Oztalgian

No doubt that the "need" for libraries has diminished due to the interweb but our local library appears to be well patronised. My wife still prefers to read an actual book rather than reading on a tablet or Kindle.

The Ribblehead Viaduct is a magnificent structure, to stand underneath it and look up is awe inspiring. When we were there we also went to see the church at Chapel-Le-Dale where there is a memorial to the railway workers. Records at the church indicate that there are over 200 burials of men, women and children who died during the construction.

I left in 1975 to come to OZ. I was so fed up with the bloody mindedness of the militant unions. When I came here we could manufacture vehicles from the roof to the tyres and now thanks to the flat earth economists and the stupidity of successive governments we no longer have an automotive industry. Are cars cheaper now that they are all imported, of course not. We lost many skills through this economic vandalism and now China, Japan, and other SE Asian or Eastern European companies build our cars. I'm glad I am retired

I live in Adelaide and can give you a Mansfield accent. Is that near enough?

Steam engines "double heading" relies on the skills of the driver as each engine is controlled separately. The front loco leads the train with its crew setting the speed and operating the brakes. The crews communicate via the whistle on the lead loco with pre-arranged signals. Diesel or electric trains a coupled electrically so there only needs to be a crew in the first engine

I was lucky enough to see the Flying Scotsman in 1989 when it did a parallel run with Australia's iconic steam engine 3801 in the Hunter Valley NSW. During its trial runs in 1998 it came past on the railway line that was close to our house on the southern outskirts of Sydney on a run down to Port Kembla. The lineside and local stations were packed by rail enthusiasts to see her come by. Here she is seen double heading with 3801 (Photo from East Coast Heritage Rail)

I'd be interested in hearing what those posting in "Anything Political" think of the recently handed down budget.

Doom and gloom have descended upon our usually happy little home. Why you might ask? The new AFL(Aussie Rules) season kicks off tonight. From now until September the media will be saturated with AFL coverage often leading all the news bulletins and newspaper headlines. I don't give a rat's rectum if Joe Bloggs has a corked thigh, Billy Goat has done a hammy or Errol Flint has strained his groin in some extra curricular activities. After American Football it is the stupidest game on the planet. If you miss the main goals, 6 points, you still get a point for missing but not by too far. The

The Allegro is a tad boring, the adagio is a lovely part but by far the worst is the Rondo. Overall, not a patch on Acker Bilk's Stranger on the Shore.

What about Beethoven's 6th Symphony, the Pastoral Symphony

Stags - After taking the lead in the 15th minute Stags now give Wrexham a chance to draw level on points by going down 1-2 at Field Mill against 5th placed Milton Keynes Dons (doesn't sound like a proper football team does it?). Is this a re-emergence of the wobbles? We will see when they play mid table Swindon on Saturday at home.

Ben, I can't remember it being 'threpney' bits in the juke box. For me it was a tanner a song or three for a bob along with a frothy coffee in a glass cup at the El Rico Cafe opposite the Forest Folk pub in Bliduth

I see that good old Fish and Chips has regained the number one spot of Britain's favourite national dish after chicken tikka masala was in the top position for 23 years. "Consensus for the British People"? It seems that in food at least some normality is returning to the UK. The full list is Fish and Chips Chicken Tikka Masala Roast Dinner Pie and Mash Full English Breakfast Shepherd's Pie Sausage and Mash Spag Bol The lists differ depending upon which source you use as a reference but a reasonably consistent. What would be

With all that standing water do you have mosquitos?

County - Away at Bradford City, match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Home against AFC Wimbledon next Saturday. Stags - Go three points clear at the top after winning 0-1 away at Newport with a goal by George Maris just after half time. following a rather lack lustre first half. Maris had chances later in the half but failed to convert them. Newport were never a real attacking threat to the Stags. Home against 5th placed MK Dons on Tuesday night. Forest - Yet again Forest go down at home 0-1 in the final minutes of the game against Liverpool at the City Ground. Th

You were 100% right Mary. I dragged out my copy. It was released in February 1978 This is the record sleeve. The Trent End stand in the background it is as I remember it.

I saw a review of the Southwell chippy that said it was awful, probably best not to go there.

Forest - In talking about Everton the EPL appeal board said that a six point deduction was the minimum but sufficient sanction required to achieve the aims of the profit and sustainability rules. If that happened today Forest would be in 18th position, two points behind Luton who have a game in hand. A 10 point deduction would see them only one point ahead of Burnley and Sheffield United on 13 points and already look doomed. Either penalty, given Forest's current form would definitely see them relegated and would surely be the end for Nuno too. Only 12 games left in the season for them to

Long time friend and fellow Hairy Biker Si Kingt has announced the death of Dave Myers who was being treated for cancer of late but had returned to work in a Christmas special. It was refreshing to hear their local accents in one of the best cooking/travelogue shows. Thanks for the enjoyment. RIP Dave Myers.

Forest - The game looked set to be going into extra time but Forest exit the FA Cup by a last minute goal from United's Casemiro after a long VAR review. Forests attacking forays were at best sporadic and pretty ineffectual. Forest's 'keeper Turner made some fine saves to keep United out and Forest in the game. If Forest can get a draw at home against Liverpool on Saturday it would help their battle for survival as they have some winnable games coming up as they await the outcome of the legal battle over breaking the spending rules.

Our school uniform had a navy blue blazer, blue or white shirts with grey trousers or skirts. Why anyone would need a hymn book I don't know as most only mumbled or said rhubarb, rhubarb. Morning assembly and god bothering was not popular in our school. The main thing I learned using a slide rule was "order of magnitude" which stood me in good stead in later life with calculations and spreadsheets.

I have to admit that I had never heard of the term bilateral school so I looked it up on t'interweb. The only one in Nottingham is Nottingham Bluecoat School in Aspley which is a mixed school.

County - Losing 3-4 at home to the bottom club Sutton United and having to come from behind 3 times before losing to a 70th minute penalty just about ends County's hope of promotion. Luckily Accrington Stanley lost at home and County did not fall further down the ladder. The more optimistic fans would say they are still only 4 points from a play-off spot. Their form is not consistent and a goal difference of only +3 does not give much hope. Away at Bradford on Saturday who could climb above Notts if they win. Forest - Home against Manchester United in the FA Cup tonight. Probably m

That's fine DJ360 but what word would you use to describe those in society that want to rewrite history and "bend" past decisions to suit todays sometimes strange interpretations of what is right. Given the dross that appears in film and TV today surely the BBFC have other things to focus on rather than reclassifying a 1965 film.

The "wokelings are alive and well, as I see today that BBFC(British Board of Film Classification)has raised the rating of Mary Poppins from a G General or U Universal rating to a PG Parental Guidance rating as some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Apparently, it is all about the use of the word Hottentots which is now regarded as racially offensive. I doubt very much that a young child of today would know what a Hottentot is/was. FFS how the heck did we get here, we must take back control and stop this stupidity. I suggest we start by not using neutral gender words. A fem