philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 3, 2020 Report Share Posted December 3, 2020 Just tried Beauvale cheese from Cropwell Bishop creamery as recommended by Jonab. Stilton like in taste but much softer. Very, very salty though. Quite enjoyed it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Had a surprise yesterday. My car insurance is up for renewal and I was expecting to have to go through the ritual of phoning around and arguing for a better price. Last year I changed to NFU Mutual car insurance and when I opened my renewal notice from them yesterday I found that my premium, owing to their "Mutual Bonus" scheme and for no loss of cover, had gone DOWN in price by 11.5%! The scheme offers a renewal bonus on a scale of up to 16.5% for each year of renewal. Result! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 We used NFU for all our insurances until a few years ago. We started using them when our boys were young drivers and at that time they were very competitive on price for under 25s. Can’t remember why we left them but suppose it would have been a price hike. Nowadays we don’t stay with the same company for long, hate insurance but it’s necessary. Unfortunately we both bought new Travel Insurance policies in February this year in anticipation of our trip to the USA in March ....... which never happened ....... the policies will run out before we can travel again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I used to use NFU for both home and car insurance until they started to try and rip me off. I look at the compare websites annually now. The insurers don't appear to want customer loyalty. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,895 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 We do all our insurances online. We are happy with the people we use now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I'm happy each year until they put the premium up substantially next time and then I have to start all over again. Don't these people want repeat custom? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 My insurance went down some this year. They said nobody is driving as much as before so they could drop the rate. Certainly true of us. We are about ready to go back to one vehicle, but I can't quite bring myself to do it. I love my twenty year old full sized Ford. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,464 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I have my car insurance with Direct Line and a few weeks ago I got a letter from them saying that I could apply for a refund if I'd done less mileage due to Covid. In the last year I've only done 2,000 miles, but my normal year is around 5,000, so I filled in the form to apply for money back. I got £12, which isn't going to change my life but it's the thought that counts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 We don't really need two cars but living out in the country with no convenient public transport it's useful to have a backup. We used to have three but that was my 'toy' which I gave up when I became less flexible. Now I can climb into a sportscar again I am tempted! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 That's pretty much my thinking, Phil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,895 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I haven't driven for ages so my husband uses my car occasionally to keep it good tempered. We keep saying we'll only keep one car but we never do it. I like to think that " whenever" I want to go out my car will be waiting for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I often think I should do my ‘bit’ and get an electric car but I’m not prepared to spend considerably over the odds for a car that I can’t drive to Lancaster and back, a regular trip, without stopping to recharge. Both our cars will do the 320 mile round trip on a full tank of fuel. I think it’s too early to make a commitment. If I ever do I wouldn’t buy outright as there’s always something more ‘useable’ coming along and I don’t want to be stuck with a lemon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 They don't make an extension cord long enough as far as I'm concerned. Not interested in hauling a ton of batteries around. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,141 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Thats what I said LL, wanted to visit Compo in an electric car but can't find a 650 mile lead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I've been looking on the Nissan site where you can calculate the mileage dependent on temperature, average speed etc. The claimed range drops dramatically if you use heating/aircon and higher speed. They're OK as a shopping/commuting car but if you want to holiday in Cornwall or Scotland or do a longish round trip they are impractical. They've got to improve the ranges substantially and have charging points where you can 'fill up' without lengthy queueing. In addition there's the higher cost price, and for how long will they be road tax exempt? The government rakes in a fortune from this and from fuel duties. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,141 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 On the subject of charging. Unfortunately, where I berth my car is nowhere near my home. We're in a private close and our first car park, that I use must be 2 or 3 hundred yards from my door. I don't think the trustees would be very happy if I drove over the lawns to plug me car in. It's kept off road, under a car port. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Heating/ aircon' is always a high power user whether in car or home. I'm sure it would quickly run down any known battery. A decent electric car doesn't seem practical to me with current technology. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 That’s one of the many practical problems that need resolving. People can’t be prevented from using their car because of the lack of charging points. This government appears to do things without thinking things through. It’s all very well to appear to be going green but it’s not so easy. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 @loppylugs‘Current technology’ There speaks an electrician Loppy! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Maybe a mini nuclear reactor? Gives new meaning to the term 'Mini. Imagine giving the average Chav access to such a vehicle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,412 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Nuclear batteries as per the space program but imagine taking them to the local tip when they are worn out.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Theres probably a few folks that would do exactly that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oztalgian 3,278 Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 On 12/12/2020 at 5:46 AM, philmayfield said: This government appears to do things without thinking things through. It’s all very well to appear to be going green but it’s not so easy. Same problem here Phil, they have a great propensity to go FIRE, AIM, READY! Our state government has announced it will be taxing users of electric vehicles on a per kilometre driven basis, how else are they going to recoup the taxes we pay each time we fill up our tanks. Another thing they don't do very well is anything involved in IT. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 Interesting roadkill find yesterday: cycling along a country lane I saw something in the ditch under a hedgerow. It was some kind of container with some dark fluid inside and had obviously been there some time because weeds had grown around it. Closer inspection revealed it to be 25l of Caustic Soda....exactly what I needed! I am running low on Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda), which I use for cleaning things of stubborn organic matter as well as paint stripping. Result!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted December 30, 2020 Report Share Posted December 30, 2020 How's this for a great "result": The day before Xmas the manager of the local Cat Protection came around and told us that a wealthy man's cat had died and that he had made a huge donation to the Cat Protection, to do with as they see fit. She told us that they had decided to buy food with it and distribute it between local people who are known to be feeding feral cats. She opened her van and unloaded about £200 worth of cat food and wished us a merry Xmas! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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