Anything !

An open Group where anything can be discussed by anybody, as long as you are polite, respect others opinions, and behave !!!

Open Loop 871

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      EV Chargers

      https://www.energylivenews.com/2021/09/14/ev-chargers-to-be-preset-not-to-work-on-peak-hours-to-help-the-grid/

      Now this will really encourage people to switch - not!

    • Boots @Boots Barking & Dagenham - updated 3y
    • Sandie08 @Sandie08 Walton-On-Thames - updated 3y

      I really must learn to keep out of foreign politics😁

      Went to Sutton Marsden today, with a lovely driver from Kashmir (now Woking) who gave me a 35 min speech on the troubles there..still I like to learn, have an inquisitive mind.☺️ He LOVES this country by the way. Nice to hear.
      Then later I asked the nurse who was taking my bloods, a bit too tight for my liking on the elastic band😟 if she was Polish. NO RUSSIAN she said loudly! Oh have you lived here long? 20 years. Mentioned my visit there in 80s, and “nice” Gorbachev. Huh she snorted PUTIN is the man and she lived good life in the Motherland growing up, her father was in the KGB. Yes really. Wanted to say maybe that’s why you lived a good life.😆 Thought better not mention the poisonings and submarine in our waters now snooping around. Then she yelled I HATE THE AMERICANS. Everyone turned round, so this crying Polish woman who I had spoken to before, trying to comfort her as worrying about dying and leaving her young son...been there.. shouted out I HATE THE RUSSIANS. I decided this is where I need to shuffle off to the cafe and meet my lovely old lady with the 80 yr old tortoise...left in her Will to the RSPCA. (PS. All the other nurses were from The Philippines and just carried on in their usual quiet manner).😉

    • Robert @RobRoy Laindon - updated 3y
    • Ray P @RayPro Norwich - updated 3y
    • Mary b @Maryb Becontree - updated 3y

      Seen it all now.

      A few days ago hubby said he see a man walking down the middle of the road in his dressing gown, holding the hand of a small child. I was sitting in the front room when I glanced up, and see a tall man walking in the middle of the road in a short dressing gown, holding a child's hand. People were walking past looking at him, as its not something you often see. The man just looked back at them as if to say what you looking at, as if it was normal. I've seen woman going up the shops in their dressing gowns and PJs. Never seen a man, wonder if its a new thing.

      This discussion is now closed.

    • Elizabeth S @LizS3 Billericay - updated 3y

      Beware covid travel certificate scam

      I have just received an email purporting to be from NHS, offering me (addressed to my email address) a covid travel certificate. If I don't respond in the next 12 hours it will be offered to the "next in line". There is an accept or decline button to click on. The way this was addressed and the "next in line" phrase alerted me and I checked on Google - it's a scam, that, if you accept, goes on to ask for bank details A genuine covid certificate is, in fact, available free on line from the nhs for anyone eligible who applies for it - you can use the nhs app to do this ( not the test and trace app).
      Another nasty scam which looks convincing!

    • Michael B @MichaelB1 Farnborough - updated 3y

      Predict the score - Everton v Burnley

      Monday night football from the Premier League. Get your predictions in by 7pm.
      Good luck

    • Ray P @RayPro Norwich - 3y
    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      I've just been educated by Channel 5

      They were explaining about puddings. In particular I was watching the lesson about Spotted Dick.

      The old name for pudding was either "Puddog" or "Puddick". Hence where the dick came from. It therefore follows that a spotted dick as we (probably) all know is a dick (pudding) with spots (the fruit). Slap on a drop of custard and you have an old fashion pud.

      It, therefore, surprised me when they said that in 2018 the House of Commons changed the name. Gone was the Spotted Dick instead it is called a Spotted Richard!

      What! The only reason I can think of changing the name is that the place is full of dicks and they didn't want there to be any confusion.

      Ho Hum! Pass me the strawberry Pavlova and I'll show you an Eton Mess!

    • CharlotteB @CharlotteB Crayford - updated 3y

      Did you know

      If you see trouble on the train do you know what number to call

      https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRHBmws5/

      https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/british-transport-police/areas/campaigns/How-to-use-our-text-number/

    • Ray P @RayPro Norwich - 3y

      The Ventriloquist

      Derek the ventriloquist is touring Sweden and, one night, he's doing a show in a small fishing town. With his dummy on his knee, he starts going through his usual dumb blonde jokes.
      Suddenly, a blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and starts shouting, "I've heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype Swedish blonde women that way? What does the colour of a woman's hair have to do with her worth as a human being?

      It's men like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community, and from reaching our full potential as people.

      It’s people like you that make others think that all Blondes are dumb! You and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but women in general ... pathetically all in the name of humour!"
      Derek all embarrassed begins to apologise, and the blonde yells: "You stay out of this! I'm talking to that little shit on your lap!"

    • Michael B @MichaelB1 Farnborough - updated 3y
    • Lonicera @Lonicera Oxshott - updated 3y
    • Robert @RobRoy Laindon - updated 3y
    • Tony L @TonyL Epsom - updated 3y

      Emma Raducanu’s US Open final to be shown on Channel 4 (Edited)

      Emma Raducanu’s shot at US Open glory will be available to watch on free-to-air television after Amazon Prime agreed a deal with Channel 4 to share the women’s final on Saturday.



      The 18-year-old has captivated the nation with her exploits in New York and she takes on fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez in the showpiece event hoping to become the first British woman to win a grand slam in 44 years.



      Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service has had exclusive broadcast rights in this country for the final grand slam of the year, but has agreed a deal – understood by the PA news agency to be seven figures – for the match to be shown on both Prime Video and Channel 4, maximising the viewing potential for one of the biggest sporting stories of the year.



      The programme is scheduled to start at 8pm.

      And it has pledged to reinvest that money into British women’s tennis to help fund the next generation of players.

    • Boots @Boots Barking & Dagenham - updated 3y

      Big mouth

      https://www.facebook.com/100011508247374/videos/361287055739718

    • Michael B @MichaelB1 Farnborough - updated 3y

      Predict the score - Chelsea v Aston Villa

      It's back to the Premier League for today's match. Get your predictions in by 5pm.
      Good luck

    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      World Trade Centre 2001

      Did anyone see the coverage on BBC Breakfast this morning, in particular the interview with the Captain Patrick Connolly of the New York Fire Department.
      Although he is a Captain today, Twenty years ago it was his first day on the job after training. He is such an interesting and gentle man. If you can catch up on the programme to see him and hear his recollection it is worth watching.

      What do you remember of the day and how did it affect you?
      Were you involved in any way?
      Did you know anybody involved?

    • Ray P @RayPro Norwich - updated 3y

      Remembered 😢😥😢😥

      On this day, 20 years ago:

      246 people went to sleep, knowing they had a flight in the morning.

      2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.

      343 firefighters went to sleep knowing they might fight a fire and save a life the next day.

      60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.

      8 paramedics went to sleep before their morning shift.

      None of them saw past 9:59am on Sept 11, 2001.

      In one single moment, life would never be the same for thousands of Americans, foreigners visiting America, their families, friends and strangers, both in America and around the world.

      Tonight before you go to sleep, in preparation for your day tomorrow, and to honour those who perished, please consider making the decision to never take one second of your life for granted. NOT ONE SECOND.

      Be kind - Love intensely - Work hard - Volunteer - Make every day count - Never regret growing older, it’s a privilege that was denied to so many.

      God bless those who perished, bless their families and friends and never, ever forget.

    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      This discussion is now closed.

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      Mum angry after teacher pours away son’s blackcurrant squash on a hot day

      https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/10/bristol-mum-angry-after-teacher-pours-away-sons-squash-on-a-hot-day-15238813/

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      Armed police 'arrest Afghan special forces commando at Manchester hotel where he was quarantining with his family after being evacuated from Kabul'

      https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9978229/Armed-police-arrest-Afghan-special-forces-commando-Manchester-hotel-quarantining.html

    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      She's in the Final

      Emma has made it through!

      https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/58511033.amp

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      France must take back control says Barnier

      Now where have I heard that before 🙄

      https://timesnewsnetwork.com/news/world/uk/france-must-take-back-control-barnier-demands-legal-sovereignty-from-eu-in-frexit-alert/

    • Boots @Boots Barking & Dagenham - updated 3y

      Anti vaxers now using extreme measures.

      https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/london-underground-tube-vaccine-covid-21521734?utm_source=mylondon_newsletter&utm_campaign=myeastlondon_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      Flu Jabs

      There's a message on my GP's website that they can't book any flu jabs yet as they don't know when they will get the vaccine.

      I had a look at my sister's GP's website to see if they are booking and the only thing I could find was about people of 50-64. They are being offered something called Flublok.

      50 – 64 Flu Vaccinations


      In accordance with national guidelines you will be offered Flublok Quadrivalent (Influenza Vaccine) this year.



      This medicinal product does not have a UK marketing authorisation but has been given authorisation for temporary supply by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for immunisation against influenza. Flublok is licensed for use in the USA by the Food and Drug Administration.



      Please read the Flublok Patient Information Leaflet and this statement on the gov.uk website : Gov.uk: Flublok Vaccine



      If you have any concerns having read this, please use eConsult to raise these with us. Please note due to maintaining Covid safe practices, we will not be able to resolve these concerns at the flu clinics, so please do not attend an appointment if you are not 100% sure that you will have the vaccination.



    • Lonicera @Lonicera Oxshott - updated 3y

      Banks again.

      Hello,

      Have you seen this?
      https://bit.ly/3DELCWa

      Thousands of bank branches and ATMs are disappearing from high streets across the UK. For many, losing their local bank isn’t just an inconvenience. Elderly people, rural communities and people without access to the internet are being cut off from vital banking services - and easy access to their own money.

      But we have a chance to reverse this trend - and keep these important services open: the government has launched a consultation on how to protect our access to cash. It could include new rules to make it harder for banks to close branches if it cuts people off from services. And they’re asking the public to have their say.

      But you can bet that banks who want to put cost cutting before the communities they serve will be feeding in too. So that's where we come in. If thousands of us sign a huge petition asking the government to put in place legal protections to make sure we keep our access to banking, sending a powerful message - and drowning out those who want otherwise.

      Will you join me and sign the petition today?
      https://bit.ly/3DELCWa

    • Vera @Vera2 Bromley Common - updated 3y

      Covid passport SCAM

      This one looked very authentic. I realised it was a scam when they asked for my bank details. Covid passports are FREE via NHS app.
      Received text message :-
      NHS: We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your Covid Pass. You can apply this here: https:// vaccination-proof-id.com/apply/passport (space added as best not to open)
      From phone no. 07306 406086
      Be careful out there, so easy to get caught

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      Thunder and lightning

      Seems that summer has come to an abrupt end! Just about finished our BBQ.

    • Ryan T @RyanT St Albans - updated 3y

      Guy Gibson's Beloved Dog (Edited)

      It amazes me the lengths we go to in imposing PC onto our society.


      Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar led No. 617 Squadron (the Dambusters) on a daring and legendary raid on the German dams in the Ruhr on the night of 16/17 May 1943.


      19 Lancaster bombers and 133 crew took part in the raid, resulting in eight aircraft and 56 crew being lost.



      Gibson had a pet black Labrador dog which he adored, they were constantly together. He even took his dog flying at times.



      Whist Gibson was taking part in the raid, his dog was killed by a car - a lovely homecoming for Gibson after completing one of the most daring raids of WW2. The dog was buried on his return to RAF Scampton in a special grave that is lovingly cared for and maintained to this very day.



      Enter PC and the Government with its complete saturation of society at all levels - the dog's original headstone shown on the left hand side of the image was later considered so obnoxious a name that the headstone was replaced minus name by the one one the right hand side.



      My feelings ? Unprintable !!

    • PeterJ @PeterJ Slough - 3y

      Photography Festival (in London)

      There's a new Scooploop event for Photo London, a photography festival at Somerset house from tomorrow until the weekend. Just posting here in case anyone is interested, or wished to share it with the photography loop.

      https://www.scooploop.com/thread/photo-london-photography-festival

    • Ryan T @RyanT St Albans - updated 3y

      Have a Banana

      Bananas are among the world's most popular fruit.


      Bananas are also fairly nutritious, and contain high amounts of fibre and antioxidants.



      Over 90% of the calories in bananas come from carbs. As the banana ripens, the starch in it turns into sugar. For this reason, unripe (green) bananas are high in starch and resistant starch, while ripe (yellow) bananas contain mostly sugar. A medium-sized (118 grams) banana contains about 105 calories.



      The greener the banana is, the greater the content of resistant starch.


      Resistant starch has been linked to several health benefits :



      Bananas are a good source of several nutrients, including potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C and fibre. They also contain various antioxidants and plant compounds.


      Bananas are high in fibre. Unripe bananas are also rich in resistant starch and pectin, which can provide numerous health benefits.



      Taking 24 grams of banana starch each day for 4 weeks caused weight loss of 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg), while also improving insulin sensitivity in patients studied.



      Bananas are high in potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.



      Bananas are a good source of magnesium, a mineral that plays hundreds of roles in the body. Magnesium may protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes.



      Unripe, green bananas are rich in resistant starch and pectin, which may promote digestive health and reduce the risk of colon cancer.



      Eating a moderate amount of bananas should not raise blood sugar levels significantly. However, diabetics should be careful with fully ripe bananas.



      Bananas don't seem to have any known negative health effects, but they may cause allergic reactions in some individuals with latex allergy.



      Although bananas are unsuitable on a low-carb diet and may cause problems for some diabetics, overall they are an incredibly healthy food.





    • Lonicera @Lonicera Oxshott - updated 3y

      Information please

      Can not find post re: Lady reporting having Covid and how she felt.

      Would love to hear if she is feeling better now.

    • Michael B @MichaelB1 Farnborough - updated 3y
    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      A talking duck

      The BBC have just covered a story about a recording that has been rediscovered of a duck called Ripper.

      It apparently says "You bloody fool!"

      What do you think?

    • Ray P @RayPro Norwich - updated 3y
    • Dawn @Dawns Stoke Poges - updated 3y

      Covid case

      I have just got off the phone with my step sister. Her 10 year old son went to school yesterday happy and healthy.
      Last night at 8 pm he started to feel unwell, he has slight asthma.
      In 10 mins he was struggling to breathe. She bundled him in the car and drove 10 mins to the hospital.
      10 minutes after getting there his heart stopped and they had to resuscitate him.they managed to re start his heart. Rushed tests through and he has covid. The hospital are very alarmed as this was showing with complication in blood platelets also. He is now on oxygen fighting it.
      The speed is disastrous and worrying . The Dr's cannot work out why and how it was so fast.
      Be vigilant out there and stay safe

    • Boots @Boots Barking & Dagenham - updated 3y

      Covid MU variant

      https://inews.co.uk/news/mu-covid-variant-of-interest-uk-cases-detected-vaccines-who-1186886

    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      Blood tests

      We've been told that there are cancellations happening due to a lack of tubes to collect your blood, however, I was due for a test this morning and was unsure what would happen.
      Yesterday, I received a text from the surgery reminding me of my appointment with one stipulation - wear a mask.

      I turned up this morning suitably masked and had two vials worth of blood taken.

      Perhaps I was lucky!

      How is it where you are?

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      US Army General gets a little mixed up 😂

      https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1487167/us-army-parachute-regiment-british-army-afghanistan-latest

    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

      US Open Tennis

      Emma Radacanu into the quarter finals!

      She beat Shelby Rogers who put out World no. 1 Ash Barty.

      Rogers says she is now expecting to get death threats on social media. Unbelievable! What is wrong with people.

    • Derek R @DerekR Iver Heath - updated 3y

      Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) (Edited)

      Last Friday I attended the Eye casualty department of the Prince Charles Eye Unit, part of the King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor.

      I had been getting peripheral flashing in the upper and right sections of my right eye. I've had cataracts dealt with in both eyes and wondered if perhaps the lens had somehow shifted and light was catching the edge giving the impression of a flash.

      It wasn't that at all, it was yet another indication of years passing by and the vitreous gel inside my eye taking up less space within the eye and causing movement against the retina.

      After a thorough check, sight test and scans of both eyes, there were no serious nor long term problems discovered. I was diagnosed as having PVD Posterior Vitreous Detachment. They gave me a fact sheet to read, a slightly different version is shown below.

      If you have a major problem with floaters, dark patches, or anything else associated with sudden troubled vision, please get your eyes checked without delay.

      This is the fact sheet I've downloaded :


      We have written this factsheet to explain what posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is,


      what signs and symptoms to look out for, and what the potential risks of the condition


      are. We hope it will help to answer some of the questions you may have. If you have


      any further questions or concerns, please speak to a member of your healthcare team.


      What is PVD?


      The eye is like a camera with a lens at the front and a light-sensitive film (the retina) at the


      back. Filling the space between these is a clear jelly-like tissue called the vitreous.


      As we get older, the jelly-like vitreous becomes more like a liquid gel and collapses in on


      itself, pulling away from the retina. Small opacities (unclear areas) may form in the gel and


      as it starts to move around in the eye, these can be seen as ‘floaters’ in your vision (often


      described as flies, spiders and cobwebs).


      What causes PVD?


      PVD is more common in people over the age of 60. This is because the texture of the vitreous


      naturally changes as you get older. In 90% of people this change is usually harmless and


      causes no damage to the retina. PVD is a once-in-a-lifetime event and cannot be prevented.


      How is PVD diagnosed?


      To diagnose PVD, an ophthalmologist (a specialist eye doctor), an optician or a nurse


      practitioner will put eye drops into your eye to dilate (enlarge) your pupil. They will then look at


      the middle and the back of your eye with a microscope to check the vitreous.


      These eye drops will blur your vision for approximately three to four hours. You must not drive


      while your vision is affected.


      What are the signs and symptoms of PVD?


      Mild floaters in your vision can be normal. However, if you have PVD you will usually notice:


      • a sudden increase in floaters


      • flashing lights like little flickers or streaks of light at the edges of your vision (more


      noticeable in the dark)


      PVD on its own will not permanently affect your eyesight.


      Are there any risks associated with PVD?


      Retinal detachment


      Occasionally, when the vitreous pulls away from the retina, it pulls so hard that it tears the


      retina. This happens in less than one in ten people who develop PVD. This can then lead to a


      retinal detachment (when the retina becomes loose). If your retina becomes loose, you may


      experience a black shadow and/or loss of vision, and you will require urgent surgical treatment.

      A retinal tear (without retinal detachment) will require urgent laser treatment or cryotherapy (a


      freezing treatment).


      Epiretinal membrane


      When the vitreous pulls away from the retina, it can cause a thin, clear layer of tissue (a


      membrane) to form on the surface of the retina. This membrane can cause the retina to become wrinkled, and your vision may become distorted and blurred. If your vision is very


      distorted, we may recommend you have surgery.


      Do the flashes and floaters ever stop?


      Generally the flashes stop after a few months and do not cause any problems.


      The floaters are very obvious when they first appear. Over time they become much less


      noticeable and do not cause a visual problem in most people.


      You can reduce the effect of floaters by wearing dark glasses, especially if you are out in


      bright sunlight, or if you are looking at a brightly-lit surface or background.


      Is there anything I should look out for?


      Contact our eye casualty department as soon as possible if your symptoms become worse or


      if you notice any of the following:


      • an increase in floaters and/or flashing lights


      • a black shadow or ‘curtain’ coming over your vision


      • your vision suddenly getting worse


      Contact us


      Eye casualty


      Telephone: 023 8120 6592 (24-hour service)


      Useful links


      www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/eye-conditions/posterior-vitreous-detachment


      www.rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017_Understanding-Posterior-vitreous-


      detachment.pdf


      www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/posterior-vitreous-detachment


      Version 3. Published September 2020. Due for review September 2023. 2616


      For a translation of this document, or a version in another format such


      as easy read, large print, Braille or audio, please telephone


      0800 484 0135 or email patientsupporthub@uhs.nhs.uk


      For help preparing for your visit, arranging an interpreter or accessing


      the hospital, please visit www.uhs.nhs.uk/additionalsupport

    • Robert @RobRoy Laindon - updated 3y

      High rolling Police

      An interesting story of how corruption rules in the Police in some countries . Officers on low incomes owning expensive cars and living the high life .

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58405215

    • Robert @RobRoy Laindon - updated 3y
    • Anonymous @anonymous Bloomsbury Way - updated 3y

      Participants needed for research

      Hello beautiful people,

      Would you like to participate in my #PhD research regarding #sustainability?
      To participate you have to be:
      • In the #UK
      •Between 25-40 years

      Please follow the link to the questionnaire!

      https://bedsbmri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_71buL61xpFWZhXw?Q_CHL=social&Q_SocialSource=facebook

    • Michael B @MichaelB1 Farnborough - updated 3y

      Predict the score - England v Andorra

      Another world cup qualifyer to predict. Get your predictions in by 4.30pm
      Good luck

    • Boots @Boots Barking & Dagenham - updated 3y

      Poor Lorry

      Dramatic pictures show the complete mess left by a lorry destroyed when it left the M11 near London in the early hours.



      The goods lorry crashed and left the carriageway near Harlow at about 4.30am on Saturday.



      The M25 was initially closed southbound while emergency services worked at the scene.



      According to Essex Roads Police team on Twitter, thankfully no-one was seriously injured in the crash.

    • Ray P @RayPro Norwich - updated 3y
    • Sheila A @Ange Bromley Common - updated 3y

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