ali-cat

[quote user="Russethouse"] Labour's problems seem to stem from it's timidity in tackling the excesses of the free market as it was scared of what the leader writers of the Daily Mail and the Murdoch owned newspapers might say. It lacked the courage of it's convictions (assuming TB ever had any that is And there is the rub - who knows what Labour would have done if they had not become 'new' Labour, thus depriving the voter of any real choice and just battling for the middle ground [/quote] The voters had a choice when labour were 'old labour';  they chose not to elect them! Mr Cat

[quote user="Benjamin"]Were the poor people who were overpaid Child Tax Credit let off paying it back? (Not a dig at the people affected by today's statement). [/quote] As far as I am aware the answer is yes, if the overpayment was made in error by the government. There is also a big difference in being overpaid for a year or two, compared to someone who has been overpaid for possibly 20 years. Surely they could never be expected to repay this amount out of their pension.

[quote user="powerdesal"] I'm not GB fan but why is it that it's OK to call him a moron when in theory personal insults are not allowed on this forum? Because GB is not a forum member ????? [/quote] I'm absolutely gob smacked by the comments being thrown ErnieY's direction!! Over the last few years this forum has been filled with nothing but “Bush bashing” & more recently comments about “Sarko” or ”Moose head Palin” who as far as I am aware are not forum members either. But if someone calls Gordon Brown a “moron” it's suddenly an offence. Sorry, but this strikes me as nothing short of double standards & not being able to take what you dish out. 

[quote user="Ysatis "] Well my cats are in the dog house. I've not long been back from Christmas shopping and they / one of them have eaten my youngest son's two goldfish. [6] Pet's...... [/quote] Yikes!  Deepest sympathy for the fish. [blink]

[quote user="suein56"] [quote user="powerdesal"]Yonder grey one gets about a bit......not  [:D] [/quote] The very fat, podgy one you mean? [:)] Love the cats BTW. Sue [:)] [/quote] Podgy!!!  Fat!!!  I'll have you know that Solomon is a lean, mean, hunting machine ...... when he's awake!!  Plus - don't forget a camera always adds about 5lbs!! [Www]   We assembled our Christmas today - but are leaving it undecorated until Ellie (the manic one) gets used to it & stops trying to climb or topple it!!  Someone please remind me why we have cats! 

A typical night in the Mr & Mrs ali-cat household. Our new wood burning fire is proving to be rather popular – unfortunately it leaves us wondering where to sit!! About 6pm .......   [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/Itsahardlife.jpg[/IMG] ....... 2 hours later   [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/2hourslaterJPG.jpg[/IMG] ......... 3 hours later   [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/3hourslaterJPG.jpg[/IMG]

...... Oh Yes! and he's a Scot. There you go - two positives. Gordon Brown is Scottish and he's not Tony Blair. [:D][:D][:D] As for the stats fiddling probably is the wrong word.  I prefer the terms used by the National Statistician - "premature, irregular and selective and ... corrosive of public trust".  They were released prior to being checked which by definition means they had not yet been proven to be correct.   Mr Cat    

Well I've just had a long bath 'cause I'm aching all over after shifting some logs a few days ago.  But at least it gave me an opportunity to have a good long think. Sorry to disappoint you Dick but I still can't thing of anything positive to say about Brown - well apart from he isn't Blair. PS If you think the US economy is in a similar state to the UK, despite shouldering the bulk of the costs of Iraq/Afghanstan and sub-prime, check out the UK Economy Xmas quiz thread. Mr Cat    

[quote user="Dick Smith"][quote user="Salty Sam"][quote user="ali-cat"] I think you are being a little hard on Quillan.[/quote] Sorry you think that but, I fail to see why Quillan should provide information which is totally wrong without being challenged. If I stated that Barclays Bank were offering an exchange of 1.56 Euros to the GBP as at 14:00 hrs today, or that Speedferries were operating again as from this evening with £10.00 return fares, there would soon be a few people requesting the source of this information. All I'm trying to ascertain is the web link from where Quillan obtained his information from. If people post references on this or any forum, they should at least double check the facts and provide links. The fact that Quillan is listed as a 'Moderator' in my mind makes it more important for the credibility of the forum, that the information provided is accurate. [/quote] I think that Mr Cat believes that truth is subjective or negotiable... [/quote] Not at all - I'm agreeing with you. But I'm more concerned with the statements and information issued by the government than by a little banter about grey squirrels on an internet forum e.g: No more boom and bust; Britain is better placed to weather this recesssion; and now fiddling knife crime figures from the government that pledged to restore public trust in national statistics. Mr Cat

I think you are being a little hard on Quillan.  At least he didn't introduce a code of practice to ensure that government statistics were accurate, impartially presented and free from political manipulation. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ministers-rebuked-over-knife-crime-figures-1063952.html Karma has a way of coming round again to bite you on the bum! Perhaps he should change his name to Britney Brown - "Oops I did it again"[:D] Mr Cat

The Irish Republic, once Eurozone's star performer, shares many features with the UK economy including a house price bubble; high public debt and a government that squandered a decade of growth. A UK recovery in 2009 looks a tad optimistic. Scroll to the chart at the end - EEK!! http://www.sustainability.ie/economy2008.html Mr Cat

[quote user="Dick Smith"][quote user="ali-cat"] Just a little joke Dick! I find it helps to retain a sense of humour in difficult times and with the scrapping of the 10% tax rate;  Sterling heading for parity with the Euro and our remaining savings being eroded its hard to find much to laugh about. As for poking fun at politicians I'm afraid I'm not one bit convinced that they are called to public service for the greater good.  Perhaps more people would be inclined to vote if they didn't perceive their elected politicians as being more interested in feathering their own nests and securing their 'legacy'. GB set himself up for ridicule by etc blaming all the current woes on the sub-prime crisis;  stating that the UK is better placed to weather this recession and then trying to claim that the whole world is following his lead.  A little more humility and les hubris from Gordon would be appreciated.     Mr Cat     [/quote] See all previous comments on the corrosive effects of unrestrained (and largely unjustified) simplistic cynicism as an alternative to actually doing some thinking. Also see comments about shouting in from outside the tent. A bit more humility and less hubris from ex pats would be nice, too, but that's a case of beams and motes, isn't it? [/quote] "simplistic cynicsm as an alternative to actually doing some thinking".  Like the reduction in VAT?  Or what about "moose head " Palin.  It seems that any knee jerk invective is OK as long as its aimed at right of centre politicians?  Actually I think Gordon's Freudian slip said volumes more about the man that any number of weighty analyses. As for those who 'abandoned' the UK and are "shouting from outside the tent" we all have different reasons for moving to France. To suggest that we were all negatively motivated by some dislike of our home country and that we are akin to deserters is pretty crass don't you think?  Plus those of us who have family and economic ties (including paying UK income tax) and may at some stage wish to return there are very much still inside the tent. Don't know what on earth you mean by last comment. Cheers Mr Cat  

Just a little joke Dick! I find it helps to retain a sense of humour in difficult times and with the scrapping of the 10% tax rate;  Sterling heading for parity with the Euro and our remaining savings being eroded its hard to find much to laugh about. As for poking fun at politicians I'm afraid I'm not one bit convinced that they are called to public service for the greater good.  Perhaps more people would be inclined to vote if they didn't perceive their elected politicians as being more interested in feathering their own nests and securing their 'legacy'. GB set himself up for ridicule by etc blaming all the current woes on the sub-prime crisis;  stating that the UK is better placed to weather this recession and then trying to claim that the whole world is following his lead.  A little more humility and les hubris from Gordon would be appreciated.     Mr Cat    

"Flash - ahah - saviour of the Universe Flash - ahah - he'll save every one of us" Gordon, Gordon I love you, but we only have fourteen hours to save the earth   Mr Cat [;-)]  

[quote user="andyh4"][quote user="ali-cat"] Firstly, a house will sell if the price is right.  Mortgages are available but not on comparable terms to previously.  Are we to assume that this fictitious couple had NO equity of their own in this £400,000 house;  in which case did they not take out a mortgage protection insurance; or have not received any sort of redundancy package; or have some savings to fall back on?  Mr Cat       [/quote] So here's the scenario House bought 15 months ago at 465k with say 100k deposit - joint salary of 75k and 5 x borrowing agreement.  Both worked in the banking sector as high flyers.  One now out of work.   House now "worth" 400k - just announced 14% drop in avaerage values over the last 12 months.  If they sell and after their fees their equity will be around 25k which is going to fund exactly what on a 25% deposit and 2-2,5 salary mortgage at best? [/quote]   Good example.  Not so many years ago I thought a friend of mine was overstretched when they had a £100,000 mortgage with a joint income of circa £70,000 in public sector jobs.   However anyone who thinks the current depression will have worked itself out in two years is deluding themselves and said couple will be lucky to be any better able to afford their £375k mortgage (plus deferred interest).  Some punters believe UK house prices might halve before this slump is over but assuming they continue to fall at the current rate, when the bank foreclose in  two years time the property value will have fallen to £280,000 leaving them with NO capital and the bank £95k out of pocket. Perhaps now is a good time to get off the property ladder, clear your massive debt and rent for a few years. Interestingly on todays BBC news propspective first time buyers were saying that they didn't want any more interest rate cuts as they were trying to save their deposits.  Changed days.  

Personally I've no problem with New Deal style pump priming public expenditure on key strategic infrastructure projects creating jobs at source and for suppliers and meeting long term infrastructure needs.  What I object to is the reintroduction of cheap credit to purchase DVDs; HDTVs; PS3s; Blackberrys; gooseberrys and all the other tat that people think they can't live without - all to keep the retail tills ringing. Mr Cat  

Firstly, a house will sell if the price is right.  Mortgages are available but not on comparable terms to previously.  Are we to assume that this fictitious couple had NO equity of their own in this £400,000 house;  in which case did they not take out a mortgage protection insurance; or have not received any sort of redundancy package; or have some savings to fall back on?  Over the years one or both of use has been unemployed or on lowish pay and relied on a combination of cutting back and using our savings to tide us over the bad times.  As a result it wasn't until after quite a few years that we ever felt financially 'ahead'. While I do feel for those caught up in this - isn't negative equity just the flipside of the old dinner table conversation topic of how much profit we all made from our properties?  As I see it defaults on mortages hurts the individuals concerned;  will hurt the lenders and will undermine investment confidence in the housing sector, no doubt leading to a further fall in confidence in UK PLC and further deterioration in the value of Sterling.  Not good news.  On the other hand house prices will fall to a level where first time buyers can afford to do so and buyers generally are not saddled with unsustainable levels of debt based on ridiculous multiples of earnings. Following Gordon's reasoning houses are not repossessed (good) but at the cost that public sector borrowing increases by 1 billion; further undermining confidence in UK PLC; falling Sterling etc.  However the inflationary house price bubble is sustained requiring ongoing borrowing over and above what most families can comfortably afford - which is what got us in this mess in the first place.  Delaying the inevitable if you ask me. In the meantime savers foot the bill for interest rate cuts that don't appear to be feeding through to where they are needed - small businesses in my opinion - not the overconsumers. Mr Cat      

In the course of yesterday's highly amusing Queen's Speech/Westminstergate session, GB announced a 'government' funded 1 Billion package to defer a proportion of mortgage interest payments aimed at the middle class. The scheme would allow those facing reposession due to changed circumstances to defer a proportion of interest repayments on mortgages up to £400,000. In explanation GB stated that the scheme was aimed at middle class families, e.g. those with two incomes, where one has lost their job. Why?  While I have the greatest sympathy for those who lose their jobs and face losing their homes,  such events unfortunately are a fact of life and you often have top cut your cloth to suit.  Could they not downshift to say a £300,000 home? The scheme will allow for deferred repayments for up to two years to allow those affected to find other employment.  Why?  At a time when the government continues to complain of skills shortages and hundreds of thousands of curently unfilled vacancies. To top it all another sharp cut in the BOE base rate to help borrowers but leaving those who had the good sense to save rather than borrow facing real negative interest rates on savings. Discuss? Mr Cat            

[quote user="Bugsy"]Image no workee [/quote] Workee now .... sorry!! [:D]

These workmen are installing bollards to stop nurses from parking on the pavement outside the Royal Victoria Hostipal in Belfast.  Wonder how long it will be before they realise they can't go home??!! [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/image0011.jpg[/IMG]

It's been seven months now since we found Ellie at the side of the road. Neither of us can imagine or remember what life was like before we had her. She is the liveliest, maddest, funniest & most adorable “baby” we have ever had the privilege of living with! Never a day passes when she doesn't do something that makes us laugh or wish we had a camera to hand. If she isn't hanging upside down from a chair, she's scaling the clothes horse or marching about the house with one of her toy 'pet fish' in her mouth. If someone comes through the gate she growls like a dog & tries to chase any hunters, who cross our field, away. Although we still don't know if her leg is ever going to regain any feeling we are able to let her outside with her “boot” on – which she loves! As soon as she sees Mr Cat or I lift her boot off the kitchen shelf she knows it's outdoor play time!! So the moral of the story is ....... if you find a kitten at the side of the road, leave it there - or your life will never be the same again!!  [:D] [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/Boot.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/Eloise.jpg[/IMG]

Happy Birthday Mr C!!!  [B] [:D]

Next directory EU only charge €7.50 for delivery & my new boots arrived yesterday!!  Brill news about M&S - must go on-line now, before Mr Cat reads this thread & hides my cards!!

Why thank you Sweet 17, very kind. The final choice of wood burner was of course Ali's - and she was right as usual.  The wood burner just finshes the room off, plus we certainly don't miss the draught that used to come down the chimney. This was the best photo we've taken showing the burner.  The other photos aren't as good but do have cats curling up! Regards Mr Cat  

Many thanks to all who posted or PM'd. I'm happy to report  that the burner is now installed and working just fine with a T tube and rigid piping from this to the same diameter flexible pipe all the way up to the chapeau.  It took (the installers) a bit of huffing and puffing to get the flexible flue up,  but the job was completed in around 3 hours.  Lit it that evening gently in accordance with the installers' advice (doucement the first time to let the joints ease in - for a few seconds we thought he said don't light it for 2 weeks).  Total cost for the burner (€1,200) and installation was circa €1,600. The burner has worked fine since. I doubt that the installation 'fully' meets the specifications posted by Clarksinfrance; e.g. the flexible tube does touch the chimney and there are beams and flooring within 200cm of this but I'm fairly paranoid about these things and have detected NO heat buildup anywhere apart from where it should be.  I wonder how many installations completely meet the recommended standards? Anyway we are pretty pleased with the burner and installation.  If it were our only source of heating and was being used constantly I might be more concerned but for the occasional usage it gets I'm happy enough. Cosy eh? Mr Cat