Wish you were here?
Tuesday 28th June 2011, 2:58PM BST.
Seymour Tower was one of the locations featured on the ITV1 programme;
A TV programme featuring Jersey was watched by more than three million people and could attract more 1(1)k residents to the Island, Jersey Tourism has said.
Some 3.2 million viewers tuned in for the hour-long Countrywise programme last Tuesday, making it the 9th most-watched programme on ITV1 last week and the most popular episode of the series so far.
And as well as causing a spike in demand for information about holidays to the Island, the department that deals with 1(1)k relocations has also seen an increase in interest.
Mike Tait from Jersey Tourism said the programme, which led to one of the busiest days ever for Tourism’s website Jersey.com, had been a huge success for the Island.
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Well that’s just what we need, more 11K tax dodgers. Roll up, roll up, hide your money, buy your quals and live the tax dodgin life o Riley.
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Hopefully they won’t read the JEP after watching the program. They will be disappointed with the truth …
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Some people are never happy with anything (1 & 2), I really can’t see how this is a bad thing.
Awaits the barrage of moans…
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Typical Jersey response. ‘Could attract’…’increase in interest’….’one of the busiest days ever for the website’. Whoopy doo!!! People looked at a website and made some enquiries. Oh my God, Tourism is alive and well.
Please tell me Mr Tait, how has the programme been a ‘huge success’ for the Island?
Why do Jersey people continue to allow these ‘leaders’ to accept mediocrity and praising nothing in particular?
It is a success if it amounts to something. Otherwise it is a failure. Pathetic.
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No more 1(1)k’s please … it’s not the kind of Jersey that I want.
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Give it a break, it’s something positive about Jersey, god knows we need something positive to be said about the island.
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Happy to see the 1(1)k as long as they pay the same tax as the rest of us.
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The visitors who do come will soon come down to earth when they see the prices and ugly concrete blocks everywhere,the traffic etc.
You can fool some of the people some of time comes to mind
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Whoppe! Then you see the cost of air fares, if the planes are actually flying, or the cost of a ferry, if they are runing. Then the cost of acomadation, if available, then the cost of hire cars. Stuff it ! Lets go to Spain!
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This is an amazing promotion for Jersey – an hour of prime time ITV showing Jersey in its best light – WOW!
I think Jersey Tourism and all those involved in making this happen deserve a very good pat on the back. Even if it cost money to make happen it was worth every penny. That sort of exposure and third party endorsement is invaluable.
Well done for making it happen and well done to everyone who appeared in selling our island.
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Just wondering how much jersey tourism paid to have that “programme” aired. As someone who has worked in the advertising business,here is the answer. Jersey tourism spends mi££ions on tv adverts every year,so in return the television companies commision a “programme” in return for jersey`s contribution to thier coffers.Any wonder we got a great big plug,all paid for by us,the taxpayer.Basically it was a “freebie” and not a very good one at that.
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@ Andrew – well said. I love living in Jersey and am happy to accept any ridiculously wealthy people who want to pay tax. I’m proud of Jersey and if you aren’t don’t bother to comment !!
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It was aired on Council TV, sorry ITV. So will attract the low life that we seem to have a lot of over here.
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guernsey, attracted more 1.1ks than jersey did (no?).
come on in , as mark states “pay the same as the rest of us”.
yes good to see a programme about, jersey, its a great place .
cant get away from the fact that we are expensive .
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archie rondel – not sure what your job in advertising involved – possibly a walking sandwich board? Because you know absolutely nothing about how TV programmes are commisioned. No mainstream TV company makes programmes based on who advertises with it (I wish) – trust me I have worked (at a senior level) in advertising for a couple of decades.
I watched the programme and it showed Jersey in a fantastic light, although as others have said it will be much harder to convert the enquiries to sales – lack of decent hotels and silly money travel costs will see to that.
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3. Content Bob
HOW TRUE!!
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For the last 21 years my wife and I have been visiting your beautiful island. For the last five years we have spent six weeks each year holidaying on Jersey.
Fortunately, we know what Jersey has to offer tourists, so the comments made by #1,#2,#4,#5,#8,#9,#11 will not change our opinions at all. However, any potential tourists happening across this website will probably be immediately put off by the comments made by those above.
What an own goal! Jersey does rely a great deal on tourism to generate tax income, or are you not aware of this fact? Tourism goes down – tax income goes down. The states will have to find income from other sources, perhaps raising GST again? Wake up and appreciate what you have before it’s too late.
By the way, the higher cost of living in Jersey is a small price to pay for living in such a beautiful and safe (yes – safe)environment. I’d swap anytime.
Try going on-line and reading some of the stories on any of the larger UK city newspaper sites. The “Problems With Jersey” which generate most of the negative comments in this forum will pale into total insignificance compared with what goes on in the UK on a daily basis.
Just give us the chance and we’d be over in Jersey permanently.
David Jones
Manchester
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I hope none of the people thinking of coming over here read these pages and see what a bunch of moaning old whingers live here.
You lot should listen to yourselves then try smiling every now and again.
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Yes Jersey like most places has its beauty spots and this programme showed a lot of them.
However, as we all know this is not the reality of the Island and I’m sure on approaching the harbour or the airport people will soon begin to realise this.
Its a bit like the enticing photo of the McDonald’s meal, looks good enough to eat, but it isn’t really.
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I honestly cant believe people are moaning that so many people are interested in our Island.
Despite what you all say, Jersey is a beautiful and considerably safer place to live than anywhere I have been or seen in the UK or even the EU. Although I do have a soft spot for Whales!
The States have also proposed legislation very recently to reduce the number of people coming here to work so if that sticks this can only be a plus for us all.
Was anyone down St Ounes on Sunday? How can you moan about that?
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David Jones and his wife sound like the type of resident Jersey should be attracting, quite apart from being welcome visitors.
Instead, we now have an increasing proportion of residents who really don’t want to be in Jersey other than for lucrative reasons. They can’t wait to get away at every opportunity and want to change the island into whatever suits their agenda.
A great many comfortably off people who would undoubtedly contribute to the island’s economy but who are not 1.1.K material would give their eye teeth to live in Jersey because they like the environment and the (rapidly disappearing) pace of life. Sounds to me like that includes the Jones family.
One small point David, the preferred form is ‘in Jersey’ when referring to the island as a community. However, if you don’t particularly like the people and only appreciate the landscape, I fully understand ‘where you are coming from’ as they say. Perhaps Jersey is better stayed on than in!
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Re 7 Mark. 1(1)k’s will not pay the same tax as you, they will probably pay 10, 20 or 50 times as much. Why can’t the moaners on this site see that it is the absolute amount paid by 1(1)k’s that matters and not the rate. The tax they pay in Jersey is a gift to the Island with very little associated cost.
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David Jones (17)
Thank you for your kind words about the Island. Everywhere has its faults, but I believe Jersey is a fantastic place to live provided that people open their eyes to what it has to offer, rather than complain about what it is not.
Beautiful countryside, unspoiled beaches, fantastic restaurants and pubs, a short commute, relatively low crime. What price do you put on being able to go straight to the beach from work, catch your own dinner from a pier, surf, kayak or swim in the sea or just sit on a cliffpath bench and appreciate the silence? That is the reality of the island (joh 19), and if you disagree then why don’t you change your lifestyle and experience what Jersey does have to offer.
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Do any of you ever get tired of moaning! Jersey may have its faults but I for one accept them as it is a beautiful island to live on and if you dislike it so much why don’t you leave!
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@23 Donald. That was probably the most perceptive, intelligent and true comment I have read here on this site. I chose to live elsewhere but the Island offers so much more than many other places as you point out. Some whinging Islanders have no idea what so ever about other tax rates around the world. Where I reside mirrors your view on lifestyle but with one hell of a difference in my net pay packet. To the negative, get a reality check. To Mr Jones I wouldn’t gladly shout you a beer next time I’m over during your enjoyable vacations.
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What they dont mention is the fact that it will cost you five quid for a sandwich.
Also the “Jersey celebrities” who “all” drive the black coffin Range Rovers and Porsches.
“Yes” Jersey is full of “wanabees” who if the truth were told are nobodys!
Just look at me! i drive a fancy car,but live in a bedsit with mold on the walls and no underpants.
This is the “real” Jersey! famous for its cows and full of bullsh*t!
I wonder will the moderaters be brave enough to print this? The truth? Probably not!
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“I’m proud of Jersey and if you aren’t don’t bother to comment !!”
Its called freedom of expression/speech Fred #12.
At the moment it is not an offence to voice an opinion that differs to yours. I am sure it will be one day but we are not there just yet.
Jersey is still a nice place with many positive aspects but it could be a great deal better. Wearing rose coloured spectacles does help but we have to acknowledge our failures too if we are going to learn.
Is it getting better or worse? My opinion (sorry Fred) is that it is a worse place to live than it was 30 years ago, not a better place.
It is also a significantly worse to visit in terms of cost, value for money, things to do, entertainment and places to stay. eg I recall cabarets and shows in almost every hotel but now you are lucky to find one man, a guitar and a collection of backing tracks to entertain you.
Successive governments have allowed tourism to decline.
By the way, it is also perfectly legitimate to complain that some 11k’s pay far less income tax than your average working class geeza.
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God Bless Davy Jones @17 and people like Donald Pond! I know from my regular contact with visitors that the vast majority would move here like a shot if they could.
As for the whining leftie Jersey-bashers like bella and Micky Mouse, please, please, please go if you hate the place so much! Then we can have room for two more people who appreciate that Jersey, despite its many faults, is the best place in the world to live (and I have lived in many)…
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To David Jones (comment 17) Sadly Jersey’s tourism market is nothing like it used to be as you must have noticed if you have been going for over twenty years!! I am pleased that you obviously enjoy Jersey but bear in mind that a fabulous holiday is very different from the reality of living somewhere.We left Jersey five years ago and live now in a rural part of the UK which we love and we would never return to Jersey because quite simply our standard of living now is far superior and more enjoyable than it was in Jersey.I would never criticise anyone for staying in or leaving Jersey as people want different things but you cannot really judge what it is like to live somewhere through having a holiday there.I hope you continue to enjoy your holidays- wherever they may be!
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(27)well said.
The ones that remember Jersey how it was, and what it has become can see the deterioration and decline in every aspect.
All these changes have not benefited us at all.
If only they could see how we used to be,and how we are now,they too would agree that Jersey has gone downhill bit by bit.
And we are called whingers for voicing an opinion!
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Andy (22) Why can’t the moaners on this site see
Andy, please remove your blinkers. It is 1(1)k’s who want the privilege of living on ‘my island’, they don’t have to come, I am sure there would be many like David Jones (17) prepared to pay their way. We all know the pro and cons of living in Jersey, it is just that our skewer tax system is dragging in many that I would prefer to go elsewhere.
Go to Australia and even the well-to-do immigrants have to renew their visas every 5 five years. A similar regulation would see us shed 1(1)k’s who no longer contribute their fair share. Should we not lose those 1(1)k’s who are now living of the system?
That is my point-of-view and not a moan. Andy, your blanket reference to ‘moaners’ was the classic moan.
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Mark (31), I am confused by:
‘It is 1(1)k’s who want the privilege of living on ‘my island’, they don’t have to come, I am sure there would be many like David Jones (17) prepared to pay their way.’
This article refers to prospective 1(1)k’s who will pay a minimum tax of £125,000 per annum.
Re existing 1(1)k’s who no longer pay their way, I quite agree, they should switch to either the new 1(1)k rules or the full 20%.
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Sir
One congratulates Mr Tait and his colleagues for their efforts in promoting our island abroad. In stark contrast, one regrets, to so many of one’s fellow correspondents whose constant mean spirited whinging portrays the local community in the worst possible light.
One hopes that the programme did our ‘island home’ justice in emphasising its myriad attactions.
Our stable and efficient system of government will reassure potential ‘blue chip’ residents, who will no doubt marvel at Jersey’s astounding natural beauty which has only been enhanced by recent building projects such as the Waterfront development, which must now surely rival Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
And of course, above all there is the ‘jewel in our crown’: Jersey’s hard won reputation as the family holiday destination par excellence.
Proud Jerseyman
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28
Nobody is disputing that Jersey is a nice place to live-when the TVs programme focus on jersey they should show the downside as well as the attractive parts
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Local people are not moaners,they fully realise that Jersey is a great place to live,have done for generations but they just don’t see the necesitity in welcoming everyone from the rest of the world to work or live here.Jersey is only 9 by 5!And its already full.Someone coming on holiday is different to someone coming to work then wanting to bring all their family members over.The quality of life for most local people was better 20 years ago.The quality of life for new immigrants is probably better for them now than wherever they came from otherwise they wouldn’t be here.This isn’t a racist or zenophobic comment (i’m half european myself) its just that Jersey is full!The quality of life will eventally erode for everybody.
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Don’t forget Ozouf wants to further reduce 1.1k’s tax to 1% above 125k.
I myself would pull the plug on this sort of deal. I would want to encourage those who are prepared to pay more.
125k tax equates to an income above 625k. More people are now moving into this income bracket, any above this will therefore be paying more tax than a 1.1k with 100m income for example. (Maybe these high earners should push for 1.1k status to save money)
Those already here pay 100k though it has been pointed out on a previous JEP report that some pay substancially less than this!
RT good to see you back as your alter ego Euan Mee.
27. is right Jersey has gone substancially downhill since the 1970′s. The quality of life is deteriorating almost daily now and we have the icing on the cake that is GST eventually to be 20% on top of 20% VAT.
Upsides to Jersey the lovely scenery though some of the island has been destroyed by over development, obviously the beaches which are far superior to the likes of Oz even though they don’t like to admit it, and those kind hearted genuine folks who would share their last meal with you.
Most of the rest is negative i.e. the growing greed culture where possessions mean everything and getting ahead by all means possible trumps everything else, the gradual destruction of the ambiance of the place, increased taxation for those least able to afford it, high house prices, overcrowding, rising stress levels at work, being told to work longer, etc etc.
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“#
David Jones
Posted June 29, 2011 at 1:08 am
For the last 21 years my wife and I have been visiting your beautiful island. For the last five years we have spent six weeks each year holidaying on Jersey.
Fortunately, we know what Jersey has to offer tourists, so the comments made by #1,#2,#4,#5,#8,#9,#11 will not change our opinions at all. However, any potential tourists happening across this website will probably be immediately put off by the comments made by those above.
What an own goal! Jersey does rely a great deal on tourism to generate tax income, or are you not aware of this fact? Tourism goes down – tax income goes down. The states will have to find income from other sources, perhaps raising GST again? Wake up and appreciate what you have before it’s too late.
By the way, the higher cost of living in Jersey is a small price to pay for living in such a beautiful and safe (yes – safe)environment. I’d swap anytime.
Try going on-line and reading some of the stories on any of the larger UK city newspaper sites. The “Problems With Jersey” which generate most of the negative comments in this forum will pale into total insignificance compared with what goes on in the UK on a daily basis.
Just give us the chance and we’d be over in Jersey permanently.
David Jones
Manchester”
David,
There is a HUGE difference in life experience between holidaying somewhere for a few weeks as a tourist and living there permanently as a resident.
I’ve seen more personal friends leave this island over the past 5 years due to the ongoing decline in quality of life than I’ve known leave in my previous 30 years here.
A number more, sick to the back teeth of the ever increasing cost of living, are planning to go as soon as they can afford it.
The negative comments you complain about reading are justified. Unfortunately.
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Whilist I am very happy that people like David Jones enjoy Jersey, and incidentally I am a Friend of Jersey Tourism, I do a lot of walking and talking about the Island when at the shows to which I take my show vehicles. I have to say,visiting the Island is a lot diffrent to living there. I’m afraid Julie #29 is right. To live in Jersey now, decently, I’d have to be a millionaire, and even then, how much time do the 1(1)K residents actually spend on the Island? I’ll lay odds a lot of time is spent travelling elsewhere.
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My boyfriend joins the throngs of Jersey-born who I’ve heard saying “I watched it, it was really good, wish I lived there”
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Cant wait, we are going to be up to our necks in tourists, coping with a multitude of chinese business deals, all driving electric cars and all thanks to a tv programme and Freddie and co off on a couple of jollies.
No wonder developers want to build as many flats
as they can, we’re going to need them!
Recession ,what recession?
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Content Bob
Posted June 29, 2011 at 8:43 am
I hope none of the people thinking of coming over here read these pages and see what a bunch of moaning old whingers live here.
HOW TRUE!!!! You are the best possible example for a self-destruction!
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Anyone calling themselves “Proud Jerseyman” must have a chip the size of epping forest.
Humility is a name to be looked up to,if such a quality exists in some of the big headed twits over here.Remember pride before a fall.
Stop ailienating anyone whos not from Jersey with this “trash”.Who do you think you are god!
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I Live in liverpool and have family who live in st heleir jersey and me and my wife and 2 children absouletly love it here i have been coming to the island since i was 5 thats 30yrs now of happy times im over again in august but believe me you really dont know how lucky you are! the uk is being run down by the minute i love my city but if i had an oppurtunity to come hear for the rest of my life i WOULD!!!! yes it is pricey but your lifestyle to ours is unbeleiveble 5-10 mins from a beach in a car lovely weather…most of the time …ha ha! but honestly please dont run your island down embrace it please……… see you soon jersey beans!!
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So if I win the £134.000.000 on tomorrows euro-millions would i be welcome on your island?
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Just got back from Jers, it stinks. Stayed at Raddison on sea front, whole hotel stunk of sewage, but I was assured it was smell of seaweed.
Don`t care what it was, it was very unpleasant and spoilt our stay.
Jersey is very expensive, I couldn`t believe how much you paid for food in your Supermarkets. Your petrol is a bit cheaper though. The tv programme didn`t mention the smelly seaweed, selfish yobs, traffic fumes from cars not fit to be on your roads, etc etc.
Enough moaning, I will probably revisit when have plenty of cash. Iam off to Spain now, adios.
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#45 Admittedly this part of Town has, of late, had a stronger smell than usual from the seaweed (and yes, it is seaweed baking in the sun).
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Robert
‘Just got back from Jers, it stinks…I was assured it was smell of seaweed.
French Lettuce, decomposing on the beach!
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#42
‘Anyone calling themselves “Proud Jerseyman” must have a chip the size of epping forest.’
I suspect that Proud Jerseyman is taking the mickey, Mickey.
The giveaway has to be ‘..the Waterfront development, which must now surely rival Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah as the Eighth Wonder of the World’.
Unless, of course, he’s RT in disguise.
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Why attract more ‘residents’ for God’s sake.
Tourists yes, residents NO
The campaign to ‘cap the population’ will be on the back burner then?.
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The size of the population will be a major issue at the coming election. It will be interesting to see who gets elected – hopefully someone who will the stop immigration.
Guernsey is bringing in all kinds of work permits and rights to live there – why can’t Jersey do the same??
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Jersey is a nice enough place to visit, but I think I’ll stay living in leafy Surrey. So don’t worry.
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It was just a programme people!
Don’t worry any holidaymakers or potential homebuyers will only come, realise the Island is filled with racists, disgusting youths and rich uneducated twits. Then they won’t be back!!! Worry over.
Next topic…
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I am not sure why so many people moan about living in Jersey. I have lived here on and off for 25 yrs, lived all over the world but am still drawn to the place.
Why can’t people afford to live here? I can. I earn £12,000 approx a year. Pay the bills, run an old car, eat good food and don’t waste money. I still manage to save and enjoy lots of time off. (I work part time). Are all the people who say its too expensive to live here living beyond their means?. Live basically and enjoy whats free in this island ie nature, the beaches, cycling to places. ….just don’t get sick! Doctor’s fees, now thats another story.
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@52 “…the Island is filled with racists”
Wow, that’s a very serious allegation.
Please provide evidence that I am a racist or, more generally, that the island is filled with them.
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@52
I agree with you, THANK GOD, Lets hope we’ve seen the back of them!!!
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Wow, where was this place? I would love to visit it!
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