Whitey Grandad

It was in the paper a few days ago, maybe the Daily Mail, and I think that less than half were British. I'm in hospital at the moment so it's a bit difficult to check on this slow link. If I find it I'll stick it here.

Thanks for all your best wishes. The grapes were delicious. Well, compared with hospital food they were.

A large proportion of those jobs have gone to non-Britons.

One of the biggest and most expensive drains you could ever buy.

Everywhere you go you see 'meal deal' which is a can of Coke, a bar of chocolate and a bag of crisps. How can that be a meal?

I'm lying in Southampton General waiting for a date next week for a coronary bypass operation. Had a 'small' heart attack Tuesday morning and was brought in thinking it might be indigestion but blood tests showed otherwise. Angiogram yesterday showed all three coronary arteries almost blocked in several places do a bypass is the only realistic long-term solution. I've never smoked but I had got overweight and not eaten particularly sensibly and diabetes had set in. Used to get home and have dinner too late, worked too much in the evenings so please all of you, eat sensibly, sort out your lifestyles and don't think it won't happen to you. I'll let you know how the operation goes. If anyone has been through it I'd be interested on your comments.

The terminal official car park has some great electronic signs showing the number of spaces! All made locally in Hamble ;-)

What does it say in your contract about them?

But the point is still valid. 15 minutes parking is a silly idea if you want people to patronise your retail outlet.

Did Barclays receive any government money?

I think you're complaing to the wrong people. How about a strongly-worded letter to the head of customer relations at Southampton Football Club?

Boring? Maybe, it was hardly end-to-end stuff was it? It was played at too slow a pace for my liking. Perhaps I should have recorded it and watched it at time and a half. Apart from the goals (which were things of beauty) they were hardly hammering the Italian goal.

It needs instant ball control and passing which is precise and perfectly weighted. It's unusual to find this anywhere in the english game.

Please don't.

I have always thought that the LIBOR was agreed between the banks so in a sense they have always 'fixed' the rate. I think that the fuss is because some traders have been manipulating it for their own personal gain. As far as we are concerned we just have to pay whatever has been agreed and get on with it whoever has set the rate, be it individual banks or the Bank of England. Maybe someone will please explain all the intricacies for us in full detail.

My missus likes them. Say no more.

How will the Fair Pay Regulations apply when a club has long-term contracts that commit expenditure on players to more than the allowed percentage of turnover? Presumably the parachute payments would be included in the turnover. http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/FLExplainedDetail/0,,10794~2748246,00.html

Thanks, I thought it had been mentioned but I was on a difficult connection. I believe you need an extra one for the caravan too. The last time I drove through Switzerland I *****ed at paying the extra so we went on ordinary roads. Whenever I got a funny look in Bern I just shouted at them that it was their own stupid fault for charging so much. How much is it these days? Edit: I've just looked up the costs. Bloody 'eck, €33 each for the car and caravan.

Thick-film control circuits for the Exocet were made in Havant.

Do you still need to buy a vignette for the motorways in Switzerland?

Quite right Tim of Buctoo. Confidence takes years to establish but can be shattered in a moment.

You sound surprised. Everybody is ripping off the poor honest working man, I thought you knew that.

Don't worry about it too much, just go with the flow. I always find that an automatic makes for more relaxed driving especially as I have to navigate as well. I've done the trip a few times, first in 1967 in an Austin 1100 down to Lausanne, then through the St Bernard to Turin and onto Alassio. Then 1973 in a Hillman Avenger with a pregnant wife via Dieppe, Luxembourg, Freiburg, Zurich, Lugano, past Milan to Florence. No motorways used so far. Then early 1990s with a caravan to Venice via Dijon, Interlaken, Susten Pass, Garda. I've also hired a car and drive in Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi, no big deal in April. Don't try to rush it and enjoy the journey and scenery. In Italy just tell them you're English and they'll feel sorry for you.

Me neither. Not surprised, not bothered about going out. Means that the semis are more watchable.

Thank you, cousin of Frank, that's a well balanced and thought-provoking point of view.