DaveLister

All workers are a huge liability when it comes to wages. The easiest way to make a profit is to not have any staff. P&O didn't just carry passengers, as ALBF said it carried freight and freight is DP World's business. I suspect the idea is to ship directly into their own automated London Gateway bypassing the port of Dover. Of course for that they don't need passenger ferries. With the Thames Freeport opening up ( in which they also have a stake ) there'll be less need for landside staff all round. Sure, Britain might suffer some supply shortages in the meantime and popping across to France for the school holidays might end up costing more but eventually the whole thing will be a lot more profitable for DP World. Which, as you agree Ken, is the point.

It's clear that DP world's focus is freight. P&O ferries is, unfortunately, just a tiny part of their business but it's one that's been hemorrhaging money for years. Unless someone can prove to Ahmed Bin Sulayem that it's possible to run a profitable cross channel ferry service don't expect those boats to move anytime soon.

Jarrold, Dipple, Elm Hill, The Lanes, Castle Mall, The Forum, Hovells (R.I.P) Happy Days.

I think you can put that down to the rise of the press ( now media ) barons. It's no coincidence that the most rabid media exists in countries where Mr Murdochs' empire have a hold.

Hesitant to put my head above the parapet but might I suggest ALBF that part of the reason you enjoyed your trip to England was because of just that. It was a trip, a holiday, a bit of R&R. You didn't have to suffer the daily commute, or try to get a doctor's appointment, find a parking space close to the shops, or deal with the planning authorities. All those niggling little things us expats had to start doing once our own 'holiday period' came to an end. I lived in the UK during my thirties and found it a pleasant enough country ( although the casual racism was a little surprising ). Parochial but you can get that in most countries if you look hard enough. I don't remember seeing anyone 'beating the UK down' on here just for the sake of it. Most people still have some skin in the game either as pensioners ( in which case they're concerned with the UK economy ) or because they still have family members there. It's an English language forum populated mostly by Brits. You can't expect the subject not to come up.

Glad you like my moniker Betise. Had to think of something when I couldn't log in to the new software. Seriously I do despair with the constant brexiteer/remainer name calling. It's so boring. Hence my hope that it will eventually become as much a sign of losing an argument as declaring your opponent is a N*A*Z*I* Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.

I for one hope that Brexit becomes the next Godwin's Law.

Regarding the Surround receiver can I suggest you obtain a free circulation card from the French customs before taking it out of the country as you wouldn't want to be stung with import duty when you bring it back. https://www.douane.gouv.fr/demarche/vous-souhaitez-obtenir-une-carte-de-libre-circulation-des-marchandises