#a-plan

In order to reduce the use of fossil fuels, petrol can now contain up to 5% ethanol and diesel can now contain up to 7% biodiesel.  These percentages may well increase in the future.

If you see E5 in a circle on a petrol pump, it means that the fuel is 5% ethanol.  Similarly B7 in a square on a diesel pump means that the fuel is 7% biodiesel.  Filler caps on new cars will show the maximum percentage of renewable fuel allowed for the vehicle.

To read more, please click on https://blog.aplan.co.uk/look-out-for-new-labels-at-fuel-pumps/?utm_source=personal_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=october19_newsletter .  This takes you to an article by A-Plan Insurance Brokers.  I recommend subscribing to this interesting and excellent blog.

Travel after the Pandemic

One day, this pandemic will be over and we’ll be able to travel again.  It’s worth noting that there are new procedures for visiting the EU now that England, Scotland and Wales have genuinely left the block from the start of this year.

There’s another excellent short post on A-Plan’s blog about the new procedures, which you’ll find on  https://blog.aplan.co.uk/will-you-need-a-green-card/?utm_source=personal_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jan21_newsletter&S2REF=784135  When restrictions eventually ease, there’s likely to be a surge in demand for certain services and hence delays.

Those needing to renew a passport or apply for a GHIC (global health insurance card) should do so as soon as possible.  Another good idea is to check whether your non-coronavirus injections are up to date and diary on for (say) some time this summer.

Dealing with Incorrect News

I heard a perfect illustration this morning of how not to do this.  The link is  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000s17w  and the offending section starts at 2 hours and 53 minutes.

A vegan lady who was named believed incorrectly that one of the vaccines contained horseshoe crab blood and said that she didn’t want to have that.  The right response was to assure the lady that none of the vaccines contains any animal product and don’t believe everything you read on social media.  However, panelist Dame Clare Gerada chose to laugh disrespectfully.

My experience is that the vast majority of bloggers tell the truth as they see it, although they can be wrong.  Our government and its agencies need to engage constructively in order to get the real facts about vaccination recognised.

Passing the UK Driving Test

The first of the two parts is the theory test.  Here are 12 sample questions which should determine whether you could pass today.  Hopefully non UK readers will be interested in comparing our theory test with their own version.

https://blog.aplan.co.uk/would-you-pass-your-driving-theory-test-if-you-took-it-today/?utm_source=personal_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oct20_newsletter&S2REF=784135

For the record, I scored 11, missing out on question 2 about tyre tread depth.  In the late 1960s, there were only three oral questions given (perhaps unfairly) immediately after the actual driving.  All three answers had to be right.  A favourite question was how to turn right off a motorway.  Since we drive on the left, the correct answer was to use a slip road on the left (and not to slow down in the overtaking lane on the right!).

Here’s a potentially useful link for finding the lowest petrol/diesel prices in your area. https://blog.aplan.co.uk/local-fuel-prices/

Simply input your full postcode, type of fuel and radius of search to see the lowest prices available.  It’s one of the easiest to use websites I’ve seen.  Naturally it is only as good as the underlying data, so please try it and add your experience in the notes below.  The claim is that it covers 83% of petrol stations nationwide, so your favourite station may not be included.

Price is not the only consideration.  You may like the people in the garage shop or dislike something about it.  The approach road may be terrible.  My car runs really well on Texaco petrol, but a member of my family reports that his car doesn’t etc etc.

Source: A-Plan’s very informative blog, which can be found on blog.aplan.co.uk

“It was Mental Health Awareness Week from 18-24 May and for many of us, this will be week 10 of being at home, away from friends and family, which has no doubt started to take its toll.  We’ve previously written about looking after your wellbeing - both physically and mentally, but we wanted to provide a fresh perspective on looking after your mental health, now that we’re further into the coronavirus crisis.”

To read the whole article, please click on https://blog.aplan.co.uk/looking-after-your-mental-health-in-lockdown/?utm_source=personal_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=june20_newsletter&S2REF=784135

What not to Leave in your Car during Freezing Weather

A-Plan Insurance Brokers’ January e-mail contains the usual range of well written, informative and short articles including one with the above title.  It lists seven items including medication, carbonated drinks and your car keys!  The full article can be found at https://blog.aplan.co.uk/not-leave-car-freezing-weather/?utm_source=personal_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=january20_newsletter&S2REF=784135