Early Risers.

[Hroth]

48 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

I'm told this, but have not been able to confirm it, that in Germany Aldi and I believe Lidl's are not seen as cheap supermarkets. It is only in the UK that they are seen as bargain basement because that was the market segment they opted to go for. How far this is true I don't know. Perhaps one of European correspondents could verify/investigate?

 

As new entrants several decades ago, the "cheap" end was the best toehold for Aldi, Lidl and Netta.  I don't know what became of Netta but Aldi and Lidl are moving upmarket at a rate of knots and are seen as competition by Asda and Tesco, hence the advertised price matches on staple foods, though neither have stuck the proverbial toe in the area of the centre aisle bargains!

 

In addition, both Aldi and Lidl are building new shops in up-market areas and heavily updating older shops.

 

The main barrier that both Aldi and Lidl now have to overcome is brand conscious snobbishness.

 

[Winslow Boy]

7 minutes ago, Hroth said:

 

As new entrants several decades ago, the "cheap" end was the best toehold for Aldi, Lidl and Netta.  I don't know what became of Netta but Aldi and Lidl are moving upmarket at a rate of knots and are seen as competition by Asda and Tesco, hence the advertised price matches on staple foods, though neither have stuck the proverbial toe in the area of the centre aisle bargains!

 

In addition, both Aldi and Lidl are building new shops in up-market areas and heavily updating older shops.

 

The main barrier that both Aldi and Lidl now have to overcome is brand conscious snobbishness.

 

I seem to recall Netta were bought out. Not certain who buy but I've certainly seen a few of there shops turned into ASDA's.

 

I suspect that it may be a bit of both in terms of market appeal. Aldi and to some extent Lidl's do have a very aggressive expansion strategy, which although it's slowed recently, has seen them open quite a few stores compared to others.

 

One of things they do do is install things like ground pumps and solar panels in order to keep there costs down. Something which the others don't seem to do, but I may be wrong.

[iL Dottore]

28 minutes ago, Andy Hayter said:

 

 

Quite wrong in my experience  - 17 years living and  working in Germany.  Aldi and Lidl are seen as cheap - as in inexpensive - but the range is limited.  Weekend shopping would often see folk going to A or L to get their basics and then drive down the street to the "big supermarket" or  the specialist shops (butchers, bakers etc) for the rest of their shopping.  The difference in Germany is that there is no stigma in shopping at the low cost stores and you are just as likely to see big Mercs in the car park as cheap Fords or Opels.

The same in Switzerland.

Whenever Lidl or Aldi have a particularly useful/attractive/tasty (take your pick) item on limited sale, the Lidl and Aldi parking lots are full of BMW, Teslas and Audi (not so much Mercedes Benz. For some reason I see fewer Mercs around nowadays)

 

Regarding CHEAP.

 

I make a distinction between Cheap and Inexpensive. Cheap can cost a lot, but cheap is - as I pointed out - synonymous with poor quality materials, poor quality workmanship, put together by a poorly paid workforce coupled with a lack of rigorous QC. Some of the top fashion brands, I am led to understand, have a number of lines that are cheap - where punters are paying for the name and nothing else (one documentary claimed that the really, really good, high quality  fashion stuff produced by such fashion houses are available by "invitation only" - which is only extended to the seriously wealthy - which I can well believe). The stuff from TEMU is cheap, too much of what you can buy at Amazon nowadays is cheap.

 

Inexpensive can, on the other hand, cost an awful lot, yet still be "inexpensive". For example, about 20 - 25 years ago I bought a pro quality Kenwood food stand mixer with attachments and spent - back then - about £900 (which was indeed a lot at the time). It has performed faultlessly and with minimal maintenance attention from my part (although it might now be a good idea, after 25 years, to have it serviced if I can't do it myself). Definitely an inexpensive bit of kit.

 

"Value for Money", I think is very subjective, perhaps even too subjective to be a reliable indicator to use as a recommendation to others. Would I consider a "3 for £5 LDC" offer at the supermarket as "value for money"? No; as I regard the ingredients (plus additives) as not the highest quality and the end result - to be charitable - at best "industrial". Others, like PB, would view this differently.

[Andy Hayter]

The point about store location is an interesting one.  While in Germany I shopped at Aldi and Lidl in what would be considered as affluent areas and Aldi in what was a much more working class area.  The stores were laid out almost identically.

 

In France I find it more difficult to make an assessment since the nearest stores are a good 45km away, so local folk do not use them - and we only shop there when we make our once in 3-4 week trek to the  Rhone valley.  I sense that they are viewed as being more down market - but the French shopping ethos is very, very different.  Shoppers will it seems happily pay higher prices to shop at the specialist shops and our nearest town covering an immediate population of under 5000 souls has for example:

3 bakers one of which is also a patisserie.

I chocolatier/patisserie.

2 butchers

I cheese shop.

I bio shop which also acts as a greengrocer.

 

As well as 2 supermarkets for the more general stuff.

All seem to be well patronised.

 

[Gwiwer]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

Weather forecast says:

 

 

I says - nope

 

OK. This is now beyond a joke.  The humidity is ridiculous. 
 

I cannot get properly dry after my shower. 
 

The last time I experienced that was in the Southern Tropics at Cairns. 
 

But it’s not as hot as Cairns by some measure. 

[tigerburnie]

13 hours ago, Two_sugars said:

Your accent is more suited to Glen Parva than a Scottish Glen . . . takes me back to early 70's when i worked for the Flying D on Evinton Valley road . . .

 

It's been a lovely day here on the Costa  . .Lawn trimmed, weeds killed . . beard /hair trimmed . . .chillaxed.

 

Goodnight everyone . . sleep well . . keep smiling. . .

 

p.s. Good to see Dave hunt back . . . 

 

John

 

Raised and edumacted in Glen Hills and Sarf Wigston me duck.

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon awl,

 

Plus one for another case of the weather not tallying with the forecast. The Met Office are adamant it's fine and sunny, well maybe a few hundred/thousand feet higher up but at this altitude it's mizzling and breezy. The sun has not been seen since early morning.  

 

A little raking of grass cuttings from the meadow done, to give the plants room and light to recover from last week's trim. And to reduce the soil fertility as advised by the RHS, WB and others. Feeling a bit tired now, so will probably head for a 'planning session' shortly. Then maybe a bit of sanding and painting. Not abusing POWs this time, just the house walls and doorframes, so no need for anyone to get in touch with the Hague. 

 

The discussion on cheap and expensive reminds me of some of my economics studies. In particular, accounting and economic costs. The latter don't appear on a balance sheet or Profit and Loss account but still have a bearing on people's purchasing decisions, whether it's one of us deciding to buy a particular type of pizza because we like that brand - despite being more expensive than others - or the camper/car and caravan choice when matters such as environmental issues and daily logistics might swing the choice. For me, if you don't like something, it's poor value no matter how 'cheap' the sale price. 

[monkeysarefun]

5 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

So you have two taxable and road insurable vehicles instead of one, you are still towing something so that your speed is restricted, you have spent money on something that's designed to be all-in-one and then hitch something else on the back end.

The cost exceeds threefold that cost of car and caravan with absolutely no benefit.

Probably doesn't make sense in the UK but here theres a whole lot of sites that aren't accessible to camper vans or are  4WD access only so it makes sense to park the camper at the closest camping ground and unhitch the nifty little 4WD.

 

  The combo is a very common  sight on regional roads here.  I assume the US and Canada would be similar.

 

 

 

 

 

I've often also seen a tinny (ie small galvansied dinghy with outboard motor) strapped to the roof of the 4WD.

 

 

On the other hand if you have cash to burn or dont like towing things...

 

Edited August 15 by monkeysarefun

[monkeysarefun]

8 hours ago, pH said:

(Edit - or Australian road trains.)

Here's some, not filmed amongst  the lanes of Cornwall...

 

 

 

I've sometimes come upon an area of  road that has the skid marks of 80 or so tyres, due I assume to some other motorist being silly in the path of one of these doing 100kmh.  An impressive sight! I

Edited August 15 by monkeysarefun

[Ozexpatriate]

5 hours ago, pH said:

A recent movie shows a dramatized version of that nomadic lifestyle, with an appropriate title

The term "grey nomad" is widely used in Australia, usually pejoratively for retired people who take up 'RVing'. (Particularly by Queenslanders when they see Victorian license plates.)

 

It's not very different from the North American term of 'snowbirds' for people who winter in places like Arizona or Florida and return to northerly climes for the summer.

 

Snowbirds might own residences in two places - or be RV nomads.

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, Gwiwer said:

OK. This is now beyond a joke.  The humidity is ridiculous. 
 

I cannot get properly dry after my shower. 
 

The last time I experienced that was in the Southern Tropics at Cairns. 
 

But it’s not as hot as Cairns by some measure. 

 

I have to say that when we were in Cairns during October one year it wasn't really that bad; in fact, we found it very pleasant. It certainly wasn't as bad as when we lived in Singapore and probably took at least two showers a day but usually were sweating again by the time we had towelled dry (ish). Mind you, we didn't have any air conditioning then; in fact, there were very few places that did.

 

Dave

[Ozexpatriate]

12 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

I assume the US and Canada would be similar.

Yes. Though with a higher incidence of motor coach-based RVs than campervans. (Like your lower picture minus the Bugatti 'garage'.)

 

There is a stupendous range of travelling homes on wheels* here - from micro-campers intended to be towed by a bicycle to the biggest RVs built on motor coach chassis. The style of motor home RV that was at one point dominated by the brand "Winnebago" is still popular and there are many towable designs intended for 'fifth-wheel' configurations where the tow point is mounted on the bed of a full size pick-up truck.

 

They look like regular caravans, but with an extra cantilevered section at the front that overlaps the 'fifth wheel'.

 

* Not "mobile homes". These are 'transportable' prefabricated homes that can be delivered by truck to their intended permanent location. They are very difficult to subsequently move, though it is possible.

 

Here's some towable configurations offered by a local chain of dealerships:

The 'truck' camper sits on top of a full-size pick up truck. The "hybrid" has fixed walls like a caravan/travel trailer and the suspension of a folding camper.

 

"Toy Haulers" have a garage in the back. Usually intended for ATVs / small sand rails etc.

 

Edited August 16 by Ozexpatriate

[Tony_S]

I wonder if a lot of plumbing is all failing at one time here. The loo while we were on holiday. And a damp patch on the landing ceiling this morning. I noticed it just before a friend arrived for me to sort out her new Samsung tablet. I tracked the   source of the damp to the cold tank filler. I tightened it a bit but it had no effect. The plastic thread had separated from the tube and that was cracked. No idea why it has failed now.  Just off to Screwfix on Canvey for a replacement (with brass threaded bits) . 

Edited August 15 by Tony_S

[Andy Hayter]

One other thing about Aldi that many may not be aware of is that the company today is split into 2 units.  When old man Albrecht had had enough the company was passed to his two sons.  They had a major disagreement about whether the business should sell cigarettes or not and so the business was split in 2.  Aldi Sud did not sell cigarettes and Aldi Nord did.  They both use the "A" logo, but Aldi Sud has gold on the dark blue ground and Aldi Nord has white on the dark blue ground.  There is a clear geographical split and the two are never in competition with one another.  I always rated Sud as better than Nord when in Germany.

 

When the company expanded outside the German borders, the geographical split continued, with Nord for example taking France 😒 while you lucky folk in the UK have been served by Sud.

 

Not sure how all of that works under EU competition laws but it clearly does.

Edited August 15 by Andy Hayter

[Tony_S]

Taking Aditi too. All the food for tomorrow’s visitors instead of coming today was coming tomorrow evening. So an emergency shop at M&S food, not far from Screwfix. Aditi got the days muddled.  Very unusual , but she has sorted out alternatives!

[DaveF]

It's been dull with wet bits now and then all day, neither hot nor cold.  I went to church this mroning, there were a couple of new people there which is always good.  I managed to get a bit more tidying done while I was there so I know where the things are that I use.  I also managed to track down the missing lighters for the candles, they had been put in the wrong place.

 

I didn't have a proper walk as it rained on the way home so I have just pottered about in the garden and garage between the rain.  It is perhaps as well I didn't want to go far as my IBS has been playing up, it is the usual case of nothing in particular has set it off, probably just a combination of things I've eaten in the last 4 or 5 days.  It will settle down in a day or two as long as I eat plain slightly stodgy things.  I think my gut just ikes to remind me it is there every so often.

 

I got a few plants staked and some weeds removed between the rain as well some dead heading done.  Most of the day I've been catching up on some magazines and doing a couple of crossword puzzles.

 

Although I get most of my groceries delivered if I run out or forget things I almost always go to Aldi or Lidl.  Most people I know do their shopping with them.

 

David

[Grizz]

Today, I’ve mostly been drinking Willesmoes’ Stout. 
 

[Winslow Boy]

58 minutes ago, Andy Hayter said:

One other thing about Aldi that many may not be aware of is that the company today is split into 2 units.  When old man Albrecht had had enough the company was passed to his two sons.  They had a major disagreement about whether the business should sell cigarettes or not and so the business was split in 2.  Aldi Sud did not sell cigarettes and Aldi Nord did.  They both use the "A" logo, but Aldi Sud has gold on the dark blue ground and Aldi Nord has white on the dark blue ground.  There is a clear geographical split and the two are never in competition with one another.  I always rated Sud as better than Nord when in Germany.

 

When the company expanded outside the German borders, the geographical split continued, with Nord for example taking France 😒 while you lucky folk in the UK have been served by Sud.

 

Not sure how all of that works under EU competition laws but it clearly does.

Yes I was aware there was a split but not the reason for it.

 

One thing that does amuse me is the presence of Lidl's never to far away from Aldi- in some cases within easy walking distance.

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

  The combo is a very common  sight on regional roads here.

Still rare but seen here too.  I see about one a year.  If it's within the overall mass and size limits, on a rigid drawbar and suitably coupled (i.e. electrics and brakes) it's legal.  

 

2 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

when we were in Cairns during October one year it wasn't really that bad; in fact, we found it very pleasant.

Still in the build-up.  The worst is yet to some.  I happened to be there in February - dictated by my rostered leave and the allocation of a travel pass - which was stonkingly humid in the Wet Season.  It wasn't actually wet but had been'; my train was the first to pass after a week-long flood-induced closure north of Ayr.  There was still a goodly depth of water in many paddocks. 

 

4 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

 The humidity is ridiculous. 
 

I cannot get properly dry after my shower. 

And as anticipated the humidity cleared through.  Not long after lunch the fog lifted and drier air arrived.  It's done that several times before so I now expect it when things get really sticky.  

 

His Furship celebrated with an extended visit to several neighbouring backyards.  Neither authorised nor planned but I had overlooked the small fact of both back doors (kitchen to utility and utility to outside) being left open to ventilate the house.  Oops.  He popped his head up from a flower bed three cottages along upon hearing my voice and the rustle of his crunchy-bag being shaken.  Ever the well-trained gentlecat he immediately hopped back over the various fences upon my command "Home" 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Done a bit of shopping this afternoon, only the usual bread and milk but a check on the reduced to clear shelf bagged a Costa and Mollica pizza and a raspberry cheesecake. The pizza will be eaten later but the cheesecake will last a little longer.

[The White Rabbit]

An unusual news link: https://www.railwaylandproject.org/post/dogs-as-wolves - having loosened the ground, dogs with special seed harnesses are used to romp through the woods and scatter seeds as they go. I wonder if it would work on my meadow? 🤔 ...

[monkeysarefun]

3 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

I have to say that when we were in Cairns during October one year it wasn't really that bad; in fact, we found it very pleasant. I

Northern Australia has basically two seasons -  The Dry  (May to October) and The Wet (November to April).

 

The Dry is a wonderful time to be there, especially coming from the winter of the southern states. 

 

The Wet is something else again. My trips to Darwin were 50 -50,  Wet and Dry so I got to experience both and did anything I could to reschedule any during The Wet! I experienced exactly the same as @Gwiwer during those times, I'd have a shower, dry myself off and instantly be just as wet as when I'd just got out.

 

It affects the locals too, many attractions, restaurants and so on are shut during that time, similar to say the UK seaside towns in winter, something that just doesn't happen here in the more temperate regions. Partly due to there being no visitors at that time, and partly due to the business owners, workers and so on spending the time lying under palm trees out of the humidity.

 

Tourist and backpacker wise it was chalk and cheese between the two seasons, in The Dry every night was party night along Mitchell Street, in The Wet you could shoot a cannon through there and only hit 2 unfortunate IT contractors. 

 

I recall the goods lift in the Defence HQ at Darwin was broken and we needed to move some equipment up to the second floor. We spoke to the person escorting us about it but they said that it wouldnt be fixed until The Dry because the techs at the  interstate maintenance company refused to go there the rest of the year!

 

To make it seemingly worse, The Arafura Sea is an amazing Sapphire Blue and tempts you in to cool off, but the water is a no go due to Stingers and Crocs....

Edited August 15 by monkeysarefun

[polybear]

10 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Should go into the garage and make a start on that pile of bits I suppose, brain was checking off missing bits all night, some little parts to look for, there's another few boxes of parts for something else in the garage loft that they may be in, or be able to rob!

 

Bear knows of someone with an RD125 sitting in bits....it's about time he made a start....

 

9 hours ago, DaveF said:

I have to make a decision on what to do with a wicker chair in the bedroom, it gets in the way but is quite comfortable.  I don't "need" it but would probably miss it if I got rid of it. 

 

How often do you actually sit in in?  If it's rarely then you don't need it and are unlikely to miss it.

 

8 hours ago, Hroth said:

 

CHEAP? 

 

I see such items as merely inexpensive.

 

Many expensive items are priced and sold on brand/features but are no better value for money than less expensive items, particularly in the long run.

 

Agreed - are Levi's Jeans three times better than Amazon Basics?  Not in this Bear's experience, yet the price difference suggests they should be.

 

8 hours ago, Hroth said:

For example, small power tools.  If you're not using them in a "professional" capacity, or as the main tools in a hobby, then there's no point in buying expensive "quality" items.  But for occasional, or even for an individual project, they are perfectly adequate, completely suited to what they need to do and are INEXPENSIVE.

 

Many Pro's (especially those working "On Site") now buy Aldi/Lidl-type tools simply because of the risk of theft; if they do get nicked then they're very cheap to replace, but are far less likely to get nicked in the first place.

[Coombe Barton]

... Tomorrow’s target is The West of England Steam Engine Society Rally at Stithians Showground. It’ll be the furthest east I’ve been since coming down. Them's furrin’ parts, me ‘ansum!.” ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2024/08/15/postcards-from-the-periphery-2024-19/

[southern42]

' evening all from red dragon...er... ☔* land. 

5:30pm <<Yeah! The sun has come out! Just as I start doing dinner! 😎 >>

 

*Not to worry...Loads of new TOTF🎶 videos watched this afternoon as I have subscribed to a new year's worth of flute tuition. Having moved onto a new section, I think I will have my work cut out for me over the coming months. Don't get excited, though, it is still only early learning stuff and all exercises of one kind or another!  The challenge is on..... 🤣

 

ION

The workings from the two ends of the north-south berm near Grindavík, Iceland appear to have been completed in the middle, last night - the excavator had almost filled in the gap when I looked in at half nine, and several other vehicles, their yellow lights flashing, were busy adding to the base and the mid-height vehicleway (for want of a better word). Currently, 4K Live views are misted out. Rain and all that. Ever-growing baby Lola was still snuggled up on the cliff's hole-in-the-wall this morning, still looking cute.

 

Nowt on the box tonight, so it looks like another visit to Utoob, later.

Better clear up the dinner plates, now, though.

 

Take care. Be good. Keep at it or Dal ati as they say around here.

Polly