I know you are, Ali, so am I. And what would I do with a smiley?

On the subject of bins, I suspect that cash-strapped councils are asking more from their bin men for less money. They probably have to finish two rounds in the same time as they used to do one, so perhaps that explains their rather casual approach to returning hem to their exact spot. In the grand scheme of things, is it that much of a hardship?

for them to put it 4 feet to the left (which isn't any further) of where they do sling it? In other words where it came from. Even if we put it out on the street (which isn't where we're supposed to) then they still put it in the middle of the drive which means they have to go further to make it inconvenient.

And yes, in the grand scale of things it is nothing more than inconvenient but It would be so easy for this not to be.

I'm not sure about the added pressures as this has come about as a result of getting wheelie bins (way easier for them to empty than picking separate bags up) and going to fortnightly collections (so half the rounds) and there hasn't been any redundancies in the local council as far as I'm aware and this isn't a big town.

Bloody hell, if I keep moaning anymore about the council I'm going to have to get a job as a taxi driver!

Do you still have to take your rubbish to the village tip yourself like we had to back in the 70s in the Dordogne Joe? [/quote]



Well! Until 2 years ago we just dumped it at the end of our drive which is one of three cul-de-sac drives in our same in/out hamlet (11 houses). 5 am collection.
But others were not happy about the bleep peep reversing bin cart.

So now there is a place with big bins in an enclosed area at the begining of the hamlet.
But of course the bin cart has to reverse at the first junction further into the hamlet to get out!

No complaints to be honest. Unlike the rest of you grumpy UK !

They obviously haven't heard of "white noise" reversing alarms !

I never used to be filled with so much anger and hate Jim, but as I try to lead my life with respect and consideration to others, I get extremely cheesed off with the lack of consideration and respect others show and all the 'little annoyances' on my list turn to hatred and anger.

I've tried to calm down and relax and become one of 'the others', but I can't do it and I think that's what's made my anger and hatred worse over the years.

Bring yourself to France T! All will be well love.xx

It seems we of a certain age have a common dislike of some of the behaviours and lack of consideration shown these days and I wonder if we would be happier in a living elsewhere? I have often thought I would end up moving away but not considered how far.
Is life happier & better in France, Spain etc or where ever ? Or are we turning into Victor Meldrews

"I'm Victor Meldrew!"
"No, *I'm* Victor Meldrew!"
"I'm Victor Meldrew and so is my wife!"

...Always look on the bright side...

I could do a list but I hate doing lists.

Our bin men are heroes. Our council introduced Recycling last year and we went from one brown wheelie bin & one green wheelie bin to:

1 x brown wheelie bin for landfill waste
1 x green wheelie bin for garden waste
1 x grey bin for cooked food waste
1 x black bin for bottles & cardboard
1 x blue bag for newspaper & magazines
1 x pink bag for plastic and tins

They replaced the usual rear end loading bin lorries with what look like sesame street toy lorries. Aluminium sides with colourful recycling cartoons on them and various shaped slots/doors/apertures for the different bins! I don't know what time they start work but they are often in the street at 7:00 A.M and I have seen them working at 10:00 PM! Crazy and you know what? ........................... I don't think it will save the world!