FTSE 100 index slides

The FTSE 100 share index is down 2% currently. I guess the market is being spooked by elections in Greece later this month and the continuing turmoil in the Eurozone.

The question is are the pundits right that the FTSE 100 will end the year around 7000? If they are right it is worth sticking with  any shares we might have. The only thing that is certain is the experts are guessing and no-one knows the future. Who expected oil prices to tumble quite as steeply?

UK Ebola nurse

The latest information is that Pauline Cafferkey,the UK nurse who was confirmed as having contracted Ebola whilst working in West Africa, is still critical but that here condition has "stabilised". I wish her well and so hope the experimental treatment she is receiving works. I guess we will soon know.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30657485 .

Our back garden in early January

Our back garden in early January.

At this time of the year, the garden seems asleep and nothing much is happening. Under the soil though, things are stirring. In a few months the gloom of cold winter days will be over, blossom and bulbs will be out and it will again be time to start cutting the grass.

Every season has its pleasure but roll on spring and light evenings!

Canterbury by train

Grandson with some of his paintings.

Today we went by train to see our younger son and his family. The train takes about 2.25 hours each way and we get about 5 hours in Canterbury We could have longer but I find this long enough. Our younger grandson is only 5 but his painting and knitting are both excellent: he has real talent way beyond his years.



Both the young grandchildren, and my wife and I, really enjoyed their dad's cooking. He did an excellent meat and potato pie.

Sociable day

This morning we were invited to neighbours for coffee and this afternoon we went to other friends for  drinks and eats. We are still enjoying the Christmas holidays.

Finding a pile of ancient coins

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-30654568 .

Imagine the massive excitement of discovering a massive hoard of ancient coins (estimated value £1M) that has been buried for 1000 years! When the true value is determined I understand the reward is divided between the landowner and the person who discovered the hoard.

Windmill

This is a photo from our bungalow lounge window of our local, 200 year old, fully restored windmill that is, literally, just over the garden wall. When we eat breakfast we have a great view!

The windmill now sports 4 new sails and when the wind is from the west, they are usually pointing in our direction. Today, the wind was more from a north westerly direction as the sails are in the north west.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .