Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

MG Rides Again


Once again the names Longbridge and MG will be joined together in automotive history when the new MG6 begins production. The new model will be available to buy from May.

Hooray !!!

The MG6 is a British design and although the production will also be British it is somewhat sad that the actual parts manufacture will take place in China. This only reflects the fact that MG are now a Chinese company, owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

We should be pleased that they chose to return production to the UK and to bring employment back to the Longbridge plant where 6000 jobs were lost when Rover closed its doors back in 2005.

Lets hope that the MG venture proves to be a success and is the beginning of a rejuvenation of the MG marque.

Catch and Release – Piracy Policy


What the hell is going on ?

A British naval vessel intercepts a small craft acting as the mother ship for Somali pirates. They arrest the pirates and free the hostages that they have been using as slaves. The pirates are found to be in possession of a large array of weapons including AK47s and rocket-propelled grenades. The captives also confess to their involvement in piracy.

Strike one for the good guys. Job done. You might think so, but you’d be wrong.

Instead the crew of HMS Cornwall, a Royal Navy frigate,  fed, watered and gave medical treatment to the pirates.

They then set them free !!!

Commander David Wilkinson, Cornwall’s captain, must be suffering a huge amount of frustration as he was ordered to release these criminals. The decision came from “the UK’s Maritime Component Commander”. An anonymous figure based in Bahrain.

As for the pirates they must be sporting full stomachs, a big fat smile and the feeling that they just beat the Royal Navy

What is the point of expending the effort to hunt down these pirates if all we do is pat them on their heads and send them on their way ?

Why can’t we take an eye or a hand or exact some other form of preventative measure so that, if we have to release them, they cannot come back and resume their pirate activities.

View From The Conservatory


Another bright, sunny and, a bit chilly, morning. I am watching a Grey Squirrel making the most of some bread crusts that I have just thrown out. I plodded out with bare feet and the dew on the grass was very cold, borderline ice cold.The crusts are from a nice seeded batch loaf and have been enhanced with a small amount of peanut butter. The squirrel has now been joined by a single Carrion Crow. I wonder where it’s partner is. From here I can also see a Robin, or is it a pair of Robins, making regular trips carrying nest-building materials. Looks like they are homemaking in the ivy that covers our back fence.

I am viewing all this through very bleary eyes as yesterday turned into a very long day. Or rather I should say that yesterday evening turned into one of the longest I have experienced. My 14-year-old granddaughter had chosen not to go home, not to face her mum and the expected row over yet another lost or stolen mobile phone.

Rather than go home she chose to roam the streets of Portsmouth. As the evening drew on the rest of the family began to worry as there was no way to contact her. We have all become so dependent on mobile phones, with the almost 24/7 availability that they provide, that when we can’t contact someone the fear factor is very much heightened. Add to this the instant media coverage of the slightest mishap anywhere in the country that seems to make every incident a local one and the imagination can drive stress levels to incredible levels.

So last night we toured the streets trying to find her. The police had been informed and they were also on the look out. They even stopped and interviewed a man carrying a pink, ladies style, bag. Just in case it belonged to my granddaughter. Just because he was walking down a street in one of the last areas that we knew she had visited.

We were also trying to find her by contacting some of her “friends”. They turned out to be less than helpful and it transpires were even lying. Though misguided, they probably thought they were helping my granddaughter. But all they did was add to the concern we already felt. Isn’t it amazing how most teenagers are never without their mobile phones. And yet, when you try to contact them they don’t answer. Either your texts or direct calls. Suddenly they have no signal, the battery just died or it mysteriously was switched to silent so they didn’t know you called.

Anyway, much to everyone’s relief, my granddaughter opted to go home, walking through the front door at around ten.

Needless to say, after the relief, there were the recriminations. And, she still had to confront the row that she had been dodging all day. Unfortunately, as she now realises, she had also thrown fuel onto that particular fire due to the choices she made throughout the day.

So I’m guessing that my bleary eyes are matched by those of her Nan, Mum and Step-Dad. Probably none of us are looking forward to work today. Least of all her Mum who has meetings in Basingstoke today.

As I type this the bread crusts are nearly all gone. A very satisfied looking crow is sitting in a tree and the squirrel is perched high on the back of our garden seat busily nibbling a crust. And the Robin ? Well it’s taken up a sentry position chasing away the various tits that have dared to enter its territory and that are trying to grab some seed from the feeders.

And so begins, another day full of possibilities.

How Do You Remove Pink Nail Varnish From A White Bath ?


My granddaughter has managed to get pink nail varnish on a brand new bath. Never mind that she was told not to use nail varnish upstairs in the house.

So, does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove the nail varnish without damaging the nice shiny surface of the bath ?

Not Long Enough


The sentence that this woman received, for killing 63-year-old Christine Lyon, is a joke.

Having myself, TWICE, almost been wiped out by other drivers using their phones whilst driving I am particularly appalled by this light sentence.

Keisha Wall, the driver, had her mother, a qualified driving instructor, sitting alongside her at the time so I am also confused that her mother apparently took no action to prevent her daughter from using her phone. Although I don’t apportion blame to her mother I feel that she must have some sense that she could have intervened, should have intervened.

Then this disaster might never have happened.

Texting motorist who killed OAP is jailed after she turns up at court carrying mobile phone | Mail Online.

Portsmouth & Southsea – A place of contrasts


This may not be the most engaging of articles but Rachel Jones does capture the salient points.

I would encourage anyone, who is perhaps intending to visit Portsmouth or  Southsea for a few hours, to read this article and also the comment posted from Gerry Oates.

Rachel says ….

It’s easy to take the waterfront at Southsea and Old Portsmouth for granted. But a point at the start of the Millennium Promenade reveals exactly why it’s something special.

Face inland and layer upon layer of history reveals itself. Straight ahead is the 13th century Garrison Church with the roofs of Old Portsmouth and the tower of the Anglican Cathedral rising behind it. And stretching up to the sky beyond those are the mighty modern structures of the Spinnaker and Lipstick towers.

Face out to the busy surrounding waters and modern ships and ferries sail past that 15th century fortress the Square Tower, standing on the shore as if still ready to defend the harbour ……

And special it is. A walk along this historic sea front is never boring at any time of the year.

If you can’t come visit then follow the link and read on

A place of contrasts – A Weekend With – The News.

School leavers unfit for work: So Whats New ???


It seems to me this headline has been repeated across our media for many years. This article quotes David Frost, the outgoing Director General of the British  Chambers of Commerce and lays the blame at Labours feet. However, from my memory,  industry has been complaining about the dire state of our education standards, about the low educational standards of our school leavers way back when the conservatives were in power.

So, THIS IS NOT NEW NEWS.

Its time parents, the schools and the government stepped up the mark and reinforced the old basic standards.

Society has allowed social standards to deteriorate and for some reason we all have allowed our education system to be watered down.  We have allowed kids street behaviour into the class room and removed the teachers ability to deal with it. They can’t touch the kids when they are fighting or disrupting classrooms.

When did it become acceptable for kids to take AND USE mobile phones in the classroom. Some stupid woman on the TV yesterday suggested that it would make the kids less comfortable at school if you take away their phones. My granddaughter has texted me during lessons and I told her off for it. Another granddaughter was using her phone to film her science teacher.

I’ve got news for you lady. They aren’t there to be comfortable. They are there to learn. They are there to concentrate on the subject not text chat to their friends. With your attitude permeating society it’s no wonder David Frost has made his statement.

Lets throw out all the popularist crap and get back to the three R’s

School leavers unfit for work: ‘Firms forced to spend billions on remedial training for victims of education failure’ | Mail Online.

Head teacher too soft on unruly pupils


Is the education pendulum starting to swing back.  After so many years of namby-pamby new age schooling are we about to see a return to the sort of schooling that I experienced.

Where pupils went to school to learn, not just to socialise with their mates. Where pupils understood and accepted the rules of discipline and self-control, where pupils gave basic respect to teachers because they were teachers.

And most of all where the sort of behaviour being experienced by these teachers would have been nipped in the bud.

Head teacher too soft on unruly pupils

So say the teachers of  Darwen Vale High School, who have gone on strike due to lack of support from head teacher Hilary Torpey.

“Pupils frequently challenge teachers to fights, push and shove them in the corridors and classrooms and are constantly swearing and insulting them.

But teachers say that when they take the matters to the head teacher she often sides with the pupils instead of staff.”

They claim that when teachers have confiscated the phones, they have been returned by the school’s management – leaving them ‘totally undermined’.

“Five teachers have apparently been suspended since Mrs Torpey took over as head teacher last September.

It is claimed children have realised staff will be suspended if they complain so have started making false allegations.”

This sort of behaviour is not acceptable in any setting. Joe public would be outraged if these kids acted this way in public and yet we as a society seem to accept it in our schools. We do nothing to support the teaching staff. Well its time we did and these teachers are right to strike to get that support

This is just one of many stories in the media recently but I believe it is an indication, a reflection of what society wants and needs. We need a return to basics in education and behaviour

Darwen Vale High School teachers strike: ‘Head teacher too soft on unruly pupils’ | Mail Online.

School Re-Asserts Teachers In Charge – About Time Too


Lets hear a big WELL DONE for Catherine Jenkinson-Dix and her staff.

This is the way things should be done in all schools. In the short time since the zero-tolerance regime was put in place this Ely school has seen an improvement in pupil behaviour.

Now lets see that this school gets the support from parents, local government and society and ……

Now lets see more schools doing the same.

Ely school gives 717 children detention in 4 days after rules crackdown | Mail Online.

Who exactly is the “wee man” Fergie ?


The “wee man” is the hero of thousands of youngsters ….. ROONEY

The “wee man” is the one who is setting such a poor example to the youth of this country ….. ROONEY

The “wee man” is the one who cannot control himself in a public place ….. ROONEY

Oh, and the “wee man” is the big boss man who hits out at someone who speaks out and says what many of us are thinking ….. Alex Feruson

Alex Ferguson defends Wayne Rooney by hitting out at ‘wee’ police chief | Mail Online.