WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[PanBiker]

I had occasion to visit B&M stores in Skipton today. Not too busy and pleased to report that all individuals that I saw whilst in the building were wearing masks.

[Big Kev]

That's good to hear.

[Stanley]

How the heat builds in the house. The shed is getting a bit too warm for comfort at over 80F during the day. A cooling down at weekend will be welcome.

[Tizer]

We have windows open in the morning when the outside air is cooler than inside, then close them later when the outside air is hotter. We then use several fans to keep the air moving and making it feel a bit cooler. I'm about to go out now and put some 5mm sheets of extruded polystyrene on the surface of our pond so that about half the pond is covered. That keeps the water from getting too hot and reduces evaporation. Got to look after those frogs and newts!

[Tripps]

Stark contrast.

On the day that a record number of illegal immigrants stormed the beaches of Kent, I was told about two of my friends who were invited here, and have worked incredibly hard for five years doing jobs that you wouldn't want to do, have received 'Indefinite Leave To Remain'.

That's how to do it - be invited, work hard, and get your reward. It cost them each nearly two thousand four hundred pounds in admin fees which is a lot on their pay. I look forward to them getting full citzenship.

[Stanley]

I wonder who sets the costs of the administrative fee. It seems expensive to me.

[Tizer]

Are your waste and recycling still being collected? Here in Taunton the system is collapsing due to shortages of drivers due to both `covid pings' and the national HGV driver shortage.

[PanBiker]

Seems to be normal in Barlick Peter, can't vouch for the green waste as we don't have a bin for that. We take our own to the recycling centre when the need arises. For us on the Croft, yesterday was Brown bin day so that was the bottles and tins which all go in one bin and are sorted at the other end. Next week will be Grey bin which is non recyclable general waste. Week after, Blue bin which is paper and card, back to Grey and then Brown again.

[chinatyke]

Meanwhile in China we suffer from morning and afternoon collections 7 days a week...

We pay for the service directly to the government, 7rmb per month, about 75 pence.

[Stanley]

You must make a lot of rubbish Graham! I only put my bins out when they are full and this can be six weeks for grey rubbish bin and brown recycled. Twice a day sounds excessive to me.
The fact that we are seeing a gradual change in the weather. We aren't used to this very hot weather!

[chinatyke]

You must make a lot of rubbish Graham! I only put my bins out when they are full and this can be six weeks for grey rubbish bin and brown recycled. Twice a day sounds excessive to me.

They are communal bins - there are 33 + 44 apartments in our 2 adjoining blocks and 2 bins allocated. You can appreciate why they need servicing twice a day. The other blocks on our estate also have dedicated bins, and there are bins in common areas, so the refuse trucks have at least 6 service points on our estate. It would be an attraction for vermin if they weren't kept clean.

[Tizer]

This story is on the front page of the Daily Telegraph today. The story is behind a pay wall on their web site so this is all I could access and I couldn't find anything more on the Web
`Smart meters will be useless in hydrogen-powered homes'
Chemical differences between gasses mean the devices will need to be replaced, admits Business Secretary. Smart meters will be rendered useless if Britain moves to hydrogen-powered homes in the future, Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, has admitted....

[The plural of gas was always gases, so what has changed? Another Americanism?)

[Stanley]

I heard a report on that Peter. See THIS Daily Mail report of the furore caused by Kwasi Kwarteng admitting that smart meters will be useless in hydrogen-powered homes of the future and will all need to be replaced.
In a separate report, the plumbing industry asks where the skilled workers will come from to make the massive changeover to the new systems.

[Tripps]

A notice on my local postbox - started with the words 'In order to improve efficiency...' Heart immediately sinks because according to Hutber's Law bad news is coming. Yes of course - the last (and only) collection is to be changed from 5 pm to 9am. It will thus be impossible to post a letter during normal 'working hours' for it be delivered the next day.

The previous service by which I could (and did) post a letter to SCG at 3pm and he could (and did) receive it by 1pm next day is gone. Thinking of what's involved in collection, sorting, travelling and delivery almost got me to comment on this brilliant service.

Just as well I didn't as I'd have blamed myself for jinxing it, and its subsequent withdrawal.

[Stanley]

Move over to my preferred option David, send all mail Second Class as First class is treated exactly the same.
What grabbed me this morning is how fresh and cool it is compared with the last week. I spent the last three hours of the night under the duvet and not on top. I sleep better in these lower temperatures.

[Tizer]

..the last (and only) collection is to be changed from 5 pm to 9am..

That's a real annoyance for anyone running a small business from home like we used to do and who likes to receive an order and mail out the goods on the same day. So much for improving productivity.

[Tizer]

I've just chanced upon this article and thought it worth mentioning here. I knew about the bantams and pals battalions in WW1 but this adds more background...
`Bantams: The army units for those under 5ft 3in' LINK

[Stanley]

That was a very interesting read Peter. I can't remember ever hearing about Bantams but Billy Brooks did say that when he and his mate went to Skipton to enlist they were sent home because too many were waiting. He never went back, he told me that the feeling wore off! He was a reserved occupation for the rest of the war.

[Stanley]

By the way. Regarding Bodge. I emailed him but have not had any word.

[Wendyf]

That doesn't sound good. Do you know Bodger's real name Stanley?

[Stanley]

Tony Bacon Wendy. Go to it!

[Wendyf]

I found an email from Tony and have done a bit of delving. Sadly I found that Bodger died back in April very soon after his last post on the site.

https://rip.ie/death-notice/anthony-ton ... van/456771

[Stanley]

Well done. That's that one sorted! Sad news.

[Stanley]

A thought that passed through my mind today.... Whatever happened to Roderick James Nugent Stewart , better known as Rory Stewart.

[Tizer]

He'll be somewhere up in the hills, sharpening his sword and tuning his bagpipes ready to make another attempt at England!