jgtuk

Yeah, sorry, it was more of just an ‘extra’ to the thread regarding never being safe than an answer to your comment 😂.

My Mother had a beach/tote bag sliced at the base and emptied as she was walking from our parking space 500m to copacabana beach in Rio De Janeiro. Totally emptied and she wasn't aware of a thing.

Back in the early 80’s I was robbed in Brussels and they took my passport amongst other things. It took just under 6 weeks for a replacement so I hiked around Belgium, met some other travellers, went to a couple of festivals (Werchter?) and generally had a great time. Stayed in the YMCA hostel in Brussels, an old theatre with bunks everywhere, including the stage, which was owned by/run by an alcoholic American Vietnam vet called Jesse. Very nice chap and he helped me survive those 6 weeks with his knowledge and circle of friends, all for the price of a few bottles of Chivas Regal (his favourite tipple). Shout out to Steve (Bristol) and Matt (Canada) wherever you may be. Strange days indeed.

The return of subsidies for EV’s https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/29/uk-reportedly-planning-electric-car-loan-subsidies-to-push-sales

Seems sane… https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/greenland-red-white-blueland-trump-bill-b2696650.html

It’s up to you and what the extra cost amounts to. I’ll be honest, you might not notice the difference when in use. (I would go for ED personally ) Your call.

Fixed

Good choice. I’ve held these and they feel very comfortable for my hands, smooth focusing controls, good ED coating and will last you years if you look after them. There’s no substitute for trying them out first though if you can. If not, make sure you can return them easily. I’m sure you’ll be happy with them though. Good luck 👍

8x40/42/50 good for closer, lower light, in garden, woodland etc, not so good for distance, seawatching etc. 10x 40/50 etc better for distance, hopeless in close woodland because of field of view. Spotting scope better for long distance, seawatching etc. Water resistance and fog resistance may be a consideration if you intend using in these conditions so look for nitrogen or Argon filled/purged models. Roof prism vs porro prism - main consideration is size/weight - Porro prism are smaller/lighter generally but both can give great results visually. HD/ED coated glass helps with chromatic aberation, sun haze etc and I would highly recommend paying more for this if you are serious. MOST IMPORTANT - comfort. Try some out and make sure they are comfortable to use - weight/size/grip and eyecup design (eye relief - do you wear glasses etc) will enhance your pleasure. I can't recommend a particular make or model as I don't know your budet and needs. I use Swarowski and Leica which are mega expensive but I've been birding for many years and it was my profession at one time so justifiable for me. Some reserves have open days with dealers so you can go and try out in the field, look online to find your local large reserve and call them. Hope that helps somewhat. Forgot to add - new innovations include image stabilised bins if you want to push the boat out - My dad has a pair of Canon and they are superb.

Excellent! Just remember things like this if you start to feel low. Well done. 👍

It's all so dissapointing. I never had faith in this particular Labour set up, just hope and the knowledge that anything must be better than the last pile of steaming crvp to govern over us.

It's been used for a long time on BBC World Service and other international radio as non English listeners will understand more easily

There’s plenty of trustworthy information coming from Palestine, I suggest first you might want to look for the accounts of foreign medics, Doctors, Surgeons, and the Aid Workers working in a humanitarian capacity in the very hospitals being bombed, snipers shooting patients and staff through windows. Children being treated for bullet wounds, losing limbs and undergoing surgery in the most inhumane conditions. Listen to the account of Tom Fletcher talking on the R4 Today program last Friday. “Between 2007 and 2011, Fletcher was the foreign policy and Northern Ireland adviser to Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.[1] In his memoirs, Gordon Brown called him "indispensable and indefatigable."[8] In his book For the Record, David Cameron wrote: "There was one man who would prove essential: Tom Fletcher. Tom became my support, sounding board and source of information about virtually every country on Earth".[9]” As I’ve previously mentioned, I have family and friends working in Gaza who have told me exactly these stories and many more, too horrific to mention here.

Bloody love that, can't understand why it didn't catch my attention before as I have the "hours" album...

Great advice 👍

Isn’t that an Oasis album

Use them for 6 phones in my family. Uses Vodafone network so that may affect your decision. Not had to deal with any issues so can’t comment on customer service but they are the cheapest by a mile and when your cheap deal is up you can easily port out and start a new contract using another offer.

I presume so, just going on what the article says. “Under the post-Brexit system, checks on commercial vehicles do not take place at Dover itself. Instead, drivers are ordered to travel 22 miles (35km) away to a border control post at Sevington. But critics have warned that many lorries are simply failing to turn up for the checks, due to a lack of enforcement.”

Who else has made decisions based on principles, even though your life would be better had you gone the other way. I’m looking at battery backup for my solar array and been offered a very sweet deal on a Tesla wall. I declined and am looking at other options but not found anything as good.

This is meat smuggled in though, no food standards checks. @Trav Le Bleu beat me to it

Another Brexit bonus… https://www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglydk3d7wko.amp?amp_js_v=0.1&amp_gsa=1#webview=1&cap=swipe

There were (are) people on this forum arguing in defence of Israel insinuating that they were justified in their attacks on a civilian population because ‘antisemitism’.

Not Katie Price is it?