WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Big Kev]

Despite numerous squirts of Febreze and a deep clean, with a Vax wet cleaning machine, the back seats of my car still have a hint of wet labrador. Tomorrow I am off to Newcastle to collect a full set of leather seats I bought online. It's a nice easy job to switch them over, the rear ones just have a couple of 'locks' to remove them, the fronts have 4 bolts each and a couple of plugs for air bags and heating.

[Whyperion]

In Barlick, they have just taken down the pylons that crossed the Rolls Sports Field. I think originally the route was part of the feed to the Rolls Factories. The cables they carried have all gone underground though.

that could allow land to be developed for housing ,etc

[Stanley]

Susan and Mick worked hard and made a 100% improvement in my kitchen with a coat of paint. It had got really bad but now I am respectable again! Today they come back to finish the kitchen and do the hall..... They have done a really good job.
Kev, that sounds like an impressive upgrade....
(Is that on Tyne or under Lyme?)

[Big Kev]

(Is that on Tyne or under Lyme?)

Tyne. Satnav shows around 2 hours but I reckon it'll be quicker than that.

[Stanley]

[Big Kev]

It was actually a small village near Bishop Auckland, a 5 hour round trip. The seats look like new, no wear on them at all. Should be a 30 minute job to fit them

[Stanley]

That's good. I see the installation went well .....

[Tizer]

It looks like the police have taken up stock car racing...
`Seven officers injured in crash during A1 pursuit' LINK

[Stanley]

I suppose it's a testament to the skill of the police drivers that that sort of crash doesn't happen more often Peter. High speed close pursuit is a dangerous game.

I've been following THIS trial at Preston Crown Court. The article gives more details but doesn't make it clear that Kerri Pegg the prison governor has been found guilty and awaits sentencing at a later date....

[PanBiker]

Kirkham prison was a very jolly place when I worked there installing network infrastructure in their education wing. Probably pre dates by a long way her tenure as the Guv.

[Stanley]

The fact that for the first time in almost a week I have the house to myself. Susan and Mick are off again and in Chester. I love my family dearly but I am not used to sharing my house with anyone....

[Big Kev]

Middle offspring is travelling to Sidney, he boarded a plane in Manchester to Frankfurt at 6am this morning. He transferred to a Toronto flight which flew back over Manchester

[Tripps]

The fact that for the first time in almost a week I have the house to myself. Susan and Mick are off again and in Chester. I love my family dearly but I am not used to sharing my house with anyone....

Watch out for them measuring up for curtains - perhaps the vanlife is losing its attractions.

[Stanley]

Not yet David, they're still enjoying the freedom. Mind you Susan was telling me which items she'll be keeping...

[Big Kev]

Middle offspring is travelling to Sidney, he boarded a plane in Manchester to Frankfurt at 6am this morning. He transferred to a Toronto flight which flew back over Manchester

14 hours to go, I'd be proper fed up waiting around for flight transfers.
Manchester to Frankfurt
Frankfurt to Toronto
Toronto to Vancouver
Vancouver to Sydney

Screenshot_2025-04-12-08-15-55-999_com.flightradar24free.jpg

[Stanley]

Cheaper than a direct flight?

[Stanley]

I have a question..... Have you noticed that the black heritage lamp posts in the Town Centre have been replaced by new ones twice the height. Can anyone tell me why?

[PanBiker]

Are the new ones LED lamps?

I believe the ones on our back street are due to be upgraded or so I was told when they repaired the one outside our house the other week

[Big Kev]

Cheaper than a direct flight?

Yup. Which is good if you have the patience

[Stanley]

Don't know Ian. I haven't seen them lit....

[Tizer]

I have a question..... Have you noticed that the black heritage lamp posts in the Town Centre have been replaced by new ones twice the height. Can anyone tell me why?

Could it be to prevent the theft of bulbs or whatever they are called in street lights. Mind you, the whole heritage lamps might get stolen - it's happened in Cambridge (I wonder if Tripps has one in his garden)?
`Theft of historic street lamps is 'heritage crime'' BBC report

[Big Kev]

I have a question..... Have you noticed that the black heritage lamp posts in the Town Centre have been replaced by new ones twice the height. Can anyone tell me why?

I put the question to David Whipp and he said

Taller because LCC decided they should be... (The light does spread more the higher it is, so there's some logic.)

County did say we could cut them shorter if we wanted...

[Big Kev]

Are the new ones LED lamps?

I believe the ones on our back street are due to be upgraded or so I was told when they repaired the one outside our house the other week

I put the question to David Whipp and he said

Yes to LEDs.

[Stanley]

But that doesn't explain to me why they are twice as tall..... Couldn't they have simply put LED units in the old ones?

[Big Kev]

But that doesn't explain to me why they are twice as tall..... Couldn't they have simply put LED units in the old ones?

The old ones were rusting and could have potentially fallen over.