Egypt's disgrace?

A replica of a world famous statue of Queen Nefertiti of Egypt has (rightly) caused outcry. The locals think it  is amateurist and downright ugly.  Even I could have done better. The statue has now been removed. I hope they manage to replace it with something decent.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-33411219 .

Very old films now available on the BFI website

Since lunchtime the BFI ( British Film Institute) has made available online, many digitised old home movies, some of which are well over 100 years old.  Incredible.

See http://player.bfi.org.uk/new/ .

Cranial osteopathy

I have now had 4 sessions in Cambridge to help with my stroke after-effects. I am now less tired (I still get tired but I seem to recover more quickly), still have problems with swallow and speech and still feel giddy when walking.

Some think cranial osteopathy is a "snake oil" treatment but it helps me relax so, for now, I am continuing. Time will tell if it really helps. I just want my symptoms to recede. I still feel below par. The tiredness is better. I just hope the other remaining symptoms get better too.

House quiet again

We had our "London" grandchildren for a couple of nights and for once the weather was hot and sunny, so they were able to enjoy being in the garden and spraying themselves with the garden hose. Our grass was turning brown in places so any hosing helped!

Hot weather and the grass

I am battling to cut both lawns in this intense heat. I have cut the front lawn but still have to do the back lawn.  Later, I think this heat will break and we will get a downpour. Off to do the back lawn now.

UPDATE 1530z:  Both lawns cut now, but the grass is becoming brown with the heat.  Both front and rear lawns need a good long soaking! A good storm with lots of rain for a few hours might help. Watering with a hose really only makes the surface damp unless it is done for a long time. Even in the driest of summers, lawns seem to bounce back when real rain does arrive.

See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en .

UPDATE 2048z:  Watered parts of the front grass for more than 30 minutes as well as the flowers. Wonder if the dry patches will recover?

Hot weather

The intense heat continues with temperatures in the 30's deg C expected here. The thunder risk remains. As I write this at 1010 local time it already feels HOT here. This very hot weather is unlikely to last. In true British fashion, we are always moaning about it being too hot, too cold, or  too wet! We should be glad the weather is so good. It is good that the nice weather is happening around the time of long, light evenings. It is light here until after 10pm.

Thunder storms

This next few days we are at great risk of thunder and lightning. We are in the middle of a heatwave with hot, damp air moving up from the south. As a precaution I have disconnected my amateur radio rigs, PC, antennas and mains plugs.

Luckily I have never suffered a lightning strike but know friends who have. One was living in a very ordinary home, was not a radio amateur or short wave listener, had no big antennas, but his electrics were ruined. Earth's natural electrical activity should always be treated with respect. I don't like thunderstorms at all.  Even if not directly hit, the power surges can cause damage.

As I write this, Greece is having bad storms according to the maps.

See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en .