Nice people thread part 7 - a thread in its prime

Almo

Generali wrote: »

I love going out for a really nice meal but only if I can afford it. If I was struggling then I wouldn't enjoy it, not if I was paying anyway.

I've had a very varied life financially. I've been pretty rich by most people's standards: not a millionaire or anything but probably in the top 5% of earners. I've also lost everything by taking a calculated risk that turned out far worse than the worst case scenario.

Lots of my favourite things are either free or very cheap: I love cycling and walking in the countryside. I love kicking a ball around with the kids. I love driving up the coast in Aus and flopping down in the first motel we come to when we get too tired to drive any further (petrol is a lot cheaper in Aus than the UK and most motel rooms are about $100: £40 at a sensible exchange rate but about £65 at current rates - this does not buy a life of luxury!). A pint and a roast Sunday lunch in a beautiful English country pub with my wife is one of the finest things in life. I have a $95 season ticket to Sydney FC (includes public transport to get there) that I go to with my daughter and that's fantastic despite the quality of football being variable at best.

I also enjoy some things that are very expensive: I like to stay in nice hotels in beautiful places. I like eating some of the best food the world has to offer. I like very good wine, port and whisky. I like to travel in comfort and I like to wear very nice clothes if I can.

In recent years we have exclusively flown business class other than internal Australian flights. We were fortunate to take advantage of a great deal which means the cost was roughly equal to economy anyway, so a no brainer, but now I would certainly fly business if I had the money available and was flying long haul. It made such a monumental difference to our comfort while travelling Aus-UK but also to our recovery time at either end, the difference was unbelievable.

zagubov

lostinrates wrote: »

. I think this has a cool slightly late sixties /seventies look about it. Having not been around then of course, I am not sure.

I was there then. Everything looked like that.:D

GDB2222

LIR, what are the white stripes? Look like sponge, but I expect I am wrong.

Looks yummy.

GDB2222

I've just been out to brush the snow off the car. It's well above freezing at the moment, but I didn't want to be faced with an icy lump all over the car if it refreezes during the night.

lostinrates

GDB2222 wrote: »

LIR, what are the white stripes? Look like sponge, but I expect I am wrong.

Looks yummy.

they are Coconut jelly.

lostinrates

GDB2222 wrote: »

I've just been out to brush the snow off the car. It's well above freezing at the moment, but I didn't want to be faced with an icy lump all over the car if it refreezes during the night.

Wow, it's just wet and cold but not that cold here.

lostinrates

zagubov wrote: »

I was there then. Everything looked like that.:D

Heeeheeeheeee.

Must have been fun.

zagubov

lostinrates wrote: »

Heeeheeeheeee.

Must have been fun.

You better believe it! :beer::rotfl:

silvercar

Almo wrote: »

In recent years we have exclusively flown business class other than internal Australian flights. We were fortunate to take advantage of a great deal which means the cost was roughly equal to economy anyway, so a no brainer, but now I would certainly fly business if I had the money available and was flying long haul. It made such a monumental difference to our comfort while travelling Aus-UK but also to our recovery time at either end, the difference was unbelievable.

OH wants me to join him on his next business trip to Oz, I've said I will (only) consider it if we go business class. Probably try to use Avios and a 2-4-1 (Amex) voucher.

LydiaJ

SingleSue wrote: »

Just in a church really but pref C of E, unfortunately, none of the churches around here marry divorced people.

Makes me annoyed as I didn't go outside of my marriage vows and kept true to my word, yet I will have to suffer for a husband doing the dirty.

Bummer. I can only suggest that you keep an ear out for any cases of a new vicar/minister arriving, and then try asking again. Methodists are usually the most accommodating about this, but there are clergy who are happy to do it in all denominations. Anyway, it's not a pressing concern just at the moment, is it? I've no idea (and don't wish to pry) how serious/permanent you and loverrrr feel your relationship is, but if your boys can't cope with him coming to your house for an evening in, then presumably they wouldn't cope with you getting remarried any time soon. Here's hoping that a vicar turns up in one of your local churches who's happy to help you by the time you need one.

lostinrates wrote: »

Apart from the baked beans bit I agree with you, I like Yorkshire pudding to have soft bottom. Light on top and at the edges and a bit of British heft about the base of them. It's the point of them really.

My mum used to make one giant one, and cut it into rectangular pieces. Those who liked the puffy crispy bits could have "corner", those who liked theirs to be soft and squidgy could have "middle" and those who liked a bit of each could have "edge". I prefer "middle" myself.

SingleSue wrote: »

Even more of a quandry for James......he now has 4 conditional offers.

Yay! Go James. :T

DS has just got his first "proper" report from school (as opposed to the interim one he got last term). Effort grades still great, and KS3 targets confirming what we already knew about his strengths and weaknesses. (He's inclining to the scientific side and finds English & languages difficult - not surprising for someone who's dyslexic.)

I'm most proud of all the comments about what a nice boy he is: "gets on with his work without a fuss", "pleasant, co-operative member of the group", "kind-natured and thoughtful pupil", and "polite and well-mannered individual". I can only suppose it's the influence of the NPT. Thank you everyone.

Apologies to those of you with "normal" jobs, and those whose half term isn't for another week, but I am really loving the idea that it's Sunday evening and I haven't got to get up for school tomorrow morning.

ETA:

zagubov wrote: »

GDB don't follow the link

You're better off not knowing!

(other substances are available)

:eek: