Pastis, get your mask out of storage

[Barman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34mHZgP9vkc&feature=player_embedded

 

[Miss Demeanour]

And so it begins 

People with lung conditions like emphysema and asthma should stay indoors if volcanic ash starts to settle, a spokesman for the World Health Organisation said.

The ash from Iceland's volcano has potential health consequences because some particles may reach deep into the lungs, he said.

"From what we know at the moment, the majority of cloud ash is seven to 10km high up in the atmosphere," said spokesman Dan Epstein.

"Air quality monitoring networks have not yet reported particulate on the ground but, if it does reach the ground, it may have health effects.

"People with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis should avoid breathing in these particles. They should have their inhalers and other medication with them."

How many if, buts and maybes can be contained within one statement  ?

[Nick]

Apparently last time this volcano went off it erupted for 18 months  That would fook things up big time, innit?

And the BBC keeps talking about the wind direction being part of the problem. OK, reverse the wind direction and see what that gets you - USA and Canada cut off!

[Miss Demeanour]

Time to bung up the volcano then ...

Sounds like a job for you Nick 

[Nick]

Sounds like a job for the fire brigade

[Barman]

How long before they decide that it isn't dangerous to fly after all...? I give it a week absolute maximum... 

[Barman]

Whats the difference between Cheryl Cole and the Icelandic volcano?

The volcano is still blowing ash!

 

[Nick]

I hear Lufthansa and KLM have sent up jets "to see what happens"

They are prolly using Japanese pilots  

[Nick]

Whats the difference between Cheryl Cole and the Icelandic volcano?

The volcano is still blowing ash!

 

Another fine thread...etc.

[Just One More]

I hear Lufthansa and KLM have sent up jets "to see what happens"

They are prolly using Japanese pilots 

 A jet flew low over about one hour ago. Boscombe isn't far from here, maybe they're testing too?

[Snoopy]

The question is posed in today's Mail on Sunday "Why not simply fly beneath it?" and then they answer the question by saying flying low increases fuel consumption and thus costs. So is it more cost effective to use more fuel and pos carry less passengers (weight ratios and all that) or stay on the deck, buy no fuel but earn nowt?

[Nick]

FEWER passengers, Mr Editor 

Anyhoo, my car is covered in a mysterious fine abrasive dust 

[Pastis]

I checked mine at lunchtime but it seems to be normal, regular London dust, like. Saw a small prop plane earlier too! Everybody's heads turned because it WAS a PLANE 

Why didn't this happen with Mount St Helens then ?   

[Snoopy]

FEWER passengers, Mr Editor 

Anyhoo, my car is covered in a mysterious fine abrasive dust 

So would that be FEWER fuel then Mr Pedant?

Passengers in this case being a matter of payload. I could just as easily have said freight.

The difference is in the weight of payload v weight of fuel ratios. So less is acceptable I feel.

[Nick]

We say less fuel in England