#London weather car protection

[ecoverdevaletingco]

Keep Your Car Pristine with Detailing & Paint Protection in London

London’s bustling streets and varying weather conditions can impact your vehicle’s exterior. Regular detailing & paint protection in London are crucial for keeping your car in top shape. Car paint correction services in London can restore your car’s shine and provide essential protection against environmental damage.

Why Car Detailing is Essential?

Car detailing is much more than just a regular wash; instead, it's a comprehensive cleaning process that revitalises your vehicle's interior and exterior. Please check out why it’s essential:

Improved Appearance - Detailing eliminates dirt, grime, and minor scratches, offering a polished and immaculate look to your car. It seems like giving your vehicle a makeover that restores its original shine.

Protective Measures – This process involves applying protective treatments like wax and sealants. They can shield your car’s paint from environmental damage, including UV rays, acid rain, and bird droppings.

Improved Resale Value - A well-maintained car looks good and holds its value better. Regular detailing can keep your car in top condition, ensuring you get the best possible price when you decide to sell.

Healthier Environment - The interior detailing can eliminate allergens, bacteria, and dust while creating a cleaner and healthier environment inside your car.

What is The Importance of Paint Protection?

While detailing focuses on cleaning and restoring your car's overall appeal, paint protection is about preserving that look for the long term. Please check out why it’s a must for car owners in London:

Shield Against the Elements - London weather conditions can be harsh, with frequent rain and pollution that can damage your car's paint over time. Paint protection works like a barrier and prevents these elements from causing harm.

Prevention of Minor Damage - Paint protection films or ceramic coatings can protect your car against minor scratches and chips caused by road debris or accidental bumps. They can keep your car exterior looking flawless.

Ease of Maintenance - With paint protection, cleaning your car can be a lot easier. Dirt and grime don’t stick as easily so you can maintain that showroom finish with minimal effort.

Long-Term Savings – You might think that paint protection is an additional expense. But it can save you money in the long run by minimising the possibility of costly repairs and repainting jobs.

In a city like London, your car is constantly exposed to the elements. Regular car detailing and paint protection are essential to keep it looking its best. They enhance your car's appearance and provide necessary protection against environmental damage. Hence, you can keep your vehicle in top condition for years to come.

When it comes to investing in professional detailing and paint protection services in London, you should look no further than Ecoverde Valeting. So, if you want your car to turn heads on the streets of London, make sure it’s protected and impeccably detailed by our trusted professionals.

Keep your car protected from London’s tough environment with Ecoverde Valeting’s detailing and paint protection services. Our expert team offers car paint correction and mobile car valeting in London, ensuring your car stays in pristine condition. Call us today for professional service.

[santaasi]

raison d'être

pairing: james potter x shy!reader

summary: james potter never thought that the most terrible day of his life could give him a new reason for existing

warnings: muggle au, fluff, no use of y/n, english isn’t my first language

word count: 2.3k

a/n: i’m alive!! but i feel like with all my uni and graduating stuff i just lost inspiration. but i promise that very soon there will be more fics! love u all. have a good time readings my new work <з

JAMES POTTER HAS NEVER BEEN A LOSER. On the contrary, his life has always been like an endless lottery win. Ideal and loving parents, who provided him with everything he needed and supported him at every step. Friends who were always there for him even in the worst. A perfect career in sports that was only going uphill every day and promised to take James to new heights. James Potter was a golden boy who always seemed to be surrounded by a halo of luck. In all his twenties, he didn't know what failure and lose were. Troubles avoided him and it was something familiar to him. That's why when everything went wrong on one of the most important days of his life, James was taken aback.

It was one of hundreds of other summer days when the weather in London was pleasing with its sunshine and warmth. And that was the day James Potter overslept for the first time in his life. And it would be fine if he was late for training or a regular meeting about plans for the week, but… James Potter overslept and was late for a meeting with their future sponsors, who would decide the fate of the team and its entry into a more perspective professional league.

But apparently this was not enough for fate (if it ever existed). The fate decided to mock James more by taking all his luck and replacing it with failure. Because as soon as he left the house and got into the car, it didn't start, although last night, when he returned from another get-together with Sirius and Remus at the bar, everything with his car was fine. He had to ride in a completely packed bus, breathing in sweat fumes and feeling someone's elbow dig into his lower ribs. By the time he got to the bus stop, the air in his lungs was starting to run out. And besides all that, James had to walk the long way to the sport base to protect his ass and buy coffee for everyone at the meeting, to pretend that this was what he had planned from the very beginning. It was Sirius's plan, which, to James' great surprise, sounded really good for the first time in what seemed like forever. But instead of going to the usual café on another street, James ran into a new coffee shop, which was right next to the sports base, which decently helped to shorten his time.

A bell rang over James's head as he entered a softly lit, bright space with a couple of tables and guests who were sitting here, working and drinking pleasantly smelling coffee. For a very recently opened place, the coffee shop probably really had a lot of popularity in the area. James covered the distance from the door to the cash desk in a couple of steps and opened a dialogue with Sirius, quickly rattling his order to the barista, whom he did not even deign to look up at.

"’m sorry, could you repeat the order more slowly? This is my first day and..." you whispered softly, biting your lip uncertainly, and James looked up. His gaze is full of anger, which made you swallow a lump in your throat.

You've never been good with people. Large crowds scared you, and even with your close friends you preferred to message rather than call. But when life shook you up and the deadlines for paying for college were already burning, you had to get over your fear and be interviewed at a new coffee shop near your house, where an employee was urgently needed. A week ago, you were over the moon when you were accepted. The job didn't seem difficult and learning the basics of barista work was even interesting, and most importantly, the customers were all friendly. And you even have a hope that working with people won't be so bad. But as soon as you were faced with James Potter's eyes full of irritation, all hope for something good immediately disappeared, replaced by fear and nervousness.

"Or... or I can call another more... experienced specialist..." you began softly, stumbling through the words.

When James Potter entered the café, he was really annoyed because of the plans that didn't go the way he wanted. But as soon as his gaze meet your frightened doe eyes, his face immediately softened and all the emotions that he had experienced before faded into nothing but pure adoration.

You were beautiful. No. You were lovely. You looked like a small frightened deer that has met a hunter in the forest. Innocent. Sweet. Elegant. James Potter didn't know that there were perfect people in this world, but looking at you, he was convinced of it. His world seemed to stop for a second, concentrating only on you and on awkward lowering of your stunning eyes and how you bit your lip and how your thin fingers was nervously fidgeting with the bottom of your apron.

You cleared your throat and said something. James didn't hear it. He was consumed by you. He wanted to get to know you. Beautiful pictures were already playing in James's head, like movie stills of how he would ask you for your phone number and how you would smile and hand him a crumpled tissue, which he would, of course, keep all day as the apple of his eye. He has already imagined your date. How he takes you to one of those silent film festivals that were taking place in London right now. How you will chat for days on end without thinking about anything. How at the end of the evening he will take you home and slightly bending down, the distance between you will be reduced, and then…

As soon as you turned around to leave, James immediately fell out of his fantasies, quickly trying not to let you leave. He reached across the counter and grabbed your wrist, forcing you to pay attention to him again. But as soon as he realized how uncultivated he was by violating your boundaries, he immediately took his hand away, stuffing them into the pockets of his jeans, guiltily lowering his eyes to the floor. It was not typical for James Potter to blush, but he could feel the heat rising up his neck, scorching his cheeks.

"Um... sorry... I-I can repeat the order," James said nervously, and you noticing his change of mood and awkwardness relaxed a little, listening attentively to his order once again.

You quickly handed him the check and asked him to wait next to the pick-up counter, smiling sweetly, which made James's heart skip a beat. He nodded wordlessly and swallowed, still feeling the tingling in his hand where your fingers touched his skin.

Waiting for his order, James couldn't take his eyes off you. Everything in him screamed that he should come up and ask you out or ask for your number, as he had done hundreds of times.… But he couldn't... something was stopping him. And so when his name came off your lips (he didn't think that his own name uttered by someone could make him almost faint) and you handed him a bag with his order, all he could do was whisper a quiet "thank you" and leave the coffee shop without even turning around.

He spent the rest of the day as if in a dream. James was sitting in a meeting trying to concentrate on the important things, but all he could think about was your smile, which made his heart skip a beat. At practice, James was also distracted, as if hearing your sonorous but soft voice everywhere, the memory of which made his body goosebumps.

James Potter spent the whole day in a daze until a bell rang above him and the door closed behind him with a thud. The cafe was empty, the chairs were raised on the tables and the one who completely confused his thoughts stood with her back to him, quietly humming some remotely familiar song playing on the radio. You slowly swayed your hips, moving backwards, mopping the white tile floor until your back hit James's hard chest. You suddenly screamed loudly and turned around, covering your mouth with hand in shock. James ran a nervous hand through his hair and frowned slightly.

"Sorry, I thought you were still working, I came in... to buy something to drink," James quickly rattled on one exhale, meeting your gaze.

You blinked quickly a couple of times, trying to move away from the shock that you experienced from an unexpected meeting with a visitor. In him, you immediately recognized the guy James, whom you first dubbed the last jerk that came to ruin your first working morning, and then you noticed how cute and sweet he was when a blu sh appeared on his cheeks and immediately melted away.

"No, no, we are still working... there were just no visitors and I decided to start cleaning early… But you can order... it's okay," you assured him, giving James a soft smile before turning around and standing behind the counter, putting the mop aside.

James looked at the menu carefully, and then at you. There was silence in the coffee shop for a couple of seconds, and you felt your cheeks start to burn from the piercing gaze of his coffee eyes. You slowly lowered your gaze, trying to hide a silly smile.

"What do you recommend?" clearing his throat, James asked without taking his eyes off you. He wanted to stay in your company as long as possible and get to know you better. At least for a little bit. "What's your favorite drink?"

"Hmm... I'm not a big fan of coffee," you thought, looking over your shoulder at the menu. "That's why I would recommend herbal tea with raspberries and mint..." you nodded, concentrating on the guy standing in front of you again and smiling. "Well, it's also my first day and I'm not sure I can make you a good coffee... so tea would be the safest option," you joked, biting the inside of your cheek.

James laughed hoarsely, throwing his head back and you shyly lowered your head, hiding the blush that became even brighter on your cheeks. James was the epitome of what the perfect man looked like in your fantasies. Slightly curly hair, warm brown eyes that when he smiled seemed to be able to warm the whole world and round glasses that brightened his face and gave him even more charm. Such a handsome guy must have had an equally beautiful girlfriend. You thought, but quickly pushed these thoughts away from you. He was just a client, you shouldn't have worried about these issues.

"Then I'll have tea... yeah... I'll have tea with raspberries and mint," James said, calming down a little, adjusting the rim of his glasses on the bridge of his nose, which had slipped off.

You nodded and turned away, brewing James your favorite tea, making yourself one cup along the way. He was lost in thought again, watching you do your job carefully and with concentration. Your finger was slowly sprinkled with herbs, mixing them with mint leaves and dried raspberries, along the way he noticed how you brought the herbs to your nose, inhaling their fragrance and gently smiled to yourself. You looked more relaxed and peaceful than you did this morning when James scared you with his impetuous words.

"Herbal tea with raspberries and mint for James," you announced the order as if there was someone beside the two of you, and James smiled brightly at you.

His hand lingered on yours for a couple of seconds longer than necessary, and you felt your heart begin to beat faster in your chest. There was not enough air in your lungs, and it was only when James took the cup of tea from your hands that you were able to take a ragged breath that did not pass James by. The guy grinned, sipping a drink from his mug.

"Wow, this is really good! I like it," James said enthusiastically, looking right at you. His brown eyes seemed to look straight into your soul, and you swallowed nervously again, licking your lips, feeling how for a second his gaze dropped just below your eyes.

"Thank you..." James tilted his head slightly to the side, looking at you expectantly.

You said your full name softly, and James seemed to echo it, tasting it. You were quickly caught again, feeling your fluffy eyelashes tickle your cheeks. James shook and lowered his head, trying to hide his spreading grin. Apparently, he was not the only one in this cafe who was fascinated by his interlocutor.

"Well, thank you for the delicious tea. See you tomorrow, love," he winked at you before leaving the cafe.

The endearing name came out of James's mouth so easily that for a second you were taken aback, standing rooted to the spot behind the cash desk with your mouth open, like a fish jumping onto dry land. But at the last moment, a quick goodbye escaped your lips, more like the creak of a door, and the ringing of a bell announced James's departure.

Through the big window, you watched him walk slowly along the street lit by lanterns, smiling like a madman and slowly sipping his tea, and something jumped in your chest.

You put your hand to your chest, feeling your heart beating hard against your rib cage, and then wrapped both hands around your cheeks, which pleasantly cooled your heated skin. And the only thing you could think about, standing in an empty coffee shop, looking at the door through which James came out, was that the barista's job might not have been so bad. At least as long as James appears in front of you, it definitely won't be bad.

And in order to see him again tomorrow, maybe you'll switch shifts with Marlene.

But only 'maybe'.

thankx for reading <3

for the first time in month, I had so much fun writing these one shot. so I hope you enjoyed it too. you can always share your opinion in comments or my inbox :3

- your santi 🪐

[cordeliawhohung]

Smoldering Butterflies

Simon "Ghost" Riley x fem!Reader - part two of "soft spot"

You've been haunting Simon Riley for awhile now. Even with the distance, he keeps you in his back pocket.

Warnings: slight references to the violence in the previous part, other than that mostly fluff, soap gives reader a nickname, soft ghost, slightly domestic ghost?

wc: 6.2k

Careful eyes watched Simon as he sat towards the back of the plane.

Military transport aircrafts were always miserably loud, which made for poor conversation, yet the man was completely content sitting away from his comrades, staring down at his hands. More specifically, the item in his hands. A small, black handkerchief that was patterned with silly, cartoonish dogs. It wasn’t unlike him to be quiet. However, the new item was rather odd for him to be lugging around, and his two sergeants were very quick to take notice. 

“Think he’s got a kid?” Sergeant Kyle “Gaz” Garrick questioned. He was leaned far over to his left, looking at Simon, or as he was better known in the military, Ghost. 

Though it was difficult to hear him over the humming of the engines, John “Soap” MacTavish chuckled as he shook his head. “Sure hope not. Have a hard time imagining him around a kid.” 

Gaz tilted his head to the side. Simon continued to look at that silly piece of cloth, gloved thumbs rubbing over it gently, and almost longingly. It was as if he was lost in thought. 

“Naw, I think he’s got someone else waiting for him back home,” Soap commented, turning his attention to Gaz. The red lighting inside the airbus made it feel like his eyes were going to melt, but he wore a sly grin anyway. “He’s got a spook.” 

“A spook?” Gaz repeated incredulously. 

Soap nodded and hummed, a sound that was quickly drowned out by the engines. “We call him Ghost. Thought it’s fitting if his lass gets an equal nickname.” 

“If there is a girl,” Gaz corrected. 

Soap looked back at Simon just in time to watch him fold the handkerchief. It was neatly done, a perfect square, and once he finished, he leaned to the side, shoving it into his back pocket. One could argue that he took such care in folding the cloth because he was a military man. They did every single thing in their life with care. Soap would argue otherwise. 

“Oh, there’s a girl, alright.” 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Winters in London were miserable. Take that gloomy rain from the rest of the year but drop the temperatures a few degrees, and that’s where the weather stayed. Though it would get close to freezing, it was hardly ever cold enough for it to snow, which meant that not only were you cold, but you were cold and wet. 

It was times like that that made you regret finding an apartment so close to work. It wasn’t far enough away to rationalize taking a bus or train, and you didn’t have a car to drive yourself, so you were stuck walking just on principle. Your knees and thighs had turned into ice from the moisture and frigid air. Rainwater was threatening to soak through the fabric of your shoes with a single wrong step, and your toes were beginning to feel the effects. 

Still, you wrapped your arms tightly around yourself and tugged your coat closer to your body as you pushed onwards. The droplets of water plummeting from the sky made it difficult to really look around while you walked, as every time you tried one would inevitably land in your eyes. Even the hood of your coat only offered so much protection. 

The very moment your apartment building came into view, you rushed up the stairs. Rubber squeaked on the wood of the stairs as you rushed up to the second floor, glad to finally have some cover from that relentless trickle of water. Despite how counter intuitive it seemed, once the door shut behind you, you quickly made your way into the shower. Warm, steaming water washed over your body, washing away the grime of the money you dealt with that turned the tips of your fingers grey, 

There was something so renewing about a shower. It washed away more than just the filth on your body, but the stress in your muscles, and the dissonance in your thoughts. For a moment there was nothing in the world to worry about. 

Until you stepped out of the shower. Until you got dressed in your pajamas. Until you walked out of your bedroom and into the living room and remembered just how alone you were. Alone and yet haunted all at the same time. Despite how many months it had been since you had broken up with your ex-boyfriend, there were reminders of him everywhere. A cardboard box sitting in place of the glass base lamp he had shattered. Poorly matched paint that covered a small area in the wall near the entryway. Raised skin on the corner of your lip. 

He was everywhere you didn’t want him to be. 

A knock on your door startled you out of your depressing daydream and your head snapped back towards the entrance. It wasn’t extremely late at night. The sun had long since set as it normally did in winter, yet it was no later than seven. Still, it was odd for someone to come over so late in the evening, and you would be lying if you said that your heart didn’t instantly jump into your throat at the sound. 

Taking care to avoid the squeaky parts in your hardwood floor, you slowly crept towards the door as you held your breath in anticipation. Leaning forward, you pressed your face near the door as you gazed through the peephole that peered into the hallway right outside of your apartment. The very moment your brain registered the figure on the other side, your hand instantly flew to the lock. 

After undoing the deadbolt on the door, you flung it open, the force of it sending a breeze your way that tugged at your wet locks of hair. Beyond the door was none other than Simon Riley. His tall frame had made it difficult to make out his face (or in this case his balaclava), but you could recognize him from his build alone. He stood in front of you, hands shoved in his pockets and dark eyes trained on your face. His balaclava was dotted with droplets of water, and for a moment you almost thought it was sequined with how it reflected the dim lighting of your apartment. 

It wasn’t until you looked him over that you realized how disheveled you were. Hair still damp and unbrushed, loose pajamas so big on you that you basically swam in them, large house slippers. It was certainly very much different from your normal attire that you wore when you were at the bank. 

“Simon,” you exclaimed softly as your hand fell from the doorframe. 

After the little incident at the bar back in October, Simon stayed around until the end of November before he had left suddenly. This wasn’t new behavior of course. Being in the military meant that he was often getting deployed or sent on missions. Luckily they seemed to be rather short compared to what you had expected, but still, it was nearing the end of January. Months had gone by since you had last seen him, and despite the odd friendship that had bloomed between the two of you, you had no way to contact him outside of seeing him at work.��

“It’s good to see you,” you said. Reaching a hand up, you ran your fingers through your damp hair, digits getting caught on the stretchy strands. Yet you tried to tame them anyway. “Do you want to come in? Warm up a bit?” 

Simon shifted, the heels of his boots squeaking on the floor as he did. Despite the fact that you could only see his eyes through his balaclava, he was quite expressive. Or maybe you just had a knack for reading people. He looked almost apprehensive. Maybe not quite apprehensive, but a little guilty at least. 

“Don’t waste your evening on me,” he said. His voice sounded gruff and worn as if he spent the better part of the last month or so doing nothing but barking orders. Which, in hindsight,  he certainly did. “Just figured I’d check up on you. See how things were going for you.” 

As he spoke, you saw his eyes unmistakably wander to the scar on the wall not too far behind you. He was actually the one who helped you patch it up in order to hide it from your landlords. It was faint, and the hardest part of it all was trying to find the perfect off-white color that matched the rest of the walls. Still, both you and him knew what exactly to look for, and it had become quite an eyesore. 

“Please,” you insisted, stepping aside slightly. “I was just about to put the kettle on, and it’s freezing out. It’s no trouble at all.” 

There was a short pause between the two of you as Simon mulled your proposition open. The longer he stayed quiet, the more you studied him. His eyes seemed… darker somehow. Was he wearing makeup? Slight eyeliner? No, it was much too smudged for that. What was it that soldiers wore sometimes? Or even football players? Eyeblack? How long had he even been home? 

“Alright,” he finally spoke, taking a careful step forward through the doorway. “Won’t keep you long.” 

The freezing cold was practically radiating off of him as a few stray drops of rain wicked off of his jumper. He hadn’t even worn a proper coat, and he looked soaked to the bone yet if he was cold he had done a good job at hiding it. 

Once in the entryway, Simon knelt to the ground as he undid the shoelaces of his boots. It was odd seeing him be so low compared to you, but you tried not to let your eyes linger on him too long as you took a few steps backwards, giving him some space as you walked into the kitchen. 

“When did you get home?” you asked as you grabbed your kettle. You had learned long ago that when you and Simon conversed, it was you who did most of the talking. However, that time around, you were hellbent on changing that. 

“This morning,” he answered, voice still a little gruff. It sounded almost as if he had a frog caught in his throat. 

Running water sounded from the sink as you began to fill the kettle, and Simon’s boots gently thunked against the side of the wall as he lined them near your shoe rack in the entryway. You stole a glance at them, and did a double take at the utter size difference between your shoes and his. 

“Late night, then?” you asked, somewhat teasing as you set the kettle on the stove. A few clicks later and the heat turned on, the electric coils burning bright red. 

“Something like that,” he mumbled. He turned around to face you, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. God, he was almost as broad as the damn thing.

Nodding your head, you attempted to run your fingers through your still damp hair once more before instantly giving up. “Feel free to take a seat in the living room. I hate to make you stand around, I’m sure you’re tired,” you said, gesturing to the lone couch that you could hardly make out from the doorway of the kitchen. 

Simon leaned back, glancing to where you gestured. He looked like he was going to deny your offer for a moment, but he did a double take as something seemed to catch his eye. 

“What’s in the box?” He took a step into the living room, the floorboards squeaking underneath the sheer mass of his body. 

“Oh, that?” you asked, peeking into the room yourself. “I bought myself a new lamp. I tried to glue the glass base of the other one back together. You know, like with gold glue? Thought it would look neat. Didn’t really work out, and I was missing a few pieces so I figured it was easier to just buy a new one. Haven’t quite gotten it together yet, though.” 

So much for trying to get Simon to do the talking. Teeth sinking into your lower lip, you ducked back into the kitchen as Simon approached the box. While the water boiled, you began to rummage through your cupboards, finding painfully little. Rent had become much more difficult since you were the only one paying it for the last few months. Though, it wasn’t like your ex had helped out much anyway, he at least kept the kitchen stocked; something you found to be increasingly difficult. Still, you managed to find a box of breakfast tea at least. 

“You alright with breakfast tea?” you called, double checking to see how many bags you had left. 

He was silent for a moment. “Yeah. Plain.” 

Plain? You thought it was a joke that men in the military liked their coffee black. Perhaps that extended to tea as well. Either way, the very moment the kettle began to whistle you took it off the stove, instantly soothing its screech. Once you got the tea bags soaking, you heard the distinct sound of cardboard ripping coming from the living room. Leaving the cups behind to steep, you stood in the doorway where you found Simon sitting on the floor with the box that belonged to your new lamp. 

Several parts and pieces already laid out in front of him, all in their own separate packaging bags. A small piece of paper sat in his hands as he carefully read through them. Dumbfounded, you stood there for a moment, watching as he began to put the parts together for you. 

“Simon, you don’t have to do that,” you insisted. Though maybe it was a blessing in disguise. That damn box had been sitting on your side table for weeks. 

For a moment he didn’t respond to you, as he was too caught up with reading over the instructions. Even with his face turned slightly away from you, you could make out just how much he was squinting at it. 

“Where the hell did you buy this from?” he asked, reaching his hand up to remove his hood, fully exposing his balaclava. 

“Ikea.” 

“Fucking hell,” he grumbled before tossing the instructions to the side. “Useless…” 

Without the help of instructions, Simon continued to put the lamp together. Really there weren’t too many pieces, as it was just a simple table lamp, but even from a short distance you could make out about twenty screws with several different sizes. The scene of it all was odd. With his balaclava, Simon looked like a robber. Hell, you wouldn’t be surprised if he had given someone a heart attack in the lower lobby of the building. However, instead of robbing you, he was putting together your side lamp. 

You chuckled to yourself before returning to grab the tea. After fixing yours up to your liking (and leaving Simon’s painfully plain) you meandered into the living room where you left his cup on the coffee table that sat in front of your couch. You took a seat, warming your hands around the cup as you watched Simon work. It was a little endearing how seriously he was taking it. Brows furrowed, eyes steady, hands moving. 

How did the two of you get to that point? Going from strangers, to… whatever you were in that moment? What sparked it? Was it the day you said he didn’t have to remove his mask at the bank? Or the night he hit your ex so hard his jaw nearly splintered? Maybe it was something else. Something more simple. So simple that it was complicated. 

As you sipped on your tea, the warm liquid pooled in your stomach, almost making you shiver in delight while you watched Simon work. Over the course of him working on screwing the lamp together with the allen wrench, he had slightly rolled up his sleeves, revealing part of his forearms. Something of a sleeve of tattoos covered his left forearm. Skulls, smoke, and dog tags with barbed wire for a chain were some of the things you could make out on his mural-like tattoo. On his other arm, you noticed a fresh cut. A tender bruise formed around the edges of the angry red scrape, and it was so deep you were surprised that he hadn’t gotten it stitched, or at least bandaged it. 

“What happened to your arm?” you asked, tucking your legs underneath yourself. 

Simon turned away from the lamp and glanced at you, head tilting to the side in a way that sent butterflies scrambling in your stomach. Every time he looked at you, you felt like your skin was going to catch on fire. Not because his gaze was angry, but because of the heat that boiled inside of you, threatening to burn those butterflies in your stomach until they were nothing but ash. 

“Right,” you said with a breathy laugh, looking down at your cup. “Stupid question, I suppose.” 

Something of a chuckle left Simon as he stood from his spot on the floor. It felt like you had to crane your neck back just to even keep looking at him. But the lamp was finally put together, lightbulb, lampshade and the works. He placed it on the side table before plugging it into the wall, and you excitedly placed your half drank tea on the coffee table next to him before leaning over and twisting the switch. Warm light poured out of it, illuminating the darkened corner of the living room. 

“Would you look at that,” you beamed, leaning on the armrest. Really, it wasn’t anything spectacular. It was just a lamp, afterall. But it felt like, in a way, you were getting a part of your life back. You looked up at Simon, his dark eyes trained on you. “Thanks.” 

“It’s nothing,” he responded simply. 

For a moment, things suddenly became tense. Simon continued to stand next to that lamp, eyes flickering away from you and to the window behind you. It felt weird having him back in London. You were used to him vanishing without a trace every now and then, and you tried not to worry, but this time you had. But knowing the kind of man he was, you knew he didn’t want you to. 

You swallowed a lump in your throat as you glanced back at the coffee table. He still hadn’t attempted to drink his tea at all. Really, you weren’t sure why you had expected him to. Afterall, he never took his mask off. Perhaps that was why he had asked for it plain; he didn’t want to waste any milk or sweeteners. 

“I missed you,” you suddenly blurted out. 

This sudden revelation that left your lips surprised not only you, but Simon as well. You saw it in the way his eyes landed on you. How they flickered over your face. How they lingered on your lips. They always lingered on your lips. But you knew it wasn’t in the way that you wanted them to. Your tongue swiped over the corner of your lip, of the painful reminder of that night all those months ago. 

“I never used to worry about you,” you continued, shifting in your spot on the couch. “We knew you were in the military, so when you’d disappear without notice I would just assume you were out saving the world or something. But I… I worried this time.” You paused for a moment, feeling the embarrassment already eating away at your chest. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m glad you’re back.” 

For a moment you didn’t think he was going to answer you. Simon’s eyes were trained on you in a way that both confused and excited you at the same time. Yet he did speak, his mouth dancing underneath the cloth on his face as he did.

“Of course I came back,” he said as if stating a fact. “Had to make sure you weren’t getting into any more trouble.” 

You laughed, thankful for his teasing tone. It was comforting to know he wasn’t put off by your awkward ramble, or if he was he was at least good at hiding it like he was with everything else. 

“Yeah, well, I think you scared off any trouble that would find me,” you admitted with a shy smile. 

“Brute force will do that.” 

Simon was… funny. In his own weird, and maybe a little dark, way. Either way, you appreciated it, despite how dry his humor could get. He was a strange man, and you oddly found yourself wanting to know more about him. Even with that nagging feeling in your stomach that told you to keep your distance, there was something just so alluring about him. 

“Do you want to catch a movie this weekend?” 

Once more, your mouth was opening and spewing out words before you even had the chance to think it through. Sometimes you hated how much you talked. How you would just say whatever was on your mind without any regard for how it would come across, or even how it would affect those around you. How you hadn’t annoyed a quiet man like Simon was beyond you. 

“What? Need protecting?” Simon asked dryly. 

You grinned. “You never know when trouble is gonna find me.” 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

“So, what rank are you?”

“Lieutenant.” 

“Is that good?”

“Good enough.” 

Maybe you should have bothered to check the movie showings that weekend before inviting Simon out to watch one with you, because the one you two got stuck watching was absolutely atrocious. Not even a few minutes through the movie you had gotten bored and ended up whispering facetious jokes to Simon throughout a majority of it. Really, you weren’t quite sure if he enjoyed himself that much throughout the movie, but as he walked you back to your apartment, he seemed to liven up a little. 

It was one of the rare nights that it actually snowed in London. Even though the temperature was quite literally freezing, you would take the fat, fluffy flakes of snow over the skin biting drops of rain that normally assaulted the city. And god, was it beautiful. Sparkling, glittery snow dusted the entire city, and there wasn’t a single bit of wind to add to the frigid chill. It was the type of scenery you’d find on a postcard.

“Does that mean you get to lead other soldiers?” you continued as the two of you came upon your apartment building. Taking care not to slip on the slick snow, you rushed up the steps, unlocking the entryway door for him before climbing up to the second floor. 

“Sometimes,” he explained simply, following behind you with long, slow steps. “There are others I have to answer to.” 

You hummed as you came across your door. Cold fingers fumbled with the keys as you shoved it into your lock where you twisted the door open moments later. 

“And then, what branch of the military are you in? Army?” you questioned further as you entered the warm embrace of your apartment. 

Simon paused for a moment, not answering your question until the door shut behind the two of you. “SAS.” 

Your brows pinched together as you worked on getting your snow boots off of your feet while Simon did the same. Despite the fact you asked him so many questions about his line of work, you weren’t really versed in it at all. “What’s that mean?” 

“Special Air Service,” he explained simply. “A branch of the army. We specialize in stuff like covert surveillance and hostage rescue.” 

You were about halfway into the living room when Simon explained this, and you found yourself quickly pausing to jump and turn around. A huge grin was plastered on your face as you worked on shrugging your coat off of your shoulders. 

“I knew it!” you exclaimed with a giggle, tossing your coat onto the hook on the wall. “High priority missions! Secret agent shit!” 

“You make it sound more interesting than it actually is,” Simon said softly as he entered the living room behind you. 

Playfully rolling your eyes at him, you turned away and walked towards the couch. You sank into the cushion, though not very far. They were much too firm to be completely comfortable, yet it was the only furniture you had in that room. 

“It is interesting. You guys sound cool,” you said. 

“I never said we weren’t cool,” Simon said, a slight gruff, yet teasing tone in his voice. 

He ventured further into the room, standing on the other side of the coffee table. You were certain that if there was a chair there, he would have taken that rather than the seat next to you. Despite how close the two of you had gotten, there was still something a little off about Simon. Like he was hiding something. Not in any nefarious way. More in a guarded way. It was like he kept building up a wall of sorts. For every brick you removed, he added two more. 

But his eyes gave him away. It’s what made you trust him so easily when he had first walked into your work all that time ago. They were intense, and sometimes intimidating, but never before did you see a single sliver or glint of anything wicked. Perhaps there was a sense of brokenness to them, but in that world, who wasn’t shattered? 

“Is that why you wear a mask all the time?” you asked softly. “Because of work?”

For the first time since you had known him, you saw Simon freeze. Really freeze. It should have been expected, though. The subject of his mask wasn’t exactly one he had ever seemed all too interested in divulging in. Really, you didn’t know what even possessed you to ask the question in the first place. Maybe a part of you was just hopeful that he would be a little vulnerable with you. 

“Something like that,” he responded after a beat. 

Of course. Something like that. You quickly learned he gave that answer to you when you were hitting the answer close to home, but not exactly making it there. Like you were stuck on the outside of the house, trying to look through the window with the curtains drawn closed. 

“Do you ever… take it off?” you then asked. 

It was a dangerous question to ask, and you knew it, but as of late, your filter had become painfully nonexistent. You had gotten comfortable with him. Too comfortable. Something had happened between the two of you that left your mind spinning months ago. Friends but not. Maybe something more. Maybe something less. The line was so blurry at that point all it did was add a dreamy glow to the situation you found yourself in. 

“Never,” he answered firmly. 

Delusional. That’s what you were. Simon was never anything short of being a gentleman towards you, but god, what were you thinking? The man seemingly never showed his face, always wore a mask, and was in the special forces. He had probably killed someone before. No, he certainly had. You still remembered the way he punched your ex at the bar. The squelching sound of his jaw cracking and teeth sinking into his flesh had echoed in your ears for days. 

But they were the same hands that you had patched up. The same ones that put together your lamp and held open the door for you at the cinema. Did he even like movies? Why did he even go with you?

“Why not?” you asked so softly the words hardly left your lips. 

He tilted his head to the side slightly as he shoved his hands into his pockets, and it reminded you of something that a dog would do. “Do you want me to?” 

Your answer was caught in your throat and it burned like poison. Yes.

“I don’t know,” you said instead. 

Even without his thick work boots, Simon’s footsteps on the hardwood floor were noticeable as he carefully maneuvered around the coffee table. You both watched one another carefully, eyes never flickering away for even a second as he slowly sank into the cushion next to you. You hadn’t noticed it before, but he smelled faintly like something fresh. Cedar, perhaps? And vaguely like the cheap popcorn you had indulged in at the cinema. 

“Close your eyes,” he said. 

“Why?” you asked. 

“You always ask so many questions?” He wasn’t irritated. It was mostly a plain question, with a slight hint of amusement. 

“Always.” 

You stared at each other for a moment. He was so close, yet so painfully far at the same time. God, those butterflies in your stomach were nothing but ash by that point and even in death they still smoldered. 

Trusting him, you finally closed your eyes. Your vision wasn’t exactly plunged into darkness. The dim lighting of your living room bled through your eyelids, showing you only the red color of the blood in your body. You stayed still, as if you would scare Simon off if you moved so much as an inch.

Then came the unmistakable sound of rustling clothes, and it didn’t take you long to realize what he was doing. Removing his balaclava, Simon tossed the cloth onto the couch next to him, his movements echoing in the couch as you felt it move underneath his shifting weight. You had to remind yourself to breathe as he sat there, seemingly fixing his hair for what seemed like forever. 

After patiently waiting for him, his fingers brushed against the back of your hands, almost making you jump. Instead, you found yourself holding your breath as you felt his thumbs drift to your palms as he carefully raised your hands off of your lap. Instinctively, you closed your fingers around his thumbs and he paused for a moment. He didn’t say anything as he raised your hands higher up, and you felt your hands brush against the unmistakable feeling of his face. 

Slowly, afraid of going too fast, you let go of his hands to gently cup his cheeks. His hands fell away from yours, allowing you to explore him with your eyes still shut tight. Each move you made was careful and soft. Fingertips ghosted so carefully across his face, taking notice of the slight stubble on his chin. As you moved up, your right hand came in contact with some rougher skin. It was uneven, slightly raised off of his cheekbone, reaching all the way back to his hairline. Another one was further up, cutting vertically down near his temple and slicing part of his eyebrow. 

As you continued, your movements became a little more brave. His nose was strong and angled with a noticeable bump on the bridge. You traced down to the tip of his nose, taking note of how it wasn’t exactly straight. Almost there, but not quite. Then you went lower. Another scar sliced the top of his lip, a deep one that created a small crevice of sorts. His breath was warm on your fingers as your thumb moved across his lower lip. You could feel how tense his muscles were in his face, as if he was pressing his lips tightly together. Like he was afraid something would escape him if he didn’t. 

A small huff escaped him as your fingers started to dip below his jaw, and his hands came up to ensnare yours. Thumbs pressed gently into your palms and fingers firmly on the back of your hands, he held them there for a moment, and you could feel your face begin to heat up. 

“Sorry,” you apologized, fingers retracting from his face and wrapping around his thumbs once more. God, it was crazy how big his hands were compared to yours. How you could make a complete fist around his thumb and the rest of his fingers could still engulf your hand. 

“Didn’t think you’d wander so far so quick,” he quipped, and you would have rolled your eyes at him if they weren’t already closed. 

“Your ID doesn’t show the scar on your cheek,” you stated instead. One of your hands loosened the grip on his thumb before slowly slipping away from him. The pads of your fingers gently ran over the thick tissue of his scar. You wondered if it looked as deep as it felt. 

“I heard some women find scars attractive,” Simon said, his dry humor showing. 

A choked sort of laugh rumbled in your chest and you gently shook your head. You sucked on the side of your lip slightly, teeth biting into the corner of your mouth where you knew your own scar laid just behind it. 

“Maybe if they’re on men,” you said with a sour chuckle. 

Within an instant Simon’s fingers were cupping your chin. Similar to what you had done to him just a moment before, his thumb swiped over your bottom lip, lingering for a moment on the scar there. You could feel your heart threaten to break free from your chest. 

“A few more and you’ll look as dashing as I do,” he said, fingers still lingering on your skin. 

Your head tilted down some and you shook it slightly in disbelief. “You’re awfully confident for a man who hides his face all the time.” 

“I’ve earned it,” he retorted bluntly. 

His grip on your chin tightened some, not enough to hurt, but enough to get you to lift your head back up. Your eyes fluttered for a moment, threatening to open, yet you quickly squeezed them shut. He was awfully trusting of you in that moment, and you weren’t going to break that. 

“Have you?” you asked, trying to ignore the way your voice was breathless. 

He shifted forward slightly, and he was so close you could feel his breath fanning across your face. Your grasp on his thumb tightened even more, and you found your breath becoming increasingly difficult to control. 

“Wanna find out?” he asked, his voice lower than it was before. 

You weren’t sure how it happened, or who closed the distance, but your lips collided with Simon’s in something so unexpectedly soft it stole your breath. Those smoldering butterflies in your stomach resurrected with a vengeful fury. With wings of fire they thrashed around in your stomach as Simon’s hand fell away from your chin. He pressed his hand against yours, as if reveling in your touch on his cheek. 

Never in a million years would you have expected something so soft and sweet from a man like Simon Riley. With his brooding stare and intimidating figure; masking up in a way that always left everyone on edge. God, your sweet tooth was insatiable, so much so that it was Simon who had to be the one to pull away. 

You had to hold back your protest as the absence of him left your stomach churning. His hand pulled yours away from his face, but he still held it in his as he lowered your joined hands towards your laps. 

“Still keeping your eyes closed even after all that?” he asked, the baritone of his voice rumbling you to your core. 

Taking his invitation, you finally opened your eyes. Of course his face was the very first thing you were met with. In an odd way, he looked exactly how he felt. A strong, slightly crooked nose, deep scars on his cheek and forehead, and strong brows. His lips were slightly turned downwards in a neutral expression, but a light shined bright even in the umber of his eyes. 

A smile broke out on your lips, one that continued to spread and spread so much so that one nearly appeared on his own lips. 

“There he is,” you said softly. 

“Been here the whole time, sweetheart.” 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Spring came just in time to send Simon off on another mission, though it was already blistering hot in the desert he found himself stuck in. The morning sun rose dully off the horizon, and he stood facing the scene. Without any clouds, the sunrise wasn’t anything spectacular, but he wasn’t focused on the sky at all. 

That goddamn handkerchief. He couldn’t go anywhere without it, but damn, he wouldn’t dare to leave it behind. Not when it was the only thing that he had out on the field that reminded him of you. 

“How’s Spook?” 

Confused, Simon turned around, annoyance evident on his face even from behind his mask as he faced one of his sergeants. 

“What the hell are you on about, Johnny?” he questioned, eyes settling on the Scotsman. 

Soap motioned towards the handkerchief in his hand. It was the same one he had spotted Simon holding on their last mission while flying back home. He had meant to ask his lieutenant about it before, but never got the chance. The shit eating grin on his face was the only hint Simon needed to put two and two together. 

“Spook,” Soap repeated, hands reaching up to rest on the straps of his vest. “Your bird.” 

Shaking his head, Simon carefully folded up the handkerchief before placing it in its home in his back pocket. He huffed as he walked past Soap before muttering, “Comedian, you are.”

[stylessupremacy]

“Harry had yet to go pick up Ophelia from his mum's and still had to make a quick trip to the store for some milk.” like just imagining Harry and Ophelia at the store together 😫

-

“C’mon Phee,” Harry grunted as he gently lifted Ophelia from her car seat.

London was getting chilly due to the weather changing so she was adorned in a pale pink sweater one piece with cuffed overalls. ***

Once she was out, Harry rested her on his hip as they ventured their way to the store's entrance.

Harry only needed some milk and pasta noodles. Ophelia finished off the milk last night before bed and the noodles were for the simple dinner Harry was making tonight.

The warmth of the grocery store hit Harry and Ophelia as they walked inside. A nice contrast to the cold weather outside.

Harry gently set Phee down as he browsed the different kinds of milk. Grabbing the correct gallon of milk Ophelia drinks every night before bed.

“Alright, let’s go get some noodles and we’ll be on our way home. Maybe we could even watch Moana? How does that sound, Phee?”

Moana has been Ophelia’s newest movie obsession for the past few days.

Ever since Anne let her watch it one day, it’s been nonstop watching and singing with Phee.

Her small, chubby hand rested in her father’s grasp as they trekked through the store.

“Yeah! Wanna watch Moana!” She exclaimed, a little skip in her step at the mention of her favorite princess movie at the time.

Harry chuckled, watching as she did a little happy dance hearing what her father had planned for the evening.

“We could even make some popc-,” Harry was cut off by a dramatic gasp coming from his little girl.

“Daddy, cookies!” Phee pointed towards a table filled with an assortment of delicious looking desserts.

She tried pulling Harry towards the tempting desserts but pouted when he wasn’t budging.

Harry sighed, the pout making him struggle, “Not today Phee. Plus we have some cookies at home already.”

The pout on her face became more prominent.

“But- but daddy, they’re pink! An- and we need them!”

“We need them?” Harry mused, watching as she frantically shook her head.

“Just because they’re pink doesn’t mean we need them, darling. And didn’t Nana let you have a cookie earlier today?”

Phee was lost for words when her father mentioned how her Nana let her have a cookie earlier when he wasn’t there.

She just did what she knew best and used her best puppy dog eyes, “Please, daddy?”

Harry went back and forth knowing this was a losing battle and he was going to give in to his daughter’s request.

“I’ll let you get them on one condition. You have to carry them for me since m’hands are full.”

Phee’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, “Thank you, daddy!”

Her small arms wrapped around his calf causing a grin to grow on his face.

Getting back on schedule, Harry and Phee got their pasta noodles and headed for the checkout.

“Did your daddy let you get these?” The kind older woman behind the cashier register asked since she watched the whole interaction the duo had.

She found it quite cute and comical watching the father-daughter pair.

Harry gently nudged Phee from her hiding spot behind his legs that she seeks when she’s around new people.

“It’s okay, love. She won’t bite.”

“Ye- yeah he did. He even said we could watch Moana!”

The cashier gasped, “Really? He sounds like such an amazing dad! Hope you enjoy watching Moana and eating your cookies!”

Harry placed his card into the machine leaning down to his daughter's height once again, “Tell her thank you bug.”

Phee rocked back and forth on her feet, a huge grin plastered on her face, “Thank you!”

Harry grabbed the bag from the lady, “Thank you, have a nice day.”

Harry grabbed Phee’s hand and lead them towards the exit. He swiftly picked her up and placed her on his hip.

“Y’ready to go home? Watch some Moana and have some cookies?”

“Yeah!” She giggled, hiding her face in the crook of his neck to protect her from the cold air, snuggling into his hoodie further.

The two were cuddled together with a blanket enjoying the warmth their house provided on this chilly day in London. They sat on the sofa watching Moana and eating cookies and Harry couldn’t imagine his life any other way.

-

Tag list 🏷️

@michellekstyles @vrittivsanghavi

[thebumblecee]

Real life is stranger than fiction. Some of the instances in 9-1-1 Lonestar plots with real life examples.

The examples have been fictionalised and sensationalised and made to fit Texas even if they’re from across the world.

Season 2 of Lonestar

02x01 Back In The Saddle - a man steal a tank and goes on a rampage

Real life: the story of Shawn Nelson who stole a tank and went on a rampage in 1995

02x02 - 2100° - Pilot Knob volcano erupts

Real life: The volcano that erupts in this episode, Pilot Knob, is a real (although extinct) volcano located south of Austin, Texas. (IMDb) obviously it’s never erupted but others have and fiction doesn’t that’s to be realistic, it has to be believable. I believed there was a volcano so I’m going to let it pass.

02x03 - Hold The Line - wildfires spread across Texas

Real life: they’re wildfires they happen everywhere. Here is a resource if you’re Texan or really into statistics.

02x04 - Friends With Benefits - a wedding suffers terrible food poisoning

Real life: (there were so many examples)

02x05 - Difficult Conversations - Grace helps a woman in a domestic abuse situation who ordered ‘pizza’

Real life: this is very common and we’re told to do it if we need help. Here is the domestic abuse helpline for the UK for those that need it and here is an org for the USA.

02x06 - Everyone and Their Brother - a conspiracy theorist tries to protect his property with land mines.

Real life: I won’t lie I struggled here and read some heart breaking statistics about landmine deaths. I also found a Reddit where men argued they should be allowed to put landlines on their property so it’s out there, I just can’t find a specific source.

02x07 - Displaced - a stowaway fell from a plane into a funeral

Real life: this happens more than you expect. The latest case happened in London where a man fell from a plane and landed in a residential garden. Article here

02x08 - Bad Call - a man with a fake bomb robs a bank and claims he was forced to do it

Real life: this happened in Scotland (again)

02x09 - Saving Grace - Grace and Judd’s car go over a bridge and into a river below.

Real life: this happens almost every day all over the world.

02x10 - A Little Help from My Friends - teenager gets hands caught inside an ice cream machine

Real life:

02x11 - Slow Burn - serial arsonist

Real life: they talk about this in the show but John Orr

02x12 - The Big Heat - again arsonist plot and Charles aneurysm

Real life: here is how to spot an aneurysm but I hope you never have too.

02x13 - One Day - A man starts a hostage situation to save his son on life support

Real life:

02x14 - Dust To Dust - A dust storm envelopes Texas (also known as a Haboob)

Real life: again freak weather is a common thing across the world but here is the USA weather guide to dust storms

Season one here

[ingek73]

OPINION

By Omid Scobie

King Charles deserves to be scrutinised as heavily as politicians – just like Harry and Meghan were

At a time when more people are questioning the monarchy, the need for spin-free reporting has never been more important

June 28, 2023 1:38 pm(Updated 1:53 pm)

Those who have dared challenge this system have certainly paid the price (Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

It’s hard to believe that this time last year, Charles, then the Prince of Wales, was still weathering one of the worst storms of his royal career. Explosive revelations from a top political editor had uncovered dubious financial contributions being made to one of his charities, leading many to question the ethics behind the millions being raised.

For the late Queen’s son, the stories threatened to stain his own legacy and bring shame to the institution of the monarchy – particularly when a Palace aide was forced to publicly pledge that Charles would “never again accept” bags of cash to his charities.

The previous year, another scandal, this time involving one of Charles’ charities and a Saudi billionaire, resulted in an investigation being launched by London’s Metropolitan Police Service, in which two men were questioned under caution. And yet follow-up coverage of both of the monarch’s Princes’ Foundation donations saga – particularly from the majority of the royal press pack – has been virtually non-existent.

While there has been little new information from authorities, a lack of updates has never usually been an obstacle for individuals on the royal beat. The months this year when the Duchess of Sussex had not been seen or heard in public certainly didn’t stop dozens of stories being written about her every day. The king, whose foundation has been caught up in a criminal investigation, on the other hand, curiously hasn’t appeared to evoke much interest from many of those who dedicate their lives to covering the Royal Family.

Even in the lead up to Charles’s coronation last month, when the likes of the Daily Mail, Telegraph and Daily Express dedicated countless pages to lengthy, praise-filled profiles of the new monarch, there was hardly a mention of the scandal that he had been apologising for just 70 days prior to becoming king.

This is nothing new. Though heavyweight scoops about members of the family are still broken by other sections of the media, royal churnalism – the regurgitation of press releases and steady supply of briefing memos sent out by royal aides – has become the tried-and-trusted reporting style for a number of royal correspondents when it comes to protecting precious relationships with those at the Palace. Not wanting to bite the hand that regularly feeds is why those with some of the deepest access and strongest relationships are often the ones sharing the very least. And that’s exactly how Palace communications aides would want it.

The nature of these relationships has created a beat where impartiality, though often claimed, is rarely a reality. Being critical or negative in one’s reporting, when necessary, would ultimately mean risking those precious relationships. So, impartiality is usually flexed in other, more easy ways – namely focusing on stories about royals that won’t damage relations with the palace. For the past four and a half years that risk-free option has been the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, whose unpopularity behind palace walls as working royals, and now their autonomous life in California, has made them easy fodder for more critical coverage.

It’s why staff turnovers at the Sussexes’ Archewell business continue to be prime tabloid ammunition and why Kate, the Princess of Wales hasn’t had to face many questions about the four (five, if you count the one who accepted the job and then mysteriously changed their mind) private secretaries who have worked for her over the past six years.

And it’s why the story of that paparazzi car chase in New York was furiously poked for holes within minutes of it breaking, but coverage of Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh’s tax payer-funded motorcade tragically taking the life of an elderly woman hasn’t been the focus of dozens of opinion pieces.

Those who have dared challenge this system have certainly paid the price. I’ve known journalists in the past who have been removed from royal email lists or media briefings after publishing stories or books that the Firm didn’t like.

For me – who also spent years dancing the palace dance for access and perks – my first major “punishment” came after the release of Finding Freedom, a book that told the inside story of the Sussexes’ royal departure. Sources told me that Prince William was so incensed by my revelations that his Kensington Palace team had given negative information to favoured journalists about his brother that he wanted me barred from his engagements.

But in order to tell a full story, it has to be written without fear of favour – regardless of the consequences. It’s one of the reasons why I spent the past year writing my book, Endgame – an unfiltered investigation into the current state of the Royal Family. At a time when more people than ever are questioning the relevancy, purpose and role of the monarchy in modern Britain, the need for thorough, spin-free, and well-rounded insight and reporting has never been more important than it is now.

As well as speaking with those involved in some of the most defining and controversial royal moments in recent years, the book also brings new details on unsolved mysteries as well as stories you will be reading about for the very first time.

Omid Scobie: ‘Endgame not only looks at the successes of our Royal Family but also the failures’ (Photo: HarperCollins)

Of course, it’s not all scandal – there are also some great things coming out of the House of Windsor right now. The launch of Prince William’s ambitious plan to find solutions to, and eventually eradicate, homelessness is bold and important. And Kate’s early years work, something that initially looked like a vanity project, is now slowly beginning to have real impact, with the Royal Foundation’s recent funding of a trial model that assesses babies’ well-being and happiness. But to report on the positive, you can’t ignore the negative.

Endgame not only looks at the successes of our Royal Family but also the failures; the things to be proud of and those they should be ashamed of. Precisely because this is an establishment that sits at the heart of our society, and a family that has often been held up as role models of civility and decorum, it’s more important than ever we can take an accurate look at whether that still holds today.

Just like this country’s politicians, the royals are not, and should not be, above reproach – no matter how desperately certain press secretaries may want you to think so.

Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival is out 21 November and available for preorder now

[measuringbliss]

Tomb of Dracula Read-Through 2 (#5-10)

MASTERPOST

Look who's here! Blade!

In this demonic land, Dracula quickly understands that Taj is his only chance at feeding, so he'd better save him ("You're mine," he says.)

I personally think they should kiss first but oh well.

They eventually find another mirror, and they're back in Transylvania! Dracula locks Taj in a coffin, and goes looking for food...

He's fully out as a bisexual by now. We love character development!

His new goal: Get revenge on Abraham Van Helsing. Sadly for him, Abe is on vacation.

The villagers find the dead woman Dracula sucked, and come to his castle to burn it. Hmm, bonjour, déjà vu! But this time, Dracula directly faces them.

Frank and Rachel successfully use the mirror to come to the same place and time, and they free up Taj. To prepare to fight Abraham, Dracula frees up Lenore, whom he'd kept up in a vial all this time. Name a more iconic duo than Dracula and a female companion!

Lenore immediately leaps on Rachel, which screams "lesbian" to me (or bisexual, we love it either way). The heroes make her leave with the shadow of a cross-shaped tombstone. Oh, they're going all out on this. Excellent.

Dracula and Lenore eventually escape through the famous mirror. I doubt that mirror will stay much longer...

Our heroes eventually find them in #6, Lenore dies just as she was about to bite Rachel (I'm sensing a pattern...) and Dracula lures them to a trap. He actually successfully gets rid of them!

They have other priorities anyway. Can't say I'm here for the ship, but the page is gorgeous.

They're saved by the monster of the moors, who's actually just a hideous gentleman and is also mute. He gestures to thank our heroes for calling him a man, aww.

Since they're freed, Frank angsts about his vampiric lineage and thinks he can't be with Rachel.

A new rule is introduced in #7: Vampires can manipulate the weather and "the meaner animals". Is there anything Dracula can't do?

In a fun subversion, the lady Dracula traditionally attacks has a crucific and is thus protected. Dracula is understandably miffed.

Turns out the lady is the daughter of Quincy Harker, whom our heroes get to spend some time with in London. And to face this badass in a wheelchair, Dracular enlists literal children.

The thing you have to know about Quincy is that his beard is absolutely wonderful.

Dracula escapes, naturally.

OoOoh~!

By the way, issue 7 saw Marv Wolfman get onto the comic and he never left it afterwards (and coincidentally, Wolfman is in the next issues of Spider-Man I have to read!).

#8: By now, Clifton has fully become the Butt Monkey. Case in point:

Poisoned in the previous issue, Dracula seeks the help of the town's doctor who's in charge of blood donations. Turns out he's a vampire! The doctor performs a full transfusion on Dracula, and then shows him something he should have destroyed long ago: a weapon capable to raise the dead.

Except Dracula designs the doctor's daughter as his first victim of the night, and the doctor decides that enough is enough. They fight to the death under the bat form, and Dracula, naturally, stays victorious. However, the projector shatters, and the raised dead soon return to dust, saving the doctor's daughter.

Meanwhile, the heroes are stuck in a broken car that a dozen of kids are assaulting, until a helicopter approaches and somehow knocks them out. Apparently, Quincy and his folks have friends in high places...

When Dracula wakes up in #9, still reeling from the after effects of his blood transfusion, he sees a cross. He's been found and taken to a holy place, the horror!

He barely escapes, but not before showing how much of a drama queen he is.

This issue's funny, because Dracula's only option to rest in the city, aside from the church, is a young man from Littlepool (the city) who tells him his entire life story, of which Dracula naturally cares very little for. He still gives him advice though, and saves him from vampires he created later in the street. A nearby priest sees him and decides that to breathe new life in the town's religious circle, he'd canalize everyone by telling them Dracula is a demon. They go to the young man's house, who asks Dracula if what they say is true. He then goes outside and tell everybody that Dracula has fled. Except he's not far yet and the villagers see him, to the young man's apparent dismay. Interesting!

Near London, our heroes train for their next fight with Dracula, but they're not the focus.

Their dynamic actually made for a very good issue. There's a lot to say about it, but I'd prefer going a bit further with this post first. But basically: Dracula's queer, and David's an ally.

Blade's introduced in #10 as the mysterious agent Harker knows. Turns out he and Dracula know each other well. But do they know each other intimately?

*Flashback to...*

Anyway!

Dracula's on a cruise and wastes no time seducing the ladies.

Dracula has a bit of internalized homophobia, but no matter. I still love him.

Dracula is goofy, he's having so much fun being evil.

We get nice color work this issue. Naturally, Blade gets on board too.

Dracula is also fun because when he gets taken by surprise, he's really ineffectual!

Eventually, he reveals he manipulated the ship's captain to set bombs off... and the only one who stays on the exploding ship is one I'm not particularly sad to lose.

I think that's a good place to stop, isn't it?

See you next time!

[airportchauffeurslondon]

S Class Chauffeur Car in London: Experience Luxury and Style

Are you looking for the ultimate luxury transportation experience in London? Look no further than Mercedes S Class Chauffeur Car Hire in London. Whether you're attending a special event, going on a business trip, or simply want to travel in style, hiring a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London will elevate your journey to new heights. In this article, we will explore the features, benefits, and reasons why Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London is the epitome of luxury and sophistication.

Mercedes S Class Chauffeur Car Hire in London: Unparalleled Elegance

When it comes to luxury vehicles, the Mercedes S Class is in a league of its own. Renowned for its timeless elegance and cutting-edge technology, the Mercedes S Class is the epitome of automotive excellence. When you opt for Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London, you can expect a truly opulent and comfortable ride.

Unmatched Comfort and Space

Step inside the Mercedes S Class, and you'll be greeted by an interior that exudes luxury and comfort. The plush leather seats provide excellent support, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride. With ample legroom and generous headspace, you'll feel like royalty as you travel through the streets of London. The state-of-the-art climate control system ensures that you're always at the perfect temperature, regardless of the weather outside.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Mercedes is renowned for its commitment to innovation, and the S Class is no exception. The vehicle is equipped with a range of cutting-edge features designed to enhance your driving experience. From the intuitive infotainment system to the advanced driver-assistance systems, every aspect of the Mercedes S Class is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind.

Why Choose Mercedes S Class Chauffeur Car Hire in London?

There are numerous reasons why Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London stands out as the preferred choice for discerning individuals who seek the pinnacle of luxury and style. Let's explore some of the key benefits and advantages.

Exemplary Safety Features

When it comes to your safety, Mercedes leaves no stone unturned. The S Class is equipped with an array of advanced safety features to ensure that you and your passengers are protected at all times. From adaptive cruise control to lane-keeping assist, the Mercedes S Class utilizes cutting-edge technology to prevent accidents and provide you with peace of mind.

Professional and Experienced Chauffeurs

Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London, you can expect nothing but the highest level of professionalism and expertise. The chauffeurs undergo rigorous training to ensure that they are skilled in providing a first-class service. They are well-versed in the art of hospitality and possess an in-depth knowledge of London's roads, allowing them to navigate the city with ease.

Time Efficiency and Reliability

When you hire a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London, you can say goodbye to the stress of navigating through traffic or finding parking spaces. Your professional chauffeur will handle all aspects of transportation, allowing you to sit back, relax, and make the most of your time. Whether you're attending a business meeting or heading to a social event, the reliability of Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London ensures that you arrive at your destination promptly and in style.

Mercedes S Class Chauffeur Car Hire in London: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ 1: How can I book a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London?

Booking a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London is simple and convenient. You can either book online through the official website of a reputable chauffeur service or contact them via phone or email. Provide your travel details, such as the date, time, and pick-up location, and the chauffeur service will take care of the rest.

FAQ 2: Can I hire a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London for airport transfers?

Absolutely! Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London offers airport transfer services to and from all major airports in the city. Whether you're arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, or any other airport, your professional chauffeur will be waiting for you at the designated meeting point, ready to assist you with your luggage and provide a seamless transfer experience.

FAQ 3: Are the chauffeurs knowledgeable about London's attractions and landmarks?

Yes, the chauffeurs of Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London are well-versed in the city's attractions and landmarks. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations to make your journey even more memorable. Whether you're looking for the best restaurants, shopping districts, or tourist spots, your chauffeur will be delighted to assist you.

FAQ 4: Is Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London suitable for corporate events?

Absolutely! Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London is the perfect choice for corporate events and business travel. The luxurious and professional service creates the ideal impression for important clients or business partners. Arrive at your meetings or conferences in style and make a lasting impact with the prestige of the Mercedes S Class.

FAQ 5: What is the cost of hiring a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London?

The cost of hiring a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car in London may vary depending on various factors such as the duration of the hire, the distance traveled, and any additional services required. It is best to contact a reputable chauffeur service for an accurate quote based on your specific requirements.

FAQ 6: Can I hire a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car for special occasions like weddings?

Certainly! Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London is a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions. The elegance and sophistication of the Mercedes S Class make it the perfect complement to your special day. Arrive at your wedding venue in style and create unforgettable memories.

Conclusion

Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London offers a luxury transportation experience like no other. From the unparalleled comfort and cutting-edge technology to the professionalism of the chauffeurs, every aspect of the service exudes excellence. Whether you're attending a special event, conducting business, or exploring the vibrant city of London, hiring a Mercedes S Class chauffeur car will ensure that you do so in style, comfort, and elegance.

So why settle for anything less when you can experience the epitome of luxury with Mercedes S Class chauffeur car hire in London? Book your ride today and indulge in an extraordinary journey that will leave a lasting impression.

[quintessbrit]

The Prince of Wales' Patronages, Charities and Affiliations

(Page 1 of 2, showing 1-20)

Automobile Association - Honorary Life Member

Club for drivers, providing insurance and other motoring services.

British Trust for Ornithology - Patron

Promotes bird conservation through volunteer-based surveys of national bird life.

Centrepoint - Patron

National charity providing accommodation and support for socially excluded, homeless young people.

Child Bereavement UK - Royal Patron

Offer support to children and families who have been bereaved.

English Schools Swimming Association - Patron

Encourage school children to learn to swim and compete at several levels - for their school, their district, and their country.

Fauna & Flora International - Patron

International conservation body promoting sustainable conservation and biodiversity.

Fields in Trust - Patron

Organisation seeking to protect and improve playing fields and other recreational spaces in the UK.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club - Honorary Member

Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund - Joint Patron

Aims to lift children out of poverty through education. Funds are directed to projects in south-east region of Uganda.

The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple - Royal Master of the Bench

Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court which have the exclusive right to Call students to the Bar. The education and training of advocates lie at the heart of the Inn, but we are also a professional society for our membership worldwide; and we maintain a heritage estate in central London housing chambers from which barristers practise.

Irish Guards - Colonel

Infantry regiment of the Foot Guards of the British Army.

London's Air Ambulance Charity - Patron

London’s Air Ambulance is the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to London’s most seriously injured patients. Using a helicopter from 08:00 to sunset, and rapid response cars at night or in adverse weather situations, London’s Air Ambulance brings the hospital to the patient when time is critical. The Duke of Cambridge is Patron of London's Air Ambulance during 2019 for its 30th Anniversary year.

Metropolitan & City Police Orphans Fund - Patron

The Orphans Fund began in 1870 as an Orphanage, which makes it the oldest police charity in the world. In 2020 we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary. The Orphanage closed in 1937 and the modern charity began, which makes 2017 our 80th anniversary.

Mountain Rescue Council England & Wales - Patron

The national co-ordinating body for volunteer search and rescue teams in England and Wales.

National Emergencies Trust (NET) - Patron

In the event of a domestic disaster the National Emergencies Trust will launch a public appeal and then work with charitable bodies to distribute funds to support survivors.

NHS Charities Together - Patron

NHS Charities Together is the membership organisation for more than 240 of the NHS charities across the U.K. It provides a forum for nationwide campaigns; specialist advice and guidance; bespoke events and training opportunities.

Royal African Society - Patron

Aims to strengthen links between Africa and Britain and encourage understanding of Africa.

Royal Air Force Coningsby - Honorary Air Commandant

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow - Honorary Fellow

Aims to advance good medical practice among doctors, surgeons and dentists.

[Information from royal.uk - websites linked when possible]

[dissmal]

2022 A Year in Emotions

Memories: 

Started off the new year with Jon in NYC! Homey takeout dinner with my parents, Moma, climbing with Greg and Dior exhibit. 

Uncertainty, Relief.  The moment I met Totoro! I picked her up and heard her meowing in the carrier. I released her in the carrier and she immediately started rubbing herself on me and purring. I was so relieved that she liked me. 

Fear, Accomplishment. Trying ice climbing. Woke up at 5am, and when we got there it was negative 13 degrees. I felt the least athletic and didn’t have the right gear but I overcame my fears and had a great first climb. 

Newness. First ski trip with Halle, I remember driving her car for the first time and being scared. But I realized from this trip that I really like roadtrips. 

Togetherness. Trying molly for the first time and going out to Basement. I felt so loved and protected by my friends. I wanted to party my heart out and the DJ Tool was so good and dropped some sick beats. 

In Love. Paris - sitting by the Seine and watching the sunset behind Jon. The last night we were there the Eiffel Tower sparkled in a special way and we kissed.

Proud. Going to Tesla gigafactory and see the graffiti that Jon was working on made me so proud of him. I was glad he was doing so well in a foreign country. 

Brave. Going to the fetish wear store and trying something that was completely out of my comfort zone. I struggle with feeling comfortable in my body when I truly felt different when I looked at myself in the mirror- it was like I could turn even myself on. 

Seeing Xin in London, going to the art museum but then getting a UTI, but also having really good English breakfast at the 100 Shoreditch hotel

Creative. Spray painting for the first time with Chanel, touching new medium, getting it on my nails. 

Accomplished, Amazed. First 4 mile race in Central park and eating a colorful bagel with Rebecca after and my first 10k in Prospect Park 

Happy. Dancing at the Elsewhere rooftop with Ami, Keo, Alp, Tim, Corey. The sunset was so beautiful and I felt so at ease and happy with a great group of people who were willing to be vulnerable, let lose and dance without inhibition.

Content, Simple Happiness. Sitting on the balcony at Lake Como, feeling so at peace and content in my relationship with Jon. I remember dunking myself into the cool water right before we had to leave and feeling so happy, simple and refreshed.

Inspired, in Awe. Also seeing the Biennale was truly inspiring. Some of the coolest art pieces, like the falling lava, and taking the water taxi.  

Relaxed, at Peace. Sitting on the beach in Rugen with Jon. Just eating a really good hot dog and ice cream (all courtesy of Jon) and reading so much of the Overstory.

Comfort. Eating at Barra in Berlin.. maybe my favorite meal of the whole year. I still remember the sea aster and dessert. Staying with Jon made me realize that home is wherever he is and I still feel nostalgic for his old apartment where we had hot pot and cooked meals together. 

Anticipation. Seeing the US Open with Rafa and Tiafoe had me at the edge of my seat! 

Nostalgia. Going up to Ithaca for the Rev finale, I stayed at the Dorm Hotel which was so memorable, and got dinner with Eme at the Rook. 

Frustrated. My parents putting pressure on me about the house renovation situation, having a mental breakdown in Cindy’s room and then Michelle passing out on me. 

Intrigue. Norway- seeing the art pieces at the museum like the twisting benches, or the spinning water, there was something new at every corner. Fresco Hallen had an amazing ambiance for breakfast. 

Loved. My friends coming together for my 25th birthday, and even Jon being there! It was honestly the best birthday I could hope for, from multiple cakes to karaoke to EEAAO costumes.

Youthful Joy. Day trip to Fishkill Farm to apple pick with Ami, Maya, Benji, Tim, and Alp - just a wholesome day where the weather was so beautiful and I got to do all the fall activities I wanted! Pumpkin patch, corn maze, cider donuts, riding a truck, it was genuinely so much fun. 

Excited, Proud, Touched. PISTE Showcase Benefit, getting a shoutout from Nzingha, seeing her realize this dream and being so proud to see my work, in flesh, everywhere I looked at Samsung 387. 

Intimacy, Vulnerability. Xin staying over for 3 nights, made me feel so close to her again. I put on candles and we turned down the lights, and sang together over Tom Misch’s songs. 

Sophisticated. I hosted Ami, Kush and Keo and brought out wine, nice wine glasses, and even put together a chacuterie board. I felt like a great host. 

Moved. The Moth, with Maya Michelle and Niki, 5 stories about “now you see me” were told in such an impactful way, I could never forget. Daniella Faith singing at SoFar Sounds gave me goosebumps, and I loved that she told us to sing with her. 

Creative. Nude sketching at Happy Medium made me realize that I missed art so much. Mugler exhibit also reminded me of this creative world that exists in NYC that I haven’t tapped into

Intimacy, Beauty, Appreciation. Ending the year with horny thoughts and the cozy comfort of 2 duvets, and a scenic 4 mile run around Boston with Jon that made me feel so happy and appreciative of my body, of Jon, and of the beautiful world.

[novumtimes]

UK storm tracker LIVE: Met Office warns of lightning and heavy rain | Weather | News

London Fire Brigade has pointed out the Met Office’s yellow weather warning and issued advice on how to prepare. Fire chiefs are urging people to follow advice on “what to do during and after a flood” and also what to do if you are caught in a flood. What to do in a flood, according to the Met Office: Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. What to do if the storm knocks your power out: People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground. Source link via The Novum Times

[horncastleroofing]

Roof Inspections: Why Regular Check-Ups Are Crucial for Your Home ?

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. It shields you from rain, wind, snow, and everything else Mother Nature throws your way. But just like your car needs regular maintenance, so too does your roof. Regular roof inspections are crucial for maintaining the integrity of your roof and preventing costly repairs down the road.

Why Inspections Matter in the UK:

The United Kingdom’s temperate climate, with its frequent rain and occasional bouts of harsh weather, can take a toll on your roof. Moss growth, loose tiles, and damaged flashing can all go unnoticed for some time, leading to leaks and potential structural damage. Resident Roofing in North London understands the importance of regular check-ups and can help ensure your roof remains in top condition.

Benefits of Regular Inspections:

Early Detection, Early Repair: A professional roof inspection can identify minor issues before they escalate into major problems. Catching a small leak early can save you a significant amount of money compared to repairing extensive water damage.

Peace of Mind: Knowing your roof is in good condition provides peace of mind, especially during heavy rain or strong winds.

Increased Lifespan: Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your roof, saving you money in the long run.

Improved Safety: A damaged roof can pose safety hazards. Inspections can identify potential risks like loose tiles or weak structures.

Insurance Benefits: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homeowners who can demonstrate regular roof maintenance.

What to Expect During an Inspection:

A qualified roof inspector, like those at Horncastle Roofing will conduct a thorough visual examination of your roof, both inside your loft space (if accessible) and from the exterior. They will check for:

Missing or damaged tiles

Signs of wear and tear

Moss growth

Flashing integrity

Proper ventilation

Taking Action:

Following the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining any issues found and recommendations for repair or replacement. Depending on the material of your roof (e.g., tiled roofing or lead roofing), Horncastle Roofing can provide expert solutions for Tiled Roofing Repair or Lead Roofing Repair London. They can also handle installations like Lead Roofing Installation for a complete roofing solution.

Regular roof inspections are an investment in your home’s safety and value. Don’t wait for a leak to spring a surprise — schedule a roof inspection today and ensure your home remains protected for years to come!

[shutterrepair1]

Extend the Life of Your Shutters: Expert Roller Shutter Repair London

Roller shutters are a fantastic security solution for homes and businesses in London. They offer excellent protection against weather, vandalism, and break-ins. But like any mechanical device, they require regular maintenance and occasional repairs to keep them functioning smoothly for years to come. Here at Shutter Repairs 26 Ltd, we're your one-stop shop for expert roller shutter repair in London.

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

Just like your car needs regular servicing, your roller shutters benefit from preventative maintenance. This proactive approach can:

Identify and address minor issues before they escalate into major problems. A small snag can quickly turn into a complete breakdown if left unchecked.

Extend the lifespan of your shutters. Regular maintenance helps keep all the components working efficiently, reducing wear and tear.

Save you money in the long run. Catching problems early is far cheaper than dealing with a full-blown repair or even a complete shutter replacement.

Ensure your shutters continue to operate smoothly and efficiently.

What We Offer at Shutter Repairs 26 Ltd

Our team of experienced technicians is well-versed in all aspects of roller shutter repair in London. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including:

Preventative maintenance: This includes cleaning, lubrication, and a thorough inspection of all components.

Minor repairs: We can fix common problems like jammed shutters, faulty motors, and broken slats.

Major repairs: Our skilled technicians can handle more complex issues, ensuring your shutters are restored to full functionality.

Emergency repairs: We understand that sometimes roller shutter problems arise unexpectedly. That's why we offer 24/7 emergency repair services in London, so you're never left vulnerable.

Benefits of Choosing Shutter Repairs 26 Ltd

Experienced and qualified technicians: Our team has the knowledge and expertise to handle any roller shutter repair issue.

Fast and reliable service: We understand the importance of getting your shutters back up and running quickly, so we offer prompt service across London.

Competitive prices: We offer affordable solutions for all your roller shutter repair needs.

24/7 emergency repairs: We're here for you whenever you need us, day or night.

High-quality parts: We only use the best quality parts to ensure your shutters are repaired to the highest standard.

Don't wait until your roller shutters are completely broken! By investing in regular maintenance and repairs from Shutter Repairs 26 Ltd, you can extend the life of your shutters, save money, and ensure your property remains secure.

Looking for expert roller shutter repair in London? Contact Shutter Repairs 26 Ltd today for a free quote and experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your shutters are in good hands.

[beyondjustservice]

Unveiling the Gleam: The Art of Car Valeting in London

London, a city pulsating with life, is a tapestry of culture, history, and modernity. As one navigates its bustling streets, the gleam of well-maintained cars adds a touch of sophistication to the urban landscape. Enter the world of car valeting in London, where the art of meticulous car care transforms vehicles into polished works of art.

The Importance of Car Valeting:

Car valeting is not just about maintaining a sparkling exterior; it's a comprehensive approach to preserving your vehicle's overall health and aesthetics. In a metropolis like London, where vehicles bear the brunt of diverse weather conditions, road debris, and city living, professional car valeting becomes a necessity.

Exterior Elegance:

London's unpredictable weather, from rain to shine, can take a toll on your car's paintwork. Professional valeting services in London employ cutting-edge techniques and premium products to restore and protect your vehicle's exterior. From thorough handwashing and waxing to paint correction, these experts ensure that your car retains its showroom shine.

Interior Splendor:

The city's vibrant lifestyle often translates into busy routines and on-the-go dining, leaving your car's interior susceptible to spills, stains, and odors. Car valeting professionals in London pay meticulous attention to every nook and cranny, employing steam cleaning, vacuuming, and conditioning to revive and maintain the interior's splendor.

Attention to Detail:

Londoners appreciate the finer things in life, and car valeting services align with this mindset by emphasizing attention to detail. From alloy wheel cleaning to glass polishing, every aspect of your car is meticulously handled to ensure an impeccable finish.

Time-Saving Convenience:

In a city where time is a precious commodity, car valeting services offer a valuable convenience. Mobile valeting units bring their expertise directly to your doorstep, allowing you to focus on your day while your car receives the pampering it deserves.

Choosing the Right Car Valeting Service:

London boasts a myriad of car valeting services, making it essential to choose one that aligns with your expectations and preferences. Look for services that offer a comprehensive range of exterior and interior treatments, use high-quality products, and have a reputation for attention to detail.

Conclusion:

Car valeting in London is not just a service; it's an experience that transforms the way you perceive and care for your vehicle. Whether you're cruising through the iconic streets or navigating the vibrant markets, a well-maintained car is a reflection of your style and appreciation for the finer things in life. Embrace the art of car valeting, and let your vehicle shine amid the dynamic tapestry of London's urban landscape.

[centrallondoncarstorage]

Rental Garages Are More Than A Vehicle Spot: Here Is How

Are you a city dweller and suburbanites lacking personal storage space? Securing an affordable rented garage delivers numerous advantages. Renting lockable Garages To Rent London locations offer protection from weather and theft for vehicles, valuables, inventory, and more on a flexible month-to-month basis. But what exactly can small businesses, families, and individuals reliably store within a best garage for rent London facility?

Read on for 9 ideal items to organize within your own clean, accessible rented garage space.

Vehicle Storage One of the most common uses of Garages

Rent London spaces are for protecting cars, motorcycles, boats, ATVs, and other vehicles from snow, storms, falling debris, and theft during seasons not in use. Storing specialty vehicles safely maximizes longevity when not being actively driven.

Business Equipment & Inventory

For small retail businesses or service providers like contractors, stashing inventory, tools, machinery, spare parts, archived documents, and other operational items centrally in a Garage for rent London provides cheaper, neater offsite capacity scaling as companies grow beyond main premises.

Personal Valuables Like Antiques

For households needing supplemental protected space, rental garages conveniently store items not actively utilized but too precious to discard like family heirlooms, antiques, collectibles, holiday decorations, memorabilia storage boxes and off-season clothing wardrobes neatly organized and insured.

DIY & Home Improvement Tools

DIYers and hobbyists needing workspace can rent Garages To Rent London spots to create personalized workshops suited to their creative projects. Store all tools, materials, craft supplies, welding equipment, spare lumber, and other gear conveniently together.

Event Equipment Rentals & Catering Ops

Mobile catering businesses, DJs, wedding planners, and event rental companies avoid expensive commercial kitchens and warehouses by operating out of an affordable rented garage space customized with any water/electricity/storage needs to stage equipment between bookings.

University Student Belongings

College students needing a place to stash personal belongings like furniture, electronics, bicycles, and off-season clothes while away at school can utilize rented garages so items remain protected versus dumping them in a friend's basement.

E-Commerce Product Inventory

Online selling entrepreneurs can run small web business inventory out of rented garages functioning as mini fulfillment centers for picking, packaging, and shipping orders without the overhead of formal warehouses.

Music & Entertainment Industry Resources

Aspiring entertainers and creative pros like musicians, filmmakers, and photographers can transform rented garage spaces into fully equipped studios for developing artistic projects and storing expensive specialized gear securely.

Conclusion

Renting an enclosed, lockable garage space offers much more storage flexibility than just vehicle protection. Garage for Rent London locations cater to startups, creative enterprises, households needing additional capacity, and small operations wanting workspace with customization options. Renting instead of buying traditional warehouse square footage cuts costs significantly while providing security. So optimize your storage with a Garage for Rent London tailored exactly to your needs.

[webstorify]

This week, the Norwegian Parliament took a groundbreaking yet contentious step by approving seabed mining exploration within the nation's territorial waters. This decision notably diverges from the recommendations of the country's own government scientists and is poised to escalate global debates about exploiting deep ocean ecosystems rich in biodiversity. On January 9, Norway distinguished itself as the inaugural nation to formally sanction seabed mining activities in its waters. This move could potentially spark an international scramble for strategic minerals like cobalt and nickel, crucial for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other sustainable technologies. The decision arrives amidst ongoing discussions and uncertainty surrounding a UN-affiliated body's efforts to establish regulations for seabed mining in international waters. Norway, as a prominent member of this organization, plays a critical role in these deliberations. The widespread call for a moratorium on seabed mining fuels the controversy even more. Researchers and governments from 24 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific have actually prompted a halt, mentioning that there is not enough information on the ecological and weather repercussions of such tasks. Martin Webeler, an ocean campaigner and researcher at the Environmental Justice Foundation in London, remarked on Norway’s decision. He highlighted its potential impact on the mining industry's narrative, suggesting that Norway’s move could be interpreted as a growing willingness among nations to entertain the prospects of deep-sea mining. This development in Norway stands at the intersection of environmental stewardship and the pursuit of technological advancements. It raises crucial questions about balancing the need for materials essential for green technologies with the imperative to protect our planet's delicate and less-explored ecosystems. Norway bold decisions? A number of factors influence Norway's decision to approve deep-sea mining in its territorial waters. Among the main factors is the nation's passion to safeguard minerals necessary for the global shift to eco-friendly industries. This includes minerals like cobalt, copper, zinc, and others crucial for producing batteries, electric cars and truck engines, wind generators, solar batteries, and power lines. The designated site for deep-sea mining holds terrific importance, covering an approximate 280,000 square kilometers of the Norwegian continental shelf, which is larger than the UK. There is a place in the Barents and Greenland Seas to the east of Jan Mayen Island and to the south of Svalbard. Norway is thought to have some of the most mineral-rich land in its economic area. Only Fiji is thought to have more. Another considerable element is Norway's long-standing experience in oil and gas expeditions in rough aquatic environments. The nation views deep-sea mining as a sensible expansion of its industrial abilities. Nonetheless, this decision has not been without dispute. Environmental researchers, lobbyists, and some political groups have raised significant concerns concerning the prospective eco-friendly effects of deep-sea mining. Despite these problems, the Norwegian federal government keeps saying that it is taking a cautious strategy, highlighting that ecological studies will certainly be a requirement for the issuance of mining licenses and that real mining tasks are not expected to start until the very early 2030s. On the whole, Norway's choice shows a balancing act between tapping into its abundant aquatic resources for industrial growth and resolving environmental issues and clinical unpredictability connected to deep-sea environments. What are the technological benefits? The technological benefits of Norway's deep-sea mining initiative include the development of advanced mining techniques adapted for underwater conditions. This involves creating platforms on the seabed that can drill shafts into the ocean floor, potentially allowing for more efficient extraction of minerals.

The technologies needed for deep-sea mining are still in early development, encompassing challenges like operating equipment from a ship in various weather conditions. Moreover, Norway's experience in offshore exploration provides a foundation for overcoming these challenges and developing more environmentally considerate mining methods​​. Norway's deep-sea mining initiative will face technical challenges. Developing Equipment for Harsh Conditions: The machinery must be operable from ships in varying weather conditions and under different sea states. High Costs of Offshore Operations: Operating far out at sea is expensive, especially when bad weather causes disruptions, leading to high operational costs even when mining activities are halted. Environmental Impact Assessment: There's a need to understand the ecological consequences of mining operations, including the effect of mining machines on seabed life and potential particle emissions. Technology Development: Many of the required technologies are still in their infancy. This includes developing closed systems to reduce particle and metal emissions into the water and transporting materials in a way that minimizes environmental impact. Balancing Profitability and Environmental Protection: Ensuring that mining is economically viable while also being environmentally responsible is a major challenge. When will work start, and how long will it take? The actual start date for Norway's deep-sea mining operations is not specified in the available information. However, it's noted that the Norwegian government plans to conduct further environmental studies before issuing licenses for mining. This indicates that the actual commencement of mining activities might not happen immediately and could be planned for the early 2030s. The duration of these operations will depend on various factors, including the extent of mineral deposits, technological advancements, and environmental assessments. The process is expected to evolve over several years as it progresses from exploration to actual extraction.