Phil xxkr

9 hours ago, LenT said:

Could it be a celesta?

https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/celesta/structure/#:~:text=Celestas look like an organ,carry over quite a distance.

Correction: I think you’re right - it’s a harmonium.  The celesta comes in later!

Not heard it for years - probably because the latest generations neither know nor care who Flynn was!  

But sometimes his reputation for being rather promiscuous slightly backfired.  In the 1938 Adventures of Robin Hood he had a long kissing scene with Maid Marion (Olivia de Havilland, who was a good friend).  She later wrote that she decided to have a bit of fun and kept fluffing the scene, which then required several retakes.  

To her amusement it also caused Flynn a disturbance in the tights department!

There was a film "In like Flynn" about his early life, suspect it came from that🙂, also in the film, "They died with their boots on" , he didn't lose. As the Americans quaintly say he was "first alternate" 😂

3 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

"Yes I realise lying about my car was slightly less of a crime "

Not so quick. We take lying very seriously here.

Yours

Errol Flynn

As in lying down Errol? 😅

4 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Look I have a lot of time for Maggie, BUT she also came out with her fair share of crap, because like all of us she had core beliefs and they work two ways. They give you rules, discipline, motivation etc etc and then the opposite side of that coin they can close your mind and blind you to alternatives.

For example, in the above posted quote . In the event of emergencies, times of crisis, I can promise you a central control system will tend to outperform the alternative. You won't want people with freedom to choose you will want people following orders. History is littered with examples.

Hence, in this case I am saying as usual 'universal truths' seldom exist and when they appear to do so a la Maggies quote you know it is typically 'belief blindness' in operation.

It's quite difficult for me to 'poke' that Maggie bear ,because like her I am a great believer in the individual and personal responsibility which featured large in her approach to life and politics.

Then you agree 🥳🥳🥳

On 8/25/2024 at 1:08 PM, LenT said:

MrsT and I have always been in this fortunate position - and yet have always received it!

When it first arrived I contacted the Pensions Department and informed it that we don’t need it, save on the admin and send it to someone else.  If our circumstances changed, I would get back to it.

A protracted debate then ensued because the Civil Servants involved apparently couldn’t accommodate this request.  So rather than spend any more of our diminishing lifespan arguing the point, we just accept it with good grace and pass it on.

I’m much more concerned that the various personal arrangements we made to provide a modest but comfortable retirement after long working lives will be targeted by a Government now desperate to buy off those who funded it and who wish to impose their version of social equality and freedom.

As one pundit recently pointed out, the Labour Party has formed four Governments in its hundred year history.  All but one have ended with higher unemployment and a reduced economic situation than when it entered office - the exception being the very first because that only lasted seven months!

Unfortunately, it appears that this is a lesson that has to be relearnt  every couple of generations. 

Speaking of another much admired Mrs T:

The economic success of the Western world is a product of its moral philosophy and practice. The economic results are better because the moral philosophy is superior. It is superior because it starts with the individual, with his uniqueness, his responsibility, and his capacity to choose. Surely this is infinitely preferable to the socialist-statist philosophy which sets up a centralized economic system to which the individual must conform, which subjugates him, directs him and denies him the right to free choice. Choice is the essence of ethics: if there were no choice, there would be no ethics, no good, no evil; good and evil have meaning only insofar as man is free to choose.”

Margaret Thatcher.

53 minutes ago, LenT said:

So right, Malcolm.  It’s astonishing that having spent a substantial period of time as the Shadow Minister, the first decision that Reeves makes appears to be so flawed.  Unfortunately, it highlights the general lack of expertise on the new Front Bench.

For example, have any of them actually run a successful business in a competitive market?  Certainly not the boy Streeting, now in charge of the NHS - the UK’s largest employer and currently the world’s fifth largest, just ahead of Amazon! 

Apart from that omission, quite how studying History as opposed to, say, science or medicine, is considered an appropriate knowledge base I have yet to hear him explain.

I thought that the idea of learning from history was to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Clearly I was misguided 😊

2 hours ago, LenT said:

MrsT and I have always been in this fortunate position - and yet have always received it!

When it first arrived I contacted the Pensions Department and informed it that we don’t need it, save on the admin and send it to someone else.  If our circumstances changed, I would get back to it.

A protracted debate then ensued because the Civil Servants involved apparently couldn’t accommodate this request.  So rather than spend any more of our diminishing lifespan arguing the point, we just accept it with good grace and pass it on.

I’m much more concerned that the various personal arrangements we made to provide a modest but comfortable retirement after long working lives will be targeted by a Government now desperate to buy off those who funded it and who wish to impose their version of social equality and freedom.

As one pundit recently pointed out, the Labour Party has formed four Governments in its hundred year history.  All but one have ended with higher unemployment and a reduced economic situation than when it entered office - the exception being the very first because that only lasted seven months!

Unfortunately, it appears that this is a lesson that has to be relearnt  every couple of generations. 

Len I think you must have experienced a "senior moment" 😂. Trying to return the WFA is tantamount to you implying that they were wrong in giving it to you in the first place - heaven forfend

As I mentioned in a previous post withdrawing of the WFA  is not about saving money it's about means testing as a principle across all "benefits". So we are now in this bizarre situation of having to qualify to receive any State largesse, the State Pension being one of them. If you don't then over time all your assets will be drained away until you do qualify and hence becoming a vassal of the State and one of them. Like you I am fortunate to have come from an era where aspirations, ambitions and above all self-sufficiency were encouraged traits and characteristics. But I fear these are no longer too be admired but admonished as not representing todays anti-evolutionary stance of equality, fairness, diversity etc. as they pursue their la-la land entropic views of how the world should be run. 🙁

2 hours ago, LenT said:

MrsT and I have always been in this fortunate position - and yet have always received it!

When it first arrived I contacted the Pensions Department and informed it that we don’t need it, save on the admin and send it to someone else.  If our circumstances changed, I would get back to it.

A protracted debate then ensued because the Civil Servants involved apparently couldn’t accommodate this request.  So rather than spend any more of our diminishing lifespan arguing the point, we just accept it with good grace and pass it on.

I’m much more concerned that the various personal arrangements we made to provide a modest but comfortable retirement after long working lives will be targeted by a Government now desperate to buy off those who funded it and who wish to impose their version of social equality and freedom.

As one pundit recently pointed out, the Labour Party has formed four Governments in its hundred year history.  All but one have ended with higher unemployment and a reduced economic situation than when it entered office - the exception being the very first because that only lasted seven months!

Unfortunately, it appears that this is a lesson that has to be relearnt  every couple of generations. 

Couldn’t agree more! 

2 hours ago, Malc1 said:

441,245. Signatures to the AGE. UK.  Petition 

Malc 

 

On the radio this morning Dennis Reed from Silver Voices offered up a sensible trade-off re WFA. Only deny it to those paying higher rates of tax 🤔. Just might diffuse things. Then we shall see how many truly can do with out it. 🙂

On 8/21/2024 at 8:14 PM, fbrj said:

I am new to Lexus as a brand but am in the process of obtaining a leased new NX 450H+ Premium (with upgraded satnav), having come from a background of Mercedes and Volvo V60s over the last few years.

My question is - does it make sense to go for a 3 year "package" of servicing for what I can tell is about £35/month (ie £420pa) or should I just pay as you go for 3 annual services.

I cant find much info on what a typical service might cost.

Any pointers?

There are plenty of long 0% credit card offers out there to fund the package over say 24 months 👍

On 8/22/2024 at 7:13 PM, RXtoNX said:

I would imagine so.

 I have a 3 year free servicing plan (negotiated at time of purchase) and have received the appropriate invoices marked “paid” on collecting the car after a service.

Excellent negotiation skills 😊

7 hours ago, fourbanks said:

There is no denying that the Labour Party has performed poorly. We were all aware that their manifesto had contained nothing noteworthy prior to the election, and the only thing that could be certain was that it would change. Since the cabinet members of the conservative party were all extremely negative and out of touch, just like Trump, the public was unable to support them. Elections should be positive, like we see in the USA right now with Kamala Harris and Tim talking about positive change, not like ours, which are every five years negative and leave us in the same bad situation as the previous five years. What I say is that if you are unable to speak to your people in a speech like Tim and Kamala Harris, then just keep your mouth shut and go away and get out of politics.

It's hard not to believe that we are not living in a parallel universe let's call it Non-Sequitor 🙂. The Labour Party "has" not performed poorly. It "is" performing poorly and continues to do so. Will it do so for five long years is the only question. The Conservative party "has" performed poorly but to say "all" the Cabinet members are extremely negative and out of touch clearly implies and intimate knowledge of every member. This is an interesting conjecture as I doubt many people could name more than seven members in any Cabinet ever! 

As to the relevance of the USA elections evades me? But I defer to people with better insights such as Tucker Carson who commented on the DNC speech amongst other things, 

“This woman’s really scary; she could easily get elected president; she’s much more skillful than I have ever seen. She’s a liar on the deepest level, the things she is saying right now are not just untrue, they are the opposite of the truth, which is the hallmark of evil She’s an extremist; she’ll say anything. She’s much more like Gavin Newsom than I ever realized."

Ostensibly we have to / need to vote for someone so who's policies would you prefer? 🤔

31 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

And of course we’ll / you’ll never ever get too old to enjoy these cars to the fullest ……….. 😄😄👍😄👍

Malc 

Spot on Malc. When I joined LOC I chose XXKR as my id with the thought I would sell the Jag - it's still here 🥳

On 3/3/2024 at 2:28 PM, Boomer54 said:

I think what is already clear is that it was the right thing to do to get two different make of cars. I can already see that the differences are going to be a source of appreciation rather than irritation. If I had bought two SC 430's inevitably I suspect I would have gravitated to one with the other doing more standing until I sold it off. With the SC and XK to move between I think there is less chance of that happening. Bit like a great roast dinner and baked pasta dish. Both to be enjoyed for different reasons. You don't have to choose between them !

What a great choice! This is my 24year old XKR and still turns heads 😎. First thing to do is join the XK Enthusiasts Club, there will be one near to you for a wealth of of information and like-minded individuals. The RX is my daily driver these days but when I want to remind myself of the pure joy of responsive V8 driving out comes the Jagwaaarrr🥳. I love it! And that's the point, not only a great car but part of the history of cars, it invokes an emotion not found in other marques. 👏👏👏

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

AGE UK  sems to be the vehicle that is getting the momentum with this Petition and hopefully the debate in the House when it comes will show the shame that needs to be thrust upon the Labour Govt diktat regime .... called the Govt of the People by the Social thinking PM and  ...........  Rachel Reeves  ......  Queen of Thieves

 

Malc

Yes Malc, it reminds me of the poem/song from the early sixties called The Snake. 

There once was a tender-hearted woman who rescued a poor, half-frozen snake from near death in the winter cold. “Take me in, oh tender woman,” the snake cries out. “Take me in, for heaven’s sake.”

So the tender-hearted woman takes the snake into her own home, warms it by the fire and feeds it milk and honey: “If I hadn’t brought you in, by now you might have died.” But instead of saying thanks, the snake gave her a vicious bite.

“I saved you,” cried the woman. “And you’ve bitten me, but why? You know your bite is poisonous, and now I’m going to die.” “Oh shut up, silly woman,” said the reptile with a grin. “You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in.”

12 minutes ago, Cotswold Pete said:

 

The DM (sigh).

I am assuming they expect our MPs to freeze to naffing death when they spend a night in their second home which if they live in Bolton/Truro/Newcastle (where ever) they either stay in expensive hotels of sleep on the streets when they work in London (which from what I can see is a fair bit of their  time).  I assume Ted Verity will not be claiming anything from any government that he is not 'really' entitled to, and neither would Paul Dacre.

I get that some entitled MPs (of all parties) try and bend the rules .

With the daily rags you have to dig around to get the proper context.

But I am glad my mother in law buys the DM, it is just amazing for lighting fires. 

I am a pensioner in 2 weeks, and maybe in 20 years time I will need the heating allowance when my pensions have all dried up (and the state pension will be enough to buy one copy of the Big Issue a week, and some dry bread to dip into my cold soup) , but we have a few changes of government to get through before we get there.

The basic pay of an MP is £91,346 plus allowances. I am sure that there isn't a person in the country who couldn't get by on that without the WFA! No Pete, the shameless part is before the election everyone of them paraded around the country appeasing pensioners and with the promise, trust us we will look after you. Yet within hours renegade, demonstrating it was all a facade. And this is just the start. But somehow I don't think they'll be able to kick this particular can into the long grass very quickly. People of pensionable age should have /do know Labour of old so should have known better. But younger people can't be expected to so can we all ensure they remember this over the next few years. 

1 hour ago, Boomer54 said:

Sorry to say this is not really news nor is it limited to just these few politicians. How many in the past 'crapped' all over pension rights whilst having both hands out to maintain their ridiculously attractive pensions?. Clearly they cannot spell the word irony.

And I'm sorry to say I can't completely agree with you in this instance. I forgot to add Millibands name to the list of shameless hypocrites. This administration is but a month old and already creating firestorms here and abroad. It can't last can it? The more "We the people" voice our disapproval by all means possible then change can and will happen. 

2 hours ago, Malc1 said:

410,603   Signatures as of now 

Malc 

From today's DMail, 

Cabinet ministers were branded 'hypocrites' last night for claiming soaring amounts on expenses to heat their second homes while stripping ten million pensioners of their winter fuel payments.

Eleven of Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet have relied on taxpayer-funded help to pay their energy bills, analysis of expenses receipts reveals

Including Reeves Rayner Kendall😱

6 minutes ago, GMB said:

They ( Labour ) haven't been in power very long but I have seen no evidence of going after the wealthy or very wealthy yet. But a lot of evidence of going after he poorer folk who worked hard and tried to save for a meagre private pension.  I get the feeling that they are just after the easy targets and have no confidence in their "promises". What a disappointment they seem to be, or then again, we should have known based on their previous performance years ago.

We did know and voted otherwise 👍

On 8/16/2024 at 10:33 AM, steve2006 said:

Dan perhaps being in the insurance business you could explain to members why you were unable to help with insurance?

Great question, looking forward to equally insightful answers 

On 8/16/2024 at 10:15 AM, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Yes Your Quite Right Phil.., If You Have a Medical problem Say Ischaemic Heart disease there are Benefits out there which you can Apply For Acute Athritus Also being one of them.. But You,ve got to be Proactive and Apply for them..!!! Over 65 he could and most likely get Attendance Allowance...

Then do it! This government is intent in doing pensioners no favours 🙁

22 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

If they took me to the human scrapyard I would probably get turned down!

From PeterSharf "Think your kidney is worth more than a French bulldog? Think again. While filming, Scharf was able to locate three men in a Moldavian village who sold their kidneys and got just $2,292 each. Yikes. Hopefully they didn't find out that if a person wants to receive an illegally transplanted organ, they're going to have to pay anywhere between $80,000 and $200,000 for the privilege. (And they'd better hope their body doesn't reject their new kidney afterwards, because no refunds!)"😊

On 3/18/2024 at 8:48 AM, GMB said:

It is not just us Lexus owners that are seeing big increases in insurance costs. Phone call yesterday from brother-in-law who is ancient and has a knackered old VW Polo, just for shopping. His premium has doubled. He is on a poor state pension only. He cannot afford the increase. He must now take the bus everywhere as the old car in unaffordable. Priced off the road. Sad😒

Get him to speak to citizens advice bureau about over 65 Age Allowance. There is help available depending upon medical conditions 👍

On 5/16/2024 at 10:51 AM, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Any Excuse Really To Bump Up Your Insurance Premium..What will it be Next ? OH Yes Additional Question as to find out if you eat A Boiled egg Every Morning for your Breakfast ..If You Do This will also Bump Up Your premium as your Cholesterol will be Elevated Which puts you at a Greater Risk....Just wait for it.. There will be more Health Questions In The future To get us off the Road... Nothing Surprises me Now....!!!!

Interesting Ron, that's why I will not sign up to PKB. It allows PKB access to all your medical records, which is incidentally owned by the largest healthcare US owned firm in the world! And it's still not clear if their hacked system earlier which it was reported involved up to one third of all Americans this year included UK info.? 

1 hour ago, fourbanks said:

It will never work, the only change that has ever happened was the poll tax riots and that's about it as far as I know over the past 50 years 

"Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing."

John Stuart Mill 

2 hours ago, Malc1 said:

376,504  now this morning 

just up 2,500

overnight 

Malc 

For what it's worth Malc I have dropped a line to Lee Anderson MP updating him with the numbers and posing a question I should like him or a colleague to ask of the Home Office Minister when the House reconvenes. Fingers crossed 🤞