WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

Didn't the Victorians do well with the cast iron lamp posts......

[Whyperion]

While there should be non corrosive covers at the bottom - to avoid corrosion caused by dogs, most corrusion occurs from the under ground portion rotting just at ground level from rainwater, etc. Did the Victorians site their gas lamp poles differently in the days before macadam - tarred - surfaces was there more drainage with flags ? or did they need changing too on a regular basis.

[Tizer]

When the BBC has finished investigating vets they should start on dentists operating the same scam...
`Vets say they are under pressure to bring in more money per pet' LINK
Some vets are being put under "consistent pressure" to generate income, the BBC has been told. "Your worth is only how much income you bring," says "Adam" - a vet at a practice owned by IVC Evidensia (IVC), one of the big six pet-care providers in the UK. He says the amount of money he brings in is one of his key performance indicators....

[Stanley]

I think we all knew that was happening Peter, particularly in small animal practice. And yes, I think you're right. The last time I was at the dentists they told me that I should have new false teeth every five years. They were astounded when they found the age of my top set. (It's 66 years now since Mr Pinder fitted me up.... )

[Big Kev]

Middle offspring sent me a picture from the middle aisle of Aldi in Sydney

IMG-20250416-WA0002.jpg

Everyone needs a trombone

[Stanley]

Include me out!

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on a ban on EU food in traveller's luggage.
The UK government has brought in a temporary ban on holidaymakers bringing in cheese and meat products from the EU in a bid to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Travellers have not been allowed to bring back items such as cured meat and cheese, including in sandwiches, since Saturday due to the growing outbreak on the continent. The restrictions apply regardless of whether the goods are packed or packaged, or bought from duty free. It follows an earlier ban of similar products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria after rising cases of the cattle disease in those countries. The restrictions apply to people arriving in Great Britain, not Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Products will be seized and destroyed if people try to bring them in, and in "serious cases" people could be fined up to £5,000.
As far as I can see there is no restriction yet on goods brought in by normal wholesale trading routes.
The last major outbreak of F&M in 2001 was thought to have started from a ham sandwich thrown away and not boiled properly as pig swill before feeding and I think such sources are always seen as more dangerous.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report about public reaction to the felling of a tree in London.
2 hours ago
Whether a tree falling in a forest makes a sound is a perennial subject of debate, but in one north London borough, it's certainly made a lot of noise. The felling of a 500-year-old oak tree earlier this month in Enfield has sparked outrage and a nationwide conversation. First came the felling itself on 3 April which, it seems, few people noticed. It wasn't until 12 days later that the news emerged in a flurry of national headlines, after council workers found the slain tree in Whitewebbs Park. Then came a plot twist that few would expect - the owners of Toby Carvery, a family pub chain specialising in budget roast dinners which has a restaurant overlooking the tree, admitted that they felled it after receiving advice it was dead. The saga is a stark reminder of the emotional place that trees occupy in Britain's national consciousness - coming not long after the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was felled at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.
I like trees but I often wonder about public reaction when a well known tree is felled. I suppose it is good that this happens but can't help wondering why the death of a child doesn't evoke such a reaction. I suppose it comes under the heading 'Nowt so queer as folk.'

[Tizer]

If a child was chopped into bits with a chain saw I suspect it would evoke an even greater reaction.

[Stanley]

See THIS for news of how Trump's exported 'gang members' are being used as political currency....
50 minutes ago
El Salvador's president has offered to repatriate 252 Venezuelans deported by the US and imprisoned in his country - if Venezuela releases the same number of political prisoners. Nayib Bukele appealed directly to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a post on social media. He said many of the Venezuelan deportees had committed "rape and murder", while Venezuelan political prisoners were jailed only because they opposed Maduro, whose re-election last year is widely disputed.

[Cathy]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POSTMAN PETE
.
.

[Whyperion]

Trees - its to do with Climate change, ecosystems , green wellbeing, a lack of management of our timber resources.

I suppose we mark the death of the RC Pope this morning following his rather good speech on Easter Sunday. 88 years old.
A new one is due for election, given we need a new Head of the C of E time for both to merge back and kill two birds with one stone ?

[PostmanPete]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POSTMAN PETE
.
.

Thank you Cathy, I've had a lovely day with my family.

[Stanley]

Many happy Returns Pete...

[PostmanPete]

Thank you Stanley

[Big Kev]

Happy belated birthday Pete, hope it was a good one.

[PostmanPete]

Thanks Kev, it certainly was a good one - I managed to misplace my list of jobs to do....!

[Big Kev]

Thanks Kev, it certainly was a good one - I managed to misplace my list of jobs to do....!

[Stanley]

Susan and Mick are heading for Windsor Great park where they help Mick's brother, Wilf Ripley with his entry in the horse show.

[Cathy]

.

IMG_4770.jpeg

.
ANZAC DAY 2025
Today we commemorate the 110 year anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp at Gallipoli Turkey.

[Stanley]

Margaret reminded me this morning Cathy. Janet used to parade with the Vets each year in memory of her granddad.
What got my attention yesterday was that it was one of those in-between days when it was warm enough to stop the CH coming on but not warm enough to make the North facing front room comfortable. So I lit the stove..... Just a small fire but it made all the difference.

[Big Kev]

The site is getting battered which is slowing it down. I'll try and make time this afternoon to find the culprit

Screenshot_2025-04-25-14-22-58-454_com.odin.plesk.mobile.jpg

[Big Kev]

I've added a Hong Kong IP range to the firewall, hopefully that's sorted it. I'll check after my tea.

[Big Kev]

That sorted it

Screenshot_2025-04-25-18-25-37-470_com.odin.plesk.mobile.jpg

[Wendyf]

Well done Kev.