Thanks folks.

As horrible as the world events are, I find it's possible to ration how much of that news I take in at any one point.

It's harder to get away from the Government's direct and explicit attacks on disabled people.

I really don't want to bring the full rant here, but it is cowardly and disgusting. If they want to save taxpayer's money, maybe stop giving large chunks of it to private enterprise endorsed by colleagues and start thinking about how to fix the NHS and other vital social services. NOt to mention recruitment. If you want disabled people in work, start doing something about accessibility.

There's also no law in this country designating that hate crime against disability exists. Only against race, gender and sexuality. So people can do and say what they like and call it 'free speech', so long as they don't commit another crime like assault.

In London, in one twenty four hour period I overheard two discussions on buses which used derogatory language about autistic people.

I also overheard one autistic lad trying to explain to his friend what a meltdown was and why he was so angry with another friend for falsely accusing him of something. And I really felt for him and his future.

All in one 24 hour period.

I actually never hear comments like that here where I live. It did rather shock me, honestly...it reminded me how so many folk seem to believe we exist on another plane and don't hear/feel comments people make about us. I also don't go around eavesdropping on bus conversations, but it's hard not to hear people yelling or having loud phone conversations.

ponyfan and BC, the poor little things. I'm sure you did everything you could for them. All it would take is one bringing a bug into the tank for them all to potentially be affected, but it's so demoralising

I don't really know how to articulate my not very trivial complaint without bringing the thread into the murky world of politics. Just, I am fed up with being part of a demographic that our government are targeting, hassling and frankly scapegoating in order to try and secure right-wing voters in the upcoming (whenever, soon please!) election. I am not going into details, but it is, quite frankly, TERRIFYING.

It's sunny here right now. It's meant to be a nice weekend. I'm going in the garden later, with any luck

Yesterday was also mostly nice. I've been in London/Surrey, and the weather down there was changeable to say the least. There was one thunderstorm and a couple of hailstorms, but also bright sunshine which was lovely to walk in. Not a lot of rain despite the forecast. I managed to walk quite a lot without getting caught in a downpour.

I love walking in the outer zones of London because I can use the bus stops to navigate and not get lost, while still seeing nature

They are from the same release year, but I would still err on the side of it's been changed over later at some point.

I think their official release date is May, but I may be wrong about that. It may also be the dock issue that's delaying them stateside.

Back from my trip down south. Can report no new plushes down there, only the first three.
The Toymaster franchise stores in Staines and Putney both had the blind bag figures, so I managed to complete my set (no extras, sorry, limited bag space!)

I have a nice photo of Putney's pony range, here it is...

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They also had some greater range in G5. I said some, so don't get excited Putney also had Celestials and the 40th anniversary collector ponies.

Epsom had nothing as far as I could see this time. Sutton had Nova and I think the 40th anniversary collector ponies.

All Novas and Polaris etc had the original stripes. No pink ones.

On the non-toymaster front, Fenwicks in Kingston had Nova and a lone plush Firefly in the middle of a doll section. Nowhere else that I saw.

Entertainer in Wimbledon had basically the same as Entertainer here. Which amused me greatly.

And TKMaxx somewhere, I forget where now, maybe Epsom? Had a single Rainbow Dash (one with poseable legs?) which must have been there a LONG TIME.

A side-note for anyone unfamiliar with London planning to visit and wanting to hunt ponies.

Thanks Ponyfan

UK peeps - if anyone's still looking for them, I found the Basic Fun blind boxes at GAME today! They only had two (i.e. not a whole box or anything) but figured I'd pass the info on anyway.

Game? That's unusual Thanks for the heads up.

I would also go with Buttons for the same reason as PonyBookworm. I love Bangles, though. And as a So Soft pony...I think Bangles wears it better. SS Buttons's flocking often gets dingy and loses her beauty beneath the fuzz. Regular Buttons is gorgeous though, and wins overall.