Absolutely Anything Else

Cynic wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

From: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 16#5086087

I see Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK and is in isolation ready for the funeral.  Imagine how happy that family meeting is going to be at the end of the week.   I wonder where he's going to sit - on his own at the back perhaps.

Meghan (not Megan, her spelling) is not with him - on the grounds of having a bun in the oven.  Sounds plausible but not sure how far along she is.

In isolation, but staying on the Kensington Estate where his brother lives; who knows?

I'd do time inside Kensington Estate anytime, any hour. Bet they have a great swimming pool. heated and a movie salon not to mention a indoor bowling alley.
Sounds like more fun then going anywhere.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Cynic wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

From: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 16#5086087

I see Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK and is in isolation ready for the funeral.  Imagine how happy that family meeting is going to be at the end of the week.   I wonder where he's going to sit - on his own at the back perhaps.

Meghan (not Megan, her spelling) is not with him - on the grounds of having a bun in the oven.  Sounds plausible but not sure how far along she is.

In isolation, but staying on the Kensington Estate where his brother lives; who knows?

I'd do time inside Kensington Estate anytime, any hour. Bet they have a great swimming pool. heated and a movie salon not to mention a indoor bowling alley.
Sounds like more fun then going anywhere.

The pool is at Buckingham Palace, 2 miles away.  As for movie screens, they're a short distance from Leicester Square where they get to attend all the Premier showings.

SimCityAT wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

From: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 16#5086087

I see Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK and is in isolation ready for the funeral.  Imagine how happy that family meeting is going to be at the end of the week.   I wonder where he's going to sit - on his own at the back perhaps.

Meghan (not Megan, her spelling) is not with him - on the grounds of having a bun in the oven.  Sounds plausible but not sure how far along she is.

Her first name is Rachel

Maybe  there was already an actress called Rachel Markle.  Seems unlikely but maybe.

Cynic wrote:

.....
The pool is at Buckingham Palace, 2 miles away.  As for movie screens, they're a short distance from Leicester Square where they get to attend all the Premier showings.

Anyone could slum it on a luxury place for 10 days.   He's not going to have his food delivered by Tesco.   Maybe Harrods will bring him ready meals. 

I am not entirely sure about how the timeline works - presumably he's getting tested here on day 2 and day 8 to escape further lockdown.  But how does it add up?   He arrived say yesterday, he'll be in quarantine for less than a week, never mind say 10 days.  He's under the required number of days.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

.....
The pool is at Buckingham Palace, 2 miles away.  As for movie screens, they're a short distance from Leicester Square where they get to attend all the Premier showings.

Anyone could slum it on a luxury place for 10 days.   He's not going to have his food delivered by Tesco.   Maybe Harrods will bring him ready meals. 

I am not entirely sure about how the timeline works - presumably he's getting tested here on day 2 and day 8 to escape further lockdown.  But how does it add up?   He arrived say yesterday, he'll be in quarantine for less than a week, never mind say 10 days.  He's under the required number of days.

Current scheme is test cert prior to boarding.  At the time of booking, you order your home testing kits which are delivered to your quarantine address by courier.  You self-test on day 2 and day 8, stick the test in the post to the address on the preprinted label, then stick them in the post box; you get the results by e-mail.

I hope he has a better experience than my daughter who posted her day 2 test in the postbox, then on the way home received her day 8 test results.  Shambles is the word that springs to mind.

Cynic wrote:

...
Current scheme is test cert prior to boarding.  At the time of booking, you order your home testing kits which are delivered to your quarantine address by courier.  You self-test on day 2 and day 8, stick the test in the post to the address on the preprinted label, then stick them in the post box; you get the results by e-mail.

I hope he has a better experience than my daughter who posted her day 2 test in the postbox, then on the way home received her day 8 test results.  Shambles is the word that springs to mind.

OK, but that doesn't work for me as the days are wrong.     Phil's funeral is in 5 days on the 17th and he arrived yesterday as far as we know, so that's only 6 days.  He'll be gone again in a week so he'll be in the UK for 7 days.   So he'll be breaking the quarantine.

It seems to be a real muddle - it said on the news they are giving away free lateral flow tests (2 a week) but want you to have purchased test kits at inflated prices before arrival at immigration.   Someone on LBC said these were £200 a pop for two tests (one person) AND they were never asked for the proof at passports.  So complete and utter waste of time.    Moreover these HU people want PCR results on arrival here plus quarantine - tests look like £160 a pop at Boots.  They say they only accept PCR from a few countries and the UK is not one of them.

I am sure Harry didn't have to queue up for hours at immigration either!

BTW, there's a Panorama documentary on iPlayer on screw ups in the COVID19 testing labs.  Looks a total disaster.

There's a scheme where some kind of test is conducted on day 5; if clear, you're free to run; read about it here.  It's expensive.

To add; he embarked on Sunday evening in the US, so that's his first day of travel; he'll be OK for the funeral.

Cynic wrote:

There's a scheme where some kind of test is conducted on day 5; if clear, you're free to run; read about it here.  It's expensive.

To add; he embarked on Sunday evening in the US, so that's his first day of travel; he'll be OK for the funeral.

Oh, this is the Test to Release thing.  I wasn't sure about it.   Sounds like releasing animals into the wild.

I randomly Google'd the swab test and one of them said £230.   That's outrageous. I'm sure Harry can cough £230 for it.   It costs about £60 here.

They are going to have to get the cost down on this as it will kill travel for the holidays.

Government should introduce a fixed price - maybe £20.

Anything higher looks like a con job.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

There's a scheme where some kind of test is conducted on day 5; if clear, you're free to run; read about it here.  It's expensive.

To add; he embarked on Sunday evening in the US, so that's his first day of travel; he'll be OK for the funeral.

Oh, this is the Test to Release thing.  I wasn't sure about it.   Sounds like releasing animals into the wild.

I randomly Google'd the swab test and one of them said £230.   That's outrageous. I'm sure Harry can cough £230 for it.   It costs about £60 here.

They are going to have to get the cost down on this as it will kill travel for the holidays.

Government should introduce a fixed price - maybe £20.

Anything higher looks like a con job.

I suspect that what will happen is the other (cheaper) test will become acceptable; everyone is entitled to 2 free ones p/week from last Friday; just get them from your pharmacist.  So testing will be free; anything else and the air travel business and related activities will crash and burn.

My wife has had a box of tests at home for a couple of months now, she has to test every 2nd working day and I have to if she ever tests positive, unlikely, she's had both of her jabs and I'm due mine in a fortnight.

Cynic wrote:

....
I suspect that what will happen is the other (cheaper) test will become acceptable; everyone is entitled to 2 free ones p/week from last Friday; just get them from your pharmacist.  So testing will be free; anything else and the air travel business and related activities will crash and burn.

My wife has had a box of tests at home for a couple of months now, she has to test every 2nd working day and I have to if she ever tests positive, unlikely, she's had both of her jabs and I'm due mine in a fortnight.

Not free here unfortunately. 

The lateral flow tests are not accepted here as they say they are inaccurate.  It certainly messes it all up there's little consistency across the world on what works and what doesn't.  They also have some weirdness about only accepting tests from certain countries.   

We're expecting a reduction in restrictions because of Euro 2020.  Here, anything to do with football is considered sacrosanct.  We think a few days or a week before the first Euro 2020 game here, all the restrictions will be lifted. Perhaps we will have to wait for that to get back some freedoms.

First Euro 2020 game here is Tuesday June 15,  Group F: Hungary vs Portugal; Kick-off 5pm (Budapest).

I took a PCR test at the hospital for my eye surgery 2 times.
One surgery was cancelled however.
First test I had to get the test n a Friday fr a surgery on a Wed.
Second test was taken on a Mon. for a surgery on the upcoming Wed.
Seems like either less people are being tested or they have fast tracked the tests.
I know I was sent to a different area then say someone working at a job that required a test.
People getting surgery were prioirty testing.
It was free with my Taj card but the hospital demands a test so it is paid by Taj.
I never got a writeen copy of the results, the doc just called me to say I was negative.
Will get another eye exam in a couple weeks, the doc still has no idea if surgery will happen or not but she reminded me I'll need another PCR test if it's a go ahead.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....so it is paid by Taj.
I never got a written copy of the results, the doc just called me to say I was negative.
Will get another eye exam in a couple weeks, the doc still has no idea if surgery will happen or not but she reminded me I'll need another PCR test if it's a go ahead.

If you had the full set of jabs, do you think they'd still want a PCR test?

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....so it is paid by Taj.
I never got a written copy of the results, the doc just called me to say I was negative.
Will get another eye exam in a couple weeks, the doc still has no idea if surgery will happen or not but she reminded me I'll need another PCR test if it's a go ahead.

If you had the full set of jabs, do you think they'd still want a PCR test?

They do here.  That's at the moment of course.  It will at first have to pass the "simple is, simple do" test.  I think it's more a case of people ability (or inability) to follow simple instructions.  You may have heard of the old adage from the Great War where they tell of a General who sent a message to HQ, saying "Send reinforcements, we're going to advance", but when it actually arrived at HQ, had been corrupted in passing to now read "Send 3 and 4pence, we're going to a dance".  Our predecessors didn't make this stuff up; if it isn't Grade A simple, someone, somewhere will screw it up, maybe not intentionally and perhaps with the best will in the world, and it may not affect you or me, but it might, so .........

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....so it is paid by Taj.
I never got a written copy of the results, the doc just called me to say I was negative.
Will get another eye exam in a couple weeks, the doc still has no idea if surgery will happen or not but she reminded me I'll need another PCR test if it's a go ahead.

If you had the full set of jabs, do you think they'd still want a PCR test?

Who knows?
I have no idea if people need,"booster" shots and if you have to stick to the same brand of Jab  or if later you can switch from say Sputnik to Moderna at some later time if you need a booster shot.
So many unanswered questions.
My sister had her jabs, Moderna. She was required to get a PCR test for her part-time job once a week, then 2 times per week, then once a month and now it is back to once a week.
Looks like even with a jab you still need those tests, werid.
I must quote my friend who came up with a funny sort of meme... She talked about life BC and meant Before Covid. Thought that was cute but also a bit morbid because it hits home as being so true.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....so it is paid by Taj.
I never got a written copy of the results, the doc just called me to say I was negative.
Will get another eye exam in a couple weeks, the doc still has no idea if surgery will happen or not but she reminded me I'll need another PCR test if it's a go ahead.

If you had the full set of jabs, do you think they'd still want a PCR test?

Who knows?
I have no idea if people need,"booster" shots and if you have to stick to the same brand of Jab  or if later you can switch from say Sputnik to Moderna at some later time if you need a booster shot.
So many unanswered questions.
My sister had her jabs, Moderna. She was required to get a PCR test for her part-time job once a week, then 2 times per week, then once a month and now it is back to once a week.
Looks like even with a jab you still need those tests, werid.
I must quote my friend who came up with a funny sort of meme... She talked about life BC and meant Before Covid. Thought that was cute but also a bit morbid because it hits home as being so true.

I heard an expert on the radio (I listen to it non-stop) and he said mixing up vaccinations was not advisable.   I believe the AZ and Sputnik teams are working on a mixed vaccine. 

The vaccines really have made a huge difference to the death rate where an effective vaccine is used.  April 10 "only" 40 people died in the UK and here, where things aren't very good, about 245 died which is crazy numbers compared to the population size. 

I like the life before BC thing.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

If you had the full set of jabs, do you think they'd still want a PCR test?

Who knows?
I have no idea if people need,"booster" shots and if you have to stick to the same brand of Jab  or if later you can switch from say Sputnik to Moderna at some later time if you need a booster shot.
So many unanswered questions.
My sister had her jabs, Moderna. She was required to get a PCR test for her part-time job once a week, then 2 times per week, then once a month and now it is back to once a week.
Looks like even with a jab you still need those tests, werid.
I must quote my friend who came up with a funny sort of meme... She talked about life BC and meant Before Covid. Thought that was cute but also a bit morbid because it hits home as being so true.

I heard an expert on the radio (I listen to it non-stop) and he said mixing up vaccinations was not advisable.   I believe the AZ and Sputnik teams are working on a mixed vaccine. 

The vaccines really have made a huge difference to the death rate where an effective vaccine is used.  April 10 "only" 40 people died in the UK and here, where things aren't very good, about 245 died which is crazy numbers compared to the population size. 

I like the life before BC thing.

I think the comments about mixing vaccines are around the fact that it hasn't been tested like that.  The UK Government announced this morning that it is launching its own trials into this so as to see if that is possible/safe and in the process further support those countries who may wish to do it.

Cynic wrote:

...
I think the comments about mixing vaccines are around the fact that it hasn't been tested like that.  The UK Government announced this morning that it is launching its own trials into this so as to see if that is possible/safe and in the process further support those countries who may wish to do it.

Yes, I know.  I listen to the COVID19 experts on the radio who usually contribute post-PM briefings/news conferences (in the UK).

Years ago, here, when you  wanted the flu vaccine, you could buy it at the pharmacy.  I bought one once and read on the packet it was effective against about 5-6 different variants.  So it's very possible they will be come up with something against the different versions.

Over the years, I expect it'll settle down into 3-4 international companies all making a routinely mixed variant version.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

...
I think the comments about mixing vaccines are around the fact that it hasn't been tested like that.  The UK Government announced this morning that it is launching its own trials into this so as to see if that is possible/safe and in the process further support those countries who may wish to do it.

Yes, I know.  I listen to the COVID19 experts on the radio who usually contribute post-PM briefings/news conferences (in the UK).

Years ago, here, when you  wanted the flu vaccine, you could buy it at the pharmacy.  I bought one once and read on the packet it was effective against about 5-6 different variants.  So it's very possible they will be come up with something against the different versions.

Over the years, I expect it'll settle down into 3-4 international companies all making a routinely mixed variant version.

Flu vaccines here are on prescription for those who are over 65 plus anyone with a medical need, plus from the high street pharmacies for those who aren't covered by that and want one.

Flu vaccine efficacy is pretty much hit and miss, if the scientists get the recipe right, it's akin to winning the lottery, not surprising as they are trying to second guess what the strain will be when it hasn't yet appeared.  A couple of years on the trot they got it totally wrong; just proves how difficult it was back then.  I was talking to the lead vax GP where my wife works; he reckons there will be a single jab soon and in the UK will be distributed as flu is currently, probably not for a couple of years though because they've already booked and paid for the next flu campaign.

Cynic wrote:

...
Flu vaccines here are on prescription for those who are over 65 plus anyone with a medical need, plus from the high street pharmacies for those who aren't covered by that and want one.

Flu vaccine efficacy is pretty much hit and miss, if the scientists get the recipe right, it's akin to winning the lottery, not surprising as they are trying to second guess what the strain will be when it hasn't yet appeared.  A couple of years on the trot they got it totally wrong; just proves how difficult it was back then.  I was talking to the lead vax GP where my wife works; he reckons there will be a single jab soon and in the UK will be distributed as flu is currently, probably not for a couple of years though because they've already booked and paid for the next flu campaign.

Oh right this is news to me on the flu campaign being sorted for next year. Very good.

Flu vaccine is also free in the UK if you have chronic condition like diabetes and some other risk conditions.   Unlike here where almost nothing is free. 

Anyways, my dear old Dad gets to queue up  and they put them through the GP flu factory in batches of a few hundred at a time.

I keep wondering what made it work in the UK better than elsewhere. I reckon it's having the massive resources of the NHS to deploy at time of national need.

BTW, I see the testing costs have halved from £120 to £60 if one is booking flights through British Airways.   It's only a matter of time before they all offer it at steadily reducing prices.  I reckon travel will restart soon.  If Boris doesn't let it happen, there will be a riot.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

...
Flu vaccines here are on prescription for those who are over 65 plus anyone with a medical need, plus from the high street pharmacies for those who aren't covered by that and want one.

Flu vaccine efficacy is pretty much hit and miss, if the scientists get the recipe right, it's akin to winning the lottery, not surprising as they are trying to second guess what the strain will be when it hasn't yet appeared.  A couple of years on the trot they got it totally wrong; just proves how difficult it was back then.  I was talking to the lead vax GP where my wife works; he reckons there will be a single jab soon and in the UK will be distributed as flu is currently, probably not for a couple of years though because they've already booked and paid for the next flu campaign.

Oh right this is news to me on the flu campaign being sorted for next year. Very good.

Flu vaccine is also free in the UK if you have chronic condition like diabetes and some other risk conditions.   Unlike here where almost nothing is free. 

Anyways, my dear old Dad gets to queue up  and they put them through the GP flu factory in batches of a few hundred at a time.

I keep wondering what made it work in the UK better than elsewhere. I reckon it's having the massive resources of the NHS to deploy at time of national need.

BTW, I see the testing costs have halved from £120 to £60 if one is booking flights through British Airways.   It's only a matter of time before they all offer it at steadily reducing prices.  I reckon travel will restart soon.  If Boris doesn't let it happen, there will be a riot.

For the sake of accuracy I need to update what I said; this years flu vax campaign will "likely" include a covid booster - the booster will be aimed at any Covid strains that have appeared since they started vaccinating - I should add that this is identical to what they already do everywhere in the world for the flu vaccine; you basically get last years version, plus any noted changes (just like the new Covid variants), plus any forecast the scientists come up with.

What isn't clear is if they are going to offer a flu vax with and without the booster; this is not going to be a UK only issue as only a couple of pharmacy companies worldwide will manufacture the flu vax.  My wife's clinic is already scheduling this year's Flu campaign, they start at the end of September - informed opinion of people far cleverer than me is, the future is going to be a single flu vaccine, covid is after all a version of the Flu.  I think the reason why it's worked so well with the NHS is that all they had to use the old Flu plans, just cross out Flu and insert Covid - est voila.

Resouces - not only the NHS but the MOD has also played a major part in this, setting up an infrastructure where it never previously existed, providing trained personal to run all aspects of them, training people to fill in where holes existed in local infrastructure; some of my former colleagues who I wouldn't have trusted on the blunt end of a rifle have proven to be for more than I ever was, they deserve a medal.

Finally.....

Great I have an online meeting with several people in 4 days with staff from Embassies in France, Spain and Austria as well as a few other people. At least I can stay at home instead of travelling to the embassy this time.

How much are you willing to pay for Marmite?

https://www.ninelife.at/products/marmit … -pack-of-2

SimCityAT wrote:

How much are you willing to pay for Marmite?

https://www.ninelife.at/products/marmit … -pack-of-2

WTH?   Is this the special gold leaf encrusted with diamonds edition? 

I've got a jar of extra mature I haven't broken into and I'm keeping in reserve.

Anyway, I suppose it cannot be imported into the EU now (even though not animal or diary origin).

I bet the UK align animal and dairy product standards for NI to avoid the ridiculous North Sea checks. 

In which case, we should be able to get our fixes of Marmite and PG Tips (can be obtained from Tesco - not cheap at about 1300 HUF a small box).  Tesco has become useless for British goods. It used to be quite reasonable.  Only the tea is worth getting. What we're really after is HP Sauce - low salt and low sugar edition.  We're really missing that. All our supplies are used up.

I'm thinking suppliers in NI would be able to ship into the EU for these important necessities.

A significant change recently is Mrs Fluffy has now started having Marmite on toast.  It's only taken about 30 years for her to understand how important it is.

I miss certain things back from The Netherlands or even the UK, Marmite is not per se amongst them. Having said that I do miss very spicy sauces (I order Blair's hot sauces via Amazon (a few drops are already fine), good "Erwtensoep" (too expensive to order and too heavy), good satay sauce (like erwtensoep), old cheese although I have to say cheddar which you can buy in Hungary is not too bad, quite some other things, but mostly I miss Indian food in my area, to go to Budapest for a good meal is a bit too far.

I had a quick look on Amazon, Marmite is not too heavy and though expensive, prices are not excessively high (but only if you like it very much (which I do not))

cdw057 wrote:

I miss certain things back from The Netherlands or even the UK, Marmite is not per se amongst them. Having said that I do miss very spicy sauces (I order Blair's hot sauces via Amazon (a few drops are already fine), good "Erwtensoep" (too expensive to order and too heavy), good satay sauce (like erwtensoep), old cheese although I have to say cheddar which you can buy in Hungary is not too bad, quite some other things, but mostly I miss Indian food in my area, to go to Budapest for a good meal is a bit too far.

I had a quick look on Amazon, Marmite is not too heavy and though expensive, prices are not excessively high (but only if you like it very much (which I do not))

Erwtensoep - we buy a few cases as and when; there really is no alternative to what you buy in NL.  Satay sauce you can get here, but it's just not the same.  The thing we miss is Hagelslag puur (well, we would if we didn't buy it in bulk); they have an alternative they call hundred and thousands, ok on top of cakes, but with beschuit, nope.  Cheese, to be honest, I prefer British cheese, the Dutch variety is too creamy for me, but on Dutch bread/rolls, it tastes different.

cdw057 wrote:

I miss certain things back from The Netherlands or even the UK, Marmite is not per se amongst them. Having said that I do miss very spicy sauces (I order Blair's hot sauces via Amazon (a few drops are already fine), good "Erwtensoep" (too expensive to order and too heavy), good satay sauce (like erwtensoep), old cheese although I have to say cheddar which you can buy in Hungary is not too bad, quite some other things, but mostly I miss Indian food in my area, to go to Budapest for a good meal is a bit too far.

I had a quick look on Amazon, Marmite is not too heavy and though expensive, prices are not excessively high (but only if you like it very much (which I do not))

There is the Swiss version of Marmite called Cenovis.   Never tried it myself.   But I often hear of comparisons between Marmite, Vegemite and (those who know of it) Cenovis.

This just an impossible comparison.  There is no way any true Marmite aficionado would ever try and make do with Vegemite.  It tastes funny and I suspect Cenovis must be the same.   I've also had Marmite made in South Africa and it's the same problem.  It's just not right somehow. 

It's a bit like Guinness.  It doesn't really work having bottled vs the tap version.  The bottled version is too sweet to my taste.  The oxymoronic canned draught version of Guinness is pretty close to the tap version though.

One of the big cheese problems here is lack of variety.   Aldi now do extra mature cheddar but a lot of classics like Stilton or Double Gloucester don't exist here.  But then again there is Gouda and Emmental and Pannonia smoked cheese is quite good (truly excellent for mixed cheese and toast with HP sauce).

If I ever go to Switzerland again, I'll try and find Cenovis or get someone to bring some back here.

From COVID19...

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Yes, Charleston Heston.
Had a crush on him hen I was very young. Weird really, Clint Eastwood was much more attractive, had a crush on him too during his,"Rawhide" days on tv.
Funny thing,way before we ever thought about not being allowed into social events in the 1980's my sister scored front row tickets to a tv show taping. Marsha Warfield from the tv show, "Night Court" was the MC. She had Charleston Heston on as a guest.
He wouldn't stop starring at my sister and I in the front row while he did his interview, it was creepy. For some reason we had dressed like twins( we seemed to do that often by mistake) .Maybe he was into twins? Just too weird to ponder any further...

Charlton Heston was a great actor but he was a right wing gun nut and his support for the NRA was unequivocal.    I liked his films though - for the most part.  Earthquake was awful. Ωmega Man was a movie I saw in the cinema  when I was perhaps 11 or 12 and it set me on a path having a life long interest in dystopian movies and TV-shows.

Clint Eastwood was a true star and made some of the best Westerns including possibly what are the best Western movies ever made - Unforgiven and The Outlaw Josey Wales.  Who couldn't have a crush on him for one reason or another!

But I'm not even sure about his politics.  For a guy who dug swimming pools he did really well. Nearly all his movies are the same kind of story.  Nothing wrong with that - it's what worked for him.  He's renowned as a director for getting the job done in an efficient manner, on time and on budget.   

Few other things I know about him is that he never says "Cut" on set, but usually says "OK", the other one is that his movies always end with the titles overlaid with a panning shot from the final scene (like of a cityscape) and the other thing is that he really likes women who appear to be petite and somewhat pixie like.  One only has to look at two of the women he was involved with, Frances Fisher and Sondra Locke.  Both of them looked almost the same (to me anyway).

So at 5 pm, I shall be in an online meeting with around 45 other people regarding Brexit matters. I think I will be needing a stiff drink after that one.

SimCityAT wrote:

So at 5 pm, I shall be in an online meeting with around 45 other people regarding Brexit matters. I think I will be needing a stiff drink after that one.

What's on the agenda?

Maybe a stiff drink before and two after!

fluffy2560 wrote:

SimCityAT wrote:

So at 5 pm, I shall be in an online meeting with around 45 other people regarding Brexit matters. I think I will be needing a stiff drink after that one.

What's on the agenda?

Maybe a stiff drink before and two after!

The agenda of the meeting is as follows:



1.     Welcome & Introduction

2.     Citizens’ Rights after the Transition Period

3.     Consular campaigns and support

4.     A perspective from Spain                   

5.     A perspective from France

6.     Questions & discussion



We will aim to provide at least 30 minutes for the last agenda item during which we would be keen to hear your views on;



1.     How we might better work together to counter the narrative of inaccurate media reports.

2.     The main challenges and issues facing UK nationals in securing their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

3.     Your feedback on gov.uk content, and in particular the Living in Guides.

It may be of interest to your Expat Groups; on the BBC news today, the arrangements they made on the M20 to cope with backed up trucks have now been removed; further, the requirements for HGV drivers to have a "Kent Pass" in order to drive in Kent have now been rescinded - the main reason is they have never been required and traffic flows to and from the continent have now returned to pre-Brexit levels and can be re-introduced as and when required, just like Operation Stack - link.

SimCityAT wrote:

....
The agenda of the meeting is as follows:



1.     Welcome & Introduction

2.     Citizens’ Rights after the Transition Period

3.     Consular campaigns and support

4.     A perspective from Spain                   

5.     A perspective from France

6.     Questions & discussion

We will aim to provide at least 30 minutes for the last agenda item during which we would be keen to hear your views on;

1.     How we might better work together to counter the narrative of inaccurate media reports.

2.     The main challenges and issues facing UK nationals in securing their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

3.     Your feedback on gov.uk content, and in particular the Living in Guides.

One niggling complaint I have is that our residence permits do not work on an EU level, they are national only. I don't see that as reciprocal at the moment of Brexit.  So we've been short changed and downgraded.  EU nationals have not been disadvantaged in the UK to the same extent - they can work anywhere still but us residents cannot. 

Boris screwed up there (again).

fluffy2560 wrote:

SimCityAT wrote:

....
The agenda of the meeting is as follows:



1.     Welcome & Introduction

2.     Citizens’ Rights after the Transition Period

3.     Consular campaigns and support

4.     A perspective from Spain                   

5.     A perspective from France

6.     Questions & discussion

We will aim to provide at least 30 minutes for the last agenda item during which we would be keen to hear your views on;

1.     How we might better work together to counter the narrative of inaccurate media reports.

2.     The main challenges and issues facing UK nationals in securing their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

3.     Your feedback on gov.uk content, and in particular the Living in Guides.

One niggling complaint I have is that our residence permits do not work on an EU level, they are national only. I don't see that as reciprocal at the moment of Brexit.  So we've been short changed and downgraded.  EU nationals have not been disadvantaged in the UK to the same extent - they can work anywhere still but us residents cannot. 

Boris screwed up there (again).

It was a wasted hour and a bit. Not sure why most people were invited when it was focused on France and Spain. I got the impression it was the UK government trying to make it feel good.

What is going on with Boris Johnson's hair?
He and the Orange man must be seeing the same stylist.
Everytime I see Boris his hair is flying this way or that, well maybe he should take a few styling tips from Trump and use the same hair spray.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

What is going on with Boris Johnson's hair?

An answer from the man himself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Y1knxH-cw

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

What is going on with Boris Johnson's hair?
He and the Orange man must be seeing the same stylist.
Everytime I see Boris his hair is flying this way or that, well maybe he should take a few styling tips from Trump and use the same hair spray.

He's been known (allegedly) to fluff up his hair to go with his Churchillesque type presentation.   So it might be all nicely combed and then he ruffles it up to keep up appearances.  I think Boris's hair - unlike Trump's -  is actually real and not glued on.   

Trump's Orange-ness reminds me of the Tango Man adverts we used to have in the UK - zooms in and smacks you in the face when you're not looking. Typical Trump.  Click here to get reminded or informed.

I do have some sympathy for poor Boris and his hair.
I also have fine baby thin straight hair and knowing how to do hair as a cosmetologist does little to improve the state of my scalp.
My half bro and half sister have ,"wonderful" semi-thick hair that tends to curl when it get long. Hate them!! ( they are part Irish if that gives one thick hair?)
I'm still not sure why my friend and hairdresser used to always ask me to be one of his hair models in big international hair shows. My hair looks great for about 10 mins then it goes flat.
My mother used to lament about being 1/4th Native American but getting the "sucky" thin German hair.
My  father and my mom both were born with black hair.
My father was eastern European and pale as a ghost but had jet black thick straight hair. All the family still to this day talks about my father's hair. It was always perfectly cut into a Pompador and he ALWAYS had a comb in his pocket.
When he got older he developed a white streak running down the middle.
He looked like a skunk!
I strangely enough was born with black curly hair which turned very golden brown and straight before I was 3.
Don't tell anyone I'm not a totally natural redhead!
I'm really mostly blonde and at times act like one too!
In fact in all reality most people I've seen in my profession as a hairdresser have just so-so hair. You know when someone has fantastic hair the moment you touch it.

While walking with the doggy, we came across the set of the TV show, The Last Kingdom on top of a hill overlooking the village of Paty.  Bunch of little huts and what looks like the beginnings of the front of a castle under construction.   

From the lookout hill nearby we could see Etyek/Korda studios on top of the hill maybe 8km away.  That's where they make the show.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

...You know when someone has fantastic hair the moment you touch it.

What are the signs of having fantastic hair?   

Mrs Fluffy is always complaining about hers and mine needs revitalising too.  I've always thought using the right shampoo and conditioners - not cheap stuff - does it a world of good but perhaps that only works when you've got the good stuff to begin with.