Author: Maxsons Import_User

Well, the petrol lorry drivers (the guys who deliver petrol….tanker truck drivers) voted yesterday to go on strike.  No one is sure when it will happen; however, everyone expects it to happen around the Easter holiday (that happens to be a 4 day weekend here).  I think the best quote ever came from this page on the Telegraph’s website (if it isn’t at the top of the page, scroll down to the 11:50 entry):

More advice from the Government on the UK fuel strike – they don’t want to cause panic, but Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude has advised motorists to keep a jerry can of fuel in their garage, and the Prime Minister has suggested topping up your tank when you have the chance.  Mr Maude doesn’t want to see anyone “rushing around in a mad dash” – only mild, restrained panic please.

I find that hillarious.  no need for mad dashes….just semi-hurried dashes.  As No. 10 has advised people to make plans…..  How are people supposed to take it?

Oh, before anyone asks, we are taking precautions.  They don’t have many 20l jerrycans here so I bought a few 5l ones.  10l of fuel won’t get us far but will get us to the hospital or airport in an emergency.  We also plan to keep our tank topped up (daily if needed).

[Update 2012-03-30 06:53:35]  Am I “panic buying” fuel?  Where is the “I’m being a responsible citizen/resident” option?

[Update 2012-03-31 08:16:36] Now there are calls for rationing so 999 drivers and emergency services can get the fuel the need.

[Update 2012-04-19 09:36:06] There was an agreement; however, the union has rejected it.  No strike news yet.

Image from didbygraham via flickr

Here in Merry Olde England (see how I worked that in) we are under a drought.  At the time of year when we should have  loads of water, a hosepipe ban (water hose ban…but basically water restrictions) are being implemented.  We’ve had record low rainfall for the past 2 years and we are feeling the effects.  Right now, the restrictions are mostly voluntary (except for banning the use of hoses outside) but if it continues, the water companies may be forced to implement mandatory measures for homes and businesses.

[Update 2012-06-13 12:14:16] This has turned into the wettest drought I have ever seen.

Image from rob gallop via flickr

Yesterday, I blogged a picture of a shop I walk by on my way to work.  The weather today was as nice as it was yesterday so I took a picture of some row houses.  Continuing the theme of “quaint village” and “sights I see every day” here are the row houses:

Every day I walk by this shop.  I’ve always thought the paint-job on it (and the shop itself) is a good representation of what I see on a daily basis.  Quaint little shops that, mostly, fit my stereotype of English “town” life.  London, on the other hand looks nothing like this.

[Update 2012-03-27 08:36:53]  Right down the street from this are these row houses.

When we came back to England, we brought our Turkey Deep Fryer with us.  At first, I thought I was going to have to get a new connector and regulator; however, then I got to looking….I was able to take our deep fryer (with the POL connector that it had) and hook it directly up to the calor gas cylinder that I got.  Looks like it will work well!