dunroving

No, it doesn't smell at all. Proper bagging, a fortnightly collection, and low temperatures in Britain don't lead to stinking garbage. We don't live in the middle ages any more. We even have running water and indoor toilets.

Returnee

I guess it is different in the soggy west of Scotland.

Dashie

The idea is to make people think more about what they're throwing away, recycling and composting.

Anyway, if you think that's confusing, here are the 2 systems we've experienced in Canada:

1) Rotating 6 day pick up schedule, bank holidays delay it a further day. we went 2 weeks over Christmas one year because that was how it worked out. The collection was a different day every week, and every few weeks you wouldn't get a collection at all. If you get the day wrong, you risk being fined, or raccoons spreading everything everywhere. 4 garbage bag limit, they also took plastics (all types)/glass/paper recycling on the same day.

2) Regular scheduled day every week, 2 bag limit. Recycling every 2 weeks (only numbers 1 &2 plastics), green waste and food for compost (but not leaves or grass clippings) alternating weeks.

I know of people who only get theirs collected every 2 weeks, but you can get more than enough for a family of 4 in a wheelie bin with the lid closed if you think about what you're actually putting in it. We rarely have more than one bag per pick up.

Sally Redux

Oh go away now.

BristolUK

Me too. I was actually watching live coverage of the rioting on a BBC feed.

Some of the stuff that was going on was despicable. But then they had riots in Vancouver because of a hockey defeat.

I get the impression, though, that you have only used other sources because of the complaints about the Mail.

Well of course they do. You seem an intelligent enough person; surely you know bad news "sells" better than good news?

I think some things about the UK have got worse over the years, as they probably have in many places. There are still many great things that keep the UK as a great place to live.

It was appalling reading of those incidents of the disabled woman in a wheelchair being beaten up and urinated upon while a friend of the attacker filmed it on his mobile (actually deleting stuff to make room for it) or that woman who had whatever it was thrown over her for asking people in the cinema to be quiet.

But there have been equally disturbing incidents here in Canada.

Where I live is relatively crime free, little vandalism, not much anti-social behaviour etc. It's probably that which makes me view my previous life in Bristol in a less favourable light than is fair.

Of course the locals here will tell you that things aren't what they used to be while I'm thinking how could they be better in that respect.

But there is good and bad everywhere.

I love the friendliness and respect that everyone seems to have for everyone else here (Moncton, New Brunswick) - not all of Canada by all accounts.

On the other hand, while Medicare is comparable to the NHS, it does not cover prescriptions. My diabetic meds and testing supplies cost about $400 a month. Diabetes means that in the UK one doesn't have to pay for such things. Even if one did, it would be a fraction of the cost and even cheaper pre-paying.

Luckily my wife is disabled and needs regular infusions that cost about $7,000 every two months. Why do I say luckily?

Because those infusions mean the total cost of our meds is more than our income, the province of NB pays for most of it. If those infusions didn't exist we'd have to handle the cost of the other meds - a mere $1,400 a month on our own. And we couldn't do that.

Diabetes, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia are bad enough physically but they can ruin you financially, even without the ankylosing spondylitis.

To be fair, most of the rest of Canada has schemes that cap your costs, but they vary from province to province.

But it does illustrate the good and bad perfectly as well as showing massive differences within the same damn country.

Ours are weekly. And they are not delayed by holidays at all - other than xmas night. I think it is 2 weeks between collections then. But even Easter doesn't affect collection.

OTOH we have to put our garbage out in clear blue bags for 'dry' recycling and clear green for "wet" and if it's the wrong bag, you wake up to find a reject sticker on it.

Where we lived in Quebec before NB, collection was twice a week. Guess which is much the cleaner city. This one; with fewer garbage collections.

Fewer collections needn't necessarily mean things are worse.

chris955

Well he completely ignored your post and immediately quoted his own post to try and stir something up, he really has to go, it seems quite obvious why he is hear and all he is achieving is creating discontent in a great section of this forum.

Returnee

I'm here mainly to bring up topics which should concern anyone wishing to move back to the U.K. Life, as they, say is not a bed of roses. I know England has its good points, but in recent years some have referred to Britain as 'Broken Britain.' One cannot ignore the problems in a particular society. Perhaps ones outlook depends on where one is coming from. Living in Japan I find it very hard to get my head around some of the problems in Britain. But, if I were living in America or Australia, for example, I may not be so critical. I'm not a 'troll.' Just a realistic poster who wishes to hear some personal experiences, views regarding the issues I have posted. This is not a 'cut and paste.'

chris955

You really are (deliberately ?) missing the point entirely, I would assume almost every expat knows what they are letting themselves in for. Yes the Daily Mail I think coined the 'Broken Britain' term as it no doubt sells papers to those who revel in doom and gloom, most people with half a brain dismiss it as sensationalist media crap.
No-one that I can see is ignoring any problems but to come on and try and stir people up about biweekly bin collections is absurd.
It would be easy for me to talk about the high caesium levels being found in the water around Japan and how it is expected to affect fish and agriculture but I'm sure you are aware of it.
Why not ask real people about life in the UK ?

Returnee

Okay Chris, I'll take your advice and try to find some 'real people' for their opinions about life in Britain.

Oh, by the way, I don't think I'd like to be an elderly care paitent in the U.K:

A recent report from the Care Quality Commission into the care of the elderly in Britain's hospitals has som horror stories. One incontinent patient was left unwashed despite asking for help. Patients were without intravenous fluids. Call bells were put out of patients' reach, or not answered soon enough. Staff spoke to patients in a dismissive or disrespectful way. The elderly were not given the help they needed to eat.

chris955

Blah blah blah blah blah

chris955

Who would have thought this could happen somewhere like Japan ?
http://samandimp.wordpress.com/2011/...nt-of-elderly/

Returnee

You are trying to compare a huge natural disaster which brought on a lack of medical supplies to the everyday care of the elderly in Britain. Maybe Britain is suffering a social, welfare tsunami.

Cape Blue

You're feeding the troll.

chris955

I know I am but he is making himself look so silly I can't help myself

sallysimmons

I think the troll is addicted to this. But the thing is, I can't understand why.

Returnee, do you have friends and family where you are? Do you have interests and hobbies and places to be?

If yes, why waste time on a forum for people who want to live in a place you view as horrible? Go out, enjoy where you are, live a little!

If no, and posting negative things here is what you do to keep yourself busy, then dude, maybe it's time to take a good look in the mirror and think about how you're spending your life.

Personally I done with this thread and with you. I tried to help but you don't want help. I hope you find something fun to do with your time - Lord knows we only have a little bit of it to use. Good luck!