bridge too far

But Dave will have a problem. Foxy Fox is the darling of the right and, according to all accounts, was disliked by Dave. If Dave ditches him, the right will be up in arms. If he doesn't, the rest of parliament will be. Rocks and hard places spring to mind.

In general, I don't think his sexuality is an issue - he could have just as easily taken a 'lady friend' on all these trips. I read somewhere that his wife (of 6 years) is bi-sexual. But again, it's the magnitude of his irresponsibility that is questioned, I think.

Sorry Sambosa - I thought you were going there very soon.

Serious flooding in Thailand ATM http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15255542

It would be good to have some eye candy on the bench, mind you

Should be interesting http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15188749

Where I live, there are 3 supermarkets, countless Tesco Expresses and lots of independent shops. The supermarkets and small shops are all in or very close to the High Street and all the small shops thrive. We've got butchers, bread shops and an independent hardware shop. And, just recently, a new mall has opened. The only thing missing is a fruit and veg shop. I don't know why it works - maybe free town centre parking helps. But, although we've got many of the chains in the town, the town centre is very varied and not a carbon copy of every other high street in every other town.

I'm glad this is in the Muppet room, because that's what Foxy Fox is - a muppet!

I like the idea that Waitrose (and John Lewis) share profits with their staff who are shareholders in the business. Read an article today about all the big businesses who 'employ' interns for no wage. John Lewis pays its interns £300 a week.

Waitrose and the Co-op for me. Wouldn't touch Tesco with a bargepole. Morrison's is OK IMO.

I think I heard that he will oust Federer from the number 3 spot, if not immediately then shortly. That in itself is some achievement!

Not JUST a pretty face, me:smug:

I'm a volunteer at a local museum trust and often work in the shop. Once we'd got the PDQ machine set up, I quickly realised that the transaction had to be entered on the till AND SEPARATELY on the machine. There was no connection between the two. I realised because I entered a completely different amount on the PDQ machine the first time I used it but luckily the customer spotted the mistake.

Bloody hell! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/15231444.stm He beat Nadal 3-6, 6-2, 6-0

It's a misconception that gout is caused by port and a rich diet. It can affect even the healthiest people. Lifestyle Dietary causes account for about 12% of gout,[2] and include a strong association with the consumption of alcohol, fructose-sweetened drinks, meat, and seafood.[4][8] Other triggers include physical trauma and surgery.[6] Recent studies have found dietary factors once believed to be associated are, in fact, not; including the intake of purine-rich vegetables and total protein.[9][10] The consumption of coffee, vitamin C and dairy products as well as physical fitness appear to decrease the risk.[11][12][13] This is believed to be partly due to their effect in reducing insulin resistance from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gout

He's a big lad, isn't he?

But hotels can if, for example, you raid the minibar and don't tell them.

This is interesting and relevant http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15219675 But I think this glitch has happened in the UK too. I downgraded my a/c with O2 when I retired and now am on a very basic package. A couple of weeks ago, at 10.30 pm, I got a text from O2 telling me I'd used 80% of my data allowance. Half an hour later, I got another text saying I'd used ALL my data allowance. Given that I've never come anywhere near using my allowance, I was mystified as to how I could have used 20% in half an hour when my phone hadn't been used at all! I hadn't been abroad, so data roaming wasn't an issue. When I phoned O2, they were as puzzled as me and (surprisingly) gave me further data for free! But I do wonder if something very dodgy has been going on!

For those of you with time on your hands / years under your belts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15198596

Do you think it might be photo-shopped? Doesn't look real to me. I don't like her, but if this is genuine you have to hand it to her. Whatever she decides to do (model, author, horserider, singer) she gives it her all. And, if you worship money, well there's your role model!

I lived and worked in S Devon many years ago and, more recently, did a lot of work in Torquay. I just love that area. A couple of years ago we spent a week just outside Exeter in a pretty little National Trust cottage and one of the places we visited was this http://www.canonteignfalls.co.uk/ We liked the old part of Exeter too - near the Cathedral (worth a visit) and there are lots of pubs alongside the river. A ride on the Seaton Tramway was good too.

Here's an e-fit of the alleged perpetrator of the male rape http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15160201

You see, it's all very well giving companies help, but for companies to thrive they need customers. If the customers (corporate or the public) aren't spending, then all the help in the world won't actually improve things. It's like being content that the exchange rate favours our companies that export, but what the hell good is that if the people we export to don't have any money to spend? They've just GOT to put money in people's pockets. And, with regard to the Council Tax, as that Tony Travers bloke from the LSE explained, the councils will find other ways to increase their revenues - increased parking charges, charges for many more services. So we won't ACTUALLY see an improvement in our personal finances.

But every chance of digging us deeper into the mire as the taxpayer, essentially, would have to pick up the tab if the businesses who have been lent the money (the corporate bond) go bust. Why doesn't he just cut VAT. That would make some difference, especially to the lower paid and those on fixed incomes who pay a disproportionate amount of tax through this regressive tax.

No, not at all. I wouldn't walk in a park on my own late at night but that doesn't mean it's right that I should even have to give it a second thought. A man has been raped in Southampton this weekend. Would you say that no man should walk alone at night also? Double standards you see - the attitude of many men is 'well, she was asking for it'. Err no she wasn't. Nor was the man this weekend but I suppose I could say 'well, what did he expect, being out on his own. Asking for it, in my opinion'.