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Sunday 28 October 2018

Christmas Too Early

If there is one thing that really irritates me it is Christmas starting in the shops months too early! Yes, I know retailers are having a hard time on the high streets, but this is all driven by profits.

For me, Dec 1st is quite early enough for Christmas fare. Grumpy old man! This photo was shared on social media earlier.

Wednesday 24 October 2018

Grandchildren

These are our grandchildren this half-term. They are growing fast.

Tuesday 23 October 2018

Cactus Day

No, we'd not heard of this either! It was an invention of our granddaughter. 

To celebrate this day, we will celebrate Oct 22nd as Cactus Day every year from now on.

The photo show the cake that our grandson iced.

Why cactus? Absolutely no idea! 😀

Sunday 21 October 2018

Toadstools

OK, I am not very good at telling apart edible mushrooms from poisonous toadstools, so unless I am sure, it does not get touched or eaten! 

These toadstools (well I assume they are) were seen at Anglesey Abbey earlier in the week where they had removed an old tree. 

This seems to be the season to see all sorts of strange fungi.

Friday 19 October 2018

Mindfulness

A lot of us spend a lot of our time worrying about tomorrow. Often, what we most fear does not happen! 

There is a technique which may help. This has rapidly turned into a word for our time, but there is good science behind it. Mindfulness. 

Sometimes we have to think about tomorrow, but perhaps we spend too much of our time needlessly worrying, when we should concentrate on enjoying the good things around us now.


Saturday 13 October 2018

Saudi Arabia

It bothers me that the UK government wants to do business with Saudi Arabia and get them to fight wars on our behalf. In many ways this Middle East state appears out of step with values we hold dear.

The disappearance in Turkey of a critic of the regime makes us all the more suspicious. There may be an innocent explanation, but at the moment it looks murky.

In my view the current government is afraid of losing military contracts, so turns a blind eye on the kingdom's dirt. Moral high ground? We have none. The UK seems as bad as the rest.

Abandoned Boat?

This boat was seen at Lakenheath Fen last week. It looks abandoned.  A lot of the lakes there were dried up as we have had little rain this summer.

Friday 12 October 2018

Royal Wedding - another one!

Apparently the queen paid for the wedding, but we, Joe Public, paid for all the security. I am not sure where I stand on royalty. I guess as a brand it earns a few million, but I am against wealth and privilege when not earned. On the other hand I can't think of a suitable candidate for UK president! Most in public life are a shower.


Monday 8 October 2018

African Migrants Gone?

The African migrant birds seem to have gone. Swifts went several weeks ago and house martins and swallows seem to have largely gone. It is some weeks now since I last saw a swallow. Come next April, they will be back. In the meantime, safe journeys!

Village walk

Yesterday, we did a walk in the autumn sunshine around part of our village. It has grown a lot since we moved here in 1975, but still retains a "village" feel. Population is now over 6000.

Sunday 7 October 2018

St Ives (Cambs, UK)


My wife made this collage of our trip last week to St Ives (Cambs).

It makes a good summary of our trip, which is why it is included here.

At the top is the famous bridge and at the bottom is the market.

Monday 1 October 2018

Big Skies

We lack hills and mountains in East Anglia, but we do have some big skies. This photo was taken from a moving car about a mile from home.