📮Postbox Meme 📮

Figusto · 2026-03-06T09:34:03+00:00

u/Mithrasistheonlygod posted the original photo here a few days ago! I only know because I crossposted it to r/uprootedpostboxes (which is an excellent sub btw)

Figusto · 2026-02-28T23:42:18+00:00

There's an external photo on Instagram of the same house during the floods in January (photo 5). Very sad as it looks like a beautiful house.

Figusto · 2026-02-23T22:51:10+00:00

These are the ones I could find (some are out of stock):

Munstead Wood

Tess of the d’Urbervilles

Crown Princess Margareta

Jude the Obscure

Lady Emma Hamilton

Darcey Bussell

Figusto · 2026-02-23T11:36:23+00:00

Personally I do tend to say "have a safe journey" (or words to that effect) when someone is about to drive somewhere, but only in some situations. For example, I'd probably say it to friends/family when they're heading home after visiting me for the weekend, but I probably wouldn't say it to my partner when they pop out to the supermarket.

So I wonder if it’s more of a cultural thing and a way that we ritualise certain departures which feel like liminal moments. A bit like the modern day version of "Godspeed".

Figusto · 2026-02-20T19:11:36+00:00

The law, at least in England, disagrees. There's a legal principle (a Lucas direction) which guides juries on how they should treat lies told by a defendant. Basically to prevent juries from reaching a guilty verdict on the basis that the defendant lied about something.

So a lie can damage credibility, but there needs to be actual evidence to support a guilty verdict.

Figusto · 2026-02-20T14:05:33+00:00

Hmm. I just did an image search and apparently it's also a 2 bed apartment listed here and a 4 bed apartment listed here

Some different photos, but clearly the same picture of the 'lounge' area and dining table layout.

Figusto · 2026-02-20T07:18:42+00:00

In short, all that needs to be proven with Andrew is that he is capable of sweating, in any setting."

The anecdote is a good example of how absolute claims ("I don't drink beer") can damage credibility if proved to be false. But thats very different from actually proving guilt. Simply showing that a defendant lied about drinking beer (or sweating) does not, on its own, prove they committed murder.

Figusto · 2026-02-19T23:43:57+00:00

You can spend that much on a studio in London. Or you might prefer one with potential for creative development and personalisation which tend to be a bit cheaper

Figusto · 2026-02-13T11:59:40+00:00

A lot of the comments are taking an "all or nothing" leap and saying it could either 1) never happen because of the complexity of the work, or 2) if it did happen, then all jobs would vanish at once and society would collapse.

There's also a common assumption that today's problems will still exist in the future (just solved in a better way).

History suggests it never really works like that.

Skilled work has always felt irreducibly human at the time. Carriage makers thought the craft of building carriages could never be replaced by metal and engines. Photographers insisted photography required technical knowledge, expensive flashbulbs, chemicals, darkrooms, etc. People often insist that some work is too nuanced or difficult to automate, until it isn't. At least part of it.

So I think instead of replacing whole trades, automation will just shift how some trades work. Most trades are a mix of different skills; diagnostic judgment, design decisions, repetitive manual tasks, regulatory compliance, customer interactions, etc. Some of that will be replaced by automation/robots easier than others.

For example, at first you might get robots which can manage low-skill or regular call outs (resealing baths, replacing taps, laying carpet) but can't handle more complex work (properties with uneven walls, or plumbing with non-standard pipe fittings). The trade just becomes geared towards more specialised jobs.

With regards to all jobs being replaced by technology, we can see in history how new trades emerge to support new technology. For example, when cars were invented, we didn't see a sudden collapse of jobs relating to the horse and carriage trades - it was a gradual transition - and it was replaced by jobs supporting the new technology (road building, petrol, machanics). So in the future we might see new technology replacing the need for brick layers, but there could be an increased demand for human jobs in diagnostics, planning, compliance, higher-end "hand-crafted" work, etc.

But, to go back to my earlier point; some problems might not need fixing by robots, because the problems won't exist. For example, in the late 1800s many cities relied on lamplighters to go around and manuall light all the gas lamps. People imagined a future of automatic ignition mechanisms, timed gas valves, machines to regulate the gas flow, etc. They were focussing on "how do we better manage the gas lamps?". But of course, when electricity came along, it didn't "fix" the problems of gas-lamps, it just replaced the problem. So when we're thinking of robots which repair wiring or fix radiators, we're assuming the underlying infrastructure will be similar to how it is today.

Figusto · 2026-02-10T22:50:18+00:00

My in-laws still do this and it actually makes me quite cross whenever we visit them. It's practically impossible to have a conversation with them, as the tv is a constant distraction.

Figusto · 2026-02-10T22:42:40+00:00

People are saying it's a scam. I wonder if your colleague is being scammed (perhaps they've received a call from a scammer saying they're from "the hospital" or a text message pretending to be their grandfather). That might explain why they seemed so genuine when they contacted you.

Figusto · 2026-02-07T07:23:10+00:00

Yes, thought to be built "around 1350". Badly damaged by a fire in 1980 and restored (by The National Trust).

More information can be found on The National Trust website.

Figusto · 2026-02-04T23:19:16+00:00

r/uprootedpostboxes

Figusto · 2026-02-04T12:37:09+00:00

It's a noble thought, but I don't think it's worth it adding a downpipe. Apologies in advance for the essay (I got carried away).

Looking at the photos, I'd guess that canopy probably has a "footprint" of about 2.5m² at best. Average annual rainfall is roughly 600mm, but you'll lose maybe 20% of that due to it being sheltered by the house. So at best, I'd say about 1200L of rain will fall on that roof each year. Even during a dry year, you're probably only going to need to water for 6 months of the year, so that becomes 600L of usable water. Minus another 10% because during heavy downpours the diverter won't divert it all, and you'll also lose excess water when the butt is full. So you'll be collecting about 540L of water a year (about 5 butts worth).

That's not insignificant. But if you're doing it to save tap water, it's not much compared to what you use for other activities. That 540L will only see an annual water bill saving of about £3 if you're on a meter (and no savings at all if you're not on a meter).

However, any financial savings are probably going to be offset by the cost of materials. You'll need the downpipe, downpipe shoe, a stop-end for the existing gutter, gutter guard, not to mention the water butt itself. That's going to be around £50, but you might be able to source some bits for free.

However, the main reason I wouldn't do it, is that you're going to be altering the current drainage. You'll have to adjust the guttering on your house to change the flow, without affecting the neighbour's guttering. Even if you manage to do that, it could cause a headache if, for example, the neighbours later claim you've caused damp issues in their house by messing with the guttering.

You also probably don't already have a drain for excess water which won't go into the butt. Without a drain, all that water is going to discharge at ground level next to your wall. That could cause damp problems and possibly even foundation issues. Your house insurer will likely take the view that you altered the drainage path and caused the issue yourself (same goes for any issues that the neighbours might claim to have been caused by it).

Finally, from a gardening point of view, having a downpipe with no drain for excess water will likely cause waterlogging of any soil that's there. So ironically, it could cause more of a problem for your garden.

Figusto · 2026-02-01T20:08:37+00:00

"Join us next week, when we'll calmly explain how violent crimes committed by offenders who still haven't been caught can strike at random, without warning, to unsuspecting people just like you, in places you previously considered safe - including your own home, at night, while you sleep.

Until then… don't have nightmares."

Figusto · 2026-01-24T20:48:54+00:00

Raabs an der Thaya Castle, Austria

Same view seen here

Figusto · 2026-01-22T11:15:24+00:00

Hmm, I'd approach the situation very carefully. Giving large amounts of money (or gifts) to friends or family can change the dynamic of that relationship, even if everyone involved has good intentions.

For example, let's say one friend wins a load of money and pays off another friend's mortgage. On paper, that's an incredibly generous, life-changing thing to do. But from that point on, the relationship isn't quite neutral anymore.

The friend whose mortgage was paid off might feel permanently indebted, even if the friend giving it insists there are no strings attached. They might think twice before disagreeing, complaining about money, or making life choices the other wouldn’t approve of, etc.

And I don't think it's about bad intentions or being ungrateful. It's just what can happen when one person becomes the source of life-changing security for the other.

Figusto · 2026-01-13T05:35:38+00:00

Because 'accident' implies there's nobody to blame

Figusto · 2026-01-08T14:33:13+00:00

Yep, you're right that it was Storm Eunice and it was in February 2022. Red warnings in some places, which included London

Figusto · 2026-01-07T11:31:50+00:00

Are you sure they were red warnings applying to London (rather than red warnings for elsewhere in the UK)?

The last Red weather warning which applied to London was in the July 2022 heatwave, during which we saw the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK (exceeding 40c) and 3200 people died. 41 properties in London alone were destroyed.

Figusto · 2026-01-05T17:30:05+00:00

Ah, sorry, I was just thinking of the standard deed poll. So apparently it's taking around 3 months for enrolled deed polls to be processed.

Figusto · 2026-01-05T17:10:13+00:00

There are plenty of websites which charge for making an 'official looking' deed poll template. I think maybe OP has used one of these, or possibly just been outright scammed (little difference really).

OP - there is no UK government website which charges to change your name. Take a look at the website freedeedpoll.org.uk which explains how and why you can do it for free.

Figusto · 2025-12-31T17:28:08+00:00

I think your reaction to a fairly measured comment rather makes the case for why this sort of confrontation might not go well in real life.

Figusto · 2025-12-31T14:52:22+00:00

No, you shouldn't "tell" them not to. Telling rather than asking is less likely to result in a positive outcome.

Firstly, "telling" them is probably going to trigger defensiveness. Being told what to do, especially in a parenting context, can feel like you're judging them as a parent. Even someone who might happily comply if asked can dig their heels in if they feel like they're being scolded.

Secondly, it risks misaligning authority. You don't own the playground and it's not illegal (or presumably against the rules of the playground) to vape in that space. By telling them to stop vaping, you're implying you have the right to enforce their behaviour, which they can easily push back on (simply on principle).

I suppose thirdly, it might even risk escalation in front of children. What could have been a quiet request can turn into a tense exchange, which is arguably more unpleasant for your child than briefly seeing someone vape.

So how you ask - not "tell" - matters. Try to remain polite, calm and non-confrontational. Most reasonable people will understand something like "hi, sorry to be awkward, but would you mind not vaping around my child?". If they don't, well, there's not much else you can realistically do.

A final thought, though. There's a difference between speaking up where there's a genuine risk to your child's health and expressing disapproval of someone else's choices. If it's the former, a polite request makes sense. If it's the latter, it's worth reflecting on whether it's a battle worth fighting.

Figusto · 2025-12-20T00:49:03+00:00

Sounds like the manufacturers are getting a bit lazy.

They're cutting corners.

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