S-Westerly

Define 'smart'.

Many years ago my wife and I went out mid-week to a restaurant. As it was also January it was pretty quiet. I was not allowed in because I was not wearing a tie. My wife was wearing a dress with a belt made of fabric and when I tied that found my neck I was allowed in. To this day I absolutely despise wearing a tie - a more pointless item of clothing it would be hard to find.

Only thing I agree with Sharia law - chop off their hands. Difficult to steal without any mitts. Seriously though it's not before time that these wannabe highwaymen get their collars felt. Sadly when they get to court they'll probably get a slap on the wrists (hands still attached) and they'll be out and about the same day.

Thanks for the link. I've just coughed up for 2 sets of the earplugs. Last medical showed my hearing as being barely up to standard so now need to protect what I have left. Stable doors and horses spring to mind.

Wild assed guess but I think it's the goretex bit that's guaranteed not what it's attached to. Had a jacket that was goretex and the outer part fell to bits and that was it. No guarantee for that.

Despite having worked in the same industry for over 40 years I've never had a company pension. Most of my employers have been non-UK based which means I've not had to pay NI either although I've paid in the minimum amount to qualify for a State pension which I suspect will be fairly worthless by the time HMG decide I can actually get it. My wife and I looked at going down the buy to let route but it would have created tax issues for me so in the end we plumped for building up what is basically a large pot of cash. The plan was to save about half my salary which given we had no mortgage and the kids are well grown was at least worth trying. In reality we've managed about 35% which still gives a reasonable pot but is the reason I have to work until 65 at least and possibly 67. At that point I'd have to renew my qualification so I don't think I'll bother. Hopefully the pot will last, if not I'll be the old Uber taxi driver.

Bet you had to stand all the way as well.

Probably because not so long ago some sod drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin and killed a few people. The police would, rightly, then be completely in the clarts. Sadly this is the world we live in.

If the answer from one expert is to stop people riding motor bikes altogether where do you draw the line? As someone else said "life is a fatal disease". Any slightly dangerous activity would be subject to censure be it biking, skiing, sky diving etc. Surely it is an individual's choice to enjoy any (legal) activity and to practice and train to get as good as you can for the level you want to be at. Riding the roads well does not mean I'm riding the TT next year!

Don't like the look of them myself. Don't seem to come far enough down beneath the chin for my taste. Still each to their own and it'd be boring if we were all the same.

Regarding the circuit based training I can thorough recommend it. Yes it is on a track and that's the whole point. You don't need to worry about oncoming traffic and there are no potholes etc. It gives you confidence setting up for a bend and what an average bike can do. You DON'T have to get your knee down or scratch your pegs. You do get shown various techniques for what to do it things go lead shaped which may save you grief down the road.