IanTaylor

I'm preparing a talk on the basics of philosophy entitled "What's it all about?" and will start by quoting this wonderful letter by Valerie Eliot about Bertrand Russell and the cabbie.

When people sneak into a priority boarding line for a train (to cut ahead + grab seats) it's an amazing kind of voluntary sorting by moral instinct. These are the people civilisation protects you against. If social order broke down they'd turn to cannibalism within minutes.

@michaelblackcab So Montcalm Mayfair is a no too?

People get in “we’re going to Mayfair !” It’s actually a restaurant in Heddon St that says it’s the Mayfair branch. Mayfair? I don’t think so do you ?

Wayno

"Route taxi: convenient, fast, inexpensive" Soviet advertising poster, 1981.

Two nations divided by a common language…

Yesterday I posted about the Temu Range Rover, and a lot of you replied about issues you’ve been having with Jaecoo too. So I took the liberty of reading the warranty document of Britain’s best selling car, as I'd heard they had a 7 year warranty. Prudent, since we will be covering them one day, well that day is sooner than I thought! Whilst they do advertise a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty and some parts are covered under this, many parts are only warranted for 3 years or just 40,000 miles! These include: • A/C Compressor. • Alternator. • Ball Joint(s). • Brake Caliper. • Catalytic Converter. • Dashboard Upholstery and Trims (wear & tear). • Infotainment Unit. • Exhaust System. • Fuel Injector(s). • Fuel Pump. • Oil Pump. • Seat Upholstery (wear & tear). • Shock Absorber(s). • Starter Motor. • Steering Wheel Upholstery (wear & tear). • Timing Belt. • Track Rod End. • Water Pump. • Wheel Bearing. • Window Regulator. Worse still, the remote control key is only covered for 1 year or 20,000 miles, and if you are using the car as an Uber, Taxi, Courier or Driving School the main warranty limits are reduced further. It's been a long time since i've seen any manufacturer offer warranty cover only for the first 40,000 miles, in fact I can't remember any. I know these cars are cheap, but perhaps that is for a reason...?

British TV commercial in 1986: Child running through a tropical island to a temple designed by HR Giger. Shot on 35mm at magic hour, directed by Ridley Scott. British TV commercial in 2026: Man in a hoodie in a grey kitchen turns into a pile of Mini-Eggs. Slogan: “Find Your Yes”

The Knightsbridge rhino is extinct

@London_W4 Sweet Thames, flow softly. From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge. My love I was declarin'. And she from Kew to Isleworth Her love for me was swearin'. Ewan MacColl via Spenser and TS Elliot

Crossing Kew Bridge this afternoon. The tower of the London Museum of Water and Steam to the right, house boats below, with new apartments just behind and council tower blocks beyond. In the foreground is The Thames, which just keeps flowing, whatever happens around it.

Funky DJ on Sloane Square at the mo

“…just anywhere ‘round here will do mate”

It's windy out

St John's Wood Lewis

Sorry love I can't come over tonight I've

@TheCinesthetic Down street

A movie that's in your top 25 list but unlikely to be in anyone else's?

@guidoacasa So Waterloo is better then?

@cabian2 Also: there must be more really short trips from Waterloo than London Bridge.

Top taxi tips: I've been riding past St Thomas St and Waterloo ranks at 9.45 on a Monday morning for five years. One of them is a much better bet than the other.

@guidoacasa How useful that would be for life in general, Monday morning enlightenment.

@cabian2 The tip is to consider the options.