On Sat, 23 Apr 2022 23:27:59 -0700 (PDT), eric the brave
<google@zapik.co.uk> wrote:

>On Saturday, 16 April 2022 at 15:38:38 UTC+1, Ace wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Apr 2022 06:42:53 -0700 (PDT), Ben Blaney
>> <benb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >On Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 6:33:49 PM UTC-4, WUN wrote:
>> >> ... for the first time in probably two years (other than taking it to the
>> >> MOT place a few days ago).
>> >
>> >I'm hoping to do so soon. My 400f has had its gearbox issue resolved, and I'm trying to find time to get to the shop to collect it - but I'm away all week and they don't open on Saturdays.
>> >
>> >> I say, these motorcycle things are jolly fast, aren't they?
>> >
>> >My mileage may vary!
>> Hah, I do recall BOTAFOTing the 400 when I had it, and it could do a
>> perfectly fine job of keeping up with all but the keenest
>> participants. It's not the machine, but the way you ride it. Was
>> helped, at that point, by the all-but-useless front brake (later
>> improved to be vaguely finctional) which meant that there was no point
>> trying to slow down for the corners anyway.
>>
>> --
>> Ace
>> http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/
>
>
>AHA a BOTOFOT : https://simonb.zapik.com/botofot/images.html

AHA indeed. A name from way back when, although we've never actually
met.

--
Colin Irvine
FJR1300A

On 23/04/2022 00:47, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7:46:44 AM UTC-4, Champ wrote:
>> On Thu, 21 Apr 2022 10:35:12 +0100, "ChrisND @UKRM"
>> <chr...@privacy.net> wrote:
>>
>>> On 19/04/2022 12:40, Champ wrote:
>>>> On 16 Apr 2022 10:55:00 GMT, "ChrisND @UKRM" <chr...@privacy.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> So nice to feel the wind in ones hair and the sun on ones back etc.
>>
>>>> You really should wear a helmet
>>
>>> Its ok! I still have hair long enough to be able to do both :-)
>> Blimey. Having hair at all marks you out around here
>
> I'm still not grey!

I'm only grey from the neck up.
Does that help?
Chris

--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On 21/04/2022 12:46, Champ wrote:
> On Thu, 21 Apr 2022 10:35:12 +0100, "ChrisND @UKRM"
> <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote:
>
>> On 19/04/2022 12:40, Champ wrote:
>>> On 16 Apr 2022 10:55:00 GMT, "ChrisND @UKRM" <chrisd@privacy.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> So nice to feel the wind in ones hair and the sun on ones back etc.
>
>>> You really should wear a helmet
>
>> Its ok! I still have hair long enough to be able to do both :-)
>
> Blimey. Having hair at all marks you out around here

I seem to remember you having plenty of hair on the one occasion I met
you (at the scout hall at Onchan) - mind you, that is quite a few years
ago now! 2005 or 6?

Not that I expect you to remember me at all - but when I visited someone
was kind to give me a push on the XV cos the alternator was knack'ed.

Chris

--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:33:48 -0700 (PDT), WUN <nigel.eaton@gmail.com>
wrote:

>... for the first time in probably two years (other than taking it to the
>MOT place a few days ago).
>
>I say, these motorcycle things are jolly fast, aren't they?
>
>I'd probably best get a few mile sunder my belt before the TOG-tour.

I've been riding mine quite a bit.

More importantly, following your re-animation of the luxo-barge, I
thought I ought to give mine some attention. So...

- fresh oil and new oil filter fitted
- brake pads checked ('they'll do')
- tyres checked (ditto)
- chain oiled

.....and I've even washed it!

All set for my road trip, which starts a day before most (for
semi-obvious reasons) - I've on the boat to England on Thursday
morning.
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 6:00:36 PM UTC+1, Champ wrote:
> All set for my road trip, which starts a day before most (for
> semi-obvious reasons) - I've on the boat to England on Thursday
> morning.

Lahvely. What ferry are you on for the southern leg of your world tour?

--
WUN

On Sun, 24 Apr 2022 16:15:22 -0700 (PDT), WUN <nigel.eaton@gmail.com>
wrote:

>On Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 6:00:36 PM UTC+1, Champ wrote:
>> All set for my road trip, which starts a day before most (for
>> semi-obvious reasons) - I've on the boat to England on Thursday
>> morning.

>Lahvely. What ferry are you on for the southern leg of your world tour?

Using the tunnel, after the P&O debacle - 11:20, I think, same as
Ogden and Doris
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

Champ wrote:

> after the P&O debacle

My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
(owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.

The P&O Cruises brand has been absolutely smashed despite it being
owned by a completely different company and an innocent bystander
(these things are relative I appreciate).

To the extent they've taken out ads distancing themselves from P&O
Ferries - P&O Cruises were only just keeping going after the pandemic
and this sudden reputation battering may be the end of them.

Wheras, the shithouses at P&O Ferries will survive and probably do well
as the only business they care about is freight, and hauliers are
driven solely by price. They're probably glad to be rid of the
passenger traffic/headache in any case.

This sort of corporate behaviour is all too common and I have
experience of it, but the bit that gets me is the blatant "We'd do it
again" in front of a Parliamentary committee.

Probably shows how far standards in public/business life have fallen.

--
Simon

On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:36:18 AM UTC+1, sweller wrote:
> Champ wrote:
>
> > after the P&O debacle
>
> My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
> (owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
> sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.
>
> The P&O Cruises brand has been absolutely smashed despite it being
> owned by a completely different company and an innocent bystander
> (these things are relative I appreciate).
>
> To the extent they've taken out ads distancing themselves from P&O
> Ferries - P&O Cruises were only just keeping going after the pandemic
> and this sudden reputation battering may be the end of them.
>
> Wheras, the shithouses at P&O Ferries will survive and probably do well
> as the only business they care about is freight, and hauliers are
> driven solely by price. They're probably glad to be rid of the
> passenger traffic/headache in any case.
>
> This sort of corporate behaviour is all too common and I have
> experience of it, but the bit that gets me is the blatant "We'd do it
> again" in front of a Parliamentary committee.
>
> Probably shows how far standards in public/business life have fallen.
>

Depressingly true , I see their ads popup with so many mouth breathers not realising they're different companies, and going off on one at them.

A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !

On Monday, 25 April 2022 at 10:36:18 UTC+1, sweller wrote:
<snip>

I don't disagree about standards dropping and frankly with our government giving
such a poor lead in obeying the law (its own and international) I find it hard to be
surprised a business would also be 'flexible' about legal matters. It's what we've
been voting for (albeit the largest minority of us).

I'm increasingly wondering if we are heading for an authoritarian, non democratic
future worldwide; does the democracy we thought we experienced during the
20th century end up being a footnote in history?

Assuming of course there is a record of history and (human) life doesn't just
cease over the coming decades.

On 25/04/2022 10:59, Dave Brown wrote:
> On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:36:18 AM UTC+1, sweller wrote:
>> Champ wrote:
>>
>>> after the P&O debacle
>>
>> My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
>> (owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
>> sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.
>>
>> The P&O Cruises brand has been absolutely smashed despite it being
>> owned by a completely different company and an innocent bystander
>> (these things are relative I appreciate).
>>
>> To the extent they've taken out ads distancing themselves from P&O
>> Ferries - P&O Cruises were only just keeping going after the pandemic
>> and this sudden reputation battering may be the end of them.
>>
>> Wheras, the shithouses at P&O Ferries will survive and probably do well
>> as the only business they care about is freight, and hauliers are
>> driven solely by price. They're probably glad to be rid of the
>> passenger traffic/headache in any case.
>>
>> This sort of corporate behaviour is all too common and I have
>> experience of it, but the bit that gets me is the blatant "We'd do it
>> again" in front of a Parliamentary committee.
>>
>> Probably shows how far standards in public/business life have fallen.
>>
>
> Depressingly true , I see their ads popup with so many mouth breathers not realising they're different companies, and going off on one at them.
>
> A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !

Or why not just have an ad saying 'We're nothing to do with that other
company of b'stards'?

Chris

--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On Monday, 25 April 2022 at 10:59:15 UTC+1, browni...@googlemail.com wrote:
> On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:36:18 AM UTC+1, sweller wrote:
<snip>
> > My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
> > (owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
> > sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.
> >
> > The P&O Cruises brand has been absolutely smashed despite it being
> > owned by a completely different company and an innocent bystander
> > (these things are relative I appreciate).
> >
> > To the extent they've taken out ads distancing themselves from P&O
> > Ferries - P&O Cruises were only just keeping going after the pandemic
> > and this sudden reputation battering may be the end of them.

<snip>

> Depressingly true , I see their ads popup with so many mouth breathers not realising they're different companies, and going off on one at them.
>
> A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !

I'm rather surprised that the demographic who use cruises (I assume mostly coffin-dodgers in their 60s and 70s)
mostly give a fuck about the P&O employees being kicked out of employment. After all this is the generation
that gave us brexit and the current tory cunts.

I'm aware that there's a fag paper between me and that group btw.

Champ wrote:
> following your re-animation of the luxo-barge, I
> thought I ought to give mine some attention. So...
>
> - fresh oil and new oil filter fitted
> - brake pads checked ('they'll do')
> - tyres checked (ditto)
> - chain oiled
>
> ....and I've even washed it!

I've...put some fuel in mine. Didn't even ride it to fill up, either. I'd have had to move the van to get the bike out, so I took a jerry can in the van instead.

Just as well I've been busy on the hillclimbers the last few weekends, or I might have forgotten how to use the controls.

On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 11:47:21 AM UTC+1, ChrisND @UKRM wrote:
> On 25/04/2022 10:59, Dave Brown wrote:
> > On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:36:18 AM UTC+1, sweller wrote:
> >> Champ wrote:
> >>
> >>> after the P&O debacle
> >>
> >> My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
> >> (owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
> >> sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.
> >>
> >> The P&O Cruises brand has been absolutely smashed despite it being
> >> owned by a completely different company and an innocent bystander
> >> (these things are relative I appreciate).
> >>
> >> To the extent they've taken out ads distancing themselves from P&O
> >> Ferries - P&O Cruises were only just keeping going after the pandemic
> >> and this sudden reputation battering may be the end of them.
> >>
> >> Wheras, the shithouses at P&O Ferries will survive and probably do well
> >> as the only business they care about is freight, and hauliers are
> >> driven solely by price. They're probably glad to be rid of the
> >> passenger traffic/headache in any case.
> >>
> >> This sort of corporate behaviour is all too common and I have
> >> experience of it, but the bit that gets me is the blatant "We'd do it
> >> again" in front of a Parliamentary committee.
> >>
> >> Probably shows how far standards in public/business life have fallen.
> >>
> >
> > Depressingly true , I see their ads popup with so many mouth breathers not realising they're different companies, and going off on one at them.
> >
> > A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !
> Or why not just have an ad saying 'We're nothing to do with that other
> company of b'stards'?
> Chris

I believe they have done this, time and time again. I think no amount of disassociation will help as people just see P&O.

It's like being branded the NAZI party and you're just a small catering firm that does does parties and functions with fairy cakes.

On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 11:51:50 AM UTC+1, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Monday, 25 April 2022 at 10:59:15 UTC+1, browni...@googlemail.com wrote:
> > On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:36:18 AM UTC+1, sweller wrote:
> <snip>
> > > My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
> > > (owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
> > > sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.
> <snip>
> > Depressingly true , I see their ads popup with so many mouth breathers not realising they're different companies, and going off on one at them.
> >
> > A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !
> I'm rather surprised that the demographic who use cruises (I assume mostly coffin-dodgers in their 60s and 70s)
> mostly give a fuck about the P&O employees being kicked out of employment. After all this is the generation
> that gave us brexit and the current tory cunts.

Well, yes - there is that ! I guess double standards at a basic level.
> I'm aware that there's a fag paper between me and that group btw.

Not being a cunt keeps the gap big enough.

On Mon, 25 Apr 2022 05:49:12 -0700 (PDT), Dave Brown
<browniebrownz@googlemail.com> wrote:

>It's like being branded the NAZI party and you're just a small catering firm that does does parties and functions with fairy cakes.

A lot of companies in and around Oxford, which has "Isis" (an
alternative / old name of the Thames) in their company name had to do
a refund for similar reasons in the recent past
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On Mon, 25 Apr 2022 05:44:57 -0700 (PDT), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Just as well I've been busy on the hillclimbers the last few weekends, or I might have forgotten how to use the controls.

When was your Doris last on the back?

For mine it was a good year ago. She dragged her heels when I
suggested she re-aquaint herself before the trip
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 25/04/2022 13:49, Dave Brown wrote:
> On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 11:47:21 AM UTC+1, ChrisND @UKRM wrote:
>> On 25/04/2022 10:59, Dave Brown wrote:
>>> On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:36:18 AM UTC+1, sweller wrote:
>>>> Champ wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> after the P&O debacle
>>>>
>>>> My insiders say there are going to be real problems for P&O Cruises
>>>> (owned by Carnival) whilst P&O Ferries (owned by DP World and who
>>>> sacked their crews) will probably survive unscathed.
>>>>
>>>> The P&O Cruises brand has been absolutely smashed despite it being
>>>> owned by a completely different company and an innocent bystander
>>>> (these things are relative I appreciate).
>>>>
>>>> To the extent they've taken out ads distancing themselves from P&O
>>>> Ferries - P&O Cruises were only just keeping going after the pandemic
>>>> and this sudden reputation battering may be the end of them.
>>>>
>>>> Wheras, the shithouses at P&O Ferries will survive and probably do well
>>>> as the only business they care about is freight, and hauliers are
>>>> driven solely by price. They're probably glad to be rid of the
>>>> passenger traffic/headache in any case.
>>>>
>>>> This sort of corporate behaviour is all too common and I have
>>>> experience of it, but the bit that gets me is the blatant "We'd do it
>>>> again" in front of a Parliamentary committee.
>>>>
>>>> Probably shows how far standards in public/business life have fallen.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Depressingly true , I see their ads popup with so many mouth breathers not realising they're different companies, and going off on one at them.
>>>
>>> A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !
>> Or why not just have an ad saying 'We're nothing to do with that other
>> company of b'stards'?
>> Chris
>
> I believe they have done this, time and time again. I think no amount of disassociation will help as people just see P&O.
>
> It's like being branded the NAZI party and you're just a small catering firm that does does parties and functions with fairy cakes.

IIRC, it didn't do Corona beer any harm :-)

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

Champ wrote:
> ogden <eld...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >Just as well I've been busy on the hillclimbers the last few weekends, or I might have forgotten how to use the controls.
>
> When was your Doris last on the back?

I was going to say December, a mile or so each way when we went for lunch at the pub next door to where the bike was having an MOT. But now you ask, I realise I completely forgot an overnight trip to Leeds about a month ago. 200-odd miles a day, quite cold, stopped for a beer along the way... The perfect practice run really.

> For mine it was a good year ago. She dragged her heels when I
> suggested she re-aquaint herself before the trip

It's not like there's much to forget. Hardest thing for M is getting on and off.

brownz wrote:
> A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !

A rebrand that wouldn't be necessary in the first place, if the ferry firm hadn't hastily tried to disassociate itself from its earlier brand 35 years ago.

YTC#1 wrote:
> Dave Brown wrote:
> > It's like being branded the NAZI party and you're just a small catering firm that does does parties and functions with fairy cakes.

> IIRC, it didn't do Corona beer any harm :-)

I'd rather drink actual Coronavirus.

ChrisND @UKRM wrote:

> Or why not just have an ad saying 'We're nothing to do with that
> other company of b'stards'?

That has been done. To little effect.

I found this:
https://www.marketingweek.com/po-cruises-distance-po-ferries-brand/

Those numbers don't look too healthy.

--
Simon

Stephen Packer wrote:

> I don't disagree about standards dropping and frankly with our
> government giving such a poor lead in obeying the law (its own and
> international) I find it hard to be surprised a business would also
> be 'flexible' about legal matters.

That was my point. Monkey see, monkey do.

--
Simon

On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 3:15:28 PM UTC+1, ogden wrote:
> YTC#1 wrote:
> > Dave Brown wrote:
> > > It's like being branded the NAZI party and you're just a small catering firm that does does parties and functions with fairy cakes.
>
> > IIRC, it didn't do Corona beer any harm :-)
> I'd rather drink actual Coronavirus.

Very close, just not as gassy apparently.

Always been a favourite with teams at BBQ competitions, thank god the next two comps I'm doing are in Bad Bellingen (just on the German side of the Rhein opposite Mulhouse) and Sint Niklaas - Belgium, so good beer should be readily available - not that I've had a beer since Feb - will be catching up this weekend !!

On 25/04/2022 10:59, Dave Brown wrote:
>
> A hasty re-branding might be the answer ? Total dis-association for a company they're not actually associated to !

Indeed. They need a nice distinguished new name. How about White Star Line?

On Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:27:23 +0100, Champ <neal@champ.org.uk> wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Apr 2022 05:49:12 -0700 (PDT), Dave Brown
><browniebrownz@googlemail.com> wrote:
>
>>It's like being branded the NAZI party and you're just a small catering firm that does does parties and functions with fairy cakes.

>A lot of companies in and around Oxford, which has "Isis" (an
>alternative / old name of the Thames) in their company name had to do
>a refund for similar reasons in the recent past

My fingers typed 'refund' when I obviously meant 'rebrand'
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old