Failed to move with the times. Their last bright idea was PicknMix.

Such a shame but my thoughts are with the 30,000 staff – they don’t deserve to face Christmas with this uncertainty.

Interestingly, my housemate who is a manager in a small independent retail shop said that the VAT reduction will nothing to encourage us to shop more, and will do even more damage to small businesses, especially those in retail, simply because they will have bought stock in time for Christmas at the higher rate of VAT, and now that the rate has been reduced, if he decides to reduce the price of the products that he sells, he wont make any money!

And when they put VAT up to 17.5% shop keepers complained – it’s a national pastime in the UK.

While cutting prices in the shops is smarter than a tax rabate (which would be saved and not spent) I do agree that 2.5% is not likely to make me spend more – and is not going to save Woolworths.

Anyone else got the feeling that they would like to move to a different country if they had the choice?

Which country? I admit to being confused about the fuss about national debt. Our debt is about 40% of GDP right now. With all the Government borrowing Channel Four news said it will rise to about 57% of GDP – which is about where France is now. So Gordon kept our debt down giving him room to borrow now there is a crisis. And that is a problem because . . .?

They cannot even supply basic kit like socks…yes,socks….that last more than a few days. My son and his comrades had to buy just about all their desert kit because the issue was, in his words, grossly insulting. I am inclined to parcel some if it up and send to No 10 to ask Gordon if he would send his son to war in it…

You should. In fact, get your son and all his mates out there to send Gordon socks for Christmas – might get something done.

I can remember the scandal over soldiers in the Falklands having to buy their own boots and promises it wouldn’t happen again. Yeah right.

OK then Grey Area let’s look at some British organisations that have similar membership criteria to the BNP but are never called racist.

National Black Police Association – only blacks allowed RACIST!!!

From the National Black Police Association website:

The definition of “Black” does not refer to skin colour.
The emphasis is on the common experience and determination of the people of African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin to oppose the effects of racism. Everyone within policing is eligible to join the NBPA (There is no barrier to membership)

The highlighting is mine.

Time and again I see this type of thing on this forum – arguments do stand up better when they are built on more solid foundations

The six pointed star indicated a reconnaisance or army co-operation aircraft. (The fighters used a spearhead and the bombers a grenade)

The bird will be the squadron emblem. Londons served with 201, 202, 204 and 240 squadrons. Being maritime squadrons they used a variety of seabirds in their badges – they are shown here:
http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn201-205.htm
http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn236-240.htm

To my eye it could be 201 squadron (but not certain). It also looks as if your image may have been reversed at some stage – a negative printed the wrong way round.

Cheers

Allan

Oh dear – the BBC is overreacting now.

What Brand and Ross did was highly offensive. Brand’s resignation was correct. Ross this afternoon has been suspended for three months without pay which is also a good decision. It keeps him off air which will hurt him more than the loss of money.

But now the Controller of Radio 2 has also stepped down which IMHO is too far. There is going to be a huge review of how the BBC manages programmes – so expect TV and Radio to be noticably duller from now on. When edgy programmes go to far, there needs to be discipline, but not this sort of soul searching review of the whole organisation.

The BBC seems to be bogged down in restructuring every time there is a problem – bring back Greg Dyke.

… he’s a great guy, gave my wife and I a personal tour, he even opened his storage area. for us.

He certainly is – really genuine too. His Bond car collection is superb, I think he once told me he had 40 cars and motorcycles from the Bond films – way more than he can show in Keswick. And no doubt he has hold of most of the Quantum of Solace stuff already.

Pondskater, i’m staying in white cross bay yeah 🙂

You lucky young fellow. Did you know that is where Short Brothers had their Windermere Works in WWII. They built 35 Sunderlands there are refurbished another 25 or so. The concrete foundations of the factory, roads and slipway were left behind after the war and the caravan site was built to make use of them. Most of the concrete is covered over but the layout of the factory can still be followed.

This is the slipway in 1942:

As for photos, by all means try your new filters but see what you can do with the natural light you get in the lakes, especially early morning. These were all taken unfiltered and, as somebody on Blackadder once said, my medium is light:

Derwentwater, between rain showers creating an almost black and white effect. I love the way the cloud peels back off the mountains.

Borrowdale in Winter:

Near Ambleside in the mist:

Path at Loughrigg near Ambleside. That is really great wall, the combination of age and moss and that unique way of attaching the fence posts mean you can’t walk past it without taking a photo:

Frosty mornings:

Just take advantage of whatever conditions are offered and experiment.

Now, tell GA how many lakes there are.

Allan