jgtuk

To be honest, I had mine done purely as a rebellion to my upbringing in a heavily religious family. No thought whatsoever went into the design or planning… I think it’s more acceptable in todays society and often the norm in some circles so if I were younger I might feel differently. I certainly don’t judge people with tattoos although it’s difficult to converse with someone you’ve just met when they are covered in face/neck tats… I once interviewed a girl with tattooed legs, arms and chest and it was hard not to focus on them.

To be fair they look good, mine look like they were done in prison 😂

I have a few tattoos. I have few regrets in life - meeting my first wife, selling my first house too soon, that incident in Brazil with the lady? I met in a bar - but my tattoos look so crap now after so many years.

I love spiders and really don’t understand the fear.

No worries. I’m more than aware of the rituals I need to keep myself safe. The only other thing I can rely on is advice from all 3 consultants I see every 6 months and they all, in no uncertain terms, tell me to avoid anyone who doesn’t wear a mask (indoors of course) and to avoid public buildings altogether if possible. I have to make choices every day and still try and maintain a normal life. I’m 57 and fit with a wife, 2 kids and 3 grandkids. If I didn’t tell you then you’d have no idea anything was wrong with me so yes, other people wearing masks makes me happy. Believe me, I can’t wait until this shitshow is over.

Mainly because I have cancer and Bronchiectasis caused by the cancer so am particularly vulnerable. Other people wearing masks offer me more protection. You can go fvck yourself if you think for one minute that I’m enjoying wearing a mask, breathing is difficult enough for me on a daily basis without one but if I get Covid, I die.

I’ve also arrived back an hour ago but from France. I was pleasantly surprised to find that almost everyone, everywhere we went, were wearing masks, even teens. The exception, funnily enough, were Brit tourists. Saw an anti vax demonstration (two people) with a marquee and banners outside the town hall in Perigueux but not a soul engaging with them. Had to show vaccination passes everywhere we went, even to eat on a terrace.

“Yoffy lifts a finger, and a mouse is there”

Darkness in the winter combined with what seems like constant rain/damp atmosphere has done it for me.

I'm not sure about going out as that would be up to their own regulations but from October 4th my understanding is that there will be no green/amber/red just a two-tiered arrivals system and rules will depend on whether you are double vaccinated or not. If double vaccinated then you just need the day 2 test but I'm not clear myself if it's neccasery to pre book. I'm flying to France this weekend,returning on 12th and just need my vaccine certificate and a health declaration form from the french .gov website as the UK are on their amber list. On return to UK I think it's filling in the UK .gov locator form and the day 2 test. Has anyone NOT pre-booked the day 2 test? If so, what happens?

I've genuinely got better and more accurate help and advice from this forum than the (many) official websites...

Not sure, I’ve seen a few here in Wales though. I think the local wildlife trust probably have a database you could check for your area.

Volucella zonaria?

Might be going to Egypt after all, my mate works on a dive boat and assures me that it’s safe - government has a mask mandate in covered spaces and I’ll be on the boat/beach for a week. 2nd week not sure about as going to Luxor for a weeks cruise birdwatching so not sure how crowded it’ll be as we’ll probably be stopping at the usual places on the Nile. If I don’t go I lose all my money…

That sounds exessive to be honest. I would expect it be between £300 and £400 (guessimate) as Ive recently had mine done on a Jaguar XF which is an expensive smart type of Alternator. I'm sure a local independant will be able to do it cheaper.

In my experience and in general, an Alternator is either working or not working (but not always!). I wonder if you have an Earth lead corroded somewhere, or a poor connection somewhere on the charging circuit. I take it from the 'cruder' test you did that the car is an older model, not dual battery or smart charging? It probably is the Alternator but you could rule these things out first to save money, otherwise, a good auto electrician will be the best option.

Supposed to be travelling on Friday 27th to Egypt which is currently in the red zone but holiday company won't cancel until Shapps gives the latest relaxation/restrictions update. I don't care either way as I'm not going anyway, even if it goes to amber as I don't feel it's safe for me to be there (re Covid) but I'll still be going somewhere, just not sure where yet. I might just drive to France for a week or two as it's easier to stay away from the general public.

You beat me to it

Did you check the output of the Alternator? A simple multimeter will tell you if there is an output and if it is the correct output. The figures for your car will be available on the net somewhere (forum?) but a rule of thumb is to check the battery with nothing switched on and the voltage should be around 12v, then with engine on check again and it should be somewhere between 13v and 15v as it will be charging. It's not definitive but a good place to start. It could be as simple as a loose/corroded connection...

How brave were you making such a move during the pandemic!! It's a scary enough thing to do in normal times... We've decided not to rent as a holiday let now. Had the valuation and it exeeded our expectations so we are going on the market. There is a lack of properties to buy here in Mid/North Wales, although we are viewing an old hotel (was a family estate) in the middle of nowhere this afternoon. It's not been run for years and needs extensive work but has 6 acres including two ponds and a woodland. We would have to reregister it for domestic use though and there might be a few hoops to jump through as it is grade 2 listed. If it turns out to be a no go we are taking a year out in Cyprus to have some breathing space and explore options in France. I might well be picking your brains in the future.

I can't understand why this debate still exists. I've seen and read so many arguments here and elsewhere but have not found, or been presented with, any evidence that masks don't work (to some degree or another). I'm in the extremely vulnerable category so have discussed the issue with all of my consultants, Drs. and my own GP and all have warned that my safety would be compromised by others not wearing a mask. The sheer volume of peer reviewed papers and research in this thread alone should put it to bed.

I remember being taken around some of these clubs as a kid. My uncle was a drummer and his various bands toured locally for years. The Billy Walsh Showband in this clip was one he played in although that's not him in the clip. I also remember meeting Bill Maynard in a WMC at some point although I didn't really know who he was...

Getting a valuation today. Got to a point where a change in lifestyle is needed. Had a rep from Sykes Cottages assess our house last week and we were told it would turn over between £83,000 and £101,000 per annum as a holiday let. We are debating a move to France although we also have a 2 bed apartment in Cyprus that was gifted to us by my MIL. Is it possible to have too much choice? Edit: Sounding quite blasé about the choices but am actually a bit depressed at the state of the country. Politics and economics mainly but shocked at the attitudes and seemingly uncaring nature of the general media.

Dead cat...

I stopped going regularly years ago for these reasons. I get to the occasional match now but stopped taking the kids, especially away games.