The really boring and totally pointless snippets thread IV

[OFSO]

Used to watch "Dinner for One" three times every New Years Eve in Germany. (ARD, ZDF, Hessen.) Must have seen it over 70 times and still laugh.

[Pontius Navigator]

I wonder if Ex-Ascot picked up the new tax regime in Greece? You must use electronic means to spend 30% of your income.

[Wodrick]

I don't know if that is possible in *ExA's* bit of Greece.

[Capetonian]

On my last trip to Greece I was advised to draw a large wodge of cash and keep my credit cards locked up. The Greeks have survived for centuries with a cash/no tax type economy and it has worked. Put the, in the straitjacket of the EUSSR and the artificial political currency and it stops working. Whoever thought that the Greeks and the Finns could conform to the same practices is a nutter, hence the impending demise of the EUSSR.

[Rwy in Sight]

You need to know what to use when. And to be honest Greece can do with a bit more of coaching from EUSSR particularly on how to lower tax on salaries. Mainly by putting more taxes on those who declare very little income.

[Pontius Navigator]

I don't know if that is possible in *ExA's* bit of Greece.

That occurred to me, and the Greeks, if you don't/can't you simply pay 22% as VAT.

[ricardian]

This will be the fifth Christmas without Mrs R, it hardly seems possible. As usual I am going to my neighbours Mike & Sheila for Christmas Day lunch, they are both octogenarians but still have more energy than me! Mike is a retired schoolmaster and keen sailing enthusiast, he has his own boat, the Alamottie, which came out of the water for the winter only last week. The official description of his boat is a traditional open sailing boat (gaff sloop rigged) built in Scotland which will mean more to some of you keen sailors than it does to me.
A friend in England sent me a card with note remembering that Mrs R put his wife in contact with an old friend of ours in Yorkshire who translated some of the Wakefield Court Rolls for her and took her family history back to c1345, very rare and only possible because they were listed in the Rolls.

[Ex-Ascot]

Morning folks. Blazing sunshine but had 23 mm of rain in last 24 hrs. Most business on Amorgos have been forced to get credit card machines. We get mate's rates everywhere so pay cash. Obviously that doesn't go through the books. Then strictly speaking we have to pay a 200 euro tax penalty. However our accountant collects receipts off shop floors or something for her clients to prove that they have spent a certain amount on cards. Where there is a Greek, there is a way.

[handsfree]

Christmas is a time of jollity but with it comes the memories of the good times had with those
that are no longer with us. My grandfather died on Christmas Eve and it always seemed to take
the edge off the festivities for my father. Mrs HF Mk1 died at 41 and even though the eldest daughter
is now 40 she still always remembers the Christmas times with her mum over 26 years ago now.
In spite of the bitter sweet memories I hope you have a truly happy Christmas Ricardian.

Weather here is windy, wet and cold.
Not that it'll bother me too much as I shall be blood straining.

[OFSO]

Cold and clear here with a force nine tramontana blowing. We must be in the wind shadow of our mountain as less extreme that you'd suppose.

[Rwy in Sight]

We are told to expect a named weather font but they just adapt foreign habits so the forecast is always more pessimistic.

Christmas can be quite confusing with sadness and joy mixed up, Ric and HF all the best!

[Ibbie]

Good morning.

Blue sky day but only 8c when early walk taken.

Strange you should make those comments this morning hf

Christmas is a time of jollity but with it comes the memories of the good times had with those that are no longer with us.

Must be a Stalybridge thing.
I was doing some remembering family members no longer with us on this mornings walk. My Grandfather on my maternal side, was born on Christmas Day. Mrs IB's grandfather on New Years Eve and her father died on 29 December which is the day our estranged grandaughter was born.

This year Mrs IB and I are struggling to find the urge to put our tree up. Too many medical appointments at this time of year for us, coupled with recent death's of friends.

[Woody]

Morning everyone, it seems to be a December issue for everyone, attending 2nd funeral, out of 3 so far in December ,this morning, even a friends dog passed away last week, MrsWoody’s Mother passed away on her 57th birthday, which was the 21st, fortunately our sons have their birthdays on the 19th and 20th, at least we’ve got the Election to keep us entertained this year!

[Smeagol]

I am no great lover of Christmas, more of a 'Bah! Humbug!' person. But Mrs S and I got married on 28th December so celebrating 45 years this year.

[OFSO]

We don't even know if we'll have a Christmas. Lots of events booked in London in late December and January - panto, concerts, dinners, Association meetings and jollity - but with the beastly French on strike, we are beginning to worry about getting home via Paris.

[4mastacker]

Chucking it down and wind howling a bit here. Fortunately, yesterday was my day on the lock restoration and we had nice bright sunshine and was sheltered from the sharp breeze whilst we did some work on the floor of the lock chamber. Off to get the Xmas tree later.

Looks like the Dawlish Sea Wall is in for a hammering later on today.

[Capetonian]

I have spent a couple of Christmases on my own or with friends. Far from the madding family

Bliss³!

[G-CPTN]

As my children live 'away', I occasionally find myself alone on Christmas Day.
The local church operates a lunch for those who would otherwise be without company, so I go along
This year I am expecting to travel up to stay with my daughter in Scotland - weather permitting - but I have the church to fall back on if necessary.
In addition to the usual turkey and pudding (with wine) we get a small goody bag of tinned food.

[Ex-Ascot]

We do not do Christmas. Relief manager in at the safari camp for Christmas who is a great lady so we may invite her for lunch. Just been up there for a few beers. Got back to a huge argument next door between the housekeeper and gardener. She is his niece. His wife used to have the job but was useless but he wants his wife to have the job back. This is a weekly episode and most amusing. He is useless as well.

Forecast rain doesn't look promising.

[ian16th]

Used to have big do's, but now there is just the 2 of us, we are going out and pay someone to cook and clean up.

Only problem is driving home, so must moderate one's booze intake.