As I see it, the fundamental reason for occupation is/was to deny the extremist factions of certain religions being able to freely train in all things terror. These people are normally one of two types; Criminal factions looking to further their personal ends or proper fruitcake nutjob religious zealots who will not rest until only people of a certain religion exist in the world and the rest have converted or are dead.
The poppy growth is absolutely down to Terry nowadays as they are the ones who buy it, do not try to pretend otherwise. TJ, there are people to whom the terms pakistani and afghan mean nothing neither do borders, so there is often little distinction. Ernie, the beeb can try to spin it how they like but terms like

Troops were backed by rockets and US bombing

are not really refutable.

mate, anywhere around the cotswold way is pretty good. Some is cheeky but not many seem to mind and if you choose your times right, you rarely see anyone.
I would begin with the three routes in the “trail guide” section on this site!
I would welcome some mendips advice though!

not sadly broke, a small village closer to emersons green. It’s only become s gloucs in recent years and most who’ve been around a while still regard it as bristol, avon.
Maybe you’re a bit quicker as you’re a bit more excited to be going there? bit heavier on the old accelerator?

But rowberrow and cheddar are south of bristol.
Wooton under edge and the cotswolds are closer for me but I would dearly love to have somewhere to ride from my door for evenings like this one.
I really don’t care if the trails are built or nautral but I do want my ride to be as fun as possible and of course I don’t ride cwmcarn every week but I thought the example was a good one. I really wish the trails group the very best of luck, it would be great to have some better riding in briz but I don’t think we’ll ever attract visitors away from Afan and neither should we, areas like Glyncorrwg need the money.

If you do want to ride built trails, Mountain Ash & Gethin are also closer than Cwmcarn.

Are you sure? seem further to me.

I’m pretty good with a map and compass (although not experienced in pacing with a bike). I live in the burbs in north bristol.
The thing that does ruin my argument for wales is the bridge toll. French ripoff barstewarts.

The bloody signage is so poor, on my first visit I didn’t even know to cross the road.
rich,80-90 mins travelling? where to? like I said, Cwm in 35 odd and afan in 1hr10mins. I wish I didn’t have to travel even that far but I can’t see any options ATM. I’ve often wondered why there is nothing on the outskirts as AC is so central and can take me 30-40 mins just to get there. Like I say, it would be nice to get involved as the folks seem so nice but the riding is somewhat lacking IMO.

Yeah, there needs to be more signage to ensure that everyone knows it’s a two-way trail

Yeah, because it’s really obvious for someone who has never been there :roll:
FWIW, I live in Bristol but I do not bother with ashton court, which is a shame as I’d be happy to donate time and money to maintain it if I thought it were any good. Community is a good thing. But I think I’ve ridden it twice. With Cwmcarn taking me 30-40 minutes, what’s the point?
The main reasons I dislike it is its flat and muddy (90% of the time).

Thanks for all of your expertise, opinions and experiences.
Mrsflash, I will recommend that MrsBH start taking iron so ta for that.
I’m training quite hard at the mo, 30 odd miles per week running and riding at the weekend (and some circuits). My body has had quite a battering over the years, what with the army (3 CDO) and rugby etc so I was hoping to be pro active as much as performance enhancement.
Thanks again.

apoplectic

Shane you gem shove it right up all those stupid internet experts who said you were washed out

form is temporary class is permanent

You are sooooooo gay. Good to see him playing well though.
Well done also to Vickery and Monye who silenced many critics today.
Some critics will be having humble pie for breakfast tomorrow methinks.

6ft medium nere too.
I had a crack on a large tracer recently, felt very familiar indeed

Browns, the sister club to “the Grif”?
Never heard of it.

The “shaft” outfit didn’t go down too well then?

You could get away with 150’s. Be a dog to climb with tho.
I like 140s but would love adjustable travel for the climbs.

I always try to buy her something which gives to others too.
You can buy some nice stuff from;
http://www.unicef.org.uk/store/index.aspx
or this could be a winner;
http://www.apple.com/uk/ipod/red/

Good luck, I always find buying for birds difficult.

You: hey
Stranger: hi
Stranger: are you a furry
You: how did you know?
Stranger: no seriously
You: i am furry as can be
Stranger: are you one or not
You: furry bum furry balls furry head
Stranger: **** you

WTF is a furry?

I want I want I want.
I would only recommend the ano ones though.
Intense paint is sh1t, trust me.

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/bikes-at-edinburgh-uni

The frikkin beans on toast is ridiculous.
And they seel Brains SA. Play some weird music sometimes tho……..

Great fun to be had, although I find Skyline a bit boring. Too much fireroad rubbish and not enough fun although the final descent is a scream. Thoroughly recommend Penhydd for variety (short as it is).
imo the drop off cafe at glyngorrwg has got it just right; good simple food at good prices and a good vibe about the place. The crap visitor centre at Cwmcarn could learn a lot from it.

As I clarified, I disagree with AC for dwellings but for Commercial buildings as well as industrial process it is important as well as acceptable. You can sound as harsh as you want mate, don’t be sorry. The truth is that if companies could avoid the capital expenditure of AC kit as well as the maintenance costs, they would. Unfortunately they can’t. There are good designs and bad ones and the control/management of these systems is vital to keep consumption down. And thank god for that as it keeps me in a job!
What really really annoys me is high st shops. AC running all summer, doors wide open and no air curtains. Should be fined. A lot.

I can’t help it but I want to field the biggest hardest dumbest pack. If the saffas want to mix it up, lets mix it up.
Rees
Sheridan
???
Shaw
Hines
Wallace (or call out that ‘orrible ulsterman; Best)
Powell
Worseley

Whoa, steady big feller.
Like I said, I pretty much expect it from Berger and it was the refs fault for bottling it and not sending him off. I think that recently the home nation doctrine is to turn the cheek a bit too readily so it was nice to see Phillips and Hines and even BOD give some back. Lions teams of old would probably have operated on the “one in-all in” principle which I miss. I can’t believe that berger finished that game in one piece.

Evaporative coolers? please don’t waste your money.
4-5degC? no chance, sorry Ransos. There is a reason that this kit is not widely used.
A ceiling fan is a very good idea, I have one and it works very well (looks good too!).

Just to be clear, I think AC is required for the UK but only in commercial properties (not homes) but I do know of people with health problems who have it installed in their bedrooms.

Please qualify that funkydunc.

There is no defence for gouging. It is one of rugbys taboos along with headbutting or kicking.
Pretty much what I expect from berger though and most of the SA team for that matter. I’m not going to moan about the south africans cheating-they’re bloody south africa for gods sake.
I can see that the coach wants to support his player but condoning this in the face of the evidence is stupid.
I thought the Lions deserved a draw on saturday, would’ve been a fair result and set up a great game for sat.

11.22m2 X 120w = 1350 odd.
120w/m2 is overkill, but you will struggle to get a unit smaller than 1.35Kw anyway. All portable systems will be pretty noisy due to the fact that the compressor is internal. It could be an issue if the compressor starts when you kid(s) are asleep as it could wake them up. Some good advice here-use AC as a last resort. A fan would absorb much less power.
As for the statement that AC has no place in a temperate climate; that shows a lack of understanding/knowledge. I think that horifically oversized domestic vehicles, our fondness for air travel, methods of electrical energy “production” are destroying the planet. Ac must be managed but it is necessary in the UK I’m afraid.

I know you cannot criminalise tobacco, that’s daft and the govt would have to get the duty back off of us somehow. I feel sorry for Londoners. Having just returned – you can’t escape it.
People don’t get intoxicated by cigarettes-that’s not true. It’s a drug and smokers are drug addicts (I know having been one fairly recently).
Spelling out health, monetary and social issues is not enough to motivate people to give up-they’re addicted. There is no solution (not even the promise of happiness).

I heard similar;
Why does MJ like twentyeight year olds?
Because theres twenty of them.

I gave up in february, I hate the smell of tobacco now and wish it were criminalised!
I think it’s been proved that a smoker more than pays for their treatment in tobacco duty though.

Can’t be that bloody old, he only died last night.

Heathen you’re welcome to try however I think you may come unstuck.
Ok I am sorry for making a poor joke about a topic people feel so strongly about, bad taste but no offence meant.

It is reported that Maddona has been up all night crying at the news of MJ’s death!!!! However she was heard to say that she had first dibs on the kids and to keep that Jolie bitch away.

I’ve just seen Michael Jackson on family fortunes. To be fair he did really well, until Vernon asked “name somewhere you take the kids for a treat?” Sadly, “up the shitter” was not one of the top answers!

I neither like nor dislike islam nor muslims but I would like all of the muslim women to wear Burkas. Not because I think they should be subservient to males or for any other religious or political reason but because they’re **** ugly. :D

Urgent RSPCA announcement; Good home need for for well behaved monkey. Very friendly, likes being **** off with a white glove

That christie Kerr phot is very, very erotic. Well done CFH!

How many of the Boks backs would you swap for the equivalent Lion?

How many of the lions backs do you thin would get a look in the boks team?
BOD, Roberts and maybe Bowe. That’s it. None of our forwards would (OK possibly Jenkins).

I hope I’m wrong, but I think we’re going to get a right thrashing.
I just think that the boks (among others) have far far more talent in their team than the we(Lions) have.
What on earth did fitzgerald do to get picked? aside from lose the ball a lot.
It is an odd bench, no real centre or full back cover. Hook, Kearney or earls would offer more versatility than S williams or o gara.

It’s always best if you are as quick as possible and shout “YAY I WIN AGAIN” at the end.