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My pacemaker and me are very good friends -
blackbeard's latest comments
ViewDate:
30th Mar 2021blackbeard commented on:
Would you be happy with a driving curfew over the age of 70?No curfew....For me, this would mean if I spend an evening with my daughter (I am now a widower) 12 miles away I either have to sleep at her home overnight or run the gauntlet of the law to get home. BUT having spent the final 26 years of my working life teaching folks how to drive buses and lorries and seeing how driving standards do deteriorate my solution would be for 70s and over to be subject to a 12 monthly driving assessment This would be to be sure there is a safe standard being maintained with positive advice being given either by a DSA Driving Examiner or by registered Driving Schools that teach Instructors If the assessment showed up major misgivings in the drive then the candidate would be expected to give up their licence or undergo a licence retention test I have maintained for a goodly number of years that all holders of a driving licence (whatever the vehicle) should be subject to a five yearly assessment on the same basis as mentioned for the 70 plus year olds The only difference would be that if on a 5 yearly assessment the drive showed major problems the candidate would be required to sit a retest of the licence category of which they were assessed onViewDate:
24th Mar 2021blackbeard commented on:
Should daylight savings be abolished?It's outdated and no longer serves the purpose for which it was first introducedViewDate:
16th Mar 2021blackbeard commented on:
Is it still ok to share Irish jokes on St Patrick's Day?The question is, is it okay to tell a joke about anything or anyone now? Seems like no matter what we joke or speak about some "snowflake" somewhere is going to have a complaint, feel offended, or consider a comment to be racist Blokes can't look at or wolf whistle at women. Women get blamed for wearing provocative clothes. Children are wrong sitting at their computers, but can't go out because they are at risk........ The Police get slammed for doing their job, then get slammed for not doing their job Soldiers get prosecuted for doing the job they are trained for and paid to do Tell a joke?????? At your peril, it seems to me What is the world coming to?ViewDate:
25th Oct 2020blackbeard commented on:
Are you a big tea drinker?I drink Masala Chai and Tumeric Chai and Cardomom Chai. Over one day I probably drink just five mugsfulViewDate:
24th Sep 2020blackbeard commented on:
Will you be downloading the new tracing app today?I'm not going out much, pop over to my church, down the road for a Costa and maybe next door to Dunelm for a browse. I wear the obligatory face mask At the young age of 71 in a few weeks, I think I'd be silly not to download the app, so I will download it Besides in Costa one is required to use their track and trace QR code. At my church, I have made and introduced a track and trace QR code and insist on those with a suitable mobile phones use itViewDate:
8th Jul 2020blackbeard commented on:
Do you feel that freedom of speech is becoming restricted in the UK?It seems now that we have do more now of what we were told as youngsters "think before you speak" Surely as we grow older we have the right to speak freely. Most of us would have left home to gain some freedom How life has changedViewDate:
20th May 2020blackbeard commented on:
Are you happy to remain opted-in for organ donation?yes, please take whatever is useful, my family have given full support once the physical life has gone from my body why burn it or bury it? such a waste If just one part of my older body can help a younger person live on or more comfortably then so be itViewDate:
10th May 2020blackbeard commented on:
Does the new 'Stay Alert' slogan convey a clear message?A slogan, or in advertising terms, a strap line, doesn't necessarily say what it means. These slogans will only mean something to those who already care The message often has an alternative implication. The slogans the government have been using have on most occasions been too open to misinterpretation. Those who choose to flaunt the "rules or are they guidelines?) will not take any amount of notice, even it was imprinted on the back of their eyeballs What we have needed, and still do is a positive, definitive non-apologetic, non-British message saying exactly what we should all be doing and to be more specific as to who can do what Our government has been too British in its approach, in as much as we've been very apologetic about the inconvenience. If that inconvenience saves lives then inconvenience it isViewDate:
1st Apr 2020blackbeard commented on:
Are you considering cutting your own hair?My wife used to cut my hair but she had a stroke last October and now DIYHC (di yourself haircut) I use an electic barber style cutter, mind you there aint much to cut but it can take around 20 minutes and 4 minutes more to cut me beard backViewDate:
30th Mar 2020blackbeard commented on:
Should the Government launch a food-rationing scheme?Rationing of sorts is already happening with stores limiting how of each item we can buy. Why re-invent the wheel when there is no need.ViewDate:
26th Mar 2020blackbeard commented on:
Are you getting dressed for social distancing?Gotta keep active as best us oldies can. Yesterday fixed a broken lamp in the back garden, planted some potatoes, peas, mangetout, beetroot, dwarf beans, lettuce, carrot, spring onions and garlic. That kept me out of mischief for a couple of hours Then sat in the sun in the back garden with a can of cider and some blue cheese straws I'd made. Then went indoors and made a fish pie for tea and after sat and had a quiet evening in the chair Not quite so busy yet today. Done the dishes (by hand) (two days worth, saving money and water) put the washing through the machine and hung that out, then came in cleaned through the bottom of the house including vacuuming Got some cupboards to clear later, but right now I'm sitting eating a Cornish Pasty (in Plymouth Devon) for my lunch So there, keeping active and busy is a must for both mental and physical health especially at this time. Stay safe out there Bert gottaViewDate:
27th Feb 2020blackbeard commented on:
Should we rule out imported chlorinated chicken from the USA?I value the work our farmers do for us and I value my health. I would not knowingly buy or eat American chickenViewDate:
17th Jan 2020blackbeard commented on:
Would you ‘Bung a bob for a Big Ben bong’ on Brexit night?Not2grey. Yes U guess it would be a bit of gloating and why not the reamainers have done enough to create many problems over three years where the leavers sat back and waited for the right time The leavers were prepared to go with legal results in a referendum and a general election without any fuss unlike the remainers who wanted to break the rules and ignore a true democratic vote Gloat? yes I'm happy to gloat. LET BIG BEN BONG AWAYViewDate:
31st Dec 2019blackbeard commented on:
Is Boxing Day too early for shops to display Easter Eggs?A statement from the stores involved are insisting "we want it this way". How do they know? They haven't asked me!! This is a shameful situation where chocolate companies are the ones at fault in reality for probably forcing the supermarkets to stock and display Easter eggs by way of substantial discounts The supermarkets are responsible for rolling seasons and celebrations with a Christian background into one and it should be outlawedViewDate:
29th Oct 2019blackbeard commented on:
Should over 70s be banned from voting on the country's future?There has always been through generations past and will be for generations to come I have no doubt, that typical gap between young and old, male female etc etc etc. Yes the youngsters think they know it all, and I probably felt the same way when I was 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and still now at 70 I'm of an opinion that my views are better than anyone elses. So nothing changes. What is needed from youngsters and oldies alike is more tolerance of each other and more understanding that yes there is and always will be the "generation gap" but that that gap can be reduced by helping each other to understand each otherViewDate:
23rd Sep 2018blackbeard commented on:
Would you trust driverless cars?Sorry, but after 52 years in the driving seat of cars, vans, bikes, lorries and buses and 26 of those as a bus and lorry driving instructor, knowing I have control (or not) of my vehicle is important to meViewDate:
23rd Sep 2018blackbeard commented on:
Would you travel alone with grandchildren?If I take on the responsibility of looking after my Grandchildren alone why on earth would I not travel with them?ViewDate:
23rd Sep 2018blackbeard commented on:
Is climate change an urgent problem?Global warming is real!! But, in my most humble opinion it's not all man made, especially not in recent times. As others here have highlighted, there is more in the way of evidence that global warming is a natural event. There is obvious evidence too of man adding to it, but not totally responsible for it The whole concept of global warming needs to be looked at in context. This type of event has occurred many times before in the history of our dear earth and that can be seen in ice bore samples and in earth bore samplesViewDate:
2nd Sep 2018blackbeard commented on:
Would you trust driverless cars?I have been driving for 52 years next month and have driven cars, vans, lorries, buses and coaches. I taught lorry and bus driving for 26 years before retiring in 2010. I love technology in all it's forms but like Grahampi I am a strong believer that nothing is foolproof, much less a driverless road vehicle The system works well on the likes of the Docklands train in London, but that is not foolproof but much more controllable than being on a road Driving road vehicles as Grahampi suggests takes a lot more concentration and need for planning that most give it credit for. Whilst humans continue to drive road vehicles, this mixed with driverless road vehicles is not good. In driving we have base rules, but as we know not everyone stick to the rules and it is the vast amount of variable situations and how each individual thinks about their driving differently from the next driver the mix of driverless and driver controlled vehicles is a recipe for disasterViewDate:
23rd Aug 2018blackbeard commented on:
Should Theresa May Resign or Remain?Progress on Brexit has been too slow and very indecisive. Austerity has dragged on long enough. If Mrs May stays in power we won't have any council's, Police, Fire, Paramedics, NHS, Armed Forces. Public services in all areas are being cut to fund fat cats in Parliament, we don't see them struggling to pay daily bills. Mrs May should do the decent thing and resignViewDate:
10th Jul 2018blackbeard commented on:
How confident do you feel that the Government can deliver Brexit to the benefit of the country?The momentum has been lost, the wish of the British people have been ignored and we are now about to pamper to the EU who will be laughing up their sleeve at us. This is a sad day. Mrs May should now concede that she has never had the control of the situation and has lost the confidence of her government and the people she should now resign and let someone who has the tenacity to want to win for the people of the UK take the reignsViewDate:
8th Jun 2018blackbeard commented on:
Win a £50 Amazon eVoucher!No problem here...I never win anything, but it's good funViewDate:
6th Oct 2017blackbeard commented on:
Should Theresa May stay or go?With a heavy heart I feel Mrs May must consider her position, I feel she is struggling with everything that is going on around her. I was delighted to see another Female Prime Minister, but Mrs May has done her best and now.......................................ViewDate:
31st Aug 2017ViewDate:
2nd Jul 2017blackbeard commented on:
Should Theresa May Resign or Remain?I used to like Mrs May. But now I wonder whether or not she a true leader. I feel the the latter is coming to the fore I think she should consider a leadership contest and let someone in who leads and is prepared to make use of the experienced staff in the cabinet and in The House I'd like to see Mrs May succeed, but now I am sure there little chance of that. She has overstepped so many marks she is on a slipperly slopeViewDate:
11th Jun 2017blackbeard commented on:
Should Theresa May Resign or Remain?I have no leaning toward any political party, but I support Mrs May but not necessarily some of her hair brained ideas If Mrs May less autonomous in her approach and had a took a more sensible pathway to get what she wants she'd have walked the election Mrs May needs to consult more with her whole raft of MPs not just her closest "friends" to gain more trust from the electorate and not change her mind to come parallel to other parties ideas I don't trust Mr Corbyn and I think Mr Farron just has a bad attitude not dissimilar to Mrs Sturgeon Yes I think Mrs May should stay, she has the most experience with Brexit, which, if we like it or not is the most important thing on this country's agenda right now is Brexit More important than anyone MP, party, manifesto or anything else Thank you for the chance to air a personal view. I am Bert Symons in DevonViewDate:
27th Nov 2016blackbeard commented on:
Step back in time: to 1963I know we've go global warming, so in reality I guess it should be a warmish winter, but gut feeling says we could be on the fringes of a winters such as 1962/63ViewDate:
2nd Nov 2016blackbeard commented on:
Who would you trust more to be the next US President?Trump has the finesse of a bulldozer on a demolition job. He has a lot of talk but none of it is nice for anyone. He is racist, and will bully anyone he thinks he can. If someone like Hilary Clinton stands up to him he turns to dirty tactics. Can you imagine how he would deal with real "world leaders" one of which he could never be if he makes a demand for something and they said no Hilary Clinton may have got some things wrong, but at least she has parliamentary experience in dealing with world leaders and she does not "openly that we have seen" put others down by trying to expose or shame them -
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Approved0 Comments09/02/2020 19:13:03Gallery SubmissionTinside Pool, Plymouth Hoe Sunday 9th Feb 2020Approved1 Comments02/08/2017 22:27:04Gallery SubmissionThe statue of Sir Francis Drake on Plymouth HoeApproved0 Comments02/08/2017 17:32:28Gallery SubmissionSunset over Cornwall looking across Plymouth Sound from JennycliffApproved1 Comments16/09/2016 18:00:47Gallery SubmissionEn route at Klienne Sheideg to Junfraujoch, the highest mountain in Europe at 11,500 feet -
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