Friday 21 July: Banks are alienating customers with their opinionated outbursts

Posted on by Geoff Graham

An unofficial place to discuss the Telegraph letters, established when the DT website turned off its comments facility (now reinstated, but we prefer ours),
Intelligent, polite, good-humoured debate is welcome, whether on or off topic. Differing opinions are encouraged, but rudeness or personal attacks on other posters will not be tolerated. Posts which – in the opinion of the moderators – make this a less than cordial environment, are likely to be removed, without prior warning.  Persistent offenders will be banned.

Today’s letters (visible only to DT subscribers) are here.

538 thoughts on “Friday 21 July: Banks are alienating customers with their opinionated outbursts”

  1. Good morrow, Gentlefolks, today’s story

    Why Change Success?

    Little Mary was not the best student in Sunday school. Usually she slept through the class. One day the teacher called on her while she was napping, “Tell me, Mary, who created the universe?”

    When Mary didn’t stir, little Johnny, an altruistic boy seated in the chair behind her, took his sharp pencil and jabbed her in the rear.

    “God Almighty!” shouted Mary, and the teacher said, “Very good.”

    A while later the teacher asked Mary, “Who is our Lord and Saviour?”

    Mary didn’t even stir from her slumber. Once again, Johnny came to the rescue and stuck her in the ass.

    “Jesus Christ!” shouted Mary and the teacher said, “Very good.”

    Then, a little while later, the teacher asked Mary a third question. “What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?”

    Once again, Johnny jabbed her with his pencil.

    This time Mary jumped up and shouted, “If you stick that damn thing in me one more time, I’ll break it in half!”

  5. Banks are alienating customers with their opinionated outbursts

    It looks like the term customers is a bit dated now.
    They want to be our masters

    2. Nice to know that you have bank branches in your area.

      In this part of Sussex they are nearly extinct.

  6. Morning, all.
    7,5C, and sunny.
    What’s all that about burning temperatures?

  7. Alison Rose’s apology to Farage doesn’t go far enough. 21 July 2023.

    Nothing screams inclusion like taking someone’s bank account off them because you don’t agree with their politics.

    Yet, NatWest is an organisation that never tires of burnishing its newly-found inclusive credentials. “Creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture is integral to fulfilling our purpose,” the bank proclaims.

    In fact, its dedication to this noble cause stretches to the appointment of 1,000 “Inclusion Champions” who are expected to “drive change” on important topics such as ethnicity, gender balance, and, you guessed it, inclusivity.

    If there is one lesson to be learned from this business it is that the real enemies of the British People are here and not in Moscow!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/21/alison-roses-apology-to-farage-doesnt-go-far-enough/

  8. ‘Morning, Peeps. Delightful fresh and sunny start, max 20C today and perhaps a little rain this afternoon.

    The Coutts scandal is running well and gathering all the momentum it deserves. For those who cannot see the DT Letters here’s today’s crop:

    SIR – I left HSBC due to its moronic anti-Brexit advertisement. I am now forced to leave NatWest due to its treatment of Nigel Farage. Are there any non-political banks in the United Kingdom?

    Tom Porter
    London E6

    SIR – Such delicious irony: that Coutts should be embarrassed by its woke attempts to avoid “reputational risk”.

    Harvey T Dearden
    Llandudno, Caernarfonshire

    SIR – Will HSBC or Nationwide, with whom I bank, refuse my custom if I vote Ukip?

    Percy Ungate
    Ipswich, Suffolk

    SIR – Those who think a cashless society is a wonderful idea should reflect on what has happened to Nigel Farage.

    Roger Kemp
    London N8

    SIR – I speak as a British citizen who has previously had his bank account summarily cancelled without explanation. What sticks in the craw is Coutts pompously cancelling customers whose views “do not align with our values”, when its parent company was fined £265 million in 2021 for money laundering failures. What values would those be, then?

    Robert Mitchell
    Birmingham

    SIR – Coutts’s vow to oppose “classism” (report, July 19) is undoubtedly this year’s best example of vacuous corporate virtue-signalling. Its clients have always been the rich, often with long-established family wealth.

    Mike Tickner
    Winterbourne Earls, Wiltshire

    SIR – The most disturbing aspect of the Coutts scandal is the equivocation of the liberal-Left – and in particular Sir Keir Starmer, who declined to condemn the bank’s action (report, July 20). This unprincipled position is made more concerning in view of the probable Labour victory in the next election, leaving one wondering who and what else will then be cancelled.

    Andrew C Pierce
    Barnstaple, Devon

    SIR – It would be more beneficial to society if banks closed the accounts of the multitude of scammers they host rather than those of individuals whose beliefs fail to coincide with theirs.

    J R C Holden
    Ledbury, Herefordshire

    SIR – I’ve banked with Coutts for more than 30 years, receiving exemplary service, but now there’s an implication that I must have more than £3 million in the bank – an implication not lost on my children and grandchildren. I have never had such a sum, nor has Coutts ever demanded that I should. I would like my family to know that.

    Dr David Murray
    Oxted, Surrey

    How long can the CEO cling on, I wonder?

    Oh, and in other news – Tories suffer double by-election defeat but cling on in Boris Johnson’s old seat.

    With apologies for the typos, now corrected on this new device…

  9. ‘Morning, Peeps. Delightful fresh and sunny start on yer sarf coast, max 20°C today and perhaps a little rain this afternoon.

    The Coutts scandal is running well and gathering all the momentum it deserves. For those who cannot see the DT Letters here’s today’s crop:

    SIR – I left HSBC due to its moronic anti-Brexit advertisement. I am now forced to leave NatWest due to its treatment of Nigel Farage. Are there any non-political banks in the United Kingdom?

    Tom Porter
    London E6

    SIR – Such delicious irony: that Coutts should be embarrassed by its woke attempts to avoid “reputational risk”.

    Harvey T Dearden
    Llandudno, Caernarfonshire

    SIR – Will HSBC or Nationwide, with whom I bank, refuse my custom if I vote Ukip?

    Percy Ungate
    Ipswich, Suffolk

    SIR – Those who think a cashless society is a wonderful idea should reflect on what has happened to Nigel Farage.

    Roger Kemp
    London N8

    SIR – I speak as a British citizen who has previously had his bank account summarily cancelled without explanation. What sticks in the craw is Coutts pompously cancelling customers whose views “do not align with our values”, when its parent company was fined £265 million in 2021 for money laundering failures. What values would those be, then?

    Robert Mitchell
    Birmingham

    SIR – Coutts’s vow to oppose “classism” (report, July 19) is undoubtedly this year’s best example of vacuous corporate virtue-signalling. Its clients have always been the rich, often with long-established family wealth.

    Mike Tickner
    Winterbourne Earls, Wiltshire

    SIR – The most disturbing aspect of the Coutts scandal is the equivocation of the liberal-Left – and in particular Sir Keir Starmer, who declined to condemn the bank’s action (report, July 20). This unprincipled position is made more concerning in view of the probable Labour victory in the next election, leaving one wondering who and what else will then be cancelled.

    Andrew C Pierce
    Barnstaple, Devon

    SIR – It would be more beneficial to society if banks closed the accounts of the multitude of scammers they host rather than those of individuals whose beliefs fail to coincide with theirs.

    J R C Holden
    Ledbury, Herefordshire

    SIR – I’ve banked with Coutts for more than 30 years, receiving exemplary service, but now there’s an implication that I must have more than £3 million in the bank – an implication not lost on my children and grandchildren. I have never had such a sum, nor has Coutts ever demanded that I should. I would like my family to know that.

    Dr David Murray
    Oxted, Surrey

    How long can the CEO cling on, I wonder?

    Oh, and in other news – Tories suffer double by-election defeat but cling on in Boris Johnson’s old seat.

    With apologies for the typos, now corrected on this new device…

    1. Roger Kemp’s letter is the most telling, and should be broadcast nation-wide.

    2. Oh, and in other news – Tories suffer double by-election defeat but cling on in Boris Johnson’s old seat.

      This simply illustrates the utter uselessness of the Political Classes!

    3. An excellent BTL comment on the Coutts scandal:

      Pauline Maridor
      1 HR AGO
      We should be thanking Nigel Farage for highlighting that our essential liberties are under threat from the woke revolution that ruthlessly seeks to enforce its ideology on our civic life through firms like Coutts bank.
      The inevitable, smug glee among the metropolitan chattering classes is sickening.
      The deceit of Coutts is an utter disgrace followed by a mealy-mouthed apology from the CEO.
      As it trumpets its “values,” Coutts betrays our traditions which made our country great.
      The warped dogma of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity is destroying this country.

        1. Good morning, Tom

          I’ve been saying this for the last couple of days and wrote to the DT about it. As yet it has not appeared in the DT Letters column.

    1. 374701+ up ticks,

      Morning B3
      We were, as a nation, standing up to our lower lips in liquid shite smoking king eddies an drinking brandy, shortly the whistle will blow,
      the pre election party is over, BACK ON YOUR HEADS.

  12. Morning all 🙂😊
    Silver rather than grey today. But a wet
    weekend in store.
    Banks, railway employees, teachers, civil servants, doctors, nurses, who’s next ?
    What happened to their sense of duty and care for customers ?
    They can’t just take it upon themselves to do what they feel like doing just because they can and when they feel like doing it.

    2. “What happened to their sense of duty and care for customers ?”

      It went woke.

    3. It is high time that taxpayers saw the remainder of the £45.5bn bailout repaid by the sale of shares – suggesting at the same time that perhaps the Natwest banking licence should be suspended if they are not keen.

      Yes, I know, that would require a government with balls, so it isn’t going to happen.

      1. There will be a lot of share interests in Westminster Whitehall and the Lords.
        Skulduggery is well practiced in all of those places.

  13. The climate scam now uses ground temps when it compares to the past, that used air temps that are always cooler than ground temps.

    1. I believe it’s so they can use infrared measurements by satellite, Johnny. Then they can show an average for the whole globe – but conveniently left out that their baseline is now different, thus supporting the climate lies that the world suddenly got hotter. Another sin by omission. Another reason to not believe the climate scaremongers.

      1. Talking to some folk yesterday my guess is that 99.999% of folk are not aware of those facts.

  14. Putin’s evil new weapon could win him the war, Hamish de Crettin-Gordon. 20 July 2023.

    The Kremlin will use any tactic to emerge victorious, even pushing much of Africa into mass starvation.

    It is often said that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. That maxim is about to be put to the test in the Black Sea.

    Following Russia’s shock withdrawal this week from the deal brokered in July 2022 by the UN and Turkey guaranteeing safe passage for grain exports, sudden and deliberate Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s southern coast have destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain and damaged vital storage infrastructure.

    This is a criminal act, threatening starvation in African countries and higher food prices around the world. Yet the West seems to be shrugging its shoulders, implying “there’s nothing we can do” without the danger of escalation. If we accept this, then we risk all the progress Western powers have made in undermining Putin.

    That’s our Hamish. One week it’s Vlad kaput, next he’s laying waste to the world. In reality of course the situation is nothing like this. Vlad simply asked for equal treatment for both Ukrainian and Russian grain shipments. The West was too crooked to comply.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/20/vladimir-putins-new-weapon-could-win-him-the-war/

    1. Can’t wait for the Anthrax scare next – It’s never grains it’s spores…..!

      MorningMinty and all.

    2. What were they expecting, Russia to submit to globalist rule while playing by Queensberry rules

    4. Is this the west pushing Russia into an action to defend Russians, as part of an attempt to turn people against Putin?
      Anti-Russian sentiment in Europe would certainly rise if people thought that Russia was starving Africans.
      Most would not see the hypocrisy of laws reducing the amount of food production in Europe at the same time.

  15. 374701+ up ticks,

    Morning Each,

    Currently banks are not the top priority when you are taking a
    ” you will have nothing, want nothing stance” as seemingly IS the peoples needs.

    After yesterday’s criminal mass insanity at the polling stations one should really be getting the spare room fit for occupation
    by the foreign invasion forces.

    It may as well be inclusive in the future manifesto’s, paedophiles
    all round and mandatory lodering / rogering ( the spoils of victory} the order of the day, via consent of the peoples.

    It is now crystal clear that cars come before kids and the party well before the Country.

    NO spare rooms ? larger beds will be supplied, the majority voter deserves no less.

  16. Looks like Labour took Selby & Ainsty from the Tories, with a majority of 4 161.
    I’m not surprised, the Tories don’t do politics any more. Guess this will be replicated all over, and their opportunity of a lifetime lost. Idiots.
    Not that Labour will be any better, mind, just red graft and socialism rather than blue.

      1. Nice guy, heart in the right place, but a wasted vote, regretfully.
        I even joined his party, in the hope (huh!) of making a difference and getting something more than ego out to the voters, but it didn’t work. So, I lapsed. Tried the same some years ago with UKIP, but it was clear that UKIP were rigidly fixated on internal politicking, and screw the voters. So, I stopped participating.
        Until these parties cease being a vehicle for the leadership’s self-importance, they will get nowhere against the enormously experienced and well-funded LibLabConners.

      3. Not quite “shot”, King Stephen. He came fourth behind Conservatives, Labour and the Greens. The LibDems came fourth.

        1. Saw this on GP

          By-Election analysis.
          From BBC VerifLie’s Dame John Cuticle.

          1. The Liberal Democrats are, quite astonishingly, are just slightly less corrupt, and less slightly less perverted, than the Tories. A big win for the hippy party in the district of Summerfruits and Yokel.

          2. In Selsy and Bilbao, the new six year old labour MP told VerifLie, “ the No homework and no VAT on Pokémon cards, paid dividends.

          3. The lessons for Sadiq Kharnage are clear. In the former Prime Minister Bojo’s seat of Uxbridge, Labour failed to gain a majority. Indicating far more immigration, illegal migration, traffic grid lock and violent street crime is necessary, to drive the Tories from the edge of the Capital.

      2. Another Mhairi Black, silly, immature know-all spouting off in the House of Commons.

  17. Seems that bird flu has broken out on the north coast of Norway, with lots of dead seagulls and other birds being found.
    A worse problem is, the birds will be migrating south very soon, so will be spreading the bird flu as they move and gather in southerly locations. This is not good.

    1. Agreed it’s not good. It’ll be even worse when Grizz sees that you’ve used the term seagulls

        2. The worst thing about those ugly outboards was there was no recoil on the string pull, so you had to rewind it every time.

      2. We all (and our parents) referred to them as Seagulls, despite what George might posit.

    2. They might not return south Obs, when the word gets around how hot 🔥 it is everywhere.

  18. 374701+ up ticks,

    Morning Each,

    Currently banks are not the top priority when you are taking a
    ” you will have nothing, want nothing stance” as seemingly IS the peoples needs.

    After yesterday’s criminal mass insanity at the polling stations one should really be getting the spare room fit for occupation
    by the foreign invasion forces.

    It may as well be inclusive in the future manifesto’s, paedophiles
    all round and mandatory lodering / rogering ( the spoils of victory} the order of the day, via consent of the peoples.

    It is now crystal clear that cars come before kids and the party well before the Country.

    NO spare rooms ? larger beds will be supplied, the majority voter deserves no less.

  19. Cluster bombs ‘having an impact’ on Russian defences, US says. 21 July 2023.

    US-supplied cluster munitions are “having an impact” on Russian defences as Ukraine seeks momentum in its grinding counteroffensive, Washington has said.

    “They are using them appropriately,” said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

    “They’re using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia’s defensive formations and Russia’s defensive manoeuvring,” he added, noting Ukrainian forces had started using the weapons “in the last week or so”.

    How long before the Russians get sick of being a US punch bag and decide to punch back?

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/21/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-cluster-munitions-black-sea/

    1. Believe Russia has cluster munitions, so they are perfectly capable of returning the favour.
      But, looking to the future, the US-supplied cluster bombs are being used on Ukraine territory – and so, when the war is done and small children get killed and horribly maimed by messing with the undetonated bomblets, that will be 100% down to the USA and Ukraine.
      Good one.
      IIRC, there are about only 3 non-signatories to the cluster munitions non-use treaty, and you guessed who they are: USA, Ukraine and Russia.

      1. Well, there will be another reason for lots of do-good glitterati and royalty to preen themselves in the MSM demanding donations to charities to “save the” etc, plus yet another set of wailing charity ads on the box.

    2. ““They are using them appropriately,” said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.”
      What the fcuk use is “appropriate”? Please explain, shit-for-brains Kirby.

    2. I’ve just emailed him to say that you’ve put up the post, and that he’s not forgotten in these Nottly parts!

      1. Good one, Sue. let’s hope he returns to the fold – a good place for letting of steam!

      2. He seems to have deleted his disqus account a while ago. Though he may of course, have another one.

          1. I never knew what it meant – if anything.

            to me he was just Richard, a good bloke, as I remember it from our one-time meeting.

          3. Thanks, Jules, I never knew that being, at the time, isolated in a small village in Mid-Suffolk.

            I just wish I could go back but alas….

    5. Happy birthday Tier5Inmate, hope you’re having a celebratory weekend.

      1. Your link looks the same as mine – I don’t understand the ways of links.

        I’ve copied and pasted your link – and it works.

        1. /the-climatCe-scaremongers-infernal-nonsense/

          /the-climate-scaremongers-infernal-nonsense/

          Note the superfluous “C”. Easily done.

          1. In fact there are several hundred superfluous ‘Cs’, all on about £86k or more. Until next year.

        2. /the-climatCe-scaremongers-infernal-nonsense/

          /the-climate-scaremongers-infernal-nonsense/

          Note the superfluous “C”. Easily done.

  23. Good morning all.
    Another dry but overcast start with a pleasant 10°C outside.

      1. I’m taking the risk of going off in the van for the weekend, the Going Postal Meet in Hook Norton.

        2. You must report on the Pear Tree Inn. It’s a long while since I’ve been there. I hope it hasn’t had the IKEA treatment.

          1. Stayed there 18 months ago and no, it has not had the Pub Gutting Machine in.
            Sadly, the Gate Hangs High has.

  24. The Today programme has just caught up with the Coutts business. It interviewed an ex-TSB bigwig who said ‘too many of us, including the BBC, went with the line that it was just about his balance’ and then went on to say what a jolly bad thing it was that it happened as banking is as vital to the individual as any utility. Many of us were there three days ago, matey.

    And then this from Nick Robinson: “The language used in that report would startle, even outrage, people who loathe what Nigel Farage stands for.”

    No further comment necessary….

    1. Thing is, the peope who loathe what Farage believes in – nation state, patriotism, individual liberty, private wealth, freedom from government – *don’t* hate what has happened to him. Many are enjoying it, believing it righteous precisely because they believe that his views should be proscribed.

      These are the embodiment of ‘cancel culture’. They are no different to the snivelling worms who set out to burn Protestants during the reformation. Now these people are faced with the usual Lefty hypocrisy – they agree and approve of what Coutts has done, and why it has done it but they have to oppose it in public lest they be exposed.

    2. Thing is, the peope who loathe what Farage believes in – nation state, patriotism, individual liberty, private wealth, freedom from government – *don’t* hate what has happened to him. Many are enjoying it, believing it righteous precisely because they believe that his views should be proscribed.

      These are the embodiment of ‘cancel culture’. They are no different to the snivelling worms who set out to burn Protestants during the reformation. Now these people are faced with the usual Lefty hypocrisy – they agree and approve of what Coutts has done, and why it has done it but they have to oppose it in public lest they be exposed.

    3. Nick Robinson

      While making toast this morning I happened to touch the BBC Radio 4 icon on my smartphone. It was Nick Robinson interviewing (I use the term loosely) Greg Hands, chairman of the Conservative party.

      The average delay between Nick asking a question and interrupting the reply was about 7 to 15 seconds, frequently less.

      I don’t know how Greg Hands kept his cool, but he did. I would have been inclined to say: “Look here, four eyes, did you invite me here to listen to what I had to say or to listen to what you had to say?”

          1. The only radio I listen to is R3 when I’m in the car. I haven’t bothered with R4 for 40 years or more or R2 since Bill was on it.

          2. Even R3 has gone seriously downhill, though not as much as the Australian equivalent, which my brother assures me subjects the listeners to indigenous music (i.e. didgereedoos) half the time.

          3. I think we’re spared the didgeridoos here because they are forever associated now with Rolf Harris.
            I don’t drive far these days but there is some good and some not so good music when I do.

    4. Sgt Bilko is a barsteward of the first order. In fact, many of us loathe what HE stands for.

      2. Ah, but, but, but…he was once a Young Conservative and therefore proof that the BBC is a Brexit-supporting, Tory organisation.

      3. Ah, but, but, but…he was once a Young Conservative and therefore proof that the BBC is a Brexit-supporting, Tory organisation.

  25. Aren’t we attracting the wrong sort of people into politics?

    BTL comment under article on new Labour MP’s election.

    People enter politics because they get far more money than they could dream of getting elsewhere. How many young people of 25 get this sort of package:

    The basic annual salary of a Member Of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons is £86,584, as of April 2023. In addition, MPs are able to claim allowances to cover the costs of running an office and employing staff, and maintaining a constituency residence or a residence in London.

    1. …and all without any qualifications, except of course the ability to tell porkies…

      80 years ago he might have been piloting a Lancaster bomber to Germany and back (well, hopefully back) while being shot at. Now that would have been doing something really useful, instead of being an ineffectual windbag in our grossly over-represented Parliament.

    2. They can and do charge consultancy fees to companies which wish to influence decisions in parliament.

    3. What does a 25 year old know about anything? Heck, he’ll fit right in with the Labour front bench. They’re all ignorami.

  26. Aren’t we attracting the wrong sort of people into politics?

    BTL comment under article on new Labour MP’s election.

    People enter politics because they get far more money than they could dream of getting elsewhere. How many young people of 25 get this sort of package:

    The basic annual salary of a Member Of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons is £86,584, as of April 2023. In addition, MPs are able to claim allowances to cover the costs of running an office and employing staff, and maintaining a constituency residence or a residence in London.

  28. Delicious…

    SIR – I speak as a British citizen who has previously had his bank
    account summarily cancelled without explanation. What sticks in the craw
    is Coutts pompously cancelling customers whose views “do not align with
    our values”, when its parent company was fined £265 million in 2021 for
    money laundering failures. What values would those be, then?

    Robert Mitchell
    Birmingham

    1. If you don’t like my principles…. I have others.

      Running through Lefties is the word hypocrisy. It’s seared into their bones.

  29. Last day of school before the holidays. Junior has a school games thing, he’s taking a board game in and then we have six weeks of trying to entertain him while his best mate – Mongo – can’t do any running about or much walking.

    Ideas on the back of a postcard.

      1. He’ll worry about Mongo the whole time and won’t want to go far. This is the conundrum. Together, we’ve walked further than I can bear to. Apart, they give up after 5 minutes.

        Mongo’s sat in the doorway and refused to budge..

    2. Household chores. Teach him how to make bread and cakes. Make him earn his keep !

        1. If I make a cake with Mongo in the kitchen and look away he’ll have the bowl on the floor and be eating the mixture.

    3. Good morning Wibbsy and everyone.
      Sensibly you tell us more more about Mongo than Junior; is J still in Primary School? If so, you could organise excursions to a favourite beach, depending on distance; get everything ready in advance so you two can leave at the drop of a hat whenever the sun has got his on. Does he like horses? Riding establishments are usually willing to accept some help with poo picking, etc. How about an informal rota of playdates with friends from his class? Is he old enough to enjoy the mysteries of Raspberry Pi?
      If you are feeling sufficiently affluent, electric bikes and electric skateboards are popular; bikes that you could ride on country lanes and forestry trails.

      2. Mostly not to give anything away about him. The internet is forever and all that.

        Thing is, we – he and I and her Warqueenery – could go when we wanted, but he won’t leave Mongo behind and, if left behind Mongo whines terribly – no matter how short the time we’re away. They really are inseparable.

        We have many many pi’s floating about,. He’s done some swift programming with me before now when we built a railgun. There are things I’ve sort of planned – building a pond in the garden, taking after Bob with a fort that we can plan and build outside together. There’s a Lego batmobile we’ve not finished yet.

        He can ride, but the mare is getting old and even the Warqueen doesn’t take her out very often now, especially after the accident. The first couple of weeks are all sort of organised, as we’ll get to the library to do some research for his summer project. It’s after that when he wants to go out and Mongus can’t come with him that I’m worried. It’s not separation anxiety so much as we’ve never left him (Mongo) behind before so he won’t know what’s going on.

          1. That’s no a bad idea. I could make him one. We do have a sidecar he sits in, just need to adapt it to a pedalo.

            My big worry is because you can’t stop him moving if he really wants to (short of lifting him off the ground) he’ll injure himself in wanting to play.

    2. if I ever find one, I’d park my bloody great RAV4, properly and prettily in the proper space.

  31. Bonjour tootle monde,

    Light cloud above Castle McPhee and remaining that way except for the forecast brief period of dark cloud around midday. Wind in the West, 13℃ rising to 18℃ today. And Fraser Nelson has a piece in the Gatesograph telling us that global warming is a huge problem. You need to do some research, Fraser.

    Regarding l’affaire de Farage, Alison Pearson is right that Rose must go – and take her underling Camilla Stowell with her. Alison’s piece is good as far as it goes:

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/20/dame-alison-rose-must-now-resign/

    However, what she hasn’t written about is the warning that this is to us all. This is what lies in wait for anyone and everyone if TPTB are able to force through digital ID and CBDC. The Alison Roses of the world have insinuated themselves everywhere and they will promote people like themselves to be in a position to take over from them to ensure continuity. We had a saying in my day in the forces: W⚓︎s promote w⚓︎s. Assure as God made little green apples this is what is happening. Nigel Farage has picked the scab off the boil and, with his latest information request to find out if it was Rose herself who leaked his financial position to the hiding BBC journalist whose name I have forgotten, he is beginning to squeeze out the pus. Let us all be Nigel Farages.

    1. Strange that the BBC news this morning forgot to mention the conversation between the senior BBC journalist

      and Dame Alison Rose.

      I wonder how many other accounts have been discussed by Dame Alison with BBC employees?

      Very strange that the BBC forgot to mention that fact !

      1. Just another example of lying by omission. That is something that the Bigoted Broadcasting Corporation is supremely good at.

        ‘Morning Janet.

        1. Yes Hugh, but by that omission they change the slant on the news item completely.

          They also forgot to mention the large fine that Coutts incurred for criminal money laundering

          Good morning Hugh.

          2. From the BBC website sosraboc:

            “Private bank Coutts has been fined £8.75m by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) for not taking

            adequate measures to prevent money laundering.

            The FSA said the failings “resulted in an unacceptable risk of Coutts handling the proceeds of crime”.

            The findings related to high-risk people, especially those whose political positions meant they

            were vulnerable to corruption”.

          3. Thanks

            Edit, that’s actually not a particularly large fine in banking terms..

          4. But remember sosraboc that the taxpayer owns a large proportion of the Natwest Group, so

            that fine to some extent has been paid by the taxpayers.

          5. Quite, I made a similar point regarding the share price fall.
            It’s almost always the consumer or the taxpayer who eventually pays for it.

          6. Thanks

            Edit, that’s actually not a particularly large fine in banking terms..

    2. Well said, FM.

      “Rose was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to the financial sector…”

      Some service! Can we have her DBE back, please?

    2. It’s impossible to know whether those temperatures are purported to have been taken at the same time, at the same location, using the same methods or if the higher figure was a forecast rather than an actual reading. There are too many unknowns to conclude that manipulation has taken place in this particular instance.

      1. Judging by the rest of the forecasts and map colours, we think manipulation is highly likely.

        1. And reports from people ‘in the field’. 42 C is nothing really to those who live there, from 11.30 am onwards locals disappear into their homes, pull the blinds and shutters and don’t emerge until 4.30 pm-ish. 42C is quite usual several times a summer season in the Mediterranean lands. It is only a surprise to people of more northerly climes who expect to be able to carry on as usual.

          1. Agreed, Mum, we experienced the same in S Spain, when I lived there for five years.

            We all know it’s just another ‘Project Fear’ scam and ignore it as such.

      2. True, but there have been numerous tweets from Britons all over Europe in the last couple of days saying that it’s a lot cooler than the BBC is pretending.
        On Tuesday morning for example, there was heavy hail in southern Germany, it appeared as deep orange or light red on the BBC chart for that day.

  33. Has anyone else watched The Sixth Commandment? We watched the fourth and final episode last night on catch-up. It is a dramatisation of the events leading to.the conviction of a murderer, and it is remarkably well done. The acting is outstanding, and Timothy Spall is a most convincing victim. Highly recommended.

    Edited for a silly error…

    3. Another ‘real-life’ murder series on BBC is Steeltown, also a four-parter. Philip Glenister in the DCI lead role is a long way from the splendidly un-PC Gene Hunt of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.

    4. Another ‘real-life’ murder series on BBC is Steeltown, also a four-parter. Philip Glenister in the DCI lead role is a long way from the splendidly un-PC Gene Hunt of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.

  34. Has anyone else watched The Sixth Commandment? We watched the fourth and final episode last night on catch-up. It is a dramatisation of the events leading to.the conviction of a murderer, and it is remarkably well done. The acting is outstanding, and Timothy Spall is a most convincing victim. Highly recommended.

    Edited for a silly error…

  35. Second visit this morning.
    I should have gone to bed at my usual time last night. But sat watching the Open golf from Hoylake.
    Its great to see good young players showing the older hands how to do it.
    It’s a tough course and I wouldn’t have expected a young amateur to be leader after the first day. Or would I have ?

      1. Trombetti do grow. Stalk, yes, they do have a stalk. The only recorded case of one killing a human was by choking when eating one.
        As for knowing, walking and talking, none of these have ever been verified.

        Only kidding, Stig.

  38. ‘Morning All

    Medley Time

    Plus ca change……

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cd043d84aca052ae5d4fe9d827637957cdae1a5396811766227c610c509a7459.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d425082744e006839cafa5fd1bd707636280fa96bc0772fb863da505a2cc3070.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/69ea43ab7ead0c97f09ce9bcc11616dda77f41b565e7c6738709a19a23265b0b.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4c3b7b68e8d8928448dba5046a0280dad86589805725200f0eed981e98f3a1f7.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/aff4a47c7f2fa4951d68452838326aef28a943035e34a22d7e7d430cc1d5131e.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8e5aa391785826c281692a28239dbd6a79d60c0335575a0cee8c9acc938453be.png

    Finally one for the laydees…….

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b481c8acbdd61bb97cbf8b18bf27bbd41d420a07ed99a85bc1b8d0c2605c2352.gif

    2. And if we all stop, the business collapses, and all those poor (financially), discriminated-against black folks are out of work. More racism.
      Arseholes.

      1. Coffee bean farmers would lose their income.

        Or maybe the big wholesalers want to switch to selling to Russia, India and China, who knows. The message for white people seems to be to eat less and be less comfortable all round.

          2. Google suggests “Black-led and majority Black-owned startup that combines fashion and streetwear with lifestyle commentary.”

  40. Hmm, interesting read. Banks should probably focus more on their customers’ needs rather than sharing their opinions.

    1. Banks should focus more on their customers’ needs rather than informing BBC journalists about their

      customers’ accounts.

  41. Close call……I just had a private number phone call. Answered with trepidation, after I had identified the lady said St Barts hospital…..oh no the cancellation call I immediately suspected. But no, she asked if I could arrive at 7:30 am instead of 10.
    Yes I told her as we are staying overnight in a hotel opposite.
    I might be out mid afternoon. 😊🤞

    4. If it’s any consolation, Eddy, the earlier start maybe as a result of other’s cancellations.

      Whichever, we all hope it goes swimmingly for you all.

        1. I stay there at Christmas so that I cant get to Barts church for the midnight and Christmas Day services. I find it comfortable and the food is decent. The WiFi there seems to be set so that it doesn’t stay logged in but the signal is good.

          1. Thanks Sue. I don’t think I’ll be eating. Unless we have supper/dinner.
            My wife booked breakfast she’ll have to go back over for it after she’s dropped me off.

        2. Seems like your Erin, worked a buster for you, Eddy.

          The best of luck, old troop.

    6. Best of luck. Set your alarm and ask reception for a wake up call to be certain.

    7. Pleased everything seems to be heading in the right direction.
      Good luck.

    1. I like the use of Diversity, Inclusion & Equality in that order.

      The acronym will be DIE, very apt.

          1. I will never subscribe to that, Spikey.

            Rid the country of BAME and especially Islam.

    1. So Dame Alison has been rewarded for discussing a client’s accounts with a senior BBC journalist.

      I wonder which other accounts she has also discussed with the BBC?

    2. Government CANNOT create growth. It can only create the environment for growth to flourish in. This is part of the fundamental problem the state has. it thinks it is all powerful. It need do two things: Cut taxes and shred the state.

      All these wealthy, highly paid wasters will do is advise big fat state to give them more of our money.

      1. Something the government and Whitehall can not seem to get to grips with is, that they have effed up. Its costing the UK taxpayers more than 6 million each and every day to just support their errors and this is what needs to be addressed.
        This will bring interest rates down and reduce mortgage payments. It’s no good trying to shove all this under the carpet.

          1. I know Obs, but what is the point of wrecking our economy, social structure and culture. What is it that they are aiming for ? None of it makes any sense at all.

      2. What I find encouraging, Tom, is there is a pushback developing. First Bud Light, then it slowly builds. There have been some more since (memory fails)… NatWest are likely going to suffer, too. And I hope it breaks them completely so the bank is entirely destroyed.

    5. Government should be a catalyst not a doer.
      Create the right balance between tax and expenditure. Most of what it does penalises those who work an d obey the law. It favours those who choose benefits as a lifestyle and expect others to pay for their existence. It also favours illegal immigrants and certain sects over the indigenous population.

      1. But if they are a catalyst, they cannot say “I was in charge of £x billions budget”, or “Look at what I achieved! A (whatever)!”
        It diminishes their chance of headlines and personal aggrandisement. Who cares if your achievement was to get X to talk to Y and create Z?

    6. Remember the fuss the Leftards kicked up about Toby Young a few years back when he was nominated for some educational post (after his success of setting up the West London Free School)?

      This woman has done something really egregious and she is getting a free pass, whereas Young was dragged through the mire and forced to rescind the job.

  44. Just had a reply from Maggie – she’s ok but down in the dumps and about politics and life. She’s been getting out and about and seeing friends but she has also had some health issues since the cough a week or so ago.

    She sends you all her best and thanks for the good wishes and will come back when she feels more up to the cut and thrust.

    1. Thanks Ndovu! Please pass on my love and best wishes when you speak to her! 🌹

    2. Thanks, Jules, please let Maggie know of our continuing love, hugs and wishes for a good recovery.

      1. So was I when she didn’t reply to my first email. She’s not happy about the barge coming to Portland.

  45. That’s the Van loaded, laptop charged up, now logging off and heading to Hook Norton for the GP meet up.
    TTFN

  46. 374701+ up ticks,

    After yesterday’s telling polling results the only rectifying remedying option left open is, seemingly, civil war.

    This brought about via the polling stations there lies the root of the problem

    We surely cannot go on satisfying the paedophile lust for children, rape & abuse of adults, murder most foul of the
    indigenous peoples, those lab / lib / con coalition
    supporter / voters must surely be given a very serious coating of looking at, NO right minded person willingly gives consent to the above.

    Then just terminate the politico’s en masse, after that install a
    multitude of ex vets on Dover beach with a supply of protective tools.

    1. The people are voting for another wing of the Uniparty so nothing will change – certainly not for the better.

      1. 374701 + up ticks,

        Morning N,
        The majority voter is giving their consent to the rape & abuse of children , adults and the final take down of a decent nation.

        NOT one of the odious cretins can tell me otherwise.

        Party before family, plain as day.

          2. Indeed.
            How many Germans regretted voting the Narsties into power? That took what, 12 years and an appalling war to sort out, and then another 45 years of Communism to add joy to the situation.

          3. The AfD are on the rise in Germany – and not just in the ex-DDR part. People there are beginning to realise that Nut Zero is not all they’re told.

          4. 374701+ up ticks,

            Afternoon ,
            There has never been a day since the kick off in the garden that an agent of eviliness has been absent from this planet.

            IMHO the current lab/lib/con supporter / voter are carrying on that odious tradition.

          5. They believe the BBC and other MSM.
            Therein lies the problem.
            How much courage does it take to admit that you have been fooled for decades? Hmm…
            Also, the alternative parties aren’t anything to generate confidence – all their petty infighting and disorganisation, egos, and the like.

          6. They believe the BBC and other MSM.
            Therein lies the problem.
            How much courage does it take to admit that you have been fooled for decades? Hmm…
            Also, the alternative parties aren’t anything to generate confidence – all their petty infighting and disorganisation, egos, and the like.

  47. I was doing a spot of gardening yesterday when I noticed some of my flowers had died.

    As a mark of respect, I went out and tied a member of my family to a lamppost.

  48. The copper said to me, “So, you watched five men beating a climate activist and you didn’t help?”

    I replied, “I got it on video for TikTok, didn’t I?”

    1. But you were thinking “There were five of them, they didn’t seem to need my help.”

    2. Basically some of the reasons why I refused it from Day 1.

      It hadn’t been tested long enough.

      It was new

      I have heart disease and COPD.

      I wouldn’t even take flu shots as they were too hit and miss.

      1. I dodged the bullets and I’m thankful for my good heath but I’m not taking it for granted.

    3. My siblings have had at least 5 each, possibly 6. My youngest sister-in-law (71 yrs) has been diagnosed with altzheimers. No idea whether there’s a connection but of course it’s possible and sems likely.

      1. My OH was fit and active and still playing tennis at 79. Now he’s breathless just walking upstairs.

        1. Sounds like me, Jules, same age, same symptom, which is why I now have a ground-floor flat with a chair-Iift, if I do have to go upstairs, where the admin offices are and the lobby for mail.

      2. A friend of MOH was in his late fifties, and very anxious about Covid.

        He had five jabs at the correct intervals ordered by the medics.

        He then went down with severe Covid and nearly died.

        Inexplicably none of the doctors were interested in discovering why.

      3. My son only told me the other week that his uncle (my ex brother in law) died suddenly shortly after having his jabs. Neither of them had thought to tell me but I was quite shocked to hear that he’d died two years ago. He was a good chap and his wife always sent us a Christmas card – till last year. I just thought it was the postal troubles.

          3. Dunno – I hadn’t seen her for years and she would probably have assumed I knew, though a Christmas card is as good a time as any to mention that kind of news.

    4. I had somewhat reluctantly the first two shots of the AZ but declined (flatly refused) all the boosters. No obvious effects at the time (and I have never had covid to my knowledge) but have now been diagnosed with arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation though it is considered benign and will be checked again in a year’s time. Impossible to prove the vax had anything to do with it but I consider it very likely. No previous heart issues and none in the family and I remain at 74 remarkably fit and doing longish London walks every week. Consultant says ‘keep on doing them!’

      1. I had the two AZ jabs – I’d booked a trip to Kenya and it was clearly going to be a requirement for travel……… the much postponed trip finally took place a year later and jabs were a requirement. I refused all boosters and won’t be having any more travel jabs of any kind – the many I’ve had over the last 25 years will have to suffice for ever now.

        I’m well and thankful for my good health. My OH had three Pfizer jabs and his heart troubles only became apparent last autumn. Who’s to know the cause of these things? I just know I won’t be having any more.

    1. They have been at it again in the Daily Mail the last two days. First an article from Jenni Murray, talking about how dangerous measles can be and saying that Andrew Wakefield faked his study results, followed by lots of comments with people saying that they or their friends were left permanently crippled by measles, or knew people who died.
      (I was a child before the jabs were brought in, and nobody I know has permanent injury or died. Just saying)

      Today, there’s a hit piece aimed at Dr Ahmed Malik who interviewed Dr Wakefield for his podcast.

      Needless to say, neither article mentions the rise in childhood chronic illnesses like autism since the jabs started, and neither article informs the reader that Andrew Wakefield’s results on autism have been reproduced in other studies.

      1. And we now know that measles was well in decline long before the jabs came. I had the illness and survived, my sons both had the jab but not the MMR which came later.

      2. Could it also be that the ‘Celebs’ only had saline jabs for publicity pics?

        1. Oh yes. In some cases the publicity pictures clearly show the cap still on the needle. It was pointed at their arms and…camera click! No actual injection.

      3. I had a text from the Doctor’s this morning informing me they were gearing up for the winter flu vaccine. They said the covid pretendy vax would be given at the same time.

          1. The only time i get a text from the surgery is for their money making purposes.

          3. 374701+ up ticks,

            Afternoon N,
            I could be having the same 3 monthly jabs ongoing from 5/6 years ago and never lost faith in my
            consultant, a Spanish chap,
            also my treatment was excellent via the NHS throughout.

          7. 374701+ up ticks,

            N,
            On one visit waiting for return transport I heard one woman to another in passing say” it has returned” all we as human beings can do really is, our best.
            REgards to your chap.

        2. I only once succumbed to the flu vax – that was in 2020 when the propaganda must have got to me.

          1. I had a flu shot quite a few years ago, and was sicker than a dog. On the basis of that, I didn’t have the Covid shots at the beginning, then the reports of unpleasantness appraed, so I didn’t have them at any time.
            I also had flu, once, and that was bad, too.
            Now, Vit D pills seem to keep all illnesses away. Haven’t had a cold or worse since I started with them, about 2+ years ago.

          2. I spent Christmas 1972 in bed with flu, and very nasty it was – I never bothered with flu shots, and they used to make my aunt ill, too. I started taking Vit D in autumn 2020 and each year since then from October to March or April. The only hint of any illness since January 2020 ( which could well have been covid) was in August last year, when I was on the summer break from Vit D, when I had a very sore throat which lasted three days but didn’t develop into anything more than that.

          3. I had a flu shot quite a few years ago, and was sicker than a dog. On the basis of that, I didn’t have the Covid shots at the beginning, then the reports of unpleasantness appraed, so I didn’t have them at any time.
            I also had flu, once, and that was bad, too.
            Now, Vit D pills seem to keep all illnesses away. Haven’t had a cold or worse since I started with them, about 2+ years ago.

      4. Once you see that most ‘news’ is propaganda it’s hard to believe anyhing you read. I take most of it now with a large dose of scepticism, except of course, those pieces that allign with my “confirmation bias”.

    1. That was in the US version of Torygraph as well.
      Apparently the fragrant one’s nose was severley out of joint.

  54. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/75f4b4802c6d6bba69d2acc9b706f10d266537b27c254cd5a4be95054de1cb0d.png
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/07/20/meghan-jill-biden-social-climbing-harry-sussexes/

    I tried to post this BTL comment but its removal was immediate. This suggests that I was not the only person to have posted such a remark and the comments censors were on their toes and able to strike immediately the offensive word appeared!

    What was it? A jewel-encrusted dildo? Old Joe needs all the aids he can get!

      1. Apparently it referenced a dress they both wore that had lemons as part of the design.

    2. There are many words that just trigger a deletion of a post. The surname of the previous Met Commissioner being one!

      1. You’re not thinking of former mayor Dock Whittington and his pet pissy?

        Good job Inspector Crabtree’s taken over this comment.

  55. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/75f4b4802c6d6bba69d2acc9b706f10d266537b27c254cd5a4be95054de1cb0d.png
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/07/20/meghan-jill-biden-social-climbing-harry-sussexes/

    I tried to post this BTL comment but its removal was immediate. This suggests that I was not the only person to have posted such a remark and the comments censors were on their toes and able to strike immediately the offensive word appeared!

    What was it? A jewel-encrusted dildo? Old Joe needs all the aids he can get!

    1. Of course the claim that “everywhere else on the planet is burning” is BS anyway – it seems that, shocked gasp, places that are hot in summer are once again, hot in summer! But I do like “asymptomatic global warming”!!!

  59. Legendary singer Tony Bennett dies aged 96. 21 July 2023.

    Publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed Bennett’s death to The Associated Press, saying he died in his hometown of New York just two weeks shy of his 97th birthday.

    There was no specific cause, but Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

    I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Ah!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/21/tony-bennett-dead-aged-96/

  61. Today is Founder’s Day here at the Home for Deranged Gentlefolk. They are having a BBQ and we were down as maybe because we have to take each day as it comes. We didn’t go because I have been up and down all night and am going to supermarket soon.
    Two of the Trustees just came by with two huge platefuls of food, hamburger in bun, sausage ditto, grilled chicken, potato salad, sliced peppers, and etc Enough food to keep us going for a week!
    Solves dinner tonight and if we felt fit, we’d have gone. Once round the supermarket will finish me off so thank god it’s the weekend.

    1. Glad you’ve got good neighbours to keep an eye out for you. Take care in the supermarket – I’ll have to go shortly as well. Good that you’ve got some food for today and you won’t have to worry about cooking.

    3. Good to know that you’d rather shop for yourself and be independent, Ann.

      Another good example of KBO.

      We all wish you well, love and hugs, NoTTLers.

  65. Don’t know if the breaking news here in US has made it across the pond, but sad to see Tony Bennett has died, 96yrs old. One of the last “crooners” but his music will carry on.

    1. Yes – that news was posted an hour or so ago – I gather he had Alzheimers. 96 is a good age though.

    2. Jill – see the ‘featured post’ above – I heard back from Maggie this morning.

      1. So glad to hear Maggie is okay. I have just finished putting Friday groceries away so I was a bit late checking on the news here, it’s just 10.39 here.

        1. I must go out shortly and do my grocery shopping! Maggie is a bit down and thinks we’re all done for, so she’s avoiding our doom and gloom for now.

    3. Sad really that “I left my heart in San Francisco” was a more zippy and catchy song title than “I left my heart in Chipping Sodbury.“

      1. I forget which comedian had quite the funny patter on misquoting favorite songs, substituting English towns for American ones, back in the 60’s I think.

          1. That does ring a bell now that you mention it.
            Just seen further down about your neighbors bringing bbq food for you both, hope you enjoy it all. Slurp it down with some Grigio and you will be fine!!! (I’m not a wine snob, I will drink white wine with everything, these days!)

    4. Sad really that “I left my heart in San Francisco” was a more zippy and catchy song title than “I left my heart in Chipping Sodbury.“

  66. Fears about Biden’s health are now genuinely terrifying. 21 July 2023.

    Joe Biden’s evidently declining health should be an issue of huge concern on both sides of the Atlantic. The US President’s schedule on international trips is increasingly being curtailed by his advisers who fear that he is simply not up to the task. Biden skipped a major opening dinner with allied leaders at the recent Nato summit in Vilnius, citing a heavy workload, and spent less than 24 hours in London on his visit to the UK. What would normally have been a three-day state visit to America’s closest friend and ally was shoehorned into a brief stopover, with just a 42-minute conversation with the British Prime Minister in Downing Street.

    The United States has elected a Criminal, Cognitively Impaired, Septuagenarian, Pederast who cannot climb a flight of steps to the highest office in the country and who has his finger on the Nuclear Trigger and you’re worrying about his health?

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/21/biden-air-force-one-boarding-steps-stumbles-old-age-health/

    1. If it is Biden, it’s abuse. If it’s an actor, it’s a fraud. Either way, I doubt anyone will ever be punished.

    2. Some have noticed that Biden exits Air Force One by the door at the rear of the aircraft. This is much closer to the ground than the designated door which requires a mobile ladder. The rear exit is a mere 14 steps and the apparatus descends from inside the fusilage.

      Biden’s minders are shit scared that the evil old fool will fall down the taller flight of steps. Afterall on several notable occasions he has fallen when ascending the steps.

      As regards the nuclear trigger, Obama has his finger on it awaiting direction from the global bankers.

    3. Some have noticed that Biden exits Air Force One by the door at the rear of the aircraft. This is much closer to the ground than the designated door which requires a mobile ladder. The rear exit is a mere 14 steps and the apparatus descends from inside the fusilage.

      Biden’s minders are shit scared that the evil old fool will fall down the taller flight of steps. Afterall on several notable occasions he has fallen when ascending the steps.

      As regards the nuclear trigger, Obama has his finger on it awaiting direction from the global bankers.

    4. Some have noticed that Biden exits Air Force One by the door at the rear of the aircraft. This is much closer to the ground than the designated door which requires a mobile ladder. The rear exit is a mere 14 steps and the apparatus descends from inside the fusilage.

      Biden’s minders are shit scared that the evil old fool will fall down the taller flight of steps. Afterall on several notable occasions he has fallen when ascending the steps.

      As regards the nuclear trigger, Obama has his finger on it awaiting direction from the global bankers.

    2. The joys of sentient transport. The day your car is driven by AI and decides it wants to disobey orders is the time to worry though?

  68. Wordle 762 4/6

    ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
    ⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
    🟨🟩🟩⬜⬜
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    1. Another five and I was sooo sure of my fourth guess :-((

      Wordle 762 5/6

      ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
      ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
      ⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
      ⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

        2. Is it provided in Finnish for the Finns, or does everyone do the English one?

          1. I have, heretofore, assumed that there is a one and only English version – so that we all chase the same word, worldwide.

    3. A ghastly double bogie after making 2 dreadful schoolboy errors on goes 2 and 5. Bugger.! Shouldn’t drink while watching the Ashes.

      Wordle 762 6/6

      ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
      ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟩
      ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩
      🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
      🟩🟩🟨⬜🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

  69. From the beeb…

    “Bibby Stockholm: Onboard the giant barge set to house asylum seekers….”

    How many of you are wondering how long before it catches fire and is burnt down?

    3. Moore them, and any followers, off Rockall.

      Let’s see how well the slammers will take to that.

    1. We were talking about 40s an 50s nuclear bomb testing at 5 o’clock club at the pub. Bikini Atoll, is apparently the healthiest coral reef in the world. Mainly because no humans have been there for so long presumably.
      Had a few beers with a Jap survivor of the Nagasaki bomb in a bar at ground zero. TBH I didn’t have much sympathy with him.

      1. It’s an odd one, that.
        Presumably he would have been a child at the time. Do children deserve to be hurt by the sins of their fathers?

        Given the way that the Japanese defended the outer islands, I believe that the bombs saved far, far more lives than they cost.

        1. I was with a female crewmember, a pretty Tasmanian girl, and all he wanted to do was grope her. Had no time for him and his scars at all. We were only ashore because of an approaching’ super typhoon.

  71. Musing on central bank digital currency, it will surely render striking for pay increases pointless since the currency will have an expiry date, not allow saving and limit spending power anyway? What use then is more money?

  72. Russian bubble
    SIR – I have just returned from the West Country after spending a weekend in a rather good hotel. In the narrow country lanes I saw a couple walking and stopped and asked for directions. The man spoke perfect English and said they were staying there, too. I offered them a lift.

    The conversation eventually established that they were from St Pertersburg. I asked how life was there. The lady said: “Normal, there is no military presence.” I said: “What do you think of the war in Ukraine?” The joint response was: “What war?”

    I said: “How long has Mr Putin
    got left in the Kremlin?” They said: “We do not think he has a problem.”

    They had little idea of the war or the impact it is having on the Russian economy. They were returning to
    St Petersburg the following day. Clearly they live in an elite bubble.

    Ian James
    Woodborough, Wiltshire

    Maybe they have had bad experience with people who asked them about the Ukraine war, then screeched at them when they answered. Maybe there’s not so much reportage about it in Russia. What makes an elite bubble, anyway?

    1. I find it rather amusing that Mr James thinks he knows more about Russia than Russians, from reading the western media!

  73. In praise of Sundays free of noisy lawnmowers
    SIR – I was interested to read Alan Titchmarsh’s article (Features, July 17) regarding the banning of lawnmowers on a Sunday.

    I have lived in Germany for some years, where pretty much all outside noise around the home is banned on Sundays. I thoroughly support the idea of peace and quiet one day a week. Shops here are also shut on Sundays (apart from the bakeries, which open in the mornings, because Germans love their fresh daily bread and rolls), which provides the opportunity for families to spend time together, without outside distractions.

    Steve Wallace
    Neufahrn, Bavaria, Germany
    Same here in Norway – creating “unnecessary noise” is forbidden. That’s great if you have all week to get stuff done, but what about those who work a long day during the week, have to do their shopping on Saturday, leaving only Sunday for gardening, grassmowing and hedge-trimming?

    1. I did that for years. It’s much more relaxing actually!
      Work during the week.
      Frantic dash round the food and DIY shops on Saturday morning.
      Saturday afternoon is for lawn mowing, hedge-trimming or clothes shopping.
      Sunday is for reeeeeeeeeeeeeeesstt!
      It’s far more relaxing than the UK’s constantly switched on, never switched off mode.

      1. I have to concur, BB2, having lived in Germany and, as far as I can remember, the only no-no was not hanging out washing on a Sunday but, as we lived in flats most of the time, we had no lawns to mow at any time.

        1. First time that I had a project in Germany, I arrived Sunday lunchtime with company Amex card and a few euros in hand but courtesy of Air Canada, no luggage.

          It was an interesting few days until I could find places that took Amex.

          1. I took out an Amex card about 25 years ago because it was by far and away the best card for Greece at the time.
            I use it now mainly for on-line transactions, as it is easily the best/least hassle when doing so.
            It doesn’t apply everywhere, but when I book airlines the card gives me access to a lounge at the airport, even if flying economy.

          2. The best thing about Amex cards in the early 70s was the reward for catching stolen ones. £50 if you phoned up to verify a payment and it was regarded as stolen. You’d just tell the crook to bugger off (without the card) because the Old Bill were on their way.

    1. The only cheap thing to do with wind is the “fuel” cost. Collecting, transforming and transporting the energy is hugely expensive.

      1. Dat’s coz U eat-a-lotta-da beans.

        It’s the transporting you to a degassing station in your limo that is expensive…

        }:-O

  75. Have there been any recent articles by/ interviews with Colonel General Douglas Macgregor?

    I rely on these for news re Ukraine.

    1. I think he’s an armchair general, but a real Colonel and I also like his interviews.

    2. He is around. If you wish to have regular updates on Russia and the Ukraine I recommend Alexander Mercouris and his other site with Alex Christoforou viz. The Duran on most channels but I favour Rumble.

      The Duran often feature guests such as Colonel Macgregor and recently notably Jeffery Sachs and Ambassador Dmitry Mironcik of Belarus.

    1. We haven’t seen any lately but I’ll keep a lookout – thanks for the warning.

          1. It appeared as an upvote from a “name” I didn’t recognise but with no posts at all.

            I’m always wary when a name like that appears with no posts. Perhaps I’m wronging a potential Nottler and if so I apologise to them, but the name rang “alarm bells”

          5. I have as well, they might be like Cheshire Lad, a regular upvoter who joins in very rarely.

            When people bother to post I generally like to respond, although the one today has posted on so many different blogs I ignored their comment other than an up vote.

          7. Around for ages and ages and eventually joined in, and more power to his elbow.

          9. No. Though, if you remember our good friend Sue Mac was a lurker and upvoter for ages before we reeled her in.

          10. An excellent example of a now regular who eventually dipped toe in the water and discovered we only bite gently!

          11. I lurked silently on the DT letters page for a long time before I actually posted anything. I think I finally said something when the German Wings pilot crashed the plane in the Alps.

          14. Well, I was just passing through and I saw my name being bandied about……Lurker, indeed!

          15. Four and twenty virgins lurked down from Inverness
            And when the ball was over there
            Edit damn, forgot the spoiler wasn’t a difference,
            They lied.

          19. Four and twenty virgins lurked down from Inverness
            And when the ball was over there
            Edit damn, forgot the spoiler wasn’t a difference,
            They lied.

          20. To be fair, it is a bit rude to jump right in. I’m sure I lurked for a bit first. It seemed only polite.

          21. You do need to see the lie of the land before you dip in. I lurked for ages on the old DT letters page.

          22. I was a frequent poster on there until I got the hump in June 2020 over their enthusiastic approval of lockdown. I think i saw a reference to NOTTL on comments BTL in a Spectator article (to which I subscribed Jan 2021 -Dec 2022; again, i gave up because it went very pink, practically red in that period). I’m glad I followed the reference up, though.

          26. Not that I can recall, but there are numerous examples of people who are now regular Nottlers who gave up votes for ages before joining in.

    2. We haven’t seen any lately but I’ll keep a lookout – thanks for the warning.

  77. “The absolute train wreck known as Meta’s “Threads” has gone even further off the rails, with the Wall Street Journal reporting on Friday that following an initial surge in sign-ups, the number of daily active users fell to 13 million, a drop of around 70% from its July 7 peak, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower”.

    It’ll soon be thread bare!

    1. I wonder how long that landfall protects coastline further down, or whether possibly it affects currents to make matters worse further down?

        2. It’s many, many years since I visited, but how long does such a landfall take to dissipate?

          1. The locals are on to it right now. Boxing up the spoil with printed labels “Own part of the Jurassic Coast – may contain dinosaur fossil remains!’ Amazon can’t shift the product fast enough!

          2. The locals are on to it right now. Boxing up the spoil with printed labels “Own part of the Jurassic Coast – may contain dinosaur fossil remains!’ Amazon can’t shift the product fast enough!

    7. If you look along to the right it looks quite uniform now, that looked like the last stretch to collapse.

      1. It’ll keep going. The rock is soft. Cracks appear at the cliff top and a ‘slice’ slumps down the face of the cliff, especially after heavy rains.
        You can see shelves in the older slips. They’ve had smaller falls on them. More rain might lubricate these as well.

    8. Wow, just think of the newly exposed fossils, and I’m not talking about us old blokes in the park.

  79. All stand for a round of applause. Not only have I eaten pretty well today, I went to the supermarket, and I have begun the new serious pill regime. And I have not have any naps today so, hopefully, a good night’s sleep will follow. Who knows?
    Re serious pills….bear with if I seem even more doo lally than usual tomorrow. I have been labelling the packets with marker pen so I know what they are.

    2. I was thinking earlier on that you sounded in better spirits than lately. Glad you’re feeling a bit better.

    3. Some packs labeled Doo and the others Lally?

      That might not make sense after a Pinot snifter.

      I just remembered that we bought a 4 litre pack of wine about a month ago and the contents are only good for sixweeks after opening. Astheboss cannot drink, I needto make sure there is no wastage

  80. Good night, chums. I am now off to bed, where I hope to sleep well. And I wish the same for all you NoTTLers. A demain.

  82. Just about to dive orrff to sleep, I’ve been watching the golf. My word that is one tough golf course.
    It reminds me of Tenby Links. Plenty of older and well known stars who didn’t make the cut this time.
    Night all.

  83. Just started re-watching Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ again, the recent one, excellent

        1. Series one is available, fall of Empire. 2.2 relates to episodes available. Try Netflix or Torrent.

    1. I feel for you Ann.

      I too have been awake since 02:48

      I hate this unwanted night-shift!

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