The Retirement Thread

[PaulSB]

@12boy I imagine our waste recycling can look a little complex from the outside but in reality it's simple and efficient. In my area it is:

Green bin - general household waste. Non recyclable
Blue bin - plastic and glass
Brown bin - paper and cardboard
Grey bin - garden waste (annual cost £40)

I feel the main point is by separating waste at the house it actually happens. We used to have to drive 8 miles to recycle glass for example. OK we did it but I guess thousands didn't.

Our local authority area recycles 60+% of all waste.

This week was green bin, general household waste, collection. I was delighted to see our non-recycled waste was only one refuse sack - the size you would put in a kitchen pedal bin. This was two weeks of waste.

Perhaps a little complex but it does seem to work.

 

[Dirk]

My wife had it done in the leisure centre in Barnstaple, why can't you?

The Covid website didn't list Barnstaple as an option. Very odd!

 

[ColinJ]

While I envy the incredible greenness you enjoy, I have lived in the high desert for over 60 years and like it a lot.

I used to go on holiday to Spain every year with my pal. I loved the warm spring sunshine but found the relatively arid scenery a bit harsh compared to our lush greenery. He said that we could keep the greenery - 'green' = 'wet' - see Ireland! He loves the desert/hills in Texas...

One of his holiday snaps...

I can see the appeal for a holiday, but this is more to my taste for somewhere to live...

(3.2 km/2 miles from here, as the crow flies.)

 

[Exlaser2]

Re vaccination centres. It could be because we have two systems running. One is National based and the other is run by the local nhs/ doctors . When my mum had it , she could have gone to Birmingham city centre to a national hub or wait until contacted by her doctors and have it locally . We did the latter as my mum is very frail .
When it’s my turn I will just go to which ever contacts me first 😀

 

[ColinJ]

Re vaccination centres. It could be because we have two systems running. One is National based and the other is run by the local nhs/ doctors . When my mum had it , she could have gone to Birmingham city centre to a national hub or wait until contacted by her doctors and have it locally . We did the latter as my mum is very frail .
When it’s my turn I will just go to which ever contacts me first 😀

That's what they said in my letter - wait for GP/health centre, or phone for the alternative - pharmacy/(whatever).

 

[Dirk]

That's what they said in my letter - wait for GP/health centre, or phone for the alternative - pharmacy/(whatever).

Think I'll wait for the Docs to call me.
They must be wasting millions in wasted notification letters and postage.

 

[classic33]

That's what they said in my letter - wait for GP/health centre, or phone for the alternative - pharmacy*/(whatever).

*Boots, Market Street.
The one with the big issue seller from Manchester outside.

 

[BoldonLad]

Think I'll wait for the Docs to call me.
They must be wasting millions in wasted notification letters and postage.

We booked and went to the nearest vaccination centre. In our case, it was about two miles away, ie walking distance. Next day, we got phone call from GP, offering vaccination at a local Health Centre, which was actually further away, but, still only about 3 miles away.

I think, on balance, we made the right choice, the Vaccination Centre (in a Nightingale Hospital) was completely seamless, no hanging around (in and out within 25 minutes), friends, who went to the Health Centre had more queuing and waiting, but, still quite acceptable, with a turn around of 45 minutes.

 

[12boy]

ColinJ, shore is purty in your parts. I came to Albuquerque, New Mexico from a hill station in the Southern Ghats in India which was jungly lush and Mumbai, also green, when I was 10. My dad worked for oil companies in China until the communists took over and then in India and grew up in Albuquerque. At first, it seemed pretty much dead. After a while I learned to appreciate whatever green there was and saw the Bosques by the Rio Grande and the vegetation on the mountains much like oases. And the sky....huge 360 degree vistas where from a rise or a hill you can see 60 miles. And another thing, and I am talking to you, Numbnuts, its good to be able to be outside nekkid for most of the year!

 

[Dirk]

@12boy out of interest, how far from the sea are you?

 

[gavroche]

I decided to treat myself to a new helmet yesterday and it came today. It is one of those with a detachable visor, held with magnets so no need for glasses anymore. If the weather decides to improve in the near future, I will try it on my next ride.

 

[ColinJ]

ColinJ, shore is purty in your parts. I came to Albuquerque, New Mexico from a hill station in the Southern Ghats in India which was jungly lush and Mumbai, also green, when I was 10. My dad worked for oil companies in China until the communists took over and then in India and grew up in Albuquerque. At first, it seemed pretty much dead. After a while I learned to appreciate whatever green there was and saw the Bosques by the Rio Grande and the vegetation on the mountains much like oases. And the sky....huge 360 degree vistas where from a rise or a hill you can see 60 miles. And another thing, and I am talking to you, Numbnuts, its good to be able to be outside nekkid for most of the year!

My friend loves to look out at the desert night sky, unsullied by light pollution.

He isn't too impressed by American beers in general, but he found that the local bar does a porter which he really does like. He quickly discovered that the Texan bar staff could not understand his northern English accent though.

Pal: "A glass of porter please."

Barman: "Say WHAT?!"

Pal: "PORTER"

Barman: "Huh?"

Pal: "PORTER - POR-TER"

Barman: "Say, bud, could ya just point it out to me!"

Pal points to the porter tap...

Barman: "RIGHT... PODDUR... Why didn't you say so!"

Pal: "Yeah, poddur, sorry!"

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, Aldi report... I didn't get out this afternoon in the end so I just strolled down to the station see if any papers were left. (There were.)

The builders and Aldi staff have really got stuck in and got the new store ready. It all looks super tidy and ready to go in the morning. All the lights were still on but no staff were visible. I imagine that was just to remind people that they will be open in a few hours time. Hopefully they will not normally be leaving the lights on 24 hours a day when the store will only be open 14 hours Mon-Sat and 6 hours Sun!

I deliberately ran my supplies down so I have a reason to shop there tomorrow evening. I'm hoping that they stock a couple of things that I can't get at Lidl, plus most of the things that I can.

 

[12boy]

Dirk, it is a bit over 1000 miles to LA, Portland Oregon and the Sea of Cortez. Prolly 900 as the crow flies.
ColinJ, there are craft breweries everywhere, now. I would have to laugh at your faces were you to swaller any Coors beer, but expecially the major breweries "lite beer". Even Mexican beers like Dos Equis, Modelo Negra, Tecate or Corona would probably be sneered at. But certainly watery, insipid 3.2 alcohol Coors. However, when it is 40C, you've been in the sun all day, you are facing a bait of Mexican food so hot it doesn't burn, but rather gives you electric shocks, lots of ice cold lager to wash it down with aint too bad, if memory serves. To this day, Mrs 12 likes the odd Tecate or Corona with a chunk of lime shoved into the bottle of Corona or can of Tecate.

 

[ColinJ]

My boozing days are over, but I used to love ice cold lager and hot curries after long bike rides in the sun. Not 40C temperatures though... That is higher than the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK (TOP 5), and usually it doesn't get anywhere close to that - thank goodness. I like 20-25, and can cope with 30, but above that I start to wilt!