Caveat emptor...............

I am ashamed to admit that I fell for an email scam today. I had the following email from 'paypal' : -

'Security Center

Military Grade Encryption is Only the StartAt PayPal, we want to increase your security and comfort level with every transaction. From our Buyer and Seller Protection Policies to our Verification and Reputation systems, we'll help to keep you safe.

We have recently noticed one or more attempts to log into your PayPal account from a foreign IP address.We also have reason to believe that your account may have been hijacked by a third party without your authorization.

If you recently accessed your account while traveling, the unusual login attempts may have been initiated by you. However, if you are the rightful holder of the account, click on the link below to log into your account within the above-mentioned period.

http://24.227.81.226:8880/paypal.co.uk/

If you choose to ignore our request,

you leave us no choice but to temporarily suspend your account.

We ask that you allow at least 72 hours for the case to be investigated and we strongly recommend to verify your account in that time.

If you received this notice and you are not the authorized account holder, please be aware that it is in violation of PayPal policy to represent oneself as another PayPal user. Such action may also be in violation of local, national, and/or international law.

PayPal is committed to assist law enforcement with any inquires related to attempts to misappropriate personal information with the intent to commit fraud or theft. Information will be provided at the request of law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we work together to protect your account.

Sincerely,

PayPal Account Review Department
PayPal, an eBay Company

*Please do not respond to this e-mail as your reply will not be received.










A series of unfortunate events / coincidences led my usually high level of scepticism fall for a while, and I believed the mail, filled it in, and then had a revalation of what a schmuck I had been. I phoned paypal who told me what a schmuck I was, and so did my credit card company. I have now cancelled my card, my paypal account, and all my passwords. A lot of effort for no reward. I am a schmuck.

A salutory tale. Beware, & don't make the same mistake as I (the schmuck).

At the matties's

This is not the matthewses.

Do not talk to these people.

Do not buy them chips.

GCSE Results (part 2)

WELL DONE BISHOPSTON PUPILS AND TEACHERS!

According to a list published in Friday's Telegraph, Bish Comp achieved the highest percentage of entries at A*+ A (38.0), and the second highest percentage of candidates with 5 or more A* - C grades (79.2) in Wales!

A fantastic result, and what a great feeling it is to be joining them in just over one week.

I plan to do my very best to contribute to them maintaining this standard in the years to come.

Little miss clever ( and Mr & Mrs Proud)

Little Miss Clever had her GCSE results today, and made Kim & I very proud.

they are : -





Art and Design A*
French B
History B
Child Development B
Maths B
Science : double B
Science : double B
English C
English Lit C
Welsh C

So that's 1 * A*, 6 * B's, 3 * C's.

Not bad, even if I say so myself :)

Taking the p***?

It sounds as if someone is having fun at the expense of The Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Bi-lingual signs that should have read 'Cyclists dismount', were actually printed saying ' bladder inflammation upset' :) Oh how we laughed....

From BBC News Wales : -

Cyclists were left confused by a bilingual road sign telling them they had problems with an inflamed bladder.

The "cyclists dismount" sign between Penarth and Cardiff became "llid y bledren dymchwelyd" in Welsh - literally "bladder inflammation upset" (or tip or overturn).

The Vale of Glamorgan Council said new signs were being made.

It is possible that an online translation led to confusion between cyclists and cystisis.

The temporary sign at roadworks is to be replaced.

Swansea, Knotweed capital of Britain

From the BBC link :-

It seems that Swansea is at the top of the UK list for the knotty problems facing the would be eliminators of Japanese Knotweed.

We have an infestation at the back of Howell Poultry. Just as well we've sold it then!

Howell Poultry, RIP

Done it, Done it, Done it!

Howell Poultry is finally sold, if not quite sealed & delivered yet. as the joke goes, I have a small deposit...............

YaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaY!

Tut Tut!

Kim has just asked me why I call pouffes (padded footstools) 'tuts'. My only answer is that's what I've always called them. I shall have to find out why....................................

Castell Henllys Iron Age Hill Fort

We took the kids to http://www.castellhenllys.com/ yesterday, and had a damn fine day. Daniel, who is into http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/ big time, spent the afternoon running around, fighting imaginary foes. Dylan had his face painted with woad, and thought he was the bees knees.