Bockaaarck

Still looking fantastic Darren

All the best BM, sounds like the right move for you guys. I'm sure you and your better half will be really happy in Germany.

I hope they do find it Will, that would bring some form of closure to the whole thing. I feel for the families, must be very hard for them.

Yes, let's hope they do find it

Who knows Graham, I am not one to believe any random, tin foil hat nonsense. People often dismiss things as a 'conspiracy theory' but what's the definition of that? The Oxford dictionary says the following Conspiracy; a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. It doesn't indicate that conspiracies are the preserve of 'nutters' or some fundamentalist group. I just think it's healthy to understand considerations from all avenues, including those that might seem unlikely or incredulous to us all. The more information you have, the better you can consider.

Not that I'm aware Graham, nothing found as yet. That whole situation concerns me. Bearing in mind the geo-political situation in the area. Is it realistic to assume and believe that neither the Malaysian, Singaporean or Vietnamese civil and military were not tracking all flights in the region at the time? Especially considering the flight 'disappeared. Standard procedure for a civil flight vanishing (especially one with links to a primarily Muslim country) would be to engage military tracking. Yet nobody saw where it went, just odd.

ISIS are a worry, that's for sure. However; what really scares me is what happens with Syria / Iran. Things feel ripe for a false flag event to me. I have a horrible fear that, in the not too distant future, something will happen (imagine the sudden 'reappearance' of a "missing" Malaysian airways jet crashing in to something) and a seemingly responsible Syria / Iran getting blamed for it.That is the real worry for me. There is much more sinister activity going on here than we appreciate.

Fantastic city

This is a really good article from The Atlantic, written by Graham Wood. It does seem to explain the thinking behind ISIS as a state (as it's regarded by its followers), making it the new and long awaited caliphate. It also seems to identify and lay out an understanding and realisation of exactly what the followers of ISIS believe and are working towards. http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-wants/384980/ It's certainly informed me and it makes sense, in terms of understanding previous, current and future ISIS activity. I would recommend reading it. Credit to www.theatlantic.com and author of the article Michael Wood

A flush normally a stand where you have a rolling release of clays, most often its two stands within 10 - 20 feet of each other. You and a partner take a stand each, each with your own gun. Normally there are two traps, possibly more, and they have a set number of clays to shoot off between them. It would normally be 30 clays or similar. once you call pull, the clays start and they keep coming. You and your partner have to shoot as many clays as possible. You could get one clay, you could get 3, or 4 or 2, you never know. As soon as the clays launch the trappers have a set time before they fire clays again. It could be 3 seconds and the trap / traps will fire again. They keep doing this until 30 (or however many) clays have been fired off. So as soon as you see the first clays and shoot, you have to reload. One clay gets fired, someone shoots and reloads, the next launch might have 4 clays, you both need to shoot and reload, then it might be 1 clay from each trap, then a three, then a pair from one trap, then a pair from each (on report). Rolling until all 30 clays have been fired. It's amazing, really tests your nerve and partnership. I normally shoot a flush with my father. We choose which part of the sky we'll both shoot in (left his clays, right my clays for example) and stick to that. We do this because the nightmare could be you have a pair of clays released, you both shoot at them, you're both empty, then 4 clays get released by the traps next. It's frantic but fun, however it has to be set up and managed carefully, with safety as the number 1 priority. Done well it can be terrific fun and a real buzz

Been shooting since I was about 12 and always really enjoyed it. I've not shot for a while now, simply due to other commitments taking priority. Great advice from rabbitstew, I can add much to it. Make sure you check or get someone to help you check which is your lead eye. It's a small thing but can make a massive difference, determining how you shoot and even whether you shoot right or left handed. Shooting skeet is a great way to start, it'll really build up good solid habits in terms of moving the gun, leading your clays and familiarity comfort with you're gun. Getting a gun that you're comfortable with is very important. If you're starting to shoot skeet you could just get a dedicated 28" (open choke) skeet gun. You will develop the movement and speed skills with that and it'll serve you well. Then maybe consider a second sporting gun, perhaps 30" with multi-choke. Then you can mix and match, whether you're shooting skeet, dtl or other stuff. I always loved shooting flushes, which can be a real challenge and fantastic fun

Used to live in Godalming many years ago Col, it's changed a bit since I was there. Nice place to live though, as are some of the surrounding villages / towns. Great train links from Godalming in to London too

Annie, how about taking a look at Northampton / Northamptonshire or around Peterborough / Cambridgeshire (Stilton, Stamford, Melton Mowberry). About an hour / hour and a half to Heathrow. Two hours to East Yorkshire? Both Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire have some lovely towns / villages and they are good for Mr Twobears to get to Heathrow + you're not that far from friends and family in E Yorkshire

Nice work Darren & Adrian, a really good effort on the roof and sound deadening.

Saw one yesterday parked in Waitrose car park in Bath. It was predominantly black with the blue inserts etc. Thought it looked really good in the flesh, quite sleak, almost understated in a strange way. I quite liked it.

Darren, so impressed by your commitment, that's a lot of hard work. It's going to pay massive dividends when you start reassembling and painting, she's gonna look fantastic!

Finished painting some of the doors at home today. Just confirmed our guide arrangements for Tokyo & Kamakura for a couple of months time. Thinking I fancy a cheeky pint, better half has just sent me a text saying she's on her way home and do I fancy going for a beer, she's the best

I carried out some work within the court system some time ago, both civil and criminal. I have to say it was very interesting, especially the criminal side. A lot of people say they think judges are out of touch with society. I think that is certainly true in some cases. However; all judges will have started at some point as a junior barrister or even solicitor many years previously and worked their way through the judiciary. Believe me, they will have encountered all walks of life from good to bad. From the very rich to the very poor. From a scrote who's been nicking stuff from old ladies, to someone who's accused of indecently assaulting their neice / nephew. They really have seen and heard it all. That doesn't mean there aren't some mistakes made and some bad apples, there always are. There's certainly no immunity to idiocy and poor judgement, but it is rare. I can remember a number of very high profile cases where I was present. A nasty and very unpleasant child prostitution and assault ring, involving a large number of defendants. The case went on for months. There was also a very high profile drugs case, the kind where the defendants get brought to court in a convoy. Where they had armed police with HK's and MP5 type weapons to protect the court, very nasty indeed for the jury, lots of intimidation on that one. Then at one court I was present for Paul Gadd's (Gary Glitter) case. That was where he had been accused of indecent assault by a young person a number of years previously. The jury acquitted him on that charge as the evidence could not prove the case. His defence then admitted guilt on his behalf for when PC a World discovered indecent images of children on his computer. The reaction of the jury to those admissions was interesting I can tell you! It's serious work and its a serious business, but its not without laughs and fun. The barristers on the whole are a great bunch, good fun, fiercely intelligent and want to do the best for their clients. The judges are again, for the most part, very good natured and pleasant people. When I was there, some of the senior barristers would take bets to see if they could get a certain word in to their speech or submissions to the court. "Ok my friend, £10 if you can "roll-on-roll-off ferry" in to your submissions..." I remember another case one brilliant barrister was addressing a jury in his final speach, on behalf of the defence. "Ladies and gentleman, that is the case for the defence. You have a great responsibility upon you when deliberating this case and upon that I would remind you of this. Your verdict, whatever it may be, is like an arrow shot from a bow. Once released, it can never be retracted..". There were lots of other funny incidents elsewhere. One occasion when a defence witness was in the stand, being questioned by the defence council. He didn't quite get the questions the barrister was asking. The judge intervened to help the witness saying something like "...the council for the defence is asking you to clarify the following. When the accused drove the vehicle toward X, what gear was the defendant in?..." and the witness said "He was in a tracksuit, I think it was a Kappa one..." This is my favourite though (name of Barrister changed!) "....but these are over the counter medicines Mr Bartlett. I fail to see how they play a material part of this case?".... "You're correct your honour.The prosecution case here is that the defendant had in excess of 2000 tablets which he intended to distribute.".... "As I have already stated Mr Bartlett, you or I could purchase this medication over the counter, it is perfectly legal to do so. What is it about the defendants possession of this medication that the prosecution deign it to be an integral part of their case and the charges brought against him?.." "Your honour, you are correct, I have bought and taken this medication myself. When taken in quantities it can bring about a state of euphoria. Hence its part in the prosecution case of supplying agains the defendant." "......thank you Mr Bartlett.......this 'state of euphoria' somewhat explains your submissions to me this morning..." LOLs all around the courtroom :lol:

I think we got our apartment through owners direct Will. http://mobile.owners...ch=City of Rome Needed a bit of searching to find a good value one, but there's lots of choice. Thanks mate. "She who must be obeyed" wants to go in Sept / Oct for a week. I told her Buddha doesn't live in Rome. That'll be a great time to go Will. Tail end of September / beginning of October the weather will still be quite pleasant. Again, if circumstances allow I would recommend a week, it'll give you that chance to see stuff without dashing around like mad. You still won't see everything mind you

I think we got our apartment through owners direct Will. http://mobile.ownersdirect.co.uk/searchproperty.aspx?basicSearch=City%20of%20Rome Needed a bit of searching to find a good value one, but there's lots of choice.

Good recommendations from Dan. I think if you try and do any more than that, you'll be rushing around so much you won't actually enjoy being in Rome Id recommend getting to the Vatican asap in the morning. It'll give you good chance to get round it without too much delay. If you're there you won't be far away from the Castel St Angelo at all. It's worth a visit if you're in the area. We always tend to make sure we commit to seeing one thing for definite each day. But take account of what else is in the area. Then we can pop and see a couple of other bits close by if we want to. Like most major cities just watch for opportunist thieves / cons. As long as you have your wits about you, you won't have any issues. Enjoy the food and drink, it's worth searching online now for maybe a few good restaurants or bars you can 'fall back on" while you're out there. Most of all, don't forget to take a moment to take a breath and take it all in. Rome was founded around the middle of the 8th century BC, the 750's basically. So you're walking around a city with layers and layers of history and culture. You guys are going to love it!

Love the P1800, such a gorgeous car, looks stunning

Been to both, loved them both for different reasons. Out of the two I would always go for Rome, we're heading back there again later this year. Whichever you go for I would recommend a 4 - 5 day weekend visit. Barcelona has a great feel to it, it's colourful, busy but relaxed. Lots of stuff to see in terms of architecture and art (Parc Guell, La Sagradia Familia, La Ramblas, Montjuïc are for the park and where the old GP circuit was). Great food and drink and lots of choice. It's a great city. Rome, in my view is in another league, it's a vibrant, working, cultural melting pot of history, art, passion, architecture, intrigue, love, romance, fashion, wine, food etc, etc. it's just seeing things like the Pantheon, Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, the Forum etc. it's simply one of the most fantastic cities we've been to, hence going back. If you're heading to either in March it might be a bit cool, so take that in to account. I would defo go for Rome. If you can arrange it, fly out Thursday evening, fly back Tuesday evening. Spending and extra day my well cost you, but consider this. What if you never get the chance to go there again? All the best with it anyway

Yes thanks, blood glucose back to normal

As the old saying goes Pete "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Just goes to show that you got the right car when you bought it. If it's still fun to drive and you enjoy it there's no need to change it.