Today's News

[Daisy]

Gem, indeed - great minds.

I very rarely actively go for a nap, but I sometimes nod off after lunch if I'm tired.

[Daisy]

Parking machines which take cash are disappearing! They are gradually being replaced with phone apps in over 20 Councils in England. I don't know about anyone else, but I really don't like having to use a phone app for any kind of payment, and I do worry about the security of loads of different apps being needed to pay to park! What happens if you've got no phone reception, or don't have a smart phone?

We have a very simple system here - you buy a parking clock at the beginning of the year and display it when you park. It can be used in all the council-run car parks and just think of the boost to the council coffers in January when we buy them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65973853

[Oma]

Daisy I agree you have to have a app for everything these days.
Just as well my Sister doesn’t go out she has the most basic phone on the market , it allows her to send and receive text and phone calls that’s it .
MILs phone is the same it only cost her £29 so basic there too
Not everyone as you say has a smart phone

[Gemini]

I prefer to pay by cash but not all machines take coins now. Otherwise I pay with a card, I have never used an app.

That sounds a good idea where you are Daisy.
All we have is a residents permit which entitles you a discount, you still have to pay to park each time. I used to buy one when I went into town more regularly. Now it wouldn't be worth the annual cost

[Lizzie48]

It is the same here Daisy, it is even worse in the cities, my DIL has an app for Leiden, she had to pick a parcel up so logged on to the app, when she got back to the car she couldn't log out, a young lady went and told her it is now €25 once you are logged in, be it 5 minutes or 24 hours you pay the same. The same in Scheveningen, that is €50!!!!

I prefer my bike!!!

[Daisy]

Lizzie, that's shocking, and exactly the kind of thing that bothers me. We don't need that kind of hassle in our lives, do we! I hope your DIL got it sorted in the end.

[Daisy]

I wasn't sure whether to put this in the Health etc section, but it's the kind of unlikely, unusual news I like to pop on this thread.

I think we're all aware of the BRCA1 gene mutation which is strongly connected to breast cancer. It's already known that the BRCA1 mutation is more prevalent in certain ethnic backgrounds, and about 1 in 1,000 people in the UK have the mutation, which can leave them with an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer.

Researchers have now discovered and interesting (and hopefully useful) fact. A recent study has found that 1 in 100 people with grandparents from Orkney has this mutation. It's believed to be the first time this type of geographical link has been made, and it is specifically closely linked to the Orkney island of Westray which has a population of just 600.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...lands-64951429

An update on this news item from a few months ago.

Testing is now beginning to identify people who have this particular genetic variant, which puts them at higher risk of developing breast cancer. It's being offered to adults on the Orkney island of Westray who have grandparents from the island.

They believe that the alteration in the gene could have started around 400 years ago in this tiny island population.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66068544

[Gemini]

It's intriguing but scary that there is this cluster Daisy.
Great news that at least something is happening to try to help.

[Daisy]

A report in the Telegraph today says that the Church of England is going to welcome dogs into three of its cathedrals - Canterbury, Worcester and Chichester.

They say it is hoped the dogs will create a more inclusive environment and act as an "ice breaker". However, it's believed Worcester Cathedral's policy will state that barking during services could result in disciplinary action. It doesn't specify whether it's the dogs or their owners who get "disciplined". Or what form of discipline is planned!

[Gemini]

It will be interesting to see how that works then Daisy!

[Plantaholic]

I hope the dogs don’t disgrace themselves with wee and poos. I think they will be a distraction and apart from a dog for a blind person, I can’t see why it is necessary.

[Daisy]

Plant, I can't see why you'd take your pet to an actual service, but when a cathedral is open to the public perhaps it's not so bad (provided said pets behave!). Some years ago we went to St David's Cathedral (South Wales) because it is where OH's Dad was ordained. We had to take it in turns because there was nowhere to leave the dogs (it was too hot to leave them in the car), but it was a pity we couldn't share the experience.

[Daisy]

The last thing you expect when you are in deep relaxation at the end of your Yoga class is to be stormed by police, who believe they are attending the scene of a mass murder.

This is what happened when Yoga teacher, Millie Laws' students were doing Shavasana at the end of her class. Passersby had looked through the window into the room, dimly lit by candles, and saw "bodies" lying on the floor, not moving, and hurriedly reported the scene as a mass killing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66742339

[Gemini]

[Plantaholic]

Very funny, they were deeply into relaxation.