tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18424676703337611222011-07-28T18:41:21.509ZMy thoughts on life, the universe and especially the state of transport in the world today.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.comBlogger211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-56324968725062579492011-04-05T11:34:00.000Z2011-04-05T11:34:27.666Z

Yesterday I received a leaflet from the Electoral Commission explaining how the proposed alternative voting system would work. The leaflet explains how the process will work in such a way that 99% of people reading it are going to vote against the reform. The example shows that the candidate who starts with the most votes, though not a clear majority wins the election. There are several more

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-77257572265424111462011-03-28T14:55:00.000Z2011-03-28T14:55:41.034Z

I'm a great fan of ebooks and have been for about 8 years. My Dell X30 pda had Microsoft Reader on it and I downloaded and read many books on it. Last November I purchased a Sony Pocket ereader (PRS-350), which is amazing. The screen is electronic ink, so it's clear and uses so little power that a battery charge usually lasts for weeks. The minus points are:- * the ridiculous stylus, which is so

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-22473939752994610732010-06-09T15:02:00.000Z2010-06-09T15:02:09.540Z

At the top of his page are some adverts for Amazon. They are supposed to be relevant to what I write, but something isn't working. If you click on one of them I receive a minuscule amount of money, so it would be better if they were more targeted. The 2010 World Cup is going to start in South Africa in a few days, which probably explains why one of the ads is for a football video game. I have

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-62845495448756164962010-05-31T13:45:00.000Z2010-05-31T13:45:39.575Z

I recently purchase a pair of 'Hunter Lowther' unisex wellies from Millets online store, for my wife. She has genuine Hunters for riding her horse (and obviously to keep her feet dry) but they cost more than double these Hunter Lowthers. The boots arrived within a few days, so full marks for delivery, but they aren't suitable for riding. Riders need their boots to come up above the saddle flaps

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-61704841977972685622010-05-17T13:49:00.003Z2010-05-17T14:01:05.516Z

My local paper, like many, is running a photographic competition. There are 6 prizes, £50 for winners in each of the categories, and £25 for 2 runners-up in each category.The rip-off is that the terms of the competition state that the newspaper can publish any of the photographs, even those that haven't won a prize. Photos may also be used in advertising literature, by the sponsors.It's about

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-10760548342974765762008-11-03T15:04:00.008Z2008-11-04T16:05:13.621Z

As I mentioned earlier, I volunteered to be an observer for the Channel Swimming Association Ltd at the beginning of the year. It sounded like a good way to pass the time, make a few quid and possibly take a few photographs.For those who don't know, the Sport of Channel Swimming traces its origins to the latter part of the 19th Century when Captain Matthew Webb made the first observed and

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-31140960814747341132008-09-05T17:11:00.003Z2008-11-04T16:10:01.612Z

I've volunteered to be an observer for the Channel Swimming Association (CSA), which is the official body overseeing channel swimmers. The English Channel is one of, if not the most, challenging place for swimmers in the world.The shortest distance from the UK to Frances is about 21 miles as the crow flies. Nearer 28 miles for a swimmer, because of the strong tidal currents.This image shows a GPS

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-58795059802732492862008-03-25T13:47:00.002Z2008-03-25T15:30:04.815Z

Last month I turned 60 and decided that I should sign on at my local JobCentre. For those of my readers who live outside the UK a JobCentre is the place people go to find financial support when they can't find work.My local JobCentre closed in 2006, so I looked on the Internet for the nearest alternative. The JobCentrePlus website has lots of interesting data, including the fact that one has to

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-26830555989566511982007-04-21T18:37:00.000Z2007-04-21T18:38:12.517Z

I wonder sometimes how people manage to qualify as TV announcers. One actually said roofless the other day when referring to the Virginia Tech university shootings. He obviously meant ruthless. I have great sympathy for anyone who has a speech impediment, but I don't think that was the case in this instance. The announcer was just lazy. It's called Estuary English and it has taken over most of

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-26368617502660771742007-04-13T17:23:00.000Z2007-04-13T17:39:10.723Z

One of the most abused words in the English language is done.My dictionary says this is the past participle of the verb do. Briefly this means that it should only be used with another verb, to expand on its meaning.I suppose that the most famous example is the Lord's Prayer 'Thy will be done'.What it isn't is a verb. It is simply not correct English to say someone done something.They may do

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-40957840243372244262007-04-11T14:17:00.000Z2007-04-15T09:35:50.707Z

It's amazing how many people like old buses.The M & D and East Kent Bus Club have been running a few events every year sponsored by Stagecoach. The latest of these took place on Easter Monday in Folkestone.In these events the vintage buses take over some of the routes in and around the town and run to the regular Stagecoach schedules. Passengers travel for free.My brother brought his son (aged 9)

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-89856805624425956792007-04-08T12:30:00.000Z2007-04-08T12:34:33.894Z

There is a lot of swearing on films and TV, but that’s not what I’m referring to.I think that the media should set an example. Most writers are highly educated; they have an excellent command of language. The trouble is that they don’t use their knowledge.I keep seeing abuses of the English language. People who should know better using phrases like: The Romans are... which is stupid.The Romans no

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-46918418494597961942007-04-07T08:38:00.000Z2007-04-07T10:42:22.039Z

It's Easter again, the daftest festival in the Christian calendar.I mean, Christians worship Christ as the son of god, but they've adopted this pagan festival to celebrate his death. It's also one of the most commercially exploited times of the year, with cards, eggs and other chocolates, it's almost as bad as Christmas.Another excuse to overindulge, spend money and let off fireworks. Why do

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-62826910002673678422007-04-07T08:13:00.000Z2007-04-07T08:31:04.944Z

I hold the door open for everyone, male, or female, who I meet. It becomes a pain in the neck after the fourth, or fifth, ingrate has barged through, but I do it even if I'm in a hurry.I firmly believe that good manners make me a better person. Chivalry is just an extension of this, it costs nothing and makes the world a better place.Chivalry is an integral part of civilisation. It isn't some

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-89272590210090398792007-03-30T16:46:00.000Z2007-04-07T10:41:44.024Z

Television annoys me so much that I've started a new blog for my criticism Unreal TV.It still uses the old Blogger, so is not as easy to update as this Blog.My wife has a really interesting Blog where she notes everything she ate. I know you're thinking 'well he would say that they're married' and that is true, but it really is interesting.Go on have a look, if you don't like it you can always

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-11431638579721079772007-03-18T11:29:00.000Z2007-04-07T10:40:55.812Z

The effects of piracy are already visible.Piracy reduces the amount of money available to the programme makers, which inexorably leads to a reduction in quality and choice.The big problem is that a lot of people do not realise that they are committing piracy when they copy a friend's disk. I support PCs and I've lost count of the number of times I have been asked to copy Microsoft Office onto a

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-59930662105960909872007-03-13T15:50:00.000Z2007-04-11T16:21:19.232Z

I think that global warming is a reality, but there is still doubt regarding whether it's a natural phenomenon. If it is it will go away, probably not in my lifetime, but it's part of the Earth's natural cycle. If it's man-made, we should do something about it.The whole argument about global warming and carbon emissions misses the point.The major cause of both of these is the burning of fossil

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-39679968509013126052007-03-07T08:38:00.000Z2007-03-08T15:11:17.205Z

I enjoy cycling, so it annoys me when I see an idiot on a bike.The ones who insist on cycling down the road, when there's a perfectly good cycle path. They slow down the traffic, usually wear dark clothing and have no lights.The news always makes out that the motorist is wrong when they knock someone off their bike. I've come so close to doing it myself that I know that most of the time the poor

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-80010994579905883522007-03-05T13:39:00.000Z2007-04-07T10:38:57.523Z

The world is running out of oil and global warming is a reality. We must do something urgently to persuade people to use their cars less. Buses are certainly not the solution in this area.It's a common cry that it isn't easy being green. You really do have to put yourself out if you want to help save the planet, for example...I may have mentioned that I live in East Kent, this used to be the name

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-26285191392450146522007-03-04T12:01:00.000Z2007-03-04T12:35:35.037Z

The classic example of a useless test is the UK MOT (Ministry of Transport) test. This is supposed to ensure that a vehicle, over 3 years old, is roadworthy.The owner has to take it to an official testing station (their local garage) once a year to be tested. If the vehicle passes the owner is given a certificate that enables them to use the car for the next year.What's wrong with that?Well there

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842467670333761122.post-7827481498429077782007-03-03T16:46:00.000Z2007-03-04T12:39:34.699Z

This is my first post on a blog, so I’m going to outline some of the subjects I’ll cover in later posts.I have spent most of the last 40 years commuting to work. Whenever possible I use public transport, even though this can be challenging in East Kent where I live.Many people have the benefit of 24 hour public transport, but this area is not that lucky. The trains run from 5 in the morning,

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07529859321114190831noreply@blogger.com0