Introduction

Hosts:

MrX

Dave

Morriss

We recorded this on Saturday February 25th 2024. Our

favourite pub for lunch, The Steading, seemed to have closed

since we were last there. Research into what was going on led to the

information that the company owning this and several other pubs in the

area was selling them all.

We decided to try another place in the Pentland Hills area, and went

to the Brasserie at Swanston Farm for lunch, which was pretty

good. After lunch we as usual adjourned to Dave's Citroen car

(Studio C) in the car park, and recorded a chat.

Topics discussed

YouTube channel recommendations (Dave)

A channel about astronomy and science. Anton goes into a fair amount

of depth about subjects in the news relating to these themes: Anton Petrov

Recent episode: Study Explains Dark

Energy and Inflation as Parallel Universes Colliding

A channel which is all about making things out of junk. No speech,

and only a small amount of music as the build comes together: Epic UpCycling

Just watched this one, and am in awe! A Treasure Chest of

Secret Drawers made from Pallets and Scrap

Terrible weather with highs winds and / or lashing rain (MrX)

Seems to be never ending.

Have noticed quite a few fences down

Large tree down blocking entrance to local park

Both parents houses sustained damage, fences and roof tiles.

So far we have been lucky with no damage

My mother was injured while going out to rescue her outside

bucket

Possibly related, it seems car insurance prices are increasing (MrX)

I have seen some link this to the high repair cost for modern cars

because they have lots of high tech included. In particular the sensors

placed in bumpers.

Some have speculated this to be because the high repair cost of

EV's.

I came across this YouTube video that shows that global insurance

claims have been historically large in recent years due to natural

disasters. While the video concentrates on properties I'm sure it also

will be affecting car insurance. I believe this likely to be having the

most prominent factor for insurance increases. Insurers ABANDONING high

climate risk properties

I got a Steam Deck for Christmas! (Dave)

I borrowed my son's Nintendo Switch in November 2023 to see if I

could see the screen and play games on it. I could, but haven't played

games since the 1980's so I'm terrible at it!

I told them I might buy myself a Steam Deck in 2024, but wasn't

sure.

Much to my surprise my family jointly bought me a Steam Deck for

Christmas!

I am pretty bad at using it, but I'm practising

I'm learning Stardew Valley at first, but I'd quite like to

try Kerbal Space Programme at some point.

Cinema visits / movies: (MrX)

Hunger Games pre sequel

Was not rated very highly but me and Mrs X actually really enjoyed

it.

Oppenheimer

Knowing something of the background story was advantageous

Barbie

Watched on DVD!

Ticks (Dave)

We spoke about this subject last time we met. Later, I was reminded

of a disease called