Recent content by EssexGonzo

The 24 hour idea would be a good start. I understand some of the logistical challenges of a 24h railway but also understand that so many people take a car or taxi for early departures/late arrivals. I live in Shenfield and have now used EL many times to LHR. But there are a handful of times...

I would totally recommend the Jazz. Not only is the new one a very efficient hybrid, but it also shares the immense practicality of the original versions. And the reliability. We still have the Jazz we bought new in 2004. It’s still passing MOTs and still running. It has cost us no big bills...

I’ve lived within 10 miles of it for 28 years and travelled across it hundreds (thousands?) of times - it’s always been the Dartford Bridge / Tunnel to me. Yes, we know it’s the QE2 bridge but most people I know will refer to it as the Dartford Bridge because it’s linked to the Dartford Tunnel.

We also have another Japanese car - a Lexus, also bought new. Had it 5 years and we’ll also have it beyond 10 years, especially now that they (like Toyota) offer the 10 year warranty if you get is serviced by them. Absolutely nothing outside of routine has required attention in 55k miles. My...

Good luck with the search. And well done for keeping your Estelle going for so long! There are many opinions on what to look at in this thread - here are mine, based on experience rather than heresay. - If you want to keep your car for a long time, try Japanese first, Korean second. A Honda...

Update from two days ago, quite a surprise: same supermarket now €1.96 for diesel. 16% rise since 16th January.

I have been in France since the 16th Jan this year, in a ski resort. On arrival, masks and the requirement to show the Pass Sanitaire (Covid pass app) were pretty much 100% observed. In restaurants, enclosed ski lifts and supermarkets. Having been to France several times in the last couple of...

As referred to, other factors are limiting the desire to speed. Smart motorways with many (often average speed) cameras have made me change my driving habits. I now cruise at 75 indicated rather than (cough) a little more in the past. The impact on a regular Essex to Bolton drag is under 10...

Just to show that the UK is not alone in rising fuel prices, I’ve been in the same area of France since 16th January. The local larger supermarket down in the valley was selling diesel at €1.67 when I arrived. £1.40 at my credit card’s conversion rate of 1.19. Today, same venue: €1.76, £1.47...

So they say that about 74% of pre-pandemic services will be running. What is not said is how many of those are 4 or 5 carriage trains instead of the 8, 10 or 12 carriage trains that they were before the pandemic. This is where the real squeeze is felt between Liverpool St and Shenfield, rather...

From the corrupt and incompetent govt’s viewpoint: less testing = fewer positive results which could mask the severity of the situation the NHS is in.

I have seen a few of these knocking about now. Whilst I agree about the quality and slightly ungainly design, I admire this model for a couple of reasons. The first is price, obviously. You can’t really argue with it. Whilst the feel and quality is a bit below par, the price is VERY below par...

No. But you are only allowed to be concerned about a strictly quantified list of things backed by unassailable data and evidence. That quantified list of things backed by evidence must then be rigorously prioritised according to strict criteria, then assessed with explicit agreement from every...

I would tend to agree and add…… He has a team (and it’s leader) behind him who appear not to be trying to calm him down and coach him. Any class that RB have is slipping away. He will only carry on as is if the team continue to endorse every move he makes and argue against facts and reality...

So all of us in this thread (bar one poster :rolleyes:) believe that the Tories are excelling at Sleaze, corruption and a very impressive lack of integrity. However, and I ask this as a slightly-left-of-centre-person-who-feels-politically-abandoned, where on earth is the opposition? Still...