The Retirement Thread

[Dirk]

Morning all

Weather's looking OK this morning so we are going out for a ride on the two Bantams.
Might head out around Stogumber way.

 

[Tenkaykev]

They are more efficient
just more efficient at making money for the owners in most cases

Which is why utilities and the like need strong regulation by a proper regulator

The irony is that the privatised rail metwork is receiving more in government subsidies than when it was British Rail.
Just head to the Gov UK website and type in " Rail Subsidy " for some eye watering numbers. A sample:


Note: Government support includes total operational funding as well as total enhancements funding and miscellaneous funding. Operational funding includes payments to or from franchised train operators, passenger transport executive grants, payments to infrastructure managers and freight grants. Government support for the operational railway was almost £12 billion in FYE March 2023 – equivalent to more than £420 per household.

 

[Mo1959]

the sun was illuminating the bottom of the clouts turning them a lovely shade of pink.

Maybe they will match Claire’s pouts.

 

[Drago]

The irony is that the privatised rail metwork is receiving more in government subsidies than when it was British Rail.
Just head to the Gov UK website and type in " Rail Subsidy " for some eye watering numbers. A sample:


Note: Government support includes total operational funding as well as total enhancements funding and miscellaneous funding. Operational funding includes payments to or from franchised train operators, passenger transport executive grants, payments to infrastructure managers and freight grants. Government support for the operational railway was almost £12 billion in FYE March 2023 – equivalent to more than £420 per household.

I used the railway under public ownership a lot when I was in the army and it was grim.

Been using it a lot again in recent years and it's descending to a level of crapness comparable to the old days.

As neither model seems to work I suggest we put Elon Musk in charge. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[numbnuts]

Morning

 

[welsh dragon]

Maybe they will match Claire’s pouts.

. I'm not changing it.

 

[PaulSB]

Good day. Well, at 5.30 it was pouting down but the skies cleared and we have a beautiful day. Lots of water around the village so later we will go splashing in muddy puddles.

#1 small person is here. She was giving her Dad a very hard time when I arrived. Tantrums. Ignored Dad as we left. I put her in the car and we agreed we would leave silly small person in the car. Got to my house:

"Are we leaving silly person in the car?"
"No"
"Are we leaving whiney person in the car?"
"Yes"

Success so far. Result!!

 

[Dirk]

Enjoyable ride out on the Bantams.
Dropped into a mates house in Washford for a cuppa on the way.

 

[welsh dragon]

Egg on toast today

 

[PaulSB]

Interesting chat with small person. Our neighbours are away and we're feeding their chickens and guinea pigs. Small person has met them many times. On the way to their allotment:

Me "We need to collect the eggs as well"
SP "Granddad guinea pigs don't have eggs!"

After feeding the rodents we go and check the chickens for eggs. Two today. SP looks inside and Granddad reaches in for the eggs.

Me "These look nice for breakfast tomorrow
SP "Granddad, you can't eat those eggs"
Me "Why not, lots of people eat eggs?"
SP "Yes, but you have to get them from the shop"
Me "The eggs in the shop come from chickens
SP "No they don't.
Me "Where do they come from?"
SP "I don't know"

I thought she was quite well grounded in this stuff. Perhaps not. She did ask where the baby lambs had gone? Probably best I was less than truthful.

 

[Drago]

Ironing done. Settling down for a light lunch.

 

[numbnuts]

I've been for a walk, not done walking since I was ill and that was 113 days ago according to Garmin.
Didn't go far just 2 miles and my heart rate didn't go above 82 bpm and that was on a slight hill.
Tomorrow I'll try for 3 miles and work up slowly.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Maybe they will match Claire’s pouts.

Blinking hell, I blame @welsh dragon, must be spreading the misspelling virus!

 

[mikeIow]

Interesting chat with small person. Our neighbours are away and we're feeding their chickens and guinea pigs. Small person has met them many times. On the way to their allotment:

Me "We need to collect the eggs as well"
SP "Granddad guinea pigs don't have eggs!"

After feeding the rodents we go and check the chickens for eggs. Two today. SP looks inside and Granddad reaches in for the eggs.

Me "These look nice for breakfast tomorrow
SP "Granddad, you can't eat those eggs"
Me "Why not, lots of people eat eggs?"
SP "Yes, but you have to get them from the shop"
Me "The eggs in the shop come from chickens
SP "No they don't.
Me "Where do they come from?"
SP "I don't know"

I thought she was quite well grounded in this stuff. Perhaps not. She did ask where the baby lambs had gone? Probably best I was less than truthful.

Ahh, they have to learn!
Last week we fed some last bits of garden waste to the pigs at the goat farm (don't ask!) before *cough* they go to market (now gone😱).
Lovely creatures, & they love hedging, especially when stuffed with apples to find.....but they are also fairly tasty 👀

It is good for people to really know where their food comes from.

 

[welsh dragon]

I am def pouting now. The road is going to be closed tomorrow as well.