Low & No Alcohol Wine & Liqueurs

I've had a number of health problems of late which have meant that I can't partake of the usual alcoholic seasonal fare. Not, mind you, I've ever been a great drinker, but, you know how it is when you can't have someting.....
A little while before Christmas I ordered a case of drinks from a website www.lono.co.uk and received very quickly a well packed selection of exactly what I'd ordered. Also enclosed (a nice personal touch this) a welcome note from one of LoNo's staff!
During Christmas lunch I finished off most of my bottle of Zinfandel, bottled from a dealcoholised californian wine by Ariel. While I'm no wine buff, this was really very good, slightly sweet, with a rosey blush without being a rose whine, very light, very nice - and without the alcoholic bite. A very nice drink!
I've also opened my bottle of Frutaysol Manzana Verde, which describes itself as "original magic schnapps". This is a green slightly viscous drink with an enormous aroma of apples, and the taste of an orchard. I've never tasted real Schnapps, but I strongly suspect that this is not it - but it's a very pleasant drink all the same - however, as it's a 'sort-of-liqueur' you really couldn't drink much of it. I've been sipping it neat, but it might go down at a greater speed with ice, or diluted with water (I don't hink lemonade would cut it, but I might have a go).
LoNo also sell a Pernod substitute - Ricard Pacific - I've had a bottle of this in the cupboard for a couple of years. I love the taste and smell of anise, so this stuff is great. I generally dilute it about 1 in 4 with cold water, as suggested on the bottle. However, I find Pacific a little dissapointing - it lacks that certain something, that I imagine the alcohol brings to Pernod. But never mind - it's a pleasant drink
It's actually quite nice being able to drink this stuff without all the after effects that C2H5OH brings!

Bus services along the Hinckley Road

So, what's new round here?
Arriva buses is the main bus company, which has recently greatly improved the service along Hinckley Road with a very regular service on the 158 between Leicester and Earl Shilton on to Hinckley and the badlands to the West. Stagecoach have also revised their offering to the same neck of the woods with a revamp of their service which is now route 48. This means that their is proper competition between Coventry and Leicester, and within Leicester, along Hinckley Road. The Stagecoach 48 buses seem to more comfortable, but the locals (in Leicester) don't seem to get it - they often pass people standing at bus stops along the way. Probably because, in Leicester, Arriva, Stagecoach, and First Bus (the other main operator, leaving aside Centrebus, Woods Coaches etc) don't seem to undersstand the concept of integrated transport. Will Someone Please Explain To Me Why - we can't have a single day ticket or season ticket? The Arriva Day ticket at £2.50 is currently excellent value, but I dare say, someone in Head Office will soon notice that!