FUBAR

Finally I caught one on way to work this morning, the poor wee Ford doesn't get much use, but the other car was away having wheels refurbed so it stepped up like it always does.

Reminds me of this one 😁

What a tube, 90% of Nolan's shows are responded to with the same line live on the air when he pesters them cold from little more than a call his team has just taken. A question for school principal or board of governors / Police "if these individuals did any of this to a member of the teaching staff, would you treat it any differently, if so can you explain why that is?" That'd harden them! If back to school on Friday/Monday I hope your daughter has a better atmosphere than before and that the toxic morons involved have matured a fraction over the summer and move on. I hope she understands that they are just worthless souls on the fast track to a pointless life. Some day they may have a daughter of their own and remember how they acted and feel ashamed.

I'm sorry to hear all of this, it's a real nightmare I am sure! Seemingly the issue is word against word as far as the school and Police are concerned and both seeing their hands as therefore tied. Should it get to the stage where you meet the criteria to escalate it to the NI Public Services Ombudsman (link outlining below) open a case then direct MLA or even better supporting MP to chase them, nothing moves faster in the public sector than when an elected official is on their case. Likewise with the Police Ombudsman if you feel the action or lack there of would be incorrect on their part to date. If not already done so, I'd strongly suggest via GP seeking a form of mental health assessment to establish the mental health impact side, this would help in demonstrating injury caused in all aspects, if this was then to worsen sue everyone involved. With regard to body camera, have the Police suggested this in writing at all and specifically included the intention of within a school? Have the school been advised or consented etc, I'd hate to think that was the advice off the cuff by an ill thinking junior officer which very quickly could find other parents going mad and heading to media etc the headlines sensationalised. Echoing other comment on this, I would be fearful of this making her more of a target than anything else. Is home to school transport provided under an Education Authority blue school bus pass? If so definitely chase them independently and not as part of a larger overall thing, make them start their own process too. All modern type yellow EA buses have internal CCTV now as do all TL vehicles. For either go directly to the depot concerned and require the manager to meet over it and always a plus to allude to 'legal advice' you may or may not have sought and been advised to approach them in this way (make them sit up). TL for example publicly big themselves up that all their depot managers are qualified child welfare protection officers... Put them on notice and move to doing all in writing ASAP to hold all to account. At the very least in either case drivers can in such circumstances be made aware and will keep a look out and in the event of something happening verbal or physical can at the very least be very credible witnesses where peers may not do so or CCTV of a sea of children proves fruitless. Behavioural issues can result in individual children being refused transport. Equally if under the EA home to school transport can be provided by taxi in certain circumstances, but not a solution in itself. The duty of care within that side is more or less independent from the school itself and will have its own policies and procedures. If paying for home to school transport by bus and it's a published timetabled school service, the same protections / duty of care would apply as having a bus pass. Don't let it all melt into one big complaint where everyone is involved and no one thinks it's their problem as the other is in on it now. Schools policy, Police investigation, chase both and ask for an update and outline with timeline of what they have done to date (again "I have been advised to request......." , I'd keep any such interaction in writing via email only and to a specific persons work email address only as even a failure to respond would open up escalatory Ombudsman intervention (as little as that would achieve in itself it helps hold people to account). 'Lets sit down for a meeting' or telephone meetings etc leave no real accountability, if you feel it's not working stick to in writing only and make it clear why. Also if you have the support of an MP and or MLA keep in contact with them on as personal a level as you can, ask them if you can cc them into any email chains if for no other reason than for the other party to see they are acutely involved at all times and keep them focused. It's all too easy to think 15 yo only another 8 months of term time left until likely not our problem anymore... Random one also, don't underestimate the power of an overweight over paid big mouth when on your side... Start pestering Nolan if you dare, call, email and social media begin any opening contact with something catchy like in the above 'bullies shot my....'. Genuinely that marmite of a man could actually make things happen in the space of a few days that following the lead of individuals yourself can be fobbed off indefinitely. With regard to the 'BB gun' in Northern Ireland air powered articles such as this for several years now are legally classed as firearms and a firearms certificate is required (over 1 joule I think) broadly speaking anything merely resembling a pistol is banned now even paintball guns unless long barrelled additionally it is illegal to carry such a thing in a public place without lawful authority, even one below the low powered threshold would likely be classed as an imitation firearm. That would be something worth quizzing the officer dealing with the 'investigation' as it adds an entirely new element to the now banded around willy nilly 'hate crime'. Imitation firearm in a school setting might bring a different aspect of importance to how it's prioritised... Have they sought to locate the reported article at all and establish it's legality? Consult MP / MLA / Nolan on that one too. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/dealing-bullying-and-getting-support

Cheaper than an Octavia same age/miles so thought I'd try one to see if it could bankrupt me.

The Ford is poorly and off the road for first time, so it's backup taking up the slack on the commutes this week and hit another standard one

This is pure class, @ColinD coming over to the right side at last! The zero option does look interesting to me and I'd like to try one and will likely get one to have, mainly for the gadgety side, but I want another big bike first. That said I awoke my current bike from the winter Baltic weather there today and took it out for a spin and being over 6 food on a bright green bike with a full torso high vis on I was totally invisible to one road user who decided to change lanes suddenly in town without indicating or even looking, very last second... No baffles in either so also deaf. My only concern with EV bikes is the near silence side, I'd expect to experience that so much more, inc from pedestrians and tbh that gives me the chills a bit. I'd always suggest going down the normal sort of first bike route just to gain the experience and confidence, learn a few lessons and make a few mistakes on something like @StevesTruck's great call with the CB500X. A perfect first bike or anyone's commuter type bike. Really are the AK47 of bikes in reliability and even with lack of care mpg would be easily over 70 average I'd say too. I stepped back a bit with my current and least powerful bike ever, another popular to new riders too wanting a first big bike an ER6F (reliable, frugal and cheap). For a bit more pure style there are the likes of Husqvarna Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401's beautiful bikes even the 701 would be good (would require a full licence just I think), they are a bit pricier but come with a lot more stuff. Once time to start spending Saturdays in bike shops throwing your leg over stuff to see what fits you best. For any lessons etc, all proper instructors will provide gear to wear, but not a bad thing to commit and get your own stuff. Nothing against instructors, but a proper fitting lid of the best quality you can afford is a no brainer. If you haven't looked too in depth the licencing rules had a massive change in 2013 and I would think for even A2, you'd require more than just CBT if you've not passed a motorcycle test before. That only gets you a 'p' (max 50cc, up to 31mph) and or 'AM' category 2/3wheeled vehicles (up to 28mph). After that A1/A2/A = CBT + Theory & Hazard Perception + Mod1(off road (low and high speed manoeuvres) test + Mod2 (on road practical) test. By simply undertaking tests on a larger bike you'd get a full category A then be able to have it forever and not need to go back if wanting something a little more in future. Realistically, the more training & testing the better before hitting the road in the long run. The pre1997 car licences were savaged ten years ago clearing a lot of things up: https://www.gov.uk/vehicles-can-drive/ Full details here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1087046/ins57p-information-on-driving-licences.pdf

Another standard one earlier in the week for the big Ford.

The bike is a hard one to beat at 4 miles, prob take another bike to beat that one now.

And the Z1000ZX the following year (before going to find fuel).

Oh I can't have that! Here is my car from the start of this thread, after driving it 1.8 miles to get to filling station.

That was after a lot of filtering, this was ground zero McRae!

a lot of pixels and a lot of time on my hands later lol Before: After:

Tried my best, can see the numbers a bit now, fixed the speed to match though!

Another bit of slow progress in the fast approaching 17 year old Ford

make it so!

At 66,600 reset and still get 66.6 for the win. It's at times like these you are authorised to break the tank average rules.

My last Mk3 PFL Octy vRS (63 plate), bought it in May 2020 with 41K miles full Skoda history for £9250 private sale (of the century!). Sold to a car buying service in Feb 2022 with 51K miles for £13,750 ( £250 lower than WBAC website offer, but no quibble collected from home). It ended up in a Renault / Dacia / Citroen main dealers who put it on the market at £16,995, they then lowered price to £15,something and now still for sale down to £14,358. That will teach them for getting greedy at start, there is no way they didn't pay more than that off car buying ones hahahaha. I am semi tempted to buy it back as they do 2 years free servicing with used cars and warranty etc then what they don't know is that I still have a major service pre-paid for on a service plan for that car. If they drop price again, it could be the perfect crime lol

I missed 31K above too

BOGOF time. Bike was 6 days ago (note gap from 999 pic above lol) Ford was on way home tonight

Yesterday, not today, but I took it out of the shed and went for a ride on it finally. Baffles back in, nearly didn't as neighbour's said it was shaking their walls and didn't want them to think I listened to their nagging. Mileage as it arrived back home and is still on sat in the shed.

One of those ones that only happens once. Put away again for the night on that mileage, not bad for a 2013 lol

Not my first Candy Lime Green Kawasaki, won't be the last either. Have an offer in on a house at moment, but just got bumped with a massively higher offer... If I don't get something shortly, I might get something else to join it in the shed.

Been absent for a bit and sadly this part of the forum seems to have gone into hibernation too 😴 I was bike shopping for a good few months leaning towards a new / ex demo GSX S1000, also a great priced Katana at a Suzuki dealers tempting me (but too far removed from the GSX S1000 in spec tbh. Then randomly picked up a wee 2013 ER-6F bit of a garage find with 845 miles on it and never been MOT'd, but had been in use the last 2 years very occasionally (under weird MOT exemption rules that pre-dated COVID in NI). Hired a van and got up to see it a few weeks ago and took it home, ordered bits n bobs booked the next MOT at my local test centre, 5 months wait, but checked constantly for cancellation slots nationwide and travelled for one within the week it was on the road all. Service stuff didn't arrive until 45 minutes after I got back from MOT and a new exhaust system too so did those bits there and then. Not entirely sure what I've bought it for, other than it was a steal and pretty much a new bike. Be a good long termer / commuting hack / poor weather warrior. Nice enough sound from it with the new exhaust on, fun enough for what it is and by far the least powerful bike I've ever owned, quite surprised at how nippy it is. Bits it had: R&G crash bungs Yoshi rear bobbins HyperPro progressive rear spring (not fitted the way round I'd have done it, may ditch it tbh) DATA Tag Additional front lowering saddle Bits I've added: Tail tidy New flat aluminium MOT plate Oxford LED sweeping indicators GR Moto titanium exhaust with carbon tip (mid priced but pretty bang tidy quality for price) Genuine tank knee pads Genuine rim decals (never bothered with them on any of my old bikes, didn't realise until it was too late, but will do as is now) Have 3 flamin screens for it, dark tint DB (too dark on black nose, so ordered the light tint DB and they sent a light tint standard screen... ongoing nightmare General service Bike and chain it's first ever proper clean When I took it out with new exhaust on CCTV caught the sound a bit, can hear it right at end of clip when I am some distance away on the main road, think baffles will need to stay in lol