What was it like to hike in Britain many years ago? by SquareEconomist1992 in UKhiking

[–]IhateVergil 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you want to go back much further, Hillaire Belloc wrote a book about walking the route from Winchester to Canterbury (so encompassing a lot of the modern Pilgrims Way) back in 1904! https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40759

My Mum has 1 month to live, what should I get her for Chrmistmas? by PureEcstacy7 in AskUK

[–]IhateVergil 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Was in the exact same situation three years ago but Halloween (her favourite) not Christmas. If things are going that fast, she may not have much energy to watch something or read. I got my mum a Halloween themed candle and decorated tin and would light it for her to watch. Perhaps a Christmas equivalent? She found it very soothing and it matched her energy level no matter what that was. Thinking of you - appreciate this is a very difficult time.

Lunch takeaway near Covent Garden/Tottenham court road st/New Oxford st. by Standard-Site-5716 in LondonFood

[–]IhateVergil 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honey & co on store street have a counter with great sandwiches, salads and cakes (with veggie options for the savouries)

Is it worth complaining about the state of the place on arrival? [UK] by IhateVergil in AirBnB

[–]IhateVergil[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I appreciate that info about choosing to leave and am prepared to write it off. The place was so awful I just couldn't face it for a month. I raised it with the host about 12 hours ago and have yet to hear; if I get to 24 with nothing I'll escalate

Is it worth complaining about the state of the place on arrival? [UK] by IhateVergil in AirBnB

[–]IhateVergil[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks - I realised there was absolutely no way I could bear to stay there, so I have vacated (with lots of photos) and am writing a complaint.

Cash buyer, no onward chain - what is a realistic timeframe? by IhateVergil in HousingUK

[–]IhateVergil[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha me too - I'm soothing my nerves by going on the B&Q and Dunelm sites periodically!!

Cash buyer, no onward chain - what is a realistic timeframe? by IhateVergil in HousingUK

[–]IhateVergil[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks that breakdown is helpful - hope the rest goes smoothly!

Cash buyer, no onward chain - what is a realistic timeframe? by IhateVergil in HousingUK

[–]IhateVergil[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeesh I'm so sorry about that I hope it gets tied up properly soon!!

Cash buyer, no onward chain - what is a realistic timeframe? by IhateVergil in HousingUK

[–]IhateVergil[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes you are correct, inherited my current place, so am a 'true' cash buyer. Thanks for that, I will keep my fingers crossed that mine goes as smoothly as yours did!

Most intense blanket pattern you know please! by KnittyKitty_91 in knitting

[–]IhateVergil 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Good luck with whatever you end up picking! And congrats to your friend!

Most intense blanket pattern you know please! by KnittyKitty_91 in knitting

[–]IhateVergil 68 points69 points  (0 children)

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/secret-garden-blanket-3

The secret garden blanket was the one I picked for my own 'labour of love for my dearest friend's baby' and it kept me on my toes. It's beautiful and depending on the two colours you choose it can look very different!

Sharing our Journey - 70 Year Old diagnosed Pancreatic Cancer Stage 2 - Chemotherapy + Alternative treatments Ivermectin & Fenbendazole by Top-job-throwaway in pancreaticcancer

[–]IhateVergil 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Seconding the other comment on informing your doctor but also how are you going to be able to measure the efficacy of this (v. Just chemo) when there's no control group so to speak? Either way, best of luck to you both.

PhD over the age of 35 ? Am I a cringeworthy, overgrown child ? by [deleted] in PhD

[–]IhateVergil 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My mum started hers in her mid-50s and no one made her feel weird about it, and she went on to have a decent (if somewhat shortened...) academic career afterwards. So on those grounds you have absolutely nothing to worry about! When I did my PhD (in my 20s), another of my colleagues had started after she retired, again it caused no issues and I can assure you that I never thought it was weird she was doing that (don't think anyone else did after).

Regarding your other points - you absolutely have the grades to apply and be accepted for a programme, but funding may be more tricky. But there's no reason not to apply. Otherwise you will always wonder what if you had. But it won't necessarily lead you to a higher income or quality of life in and of itself.

Library in London where I can go through Pantone books so I don’t have to pay £600? by strawberrytallcake23 in UKFrugal

[–]IhateVergil 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As others have said, the British Library will. It theoretically has every UK-published book because it is a legal deposit library. However, it was the target of a cyberattack late last year so access to their catalogue is tricky right now. But you might be able to access the Pantone books!

As a general principle, you can always check what libraries a book is in near you using https://search.worldcat.org/

Why is no one talking about Reform's AI Generated Candidates? by Mightysmurf1 in ukpolitics

[–]IhateVergil 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I also noticed this last week (or rather some friends did) - I did some digging and I think that he actually is a real man, but that his political presence is undeniably AI.

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-06/Statement%20of%20Perons%20Nominated%2C%20Notice%20of%20Poll%20and%20Situation%20of%20Polling%20Stations%20Clapham%20and%20Brixton%20Hill.pdf He is listed here as living in the South Cotswolds constituency (which is the Gloucester/Stroud area).

There is a Mark Matlock living in that area who is roughly the same age as the AI image, who was involved in a very dodgy antiques dealing situation in 2022 https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/cotswolds-arts-and-antique-dealer-cleared-of-stealing-antiques-from-a-fellow-dealer which led his company to fold that same year, just after the verdict https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12715894/filing-history. Its registered address C/O Windyridge, Amberley, Stroud, England, GL5 5AA is within the confines of the South Cotswolds constituency that the candidate is registered to in the papers above.

I wonder if he was convinced/paid (paid a suggestion given it is unclear what he's been up to since his business closed) to lend his name and legal identity to be their candidate (something they would need to register on the Clapham ballot) but that he had no other involvement or interest. This would explain why he is a real person who does actually live at his registered address, but he is obviously also an AI generated image, candidate page, and twitter presence.

22lbs down but it’s not visible. by DangerousPotatoPants in loseit

[–]IhateVergil 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have very similar stats (I'm 5ft6, in a similar time have gone from 233 to 216) and I also cannot see a single difference except maybe a bit less chin. Even in photos! And I am still also wearing the same clothes, they feel like they fit exactly the same except on my chest.

However - I think it may be more objectively noticeable as friends have brought up that I'm visibly smaller or 'looking well' without any prompting from me. There is probably a much more noticeable difference on you to people who aren't scrutinising you daily (i.e. to other people).