Latest Moan From You and Me 2024

@Escarpment this will sound silly but I went to the poundland and bought some cheap dinky style cars, made a "parking lot" on paper and then went over with granddaughter how a vehicle doesn't bend in the middle and articulate around corners to get into parking spaces. And so far so good. She can drive into a space no problem. We're now practicing backing up.

And this is happening in a full size Dodge Grand Caravan. It's a long way from the steering column to the tailgate! I've let her drive my Mustang but she actually prefers the big vehicle!

I'm sorry I disagree with you @Thevictorian . Done properly, all of the practice before the test ingrains good driving skills. Yes, some do drive badly after but that is pure inconsideration for others, not lack of ability.

 

I only had lessons to pass my HGV a 5 day corse, tractor test no lessons (tis a easy test), car no lessons. passed first time on all, My car test was booked with a cancellation if there was one, it came back on the day that i could legaly drive ie my birthday so i went for it and passed smug as_ you Jiffy

 

Were you a mod or a rocker.

 

@simone_in_wiltshire You are quite right about the "walking" - I used to walk a lot -far more than I can manage these days
You appeared to state your opinion ( as presumably you signed the petition ? ) and I stated mine. I don't see a problem with that and hope you don't either.
I've signed a number of petitions over the years for issues I believe in and some have resulted in changes being made. I would therefore prefer to use my signature for something which has at least a chance of success.
I'm no more fond of this govt than I was of the last one but this petition isn't likely to result in the desired GE. Protest vote ? Possibly but let's face it, this govt is already aware that they aren't that popular even with those who voted for them. Why not choose a single ( or several ?) issues and concentrate on those.
The actual voting system in this country is a completely different issue. Don't recall any petitions recently in this regard.
Whatever we think of this govt we elected, at least one of their MP's fought to get the Assisted Dying issue up for debate. It needs more discussion to be fully "fit for purpose" but that's just my opinion. At least it has now been raised so well done to her.

 

Perhaps it depends on the issue being petitioned about, John? As you know, I'm a WASPI and we were sooo close to getting recognition and possibly action from the Tories when the GE was called. Back to square one with Labour, but the most recent petition has attained it's required 100,000 (thanks to all on here who signed, BTW) so it's keeping up the pressure and keeping it in the public eye. It's not just about compensation, if it ever was for most of us, and is very much a matter of principle, of calling to account those who rule over us and reminding them that just occasionally the sheep fight back

 

I'm a WASPI too. I honestly don't think we will get anything and I feel very sad for those women who have campaigned so tirelessly and used their valuable 60s to try to get some compensation. I'm happy to be in the queue behind the blood scandal and PO victims however. Their cases should be settled ASAP. There is no reason to delay.

 

@Philippa I have always been for free speech and I follow every opinion here in the forum that gives me food for thoughts.
I fully understand your point and concerns, but I think you take this too seriously. Of course there will be no new GE because of this petition. I don’t think either that what pete said that this has to do with people are not accepting an outcome of an election.
I noticed that once the 2 million were reached inside days, newspapers played down telling people that they got their fun, now realise that it’s useless and go home.
This petition is nothing else than a warning to the government not to go too far.
Nevertheless, we should keep an eye on what this government is doing with finances. The least we need is a situation in 5 years time that Labour doubled the debts.

 

I think we will because if the campaigner leaders were going to give up, they would have done a long time ago. They seem to have the Press and media behind them, as well as the Parliamentary Ombudsman's conclusion, which is a powerful plus.

 

I just looked this up and it's currently not even half the signatures the most popular petition on the website got! (just over 6,100,000) But of course, that doesn't mean the GE one won't eventually surpass that number, wouldn't surprise me at all, actually.

My reasoning on signing petitions is rather simple: you may simply get a response, a debate or a significant change happening, but guess what definitely happens if you don't sign, absolutely nothing!

UK Parliament petitions website - Wikipedia

Nick

 

I hope you are right. It seems to me post-menopausal women are waaay down the pecking order when it comes to concern and support from wider society. If compensation does come our way, my guess is it will be means tested to exclude the vast majority. I'm not holding my breath ... and given the glacial pace of progress, I may not even be breathing at all by the time they sort something out. Ah well. Them's the breaks!

 

My comment was meant in jest. You only have to drive perfectly while someone is examining you and then you can get away with plenty when you've passed.

 

I think you mean 'can' in that comment @Thevictorian above....
I think that's a very good idea @CanadianLori re the toys and a diagram. The amount of hours a new/learner driver spends driving, before sitting a test, is also quite important as it's all about experience. I took my daughter out regularly - in different conditions, and at night - especially for that parking practice. She was working at the same place as me at that time, so she drove there and back each day. The amount of shocking, careless driving you can experience in a short drive like that means plenty of opportunity for learning.
There will always be sh*tty drivers, and others, on the roads, but totally ignoring the basics, regardless of who you are, and what/where you're riding or driving, shouldn't go unchecked, so anyone on a public road should have to be insured and wearing a registration. No one should be on a bike on a standard pavement [ie one which isn't dual use] unless they're a child who's learning - so around the maximum age of about 9 or 10.
It's about manners. Something which is sadly lacking everywhere nowadays.

 

I used to put my hand up when i pull over for someone in narrow lanes, but i don't any more because someone i know done the same but it was a unmarked police car and they got done for not being in control of the car !!!
One thing lead's to another and i now don't put my hand up or any thing like that

 

My driving instructor had a very good tip. When the car is parked a few
inches from the curb, he put a mark on the rear window, you then line
this up with the curb. You can do this on the front windscreen.
I then went onto driving Buses & Lorries.