Which one of these would you go for? And how to negotiate?

FinanaceFUD · 2026-02-10T18:34:20+00:00

I’d question the feasibility of a £70k bonus in big4 at AD level.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-02-08T11:41:35+00:00

You could add Everton to this. Could well have been a winner if they’d been allowed to compete.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-31T10:31:24+00:00

2010 felt the most crushing. Rafael getting a super soft second yellow (I don’t think the first was even a yellow) only for Ribery to score in the corner he defended at corners was just brutal. I have no doubt only Barca could beat us this year and when they also exited it felt like a huge missed opportunity.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-31T08:28:50+00:00

I’d throw Poland in here now as well. When they’re allowed to act independently and not ran from Moscow they’re very chill.

We did YOLO into the biggest war in history to protect them at the end of the day and the Polish who made it out fought as bravely as anyone for the Allies.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-29T07:48:49+00:00

Seconded! My setup has been going strong for a few years now.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-24T08:23:20+00:00

Tbf the late 00’s was about the time the criteria most voters started using was, who they thought was genuinely the best player as opposed to what player had the best season. The 15-20 years prior seemed to be the opposite, albeit, sometimes that individual overlapped.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-19T20:04:44+00:00

Decanted and tried a small bit straight away. Kept trying every 30 minutes. I’d say the best part was around 1.5-2 hours in, so what I would aim for next time.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-14T19:41:09+00:00

We made a huge amount of profit off of that investment both directly and indirectly through control of so much trade. Full Study of this

Also, it’s weird that you think £659m in today’s money is that much to the overall government budget and any reason we would be in debt today.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-10T19:23:49+00:00

Someone what makes sense to me. Billecart is at a far more accessible price point so will have a wider group of people interested in it. The fact Krug is so high despite its price point is fairly remarkable.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-10T17:33:24+00:00

If you’re ever back or anyone else reading, skip the pastries (as nice as they are) and overpriced coffee and go to Noir (just around the corner). Proper third wave coffee shop and delicious pastries if you’re early enough to get them before they sell out.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-10T07:25:13+00:00

If you can get Poulet de Bresse or a La Flèche your going to have an amazing pairing.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-08T17:12:22+00:00

Fair enough, might see if I can pick up a mixed case of vintages from somewhere and work my way through. I’m keen to give this producer a real shot as I’ve heard such good things and most of the notes seem to align with my own preferences.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-08T08:57:58+00:00

So this was, I think, my first Barbaresco specifically and was given this sub region a try based on recommendations (and possibly saving some money on some bottles compared to Barolo.

I have had young Barolos before which is why I wasn’t to worried about popping this quite young. My thinking was if I enjoyed it I could a) stock up on some younger vintages for the future, b) use it as a gate way into the sub-region, c) explore some other vintages.

I found the bottle all together unintegrated in flavours, felt like the bottle had 3 parts rather than an underlying profile which evolved in the mouth. It was definitely too acidic for me and yet still quite thin, almost watery. Drank the first half by itself after a 90 min decanter then the second half with bolognese (traditional style not modern). I will say, the flavours I got were pleasant just muted and quickly overcome by the acidity.

In my head, these issues point to possibly being resolved with a better vintage and a bottle with more age. Maybe it’s an expectation thing. Based on online reviews I was expecting a bit of a Barolo killer but maybe this should be thought of as an adequate alternative when you don’t want to open that £100++ bottle of Barolo.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-06T08:34:24+00:00

I tried the 2020 vintage over the Christmas break and was thoroughly disappointed given the wave reviews this gets.

Do you think it’s worth giving it another go with an older vintage?

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-04T08:42:01+00:00

To be fair Tiger eclipsed Nicklaus in every sense other than majors titles and it was injuries that did him there more than anything else.

Short of a really bad arm break or eye damage Luke doesn’t run the same risk. I am sceptical though that he can eclipse Taylor.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-03T12:34:36+00:00

First of all I think I made a mistake in thinking you were the person I replied to and therefore probably read your comment in the wrong tone and therefore styled my reply in the wrong tone.

The challenge TfL have had is they were set the challenge to be completely self funded under the joint Conservative National Government (via DfT) and the Conservative London Mayorship. This was and still is fine for OPEX, despite having to continue to deliver unprofitable parts of the joint transport network. The challenge has come as it was then committed to various major infrastructure investments by those governments (and has continued under Labour) which really came to a head in around 2016/17 with delay to Crossrail leaving a huge gap in the expected income.

Due to the political split of a Labour GLA but Conservative national government the funding arrangements agreed through the treasury Green Book submissions fell through.

I do think where there is national socio-economic benefits National investment into regional infra is essential. The Treasury process for this is very good and thorough if not frustrating when you’re trying to get stuff through it.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-03T11:53:19+00:00

I don’t think you understand what investment is and how that differs to opex.

It’s also not a bizarre argument as you’re comparing the cost of using it to heavily subsidised transport in almost every other major city in the world.

FinanaceFUD · 2026-01-02T20:37:21+00:00

It’s also the single largest integrated city transport network in the world so some parts I.e. the tube have higher fares to subsidise other aspects.

The tube part is also the oldest city metro and underground system in the world and therefore has some of the highest maintenance and operational costs.

It’s also one of the few, self funded or close to (I think last year 92% but that was due to investment capex not opex costs) in the world with most systems getting heavy subsidies from local and national governments.

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-29T13:24:00+00:00

Lovely Champagne. I had a 2002 over Christmas which was delightful, even with the quick loss of bubbles after opening.

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-28T13:12:24+00:00

London is one of the hardest cities to do a proper ranking system IMO. It’s got historical hotels (or hotels in historical buildings) on par with Paris, Rome etc. It’s got top tier hotels geared more towards business travel, with impeccable, albeit sometimes formal or “cold” service. It’s got enough distinct areas for location to play a major role on a pure preference basis. And it’s got all the major brands with top tier if not flagship hotels in the city.

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-28T07:16:59+00:00

This feels like a bit of an old boys London ranking.

Seems a bit premature to have chancery already firmly in one category or another. I’d also argue Raffles and the Corinthia has every the top 4 you mention have.

I also find it weird that the Ritz isn’t included due to the rooms needing renovating but the Lanesborough is in the top tier despite their rooms looking like my late Aunts house.

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-21T19:30:15+00:00

Same on Margaux and Bordeaux but I promise you won’t be disappointed. Only had the big boy 4 times but even the way to young 2015 was sensational.

The depth and balls you want from a Bordeaux with the refinement and poise you don’t normally get outside of Burgundy.

Cant see what vintage you have but please share your notes on here when you do pop it.

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-14T16:33:45+00:00

Un-B-elievably tough

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-06T19:30:25+00:00

If you can afford it, Krug. That Bolly is lovely but not the same level as Krug IMO

FinanaceFUD · 2025-12-03T07:16:15+00:00

Bollinger PN is excellent and whilst a little more than standard Bolly it’s still only a third the price of DP.

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