Yeah, but the quaint old market town image is well foxed and the glass in the frame cracked. Time to move on and up lads - some pretty lush 'over 50s' places right in the middle. Walk to station, fast electric train to the smoke and elsewhere. Countryside all round and hopefully a bit of life at night. What's not to like.

Anyone REALLY know what this is actually all about? If we knew the truth it would be rather embarrassing. It's never a secret with Putin, who is playing a blinder. More than can be said for one of the most corrupt democracies in the World.

‘A far away country about which we know nothing’ …. agree, it’s quite concerning. If our recent history books are to be believed, the World political landscape is eerily familiar to that of the late 1930s.

Problem is of course that we have an even more ineffective bunch waiting to take over. Still BoJo hasn't got too long left now Mrs J has him on a very short lead and shock collar. We just need to think on who gets his place....

Don't feel too sorry for TDH Sir William. The boat's hold will be packed to the gunnels with enough stock to start a pub chain. Plus TDH won't take long before he works out some plausible landing scheme! Plus if ever he does deign to return to this Septic Isle, if Thames Water have their way he'll be able to get back to Lake Newbury without getting off his big boat.

So business as usual for the crem. people! Quite interesting though. Greta and her mates have realised cremation isn’t exactly a ‘green’ approach - uses a lot of fuel and produces a lot of residue. Much better the old, old way. Just drop in deep hole shrouded with basket work. Then you’ll really be greens and might even be served up as such a decade or so later.

Don’t go, TDH, seize the opportunity - good money to be made - meet needs for a tricycle hearse for instance.

What’s the real beef? I suspect if you hadn’t been served up a faux history you would probably have had an enjoyable time and suggesting we should all go and support this local attraction. Fully appreciate your discomfort; it seems to be an age penalty when going round these places the modern historic narrative is often at odds with your own real memories of the time.

What’s the real beef? I suspect if you hadn’t been served up a faux history you would probably have had an enjoyable time and suggesting we should all go and support this local attraction. Fully appreciate your discomfort; it seems to be an age penalty when going round these places the modern historic narrative is often at odds with your own real memories of the time.

Not exactly a prediction; more a planning assumption. We know about this!

What we didn’t know whilst listening to the noise from the screeching classes was that British management has collapsed in several key areas meaning building, retail foods distribution, etc. would simply sit down.

Yes, the next period will be very challenging indeed and it won’t be cured by a couple of jabs and working from home.

...and doubtless paving the way for more draconian measures aimed at eventually eliminating 'driven' vehicles on public roads.

BBC website reports that European / Irish freight traffic is 50% down. Apparently, European traders are sending their containers directly from French Channel
Ports to Irish ports. This avoids their traditional route which was cross channel DRIVE through UK then cross Irish Sea from Wales. Apparently some 40% plus of the old traffic goes the new way and a new shipping line has also opened. So, far less pollution and danger on our road network. Whilst surely a loaded ship is far more sustainable than even a 40 ton lorry. Win win

Spot on.

I think we can now see the EU fir what it is; a self anointed dictatorship. An early lesson we would do well to heed. These people are not and never have been, our friends or allies.

It’s ok, NHS knew about the need for the closures when they agreed to use the site. Indeed a planned day or so out actually helps with performance. That the vaccine takes a fair time to produce, quite far sighted of HMG to place massive orders even before the stuff had been tested. All this known and in public domain well before start up. So, quite a remarkable achievement all round.

If you really want a cause to run with, go and give the cretins who claim they can’t wear facemasks - there are NO medical reasons not to and frankly, those who claim a mental health reason probably shouldn’t be out in public anyway.

Looks like the pandemic hasn’t ridded us of the litter-ate round here. So, now ‘Greens’ are on the rise, can’t we make it an offence to sell takeaway foods or cigs in packaging ? Would be a nice little earner for someone making reusable holders for a good price - which could attract a secondhand value for returns. Job done!

Quite the best response I’ve ever seen on here, seriously!

That’s just the point - you can’t, new handset needed. I appreciate no one here is poor or disadvantaged and only the green nutters don’t like dumping what is really perfectly serviceable stuff. So, if you are at the wrong end of the economy and worry where the next few hours work is coming from. If you are getting behind with the rent because your ‘self employed decorating work’ isn’t picking up. If you’ve let your old mum have your old iPhone believing the track and trace app pre publicity would help then you might just have a different opinion! I’d also hazard a guess and say the cynics in our society might even be suggesting that this is an Apple marketing ploy. Anyway, glad you are alright Jack.

Does any Government sponsored IT development ever work properly? It seems that the much delayed App doesn’t work on older (in some cases by 18 months) ‘Smart’ phones. Still, it’s only little people disadvantaged by this. Government for the few takes off!

Does any Government sponsored IT development ever work properly? It seems that the much delayed App doesn’t work on older (in some cases by 18 months) ‘Smart’ phones. Still, it’s only little people disadvantaged by this. Government for the few takes off!

Spot on gentlemen!

It’s taken me awhile to realise all this woke stuff might have something in it. I’m BAME, child of economic migrants from Germany to escape Roman wars. So you need to treat me with respect!

You are not wrong! The Captain hasn’t really recovered and now not that interested anymore. So, cabin boys are trying on his uniform and strutting about; but it doesn’t fit. Who else is there? Coal trimmers remain coal trimmers even with their new foreman. And the passengers... well, that’s what they’ll remain. I’ve found a seat in a nice boat we’ve managed to lower - just for a row round for a bit of excercise.. deck looks as if it has a decided slope from here!

Never mind, we don’t matter anymore, only me.

Or getting it totally wrong. One of the last nationalised industries; not exactly the image we now want to promote surely?

Didn't Teddy Roosevelt have something to say about hyphenated Americans?

Not for poor British management. Recognised as abysmal in 1941 and we’ve not improved it since.

In reality, Brexit is simply letting ‘the people’ which empire they want to be ruled by, United States of Europe or United States of America. In spite of its present issue, we’ve made the right choice.

Dear old Boris is pleading with everyone to 'get back to work'; if only! Chap next door runs a small jobbing builders firm; off they go, good order book, and then....no plaster in Newbury at all. Day or so back, look on line. Wicks and B&Q have it....Aaah our website isn't 'up to date'. Get in touch with British Gypsum, Ooooh its all to do wiv Covid...No outlook, no reserved ordering, no alternatives, nothing, so three get laid off!

Meanwhile, public spirited Partner goes to town to collect an old neighbours regular repeat prescription from famous High Street Chemist. Only took two visits (40 mins in queue each time) to sort and get right. When Chemist realises mistake, won't take 'wrong' stuff back! And the NHS is short of money. Apparently, dear lady says mistakes are the norm. Suggest to neighbour that postal service would be better, apparently not, she's tried twice, postman never knocks at all, let alone twice!

Anyone else irritated by the weird way our peers waddle round such stores that do have a bit of stock. Have parents lost the ability to control their kids? Do people really need to block an asile discussing the merits of shampoo with Elsie?

Then get dear old dad calling. 'My iPad (or rather my old one) isn't working properly with quite a few apps; apparently I need to buy a new one. Why can't I just upgrade this one, really green that isn't it' he rages. After a chat, which doesn't pacify him, he lets go about his very new Smart meter, the portable display has stopped working. Endless calls have failed to get any action or even any admission that anything is wrong.

And so it goes on. And still we think we'll survive on our own!