On Mon, 14 Feb 2000, The Shaws wrote: > Actually, the "old" UK length system is a curious mixture of decimal and > non-decimal > > Start with a mile > Take half = half a mile = 880 yards > Take half = a quarter mile = 440 yards > Take half = 1 furlong = 220 yards
Then, here is where horse racing enters! Other than a rare short (sprint) race at half-furlong (4.5 or 5.5) distances, all are in increments of furlongs. Except for 1-mile, 70 yards! > By the way Frank - the fuel companies here changed to litres in the hope > that we wouldn't figure out just how much a gallon costs. 75p per litre = > ?3.41 per gallon, well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. > Work that price out in dollars per gallon - I couldn't believe how cheap > fuel was in the USA. > > Mike Try Russia: Not only do they have 5 (and somtimes more) grades at the pump, up to 110 Octane (unheard of in the US since the 60's, except for boats and aircraft), but a typical upper-middle grade, maybe 90 Octane, sells for around 6 Rubles, about $0.23/14 pence, per litre! When you consider that the Russian State is in NO economic condition to subsidize consumer fuel prices, I have to think *we* are getting shafted! Dave
