Gerrumonside ref

The whole point of a forum for me is the veracity of your thoughts and ideas are challengeable on their merits? Do you not agree? Sometimes people will agree and disagree with you as you will with them If you’re looking to be endorsed on the basis of social standing instead of the substance of your opinions then you’re misunderstanding what everyone is here for? Personally I find it interesting to see the views of others and can be swayed by their ability to make a convincing argument to me.

Getting a bit tense now

Cooking is a work in progress for me, but I’m having a pop at lamb shanks today with minty lamb gravy, roast potatoes and mixed veg. My plan is to coat the shanks in flour, salt, pepper and a little oil. Then in hot frying pan, seal the shanks before taking the juices to help make the stock with some water and a little instant gravy. Finally cover in foil and stick in the oven for two hours. Anything missing here?

The attendances have been poor at times and reflected the absolute rip off nature of the prices that FIFA set at the beginning and the kick off times locally. They get far less annual leave than we do on average and nobody was wasting it to attend a game during the day en masse. The atmosphere has been great when the South American clubs have been involved and it has passed off peacefully which I didn’t expect after some trouble at the Copa Libertadores between certain teams. There’s been a lot of complaints over the effects of trying to appeal to a European tv audience at the expense of filling the grounds. I don’t think I’d fancy the Rose Bowl in Pasadena during the day in the sweltering heat, it’s been poorly organised for sure in terms of managing queues inside and out some of these stadiums.

I’ve enjoyed the passion and fervour of the fans from South America, Japan and North Africa. There’s been some good games, goals and the odd surprise that you want from a football tournament. I do have some sympathy though for those who say if Chelsea win it then it makes a mockery of the title and if PSG deservedly win it then it all seems a little unnecessary - we already estimated that they’re the best. Some of it has worked well, some of it less so although it’s a plus that it’s passed off peacefully. It will be here to stay now.

Can I be critical of the Lionesses ? I groan when I hear this ‘proper English’ phrase. Fight, hard work and desire are universal qualities that you shouldn’t link with any one nation. I get what they’re trying to do but I think it’s cackhanded and will only serve to motivate your opponents. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clym898e396o

Both Billy Boston and Lewis Hamilton deserve to be honoured

The Beachwear Boys triumph

Another moment there for Connor

Some ill discipline creeping in now for Saints

Saints 6-0 up after 26 mins

No Clark - fails the HIA

So we are talking about removing long time functioning clubs for the opposite of that because they are French? We’re not increasing to 14 because we’re ready to do so, just doing it on a pie/peas revolutionary basis where the previous grading system is being thrown out for back of a fag packet stuff. What an absolute state the game is in.

Enjoyed the Euros I’ve seen so far - looking forward to the knockouts.

Another big game with playoff implications. Come on Saints!

Oh oh oh oh ohhhh, the hounds of Lon are calling!

Great little tour that sounds!

I agree with all that, actually and with a lot of what you post.

You started this bizarre tangent I’m afraid Edit: Apologies @Futtocks it was not yourself. I agree with your sentiment. @Padge happy to drop it, this is beneath us both

I’m not sure what you’re trying to achieve here. You've never been to America nor travelled anywhere there by car. That was my what my post was about, sharing that very experience in fact in a conversation about the differences between Europe and the USA. You brought Mars and Ancient Rome into it when maybe listening to someone with greater experience and reflecting was all that was required. Is that not fair?

That’s your choice but don’t complain when others share their first hand experience of travelling large distances there by car over a number of years.

Why not just take a holiday to America and find out for yourself? Neither of us can go to Mars or Ancient Rome can we?

I’d rather have primary evidence than secondary evidence where I can take it.

Have you never been?

Have you driven much over there?