Portobello. Visited MANY years ago, with 1st spouse, when it was a sad 'over' place. It's now evidently been revived; good. However, if the skinny chips (fries?) spilling from her fish finger sarnie were really 'the best chips [she] ever had', I can only say, sorry luv, they sure don't look it...😞

'Disruptive passengers could be banned from all flights under UK government plan.' Not that I'm affected, but yes. There's no excuse. Being drunk or druggy is not only a choice, it's no reason to be disruptive. If you have a diagnosed fear of flying, get it treated, or don't fly. Simple as that!

Appliances you'll likely buy & never use: breadmaker, juicer, food processor, ice-cream maker, health grill. I loved my breadmaker, & used it a lot for ages. But while the loaves are yummy, & it's much easier than hand-kneading, it's a lot of trouble & expense for bread that must be eaten quickly.

Wrt Makerfield, a Burnham win is by no means certain. We love him as Mayor, but even if he wins, AND successfully contests the leadership, would we love him as PM?🤔 www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/wha...

1983, 6% of school leavers went to uni: selected, for theiir good A Levels. But there were alternatives. Trad heavy industries stll existed. You could learn a trade. There was factory-work aplenty for those with no clear aptitudes. Now, 36% go to uni. Mining, ship-building, steel are gone. (Contnd.)

I've signed a petition demanding 'affordable' pet care. But like stopping the boats, it's easier said than done. If a pet has a bad accident or serious illness, the vet bill is what it is. Insurance, esp for an elderly animal, or a cat who goes out unaccompanied, is itself unaffordable.

Hard to believe that people are having to be asked to refrain from using hosepipes, when they must already know that people living not too far away, are suffering the nightmare of their household taps running dry. 'Until there's an actual ban, with penalties, I'm gonna go on watering my lawn, obvs!'

AGAIN: '... kitchen items no longer accepted in recycling bins under new rules.' Drinking glasses, glass cookware, ceramic crockery, cutlery, pots/pans: never WERE accepted under OLD rules, so shut up. Wrt coffee pods, I've never even seen one, & Wigan don't mention the things. Black bin, my advice!

I imagine producing specialist dietary products costs more, if only because they're made in comparatively small batches. It doesn't seem fair that those who have a medical condition, are further penalised by being charged much more for their food... uk.yahoo.com/news/gluten-...

Just what IS the beastly woman's game? How can making businesses, many already struggling, impossible to run at a profit, be good for 'the economy'? Now that our trad heavy industry heartlands have been destroyed, hospitality is our biggest business. Stop hurting it! uk.yahoo.com/news/labour-...

As for this tosser, what to even say. He destroyed the Labour party as it was founded & had always existed, in order to serve his own ambitions. We can but imagine how ashamed his quintessentially socialist dad-in-law, Tony Booth, must have been. uk.news.yahoo.com/burnham-stre...

I think Sting, intelligent as he is, has a point. Heavy industry such as shipbuilding, mining, steel, is nearly gone; mechanic-ing, factory work, construction, are reduced... Pushed out of 'manly' work, men may feel a need to defend their masculinity with aggression. uk.yahoo.com/news/loss-ma...

Llandudno has always been a popular holiday destination for Mancunians. Sad to read highstreet's going downhill, with closure of River Island. Obvs online shopping & increasing overheads are factors. But there's nothing like shuttered units, for further reducing footfall. www.msn.com/en-gb/money/...

The unconscionable level of uncaring selfishness... it's simply appalling! uk.yahoo.com/news/utterly...

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater... 'One resident in Wigan posted on social media: "So, everyone else heard that loud bang at 3am too? What the hell was it?"' Ffs, it was a clap of thunder! (Loud, tbf.) We used to get thunderstorms regularly, esp after a heatwave. Grow up, folks.

I reiterate: uk.yahoo.com/news/how-to-...

"Blair demands welfare cuts and end of ‘unsustainable’ pension triple lock." Well he would, wouldn't he. It was he, as PM, who decided that free higher education was a 'luxury' this country couldn't afford. Now, it's a luxury young people, let alone would-be mature students, can't afford. Ta, Tony!

Looking for something new to read, I continue to be struck, & irritated, by how few Amazon readers can now be bothered reviewing books, or even rating them. It would be useful, esp if you find a work particularly good or bad, if you could be arsed sharing your opinion, to interest, or warn, others!

Today is World Otter Day!😃😍

Good to see a popular figure like Vorderman, sticking it to the scumbag Reform candidate Kenyon, who's opposing Burnham in the Makerfield election. A backer defends Kenyon's deleted X a/c as 'private comments of an ordinary man'. Sorry, inappropriate online posts are never really private or deleted!

It's World Dracula Day!

In a list of tricks shops use to get you to buy more - bigger trolleys! One of the reasons Able now avoids instore shopping, as he hates giant trolleys. Plus Tesco now use the coin slot system that gets shoppers to bring the trolley back. Too ignorant to do so otherwise, apparently <sigh>.

Now we see an increasing number of reports of youngsters tragically dying while swimming in lakes & rivers. Esp when your body is hot, immersion in surprisingly cold water can be lethal. Obvs robust teenagers just want to cool off, thinking themselves strong swimmers. Please, just don't!

Another story about pubs considering banning kids whose parents ignore their bad behaviour, allowing them to tear up gardens & annoy patrons. A mum counters '... it doesn’t look like there’s anything particularly child-focused to attract kids anyway, just grass and fencing.' See below:

Still seeing articles about items you can/should 'no longer' recycle under the 'new' rules - invariably ones you never could put in a recycling bin. Nappies; tissues; candles - seriously? Journos are paid for this crap, as worried folk see ads. Your council website has the CORRECT info, ad-free!

An A&E doc advises against metal straws, especially allowing a child to use one when walking or running. An obvs risk of catastrophic accident, surely; but why should straws, reusable/environmentally friendly or not, be needed? Aren't children able/taught to drink from a cup etc., any more? Mad!

Incredible that at least one of the newly-elected Reform councillors has jacked it in after discovering that he hadn't become an MP! 'What, I'm expected to deal with paltry local issues? I thought I'd get to stand up in parliament, yelling "Stop the boats!" & voting for bigotry. I'm not doing it!'🤔🤣

I suppose canned tuna will be the next thing Tesco runs out of. Already, to my disgust, I've suffered Pepsi Max being out of stock, &, of all things, no suger delivered yesterday!😞 Here's my tuna 'recipe': fork it out of the can, mash it onto toast, salt/pepper, voila!😁 uk.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-h...

Truly frightening. To those lucky enough to still have access to open countryside: when did you last see a dragonfly? Everyone surely has noticed a reduction in butterflies, bees, small birds/songbirds. Vet spokesperson: 'help maintain market availability'.🤔😞 uk.style.yahoo.com/toxic-chemic...

"Trump: ‘Netanyahu will do whatever I want him to’." Oh. Maybe he should start with 'Stop the genocide'. But tramp probably thinks that's OK - in fact, a great policy which he's trying to find a way to emulate. Turns out he 'prefers a diplomatic solution that ends Iran’s nuclear ambitions'. Hmm...

Today is International Tea Day, worth mentioning because, while many Brits don't drink tea regularly, as Able & I do, most do regard it as useful when someone is upset. My bestie at uni would always offer tea & toast, if a flatmate suffered a personal crisis. Terraces in China aren't all for rice...

Today is World Bee Day! 'A sweet tribute' to these vital pollinators, threatened in some ways, and in some areas.

I've likely said this before, but it's baffling to me that people jet off to some far country boasting beautiful beaches, lovely walks, numerous historic/cultural tourist attractions etc., only to spend the whole holiday lying on a lounger, on the tiled or concrete surround of the hotel pool. Why??

Can't reiterate enough: Brits use lecky kettles while Americans use hob or microwave to heat water, as we have a proper 240v supply, whereas US has a sad 120v.

Things that make you go 'Hmm...' When even the manufacturer puts the word 'steak' in quotes...

"Nigel Farage tells Reform supporters, ‘stopping the boats will fix all of your problems in precisely the same way Brexit did’" according to the (supposedly) satirical News Thump. Thanks for the timely reminder that fartage once led UKIP. Not that Reform supporters likely read or understand satire🤪.

'Can Burnham beat Reform in Makerfield to take on Starmer?' asks a headline in the Independent. Well, tbf, if he can't, it really doesn't say much for his chances of leading Labour to victory in a future general election, does it.

On a slow news day, I resort to pedantry. 'You walk into a... room & lay on a bed beside a clinician.' '... lay'? Assuming no switch into past tense, you LIE; & to our relief, it's only the bed which lies beside the doc, not 'you'. Someone was paid for this dire assault on the English language? Ugh!

Was just reading of similar scenes at their shop in Liverpool. Seriously? It's a not particularly expensive, & obvs not exclusive/rare, WATCH. I thought everybody used their phones for seeing the time now (& are still unpunctual)? Modern life, eh... www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/wha...

Burnham is still a long, bumpy way from the Premiership. Even were he to get it, his first major task would be selecting cabinet ministers - & he doesn't exactly have an all-star cast to choose from, at least if he wanted Labour party members. Particularly those who lean even slightly to the left!🤔

Worst possible outcome: a Reform MP for Ashton-in-Makerfield, & a Reform Mayor of Gtr. Manc. Either or both of those things could happen; & whatever the outcome, it's going to cost £millions which could & should be spent on public services or facilities.

'The data that suggests Burnham may have made biggest mistake of his life.' Hate to agree with the (grammatically wrong) Torygraph headline, but I fear they may have a point. uk.yahoo.com/news/data-su...

“For Labour to start infighting now is not a good move... To have had 4 PMs in the last 4 years... this cycle is starting now with Labour. I can’t understand why they’ve done it," sez bloke. I agree; & that there's a risk of the seat going to Reform. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...

As for Burnham resigning as Mayor, after saying he would never, he has no obvious successor. + a new election for Mayor would cost loads. Another reason we, the voters of Gtr. Manc - a huge, populous county, btw - would not be happy! But to hold a leadership contest sans Burnham would be ridiculous.

@exilepots.bsky.social There ya go - or rather, there IT went... www.thesun.ie/news/1694203...

Outrageous! These people are not officers of the law, but are its instrument. Driving a car at them - whether or not they manage to get out of the way - is assault with a deadly weapon. What it sez, is how selfish/uncaring many Brits now are. No wonder they vote Reform! uk.yahoo.com/style/not-an...

Out for a wheel Monday, a lad shot past on e-scooter, going at least 20mph. Unsecured & unprotected (didn't notice if wearing helmet; likely not). Only needs a bump/pothole or small object on road & he's off. If he falls or hits somebody, serious injury is likely. Illegal on public roads, I know...

😊😊😊 uk.yahoo.com/news/first-s...

'5 million Brits unaware they have silent killer condition.' Hypertension, of course. But there's really no excuse. If you don't want to get free checks at your surgery or pharmacy, you can get the same auto monitor the NHS uses, for less than £25. Look online for what your numbers should be. Easy!

Among things supermarket shoppers are supposedly noticing: 'Loyalty pricing making non-member items more expensive.' So if you shop there more than once in a blue moon - join the loyalty scheme! It's free, easy, & instant, at least it is at Tesco. Why wouldn't you?