Bockaaarck

Understood, I think the problem is, whether it be CDS or other instruments. That they are open to a use at all, no?

If (and I wil admit my knowledge is limited)you buy and hold a policy which protects you (or your organisation) against a drop in value of an investment (bonds, loans etc) which you as an organisation hold an interest in. And the value which that policy is triggered to reimburse you (or your organisation) at is set at point "X". If you or your organisation (or subsidiaries) then find means to 'short' that 'investment' (bonds etc) below the value of 'X' to the point where there is a credit event and that policy then pays out. Then you or your organisation (or subsidiaries) have positively benefitted from what is (in my view) fraudulent behaviour

Having spent a lot of my working life working for, working with or providing consultancy to financial institutions. I can tell you from my experience up close and personal, that given an inch, the great majority will take a mile and then some. The government (governments, all of them) know this is habitual behaviour. They had and have the power to regulate and govern financial institutions. Yet they have chosen to de-regulate over the last 20-30 years. The repeal of the Glass-Steagall act in the US in 1999 is something the banking fraternity had been driving toward for years. This opened up the flood gates and allowed 'the banks' to gain significantly from vastly more profitable investments, but without the requirement for appropriate assessment and control of risk. This appetite for profit v's risk spread across the financial world, which lead to things like LIBOR rate fixing (or market FRAUD) it led to loose lending to people who couldn't afford to borrow. Like self cert mortgages for those who didn't have the income to back it (or mortgage FRAUD). Don't even get me started on credit default swaps (investment FRAUD). The banking world is very important for producing income and investment in to this country. But it has to be and must be properly regulated.

Bring back William Woollard and Chris Goffey!

I've only just got back from Norway, so hadn't seen all the guff and chat about the show, which I have just watched. Personally, for a first show, thrown together without probably the luxury of full planning. I thought it was ok, I think it's a grower. I think the relationship between Evans and LeBlanc will really start to become much more natural over the coming shows. They have to play a careful game, attract people who liked Top Gear as it was over the last few series. As well as those show thought it was time to change the format. Gradually over the coming series, they will change it in to a newer format that they want it to be. I'll happily give it another viewing and I hope it'll develop in to a new and interesting format.

The question is, do you trust her? If the answer is "Yes, it would just be nice if she'd let me know she's ok...". The best thing is to let her enjoy the hen party holiday. When she's back just let her know "...glad you had a good time, sounds like it was a real laugh. I was a bit worried as you'd said it was a bit rough out there. But I knew you girls would look after each other.." That does sow the seed, "glad you had a good time, I worry about you, just let me know you're ok." If the answer is "Yes I do trust her, but what if..." then you don't trust her and that's your issue which you need to sort out. It's not her, it's you. If the answer is, "No, I don't trust her..." then you need to think about whether the relationship is the right one for you (and her). Most girls / women I know, when they get together, they just want to have a laugh, enjoy each other's company, have a few drinks and have a bit of a dance and unwind. That for the most part is what they want to do. Now consider this, she's on a hen do, lots of chatting, dancing, drinking, more dancing, chatting, drink, eat, chat, dance, sit down, dance drink, sit down, feel a bit queasy, dance, think about a drink, sip some water, dance, forgot to eat!...dance, eat, 5h1t! Phone home!!! etc, etc. She did get in touch, she did let you know she was safe (although a bit later than you would have liked) and she did apologise. It's a question of trust, that's all it is

Squee / Rich, you guys are going to love Japan / Tokyo so much. We are planning to head back there in a year or so. I would recommend checking out the Backstreet Guides ( http://www.thebackstreetguides.com/) If you have time. We had a private guide out to Kamakura (which was stunning) and another 1/2 day private tour around some of the older parts of Tokyo. The guides were great and it really helped understand a bit more detail and culture.

Bless you Martin, you're sorely missed

The Tuscan is / can be a fantastic car, one of the most enjoyable I've driven (Tuscan Red Rose). There are a number of key watch points though, from what I'm lead to believe. Number 1, there does seem to be a higher chance you might get a 'Friday afternoon' car. Potentially a Wednesday afternoon rolling through to a Friday. Check, check and check again service, build and any refurb quality. Just overall history in terms of electrics, gearbox etc. Number 2, Chassis, chassis, chassis! This is extremely important. You need to know whether it's been refurbed (if not, it will likely need it). If it had been done, you need to know when and who by. If they tell you the when and who by. You must check if it was a repair or replacement (of the entire chassis). In either refurb or replacement, you must check to see if the chassis was also Zinc or double Zinc coated as part of that process. If it's Zinc / double Zinc on top of the other coating, then that's a positive. Number 3) Engine service and rebuild is also worth checking. A rebuilt engine is not a bad thing, If it's been done by a specialist. Regular Fettling and maintenance is to be expected on the engine. It's a terrific power plant when on song and really delivers on the excitement front. Again, it's about getting the evidence of who and when regards engine servicing (like all cars) The Tuscan is one of the most fun cars I've ever driven. There's a lot of thrills to be had with it. It does demand your attention though, bump steer and the like things you need to be aware of. Having driven one across Dartmoor in the rain, I can tell you, it makes you feel very 'alive'. When you get a good day, clear roads and some time to focus on just driving 'it', they are extremely rewarding. When driving in traffic, in poor weather, they are still fun, but tiring. I think they are fantastic, no driver aids, massive power, ultimate feedback, certainly attract attention and some respect. If you can find a good one. I would say you'd love the experience of owning it. How long you'll be prepared to absorb its quirks (e.g. heat from the transmission transferring up the gear leaver to the point it was too hot to touch) is just something to consider

Bless you all guys, nice to see you catching up with each other, great pics Adrian

FIAT currency (like the £) in its current state is dead anyway. We'll all be forced to use some form of 'government approved' digital currency like (mm but without the 'freedom' of Bitcoin) anyway. This is being done and will be done on the basis that terrorists or 'bad people' use 'cash' and it can't be traced, so it must be 'bad' and we shouldn't use it. Meaning we'll be driven in to using a currency without any physical value (even notes and coins have some intrinsic physical value in their content). But this is probably for a different thread....

Britains financial contribution to the EU is something in the region of £8.5 billion a year, which seems a lot. However; that is (on average) only 0.5% of our GDP per year. Also, if we take in to account the amount of money that flows back in to the UK in terms of spending. Money that goes to beneficiaries or to government departments. The true cost of our membership is about £6.5 billion, less than .5% of our GDP. The CBI (Confederation of British Industry), hardly a woolly pro-Brussels 'love-in', indicates that, year on year. The direct benefit to the UK economy is something in the region of £70 billion a year. The U.K. contributed less to the EU (per capita) than Germany (who have taken on massive immigration), Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Belgium. Freedom of movement, freedom of trade, protection (via rules and regulation) for the working man / woman. Pan European regulation and governance over finance and banking (remember / imagine how bad it was / would be without it). The ability to learn and earn across Europe with ease. While receiving health protection, employment protection, whether you're in Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Berlin, Lisbon etc. Protection of consumer rights in terms of food quality, your dish washer, your tv, the quality of the brakes slowing down your 350Z / 370Z, the quality of food your children / grand children are eating. Protection and strength of negotiation on international trade with China, Asia-Pacific and the US (think TTIP and the French (and others) saying 'Non!' Based on TTIP's attempt to reduce/remove quality commitments on food etc). Cameron wants us to leave the EU, he wants you to vote leave because he wants you to think it'll damage him, or go against him 'looking after his buddies' in business. Let me remind you, Cameron has already indicated he's not going to stay his full term as PM. He's going to leave that role and return to being a normal MP. If we leave the EU, leave that protection and regulation that protects us all. Who do you think is going to get some very handsome paying non- executive directorships or consultancy fees (from the finance and banking world and from 'big business'). When we've stepped away from that protection and regulation. While some people are being patted on the back and getting millions in directorships. How is it going to feel, when as a small business owner, a hard working employee. Your pips are being squeezed until they squeak because they made it possible for big business to do that to you?

If I'm honest, it was probably my Renault 11 GTL. The simple reason being, it was my first car. It gave me the freedom to get out and about, do my own thing, go places with my mates. Maybe not the best car I've owned, but probably the most significant/ important.

This is a genuine question. Do you think a UK - US trade deal negotiated by the Tories, known for their love of privatisation and deregulation of markets, would genuinely secure a more favourable deal for the UK, as an individual nation, than as part of the EU block? Cameron and the Conservatives love TTIP

Mmmmm nice, love the colour and like the styling too. Very smart motor indeed

34! Man your best days are behind you......

If you want some straight forward advice, I'd say the following. No job is forever, as your current circumstances show. Having been offered a job, which may be boring, at least it's an offer. So that's your immediate problem almost addressed. Slightly less pay, slightly less interesting, but you should / could be sorted. Now the mercenary in me says, if you accept the offer, they'll have to draw up and send you a contract, but you haven't yet signed it. Well that might take a week or more. By the time you get the contract from the first job, you should know about the other job. If the second job makes you an offer (get something in writing). Then if it's something more interesting, something with more opportunity, more potential. Then take the offer from the second company. Then politely inform the first that, unfortunately your circumstances have changed. And you won't be taking up their offer after all. It sounds a bit rough but you have to look after your own interests. If you don't get a positive response from the second company, You can then fully commit to the first job which has been offered

Congratulations!

Whatever we / you may think, do not get pulled in to making a vote, just to be contrary. Dont vote out just because "...well Cameron says we should stay in, he cant be trusted, so im voting out..". I guarantee you one thing, in my opinion, Cameron wants us to leave the EU. Don't be fooled by voting against something because of what someone says they want / or need. Remember, this is the same someone who has stated they have no tax free, off-shore interests that they have benefitted from. Not even those interests that may have been set up and managed by his late father. No never got anything from that, nothing, i just have a bit of savings, a house that we now rent ot because we live in mumber 10..... .....well i may have made a little money here, but its only £30k...

Quite a lot of things have to go very wrong before a bank will call a mortgage, if only because they tend to be the least leveraged loans on a bank's balance sheet; there are riskier corporate credit lines that would be withdrawn first after blowing though a range of insurance / first loss swaps and BoE liquidity windows available to them. It would also be commercial suicide because nobody would ever borrow from them again. Sounds like the 123 account was unsustainably generous? Again, agreed, I guess my concerns are the challenges Santander have been having in Brazil and back home in Spain over the last couple of years. Also, I think I've been spending to much time watching the Baltic Dry Index. It's got me a bit paranoid (about everything). In any case gangzoom has clearly had a good work through the figures. If he's happy with the numbers, that's the main thing.

Agreed, it is unlikely, but margin calls need to be considered. They only didn't happen due to massive government pressure and subsequent government support of the banking industry. To the tune of £375 Billion between 2009 - 2012. The fact that Santander have also recently restructured and increased the fees of their 123 accounts is also something to be considered.

the figures seem reasonable but I would be very wary of any margin calls on debt over the next 5 years. In my view, cash will be King, I'm trying my best to hang on to as much of it as possible. Be very wary regards Santander's ability, within the mortgage contract. To demand immediate settlement of outstanding debt. If you work though the figures, check the paperwork and it adds up in terms of your circumstances, then all well and good. But I would be looking at a lot of other economic indicates before I took on any additional debt.

In a funny way, what I think is so fantastic and special about this thread is the following. It's the posts, thoughts and feelings posted by those who have or have had children. There is such clear evidence of love, responsibility, consideration and wonder at the children you all have. I think that shows what a wonderful set of parents we have here on the forum. Never mind the fact that kids aren't for me or others. It's great to see how much you all cherish your children, that truly is amazing.

Getting a price on the engine mounts for the Merc. Desperately trying not to buy a 928, despite the temptation. Trying also to avoid looking at 911's and 355's......if only to distract me from the 928's!

No, there is nothing wrong with you, or indeed your better half. Some people want to have children and some don't, that's just the way of things. My partner and I have been together 16 years and love children, they're fantastic. However; we just don't want any of our own. We have interests, passions and plans which, for us, we want to focus on fully. We have family and friends who have kids and we think the world of them. Enjoy playing with them, spending time with them and watching them grow. For us and the way we live our lives, not having children has given us a lot of freedom. We enjoy that and have made the most of it. Are we missing out, not having that experience of bringing children in to the world? No doubt we are in some respects, but then for us, we feel you don't miss what you haven't got. What I know we would miss. Is the freedom to have made the most of the opportunities we've had over the last 10-15 years. Love children, but don't want any of our own