Bell's Banter 2022

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

Is the worm turning ,https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/15...e-your-say-evg
At last one media outlet has admitted that a lot of the costs for the public come from Green Stealth Taxes on energy .
I wont hold my breath , but is it possible the country might start to realise the whole Global Warming thing is just lies to take money from everybody .

The overall situation is a little opaque at the moment due to other factors but I note that Tesla took the top 2 positions in the sales lists for cars in March.

So a boat load of Model 3s and another of model Ys made in China has the ability to top the number in a very low sales month against a background of "chip shartages" and (looking ahead) component supply problems from sources in Ukraine.

Meanwhile the price of fuels going increasing has affected both fossil and electric markets and will continue to do so for some time - probably until pay-per-mile is introduced with automatic road law infraction penalties alongside. No more need for speed cameras, the vehicles will self-report excess speed, etc.

I see reports that VW are considering moving entirely into the "premium" end of the market. But will they end up with the same sort of problems that Porsche have - extended delivery times and cars being handed to drivers with notable features missing awaiting retro-fit at some point when the chips become available again?

Meanwhile the eco-zealots are allowed once again to bring extended disruption to an already difficult situation, though perhaps this time it has been allowed in order to cover up a basic lack of supply? One of my regular Tesco fuel stations was entirely closed yesterday. A BP site across the road had Petrol but, seemingly, no diesel.

We recently bought a non-plugin hybrid almost by accident. The size and features matched needs better than most that we looked at and the model is only available as some sort of Hybrid or a full EV.

I have been surprised about how much efficiency it seems to be able to gain by recovering what would otherwise be wasted energy.

On the "open road" any energy recovery benefits would probably not be great. A long motorway trip with no congestion would probably not offer much of an advantage over anything else.

But in an urban situation or on typically busy A and B roads there do seem to be considerable advantages that more than offset the fact that the thing is notably bigger and heavier than the car it replaced yet probably more economical. (I don't really have any figures for the old Corolla but I doubt it was ever bettering the mid 40s mpg that this thing seems to achieve without effort and the low 50s that often appear even for relatively short trips starting with a cold engine.)

My opinion about "self charging" hybrid cars has changed quite significantly since using this one. There seems to be much more benefit available than one might imagine and they actually suit the crowded and constrained roads that most drivers use most often rather well.

If the country ever gets to a sensibly priced level of electricity provided by nuclear energy or some other form of reasonably reliable generation the rationale for ICE powered hybrids might be eradicated. But until then, for many people, they can make sense without having to rely on huge yet rapid redevelopment of the country's infrastructure and an already stretched and economically failing wind generation industry that, like everything else, is becoming dominated by China even though they do not seem to be especially concerned about their own use of the same "planet saving" options.

[Peter Mallett]

I wish our "leaders" of all parties, would come clean and explain that Renewables are a net cost to the country, whilst UK sourced oil and gas is a net gain, due to taxation on produced product, plus export sales. If they would be honest and allow fracking and North Sea oil and gas in the interim, then the transition to Nukes and Renewables would be an awful lot less painful.

On the subject of vehicles, I read today that very few EVs can do the run from London to Newcastle, without charging. Pleased to note that among those that can, is the Mach E. Although as much as I like Newcastle, I don't really need to go there.

[Peter Mallett]

On another tack, I've been somewhat quiet recently. My investments, having recovered from Covid, then suffered due to Mr Putin. Which has put a dampener on my racing plans for this year. So, to cheer myself up, I have invested in a Canon EOS 1 D XMk III which I hope to use at Le Mans and other locations this year. Fortunately the investments are coming back so I hope to be out with the HRDC from July onwards. The MGB still needs its bodywork repairs but the XJS ahould be back mid May with all new suspension (adjustable dampers), brakes and subframes, ready for Le Mans

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I wish our "leaders" of all parties, would come clean and explain that Renewables are a net cost to the country, whilst UK sourced oil and gas is a net gain, due to taxation on produced product, plus export sales. If they would be honest and allow fracking and North Sea oil and gas in the interim, then the transition to Nukes and Renewables would be an awful lot less painful.

On the subject of vehicles, I read today that very few EVs can do the run from London to Newcastle, without charging. Pleased to note that among those that can, is the Mach E. Although as much as I like Newcastle, I don't really need to go there.

Stand for Parliament, Peter!

I haven’t been to Newcastle for about 3 years (it was work) but it is actually a decent place to go! I do, however, have to go to Falmouth in the near future (work, again) and possibly for several weeks running; a one way trip of 300 miles/ 5 hours and no idea what the charging infrastructure is down there!
This time last year I was making weekly trips to Appledore in Devon for about 4 months - no charging points except at one hotel. And I often did the journey without stopping.
Thank god I still have a diesel!
My B-I-L is waiting for delivery of his new Porsche Taycan (company car tax advantages, although he could have bought a Kia for far less!) and very smug about it he is, too. Although I have pointed out that I can buy a hell of a lot of diesel for the £80k difference in purchase price between his new car and my second hand one. Oh, and I can tow the race car, too.
I guess I am cynical (surely not?), we were all encouraged to buy diesels a few years ago and now we are pariahs. I wonder if it will be the same for EVs in a few years time if the full through life cost of ownership and environmental impact is re-calculated at some point?
And don’t get me started on todays “energy strategy”…..
As I don’t have kids/ grand kids perhaps I am not quite so bothered about the future as many! But I do wonder if the current cost of living and energy prices are not going to result in more early and preventable deaths (suicide, homelessness, hypothermia, malnutrition, general poor health caused by poor living conditions etc) than climate change over the next 20 years will.
Sorry!

[Peter Mallett]

Generally agree with you Andy. Interestingly, we booked a dog friendly holiday cottage for a week in June in Appledore. We will be taking the Grand Cherokee.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Generally agree with you Andy. Interestingly, we booked a dog friendly holiday cottage for a week in June in Appledore. We will be taking the Grand Cherokee.

The road between Barnstable and Bideford is a bit of a pain as it is being widened over its 7 mile length. Not sure when it is due to finish but I think they were only just starting this time last year so plan your journey times carefully.

I stayed in Bideford which is sort of OK. Appledore front is nice but don’t think that Kevin Wheatcroft’s plans for a small maritime museum (and display of his ex German Navy WW2 E-Boat) are very advanced yet.

Instow is nice and there are some good pubs/ restaurants there.

Do you play golf? If so, Saunton Sands golf club is awesome and well worth a visit.

The Tarka trail, following an old railway line through Bideford and along the river is easy walking.

[Peter Mallett]

Don't play golf, do drink beer so sounds good.

[midgetman]

Agree with what you say about the energy strategy Andy. It sounds like something written by the intern in between parties. No detail.

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[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Agree with what you say about the energy strategy Andy. It sounds like something written by the intern in between parties. No detail.

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This government doesn't do detail as they will either change their minds about strategy or not follow through at all. So much recent legislation has been done on the hoof and has had to be amended by the Lords or initially voted down by them. Basically Boris doesn't do detail, and just makes up things as he goes along - try to find the TV fly-on-the-wall documentary of him when Foreign Secretary to understand how he operates.

[terence]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

This government doesn't do detail as they will either change their minds about strategy or not follow through at all. So much recent legislation has been done on the hoof and has had to be amended by the Lords or initially voted down by them. Basically Boris doesn't do detail, and just makes up things as he goes along - try to find the TV fly-on-the-wall documentary of him when Foreign Secretary to understand how he operates.

Just mention Peppa, he will soon get interested.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by terence

Just mention Peppa, he will soon get interested.

So true!

[Lancsbreaker]

Despite being a Lancastrian I think the knee-jerk reaction to a rag-bag of activists to ban fracking was a mistake - although I'm not convinced that the moratorium on concreting the wells is anything other than a bit more political window-dressing. I also think that we should certainly explore the use of "modular" nuclear power generators, that can be produced within relatively short timescales. Why should it take so long to build the large reactors, anyway? - like all major government projects, timescales of 20 years or more seem to be the norm. I know of course that at least half that time is consumed by wrangles over planning permission and whether there was a great crested newt once sighted on the projected build-site!


Of course I've had my "three-score and ten", haven't any kids, and therefore have no direct concern for what will happen by the end of the century, but with what appears to be encouraging signs from the nuclear fusion industry, I am concerned that decisions taken in the name of short-term political expediency are likely to ruin us in the long term....

[GORDON STREETER]

What with the Members Meeting coming up this weekend I hope that the weather holds out like it did for the 73rd one that I filmed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o23Kp2WOb_A

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

What with the Members Meeting coming up this weekend I hope that the weather holds out like it did for the 73rd one that I filmed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o23Kp2WOb_A

A lot of people might not be able to get there .
With PUTINS USEFULL IDIOTS blocking off a lot of the fuel distribution depots ,
a large number number of garages in the South have no diesel and very little petrol at the pumps .
A friend of mine was going to the MM , but has now cancelled because of fuel shortages .

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

A lot of people might not be able to get there .
With PUTINS USEFULL IDIOTS blocking off a lot of the fuel distribution depots ,
a large number number of garages in the South have no diesel and very little petrol at the pumps .
A friend of mine was going to the MM , but has now cancelled because of fuel shortages .

My sister in law who lives near Canterbury couldn't find any diesel last week !

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

With PUTINS USEFULL IDIOTS blocking off a lot of the fuel distribution depots ,

.

Who?

Thankfully the press don't seem to be reporting this which will help keep it under control


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[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Who?

Thankfully the press don't seem to be reporting this which will help keep it under control


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Although the media will never report it , it has been known for a long time that that Russia has been paying protest groups , [like ER ], to try to stop the UKs own energy supplies .https://www.americanthinker.com/arti...missions_.html

Russia has made a lot of money by becoming one of the worlds largest exporters of energy , gas , oil , coal etc .
And if they can control more of the worlds energy , they are on the way to controlling more of the world .
So it is correct that a lot of the leaders of these protest groups are doing it for PUTIN .But their followers are just useful idiots .

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

Although the media will never report it , it has been known for a long time that that Russia has been paying protest groups , [like ER ], to try to stop the UKs own energy supplies .https://www.americanthinker.com/arti...missions_.html

Russia has made a lot of money by becoming one of the worlds largest exporters of energy , gas , oil , coal etc .
And if they can control more of the worlds energy , they are on the way to controlling more of the world .
So it is correct that a lot of the leaders of these protest groups are doing it for PUTIN .But their followers are just useful idiots .

As previous, I took this thread as a light hearted space to chat. Not to be subjected to climate change denial disinformation...

That already killed off the EV thread, please don't let that happen to this thread too...

[Peter Mallett]

I think perhaps we are somewhat sensitive. There is no doubt in many people's mind that the climate change industry has created certain circumstances, and that any time an entity publishes something that goes against the narrative, it is immediately labled a conspiracy. So, as someone who has helped Russia expand its energy production, I can confirm that the Russian methods are, let's say, less than sporting. Also we have read of their alleged interference in various elections and votes. Although in those cases it suited people to accept that the votes were "influenced". So, for the sake of balance let's accept that there are two sides to the climate argument and stop labelling everyone conspiracy monkeys.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

So, for the sake of balance let's accept that there are two sides to the climate argument and stop labelling everyone conspiracy monkeys.

No problem. For the sake of balance, here's the Independent Australia's take on the author of the article quoted from American Thinker: https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/viscount-christopher-monckton-lord-of-the-lies-on-climate-change,15179

'He has appeared before Congress committees as a climate change expert and his speeches have been watched hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube. But a close examination of some of his statements reveals him to be lord of the lies.'

Now can we get back to the 'banter'?

[Peter Mallett]

Indeed we can, but alos bear in mind the University of East Anglia was found to have massaged findings. Quite interesting really.

[crmalcolm]

Going back to the question of finding a fuel court with diesel. A tip I have read is to look at Google maps for locations that are busy. That would be a good combat indicator of fuel being available at that location.

[The Fat Clerk]

Needing diesel to get to Curborough tomorrow and Cadwell next Saturday, I was delighted to find that all 3 of the retailers nearest to me, had fuel this morning.

[Gerard C]

We can use one or two aps listing the prices only. Impossible to know if the "station service" has diesel or not in stock. Seems that many run out of E85 those days.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

We can use one or two aps listing the prices only. Impossible to know if the "station service" has diesel or not in stock. Seems that many run out of E85 those days.

I think there is plenty of fuel here in France because it is too expensive to buy!!

It cost me 107 euros to put less than 60 litres in my diesel Alfa 156 this week...