knoppy1987

I have been obsessed with Cheetahs since primary school inspired by buying a Cheetah bookmark at a school book fair. I still have it today. The obsession has grown into cheetah art, books and charitable support. @useless makes a good point above. It amazes me how quickly some of these animals adapt to a 'new' surrounding, or have to adapt. I recommend 'The Spotted Sphinx' by Joy Adamson as a powerful read into the life of Cheetah mother. It has one of the most incredible viewpoints on 'man' I think I have ever read. There is also 'Pippa's Challenge' which is the ill-fated sequel but also telling. Here is a recent picture from The National Geographic that I liked. Closer to home, I like Common Buzzards and Kestrels. If the weather is favourable, I'll happily go and track some down. I have more success with the Common Buzzard!

It is a very good observation and one that can be detrimental to your own morale given any thought; it was for mine on many occasions during my lifetime. Thankfully I do not come across these degenerate types so much anymore although it took an extravagant move in order to achieve it!

I'm with the OP. The older I get, the less I want to leave England, even for a holiday. The day does not get enough recognition so Happy St George's Day to all. I'll be on St Austell Tribute rather than Carling.

Spot on.

I'd recommend 'The Train Now Departing' from the late-80s as a quick watch for those who like Steam Railways. There is a great episode that depicts a middle-aged and grumpy man attempting to re-live his childhood Holiday to Devon.

Thought Watkins did very well in that half - I admire his effort as always and he has caught Dawson out on more than few occasions. Would like to see us being a bit more direct and exploiting that. Much of the team look jaded but West Ham can be got at I feel.

I started reading the Tom Thorne series having been without a book travelling in Italy in 2008. I bought Death Message (eventually went back to the first book Sleepyhead as I was out of book order) from the book shop that was on a mezzanine floor in Termini station. I am a few books behind now but they will be read. Currently reading The Spotted Sphinx by Joy Adamson. Highly recommended particularly for those attached to animals and wildlife.

The 747-400F and 747-400CF Converted Freighters are holding strong, but, they have very little presence here sadly. Same with the 747-8F. I'd love the chance to get on a Lufthansa 747-8i but at the moment I am dreaming. At least the 747-400s had longevity in service. The A380 fleet has an average age under 8 years, and over 90% of the fleet is in storage. I just hope the remaining operators do not follow Air France. Some have opted for long-term storage. I remain hopeful given the likes of Emirates and Qantas have recently done some cabin refits in Premium Economy. I've never flew on one either and even though I do not think it is the prettiest aircraft (we used to call it a block of flats - it lacks the elegance of a 744 IMO), it will have to be struck off the list at some point. Plenty of 744s mind. The one that got away was the MD-11 for me. My Dad even managed to get on one from Helsinki to Tokyo Narita (Finnair) without even knowing. I was envious when I saw a picture!

Everything is compounding at the moment. I try my best to make the most of the simple things in life; those things that have been around forever, and some that are traditional. Tonight I walked and the full moon was spectacular. In the clear sky I spotted a shooting star, and this was all after having fish, chips and mushy peas after work from a van that stops in the area every Thursday evening. There are fascinating things around us constantly, it may just take a bit of imagination. I hope things pick-up for you.

I have a car nicknamed third gear.

Exotic colour scheme burgundy and cream - I wonder what the price was around that time. Interesting on the South African 333i because they also got the GTV6 with a 3.0 V6 Busso whereas we only got a 2.5 V6.

Just a very distinctive car was the E30. I have a 1:43 model of a Will Hoy Touring Car somewhere. You're not wrong on the prices either; even the 320i and 323i seem to fetch a good price these days. The 323i is fairly rare as well as I think as there were limited numbers as an early run model here. I could be wrong on that, just something I think I have read or been told. I think the charm of the car outweighs the performance even today, and as you say, it was light, you also had great visibility all around the car, and in that straight six, you have purist motoring. A shame it was sold, but good knowing that you got to experience it for the 5 years.

Puts the dross you see on roads today to shame. Lovely car especially when unmolested - distinctive exhaust note (stock exhaust). Good picture find.

I agree with your post and echo your concerns because I work in the Aviation/Aerospace sector and can report on similar impacts. Our business sales will have halved compared to calendar 2019 come the end of December. Other than Private Equity buyers looking for good value opportunities largely due to this crisis, as well as the largest aircraft component suppliers, our work as consultants has diminished. When we do sell we cannot sell without a substantial discount in place ~50% in some cases. A few months ago I was given the option to take a temporary pay cut or go on furlough (both options resulting 80% of salary). I opted without hesitation for the former based on my own wisdom to support the business, and also hoping that this would reflect positively if any further decisions had to be made. Whichever way you look at it though, if things continue as they are, my wisdom (blind faith by then) will count for nothing, and my job along with many in the sectors you mention are merely a ticking time bomb (not forgetting that there have been thousands affected already). Targeted and extended help is a must rather than some homogeneous strategy with a cut off.

I'd be getting back in the Ireland shirt. Disgrace.

An excellent description. Just devoured one myself. No shame in doing so in the morning either.

Waking up very early for a long drive away with work only to find your wing mirror has been taken off by a parking or passing driver. I'd like to think this should absolutely piss me off though. The annoyance of having to cancel last minute and the lost sleep really is a pisser. The upside; I was up early, removed the wrecked unit and have ordered a brand new replacement for a mere £43.98 inc. P&P which should be here by tomorrow or Thursday. Still fuming however.

Agree with the above on Milan. Serie A needs a good Milan just to put a stop to all the Juventus domination. Historically they have been the team to do it, and lets not forget in Europe too. Pioli seems to have them positively well-drilled unlike Giampaolo. Samp looking down and out at half-time yesterday but put on a great show in the second half. Bonazzoli again looked unstoppable when he came on. Ranieri has again done a terrific job.

Impressive from Verona in the first of the live games. Fiorentina have got themselves a player in Amrabat. Gollini was at fault for the Verona goal in my opinion. Game 2 is just about to begin. Looking forward to watching Francesco Caputo.

Ashley Young has looked good for Inter as has Candreva of late. Samp have pulled a decent gap now. I was impressed with Federico Bonazzoli's goals this week. Both are worth a watch. Being back on the road for work has put a dent in my Italian football evenings which is a shame. I'm having to resort to YouTube catch-up. That being said, my partner is out all day Saturday so Premier Sports 2 will be fixed on from later afternoon until night.

A sad day for us Aviation enthusiasts with BA's 744s going. I'll miss the fan whirring of those RB211-524s.

I switched the game off at half-time to do some housework. Shameful.

Amazing statistic considering. I read a snippet about him finding the net with a free-kick for the first time in forty-something attempts as well; I suspect that sounds/looks worse than it actually is. I never manged to get as many games in this weekend due to garden centre visits and a day cooking for family. I will await the highlights on Premier Sports early this week for a full catch-up. I did watch Cagliari Atalanta though; Atalanta were not at their best yesterday but it was good to see Ilicic back. He was just starting to find his feet when the game ended. Cagliari impressed as they often do. I thought Marko Rog was exceptional and has been on a number of occasions I have watched him this season. Sampdoria got a good and expected win against SPAL. The commentator really needs to brush up on player names though. Karol Linetty is now Karol Litenny.

@VillaChris - your man Robin Gosens was a handful again last night. Atalanta were tactically spot on against Napoli I thought and just let them play in front of the defence. I laughed at Gattuso's post-match comments saying that there was too much talking on the pitch; all you could hear was him roaring the whole game. There was a great period in the first half when church bells were ringing which really emphasised the lack the crowd support. The Roma Udinese game was less of a spectacle. Roma were disjointed and played with no team fluidity; probably down to making eight changes and eventually having Diego Perotti sent off.