Toms View of the World

It seems that there’s still something the British are good at…

no, it’s not football, motor racing, or turning right at roundabouts

No, it’s Roadworks!

Finally, something we’re still good at…

Following Richard Hammonds high speed accident driving a Jet Car, there have been calls from various parties to axe Top Gear (in my opinion, one of the best light-entertainment shows on the BBC) as it promotes irresponsible speed and driving.

In my opinion, it does nothing of the sort - high speed and track-style driving is done on closed circuits and on closed roads under police supervision (e.g. when they tested a Jag on the Isle of Man), and they have their own “tame racing driver” too - sounds like the responsible way to promote this kind of driving - in the right place, and legally too.

Yes, they undertake these stunts, but again, all in controlled situations, with sensible safety precautions. Top Gear must continue!

Fortunately, reports are indicating that Hammond is making a good recovery from his injuries.

Sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/tg100/petition.html

It’s a Meme! Yes, I’ve been tagged for a meme by Chris over at “Work up this Morning”.. it’s been a while since I’ve been tagged for one of these, so I thought I’d give it a go anyway!

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Reports are filtering through that TV’s Richard Hammand (best known for his work on the BBC’s “Top Gear” and Sky’s “Brainiac” shows) has been seriously injured in a crash during filming for the next season of Top Gear.

Here’s hoping he makes a full recovery and can continue to entertain us for many years to come.

Story on BBC News

Update: The folks over at Pistonheads have organised an appeal to fundraises for the air ambulance (helicopter) which rushed Hammond to the hospital after his crash. Please support either this appeal, or your local air ambulance, as these are volunteer services run totally on donations.

Now, although this doesn’t affect me persoanlly, it’s clear that as well as the obvious safety benefits, this new law is another way for the government to fleece the law-abiding motorist out of their hard earned cash.

Yes, you heard me right.

Remember, such things as kiddie seats are seen as “non essential” (despite being required by law) and are subject to VAT…

Make of that little fact what you will!

I got a very interesting piece of “spam” through my contact form today - which despite it’s bad english, appears to be a request for me to supply them with 800 chainsaws a month.

What about this website could possible make them think I am a supplier of arborial maintenance equipment??

Dear sir,
Our company is a commercial collective division rewarding corporative qualification in Hangzhou . Now ,we have an order of chain saw . We are looking for the factory who can supply the production.Through the internet we know that your factory can supply the goods we need. The following cooperation items are E-mail to your company. Please calculate it carefully in order to negotiate it

Name of products: chain saw
Quantity: 4,000pieces

The details as follows:
I.Your company give us the price on FOB
II. Packing: as to the sellers option
III.The pattern must reach the international standard.
.Time limit for a project: 5 months (800pieces/month)
.We hope that if you can process ,please send us catalogue of chain saws(such as type,power,unit price,picture of each type ,etc) ,factory address ,contact phone , linkman, mobile phone number to our company as soon as possible in order to have a good decision-making , if there is another un-detailed question ,we will solve further in the contract and discuss face to face .

We are looking forward to have a successful cooperation.

I mean, really… I’ll admit now, I do not have a factory, let alone one capable of producing 800 chainsaws a month… the only reference anywhere to chainsaws is in yesterday’s post about the damage to the Cyclone coaster at pleasureland… needless to say, I won’t be replying to that mail…

Following last weeks closure of Pleasureland, the owners (Pleasure Beach Blackpool) have already started removing the classic wooden coaster.

Unfortunately they appear to be using chainsaws, so I suspect the chances of this ride being saved are now lost. No news yet on what’s happened to the mouse.