She hasn't gone to Cardigan Fields has she?

I don't see Top Gear as a car programme. It's 3 mates, having a mid life crisis, messing about on TV each week. Sure there's cars involved, but they're almost an irrelevant part of the show these days. If you want opinions and advise on regular cars then 5th Gear is much more the show for you.

As for Clarkson, I prefer it when he's not talking about cars. His rants at politicians usually come from the motoring angle as well, so I take them with a pinch of salt. He's much better when he's making serious documentaries. The one for Greatest Living Britain on Brunel was a fine example, as was the show about his father-in-law, who won the VC. The only time he's come remotely close to this on Top Gear was at the end of their American special, when he layed into Bush and his administration about what they found in New Orleans.

I've got a car some might class as a p[ieni[/is extension I suppose.

Its' lower end luxury but top of its' range.

I got it not because I considered it "cool". I decided against a BMW 3 series as they're driven by t[ioss[/iers.

I do however like the really unimportant but gadgety gadgets that its' got. Rear parking camera means I now never have to look behind me when reversing, which creates problems when I drive my wifes gadget free car, Automatic lights and wind-screen wipers mean I never have to exert myself to turn them on.

Wing mirrors that tuck in when I switch off the engine (and come out when I switch it on) and a steering wheel that moves out to meet me when I do it makes me feel like james Bond.

These are the things that are important to me.

Is this thread drift?

On the basis of that, if you ever met me or my family, I doubt we would either.

Ah, you see, I'm more a fan of beer and cider than wine. Australian beer (on the whole, there are exceptions) = EPIC FAIL. I've never had Aussie cider, but I'd be surprised if it compares favouarably with what's on offer a short(ish) distance to my south and west.

I will freely concede that they're very good at wine down there. Some of my favourites are Australian in fact.

A special drawback of living in the Midlands is that decent fresh fish is not that easy to come by. I'm not knocking Australia by any means, I just like it here, on the whole.

Tesco sell allsorts of stuff now, you dont have to eat fish and chips every night.

They have a great selection of Australian Wines at Tesco. A lot easier and cheaper to get then hopping onto a Quantas is nipping down to my local Tesco.

They also have a fine selection of californians which I find to be much nicer.

It's Qantas, not Quantas. Of course it should have a u as the second letter, we all know that, but that's Australians for you,

I think acronyms are exempt from that rule. Not that they know that, they just got lucky.

To get back on topic - boring I know - what 23 year old wouldn't relish the chance to earn good money, experience a different lifestyle & still be young enough to go back home if it didn't work out or he didn't like it here after all?
The salary cap means that you can't have (or at least keep) world class players in every position so the art ss to balance the books, maintain the balance of the side and plan for the future.
Something that I think the club has achieved over the past few years.
I bet Bradford wish they had an administration as adept as ours.

Oh be quiet. Any excuse to have a go at the bread stealers, you should know that

Apologies.

Have you ever put it in reverse to have a look at any ladies walking behind the car?

I'm defo no wine buff!! But Some of the best aus wine makers export a minimal amount of wine!! I would say a visit to the barrosa vally for a wine tour is a must for anyone going to aus who likes a drink!! A top day out and down to earth as you can get!!

and does the wheel move forward so you can have a wan......

and does it dispense tissues from the cd player?

No. And she's not in a better mood.

Just back from a weekend away from a computer and I find 17 pages on a new signing. (I haven't gone through it all but based on the last 2 pages it looks like there may be 1-2 pages of relevant content)

The thing that I find depressing is that we sign a 23 year old Aussie as an accomplished centre and a 22? year old English player as a prospect for the future.

Why is it depressing?

Is it not pleasing that we are happy to sign the English player and give him a chance. The club have recognised his potential but it is well known that this player was a late starter. Obviously his experience compared to someone who has been playing NRL he is going to be seen as a project.

At least the recent signings show the rest of the youngsters in the lower leagues that the door is not closed.

since mr ashton was rumoured to be offered 170K a year, after a half a season playing first team for wigan by a team going down a league. do people not think smith will have been offered much more then this.
with a much bigger cap, union can offer much more money, its rather simple.


as for the reference about brett only coming over for the money, don't you think they'll be the same reason why lee is going to kick & clap

For the same reason that Keith Senior has been the best British centre with little or no challenge for the last number of years.

Either the players aren't good enough or the coaches aren't willing to take a gamble. We keep hearing the Coady, Ratu and Watkins are players for the future but the Aussies keep producing players of their ages that play regular NRL every week. The lack of players that we have produced over the years suggests that

1. The player aren't good enough.
2. The coaching isn't good enough
3. The reserve grade isn't strong enough to allow these players to step up.

Given the poor reaction of many on here to the Brett Delaney signing I can only imagine the reaction that the news we're favourites to sign the Aussie Prop Adam Peek from Celtic will bring

Well I will let out a little LOL like, just for banter.

I can see the headlines on here now.Leeds sign another 31 year old has been average Aussie player etc etc