Off Topic The Goodhand Arms

Pine martens are indigenous in this country Fran, they’re quite common in Scotland and parts of Wales, and there are even a few in the New Forest! The study was about grey squirrels declining in areas where martens have reintroduced themselves.

 

I have a family of hedgehogs living under the wooden decking at the bottom of my garden. I’m SO excited and have put some water (NEVER milk, please!) out for them.

 

Wasn't speaking specifically about pine martens....and there is a suggestion that the idea that pine martens improve the chances for red squirrels is erroneous. I just feel you have to be very careful when reintroducing predators....there is a plan to introduce sea eagles to the Isle of Wight....what can possibly go wrong in introducing a massive eagle to a farming community....let's hope they live up to their name and eat only fish (and seagulls).

 

That’s what the link I posted said. And I certainly agree about sea eagles!

 

I'm sorry but I always crack up with the mention of Pine Martins.

A few of you on here have met my dad (he is 78 this year), and about 7 years ago when he lived in rural France, I went to visit him.

Let's just say from my room on the first night I could hear noises appearing to come from his bedroom direction that a son really, really, really doesn't want to hear. In the morning, he asked if I slept ok, I said yes and with a smirk said there were some funny noises though i could hear in the night.

He replied, "Oh that will be the Pine Martins"

 

New Ferrari looks tasty. 1,000bhp.

 

And a hybrid. Ferrari succumbing to electrification at last by tiny steps, after saying they never would. Probably getting fed up being blown away by family saloon Teslas.

 

Incidentally, that Ferrari had better be quick in coming out because the Tesla Roadster 2020 should make fairly short work of it. And all without a hint of CO2 [provided the fuel comes from renewables or nuclear]:

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One little secret. Nobody says anything about the particulate pollution coming from the tyres as they shed their materials. Of course, that's the hidden pollution from all road vehicles. Brake particulate pollution is much more apparent in FFVs rather than EVs, as EVs barely have to use their brakes.

If I remember correctly, when this car comes out next year, the general consensus is that driving any FFV, whether it is the slowest or the fastest, will be like piloting a steam engine, with a side order of quiche. Which I think is rather cute. Only a full-blown dragster or record setting FF machine is be faster.

 

Yes, I've heard about this too. Home owners don't have to do this though. They choose to. You can get perfectly good home chargers installed from around £500 minimum, which is a minor expense, considering the total outlay on the car, and the savings thereafter.

But the public infrastructure of fast chargers is terrible. Our 'sensitive to the environment' government is anything but. Later this year, VAT on Solar Panels will go from 5% to 20%. So get your installation in quick. They say they are rapidly adopting a zero emission stance, but I see very little initiative and evidence from them. On the other hand, private companies have been doing quite well for the consumer up until now. 20% VAT is going to slow progress. Well done Tories. Yet another faux pas.

BTW, that picture isn't from a home charging unit. It's a Chademo fast charger in the man's right hand, and his Tesla Chademo adaptor in the left. A perfectly safe setup in all situations.

 

I can’t be having that.... I thought us Audi drivers had taken that acclaim.

 

BMW drivers take their cars to the garage if the weird lights on each corner flash occasionally, Audi drivers know what indicators are for but choose not to use them so you're still top of the Road Villainy charts Fats

 

Well I just saw a BMW driver use their indicators correctly on the motorway twice should I report it as stolen?

 

Audi and Jaguar, the lunatics car of choice nowadays. In my experience.

Since I got caught speeding and now drive at the limit, I feel my chances of getting into a crash have actually increased. Yesterday on a drive from Guildford to Brighton, I was overtaken FOUR times. Two of those were Audis.

 

I guess you got to drive through Petworth though, which calms the soul!

 

I particularly enjoy the road users that stick to one speed. They'll be doing 35 in a 30 and will close in on you quickly from a distance away and then remain right up your arse until...it changes to a 40 zone and you pull away from them as they stick to their 35mph...only for them to catch up again when back in a 30. Tremendous fun.

 

Excuse me - don’t tar all Jaguar drivers with the same brush! Audis are by far the worst on the roads (imo) with BMW a close second. Most Jags I see are being driven sensibly .... but maybe it’s just around Hampshire!

 

Drives me nuts on the drive up through Hursley to Winchester from Romsey. They stick to the same speed through the 30 zones and hold you up in the faster sections - ridiculous!