The Kings Legs

Whooz a gardner, then?

Frith — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:34:45 GMT

Gardening isn't as boring as everyone might think it is. It isn't just the preserve of old farts who can't (or won't) play PC games or for people who have aversions to the human race. They're all in there with a fighting chance, of course, but gardening is also for the bravehearted, the stoic, the gallant, the religious, the proud, obstinate, addicted, determined and the strong.

You don't get a garden going unless you can push a wheelbarrow full of stuff that weighs more than the average pillar ...

Nice is just not nice !

Ian C — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:44:08 GMT

This was in the news yesterday..it was clear from the discussion that the UK is the poor relation if NICE's decision was purely financial - which directly conflicts with 'clinical excellence'.

We need cancer drugs. NICE must go

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4481345.ece

NICE has evaluated these four new drugs for kidney cancer and indicated that these drugs will not be recommended for use in patients. This is against all sense, and contrary ...

Worst URL Mistakes...

Besoeker2 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:29:00 GMT

clicky

Amused Mrs B and I.

energy

Besoeker2 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:57:10 GMT

This was intended to be a reply to "Don't try this at home".

My feeble excuse is that I worked until 03:00 today and my brain isn't properly engaged yet....where's that coffee.....

For bulk power, the choices are fossils and nuclear. If we don't want CO2, the choice is nuclear.

Unfortunately, in UK, successive governments have faaarted about for far too long and we will be in the sh 1 t. Or deeper in it than we already are.

On a global scale renewables, apart from hydro ...

Last week

Besoeker2 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:01:15 GMT

For me it was a hectic week. Travelling, long hours etc. Some ups and downs. Par for the course.

Except for one real downer.

One of our suppliers has been particularly late on delivery of a couple of pieces of equipment (big transformers). This, in turn, has made us months late on our delivery to a major customer - a multi-national and a household name.

We have come under severe pressure - the UK operations director calls me almost every day.

So we put pressure on our supplier. Expediting ...

Identity Theft

Ian C — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:42:15 GMT

11 charged over 'biggest ever' identity theft after 41 million credit card details are stolen

in the Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1042019/More-41-million-credit-card-details-stolen-worlds-biggest-identity-theft.html

Eleven people have been charged in connection with the theft of more than 41 million credit card numbers from across the world in a record-breaking identity-theft case.

The data breach is believed to be the largest hacking and identity theft ...

REC - The Recruitment & Employment Confederation

Ian C — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:07:27 GMT

REC - The Recruitment & Employment Confederation

And agency ATA Selection Ltd

I've known ATA for many years, and various minor incidents over time have gone, but noted.

One of these was attending an interview in Newcastle for work in Yorkshire, only to find the work was in the Scottish borders north of Newcastle on Tyne.

So, when another appointment came complete with apprehension, after a few days it was clear the agency had not provided full details. The contract work was terminated.

Eventually ...

Armed gang of pirates storm luxury �20m yacht in Mediterranean

Ian C — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:38:31 GMT

When you're rich somebody is always after your money - so I'm told !!

Armed gang of pirates storm luxury �20m yacht in Mediterranean and rob guests of over �100,000 in cash

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1049019/Armed-gang-pirates-storm-luxury-20m-yacht-Mediterranean-rob-guests-100-000-cash.html

Pirates boarded a luxury �20 million yacht in the Mediterranean and robbed terrified VIP guests and crew of more than �100,000 in cash.

The gang of four masked men pulled up ...

Toddler shot in head with airgun

Ian C — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:57:09 GMT

I heard this on news headlines a few minutes before online.

First reactions were 'how awful, how stupid. But reading

gives time to digest (however brief) of the incident.

It's easy for us to say; if you were driving you would maybe not

answer the phone....

Toddler shot in head with airgun

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080825/tuk-toddler-shot-in-head-with-airgun-6323e80.html

A five-year-old girl shot her brother in the head with an airgun after their father turned his back to ...

Burglar caught upside down

Ian C — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:23:54 GMT

Burglar caught upside down

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080822/tuk-burglar-caught-upside-down-dba1618.html

A burglar was caught upside down when his trainers got stuck in a window during a robbery.

32-year-old John Pearce got his foot stuck after smashing the window of a family home in Kent.

He was left hanging upside down for over an hour before a neighbour called the police - but not before capturing the moment on camera.

It remains a mystery as to how exactly he became trapped, ...

The Zimbabwean Junta

Ian C — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:48:14 GMT

New face of power in Zimbabwe

in the Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/new-face-of-power-in-zimbabwe-841401.html

A senior Western diplomat told journalists in London that Zimbabwe was now being run by a military junta, locked in an embrace with President Robert Mugabe. Asked if we have already seen a coup in Zimbabwe ahead of the run-off presidential election in three weeks' time, the diplomat said: "Yes we have. This is a junta," referring to the shadowy Joint ...

Insults on other Forums

Ian C — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:12:12 GMT

Insults on other Forums

Or perhaps that should be Insults on one other Forum, as I have never come across a site

that reduces to personal insults.

I wouldn't normally raise the issue at another site but...although I have stated my opinion I'm sure it's wasted. ".....it's just complaint after complaint and stupid, worthless, senseless threads..." says Alex McKee.

Stamp on the b****y personal insults....

Rant Over.

Forum unavailable

Frith — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:52:03 GMT

There was a bit of a forum problem for a while between last night and today but this seems to have been fixed. A service provider problem. We seem to be back with all our bits, so carry on posting.

Dinner

Besoeker2 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:44:33 GMT

Mrs B produces magic from the kitchen.

Tonight it was chicken breast stuffed with blue cheese and spinach, a melange of sweet potato and carrots, and a salad with our favourite dressing.

It pays to Increase your Word Power

Ian C — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:41:03 GMT

At one time I used to collect unusual words, after all it's cheaper than stamp collecting.

And it's good for the soul - and crosswords !

Start with that on another thread:-

Chytrids - common name for small, simple life

nematode - any parasitic or free-living worm

ague - malarial fever

oligarchy - government by a small group of people

Coriolis

The Coriolis effect

a hypothetical force used to explain rotating systems, such that the movement of air or

water over the ...

No News is Good News ..?

Ian C — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:39:32 GMT

Clearly not much news in the papers recently, but the Telegraph has made up for it....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2544920/Man-who-had-sex-with-park-bench-cut-free.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2544385/Men-challenge-sex-toy-discrimination.html

Giant inflatable turd escapes moorings and brings down electricity line

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2541984/Giant-inflatable-turd-escapes-moorings-and-brings-down-electricity-line.html

An ...

The RH Caroline Flint MP

Ian C — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:06:03 GMT

OK my rant is about my MP the RH Caroline Flint MP.

I have had a go at her recently in our local press, the Information Commissioner is not much

better, who I've manage to accuse of being incompetent.

The dialogue is as follows:

The RH Caroline Flint MP - The Madam -

In accordance with Government open policy and a Member of Parliament being answerable to her constituents in the Don Valley, is invited to answer the following points:-

1. Why has she and/or her constituency office allegedly ...

The great expenses cover-up

Ian C — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:21:26 GMT

The great expenses cover-up: Now MPs quietly change the FOI act to keep details secret

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1045993/The-great-expenses-cover-Now-MPs-quietly-change-FOI-act-details-secret.html

MPs were last night accused of mounting a shameless cover-up operation to prevent voters

from discovering the full truth about their lavish expenses.

Under the changes, the location of MPs� taxpayer-funded second homes will be cut out while

full travel details � including potentially ...

Two more killed in London stabbings

Ian C — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:02:11 GMT

London - The world leader in knife attacks.

Two more killed in London stabbings

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080707/tuk-two-more-killed-in-london-stabbings-dba1618.html

Police say there have been two more deaths from London stabbings - a 14-year-old boy who was attacked three weeks ago and a man killed last night.

(Advertisement)

The man died after being repeatedly stabbed in Bethnal Green, east London.

Police were called to an address in Durrants Road in the early hours and a man ...

NHS - new plans

Ian C — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:05:31 GMT

They were talking about 'Bottoms Up' on radio yesterday. Despite an explanation it still did not make sense about NHS changes.

GP catchment areas to end under NHS plans

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2224458/GP-catchment-areas-to-end-under-NHS-plans.html

Ministers want to make it easier for patients to move between GP practices to reward good quality care and drive up standards.

This means standards are bound to drop if the government is involved...

You choose the ...

British couple shot dead on Antigua honeymoon

Ian C — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:40:56 GMT

One could say the couple are together for eternity in paradise, but didn't have the choice

to spend a few years married together on earth.

Two women charged over murders of British couple shot dead on Antigua honeymoon

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1045014/Two-women-charged-murders-British-couple-

shot-dead-Antigua-honeymoon.html

The net was tonight dramatically closing in on the killers of British honeymoon couple Benjamin and Catherine Mullany as police in Antigua arrested ...

Stay out of Georgia, Britons urged

Ian C — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:20:27 GMT

Stay out of Georgia, Britons urged

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080809/tuk-stay-out-of-georgia-britons-urged-6323e80.html

Britons were urged against all but essential travel to Georgia on Saturday as fighting grew over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Fighting escalated quickly after Georgia's large-scale military operation to retake South Ossetia prompted a military response from Russia on Friday.

Georgia: Western delegation in Tbilisi to negotiate ceasefire

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/2530135/Georgia-Western-delegation-in-Tbilisi-to-negotiate-ceasefire.html

The ...

Job policy divides South Africa

con$ervative yank — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:16:29 GMT

For some reason, this article caught my eye. Stupidly I suppose, I had assumed that, in this day and age, affirmative action would not be that necessary in South Africa. Affirmative action (or racial preferences) has been trending negatively in the US for several years now. Many colleges are being sued for using race (in any manner) as a means of acceptance. Even primary school segregation is being reconsidered. City municipalities however still award contracts based in part on minority status ...

Holiday Time

Ian C — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:33:03 GMT

Youths warned over holes on beach

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7548993.stm

Police in Norfolk have traced two youths responsible for digging holes measuring 6ft (1.83m) on a beach and trying to conceal them.

The three pits were all found earlier this week on North Beach, Great Yarmouth.

Police had earlier warned that a person could die if they fell into one and were unable to get out.

Makes you wonder what the motive was behind it....

No Privacy Like Rich Privacy

Ian C — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:56:05 GMT

Max Mosley wins record privacy damages over News of the World Nazi orgy slur

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majornews/2455092/Max-Mosely-wins-record-privacy-damages-

over-News-of-the-World-Nazi-orgy-slur.html

Mr Justice Eady awarded the 68-year-old �60,000 damages, dwarfing all earlier privacy ruling damages and prompting fears over the future of legitimate journalist investigations.

Mr Mosley, the son of the 1930s British Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, had been filmed

by the paper ...

Don't try this at Home

Ian C — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:46:20 GMT

Man blows up garage trying to make biodiesel

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2463557/Man-blows-up-garage-trying-to-make-biodiesel.html

The chemical explosion in Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire, left the man with burns to his face, arms and torso.

Fire crews rescued the man using specialist breathing gear, after they were called to reports of a chemical fire just after 3pm on Saturday.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service urged ...

Labour Fightback Begins - a sitcom to keep viewers amused for months to come

Frith — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:56:18 GMT

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Glasgow-East-Margaret-Curran-Labour-Candidate-Announces-Fightback/Article/200807215028141?lpos=Politics_6&lid=ARTICLE_15028141_Glasgow%2BEast%253A%2BMargaret%2BCurran%252C%2BLabour%2BCandidate%2BAnnounces%2BFightback

Margaret Curran, who was selected as the party's candidate in Glasgow East last night took to the campaign trail in the constituency this morning.

In a fighting speech she told supporters: "We have a job to do and the Labour ...

Eco-towns plan 'may be unlawful'

Ian C — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:54:58 GMT

Eco-towns plan 'may be unlawful'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7520628.stm

The government's approach to delivering up to 10 eco-towns could be "unlawful", councils have warned.

Ministers are to publish a planning policy statement to set out standards and potential locations in England.

But the Local Government Association said the proposals went against the principle of development through plans drawn up by local authorities.

..But he urged: "Ministers ...

The Forgetful French

Ian C — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:45:48 GMT

Children died after forgetful fathers left them in cars

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4387236.ece

Two toddlers died of heat exhaustion when their fathers forgot they were strapped in child seats in the back of their cars as they went to work.

Both cases involve middle-class men, described as devoted and loving parents, who appear to have forgotten their children in an inexplicable lapse of concentration.

Mr Bas said that Zo� had died three to five hours ...

Reversing Danger

Ian C — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:54:03 GMT

Police warn of hidden danger of 4x4s after reversing driver kills shopper he couldn't see

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1035693/Police-warn-hidden-danger-4x4s-reversing-driver-kills-shopper-see.html

Police have warned 4x4 drivers not to reverse without help after a motorist killed a grandmother as he backed along a pavement.

Businessman Michael Crofts escaped jail yesterday after a jury heard he would not have been able to see his victim through the car's back window.

The ...

Nature at it's Most Unusual

Ian C — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:25:48 GMT

Leopard savaging a crocodile caught on camera

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/07/18/ealeopard118.xml&CMP=ILC-mostviewedbox

The astonishing spectacle of a leopard savaging a crocodile has been captured for the first time on camera.

A series of incredible pictures taken at a South African game reserve document the first known time that a leopard has taken on and defeated one of the fearsome reptiles.

Mandela 90 Today

Ian C — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Mandela: a man of all the people

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/mandela-a-man-of-all-the-people-870727.html

With Mandela, it is a holy principle of life, to be put unfailingly into practice no matter whether there are cameras or important personages around, whether there are political points to be scored, or not. The thing about the Reinders stories, especially the invitation to lunch long after the two had stopped working together, is that it reveals Mandela in all his entirely ...

Music

Besoeker2 — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:37:31 GMT

I have a wide variety of tastes.

What I like depends very much on mood.

If I am driving home after a hard day, I like something like Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" or Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" to unwind.

The second movement of Mendelssohn's violin concerto is, for me, one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

Film

Frith — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:08:29 GMT

Watched Mr Bean in Cannes last night, made in 2007, I think.

Mr Bean is a magical sort of character who gets even, watches over children, saves girls and has very simple needs behind his seemingly obtuse existence. And he engineers happy endings for victims of life's bullies. Rowan Atkinson is a comic genuis.

Your favourite bloggers

Frith — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:11:05 GMT

I think my all time favourite blogger must be Diamond Geezer and his London blog. He's humorous, empathic, clever and a good writer and recorder all rolled into one blog. Pukka.

http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/

Working mums want to stay home

Frith — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:29:19 GMT

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Health/Working-Mothers-Would-Prefer-To-Stay-At-Home/Article/200807315038305?lpos=Health_8&lid=ARTICLE_15038305_Working%2BMothers%2B%2527Would%2BPrefer%2BTo%2BStay%2BAt%2BHome%2527

Isn't this nice? I stay at home mums. But the nature of our so-called "culture" and the sheer viciousness of economic reality today is forcing them away from their children and extended families and from their home environments. Why can't we have a kinder culture? ...

Trees

Frith — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:38:01 GMT

This is probably the last few weeks of a neighbour's beautiful acacia bare of leaves. Our own Monkey Thorn is already budding, both with blooms and leaves (and it is usually the last to do so) and so it won't be long before the majestic neighbouring tree that is my urban landscape view from both the courtyard and the north garden will burst into greensong as well. We are having a particularly mild winter and the jasmine has also started blooming.

There is something quite uncannily eerie ...

Support Your Local - or Lose it !

Ian C — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:47:47 GMT

Should the British pub get a government sub?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7505203.stm

With pubs across Britain shutting down at an alarming rate, the great British pub in danger of losing its place in the hub of village life, says Gillian Hargreaves.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association, there were 1400 pub closures last year, compared to 200 the year before. That works out at about 27 a week.

Community pubs - essentially "the local" - are being particularly ...

Bike Sharing

Ian C — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:53:59 GMT

Thieves ride off with 3,000 of Paris's free bicycles

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/thieves-ride-off-with-3000-of-pariss-free-

bicycles-868726.html

The self-service, Parisian bike-for-hire � the v�lib' � was intended mostly for

short rides when it was introduced 12 months ago.

More than 3,000 of the sturdy grey bicycles have gone missing since then. Some have turned

up as far away as Romania and, according to one report, Australia. Another 3,000 have been

deliberately ...

Television

Frith — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:34:02 GMT

I'm interested to see what's in the documenatry Stonehenge Decoded on National Geographic Channel on June 1st.

Time for Gordon Brown or David Cameron to shout, "ENOUGH"

con$ervative yank — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:05:24 GMT

Filed under: You've got to be kidding me!

In Scotland of all places.

And, sadly, it doesn't stop there.

We've had our own bouts of PC insanity so I'm very aware of the glass house rule but the story about the German Shepherd pup was a feature story here in Kentucky last week. You really can't make this stuff up. Would not either Gordon Brown or David Cameron get a significant boost in support accross party lines throughout the UK simply for calling for an end to such outrageous and unwarranted ...

Davis in pole position

Ian C — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:02:16 GMT

Interesting comparisons - vote for me because there is no one else worth voting for...

"We have fired a shot across the bows of Gordon Brown's arrogant, arbitrary and authoritarian government"

Davis has future role - Cameron

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7501226.stm

Tory leader David Cameron has praised David Davis for his by-election victory but is refusing to say whether he will offer him another frontline role.

He called the former shadow home secretary ...

global warming study

Ian C — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:50:27 GMT

Cow farts collected in plastic tank for global warming study

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2274995/Cow-farts-collected-in-plastic-tank-for-global-warming-study.html

Experts said the slow digestive system of cows makes them a key producer of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that gets far less public attention than carbon dioxide.

In a bid to understand the impact of the wind produced by cows on global warming, scientists collected gas from their stomachs ...

Show Us a Better Way (Says the Government)

Ian C — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:07:18 GMT

Using public info for the public good (show Govt a better way!)

The govt is aware that a great deal of websites are reusing infomation (e.g. Google Map

Mash ups) and that these often become very effective ways to communicate.

They have set up a task force (The Power of Information Taskforce) to investigate how public info could be used in this way and they are running a competition called 'Show Us a Better Way', where contestants are asked to put forward ideas on how public information ...

Pregnant man gives birth to baby girl

Ian C — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:26:50 GMT

Pregnant man Thomas Beatie gives birth to baby girl

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2242666/Pregnant-man-Thomas-Beatie-gives-birth-to-baby-girl.html

Thomas Beatie, the transsexual man who made headlines after becoming pregnant, has given give birth to a baby girl today.

Mr Beatie, 34, was born a woman - Tracey Lagondino - but had his breasts surgically removed and began taking males hormones several years ago.

He legally changed his gender, grew a wispy beard ...

blooming algae

Ian C — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:03:28 GMT

It's taking me ages to find this online, but here it is:

China's blooming algae problem that's swamping the Olympics

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1031444/Chinas-blooming-algae-problem-thats-swamping-Olympics.html

There must be something in the water. From a distance it looks like a magnificent golfing fairway. But get a little closer and it becomes clear that this rolling green carpet is not your average sporting venue.

In fact, this extraordinary picture shows ...

Serial rabbit killer

Ian C — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:27:46 GMT

I heard this on the radio.. I find it hard to believe anyone can locate rabbit hutches from a satillite image.

Serial rabbit killer 'uses Google Earth to find victims'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/2273925/Serial-rabbit-killer-%27uses-Google-Earth-to-find-victims%27.html

Police suspect a serial rabbit killer in Germany may be using satellite images like those available on Google Earth to locate victims before draining their blood.

Up to 40 rabbits have been ...

the great snail shortage of 2008

Ian C — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:45:19 GMT

Shell-shocked French running out of escargots

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/shellshocked-french-running-out-of-escargots-861274.html

A slow-motion crisis threatens the French way of life � the great snail shortage of 2008. Shell-shocked French food processors have warned that they can no longer obtain sufficient quantities of snails from eastern Europe, their principal source of supply.

Snail collecting for the French market used to be a popular way of making ...

Mugabe the psychopath

Ian C — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:39:51 GMT

one Mugabe's reported methods today:

After gang raping the mother in front of the children, Mugabe's mob then proceed

to cut off her breasts followed by arms and legs.

They then complete the torture by setting fire to her remains before dying from the

other causes.

The children are unlikely to forget for the rest of their lives and will probably

end up psychologically damaged; which is what Mugabe would be aiming for.

We also had news that Government Ministers have not one, not ...

Exploding Asteroid Theory Strengthened by New Evidence

Frith — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:41:40 GMT

Was the course of life on the planet altered 12,900 years ago by a giant comet exploding over Canada? New evidence found by UC Assistant Professor of Anthropology Ken Tankersley and colleagues suggests the answer is affirmative.

http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.asp?id=8625