Thanks Liz we have reported it directly to our AD partner, who is trying to track down the advertiser to ban then from bidding.

🤣🤣

Definitely not having your nasty bully-boy gang-leader here. He can go and stand in the corner and face the wall on his own. His mother did not do a very good job of teaching him to play nicely.

😁

Love it 😀

I agree with all that Chris says and maybe their "leader" would like a nice holiday in the Guantanamo Bay resort.

😂😂

🤣🤣 as long as you don't want to exile the leader here!

🤣🤣

😂😂😂

:-)

Yep, no way you commit a crime and get away with it. Too many fingerprints to compare with. Similarly if the granddaughter decides to become a gang matriarch, remind her you have the evidence!

Very funny Kenny.

No brushmarks or bristles but lots of finger prints Beth.

:-)

At least you didn’t have any brushmarks or bristles in the paint.

No worries at all, good luck with the comps!

Thanks a lot Niall, it nearly scared me off, I'll keep away.

Hi Rambo, these are likely Google ads, whilst the site is new, slightly more spammy ads are likely to be shown. Having said this I'm working with our Ads partners to put bidding floors in place to make it harder for rubbish ads to come through.

I would also like to read anything that came after the first two. The puppy tales have been enthralling so I'd be happy to receive anything else you have written/will write.

I’d love to read these. I did read the first two that were send out around a year ago and still have them on my computer.

If you don’t mind, Em, I have put them all into one folder on the computer, so I will send it over. Just a warning, though - there is another on there, called Tree of Life, which is also not suitable for some people, as it deals with suicide. There is a warning on the beginning of it, but I would hate to upset anyone who may have lost a family member or friend to such a fate. If you think it will affect you, please don’t read it. It was written after a prompt to write about strong emotion.

Afternoon all. Once I had read Beth's writings and PMP members stopped asking for copies, I deleted them from my work laptop I'm afraid. If anyone wants to read anything, Beth will need to email it to me again, which is not a problem for me.

I don't think I read Last Dawn but would like to please and any others you write Beth.

FORGIVE CAPS PMP.

BETH,

THAT SOUNDS LOVELY, THANK YOU.

I’M GLAD TO HEAR YOU’RE GETTING BACK INTO CREATIVE WRITING, ALTHOUGH, HAVING READ YOUR PUPPY TALES I DON’T THINK YOU EVER REALLY STOPPED. THEY’RE ALWAYS ENJOYABLE TO READ – EXHAUSTING 😁, BUT VERY ENJOYABLE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR STORY.

@Beth8it! - I remember that story, it was very good.

On 22nd December the sun rises and dawn breaks between 8:42am and 8:45am, depending on your exact location in Scotland. .. So Miller was actually hanged BEFORE dawn at 08.12am.

Good one Redz. I wonder if you would like the short story I did that Em sent out to various PMP members? It was set around the Legend of Glastonbury. Anyone who read it, do you think Redz would get on with it? I am currently getting back into the creative writing module now, and just done one complete and one partly finished, plus found one that I don't think I sent out last time. Did anyone read the one about the last prisoner executed at Barlinnie Prison, called Last Dawn? Bit of a sensitive subject, and not suitable for all, but it's there if anyone wants it. I can send it one to admin if there are any takers.

😄 to both

FORGIVE CAPS PMP.

DO YOU THINK THE REASON YESHUA APPEARED WAS SO THE MONK COULD ‘SPREAD’ THE WORD THAT ‘MAN CANNOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE’ ?

😉

🤣🤣

🙂 before it all starts, I am not offended.

You can look up past winning postcodes (or partial postcodes) here: https://pickmypostcode.com/past-winners/ (this is linked at the bottom of every page as ‘Winners Results’)

You can also check winners in your area here: https://pickmypostcode.com/winners-map/

If one postcode is entered more than once it is more likely to be selected (like names in a hat). If a certain postcode area (eg. BA1) appears to not win often that is because there aren't many entries for that area. If a postcode area seems to win more often it must mean that there are more entries from that postcode area. Each postcode area comes up on average in line with its population size and the number of active accounts registered with it. It may be that more populated areas come up more often, but the winners results show that the postcodes are different and not the "same city postcodes".

Where possible we ask members to use their current postcode. This is because some prizes and features on the site are only available to members using their correct address. This includes the golden postcodes referral competition and the survey integrations, but there are likely to be others in future. We strongly prefer that members use their own postcode.

The system completes the draws from a database of active account ID numbers using a random number generator and the parameters of the smallest ID number to the largest. It then displays the postcode on the chosen account number as the winner of the draw. All it ‘sees’ is the account numbers of active members, it is not influenced by any other data or outside factors and is as random as a computer can be.

There is no geographical bias in the selection procedure. The computer doesn't know (or care) where anyone lives! You could give your postcode more chances of coming up by referring your neighbours to us: https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/20-referral-bonus

The lottery doesn't choose postcodes from a list; it draws individual member numbers.

Because big cities have huge populations, they naturally have a lot more members than a small village does.

Every single entry has the exact same chance of winning.

But because a big city has thousands of entries in the draw and a village only has a few dozen, you will see a city member win much more often.

You dont need to move there, thats a bit drastic, just change the postcode you have registered if you feel you will win "if it keeps coming up" me personally sees lots of random postcodes coming up.

Why Brighton ? It not like BN1-3 postcodes come up more than any others, and I am looking out for them.

Not that the actual postcodes are used to pick winners as pointed out by others members.

The draw is actually taken from the database of active member's account ID numbers

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/14-how-are-winning-postcode-selected

Oh don't move, just change your postcode if that's how you think this works 🤔🤔

@csikijanos - I did exactly the same with my children, and a whistle was a lot less 'intrusive' in a rural setting than having me shouting their names at the top of my voice. And a whistle (a metal one, not fingers in mouth) carried a lot further and so they had a 'freedom to roam' of anything up to a mile.

My view was that - apart from the small risk of an injury - they were a lot safer on the fells than they would be in a city, even though some people were horrified that I was so willing to allow them out of my sight. When I was a child, I had that freedom, and those were the days long before mobile phones and GPS tracking. Why would I deny my children the same freedom? "They'll come back when they're hungry."

My French penfriend and her mum has a ‘peewit’ call for each other if they got separated, which I think was quite a good idea, and different from the usual.

Years ago I agreed on a two-note whistled recall with my children. Some might say that it was demeaning to 'treat them like dogs' but it worked well when we were outdoors and allowed some freedom to roam.

A whole day without them going in the pond! Poppy did, but I wasn't responsible for her at the time. The boys went out in the stream in the woods on both walks, so maybe they decided that was enough.

Good idea!

I might buy a whistle to call my OH back, then again I’ll save my money 😁

It's very cathartic and calming. Gives you something else to focus on.

Hope you find the art group helpful Em

Hope it helps you Em, Big hug from me to you.

💞💞💞

Just keep busy and interact with others and let time take its course.Good to hear that you are doing things outside the home.

It’s good to see you making a start, Em.

Hope it helps and you enjoy it, Em

Take care of yourself Emma.

That sounds good, Em.

Do whatever you want, Em. Don't bother about routine. most of us don't anyway. See you in the afternoon.

I hope you remembered your rocket boots in case you feel the need to climb El Capitan while you are there.

I trust you know row, row, row your boat?

Sounds great so far, enjoy your trip Trekker.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time across the pond. I'm also very jealous.

Have a great time with your friend.

Thanks Trekker22 - I have 2 Nephews (middle and youngest) and their families in San Antonio. Middle Nephew is a cop there now living in his late Mother's house (my Sister). His younger brother lives in the sort of house I can only dream about.

I don't know how long the Tartan Army have been using the 'No Scotland, No Party' slogan, but the Walker's Crisps campaign using the 'No Walkers, No Game' tagline isn't new, it first aired in 2024.

It's copied from the "Tartan Army's" slogan "No Scotland No Party" they were singing all around Boston and the Bostonians were putting clips on Facebook and Instagram etc...

Am I missing something here? I haven’t seen the advert but no idea what the catchphrase implies.

The crisps will be more successful than the team that's for sure.

Agree. Just trying to jump on the band waghon.

GrumpyGran. Some believe witches are driven by an evil spirit or substance inside them,. This couple are obviously evil people, and what did they used to do to those believed to be witches? They'd be bound and thrown into a body of water and if they float they were witches. Seems the perfect punishment for this couple's crime, (do as they did), rather than what seems to be completely getting away with it.

When I worked in Saudi it was not unusual for entire families to go on the Hajj pilgrimage and leave the elderly by the road rather than take them back to their home country. It’s a honour to die on Hajj apparently, so they routinely wandered about in the traffic. I never drove into Jeddah for the two weeks after Hajj finished

IIRC there was a legal limit to the fine that could be imposed on Animal Theft cases of £75 ? Something like that. Different subject, I know, being theft, not cruelty, but this is now being changed to accept that stealing a pet is no different, for the one who has lost them, than losing a family member - in fact, knowing that the pet is unable to speak for themselves, may have medical needs and may be hidden from sight and used for illegal and horrific purposes, it would scare me even more than losing one of my family. For example, my brother in Ireland has rescued lots of cats but can't let them out as they will probably be stolen as bait for dog-fights. He has had people knocking on the door, saying, 'We've got a fight on this weekend, can you sell us a cat.' God knows what will happen to them if anything should happen to him - I'm sure there are some lovely people in Ireland, but there seem to be many with an absolutely medieval attitude to animals.

Make what you will of the politics of Hungary's recent prime minister Viktor Orban, but there the law requires families to care for ageing parents. A different society.

OMG! Derek.IDC just looked up Earl Roger Currey and read the itv.x article.

His wife and son brought him here from America (suffering from dementia) to dump on the NHS. Unbelievable.

I totally agree about a "ban for life" penalty along with naming and shaming these dreadful people, but I've always wondered how effective it is? Do any authorities follow up and check out these people from time to time, especially if they move out of the area where they've been caught?

My cynical mind thinks probably not, with the usual excuse of "limited resources" :-(

All I can say is thank goodness I am able to look after myself to a reasonable degree even at my age.

FORGIVE CAPS PMP.

USA IS NOT THE ONLY COUNTRY WHERE THIS HAPPENS.

ANIMAL ABUSE/ABANDONMENT IS A DOCUMENTED GLOBAL ISSUE.

ELDERLY ABANDONMENT ALSO OCCURS WORLDWIDE, ESP. DURING HOLIDAY PERIODS AS BURNT-OUT FAMILIES CAN’T LOOK AFTER THEM.

FREQUENT SITES WHERE THE ELDERLY GET DUMPED ARE POPULATED AREAS/CHURCHES/BANKS & PUBLIC TRANSPORT STATIONS.

THE RISING COST OF LIVING DOESN’T HELP - MANY FAMILY MEMBERS FORCED INTO FULL-TIME WORK JUST TO SURVIVE, SO NO 1 TO PROVIDE THE ACCESSIBLE, 24-HOUR CARE THAT INFIRM RELATIVES NEED.

LOOK AT CHINA UNDER THE ONE-CHILD POLICY, MILLIONS OF BABY/INFANT GIRLS ABANDONED BECAUSE SYSTEMIC PRESSURES & CULTURAL PREFERENCES FORCED FAMILIES TO SAVE THEIR SINGLE PERMITTED BIRTH QUOTA FOR A BOY.

HUMANITY ROUTINELY ABANDONS ITS MOST VULNERABLE WHEN SEVERE ECONOMIC, STRUCTURAL & SOCIETAL PRESSURES PUSH PEOPLE'S BREAKING POINT.

SO NO - NOT ‘ONLY IN AMERICA’.

More likely people who think pets are a good idea until they need feeding or make a mess.

Anyone doing this should be banned for life from having pets.

"They sound like witches"

What does that mean?

Unfortunately not only in America. A couple who admittedly I don't know but the article says they live pretty near me were seen throwing a bin bag in the canal just down the road from me, telling a dog walker nearby it contained clothes. When a witness saw it moving they jumped in and saved it, finding it was a dog, which unfortunately was found to be hypothermic and developed neurological symptoms and had to be put to sleep. The RSPCA found seven kittens, 4 were hypothermic and a corn snake also in poor condition. The couple have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years, and received 8 weeks in prison suspended for 12 month. There was no other punishment mentioned in the story I read, so in fact they have completely got away with it. They sound like witches so maybe it should have been checked to see if they were.

Look up Earl Roger Curry, Nov 2015.

Let’s hope Trump’s family don’t send him here😳🤪

Hopefully only in America!

Good one.

Just wait till your body gets to the flush stage.

:-) :-)

😂

I took several packets & the dishwasher still doesn't work, ...my kitchen's so smelly even the flies are wearing gas masks. 🦟🦟🦟🦟

😆😆😆

We are also having an issue with an ad blocking the top navigation again on the competitions site which DMRi (the company running the site on our behalf) are looking into.

Always a few wrinkles to iron out.

There is one ad which we are working to get blocked. Please note, PMP Competitions, like our main Pick My Postcode site, is free due to the ads shown. We don't ask you to "verify" your account on PMP Competitions, so if you are seeing prompts for this, they are likely Google ads. Please ignore them, we are working with our ads partner to track them down and block them.

Ad above worked for me thanks, have already entered some competitions!

Thanks for letting us know. It should be working now, but you can also reach the comps site from the "more from us" bit of the navigation menu.

All sorted now 😁

Have emailed with screenshot.

Update : Ignore the email as it's sorted

Yes, Indi does that. Usually 9.30pm, she gives me a dirty look for staying up, and slouches off to the bedroom.When I do go in, I am greeted with a grumbling grunt and a big sigh for disturbing her.

We couldn't believe our last dog would take herself upstairs to bed at the same time each night, despite not wearing a watch. If we didn't go up with her she would sometimes come back down after a while to see why. Other times she'd just stay there and wait for us which often wasn't far behind her.

😂

🤣🤣

It's not social media, the link is on the bottom of the "More from Us" tab. It's a competition site where you can win goods you may want, just like the one Georgina used to run.

Having had a quick look, there's nowt I'm really interested in at the moment, & I'm plagued with Chrome saying "Check Passwords" every time I login somewhere so I deleted many disused ones..

I don't even know what you are all talking about. Maybe it is because I am not on any social media sites.

I used a new password as is my habit.

I had to create a new password, but it works fine. Nearly forgot to bookmark the site though.

That's weird CS as I used the same password and it worked fine.

Had to use a different password. Using my existing password for here wasn't accepted. Will leave for a few days and try again.

We're working with a partner on the new comps site, so you'll need to register an account there instead of logging in. You're welcome to use the same email address and password as you do here though.

Yay, my guess was correct! It was when the PMP VIP's Facebook page was updated.

If it's on social media forget it, many don't do it.

Hi, yes Emma is back today part time, but the launch is something else. We are hurrying to put the finishing touches on it before setting it live... sorry for the suspense

Surely Chris wouldn't have done that about Em's return 🫤. It's also supposed to be a "launch".

Emma is back moderating.

It's most likely that the system knew from previous answers that you did not meet the demographic requirements or that your bracket was already full.

@Beth8it! - could be worse, could be Spandau Ballet and 'Gold.'

Chris, ducking and running away!

Thanks for nothing, Nick. Another ear worm.

Monty Python, another one is Bolton.

Brings back memories of Eye Level, the theme tune to Van Der Valk.

Legend!

Well thanks. I don’t need to look now. 😉

If you are talking about winnings on here, they are tax-free.

The government website gov.uk is really helpful. Everything explained in easy steps, links to each department and if you really need to ring someone you can battle through the ‘contact’ at the bottom of the screen or there is usually a path to each relevant department. However, you may still have a long wait! If you use the call-back option for goodness sake don’t miss their call - they only try once.

Enver, not necessarily true - not everyone has to submit a return if they have over that in income, only if it isn’t taxed at source and is taxable. Eg I have my husband’s and my pensions, which are over the limit, but tax is deducted before I get it and my tax code changes each year, so I rang them last week and they confirmed no self-assessment is needed. If I had dividends, rental income, business or self-employment income (including side hustles on ebay etc) I would have to complete one.

All prizes or winnings in UK are free of tax. Current UK tax regulations alllowances are ...

£1,000 / year Personal Savings Allowance.

£5,000 Starting Savings Rate.

£12,570 Tax Allowance.

Total £18,570 a year tax free.

Over that submit a tax return to HMRC.

For further details consult MSE website, Govt website, or any financial provider.

@Beth8it! - yes, in the short term they are attractive to the public for the reason you stated. But, like all debt, it has to be repaid and all we would be doing would be increasing the demands on future generations. Already, a significant amount of Government borrowing goes to repay interest on previous borrowing. That's like taking out a credit card to pay off your existing card.

The public needs to accept the unpalatable truth that, if we want more Government spending (NHS, defence, infrastructure, Net Zero, whatever) then we need to pay for it now, and that means taxes. Not everything can go on the never-never, no matter how convenient it might be to borrow from the bank whenever we want something we can't afford.

Labour said Defence Bonds is just another form of borrowing (from the public) and can cause financial overload when they have to be repaid with interest, depending on the economy at the time. I think they’re a good idea from the public’s POV as they are safe form of investing and give good returns.

The vast majority of foreign cannon fodder being recruited for the Ukrainian war are being recruited by Ukraine. Mostly from South America, and with phenomenally high casualty rates. Hardly surprising, as they are sent to fill the many gaps on the front line, often with zero training.

But replacing the defence budget with Russian lessons wouldn't be a bad idea. A beautiful language, and reading Tolstoy, Dostievsky, Solzhenitsen etc in the original language would be great!

I thought the Liberal Democrats suggestion of Defence Bonds sounded a good idea. Putin's evil regime are recruiting young people from other countries, for cannon fodder, so most of the poor souls probably speak English.

😳😳🤣🤣🤣🤣

Definitely into the stroppy teenager stage now! We skipped the terrible twos and went for the big guns!

I’d also buy the book. Good suggestion by Samandi. I’m wondering if in doggy years they are going through the terrible two’s 🤣

I was going to suggest, before I read the post of Jaffa, that you could get one of those portable shower attachments and connect to a hose. Perhaps, just perhaps, the pickles won't like the cold water shower as much as the warm one.

When is the book being published? I will buy a few copies for myself and friends.

Jaffa, my hosepipe is permanently connected (and frequently used!)

On dear Beth, they are pickles!

Beth get an outside shower!

I was passing a cash machine where an elderly lady seemed to be having problems. She asked me if I could help her check her balance, so I pushed her over.

Why has no-one complained about this cruel comment? Laughing at others misfortune is nasty.

Was he plastered before and after the accident?

That is a good one Kenny b .

🤣🤣🤣

Very Humerus, hope he was armed with all the legit info for the four casts.🦴

Groan.....

Redz 👏👏😆

😂 😂😂

FORGIVE CAPS PMP.

THE DRS SAY HIS OUTLOOK IS MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A HEAVY CHANCE OF PAIN BUT HE’S HAPPY IT’S ALL GOING TIBIA OK 😉

😅

Chuckle did i :-) :-) :-)

🤣🤣

Bribing the attendants seems a great idea - however, you may have been able to save a fortune and get a free upgrade with a few more tins!

Hi again, all..! Many thanks for all your comments and best wishes both for me and my friend - I’ll definitely pass them on👍. Currently (6:15pm our time..) @ 38,000ft - free WiFi in 1st Class - just approaching Little Rock, Arkansas, with just under an hour to go.

ANN - I certainly hope they don’t…🤞😬!

Beth - I’ll see what I can do, but I may have trouble getting him through security…🤠!

Enver - the kid would have to be quite tall - the seat extends into a 6’6” flat bed..😉! They’re constantly feeding you - I had British Wagyu Beef Carpaccio as a starter, followed by Roasted British Chicken Crown and Vanilla Ice Cream..😋! I gave the flight attendants a box of Celebrations, and I'll let you know if anyone is refused entry…😳!

Alley - also going down to Canyon Lake (just outside San Antonio..) to visit another friend, so I’ll give your relative a shout..😉!

LLAP 🖖!

How many of you all together? Enjoy everything & let us know whatever you think we'll like.

Hope you have a good visit with many memories for later Trekker22.

When you are in Houston can you shout southwards to San Antonio and northwards to Round Rock and even further north to all my relatives. I have more known relatives in Texas than I have in the UK.

Lucky you! I've never flown first class, but it would be heaven to do when I visit the family in Australia. My husband flew back first class, some years ago, with a pretty nurse to accompany him while I stayed in Cattle Class. He had to have a stroke to achieve it, though, with the insurance company footing the extra bill.

10.15am The plane (Boeing 787-9 dreamliner) was running a bit late, but will arrive a bit early, currently at 34000ft & 572mph over Co Wicklow, shortly passing near Knock airport, Have a good time.

I hope that obstinate person got moved out of his seat. Were you seated next to or meet anyone famous, or is some kid kicking the back of your seat, what did you get to eat/drink, do Americans tip the Flight Attendant, did anyone get floored by TSA or refused entry?

Watched you take off on flightradar. Hope you can enjoy some quality time with your friend with dementia.

Hope you enjoy your first class flight. I hope that you have a lovely time with your friend. Sorry to hear about their dementia.

Do enjoy yourself with your friend. Safe journey.

Have a wonderful journey and a good holiday with your friend. Make sure you both have some fun so you’ll have treasured memories to look back on.

I hope he’s been prescribed medication to slow the dementia process too. I can’t recall the name of the tablets at the moment but his Dr will be on top of that.

Take care and be happy.

Have a good trip Trekker.

I am very jealous! Not so much Houston but the first class flight - doing something first class would be heaven. Have a wonderful time and bring me back a cowboy. 🤠

Enjoy your holiday Trekker

Have a good time and tell us all about it when you get back "T"..

Have a good trip, Trekker. First class will be an experience in itself. Hope there will be something exciting in the night sky for you while you are in Houston.

Have a great time and definitely enjoy first class. Sorry though about your friend.

I wonder if before you arrive they'll be announcing "Houston, we have a problem" 😂

Have a great time!

Enjoy your stay, its nice to treat yourself.

Enjoy, Trekker! Sorry about your friend though.

Hope you have a great holiday, enjoy First Class!

Sounds fantastic, enjoy!

Beth8it ~ Maybe that was Take 2 filming the ad! 😄🎬

Tesco. In Aisle no. 9. They pull the screens round.

There's a Gold Blend Compilation of Tony & Sharon on YT if anyone's feeling nostalgic.

I wonder where Sharon will be getting it now.

Not seen it, but every time anybody mentions an ad for Gold Blend it makes me think of those ads from way back with the then-gorgeous Anthony Head (recently deceased sadly now, of course).