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Author: Michael James
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Week 196 – Dec 16th – Battersea part 2
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Week 196 – Dec 16th – Battersea part 1
This late afternoon, we took a train and tube up to Battersea.
The tube was heaving for going to Battersea Power Station, never been before by tube, as this a newish station. The station is massive.
Some pictures from the visit.

Christmas tree at the back of Battersea Power Station 
Christmas tree by the ice rink at Battersea Power Station 
Large Christmas baubles outside Battersea Power Station -
Week 196 – Dec 15th – Gas
Today Claire got an email regarding the gas price increases.
After discussing, we decided to go on to a new fix price tariff for the next two years.
This enabled us to get our monthly payment back below £100, but paying more than the tariff as we were in debit a bit. Hopefully with everything going on around the world, this will work out to a benefit for us.
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Week 195 – Dec 9th – Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers 0 Leeds United 2 – HT – 0-1
James (27), Summerville (75)
Assists
Rutter (27), Gray (75)
Daniel James grabbed his third goal in three games as in-form Leeds United made it six Championship wins from seven with a clinical performance against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
James drilled a fine low shot beyond keeper Leopold Wahlstedt and into the corner to put the visitors ahead after an uneventful first half.
Rovers, who have now lost six league games at home already this season, improved after the break and started to create chances, notably when Hayden Carter headed over.
But the impressive Crysencio Summerville wrapped up a victory that closes the gap on second-placed Ipswich to four points, before the afternoon kick-offs, with a clever, chipped finish as he ran through on goal.
This is great run of form by Leeds, hopefully they can keep it up in this busy month of December, especially around the Christmas and New Year crazy run of fixtures.
Marching On Together
League position 3rd after 20 games
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Week 195 – Dec 8th Car tax
So after the fun and games with the car insurance the other week, see previous posting; I wasn’t expecting this today.
I got a letter from the DVLA for the car tax payment and thought that was early, as we got the car in January and then I saw the amount and I thought this was a spam letter.
So I logged on the government website to pay and I got to the price section and yes my car tax was £560.
I rang them to find out why, but whilst waiting, I found something on the site and it was down to the value of the car. This had actually been in place since 2017, I thought they kept that hidden well.
The other great thing is, this is cost for the next 4 years as well, before it drops down to the normal tax, which is £180 at the moment. I thought having a hybrid car would reduce the tax.
There goes Claire’s Christmas presents.
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Week – 195 – Dec 7th – Information gathering
This afternoon, I updated my preferences on the UK government website to receive emails regarding
Census: 2021 Census outputs
Admin-based population statistics
Ageing
Crime and justice statistics
Mortality and life expectancy
Office for Statistics Regulation newsletter
The Highway Code: change to rules
I thought it would be good to receive information regarding these subjects.
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Week 194 – Dec 3rd – Christmas decorations up
As its December, we decided to put the Christmas tree and decorations up.
Can you see what’s missing from the Christmas tree?

Christmas tree in all its splendour. Our special Father Christmas as already delivered present under the tree. Helps to have hot line to the top man. 
Our newest Father Christmas. 
Father Christmas is everywhere. -
Week 194 – Nov 27th – Hastings Direct
So the car insurance battle continued today with the help of Ziya.
As mentioned in there commercials, Direct Line and NFU are not on the comparison websites, so I rang them this morning. I’m not surprised they aren’t, they both gave me quotes of over £1,500.
Again I don’t see how this is justified when I have had no incident in the last 12 months, well touch wood, for many years.
So looking at the comparison sites, I ended up choosing Hastings Direct, as that came in at £718, so just over a £100 increase.
Yes you expect an increase, that’s just how it is, but NOT by nearly doubling it. It shouldn’t be like this every year, having to hunt around for the best price, it’s as if they don’t want you as a customer.
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Week 193 – Nov 25th – Took advantage of Black Friday
As we seem to take many things from America good or bad. I took advantage of the Black Friday sales today and purchase some items saving over 50% on the original price.
With the cost of living, everything helps.