BREXIT mess

Whether you voted "remain" or "leave" in the EU referendum, we can all agree on one thing: we are in a right mess!

At the moment the UK parliament is likely to reject the latest proposal and we are due to leave the EU in March this year. If I was a betting man, I would expect our departure to be delayed and some compromise deal agreed afterwards.

Most in the UK are bored with BREXIT and can't believe the mess. All we ever wanted was some control over those who live and work in the UK and tariff free trade with the EU. We never wanted a common currency and taxes, I think. Deep down, I expect most EU nations want this, along with peace in Europe. If this means an EU defence force instead of NATO, so be it.

Back to the drawing board...

Our home

We are lucky to live next to a 200 year old windmill and Burwell Museum, which is probably one of the very best local museums in the whole of the UK. It is manned Easter to the end of October mostly by volunteers. The old photo show our home directly in front of the windmill. We can see the windmill as we eat breakfast. Where I am sitting now in the lounge the view of the windmill is fantastic.

Grandchildren

We have our "London" grandchildren staying with us. They miss their kitten. My wife bought them each a cuddly kitten toy, which was a hit at bedtime.

BREXIT

One thing everyone in the UK can agree on about BREXIT is, "this is a fine mess". The world must be looking at the UK and thinking how stupid we must be! I am sure there is brinkmanship going on on the part of the EU and UK government, but at the moment we are heading (by mistake) for a no-deal BREXIT that no-one wants. 

The EU does a lot of trade with the UK, we need EU low skilled workers in our fields, care homes and hospitals. The EU will miss our money going into the pot. The EU is desperate for other nations not to leave. Time will tell how this will pan out. 

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46617152 .

Angry sky

At the moment, it gets dark early. From later this week the evenings get lighter, although mornings get darker until early January. With "our" windmill in the foreground the angry sky late today is great. Roll on warm summer evenings! It only seems 5 minutes since it got dark at 10pm!

See https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/

Mud

Exactly 6 years ago I visited my brother in Devon. The photo shows my boot after we got back from a walk!

"Come to sunny Devon where it rains 6 days out of 7".

Beetles

One of the exhibits at the recently refurbished Zoology Museum in Cambridge is of these beetles. Some are huge.

UAE Frees Academic

So the UAE has pardoned the academic who was researching security in the UAE I believe. No doubt this was a result of UK government pressure and the UAE fearing UK investment falling.

This reminds me of some years ago when the Greeks thought some UK plane spotters were spies: they just did not get it! It is true, some of us have very strange interests. 😊

One year on

About a year ago, the only bank in our village closed. It has still not sold. The plot is central and I am quite surprised it wasn't snapped up.

Mortality

Earlier, I walked to the bakers. On the way was a dead red-legged partridge that was probably hit by a car. I doubt the motorist was even aware. Things like this just remind us how fragile life really is.

A year ago my son's brother-in-law was killed whilst crossing the road on green at a pedestrian crossing in Australia. The car driver was on her phone and ploughed into him. He was only young. Tragic.

When we die (some of us) hope for some kind of life after death. No-one is really sure, but probably we just cease to exist as we did in the billions of years before we came into existence. What chance we were born at this time on this planet? One thing is certain: we know very little.

Are all religions our attempt to come to terms with our mortality? I do not know. No-one is really sure.

East Suffolk

Thornham Parva Church

Yesterday, we went to east Suffolk, visiting Eye and Thornham Parva churches. The first is a very ornate place, probably as a result of the wool trade. The latter is a very small, thatched church. The architect of the re-built Coventry Cathedral is buried in the churchyard here. In my view, Thornham Parva is one of the best churches on the planet. It is simple, but a haven of peace.

Own goal?

Sorry, but President Trump seems to like own goals. 

His latest swipe is against the French president Macron, allegedly. Sometimes he would increase his ratings by just shutting up. I want to swear, but I had better not! To many outside of the USA he does himself no favours.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46198297

Remembering

100 years after the end of WW1, we are still fighting wars and innocents are still being killed. Looking back, WW1 seems a total waste of young lives. Lambs to the slaughter!

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.

Grandchildren

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

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! 😀