WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Tizer]

Well done!
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`Car insurance sees biggest price drop in six years' LINK
Huh, I didn't get any drop in premium when I renewed my car insurance recently - but at least it hadn't gone up!

[Big Kev]

Well done!
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`Car insurance sees biggest price drop in six years' LINK
Huh, I didn't get any drop in premium when I renewed my car insurance recently - but at least it hadn't gone up!

My renewal quote was considerably more by a couple of hundred pounds, I checked with the meerkats and then phoned my broker who beat the meerkat by another £50.
It certainly pays to question any renewal quotes

[Stanley]

Big sleep.... No problem, we aren't on piece work.
The Bowker Drain research is going to be used by a lady who owns land on the course to foil the possible interference with her rights by Seddon Homes who are re-applying for the Barnsey site. My obsession may be useful!

[Tizer]

My renewal quote was considerably more by a couple of hundred pounds, I checked with the meerkats and then phoned my broker who beat the meerkat by another £50. It certainly pays to question any renewal quotes

I always try the comparison sites but couldn't get it any cheaper (I'm with LV) unless I went to a business that I've never heard of and I don't want to risk that.

[Big Kev]

My renewal quote was considerably more by a couple of hundred pounds, I checked with the meerkats and then phoned my broker who beat the meerkat by another £50. It certainly pays to question any renewal quotes

I always try the comparison sites but couldn't get it any cheaper (I'm with LV) unless I went to a business that I've never heard of and I don't want to risk that.

Hastings Direct are my broker, I've had several obscure names as underwriters

[PanBiker]

They are all much of a muchness and all pirates in my view. I used to be with Hastings for my car insurance but moved to Dial Direct a few years ago when Hastings refused to budge on a renewal. I still check the meerkats at renewal time and then like you use it as a lever. I managed to get mine cheaper than the previous year last year, maybe due to reduced traffic with the first lockdown so reducing the risk of accident. I always go online then finish the job on the phone with a real person who you can talk to.

[Stanley]

I've always advocated going back and reading a random file occasionally. It's amazing what you turn up.
I did that this morning in the process of getting all my research on the Bowker Drain together for my friend and came across this in an article Mike Clarke sent us under the pen name Pluto.

As set out in the Act, he (John Bagshawe 1758-1801) eventually called for Commissioners to be brought together to make a decision on the various uncompleted works on his lands. They reported, giving the following legal orders to the canal company, on the Nov 9th, 1798.

1. Culvert from Bowker Ing, no order necessary.
2. Back drain on lower side of canal, no order necessary.
3. Arch tunnel or passage in the Butts occupied by Thos and James Thornber, no order necessary.
4. Arch tunnel or passage in Benj Ferrand's estate occupied by Thos Cockroft, no order necessary.
5. Two watering places for cattle to be made in fields called the Banks and the Croft.
6. Dividing and separating the towpath adjoining the canal other than as now done, no order necessary.
7. Two bridges to be made, one in the Croft at the west side of Coates Hall, and one in the Banks within 200 yards of the old road at a place decided by Thos Cockroft of Bracewell to serve lands tenanted by John Waite and Henry Parkinson.

It seems that between July, 1796 and the summer of 1798 the canal company had completed most of the necessary works, with just several watering places and the two accommodation bridges linking fields in Bagshawe's estate requiring construction. Both these bridges, called Banks Bridge and Hawcroft's or Eastwood Bridge, were removed in the twentieth century.

He's given me the builder, date and origin of the name for the drain.

[Stanley]

My friend was delighted with the Bowker Drain material. From what she says both the Council and the developer are confused about which drain is the Bowker. There's another later drain on the east side of the canal and she thinks that they think that is the Bowker Drain.
I have a feeling they are about to be educated.

[Stanley]

I had a nice walk in the sun and the first thing that struck me was I didn't need a hat or a jacket, just grabbed my stick and the camera and set off. I had a look at the wall that fell and after that went up the street. After a good natter with my mates at the top of the street I set off...



The wall looks good, a good match with the original.



Next thing I noticed was that we have had the first grass cut of the year on the Green. That does feel Spring-like.

[Stanley]

And we are promised 16C today.....
This caught me eye at sunset yesterday....

[Marilyn]

Why...for heaven’s sake...would a 38 year old estranged partner ( guilty of partner abuse) be allowed access to his beautiful 9 month old daughter...strap her to his chest in a baby carrier...then launch himself over the side of a dam wall...committing murder/suicide?
I am in absolute despair trying to understand this.
Likely too local for you to have heard, but this beautiful baby girl was called Kobi. ( she will become the new face of domestic abuse here)

[Tizer]

As Victor Meldrew would say, `I just don't believe it!' Fancy landing one of those powerful big beasts on a plastic sheet!
`Addenbrooke's Hospital helipad destroyed by departing aircraft' BBC video
`A hospital's helipad has temporarily closed after it was badly damaged by the draught from a departing aircraft. The structure at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge was thrown into the air as the USAF CV22 Osprey took off on Wednesday. Its crew had been taking part in medical transfer training..'.

[Marilyn]

Sad as it is, I have no real problem with those who suicide. It is an intensely personal decision.
But to take children or a previous partner with you is extremely beyond the pale. No excuse for that.
( my best friend’s son committed suicide ( aged 35 with 4 kids) and we have both had to work through it because I had loved the boy since he was 4 years old)

[Cathy]

Concern for Kobi and her mother has been voiced Australia wide. Obviously very serious mental health issues involved, but the ‘Authorities’ were very aware of the fathers history of domestic violence and he had previously threatened Kobi’s life.
How, HOW! did he have possession of Kobi?
RIP Kobi (9months of age).

[Marilyn]

I am struggling too Cazza. A beautiful beautiful little girl. So very sad.

[Stanley]

I got a surprise yesterday evening when I saw the almost full moon high in the sky to the south even though it was broad daylight. It's full on Monday.

[Tizer]

Full moon might be on Monday in Barlick but it's on Tuesday elsewhere in the UK! LINK A pink moon too.

The BBC week in pictures is a bit gloomy this time. Capetown is having a terrible time with its wildfires. A tourist centre and the University Library have burnt down.
`Week in pictures: 17 - 23 April 2021' LINK

`Wildfire Deals Hard Blow to South Africa’s Archives' NY Times

[Stanley]

Peter, according to NASA it's at 11;31 on Monday. I checked and you're right of course. 11:31 on Monday for the US equals 04:31 here in the UK.

[Marilyn]

What is so interesting about a full moon? We have them quite regularly... and have done for a long time..

[Stanley]

The Moon's beauty and mystery has fascinated many down the ages Maz. Still does it for me.

[PanBiker]

Anzac Day, lest we forget.

[Big Kev]

The Moon's beauty and mystery has fascinated many down the ages Maz. Still does it for me.

Me too, it was good to see it in a clear blue sky as well.

[plaques]

Eric Bogle , The band played Waltzing Matilda. One of my favorites, very emotional. Will play it again tonight.

[PanBiker]

Indeed Ken.

We buried our dead and they buried theirs..
Then we started all over again....

[Marilyn]

You do know that Matilda was a swag ( a kind of sleeping bag)?