff
The collapse in life expectancy happened under Trump and was in no small part because of Covid.
Maybe they should take their vaccines and not ingest other drugs instead.
There are many reasons why life quality for millions of Americans is in decline. None of them is anything to do with Trump
Indeed Trump is the one politician of any hue who has an idea to solve the drugs problem. Wade into Mexico and treat the cartels like a mortal and military enemy. That might actually work. I can’t think of anything else at this late extreme stage
I remember something about a wall....
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise....
In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected.
Trump is a bad dangerous bastard. But, awkwardly, he does have good ideas and he thinks outside the box
I know PB hates hearing this but I can see why Americans vote for him
Yes yes I’m a fascist etc
All bad dangerous bastards have the odd good idea. Hitler famously invented the goose step having realised that one large leg movement was more efficient than two smaller steps. Mussolini invented Tiramisu, Pol Pot invented the pot and an JK Rowling invented anti-trans sentiment.
And General Boulanger invented the baguette.
Apparently, the biscuit is really named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
There's always the Empire, aka Belgian, aka German biscuit.
Who can forget king Leopold’s venture into the fruit juice for lunchbox market when he invented Um-bongo.
Never heard of it. *checks* Good grief, the "original Congo-coction" ...
Yes, it’s up there with Kia Ora for racial sensitivity in advertising aimed at children.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
And they have a huge heroin problem.
What, all of the Speccie's writers ?
He’s actually right. They do have a heroin problem in the Maldives. It’s because they don’t allow booze. See Iran for something very similar on vastly greater scale
However most of the locals absolutely love the hotels. Before tourism arrived the Maldives was a fly blown malarial archipelago ignored by the British (we owned it)
Now the men have a route out of poverty and a gateway to global jobs. And the women have a way out of that veiled sharia
I’m genuinely curious. How many PBers would turn down a free £10k holiday in the Maldives for all the reasons @Foxy says? Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change, etc?
I am happy to accept that @foxy might actually do that - consumed with pompous Puritan moral self congratulation as he is, he also seems sincere
Wouid anyone else say No? Please be honest!
I would turn it down. As reviews go "Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change" isn't really selling to me.
Honestly? If someone said “here have a free ten grand holiday in Soneva Fushi” - you’d turn it down on moral grounds?
OT. Not sure if this has been covered earlier but this Government is once again proving what a bunch of utter shits they are.
So we all know that they are selling off the land that they bought for the Northern section of HS2. What I wasn't aware of until now was that they have to offer it back to the former owners first.
So far so good. That seems a reasonable and fair thing to do.
But if you want to buy back the property you were forced to sell to the Government you have to now pay more than you got for selling it to them. Many of the homes were subject to compulsory purchase as far back as 2015 and the former owners must now pay the current market value if they want them back. Many of course cannot afford that.
Ignoring all the other stuff about them salting the earth, this is a fucking atrocious thing to do. I was and still am in favour of cancelling HS2 (the whole lot) but this sort of behaviour just makes you realise what utter scumbags this lot are.
Alkso, they have to pay CGT on the original sale price. Which of course goes to HMG.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
And they have a huge heroin problem.
What, all of the Speccie's writers ?
He’s actually right. They do have a heroin problem in the Maldives. It’s because they don’t allow booze. See Iran for something very similar on vastly greater scale
However most of the locals - in my experience - absolutely love the hotels. Before tourism arrived the Maldives was a fly blown malarial archipelago ignored by the British (we owned it)
Now the men have a route out of poverty and a gateway to global jobs. And the women have a way out of that veiled sharia law
And of course it all brings lots of money which DOES go to the locals. I’ve been to the main island of Mahe - and stayed there. And talked to the Maldivians. I doubt if 5% of them want to return to the old impoverished life. All they can offer is tourism
if you want to do well in certain echelons of life, there are 14 words that govern your every utterance: “No Black person ever went broke telling white people what they want to hear.”
I’m genuinely curious. How many PBers would turn down a free £10k holiday in the Maldives for all the reasons @Foxy says? Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change, etc?
I am happy to accept that @foxy might actually do that - consumed with pompous Puritan moral self congratulation as he is, he also seems sincere
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
What did you think of the new uniforms?
Nice
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
Who cares if they are white, black, yellow, green, or turquoise with pink spots like the gecko I once saw?
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
If I'm flying Virgin to LA, I simply leave the flat two and a half before my flight. I'll get there an hour and forty-five before, and all is good.
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
What did you think of the new uniforms?
Nice
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
Who cares if they are white, black, yellow, green, or turquoise with pink spots like the gecko I once saw?
Because it is completely unrepresentative of Britain to the extent it is truly WEIRD
I mean, they are obviously trying to say “look Britain is a vibrant multicultural multiracial country!” and I totally APPROVE of that - and they are obviously aware of race hence the video - but the video is so slanted to one minority demographic it actually gives a different impression
Would you say a video that is majority black is remotely and racially representative of Britain?
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
What did you think of the new uniforms?
Nice
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
Who cares if they are white, black, yellow, green, or turquoise with pink spots like the gecko I once saw?
Because it is completely unrepresentative of Britain to the extent it is truly WEIRD
I mean, they are obviously trying to say “look Britain is a vibrant multicultural multiracial country!” and I totally APPROVE of that - and they are obviously aware of race hence the video - but the video is so slanted to one minority demographic it actually gives a different impression
Would you say a video that is majority black is remotely and racially representative of Britain?
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
What did you think of the new uniforms?
Nice
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
Who cares if they are white, black, yellow, green, or turquoise with pink spots like the gecko I once saw?
Because it is completely unrepresentative of Britain to the extent it is truly WEIRD
I mean, they are obviously trying to say “look Britain is a vibrant multicultural multiracial country!” and I totally APPROVE of that - and they are obviously aware of race hence the video - but the video is so slanted to one minority demographic it actually gives a different impression
Would you say a video that is majority black is remotely and racially representative of Britain?
Could be, depnds where it was filmed. I have a friend whose dad was on the first Windrush voyage (yes, I found and got the ship's manifest for him). He grew up in a pretty Black area.
Also well done British Airways. An empty economy cabin. Cheerful staff. Perfect WiFi all the way. Plenty of good wine. Nice food. Landed exactly on time
Impressive. Far better than Qatar the other way
What did you think of the new uniforms?
Nice
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
Who cares if they are white, black, yellow, green, or turquoise with pink spots like the gecko I once saw?
Because it is completely unrepresentative of Britain to the extent it is truly WEIRD
I mean, they are obviously trying to say “look Britain is a vibrant multicultural multiracial country!” and I totally APPROVE of that - and they are obviously aware of race hence the video - but the video is so slanted to one minority demographic it actually gives a different impression
Would you say a video that is majority black is remotely and racially representative of Britain?
If you think the phrase “women’s boundaries matter” is a bigoted dog-whistle you may be suffering from misogyny. Symptoms include failure to respect boundaries and a belief that women asserting their boundaries is motivated by hatred rather than privacy, dignity, and consent.
To brighten up everyone's Friday afternoon, here's some good news - Elizabeth Line passenger numbers keep growing. Last Thursday it carried 738,000 passengers - the highest yet in a single day. Yesterday may have been busier still - numbers awaited. Build it and they will come! 4:17 PM · Oct 6, 2023"
Would be interesting to see the hotspots for which bit is growing fastest and at what times.
Paddington to City is one journey that has massively changed.
Heathrow to my flat is:
90 (uncomfortable) minutes by taxi 55 (expensive) minutes by Heathrow Express plus Taxi 38 (cheap and efficient) minutes by the Elizabeth Line
It helps, of course, that I'm three minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
That said, the Elizabeth line has put me right off British Airways. Simply, because the Elizabeth Line goes to Terminals 2/3, I'd much rather travel by Virgin, American or United, than trek out to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 has been served by the Elizabeth Line since last May. Photo taken June 2022.
While that's technically true, if I go to TCR station, I have six trains an hour to Terminal 2/3, but only two to Terminal 5.
I am happy to go to the station without planning if I want to get to Terminals 2/3, but I have to plan if I want to go to 5. That's a pretty major difference.
Unless they hold the planes for you, surely there must be some planning involved?
If I'm flying Virgin to LA, I simply leave the flat two and a half before my flight. I'll get there an hour and forty-five before, and all is good.
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
I can tell you how to cope with a breakdown on the Birmingham New Street to Euston line by going via Coventry. Or how to cope with delays to Bournemouth from Waterloo by going via the Tube to Victoria then the Soton train via Horsham. Or how to cheer one's spirits when stuck in Basingstoke by popping out to the nice little chip van outside.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
How many minutes though until you are on the internet looking for the next travel adventure?
He has certainly confirmed for me that the Maldives doesn't need to be on my to do list. It seems to encapsulate everything I dislike.
Hmm
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
To me the Maldives symbolises everything wrong with long haul tourism.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
That’s all well and good but I write for the Knappers Gazette and we’re trying to diversify their economy into granitic vibrators. You should be applauding me not seething with envy
No not envious at all.
When I travel, I am interested in local culture, food, customs, and even politics. I like to spread the money to local people, so that they too can benefit, rather than just be house elves or in a human zoo.
You do realise I have been to all seven continents and maybe 120 countries? And just occasionally I write about things other than exceptional wine cellars? Like, say, customs, culture, food, and even politics?
You should get out more in the city you live in. Then Tooting and most of the rest of London wouldn't be such a foreign country to you.
I wonder how many of the 32 boroughs you've ever spent more than three consecutive hours in.
You praise London for being a "world city", and then you say you want to control immigration because otherwise you fear Britain will be dominated by Africans. You can't have it both ways. Immigration is what makes a world city.
You're Alf Garnett, basically. You can't handle too many black people on an airline video. I bet you're still seething about Coca-Cola's "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" film. Every decade has its Alfs.
What does the man know about "culture" who refers to wine he gets served at a Rothschild do as "£500 wine"?
The Sex Pistols had a good line when they sang about "a cheap holiday in other people's misery" - or in your case, a paid holiday.
I live in Camden Town. It probably doesn’t get more multiracial - anywhere in the world
So there is not one PB-er willing to admit that Yeah, they would accept a free £10,000 holiday in the Maldives, you would all refuse because of the whole sharia law/heroin/sewage/house-elves issue, and demand a short yurting weekend in Staffordshire instead?
I mean, guys, this is pitiful. Not a single spine amongst you
So there is not one PB-er willing to admit that Yeah, they would accept a free £10,000 holiday in the Maldives, you would all refuse because of the whole sharia law/heroin/sewage/house-elves issue, and demand a short yurting weekend in Staffordshire instead?
I mean, guys, this is pitiful. Not a single spine amongst you
Wednesday morning pre-school meeting we were told we finally had the budget for reasonable staffing. We were happy. Posts were advertised. Now we know better. Joy.
Comments
This could be the biggest national news since Dennis Healey's return from Heathrow after seeing the IMF in 1976.
'The brand-name is taken from kia ora, a Māori language greeting which has entered New Zealand English. [...] In 1982, Kia-Ora launched a colourful, animated advertising campaign, directed by Oscar Grillo of Klacto Animations, which used the jingle "We all adore a Kia-Ora", and featured a child in a straw hat, a dog called Fedora who served the drink, and several crows which pursued the boy for a drink, with the boy responding with "it's too orangey for crows". Later promotions included Caramba's song "Fido"; the jingle was referred to in the Spaced episode "Gone". The advertisements attracted criticism in later years, because of their use of Jim Crow laws style racial stereotypes in their depiction of the characters.'
(Maida Vale)
I can't do that with BA. I now actively avoid flying out of Terminal 5. (It's *slightly* better coming back. But then you have the choice about whether to change to the Elizabeth line at Terminals 2/3 - which minimizes walking - or Paddington - which minimizes time. Neither is as convenient as being at Terminals 2/3 from the off.)
https://x.com/arisroussinos/status/1710223225068695823
Es\pecially for TSE's Friday afternoon window shopping.
That’s incredible. That’s from literal touchdown to keying the door of my home. So it includes taxiing, parking, waiting to disembark an economy cabin, walk to passport, passport, luggage collection, walk to Heathrow express, train to Paddington, cab from Paddington to Camden
84 minutes!
A NEW INTER-GALACTIC RECORD
So we all know that they are selling off the land that they bought for the Northern section of HS2. What I wasn't aware of until now was that they have to offer it back to the former owners first.
So far so good. That seems a reasonable and fair thing to do.
But if you want to buy back the property you were forced to sell to the Government you have to now pay more than you got for selling it to them. Many of the homes were subject to compulsory purchase as far back as 2015 and the former owners must now pay the current market value if they want them back. Many of course cannot afford that.
Ignoring all the other stuff about them salting the earth, this is a fucking atrocious thing to do. I was and still am in favour of cancelling HS2 (the whole lot) but this sort of behaviour just makes you realise what utter scumbags this lot are.
The nasty party are back.
T2, I will admit, is about an hour's walk.
(T5 also has the disadvantage that you usually have to take the little train to the main terminal from B and C gates.)
https://wingsoverscotland.com/getting-left-behind/
BREAKING: The DfE has admitted an error in its school funding allocations for 2024-25 that would have inflated the core schools budget by…£370 MILLION
I mean..
🎶Hamilton no more🎶
I mean the moment the tyres hit the tarmac and I’m
at the back of the plane and I landed at T5 - so I also had to do the little train, and you have to add the extra 12 minutes on Heathrow express (from T5)
I accept we are entering technicalities here, which may be of slightly less interest to non travel specialists
If someone ever offers you a free holiday in the Maldives: TAKE IT
They are sublime if you want sheer luxury (and world class scuba and snorkelling). Unquestionably the best and biggest cluster of super luxurious resorts in the world
However if you want life and couture and authenticity - or you are averse to dropping £10k of your own cash on a mere week abroad - avoid like the plague
Sam Freedman
@Samfr
·
40m
Chris Grayling becomes the 50th MP elected as a Tory to stand down for the next election.
Nick's a lovely and reasonable chap, but he supported Jezza through thin and thinner
T2/3 to T5 (or T4) is free travel.
Maybe it was because it followed a week in Sri Lanka, which I enjoyed very much.
Not.
Dale Vince
@DaleVince
·
4h
Fairly big news breaking right now is an announcement from me.
I’ll no longer be funding Just Stop Oil as I feel that more protest and disruption will just feed the new Tory culture war narrative; it can’t actually stop oil.
Truly, we are in the end of days.
But quite a few really rich people want exactly that. Two weeks of total privacy and luxury with choices taken away. You are forced to relax
If you’re a multi millionaire businessman with a usually-hectic life I can totally see the appeal
The sommelier on the 2nd hotel - Constance Halaveli - claims they have “the best wine cellar in the Indian Ocean”. We had a tour. He says the guests absolutely exploit it
Eg He told us he has a regular Swiss mogul client who comes twice a year and before he arrives he emails a list of the wines he wants for the whole holiday. Petrus one night, Grange Hermitage the next. The sommelier reckons this Swiss guy spends $1000 a day on wine alone
Looks good for Lab in Tamworth - though far from in the bag. Mid Beds is rather more tricky.
From the firm’s office in Antwerp, 15 mins to Antwerp airport 25 minutes before the flight (yes really, this was back in 2009), flight to LCY around 45 mins, out of LCY in about 25 mins, then 20 minutes on DLR and Jubilee to the office in Canary Wharf.
1) the capital is one of the most crowded islands in the world with a quarter of a million people in a little over 3 Square miles. Raw sewage goes straight into the ocean, and water is in short supply. The Tourist resorts are incredibly spacious on the out lying islands.
2) the government is an Islamic fundamentalist one, under Sharia law with alcohol only allowed to tourists staying in resorts on the outlying islands. Local culture is anathema with food and drink imported.
3) the country may well sink below the waves due to global warming, yet the economy is completely dependent on international air travel that is a major contribution to the islands destruction.
The tourists live in an artificial bubble, deliberately kept away from the grim consequences of their holiday in paradise.
Not my cup of tea, but I don't expect any of this to appear in your paid puffery in The Spectator. Freebies only go to"Travel Journalists" willing to write advertising copy and pretend it is journalism.
Durham tees airport at 6:00 for the 6:30 flight, land Schiphol 8:30, walk out of airport and 300 more yards, into clients office at 8:45 (7:45 uk time).
Got to be a running joke on week 3 that the person who lived abroad was the first one in..
When I travel, I am interested in local culture, food, customs, and even politics. I like to spread the money to local people, so that they too can benefit, rather than just be house elves or in a human zoo.
I'm now looking forward to both a Guardian article bemoaning them being 'victims of global warming' and a Flint Knappers Gazette article bemoaning them being 'victims of their own success'.
All the while the poor f**ks drowning in a rising sea created by a heady froth of religious intolerance and CO2.
BBC article mentions prostrate cancer.
My inspiration is this Spectator writer
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/what-i-learnt-on-my-grown-up-gap-year/
But I think you get a masturbatory kick from your delusions of moral superiority, so you do you
The members of the Reform Club demand half your fortune.
But the new safety video is painfully Woke. Its actually embarrassing
I’d say 70-80% of the many people in it are black. And definitely black. There’s maybe one or two Asian/Muslim people
I like to see a diverse Britain represented on screen. That’s a good thing. But what BA are presenting is not diverse at all. It’s like it’s trying to say “Britain is 80% black” NOT “diverse”
It’s so weird it’s cringe. God knows what foreigners make of it
You walk instead through the sneaky tunnel
I’m genuinely curious. How many PBers would turn down a free £10k holiday in the Maldives for all the reasons @Foxy says? Sharia law, hypocrisy, climate change, etc?
I am happy to accept that @foxy might actually do that - consumed with pompous Puritan moral self congratulation as he is, he also seems sincere
Wouid anyone else say No? Please be honest!
Go on, I dare you.
However most of the locals - in my experience - absolutely love the hotels. Before tourism arrived the Maldives was a fly blown malarial archipelago ignored by the British (we owned it)
Now the men have a route out of poverty and a gateway to global jobs. And the women have a way out of that veiled sharia law
And of course it all brings lots of money which DOES go to the locals. I’ve been to the main island of Mahe - and stayed there. And talked to the
Maldivians. I doubt if 5% of them want to return to the old impoverished life. All they can offer is tourism
However most of the locals absolutely love the hotels. Before tourism arrived the Maldives was a fly blown malarial archipelago ignored by the British (we owned it)
Now the men have a route out of poverty and a gateway to global jobs. And the women have a way out of that veiled sharia Honestly? If someone said “here have a free ten grand holiday in Soneva Fushi” - you’d turn it down on moral grounds?
I am surrounded by living saints
I mean, they are obviously trying to say “look Britain is a vibrant multicultural multiracial country!” and I totally APPROVE of that - and they are obviously aware of race hence the video - but the video is so slanted to one minority demographic it actually gives a different impression
Would you say a video that is majority black is remotely and racially representative of Britain?
Excuse me but
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
https://x.com/michaelpforan/status/1710329991680966677
You know
If that would help.
I mean, guys, this is pitiful. Not a single spine amongst you
We were happy. Posts were advertised.
Now we know better.
Joy.