.comsaint

We are a "good" side - but not as good as we'd like to think.

Funnily enough my good friend - early last year I picked up an old box of books in a local auction for the measely sum of £10 - I kid you not. In the box were about 15 books - mostly old aero-engineering books from the 1940s and 50s. However - the reason I waited until the end of the evening for the lot to come up was that in the box was an original genuine hardback Rolls Royce installation, maintaining & servicing manual for the Merlin engine - dated 1941. Couldn't believe my luck! TEN POUNDS!!! The wonderful thing was it was in very good condition for its age - even though it had the odd oily fingerprint here & there throughout. That just made it even more 'nostalgic' to me - knowing that RAF ground crew had in all likelihood used it time & time again during the dark days of WWII itself. I had a good read (not that I profess to knowing anything about aero-engines!) before selling it on a couple of months later for the majestic sum of £233. * Take note that if you ever have the good fortune to come across such a fine publication - don't let it go for anything less than £200! As an extra delight; in the box also was an even earlier 1930s servicing manual for the Napier Rapier aero-engine - as seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_Rapier That sold for £57 - so all in all - a good find indeed & much better than working for a living! I have bought & sold a large number of items & artifacts over the years from the Mosquito, Lancaster, Halifax, Beaufighter, Blenheim - all the famous British WWII bombers infact. If I had to say what THE most interesting item I ever owned from the above was...I'd be hard-pushed to be honest as there have been many - from exhaust pipes off a 'Mossie' to an RAF Navigator's wooden plotting board from the Lancaster; WWII RAF pilot's leather flying helmet & goggles to numerous bomber cokpit dials & compasses; the Air Crew Europe Star medal (by far the most valuable WWII Star medal - they fetch around £180-£200) to an inflatable WWII RAF dinghy (complete with yellow canvas 'kite' in a canister for sending SOS signals AND with food ration survival pack - the type which the lads threw from a shot-up burning bomber into the sea when she wasn't going to make it back across the English Channel) - and many many more. "Boys toys" my missus calls them. Wonderful nostalgic fascinating artifacts is what I call them!

I think the most shameful fact of this whole episode is his blabbing to the Press & media about his reasons as to why. He should have shut the f*@k up and taken his punishment as & when it comes.

One of my 2 favourite airplanes ever when I was a young lad lucky enough to go to air displays each year - the other being the F4 Phantom. I guess it's because the Vulcan always looked so HUGE and noisy when I was a little lad stood there with my dad, while the Phanton you always saw seconds before you heard it, it was so fast! I loved noisy jets so much infact that they helped inspire me into my first ever job upon leaving school which was onboard an aircraft carrier for 3 years! Saying all that; many years later & I now deal in military antiques & memorabilia - medals, field gear, Third Reich items, uniforms, even weapons until they became a dirty word. I have a particular interest in all-things WWII - and the one sound I still love & adore hearing and which I never ever get tired of hearing is THE sound of a Spitfire's Merlin engine as it roars overhead! Always floats my boat that - there's nothing quite like it. But yeah - the Vulcan is a close second - so good luck with keeping it in the air & flying.

Where there's a will - there's a way mate! http://jalopnik.com/5404403/exclusive-video-of-bugatti-veyron-actually-crashing-into-texas-lake

The worry for me is that the UK will f@*k it up like they do most things...except their own expenses of course. It's the 'Big Brother' factor that concerns me - which won't be made public of course until the tabloids find out. Then it'll be "It's for your own anti-terrorist protection we keep all the data" as to exactly where your car was and at what time.

from 2012. GPS tracking systems will be fitted to all of the country's vehicles, with drivers being charged for each kilometre they travel. I have no doubt that the UK government will be keeping a close eye on developments - and if it works out well (or in government-speak - it earns them a fortune in extra taxes!) - we will be following suit some time later. After all - it's been on the agenda here for a few years now. Holland's car purchase tax – which adds up to 25 per cent to the price of a car – will be abolished, as will annual road tax charges. To me - it's the beginning of the end. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/244938/

...and the aftermath back at the garage: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/11/bugatti-veyron-lake-crash-aftermath-in.html

Definitely the 'new manager' effect. Gotta say that all 3 of their goals were very good...

Just a bad day at the office - nothing more - nothing less. We're gonna lose now & again and today was one such day. We looked lethargic which is strange...

They scored 3 times; hit the post; Kelvin made a stunning save midway through the 2nd half; they should have had a 1st half penalty in all honesty; so fair play to Brighton it pains me to say...

Fair play to Brighton - they came & did a job and were worthy winners. We appeared to have the attitiude of "Oh it's only lowly Brighton" and spent the first 45 mins in first gear. Far far too many hopeful balls lobbed into the box all game. Back to the drawing board Pards...

I reckon they will be mate...

Game is being streamed here: http://www.rajangan.net/template_live.php?ida=2124

And why is it you only ever see middle-aged blonde birds driving cabriolets?

Agree about the Mini. I actually quite like the look of the Mini & was everso sliiiiiiightly tempted when considering which new car I wanted a few months back. However - I never ever see a Mini being driven by a bloke (other than an elderly Quentin Crisp type) so decided against it. I opted for the new Ford Fiesta instead. And - being a bloke - I didn't want an ordinary Fiesta - so I opted for the full "masculine" body kit (large rear spoiler, front & rear lower skirts & sports side skirts) as well as larger sporty alloys. I will admit to owning one dodgy car in the past however - a Vauxhall Tigra - the original MkI type when they first came out! Sssh - we'll keep that quiet!

And here's the crash actually happening!!! http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/11/video-bugatti-veyron-lake-crash-caught.html

Norwich never do well at St Marys - league or cup. Gotta fancy our chances at home to them...

Have you tried: http://www.rajangan.net/template_live.php?ida=1836

Click the 'play' button bottom left!

Live now lads: http://www.rajangan.net/template_live.php?ida=1836 Good stream & picture.

Unfortunately not TS - due to ill health as it happens. As soon as the cold damp weather gets here - like it has - I go downhill swiftly! Roll on Spring...

The game is available 'streamed' on the web tonight for all those who cannot make it for whatever reason. I have checked all available links & there are several - but these won't be active until shortly before kick-off. May I therefore suggest anyone interested check back (on this thread) shortly before kick-off and I will post the direct link - fingers crossed.

Title post: "RIP Gary Glitter"??? Thought you'd had a rectal prolapse for a mo Dog...

That was probably TDD. Not fussy these matelots...