Friday 13 January 2012

Any rich people out there who want to save a Scirocco ?

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I guess that it's not a surprising fact that due to increases in the cost of...well everything really !I have had to take the decision to retire the old Scirocco to the driveway whilst I consider my options.

Running 3 cars in the UK is not a very good way of saving money, and sadly there is no real recognition for some bloke who runs a car to promote a charity......not being an MP I can't claim "expenses" for such an extravagance! :-)

Insuring the Golf TD has just cost me £500. The wife's Skoda Roomster cost almost £300 and the Scirocco (limited to 3000 miles per year) cost £150 .So having to choose which car I was going to use as my daily came down not to preference, but economy, so the Golf TD which returns a good 55mpg has now stepped into the Scirocco's shoes as my daily commuting vehicle (the Scirocco was costing me £13 per day in fuel as it could ,at best,manage approx 35-37 per gallon.

To add insult to injury I now have the Scirocco on the drive without MOT or Road Tax as they both expired in December. And to add injury to insult and injury...she has developed something of a swimming pool in her rear footwell's which has resulted in me having to remove the seats and strip back the carpets!.....and the battery keeps going flat!.......

If anyone reading this post fancies helping me keep the old girl (25 in March) on the road to continue her work with Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, please make yourself known :-)

In my experience an unused car is so much more likely to have a major breakdown than a daily drive, and i would hate that to happen to a car that has become something of a minor celebrity in the VW world.

Now.....when is the lottery being drawn again?

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Called by 02078340997 ? PPI company? Read on....



I was called the other day by an Asian sounding chap who, after telling me who i was (!), then started to bang on about PPI's. Not sure what he was trying to sell/survey/promote, but he was very persistent in asking if we had claimed a PPI mis sell or if we intended too. He also asked if we did decide to claim would it be for a loan or Mortgage?.

After telling him that I was not interested in discussing this with him he rang off, so i did the old 1471 and the number 02078340997 was the number it logged.

Having Googled the number it appears that an awful lot of folks are getting similar calls......but why?

Anyone else had these calls? If so, please leave a comment with your experience after this post and maybe we can shed some light on what these calls are about, or more to the point...what are they up too?

This is one possibilty perhaps:

"
Bogus PPI refund scamPDFPrintE-mail
Written by Administrator   
Sunday, 01 January 2012 12:36
Bogus caller scam warning Lothian and Borders
Police are urging the public to remain vigilant
following a new bogus-caller scam operating in
Edinburgh. A 64-year-old man received a call from
a male claiming to be from the Ministry of Justice
Department in London. The caller informed him
he was due a PPI refund, which he could collect
after wiring an administration fee to a lawyer in
India. However, the man became suspicious and
refused to transfer any money. He then contacted
police who are warning others not to fall foul of
this scam. A police spokesman said: “The issue of
PPI refunds is very topical at the moment and
these fraudsters are attempting to capitalise on
this. ”Anyone who receives a similar call should
not provide any personal details or agree to
transfer money and should contact police
immediately.” Anyone with any information can
contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311
3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111"

>I have a short recording of my conversation with the chap on the phone, and, once i figure out how, i will post that up on here also<

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Thursday 12 January 2012

Dr Terry Hamblin, champion of Leukaemia sufferers ,has died.

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The workd has lost a leading light in the fight against Leukaemia with the sad news that Terry Hamblin passed away on Sunday.


Terry's name is recognized  by a huge number of people around the world as an authority on the subject of CLL and like many many others I always found solace in his friendly and reassuring articles on his blog "Mutations of Mortality".


Click HERE to read the article posted in the Bournemouth Echo:

The world today is a much poorer place with his passing. RIP Terry, you where an inspiration and a champion for the many CLL sufferers around the Globe.

To read the many interesting posts covering a wide range of subjects, not only CLL, on his excellent Blog click HERE.

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Tuesday 10 January 2012

Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi fights Lymphoma.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is to undergo treatment for cancer after being diagnosed with lymphoma. His bandmates - with whom he has recently been reunited to record a new album - have asked for fans to send 'positive vibes' to the 63-year-old musician. The hard rock pioneers recently reformed with their original line-up to work on their first album together for 33 years. A statement released on behalf of the band said: 'Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan -the Iron Man of rock & roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.' The group, widely credited with creating heavy metal, insist they will plough on with plans for the new album. Black Sabbath had also lined up a series of major dates during the year. Iommi and colleagues Ozzy Osbourne, bass player Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward announced last year that they were together again once more. They had been writing and recording in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin on an album due for release in the autumn.


Monday 2 January 2012

A poem/song written for Nathan Cook

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This poem, or perhaps song, was written on the first day of this year for local lad Nathan Cook who so tragically died only a few days ago when he developed Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Written by song writter L.J Radnor from Nashville,USA.

I though it was worth sharing with you...........

smile for you

Wishing you were here, still can’t believe you’re gone
But I know that you are with us, to keep us going strong
Just to hold you once again, there’s nothing we want more
To hear your voice again, but the tears begin to fall

You gave it all you had, until the very end
No one could have fought braver, so until we meet again
Your memory will never fade, and all that you once knew
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

You inspired those around you, loved with all your heart
But now you are an Angel, wish we didn’t have to part
There’s not a day goes by, since you went away
That we wished with all our hearts, it was yesterday

You gave it all you had, until the very end
No one could have fought braver, so until we meet again
Your memory will never fade, and all that you once knew
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

All our love and kisses, are yours eternally
Wishing that you were here, where you’re supposed to be
Your memory will never fade, but as we shed a tear for you
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

You gave it all you had, until the very end
No one could have fought braver, so until we meet again
Your memory will never fade, and all that you once knew
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

L. J. Radnor 01/01/12





This video was posted on Youtube recently. Has a brilliant song as it's soundtrack.....









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Gary Ablett dies of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma aged 46

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Well know footballer Gary Ablett has died aged 46 after he sadly lost his battle with nob-hodgkins lyjmphoma.

Gary was born in Aigburth, a Merseyside suburb. After leaving school he joined Liverpool as an apprentice in 1983, and made his debut as a substitute in a goalless draw with Charlton Athletic in December 1986. By the 1987-88 season, he was the established left-back. A rather gangly defender, he was one of the underrated players in Kenny Dalglish's talented squad that included the famous attacking trio of John Barnes, John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley.
To read more about this story please click HERE.
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