Dark nights

Last night we put the clocks back in the UK to GMT. There is something nice about cosy evenings in during the winter but I always look forward to the clocks going forward again at the end of March, the promise of light evenings, spring birds and flowers.

It amazes me how short the winter usually is: we are only 7 weeks away from the shortest day and even by the end of January the evenings are starting to get lighter later.  By mid-February there is usually more than a hint of a new spring in the air.

Luckily in the UK every season has something good to enjoy.  I'd hate to live in a place where seasons and evening times barely change.

Afghanistan - an enigma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan#mediaviewer/File:Afghanistan_%28orthographic_projection%29.svg

On and off, Britain has fought wars in land-locked Afghanistan since the early 1800s. Lots of UK lives have been lost over the years, and to what good? Sadly, all our efforts there seem to fail and it is high time we stopped meddling where we do not belong.  Yes, the excuse was the Taliban this time, but have we improved world security? No.

Our motives are always good ones, I do not deny. But we are rarely wanted and, more to the point, we rarely do any lasting good. What's the betting that Afghanistan will revert to tribal barbarity not many years after we leave?  Today marks the end of UK combat activities in Afghanistan .... until the next time! Sorry, but I find most wars are pointless. Wars rarely achieve what they set out to achieve. Talking is always better.  Jaw, jaw, not war, war.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29776544 .

Last lawn cut this season?

This morning I cut both our front and rear lawns. It exhausts me but I am glad I did them. This is possibly the last cut before March. The problem now is it is often too wet to cut. Also, as the temperature drops, the grass stops growing. I am always glad to cut the lawn again after the winter: it is a sign of a return to longer days after the long winter nights. Still, in the meantime, I have to get fit again after my brain bleed last year. Although I still tire easily, my stamina must be improving as there was now way I could have cut both lawns in quick succession even 6 months ago.

Michigan bans electric cars

See http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2014/10/22/michigan-bans-tesla-cars .

The Governor of Michigan is reported (see link) to have banned direct sales of Tesla electric cars in Michigan, USA to protect local car dealers and car makers like General Motors. King Canute comes to mind. 

Is he stupid or stupid?

A sad loss

A few years ago, a fellow radio amateur called Julian Moss, whose radio call was G4ILO, was disagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. Rather than roll over and die, Julian did his internet research and found out the treatments that would prolong his life as much as possible. He also started a blog called One Foot In The Grave to document his battle. Sadly Julian lost his battle yesterday but not before he beat the disease for several extra years.   I was greatly saddened to hear he died yesterday. He inspired many by his great bravery and determination.

Tiredness

I think the week is catching up with me as I have been profoundly tired yesterday and today.  I attempted to dig up a plant in the garden, but I was totally exhausted and had to come in. The experts tell me this is to be expected with a brain injury (cerebellum bleed) and given time I will recover. I do so hope they are right. The feeling of exhaustion is like nothing I have ever experienced before. There is no way of fighting it. I simply have to rest and recover my energy levels.

Italian UFOs?

The BBC recalls a day an Italian football match had to be stopped as a result of mysterious things in the air.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29342407 .

Analysis suggests this was migrating spiders.