tmd5855

Lived in Newbury, Berkshire, after privatisation all the old council/public land were fenced off, local fishing ponds private property. Dividends to shareholders near reflect the losses made by the company, but, the share price and dividends generated bonuses for the board. The old gravel extraction pits visible from the M4 in the 90's/2000's all filled in with water (to resemble lakes), premium priced houses built all around the waterfronts. How much did Thames Water get for that land with the obvious nod/wink to planning permission. Just last April 2024, published accounts for Thames Water showed it were insolvent. Water bills for my son is controlled by an escalator only going up and the occasional smelly tap water is hazard free. Selling off state controlled utilities such as gas/electric/water and rail has brought higher prices and poorer services. There is a financial and moral case for Thames as a bankrupt firm to be taken back into public hands. I am 70 retired at 59 after working short of 40 years in the Merchant Navy and Oil & Gas, benefitted from Thatcher's actions, but, sadly my children and the UK are poorer off

Been here 21 years, first 10 working offshore where I spent 30 minutes every evening learning phrases 'phonetically' moved up to my retirement home (Built 2012) in 2015 whose land is owned by a Thai company. Spending 38 years working overseas with various foreign nationals always learnt some phrases from the locals I worked amongst. Retired from work 2014 aged 59 and can go builders merchants and with drawings and pigeon Thai always get what I need. Police stop me on my bikes, smile and joke with them using Thai, 9 times out of 10 they let me off for speeding after they see my Thai bike licence. Always good manners to understand the local lingo, helped me a lot since retiring in a village and meeting a lady who became wife 2 years later. You want to learn the language, but, not go school!! Have phrase books at home and a little pocketbook to write down phrases 'Phonetically' Best of luck.

38 years at sea and offshore at times for 7 month stretch, my room were not any bigger. You make your own routine.

My youngest took drugs, then started selling drugs, a drug crazed mind allows demons to come inside, sadly to chase them out he took his own life 29th December 2016 aged 27. Taking drugs never end well, first the family gets broken, then jail, and in 90% of cases death. Drugs bring heartache not happiness. Poor guy thought he were having fun, now life as he knew it is over, even if he survives.

Married last 9 years, lived in village last 11 years. Pattaya 2004 to 2015 while working offshore. First visit Bangkok on a cargo boat 1980, thirty eight years spent at sea on boats and oil rigs . Have 8 dogs, fruit trees, Koi in fishpond, couple of bikes, wife has 2 bikes and an SUV. Maintaining my home and garden, reading books from my schooldays, stripping bike engines down in my workshop and cosmetically changing how the sports bikes look. At dusk shower and sit down around 8pm watch you tube and documentaries then in bed 11pm and up at 6am to start feeding the dogs. Every two three weeks go out for an afternoon session on the Leo beer at many Mom & Pops wooden shops. Every 4-5 months visit Pattaya for 4, Sam Mig fueled nights in GoGos and GC 70 years of age, less mobile owing to a damaged left calf muscle (snake bite) but, this is my village scooter Life at sea were regimented, retire here get a hobby, get dogs, get books get something or you die before your time

4 years ago a friend married to a Thai Lady in the UK decided to bring Mum, himself and wife with her grandchildren. He took out cover that included medical flight back to the UK after mum had tests/passed a test. While out here mum suffered a stroke (Blamed on heat), no airline would fly her as a passenger, so insurance cover stepped in flown home on a small plane, wife flew back with children, he were allowed to accompany mum who were awake. A lot of these guys/girls backpacking/travelling do not look poor, maybe spending another couple of hundred pounds on cover and not designer shades. Lived Thailand since 2004 working offshore. First visit via Merchant Navy 1983 and I got travel insurance even though company had me in BUPA. Very little sympathy, play with petrol and matches......................................

Sierra Leone after the fighting in 2012 armed guards in the minibuses to stop the minibus being stolen and us kidnapped. "Location allowance" (Danger money) added to wages 25%

Check distance covered from Normandy to Berlin. Check distance covered from Moscow Tram Terminus to Berlin. Normandy saved western Europe from being occupied by Russia.

There were Nazis all over Europe. Ukraine 14Th Waffen SS Division 'Galicia', now classed as freedom fighter since they fought the Russians. Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Croatia, French citizens all filled the ranks of Waffen SS Divisions. Just Google "Waffen SS Divisions foreign volunteers."

Scottish Parliament many years ago allowed transwomen to use the female toilets in the (PUBLIC AREAS) of the building. Shock!! Horror!! when a Transwoman were caught in the (PRIVATE) female toilets. "Rules for thee not for me"

One club many, years ago Reading, UK. Ladies toilet had condom and sanitary pad + tampon machines, men's toilets only condom and pad!!! Spoke to one of the managers on the set-up only to be told that in the gent's cubicles "Dastardly" things would happen sometimes require one of the participants to purchase a pad. Living surrounded with rice fields, 8 dogs half being GSD's is a different world to back then.

Apologies @Yellowtail on abridging and changing your format. 1977 went to sea and remained at sea for 38 years. Came across a lot of gays (givers/takers), never a problem worked side by side and just like extreme views on religion & politics sexual preferences were never. Raised in the UK my ambition were to sleep with an African lady, Oriental lady, South American lady and two ladies at the same time all done in two trips. What my other leaning shipmates wanted/did were never spoken about. Fast forward 40+ years and could not care less to see coloured flags in the streets, though when asked to donate, politely refuse and be called transphobic hurts. Telling them that UK beer prices for a 70yr old man is as hideous as his/her/him/them/their make-up, Trans hate/anger in return. Try more humour that I am one of them, saying "I am Translender" they call me a 'fat old barsteward' Live and let live, schools are secular for a reason dividing education and religion from young minds. Let all children grow up to the ages of 10+ that Santa does exist, Tooth fairies do visit them, a mums kiss on a cut takes away pain. Do not start telling they are this, that or the other in school classrooms . Leave children alone

My girl is different........ 555 555 555

My comment were written in the nicest way, meant no sarcasm, I am only 10 years behind you. Merchant Navy from 1977 to 2015, 38 years working on water.

You forget these. Mr Sangsom Mr Hongthom Mr LongGon Mr Lhakhow. All have been in Thailand so long they have gone "Bush", there ex special forces dogs are called 'Leo'