Test Drive

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I test drove our new hob yesterday.

And wow. What an amazing difference from the old model.

The old model was in here when we moved in several (or more) years ago now. The old model shouldn’t have been in here when we moved in, because it fails the gas certificate of compliance even at the most basic level. But, as longer-term readers might remember, there was an awful lot that failed the CoCs on this house, because the certificates were issued by knobheads by friends of the previous owner.

Dodgy as.

Still, that’s all water under the bridge now (which was probably due to another pipe that needed replacing).

The new hob is bigger than the last hob, and the gas is more controllable, thanks to Bosch’s new FlameSelect™ function. It’s still not anything professional, but I’m not exactly a professional cook either, so the match is good. But that extra 150mm and the ability to have a very low flame without the danger of blowing the place up, make a massive difference, and last night’s curry really benefitted from me being able to leave it to simmer without concern.

We’re slowly becoming a bit of a Bosch household. Not because we have any particular affinity to the brand, but just because they’re stuff is good value, good quality and it just works. German engineering, made in China. But then, isn’t everything?

Anyway. One of those purchases that needed making, but has had a huge positive effect already.

If you’re looking for a sign to make one of those “I’ve got to get one at some point” buys, then consider this it.

The more you ignore me

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It’s been a while since I put some music up on here. And this one is nothing new. Just an earworm I picked up and I can’t get rid of. And the more I ignore it… well… you know.

Incidentally, I think I picked this up from the Amy Lamé Superfans show, which is a great listen if you know how.

The Smiths (yes, I know, I know) episode featured one woman who gave up her job to attend all of the dates on their 1986 British tour. Next level stuff, and certainly fulfilling the name of the show.

Whatever next – flying 23,000km for a concert at the other end of the planet?

My carbon footprint never looked so good.

Airports

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Wondering about airports?
Of course you are.

Wonder no more – https://ourairports.com/ has got you covered for all your airport data needs.

You can even download a CSV file full of airport information:

airports.csv (12,511,182 bytes, last modified Feb 16, 2026)
Large file, containing information on all airports on this site.

From the two heliports in Andorra (AD-EU) through to the Neyuka Airstrip in Zimbabwe (ZW-AF).
GPS coordinates, website details, runway lengths and orientations – they’re all there, and it’s all free to use.

https://ourairports.com/data is the link with all the goodness.

Pretty nerdy stuff, but you never know when you might need to know these sort of things.

More great Asian signs

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It was quite a while ago that I (possibly) introduced you to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in India.

They are the ones putting up signs like this one:

…with the sole intention of keeping you safe while on their roads.

I’ve been sent a couple of other Asian signs since then, in much the same vein.
In fact, the first one is even a BRO sign. And it’s a classic:

This should be part of a set including other spirits.

Driving dumb,
After rum.

You’ll drive crapper,
After two shots of grappa.

Driving’s a sin,
With a skinful of gin.

Drive after brandy,
And you might meet Gandhi.

Is that last one a bit ambivalent. Might that consequence actually be a bit of an honour?

I don’t know.
But if there’s any psychology that proves that amusing warning signs somehow hit home, then I reckon that the research must have been done in India. Because here we go again:

This is part insulting, part amusing and probably just very well aimed. It’s not like the “No Smoking” signs aren’t all over the petrol pumps already. It’s just that people take no notice of them. This sign refreshes the customers’ memories, while gently(?) nudging them that the proprietor cares a whole lot more about his product than stupid people.

And then there’s this one from just over the border, by the Nepalese Police. And it’s actually pretty deep.

This is right up there with “Real Eyes Realise Real Lies”. But more threatening.

It’s so deliciously straightforward and could easily be used in any (English-speaking) country.

I’ve never upset the police in Nepal, so I’m safe for the moment, but this sort of honest, easy to remember warning would probably keep me on the right side of the law on every visit.

You have my email address. Bring on more Asian warning signs, please.