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swaneldo's bio
Happy, dippy, hippy -
swaneldo's latest comments
ViewDate:
19th May 2023
swaneldo commented on:
Should pay and display parking cash machines be replaced by parking apps?Why isn't contact card swipe payment available - there's no money to steal; it's been around for years and works. The obsession with apps for everything is just tedious no matter what age you are.ViewDate:
19th May 2023 swaneldo commented on:
Can you afford to retire?I retired early to care for my mum, but before I did, I sat down and realistically wrote down what I really must have, rather than what I wanted. These are 2 very different things and often confused - buying 'stuff' is not something that balances the budget; they are treats. Rent/mortgage; utilities; car costs; food; must pay bills are your basics, then everything else is jam on it! It's a different more imaginative mindset to achieve your goal. There are lots of things you can still do for free or cheaply like picnics / nature trails / sketch books to draw things / museums / home cooked dinner 'parties' where everyone dresses up to eat at home and everyone makes a dish. Some serious family discussions must take place to explain things and why gran and grandad just can't be as generous as they may have been previously - that's life.ViewDate:
19th May 2023 swaneldo commented on:
Money saving baked hamNot 100% to an authentic recipe probably, but I use soup as an economic way of using leftover veg in the fridge. Put in a large pan yellow split peas (no soak); any veg you fancy or which is in the fridge and needs using; chicken/veg stock cube; water - enough to cover the peas and veg well as the peas will soak up some of the water. Bring to the boil and high simmer for 10 mins, then put on low heat to cook the peas. I then take off the heat and cool a bit and blitz with a liquidiser as I like smooth soups. Add chunks of the ham you've cooked earlier. Reheat and serve with a doorstep of home made bread - yum.ViewDate:
10th Jun 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Would you go public if you won the jackpot?Not a chance! If it was substantial, I'd get myself sorted with a home where I want to live and then distribute to small charities who need the money and don't waste millions on sending out unnecessary cuddly toys, raffle tickets and star filled jollies, sorry important meetings.ViewDate:
10th Jun 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Is a four-day working week the way forward?If the infrastructure is properly invested in so that people truly can fully work from home, then why not. However, I think it's been proven recently when trying to sort anything out / speak to someone in person that there's a long way to go before it can be truly called 'working' from home. Not enough is spent on making sure computer / telephone systems can 'talk' to each other so that staff have access to all information when they are at home.ViewDate:
10th Jun 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Would you feel comfortable interacting with a robot that looks and feels more human?I already happily interact with things that look and feel human .... humans! Humans seem to be getting more and more expendable as we automate everything and treat life like a big nursery playground. Bit like the Superman comics I read years ago where all mankind had become so dependent on robots, they could not think or act for themselves .... oh hang on, I think we are partially there ....ViewDate:
10th Jun 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Money saving baked hamHi - I have the Ninja 9 in 1 which has pressure cooker / airfry / slow cooker etc so you can do both in one pot :-)ViewDate:
16th May 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Do you ask guests to take their shoes off in your house?If I forgot and was asked, I'd have no problem, but if there's carpet, then I think it's only polite to automatically take your shoes off and respect the surroundings.ViewDate:
16th May 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Does the inclusion of calories influence your menu choice?Ha ha - there's an upside to everything!ViewDate:
16th May 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Does the inclusion of calories influence your menu choice?I'm an adult - I can think for myself and act accordingly. If you can afford to eat out, it's a treat and should be enjoyed without Nanny stopping your fun!ViewDate:
16th May 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Are you or your community planning a Platinum Jubilee celebration?No interest to me, but I hope those who are doing something, enjoy it. If it makes you happy, then it's a good thing. There are enough miseries stopping everyone enjoying themselves at every opportunity so if you fancy a get together and some grub, go for it!ViewDate:
25th Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Should the free prescription age in England be raised to 66?I retired early to be a full time carer for my mum - this means that I don't get the state pension yet (every time the light is at the end of the tunnel, the tunnel got longer on my retirement age which started at 60 and has gradually stretched to 66!). My work pension was reduced due to me retiring early ... but I'm just above what is considered to be the level for benefits - I've never been out of work. I'm over 60 so currently get prescriptions free which is a great help with trying to stretch finances. It seems you're punished for being conscientious and hard working throughout your life. Carers, in particular, looking after their loved ones and not being able to work are hit hard trying to stretch the pennies, but save the country millions by caring (willingly) for free.ViewDate:
25th Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
swaneldo showcase imageWe are lucky living in a 'built up' area, but surrounded by lots of beautiful nature and wildlife - I love it hereViewDate:
22nd Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
swaneldo showcase imageThey are very well mannered (when they know you have a bag full of grub!)ViewDate:
22nd Apr 2022
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22nd Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
What is your favourite book genre?Crime & murder mysteries - can't beat a well written 'who done it'!ViewDate:
22nd Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Should the humble Ploughman's lunch become gender neutral?Somebody will no doubt set up a crowd fund for you now Lionel so you can have a bit of sourdough instead of a doorstep of a farmhouse loaf! :-)ViewDate:
22nd Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Should the humble Ploughman's lunch become gender neutral?I think we are pandering to the santimonious needy who just need to get on with their lives and let everyone else get on with theirs. Some people would start a fight in an empty room because they are offended. If this utter tosh was completely ignored, the majority of us would bob along quite nicely together in harmony no matter what our preferences. Everything has to be an 'ist' or 'ism' or have a label so that the sheep can corral in a grumpy, offended little herd. Ignore them like the petulant infants they are and don't feed their need for attention. Besides which, I can't imagine a ploughman doing a hard day's graft and opting to eat sourdough in preference to a decent slab of farmhouse bread!ViewDate:
22nd Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Are you concerned with the safety of self-driving cars?Given the dire level of driving currently, I cannot see it will make any difference! We are rapidly becoming a world of people who are lazy minded and insist on everything being done for them.ViewDate:
22nd Apr 2022 swaneldo commented on:
Would you be prepared to pay more for British eggs?I buy from an online 'shop' which deals direct with farmers and food suppliers in an ethical and fair way. You eat what's in season; the food tastes 100 times better than supermarket produce and the customer service and delivery are superb. I kissed a lot of frogs to find a company who is excellent as a lot are absolutely dire. I stock up fridge / freezer / cupboards every few months; eat my way through it; then stock up again - buy; eat; repeat! It may cost a little bit more, but it is well worth it for quality and making sure suppliers get a fair share. Living in Greater London, there is very little choice other than the plastic supermarkets so online is the best solution. I only use them for bits and bobs inbetween deliveries, but never for meat as it tastes poor quality after buying online. I'm happy to pay a bit more if it's fair - I know some can't, but if you can, get online and vote with your feet.ViewDate:
21st Dec 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Win ONE of FIVE copies of the fabulous More Taste & Less Waste Cookbook!It was a way of life for my mum and Mondays were my favourite - curry / hash made with left over Sunday roast - yum! Still do the same myself with a look inside the fridge to see what bits and bobs are lurking and ready to be put together. If you can cook and balance the books on a budget you can surviveViewDate:
21st Dec 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Will you be supporting small businesses this Christmas?I support small businesses throughout the year, especially Brit farmers. Supermarkets are convenient, but the produce is often less tasty and 'old' so I regularly order from suppliers who deal direct with our farmers. Eating in season is the best and we don't need everything available every day of the year.ViewDate:
19th Nov 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Should over 50s be going to nightclubs?It's nobody else's business - if it gets you through, go for it and ignore the miseries. If they make adverse comments, then it's their life they should be looking at, not someone else's.ViewDate:
19th Nov 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Do pantos need trigger warnings?If you're so thick you are unaware of the content of a panto, then don't go see one. It's about time the miserable, permanently offended minority went into their own little lockdown; shut the door and left the rest of us with a sense of humour and a brain to get on with our lives and have a bit of fun. Don't give them any air time whatsoever and they'll soon get bored. I'm sick to death of hearing from them and about them - they are simply sad attention seekers and need to be otherwise occupied.ViewDate:
19th Nov 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Could you give up your car?When plane use is decreased; when MPs give up their chauffeur driven limos; when pious celebs stop telling us what to do whilst travelling all over the world in private jets; when cruise ships decrease their polution .... maybe I'll think about it!ViewDate:
6th Jul 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Will you continue wearing a face mask if the measure is scrapped?Surely it's time for each individual to be responsible; judge the circumstances and act accordingly as they feel comfortable with. I feel the ramped up phraseology being used continues to frighten everyone. It's not the number of cases which is important, it's the reaction to the infection which is key and this is what we should be studying. If, like other diseases we've previously fought, the infection rate is sky high, but the reaction to it is lowering and our bodies are dealing with it better, then that is the most important figures we should study carefully and act upon. This will not be the last disease which threatens us, it is how we fight and repel it which matters. We cannot hide away every time a new disease appears - we must act quickly and intelligently at the outset and then fight it tooth and nail until we show it who's boss! I will still avoid crowded environments, but I do that with or without a virus as it has always seemed a sensible thing to do, especially in the winter when flu has been around. Common sense and cleanliness (which sounds like an Austen novel!) should always be our key words.ViewDate:
29th Jun 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Do you think 'Freedom Day' should be delayed?We need to realise that we will be living with this and other viruses forever and learn to deal with it. We can't sit in a fluffy cocoon for the rest of our lives and see our country slowly close down and people lose their jobs / businesses. It's getting ridiculous. No doubt when the next big scare comes along, we'll be no better prepared than we were this time round and be dithering about for too long before any intelligent action is taken. If G7, football matches and tennis can go ahead, then so can everything else. These double standards are ludicrous and patronising.ViewDate:
29th Jun 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Should classrooms be mobile phone free zones?They should, but it is impossible to manage, especially when some parents do not support the school. Some children use mobiles as a tool for online torture, humiliation and bullying, but unless access to social sites are blocked under parental mobile control, it's a lost cause.ViewDate:
8th Jun 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Would you be happy to visit Europe this summer?Given the queues at airports and the delays that travelling anywhere abroad has, I haven't bothered for years. I'll continue to enjoy holidays in the UK (when all the other desperate travellers have finally gone back abroad!) as I love it in this country. Bags in the boot; tootle off across country; arrive in a couple of hours at your own pace - lovelyViewDate:
8th Jun 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Should historical statues remain in place?There is an old saying that "those who do not remember the past, are comdemned to repeat it". If history is rewritten by the bossy, shrieking minority who want to hide all the 'nasty bad stuff', then there are no guidelines to refer to so that we are educated by the past to do better in the future.ViewDate:
8th Jun 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Are you happy to return to the cinema?Nothing to do with covid - I stopped going to cinemas years ago due to the behaviour of some of the audience. It's impossible to watch and enjoy a film due to mobiles being used throughout and people constantly talking. I wonder why some pay to go to the cinema as they are obviously not interested in seeing a film!ViewDate:
14th May 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Could Micro-Weddings Become the New Normal?I've never understood the need to spend thousands of pounds on something which is so stressful which should just be a recognition of 2 people who love each other enough to want to be together. You can have a party any day of the week - a marriage should be special and personal and mean something, not an ego trip.ViewDate:
14th May 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Are M&S right to sue Aldi over Cuthbert the copycat of Colin the Caterpillar?I think M&S have far more pressing issues of updating and modernising their business. The only thing which is worth visiting them for is the food section and a caterpillar cake is not going to save what has become a very out-moded shop with boring and ill fitting clothes made on the cheap in far flung places. They should have promoted it as flattery and had a joke about it which would have given them a much needed profile boost and not shown them as being extremely petty.ViewDate:
14th May 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Will you be trying the new Jaffa Jonut?It's just a jaffa cake with the middle nibbled out!ViewDate:
29th Mar 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Is it still ok to share Irish jokes on St Patrick's Day?The Irish are the most fun loving people - Dave Allen anyone?! We are being turned into a miserable po faced world where some make a profession out of taking offence at any little thing. Nothing wrong with mild banter which is neither offensive nor hurtful no matter who you are. I like anything which makes me giggle and brightens the day.ViewDate:
29th Mar 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Should daylight savings be abolished?There's no necessity to change timings as the light changes naturally with the seasons; you either lose light in the mornings or in the evenings depending on what time of year it is. This is just hanging on to a completely outdated practice brought in which is no longer necessary or logical. GMT is perfectly fine and doesn't need changing.ViewDate:
13th Mar 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Will you watch the Sussexes' Oprah interview?Gosh - they REALLY don't like publicity do they?! Given they have such a hatred of the press, it would be intelligent to not court it at every opportunity when it suits them. Suggest they shut up, learn some decorum and live their lives without sharing all the tedium and drama with us - it's extremely tacky and embarrassing.ViewDate:
27th Feb 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Should Mr Potato Head become gender neutral?Better that people just get on with their lives as they wish to live and just stop ramming all these 'isms' down everyone's throat and causing problems where there are none. I don't care what you do as long as you're happy and don't harm anyone else. Some just seriously need to get over themselves and their perceived slights and bob along as best they can. If you need to desperately search for things to be offended by, you are not living a happy life. We're all human beings - end of.ViewDate:
14th Feb 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Do you agree with prettifying dogs?Grooming and welfare - yes; vacuous tarting up purely for the ego of the owner - no!ViewDate:
3rd Feb 2021 swaneldo commented on:
Should teachers be prioritised for vaccination over half-term?Morning Jeanmark It is definitely not teachers who have the closest and prolonged contact. I worked in a school for 16 years and there are many others who are just as close to students throughout every day helping them with their work; looking after them if they are poorly; sitting next to them in class and assisting them throughout every lesson. It's a misconception that teachers do it all in a school and all other staff have no dealings with the students. It is a multi-team effort; teachers alone do not keep schools functioning. -
swaneldo's latest showcase activity
Approved22 Comments24/04/2022 22:53:09Main Courses: Money saving baked hamFor a bit of cost saving, I buy a gammon joint; cut it into 3 or 4 pieces depending on size; freeze...
Approved0 Comments22/04/2022 14:51:02Gallery SubmissionBusy Bumble having a nosey round my balcony ... on the 10th floor ... must be turbo charged!
Approved2 Comments22/04/2022 14:49:10Gallery SubmissionMy Beaky Breakfast Club forming an orderly queue!
Approved1 Comments22/04/2022 14:47:48Gallery SubmissionNature and industry working together to make art
Approved3 Comments22/04/2022 14:45:07Gallery SubmissionMother Nature letting us know that she\'s ready to send us another lovely day
Approved0 Comments25/11/2019 11:23:14Gallery SubmissionOur lovely local \'zen\' garden with honeypot sculptures and pewter bees -
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