Twelve people, including two police officers, have died this week and three others were seriously injured in separate instances (One in Ireland) where cars were driven the wrong way down both a motorway and a dual carriageway. There appears to be a craze among a more moronic type of teenager to post footage on social media driving the wrong way down these roads and filming it so they can upload to social media. We all did stupid and risky things at that time of life, but this is taking stupidity to a new level.
It could be any one of us coming the other way.
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And now it has been all over the news and "social media" it'll get worse.
Tik Tok declined to attend a meeting in Ireland as they were the only ones invited.
Surely time to ban Tik Tok and others until they have an algorithm in place to stop this stuff being posted.
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If you are feeling especially depressed you might suspect that those kids may be themselves depressed because they reckon their futures are gloomy with the arrival of AI etc ? Maybe they are not too worried about sudden expiry (some teenagers feel immortal anyway). Pity about any other parties involved.
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Reports suggest that both sets of criminals are from Travellers background. The gaudy funerals certainly back this up.
Why are Travellers a protected species? Genuine question?
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>> Why are Travellers a protected species? Genuine question?
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Well thankfully there are 5 less of them.
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>> Well thankfully there are 5 less of them.
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When I worked for a London Borough I had dealings with them. I won't say any more as I'd be banned from this site and possibly have the Old Bill knocking on the door.
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This is the issue - no one speaks about it, but why not?
Why won't Govt raise it, its not that they have PR firms and lobbyists acting on their behalf and paying MPs? Or are they? In which case surely thats handling stolen goods?
There is focus on other ethnic groups and their traditions and how they should integrate into British society and if they are not prepared to do that then press and Reform like to pick on them.
Why not Travellers who wreck places when they turn up? Why will police never go on Traveller Sites?
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Hope it’s global warming down under…:-(
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>> Well thankfully there are 5 less of them.
Fewer.
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>> Why are Travellers a protected species? Genuine question? >>
The UK's absurd adoption of 'multiculturalism' with its toleration of generally unacceptable behaviour. C.f. Madrasas and sharia law for 'muslims', yeshivas for 'jews', helmetless knife-carrying 'sikh' motorcyclists, etc....
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>> those kids may be themselves
>> depressed because they reckon their futures are gloomy
That's no excuse for putting innocent lives at risk. I see the latest miscreants have been named, with one having posted videos of him being chased by police.
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I'm not suggesting an excuse, only an explanation. If it becomes a trendy 'dare' (as we used to call them) it may be hard to suppress.
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They drove the wrong way because they know police will not pursue them under those circumstances,
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Rather limited thinking there. Presumably believing their driving skills could dodge oncoming traffic all the way to the next junction, or do a quick U-turn ?
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>> Rather limited thinking there.
Its a single thread process, every other thought goes out the window.
"Dont get caught"
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Reading today's Times, I don't think it is that. It happened at 3:40 at night and the lads probably assumed there would be no traffic. Anyway it seems their main purpose was to make self-glorifying videos to put on TikTok etc.
Looked at from the other direction, one assumption may have been that cars are now so protective that they won't be damaged anyhow (but maybe not wearing seat-belts doesn't help there). Time to bring back the spike instead of the airbag ? Reminds me of the days when insuring a GTI against joy-riding was prohibitive.
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According to the official sources, and not The Times, police were pursuing them until they went on the wrong carriageway.
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Wrong-way joyrider killed in A66 crash was prosecuted for racial abuse of cop
It has emerged one of the occupants of a car involved in a wrong-way crash which killed two police officers was awaiting trial for racially abusing and assaulting two other policemen
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>> According to the official sources, and not The Times, police were pursuing them until they
>> went on the wrong carriageway.
Police pursuits are not authorised wrong way. The risk assesment is too high.
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"Police pursuits are not authorised wrong way. The risk assesment is too high."
That's an immediate 'Abort'
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Coincidentally, on the way to the supermarket this morning and waiting at the busy A-road roundabout, an unmarked X5 (blues but no twos) forced it's way to said roundabout past the long queue, on the wrong side of the (non-dual) carriageway.
Then round the roundabout rather precariously the wrong way against busy oncoming and off to the right.
Didn't appear to be pursuing anything, and when we got about 1/2 mile further on there it was, parked next to the pavement and a bloke (handcuffed) who'd dropped two bags on the floor.
From the location and demeanour, I'd bet on shoplifting which seems a bit lightweight for the manoeuvres.
(Ironically, the detainees location was only a hundred yards or so beyond the Police Station, which maintains a traffic section)
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News reports suggest a dozen (so far) others have been arrested in connection to the crash. Weapons seized.
It takes a couple of police killed to give them the balls to go out and pull in known suspects.
I wonder if they'll ever get brave enough to raid p**** sites?
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I actually wondered if that is exactly what they have done?
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I saw on the news that during a ‘vigil’ cars had been set alight. I did wonder if they contained bodies…and whose cars they belonged to.
A retired firefighter pal told me that his crew were once called to a caravan on fire on a traveller site. They weren’t allowed access so went back to the station
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>> A retired firefighter pal told me that his crew were once called to a caravan
on fire on a traveller site. They weren’t allowed access so went back to the
station>>
It's a primitive custom - not only is the body cremated but also all belongings. Presumably not done so much now because of the possibility of forgetting about secreted bundles of pinkies.
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pinkies…frozen baby mice ?
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Beggars belief really..purely coincidental but a German born friend of mine who has lived in the UK for 25 years, worked incredibly hard to build up a successful business, sell it and then spend winters in warmer climes, is surrendering his UK citizenship and moving overseas. Tax is just one reason, the asylum filled boats has nothing to do with his decision, he was an immigrant himself 25 years ago.
He loves Scotland, as do his children who live & work there, but he cannot cope with Scottish winter weather (at his age). Very astute financially, he fears for the societal long term future of the UK and is off. The country exchequer will be the poorer for it.
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Does sound strange, doesn't it?
Can't he keep his British citizenship and just move abroad?
Why doesn't he want to live in Germany?
He may, possibly, be right about the UK, long term, but where to move to?
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I live in Scotland and love it - but when the time came, and circumstances allowed, I would happily exchange for a warmer climate, It can get rather depressing compared to year long sunshine.
Could you imagine never having to check whether you could hang the washing out? Or whether you need your waterproof?
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I fully understand the climate issue - despite living in the namby-pamby south of the UK where frost is rare and snow now almost unknown, we spend 2-3 months each year in southern Spain.
Most days the weather encourages healthy living - walking not driving, coffee, lunch etc in the sunshine, etc. It does rain occassionally, the temperature sometimes falls to a chilly 13-14C - but the contrast with cold, drizzle, overcast UK is immense.
There are differences in concepts of citizenship, residence amd domicile which may have major implications for tax - income tax and (I suspect) capital gains tax and inheritance tax. This may be the driver for giving up citizenship vs simply changing residence and tax status.
Giving up UK citizenship may limit his options in future. But unlike most of us Brits subject to a 90 day rule, he can chose to live anywhere in the EU (I assume he retains his rights as a German).
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>> It can get rather depressing compared to year long sunshine
Been there, done that (Tenerife) you'd soon get fed up wivvit.
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>> >> It can get rather depressing compared to year long sunshine
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>> Been there, done that (Tenerife) you'd soon get fed up wivvit.
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Canaries are far too isolated for me to even contemplate…same with my multinational group of friends.
Northern CBlanca is only a days drive from northern Spain..different climate, culture, scenery. A lot of friends head there in early June, a beautiful coastline, then head East to the Pyrenees, both Spanish & French. Two months rental in two different areas, then a day driving ‘home’ late september when it’s cooled down and the crowds have disappeared. That arrangement seems to work well for several friends…some even go to Scotland and Scandinavia for a month+, driving there & back.
It’s a long drive to Norway :-)
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>>>>Canaries are far too isolated for me to even contemplate
I like isolation - that's why I live in North Cornwall.
The Canaries are ideal for winter sun. The first time I went there (on my own) was for 3 months returning back to blighty in early April. I felt like a new man ... but couldn't find one :o)
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>> >>>>Canaries are far too isolated for me to even contemplate
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>> I like isolation - that's why I live in North Cornwall
Apart from backpacking the coast path many moons ago, it would be a whole new world. One of these days I shall venture inland…
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>>Apart from backpacking the coast path many moons ago
You should write a book, call it, oh, I dunno, maybe The Silken Path.
:)
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>> >> It can get rather depressing compared to year long sunshine
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>> Been there, done that (Tenerife) you'd soon get fed up wivvit.
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I agree - used to do a lot of work in the Middle East - flying back to UK to see some green fields vs various shades of grey, brown, yellow was actually a pleasure.
Go inland from the coast north of Malaga and you soon reach forested hills - it surprises most that the costas are not wholly dominated by palms. Skiing (TBH not my thing) in the morning in the siearras followed by lunch on the beach is not an option in the UK
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>>flying back to UK to see some green fields vs various shades of grey, brown, yellow was actually a pleasure.
Gawd, you've just reminded me of when we came back after living in Tenerife for 3 years.
I was stunned to see all the glorious deep colours as we were driven back from Gatwick to Bexhill where we lived at the time.
In a similar vein, I recall driving back from a 'grand tour' of France, Netherlands, East and West Germany not long after the wall came down, into Poland, Czechoslovakia (as it was then).
Well, what a shabby country I thought to myself, after coming orf the ferry at Dover. And that was back then!
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After this years summer surely winter is something to look forward to. In the Lincolnshire Wolds today . Beautiful day, a great walk and a fantastic restaurant booked for dinner in Louth tonight. I love travelling but England is such a beautiful country I couldn’t live permanently elsewhere.
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Sat 5 Sep 26 at 15:15
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>> After this years summer surely winter is something to look forward to.
I'll let you know after its over next spring.
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>> I live in Scotland and love it - but when the time came, and circumstances
>> allowed, I would happily exchange for a warmer climate, It can get rather depressing compared
>> to year long sunshine.
50 years ago I spent a few years overseas with one year in Australia. When I went back to Scotland I only lasted one year before I went back to Australia. I have never regretted it. Most days are cloudless sunshine for 9 months of the year and even winter is no worse than a British summer.
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>> I went back to Australia. I have never regretted it. Most days are cloudless sunshine for 9 months of the year and even winter is no worse than a British summer. >>
You clearly aren't affected by those floods we are shown from time to time ? How does El Nino affect things down under ?
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>> >> I went back to Australia. I have never regretted it. Most days are cloudless
>> sunshine for 9 months of the year and even winter is no worse than a
>> British summer. >>
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>> You clearly aren't affected by those floods we are shown from time to time ?
>> How does El Nino affect things down under ?
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Other side of the country several thousand kilometres away. I have a house on a hill. Here in the West we are suffering from lack of rain. We only got 70% of our usual rainfall so far this year.
Fire is a bigger problem and I expect El Nino to give us a bad year this summer.
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>>Most days are cloudless sunshine for 9 months of
>> the year
Who wants cloudless sunshine for 75% of the time?
No thank you.
British weather, while not perfect, will suit me. Normally - a very pleasant variable climate.
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>> British weather, while not perfect, will suit me. Normally - a very pleasant variable climate. >>
We are no longer sure what is 'normal' - we have to be adaptable, to hotter and wetter extremes. Certainly, here on Merseyside, snow and even frost is now a rare event. Fifty years ago I remember seeing -18 C on my outdoor thermometer.
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Don’t need to go back 50 years.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in the Liverpool and Merseyside area is −17.6 °C (0.3 °F), set on December 21, 2010
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>> The lowest temperature ever recorded in the Liverpool and Merseyside area is −17.6 °C (0.3
>> °F), set on December 21, 2010
Rare event; an outlier.
The trend is to warmer.
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Yes of course I know the trend is to be warmer. I was just pointing out that our personal recollection of past temperatures are an unreliable guide to the climate. The OP remembers vividly an exceptional temperature of 50 years ago but has forgotten a similar event 16 years ago.
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>> Who wants cloudless sunshine for 75% of the time?
I do - so long as the other 25% delivers sufficient rain for agriculture, the general environment and human consumption.
>> No thank you.
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>> British weather, while not perfect, will suit me. Normally - a very pleasant variable climate.
>>
Weather in Southern Spain in the November-February period is very similar to Bristol in May-June. Similar temperature, less cloudy, slightly fewer rainy days, a similar amount of rain. Malaga has on average an extra 1.5 hours of daylight over the period.
Late Spring in the UK can be delightful. Summer in Spain is unpleasant with temperatures often over 40C. I no more want to be in Malaga in Jul-Aug than Bristol in Jan-Feb.
Nov-Feb is the UK at its worst - overcast, temperature consistently below 10C, 16 hours of darkness each day, rain on 1 day out of 3. It is utterly depressing only relieved by tthe first signs of spring.
Given a free choice I would happily spend 4-6 months in Spain and the rest in the UK. Sadly the Brexit lunacy now limits me to 90 days in any 180.
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As climate change goes, it means the norms will no longer be. Extremes will.
So this winter? will be brutal cold or unusually mild. Very dry or very wet.
See? any fool can prepare a forecast, the met office have offered me a job, mine is about as accurate as theirs.
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>> So this winter? will be brutal cold or unusually mild. Very dry or very wet.
I was once told, by a knowleagable expert, the best weather forecast for tomorrow was: the same as today.
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If extremes become the norm then can they still be said to be extreme? What we now call the norm will be extreme and the extreme will be the new norm.
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>> Given a free choice I would happily spend 4-6 months in Spain and the rest
>> in the UK. Sadly the Brexit lunacy now limits me to 90 days in any
>> 180.
Then you must blame your fellow electors.
Because the British electorate voted for Brexit. It wasn't forced upon us by some foreign power.
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>> Then you must blame your fellow electors......Because the British electorate voted for Brexit....>>
Well, only around 37% of the electorate voted to leave. Around 34% voted to stay and around 29% couldn't be bothered to vote. I blame the government of the day for such stupidity, especially a) holding it when many uni students were away from home, and b) not insisting on a two thirds majority for such an important change.
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>> not insisting on a two thirds majority for such an important change.
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So a third plus one vote for something the majority can go screw?
Not how it works, one is a majority and if your students couldn't have been bothered to get off their backsides and register to vote that's their problem. They're supposed to be the cream of the crop intelligence wise.
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>> So a third plus one vote for something the majority can go screw?
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>> Not how it works, one is a majority and if your students couldn't have been
>> bothered to get off their backsides and register to vote that's their problem. They're supposed
>> to be the cream of the crop intelligence wise.
When electing candidates to office your proposition makes sense.
If it's a binary Y/N on a matter of vast constitutional and economic impact then some sort of super majority provision is a reasonable safeguard.
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>> Well, only around 37% of the electorate voted to leave. Around 34% voted to stay and around 29% couldn't be bothered to vote. I blame the government of the day for such stupidity, <<
Without wishing to restart this old debate, I blame the govt of the day for not reaching the decision they were elected to make, and having bottled out and asked an unthinking electorate, they should have demanded a clear (60%) majority one way or the other.
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>> Given a free choice I would happily spend 4-6 months in Spain and the rest
>> in the UK. Sadly the Brexit lunacy now limits me to 90 days in any
>> 180.
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Cyprus, for the time being, is outwith Schengen.I enjoyed 11 days walking there mid April…blue skies, pre brekkie swim in the sea. May & June touring Spain..,primarily both French & Spanish Pyrenees avoiding the crowds.
Just booked a Jet2 to Cyprus for this wednesday..£43 with Jet2 ex LBA. No return flight booked yet, or accommodation, but need to be home by 20/09 as I’m back to continue exploring N Spain & Picos wanderings end of this month with Sofia Suzuki.
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Teenage kicks - ORB>>>
