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anf1408's latest comments
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4th Jan 2018anf1408 commented on:
Where to live in Devon - help needed.We moved from Bristol to Devon a few years ago and live in Newton Abbot. Without having any detail of exactly what you are looking for and your budget I can only give you general info which you might find useful. In Newton Abbot I like the Highweek and Woolborough areas. Both are convenient for the town centre but are quiet with a pleasant setting. They also have views across the town, but as a consequence are on fairly steep hills. Most houses in Teignmouth are on the hill that rises away from the coastline. It is possible to live close to the seafront but the majority of the properties there are flats. Shaldon is an attractive village across the Teign estuary from Teignmouth, but prices tend to be higher there. There is also a village named Bishopsteignton set back from the main road between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot which is very nice. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.ViewDate:
29th Aug 2017anf1408 commented on:
The best of Led ZeppelinMy favourite album is Presence, particularly the tracks Achilles Last Stand and Tea For One.ViewDate:
29th Aug 2017anf1408 commented on:
The BBC and advertisingI would guess that you are one of an increasing number of people who watch less 'live' tv and access high quality programming via other means. I also find myself watching a higher proportion of television through on-demand services. Let me know if things deteriorate so far you become an activist. I'm sure i'd be more than happy to join your protest movement against the licence fee!!ViewDate:
28th Aug 2017anf1408 commented on:
The BBC and advertisingIt is not so much the advertising in itself, but the amount which is invested in it (some adverts would not be out of place in a cinema) and the manner in which it invades other programmes. For example, I was listening to the football on Radio 5 and the commentators spent so much time talking about their phone-in which followed the game and previous programmes which you could listen to on iplayer that I had no idea what was happening in the game they were supposed to be describing. For me a simple brief reminder of future programming between shows should suffice and is a more responsible use of licence money which can then prioritise programming over marketing. Or perhaps I'm just being old-fashioned.ViewDate:
28th Aug 2017anf1408 commented on:
The BBC and advertisingI agree about the volume changes. I am constantly reaching for the remote. Also I think the final word of your post resonates with my worries that these developments may be the beginning of a slippery slope with the bbc gradually descending to the standards of much commercial tv.ViewDate:
27th Jul 2017anf1408 commented on:
Have you encountered casual ageism?As a mature student I have regularly encountered ageism. However, it is rarely from my fellow students. Instead it often occurs when I am entitled to student discount when attending events. In spite of having all the relevant id to establish my student status I am subjected to a series of questions as to how somebody of my age can possibly be a student. On some occasions I have even been told I don't qualify for student rates as they don't apply to older people. I console myself with the thought that if these people are so keen to categorize what a person can or can't do based upon age then their lives are going to become increasingly duller as they get older.ViewDate:
11th Jul 2017anf1408 commented on:
Do you drink a cup of coffee every day?I gave up coffee about 2 years ago. My blood pressure was creeping upwards and I have found cutting down my caffeine intake an effective way of dealing with this. I missed it alot to start with but not so much now. I don't drink decaff as, to me, it just doesn't taste the same.ViewDate:
26th Jun 2017anf1408 commented on:
Does the country need a new 'caretaker' prime minister?Given the choice in the question, the better option is that she remains in place for now. She messed up badly during an election campaign in which all her weaknesses were exposed. But, at this point in time, a Conservative leadership campaign and a new prime minister would further destabilise a government which is already in a rocky situation and this would surely have a detrimental effect both on the country's economy and the Brexit negotiations. Given the election result the Conservative party should by now have learnt that if you put party political interests before those of the country the voters will kick you where it hurts.ViewDate:
24th May 2017anf1408 commented on:
Streaming TV/On Demand TVHi Trevor, Like you I have a Roku box and a subscription to Now TV. I particularly like Now Tv because it offers short term contracts to Sky's entertainment, sports and film channels. For example, if you are a sports fan and you want to watch a specific event such as The Ryder Cup, rather than taking out a full sky 12-month subscription you can buy a weekly pass for around £10. Similarly if you want access to a range of tv series you can access their large range of boxed sets for £7 per month and it is easy to cancel your subscription at any time. I tend to use Now TV as a relatively inexpensive occasional supplement to Freeview (I still pay my licence). Without Now TV I would find the Roku of limited use as, apart from the channels listed by you, most of the others are a bit rubbish.ViewDate:
22nd Feb 2017anf1408 commented on:
Helping your children on the property ladderI think the area of the country your children live in can be a significant factor. We helped out our daughter and her partner last year as they live in Bristol, where both house prices and rents are skyrocketting. Their rent was about to be raised by £200 per month an amount they simply could not afford. Rather than helping them with this shortfall we instead provided them with the minimum deposit required to buy a 1 bedroom flat and their current mortgage payments are about £300 a month less than their new rent. So in their case it appeared the right thing to do. However, if you live in an area where rents are much lower, buying may not be the better option as the cost of any potential property repairs/improvements represent a much higher proportion of the property value so it may be preferable to have a landlord take on the responsibility for these.ViewDate:
12th Dec 2016anf1408 commented on:
Going back to schoolI returned to university to study for a degree at the age of 47, just after my daughter had completed her A levels. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am still in touch with some of my fellow students today. Studying fuelled my thirst for learning so much I decide to continue my life as a mature student and I am now in my final year of research for my PhD. So, I'd say go for it. There are many advantages to be an older student (fewer distractions, better self-discipline etc.). Also, as a parent, you will have mastered excellent time management skills which you can use to balance your roles as a student and as a mother. If you have any doubts as to whether you should wait until your daughter is a bit older, you could still research different courses available and do some independent studying so that when you do decide the time is right you will be even better prepared. Hope this helps.ViewDate:
5th Dec 2016anf1408 commented on:
New friends in Newton AbbotHi EG04 How are you liking living in Newton Abbot? I moved here from Bristol about a year ago and love it. I enjoy having the coast and the moors on my doorstep and the town makes a good base to explore these. I hope you enjoy the area as much as I do.ViewDate:
7th Nov 2016anf1408 commented on:
A Snap Election - It's On The Cards - [DELETED_MEMBER]I agree with your view of Teresa May. It is still difficult to judge her exact intentions as, to date, there has been plenty of rhetoric but very little action. However, we should start to learn a little more after Philip Hammond's forthcoming Autumn Statement.ViewDate:
6th Nov 2016anf1408 commented on:
A Snap Election - It's On The Cards - [DELETED_MEMBER]The way in which cabinet ministers seem to be choosing their words very carefully when questioned about this suggests it is a distinct possibility, though it's likely the outcome of the Government's appeal to the High Court in early December will be a significant factor. If there were an early election I can't see it being anything other than a catastrophe for Labour, as it seems to be out of touch with many of its traditional voters, particularly when it comes to their views on immigration. The main beneficiaries of this would most likely be UKIP, providing they can sort out a new leader who can keep the party united (which is no easy task). I also believe the Liberal Democrats would do well in England as they have consistently been in favour of our membership of the EU and, therefore, could attract many who voted to remain since they were far more vociferous than the other two major parties in their support of maintaining the status quo. But, a snap election is probably only likely if Teresa May is confident that she can win (preferably with an increased majority). Therefore, it's unlikely that it would result in a change of government. However, there could be a significant change in the make up of the opposition parties. What are your views Lionel?ViewDate:
29th Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
Do you suffer from Tinnitis?I suffer from tinnitus, but it is not severe. It seemed far worse at first and I had difficulty sleeping, but, over time, I think I have become more accustomed to it and am no longer constantly aware of its presence. I have found low level noise (radio, tv or music) can help as a distraction when it is a problem.ViewDate:
29th Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
Travel InsuranceHi daisym, One of the ways to find out the effects of adding a new condition to your travel insurance would be to enter all the details on a comparison website (comparethemarket.com, confused.com etc.). You could obtain quotes both with and without declaring the condition to see the effect on your insurance premiums. Hope this helps.ViewDate:
20th Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
Chuck BerryLeonard Cohen released an album recently, but, by comparison, he's a youngster at 82. I also saw Burt Bacharach perform at the Bristol Colston Hall earlier this year, aged 88. He was phenomenal!ViewDate:
16th Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
Gatwick or Heathrow?I would prefer to see expansion of the regional airports. For many the need to travel to Gatwick or Heathrow to fly to certain destinations is both costly and time consuming.ViewDate:
16th Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
London zooIt's an interesting debate. Clearly the treatment of animals as exhibition pieces in zoos is unacceptable, but where do we draw the line. Almost any animal that comes into contact with man is exploited by humans to some degree, be it a cow which has been bred for its milk or its meat, a horse whose existence depends on its willingness to be ridden, or cats or dogs which have become domesticated over generations to provide companionship for their owners, or even just to be shown at events such as Crufts to win prizes. Obviously the treatment of the cow is very questionable, but simply because the others, such as cats and dogs, are treated more humanely (note the word) are we still not altering the way the species exists for our own selfish purposes? Also, does this not have an impact on other species? For example, breeds of certain species of garden bird have been decimated by a population of domestic cats which has been artificially created by mankind. So, are we being cruel to birds? Please don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying people should not own animals, I just find the whole topic of animal cruelty a very complicated and fascinating issue. As somebody who has never been a pet owner or closely involved with animals, I was just wondering where those who are much closer to animals draw the line between what is wrong and right in mankinds relationship with other living creatures.ViewDate:
5th Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
Is there any particular TV series of the early eighties you would like to see again?There was an American sitcom, Soap (a parody of American daytime soap operas), which I would like to see again. Some of its plot lines were completely bonkers.ViewDate:
2nd Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
My brain hurtsThat's a bit scary when you think about it Mollflanders!! For them to be aware that you've been away they must be spying on you. Check your house for hidden cameras :)ViewDate:
2nd Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
My brain hurtsAlso, why do tv presenters always say 'welcome back' after an ad break? It's them that went away, not me!ViewDate:
1st Oct 2016anf1408 commented on:
My brain hurtsI think the answer to number 2 is a load of balls :). One I would add is 'How do we know which way up the world is?'ViewDate:
30th Sep 2016anf1408 commented on:
EntertainmentI think I've seen them all except The White Ribbon. Harry Brown would be in my top ten too and the first time I saw the "Puttin' on the Ritz" song and dance routine in Young Frankenstein I laughed until tears were rolling down my face.ViewDate:
25th Sep 2016anf1408 commented on:
Unusual holidaysNational Holidays do a 2-day York and Howarth 1940s' special with a day at Howarth's 1940s weekend event followed by a visit to York. They also do a Skipton Market and Grassington 1940s break. Their website is www.nationalholidays.com.ViewDate:
23rd Sep 2016anf1408 commented on:
Pre-existing Health Conditions Travel InsuranceI'd recommend trying one of the comparison websites. For instance, Comparethemarket's travel insurance section includes questions regarding pre-existing conditions and so you should be able to find a competitive quote which covers your conditions. Failing that, moneysavingexpert.com has a section on pre-existing conditions which provides details on specialist insurers (though these are likely to charge more, so it's probably best to try the comparison websites first). Have a great trip.ViewDate:
19th Sep 2016anf1408 commented on:
Another newbie - any one from North Devon?Hi Res. I am from south Devon but occasionally venture to the north of the county. Welcome to Silversurfers.ViewDate:
9th Sep 2016anf1408 commented on:
The 60s ... What did like best about the 60s?Hi Capricorn, I believe the song you're thinking of is called "When the World was Young". There have been various versions made, but the one I know was sung by Anita O'Day so perhaps that is who you are thinking ofViewDate:
2nd Sep 2016anf1408 commented on:
Censorship - the creeping assassin of free speech.Celtwitch, I think you make an important point regarding comedy. So many topics are now off limits, tv comedy has become a pale impression of what it once was. This is why the recent re-makes of some of the classic comedies such as Are You Being Served? on the BBC were so terrible in comparison to the originals. It is also why cutting satire, such as Spitting Image, is no longer broadcast. It is also why you would have seen Bernard Manning on tv in the 1970s but Frankie Boyle was recently cut from Comic Relief. Comedy should be judged on whether it is funny, not on whether it might offend. Those calling for a blanket censorship of jokes on a sensitive issue without considering the context of the joke are themselves breeding a regime of intolerance and blind ignorance. Fortunately, there are still some comedians who realise a tv career is not everything.ViewDate:
26th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
The Jihad threat to EuropeI totally agree that the BBC should be reporting this. My alternative view of Puerto Banus comes from the expat newspaper The Olive Press and its article "The Dark Side to Nights Out in Puerto Banus and Magaluf" which is available online. Just because an area is wealthy doesn't necessarily mean it is safe.ViewDate:
26th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
The Jihad threat to EuropeWith regards to media reporting, I am always being told how wonderful BBC news coverage is. Unfortunately, the people telling me this are the BBC news reporters themselves. For me, the worthlessness of their version of news was exposed by the Jimmy Savile case. Nobody in a senior position at the BBC has ever been held responsible for enabling his abhorrent behaviour even though there is plenty of video evidence showing it was common knowledge at the time. Executives even pulled the plug on a Newsnight investigation which was getting too close to the truth. It seems the BBC and many of its newstaff have lost their impartiality. They are happy to get their teeth in to some sections of society, whilst holding back from criticising others guilty of the same actions. The example you give is one of a very long list of topics which are suppressed. On 20th August, the BBC website was right to report a similar incident involving 2 British men which took place in Magaluf, but wrongly have chosen to ignore the story you refer to. Whilst it is true that Puerto Banus doesn't sound a particularly pleasant place, nor a particularly safe one for young women for a number of reasons, it is not for the BBC or any other media outlet to decide which of these reasons we are entitled to know about and which we are not.ViewDate:
11th Aug 2016ViewDate:
11th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
Have we been mis-sold a Brexit ? Should politicians be held to account ?Hi again, Thanks for your response, but I don't feel you've really addressed my main points satisfactorily, which were: 1) In his radio interview George Osborne made very specific threats regarding extremely severe tax rises and spending cuts. He did not forecast this may happen, he said he would have to impose them in an emergency budget. Your comments that it was only those who supported Brexit who mis-sold their argument are therefore not valid. 2) Your comments regarding currency make no sense when placed in the context of what actually happened. As I said, currency did not just fall around the time of the referendum, it also gained value. In the days leading up to the referendum the pound rose sharply. There were no economic reasons for such a steeply sharp rise over such a short space of time. It was down to 'speculation' of a vote to remain. Immediately, after the outcome became clear markets fell sharply, by approximately 10% overnight. Again this was not down to economic data, it was down to speculation about what would follow the vote. One of the first consequences, the reality of the loss of our Triple A rating came after these movements and exacerbated earlier falls, not the other way round. You say speculation is a consequence of economic decline. I don't understand how you can speculate on economic decline, or anything, after it has happened. That would be a bit like trying to bet on a horse after the race has finished. As I said in my original post, my main issue with your arguments are that I just felt you were being a little unfair by not providing a proper answer to those who'd posted on these points. I get your views on the economic consequences of Brexit (and perhaps that is a debate for another thread), but your original question was on whether we were mis-sold Brexit, not on its consequences. Once again, based on the above I don't believe some of us were because our vote was not necessarily totally influenced by what the politicians said. However, to reiterate, if I was to accept your view that we were, we were also mis-sold the argument to remain.ViewDate:
11th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
Have we been mis-sold a Brexit ? Should politicians be held to account ?Hello Informed Democrat, I’ve read through your arguments with interest and I understand your spirited defence but I think you’ve been a little unfair to some of the other members making their points. Keith WL mentioned that both sides were guilty of mis-selling their arguments, which you dismissed saying Osborne’s consisted of projections which were therefore not verifiable. But Osborne’s threats did not consist merely of projections. In a radio 4 interview prior to the referendum his exact words were “There would HAVE to be tax increases and cuts in public spending to fill the black hole”. That statement was no vague projection, it was a clear threat (and not one based on fact). If you are going to accuse one side of mis-selling you cannot avoid such comments made by the other just to suit your argument. Secondly, when responding to Irene 88 you claim that in the short term stock market performance is not an indication of the strength of the economy, which is a valid point. But you then go on to say looking at currencies over a similar term is an accurate measure, which is nonsense. If you followed the currencies around the time of the referendum (which I did) you would have noticed that sterling rose prior to the vote before immediately “falling off a cliff” afterwards. These movements did not occur because the economy grew significantly in a few days and then dramatically shrunk overnight. It was all (and largely still is) down to speculation. Such speculation is not unusual. In the run up to the 2010 general election sterling fell over 5% before the election and then rose 7.5% after the result. These examples not only show how currency movements are often based on speculation but also how often such speculation can be wrong. So, with regards to your question, if you believe we were we mis-sold a Brexit, if balanced, you should believe if we had voted remain we would have been mis-sold that as well. But, I wouldn’t expect any different, as it is a politician’s job to slant any argument in their favour and if they go too far, as Osborne did, they usually get found out. And, personally, given that studies have revealed the way in which people vote in other elections, I believe it made less difference to the result than you may think. Many people would have been set in their ways because of their allegiance or total opposition to a particular party or a specific politician (I know of people who voted to leave just to give Cameron a kick in the teeth). Others would have voted on a single issue, such as immigration. Many others again would have ignored the media and found the information for themselves on the issues which mattered to them (a category which includes me and, I presume yourself). I believe the % that based their vote wholly upon the propaganda spouted by both sides would not have been significant enough to avoid the nation remaining roughly split on this issue. Finally, I think if you should be expressing your unhappiness at anybody, it should be David Cameron rather than those expressing their democratic right to have a different view to you. It was Cameron, as prime minister, who constructed the terms of the referendum with which you disagreed so strongly. It was Cameron who said a simple majority was required and it was Cameron who said the referendum was for the whole of the UK regardless of the votes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But, you should also ask why these issues were not vigorously debated before the vote. Perhaps, it’s because these issues were unimportant to the Remain campaign when they complacently thought they would win, and only now matter that they lost. If that scenario is the case, that’s not democracy, that’s hypocrisy. Apologies for the long post but there was a lot to cover.ViewDate:
8th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
What should the government do next?Hi Informed Democrat. I'm sorry if my comment caused offence. I only referred to your comments as 'a rant' as they seem more concerned with expressing your view on the result of the vote rather than engaging with the question put by the OP which was what should government policy be now and over the next four years. I don't think the OP has expressed any strong view of being pro-Brexit.ViewDate:
8th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
What do you think of PoliticiansHi Capricorn, I appreciate your point, particularly in relation to politicians in Brussels. It has been noted that Neil Kinnock (a politician rejected by the British electorate) has earned a salary far in excess of that which he would have received as prime minister by jumping on the EU gravy train. However, in a world in which the head of a FTSE 100 company earns an average of £5.5 million and even in the public sector a head of a university can earn a salary twice that of the prime minister, it is unsurprising much of Britain's talent is not attracted by politics. Those vocationally drawn to such a career are more likely to be born in to wealth than have worked hard to accumulate it in their own lifetime and that is hardly an endorsement of their ability (Cameron being an obvious example). I also agree with you there are some MPs who do not work hard (though there are also many who do). which is why I made the point that it is also important that the terms of the job are altered to weed out those who are not committed. I'm sure a salary increase wouldn't solve all the problems, but given the assumption of the OP that the current standard is not good enough, if money is not part of the answer to attract better MPs, what do you believe the alternative is?ViewDate:
8th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
What should the government do next?Nice rant Informed Democrat (!?), but it doesn't really answer the question put by the OP. I think the government should delay invoking Article 50 until it is absolutely certain of its negotiating position and it looks like this is what is likely to happen. According to the bookmakers (I know they're not always right, but they provide a decent guide) not invoking article 50 until at least 2018 is the current favourite.ViewDate:
7th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
New to SilversurfersThey don't have the same fun debates at the Samaritans :) Hope you find something you can join in with and enjoy on here.ViewDate:
7th Aug 2016anf1408 commented on:
What do you think of PoliticiansUnfortunately things are unlikely change under the current system. I'll put my tin hat on before I write this but I think the way to improve the standard of politicians is to pay them more. The majority of people attracted to government come from a more priveleged background where money is not a problem. Talented individuals who do not form part of the elite are far more likely to follow a more secure, better paid career. The prime minister of the country is paid about £150000 per annum. I know its alot of money but a senior position in a large company would pay considerably more. If pay was higher we would be more likely to attract people from all walks of life into politics rather than just those who can afford to take the risk. However, if pay were increased there should be conditions attached. All MPs should have had a job in "the real world" before becoming seeking election and no MP should be allowed to have any additional paid work. This would remove the MPs who have no experience of anything other than politics and would also avoid any conflict of interests. In America the situation is even worse. You cannot even run for president unless you're a multi-millionaire, like Trump, or have friends in high places, like Clinton. No wonder they end up with such a terrible choice.ViewDate:
28th Jul 2016anf1408 commented on:
Just joined so I'm introducing myself.Happy to chat. What are your interests?