It’s The Latte Latte Delta Tea Break 2018

[grantp]

For those with an interest in Escorts (cars that is, not the other sort) this may be a nice coffee/tea break diversion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1iPNGlSQrw

Chap passes driving test and first car is an RS1600.

In Africa.

[Mike Bell]

Interesting vid! Thanks GP.

As a bit of an anorak I was checking out the differences on the SA spec car....

He didn’t do the RS2000 much good, did he?

Edit- Just curious as to how you found the video in the first place.....

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Mike, it's not that important but in my experience you are wrong.

Out of interest, Peter, which bit?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Interesting vid! Thanks GP.

As a bit of an anorak I was checking out the differences on the SA spec car....

He didn’t do the RS2000 much good, did he?

Edit- Just curious as to how you found the video in the first place.....

Ah, well ... are you sitting comfortably?

An old friend of mine is a day away from completing 6 and a bit months of touring Oz in a UK registered LR Defender. Around the time the Landy was shipped I did a bit of searching to find out how popular a "Big Lap" of Oz had become.

I stumbled across the 4xOverland main site videos and watched a few finding them interesting (me being, of course, an expert having spent (part of) 2 days with a rented Mitsubishi 4x4 at Uluru a few years ago .... ) and informative.

Also the trip Mr. White was then reporting involved some tyre testing and the idea of testing a serious off-road tyre and how to report it meaningfully was also interesting.

More recently he has produced a superb series, from a trip back to Africa, that I found extremely informative and a joy to watch on many levels.

Anyway, I subscribed to the channel - something I rarely do - and of course the December tsunami of videos (apparently it is a key time of year for attracting views and therefore income for all "YouTubers") has been presented to my phone's "stuff of interest according to Google" feed.

Some suggestions I watch. Many I don't. Every now and again he pulls something in from the old cine film and video archives he has and comes up with a coffee break length gem of some sort.

The Escort image was something I could not pass up. Turned out to be suitably entertaining and perhaps typical of the sort of experiences that those of us of a certain age would have had around that time, although not in Africa, obviously.

Later material, but still old stuff, covers his adventures in Range Rovers although earlier than that are the family's adventures in 4x4s when he was much too young to drive. Officially.

OK, time to wake up .... more coffee required?

[John Elwin]

Iain, would this be your dog by any chance?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/...-dreadful-deal

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by grantp

For those with an interest in Escorts (cars that is, not the other sort) this may be a nice coffee/tea break diversion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1iPNGlSQrw

Chap passes driving test and first car is an RS1600.

In Africa.

Starting lessons hopefully next year around July.Quite a car to have as your first.Mine probably be mums old corsa (decent car though still)

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Yep, my Spider is a 78 iniezione - fitted with the Spica mechanical injection system, although I'm contemplating replacing it with Webers. I'd like to lose the ugly US-spec rubber bumpers too.

I understand why you dont want to bother with the Spica but Webers?? C'on, do yourself a favor be brave and go the the real thing, Dell'Ortos! They go for cheap because the parts are said to be hard to source. In addition, they come with a larger airbox allowing the engine to breathe at its max. OK, you can't use the bad quality jets found here and there, but they are second to none. Replacing the ugly bumpers is a must, no question about that!

[Gerard C]

As to the French gov' being share holder in some car makers companies, who can tell for sure that FIAT is really "independent"? Who can swear that the US gov' never helped in any way Boeing for instance, even through the NASA? I remember the city of Firenze running a contest for EV's or bimodale to encourage lower emission vehicles. And the winner was… Piaggio with its Zip n'Zip scooter! Same thing for the Prius in Japan as far as I can recall. May be a good question could be "who is not cheating the rules" rather than "who is cheating the rules"!

[PeterMorley]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Frankly I don't think that was said. I believe what was said, and I thought it a bit daft, was that the money saved by leaving would go to the NHS. I have no idea why anyone would say that because clearly it can't happen.

Well the Dart Charge works well, very similar to the systems elsewhere in the world. But yes there is always room for improvement.

Hmm, not entirely sure those figures are correct since I think we buy more than that. Nonetheless a ten percent drop in sales/exports is no small volume and it's not going to be picked up by Canada. But much of those goods can be bought elsewhere and with shipping becoming increasingly efficient there's a real incentive to look beyond the EU for supplies of essentials.

Rather like Concorde, the EU idea has in my opinion, run its course.

The Boris bus certainly put the idea there was a connection between the EU and NHS problems in some people's minds, the reason it was said was clearly just to gain support - as with the stories he used to make up in his newspaper column (cucumbers, bananas etc.).

Dart charge works (unless you're driving a foreign car and trying to pay while visiting!) but the French had working systems some 30 years ago at which time the govt was saying they were waiting for the technology!!

A 10% or so drop isn't small but austerity has seen many UK outfits survive worse.

[PeterMorley]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Of course a lot of the new car sales drop in recent months has been due to lack of stock, as existing stock was cleared out prior to the new fuel economy / emission testing regime, and many manufacturers simply haven't got their products through the new testing procedure, so don't have the metal to shift.......


Some people would blame VW/Audi's Dieselgate for initiating this.....although a more realistic test has been needed for years

True that they're struggling to approve new models but when one of the largest Aston dealers says he hasn't sold a car for 9 months that wasn't due to lack of stock!

I'm not sure about the new test, presumably if it's the same test for all cars then the league table will be similar (assuming they aren't cheating)?
All that changes will be the numbers but the worst cars will still be the worst?

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Out of interest, Peter, which bit?

Yes apologies. I was a bit knackered yesterday and you didn't deserve that response. I'll get back to you later.

[delta]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Iain, would this be your dog by any chance?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/...-dreadful-deal

Ha ha No John. When I bike past the end of her road in mornings . The armed police are there patrolling . I always shout “ morning “ but get no response what’s so ever from them .

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by delta

Ha ha No John. When I bike past the end of her road in mornings . The armed police are there patrolling . I always shout “ morning “ but get no response what’s so ever from them .

They sound about as cheerful as the goons guarding Macron's place in Le Touquet - they look as though they don't want to be there either!

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Exactly, and is especially difficult in some countries. When I retired to live in Spain, being below their state retirement age, I was unable to join the state health service (that has changed recently, or it's supposed to have done but that's another story) so took out private health care cover.

However, after a few years, I required to make a small (less than a couple of hundred Euro) claim, and was extremely surprised that the insurance company doubled the premium at the next renewal but paid it nevertheless. The following year, despite no further claims, the company doubled the premium yet again, and despite my complaints that it was unjustified, they stuck to their figure which I paid very reluctantly.

Then the following year, the insurance company simply wrote that they no longer wished to provide cover, and that was their final decision! Problem is that in Spain the rules and regulations concerning all forms of insurance is very firmly written in favour of the providers, usually to the vast detriment of the insured. And unlike in the UK, most policies are annually renewable, not lifetime based. This allows insurers to decide on a year by year basis whether they wish to maintain cover.

When it comes to things like car or house insurance, the insured has to notify the provider (in writing, and delivered to the company by registered post) at least two months prior to renewal if they wish to cease cover with that company. And that means that you won't have even received the renewal quote, so it's all a leap in the dark.

This is the worrying bit. Were you signed up through a British based company (or any nationality as long as it was registered in the UK)? Because whilst I am not able to provide legal advice, what you describe breaches at least 2 UK statutes. And don't forget, even if you sign up to renew, you get a mandatory 21 day cooling off period during which time you can cancel.

FWIW I just changed home insurance providers and did it all on line.

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

As for the advert about the possible extra funding on Boris' bus in the lead up to the referendum, it wasn't so much that he tried to convince the voters how much extra could go the NHS (£350 million per week), but the fact that the figure was totally wrong. The amount quoted was roughly the gross contribution that the UK makes, but after rebates, farming subsidies and other payments the UK receives, it is nowhere near that figure.

This argument of course has been run out ad infinitum since they stuck that bus on the road. The problem is not the numbers, its the fact that the vote to leave was never based on these tangible things. If it was it would have been a slam dunk for remain since their version of a leave vote was Armageddon, which has never happened and is looking more and more unlikely by the day.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

As to the French gov' being share holder in some car makers companies, who can tell for sure that FIAT is really "independent"? Who can swear that the US gov' never helped in any way Boeing for instance, even through the NASA? I remember the city of Firenze running a contest for EV's or bimodale to encourage lower emission vehicles. And the winner was… Piaggio with its Zip n'Zip scooter! Same thing for the Prius in Japan as far as I can recall. May be a good question could be "who is not cheating the rules" rather than "who is cheating the rules"!

It would only be illegal in the EU. The USA can do what it likes.

[PeterMorley]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Rather like Concorde, the EU idea has in my opinion, run its course.

Thinking about this...

Given the "world has got smaller" there's probably more "need" for Concorde these days than when it was introduced.
However, environmentally I think we should be cutting as many flights as possible.

Anyway, I'm not convinced that it is the EU that has ran its course it is Europe (possibly the Western world) the region.
The increasing importance of Asia (etc.) is a large factor in the problems that Europe (& other Western countries) is facing - the nature of local business is changing and the issue is how we adapt to that.

It's not the first time it has happened and a continuous cycle, which is survivable but requires changes in people's expectations and work.

[Peter Mallett]

Agreed, my point re Concorde was that technology has overtaken the requirement to be in places at that speed. Video conferencing etc. precludes the need for face to face meetings.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Agreed, my point re Concorde was that technology has overtaken the requirement to be in places at that speed. Video conferencing etc. precludes the need for face to face meetings.

Bit like HS2... interesting programme on the subject last night.

[Peter Mallett]

Again, no argument from me.

[Peter Mallett]

This made me laugh.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Yes apologies. I was a bit knackered yesterday and you didn't deserve that response. I'll get back to you later.

No offence taken, Peter; was just unsure of your meaning.

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

This is the worrying bit. Were you signed up through a British based company (or any nationality as long as it was registered in the UK)? Because whilst I am not able to provide legal advice, what you describe breaches at least 2 UK statutes. And don't forget, even if you sign up to renew, you get a mandatory 21 day cooling off period during which time you can cancel.

FWIW I just changed home insurance providers and did it all on line.

Being domiciled outside of the UK, and living mostly in Spain, it wasn't possible to and/or expedient to use UK based insurers. So I am talking about Spanish insurers and their practices. Although a couple/few British insurers have entered the Spanish market with Spanish offshoots (Direct Line, for example) and are beginning to shake up the market, the laws surrounding the financial services industry in Spain is heavily weighted for the benefit of the providers.

As for online, in many parts of Spain you were lucky if you could even get enough speed to do anything online. Even now, 10 mbps is considered to be really fast in many parts of the country, whilst now that I am back in the UK, I had my broadband speeds reduced from 300 mbps to just 100 as I just don't need the higher speeds.

So no, not much insurance business is conducted online in Spain, even now.

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

This argument of course has been run out ad infinitum since they stuck that bus on the road. The problem is not the numbers, its the fact that the vote to leave was never based on these tangible things. If it was it would have been a slam dunk for remain since their version of a leave vote was Armageddon, which has never happened and is looking more and more unlikely by the day.

The problem in the UK is that those who voted to leave the EU all seem to have different visions of what that means, and how it should be implemented. Mind you, the same could almost be levelled at the remainers, because they also have different visions about how the EU should evolve in the future.

But there are many in the UK who did actually believe, or so they say, the figures on Boris' bus.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

No offence taken, Peter; was just unsure of your meaning.

Being domiciled outside of the UK, and living mostly in Spain, it wasn't possible to and/or expedient to use UK based insurers. So I am talking about Spanish insurers and their practices. Although a couple/few British insurers have entered the Spanish market with Spanish offshoots (Direct Line, for example) and are beginning to shake up the market, the laws surrounding the financial services industry in Spain is heavily weighted for the benefit of the providers.

As for online, in many parts of Spain you were lucky if you could even get enough speed to do anything online. Even now, 10 mbps is considered to be really fast in many parts of the country, whilst now that I am back in the UK, I had my broadband speeds reduced from 300 mbps to just 100 as I just don't need the higher speeds.

So no, not much insurance business is conducted online in Spain, even now.

Well, if I understand this https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-cont...718965&from=EN correctly it basically says that the Consumer Protection Act in the UK should be replicated by any other country. I mention the CPA since it was developed to comply with EU law but the French/Spanish/German equivalent will apply equally.

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

The problem in the UK is that those who voted to leave the EU all seem to have different visions of what that means, and how it should be implemented. Mind you, the same could almost be levelled at the remainers, because they also have different visions about how the EU should evolve in the future.

But there are many in the UK who did actually believe, or so they say, the figures on Boris' bus.

Notwithstanding Boris' bus, the argument for remain was based upon, as I said, Armageddon. Instead of working on the basis that the EU was good for all, the campaign basically said its the EU or nothing.

I wasn't in the UK at the time so not sure if there were any cogent arguments put forward, but the main protagonists for remaining were (in no particular order) Cameron, Blair, Campbell, Adonis, Clegg, Cable and Mandelson. None of whom I'd trust to sell me a used car.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

This made me laugh.

Me too.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

This made me laugh.

Also

I wonder if the driver of this gritter is suing the local council for not gritting the roads

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...yside-46591393

[Peter Mallett]

Ouch!