I never have been to Yorkshire, but I had a very nice mail partner there and I was told that people there are very chatty. 

Our health system is no longer as good as it used to be. There's a lack of doctors and nurses and, of course, of money. Our government is just discussing a healthcare reform - I don't know whether this will improve the healthcare. Lately many hospitals had to close because of a lack of money. 
I have been to hospital last month and I must admit, I was quite disappointed - no longer the service I was used to and after two days they told me that I could/should leave. As you can imagine the first days at home again were quite hard for me. I had a foot operation and live on 2 floors. 
Immigrants get the same treatment as Germans, partly even a better one, because as they don't pay into the health insurance the government is paying for them and they are treated like private patients. Many Germans aren't very happy about this. 

Very interesting. You are right the climate has always changed, but not as quick as it does now and there must be a reason for it. Here in Germany I have the impression that the heavy rains and heat in summer are now like those I first experienced in Italy 40 years ago. 

Let's wait and see. I always watch the Last night of Proms on German TV and it's quite interesting to notice the difference in mentality between the Germans and the Brits. 

Quote from: klondike on Today at 07:15:39 PMI'd guess that most London residents don't have cars and are pleased with the anti-car measures. Plus they are all pinko lefties of course.

A lot of the residents who live in flats have nowhere to keep a car, but there is evidence that house dwellers do own cars, and the local councils apply a special tax on them.

Anti-car measures affect everyone in one way or another and I suspect that the majority opinion is in the scale from opposed to neutral.

Maggie did the splits , whilst standing on her head. 
Ethel also tried it but nearly broke a leg
Mick was watching goggled eyed
As Maggie's skirt was on the slide
Luckily the bus came and they all went home to bed!

            *************

The pub was packed on Saturday night

Quote from: klondike on Today at 08:21:18 PMGiven the constant congestion and the tube I wouldn't bother with a car in London. I think most of the traffic is folks driving in and out from outside plus deliveries and the like. In other words few of the residents other than those so rich they don't care actually have any driving expenses because they don't have a car. Certainly I doubt many from the ghettos do.

Perhaps so.  However, it is not a place I would ever want to live in.

I have visited places of interest I have ever wanted to in the past, when things were different there, and I certainly have no wish to go back there.
Marge and I did go there a few months ago, when a good friend was receiving his 'fellowship' in his profession, and stayed the night in a decent hotel in the centre.
I couldn't wait to get out the next day!

Quote from: JBR on Today at 07:52:23 PMf they seem to be happy living with the difficulties and additional expense of driving

Given the constant congestion and the tube I wouldn't bother with a car in London. I think most of the traffic is folks driving in and out from outside plus deliveries and the like. In other words few of the residents other than those so rich they don't care actually have any driving expenses because they don't have a car. Certainly I doubt many from the ghettos do.

Raven clearly can. She often says she's taking a break from it. I don't watch TV apart from streamed catchup and that's mostly just Farage so I'd be newsless without it (and probably a lot happier given the content).

Quote from: klondike on Yesterday at 11:45:00 AMNothing seems to work well in the NHS. Falling to bits.

After having NHS physiotherapy on and off since 2019 for a painful hip, I took myself off to a private physio who was recommended by a friend.  What a difference!
She recommended that I go to Spire to see a consultant who is a hip expert.  I saw him two days later and he had my NHS X-ray up on his screen.  Ten minutes (and £250 lighter) I had a diagnosis of hip abductor malfunction.
I googled it and found some exercises.  Two weeks later the pain was much less but I still have weak legs.
I went back to the physio who watched me doing the exercises and pointed out that I was favoring my stronger leg.  We had some useful discussions.
We can't see a GP but are pushed into seeing a life coach who has no medical qualifications!


Today at 08:14:20 PM
Raven, I hope your new treatments help.  I feel sorry that you can no longer ride.

I used to do a lot of riding and when we were on holiday, I had the opportunity to have a ride but decided that I wouldn't bounce too well now!