…a very slight diversion if ya don’t mind….
IIRC some manufacturer (Poss. Boeing) experimented with the MLG Wheels being rotated just before landing to prevent the flat spotting of the impact. We’ve all seen the smoke.
It obviously failed as it isn’t around. (Presume weight of driving mechanism contributed to failure?)

Much of the OP relates to UK, and probably localised parts of UK. Or rather…there are still parts of UK like “we would want it”.

I’ve just spent a year in Europe, and there are certain things that I really wish parts of the UK had: –
No litter.
Manners. Even opening doors for lasses.
Intellect, from even the most unlikely of people.
Genuine converstion on public transport (Here, I feel they are seeing if I have anything to steal).
Buildings and houses look tidy, and they are repaired ASAP.
Just a general attitude of pride.

I was hoping the Olympics would bring some of that back, but it hasn’t.

If you decide Bridge, I’d go with Panasonic. Their stabilisation is 2nd to none.
But a 2nd hand DSLR is better. I chose Canon simply because it felt better in my big mits. (I’d shortlisted down to a Canon and a Nikon at my budget level then went into shop to play).

Mentioned above, Bridges do have a shutter lag, and in that time the object has moved – a lot of Bridge cams don’t have predictive focus to take account of that lag.
Avoid the claims of some Zooms. “Digital zoom” is a semi-useful gimmick. It only enlarges the image, just like you would zoom in on a PC. Useful as a telescope! Put it on full 48x zoom, take picture, see what it is and then delete it!

I’d rather hear the beautiful musical tones of the Welsh than the plinky plonk of Mandarin.
All day long.

A muslim colleague at work told me he had a digital copy of the Qur’an.
Things went downhill when I asked him to burn me a copy.

I’d take the M5 or M6 if I had a choice. I like to have the power and the speed and the luxury and the silence (With windows up of course).

That Merc. interior looks like an early Daewoo. Trash.

Stayed in bed?

You know that awesome feeling after a lie in, refreshed/invigorated/inspired!!!

No, me niether.