I have no idea why on some days visits to this blog are far greater than on other days. With 3 hours still to go today this blog has already had 152 visits!
It cannot be the content as on any given day the mix of content is similar. Maybe on some days the blog is featured somewhere? If you know the reason then please let me know as it puzzles me.
UPDATE 2015z: 163 visitors now.
UPDATE 2212z: 180 visitors now.
Friday 27 June 2014
Leaving the EU?
The way things are going, there is a strong chance that the UK might leave the EU sometime after 2017. There is even a phrase for British exit from Europe - Brexit. I think we'll be hearing a lot more of this word in the coming years. Is there a word Scexit for if the Scots decide to leave the UK in September? I hope Scotland stays as part of Great Britain.
Back to the European Union, I cannot understand why Mr Jean Claude Juncker is getting so much support in Europe when quite a few countries are skeptical of his federalist views. I am sure he is an honourable man and will do his best in the role, but why elect a staunch federalist to the most senior post? I thought the EU was looking towards a more liberal future? 26:2 in his favour is strong support.
If we do leave I shall have mixed views: a lot of our trade is with the EU and inward investment into the UK is largely because we are in the EU, yet we have a fairly open trading regime. On the other hand being out of the EU gives us full control of immigration, fishing borders and much more. It would not be a total loss if we left. I suspect other nations might follow us out the door.
I really hope Mr Cameron is able to get a better deal with trade relationships at the heart of a new EU. Somehow I have my doubts this will happen.
On this one, I am with the Conservatives - an EU skeptic, basically in favour of the EU but with strong reservations over the way things are moving. I want to stay in the EU, but not at any cost.
Back to the European Union, I cannot understand why Mr Jean Claude Juncker is getting so much support in Europe when quite a few countries are skeptical of his federalist views. I am sure he is an honourable man and will do his best in the role, but why elect a staunch federalist to the most senior post? I thought the EU was looking towards a more liberal future? 26:2 in his favour is strong support.
If we do leave I shall have mixed views: a lot of our trade is with the EU and inward investment into the UK is largely because we are in the EU, yet we have a fairly open trading regime. On the other hand being out of the EU gives us full control of immigration, fishing borders and much more. It would not be a total loss if we left. I suspect other nations might follow us out the door.
I really hope Mr Cameron is able to get a better deal with trade relationships at the heart of a new EU. Somehow I have my doubts this will happen.
On this one, I am with the Conservatives - an EU skeptic, basically in favour of the EU but with strong reservations over the way things are moving. I want to stay in the EU, but not at any cost.
Wimbledon 2014
Like most UK residents, I very much hope Andy Murray make it through to the Men's Finals again and that he wins. He is not he most popular sportsman in the UK, but he is giving it his all.
His mother was on the radio today on "Desert Island Discs". I had not realised how big she was in tennis in earlier times. Even now, she is pretty busy encouraging newcomers into the game.
As (nearly) always, rain may disrupt play today. At least they now have that famous roof!
UPDATE 1920z: Andy is through today's match and playing in the 4th round next week.
His mother was on the radio today on "Desert Island Discs". I had not realised how big she was in tennis in earlier times. Even now, she is pretty busy encouraging newcomers into the game.
As (nearly) always, rain may disrupt play today. At least they now have that famous roof!
UPDATE 1920z: Andy is through today's match and playing in the 4th round next week.
The thetrainline.com site and trains
In recent months we've made use of day returns on the train as I have not been fit enough to drive yet. Using our senior railcards we have booked tickets at www.thetrainline.com and collected tickets at the station.
So far, I cannot fault the service: tickets are cheaper buying in advance and trains have been clean and on time. People complain a lot, but with a bit of planning, trains are good - just sit back and relax.
I am sure it would be more hassle on a commuter train in the week, but at weekends it works well. For one person, with a railcard I bet you'll find trains cheaper than a car for a moderate journey.
So far, I cannot fault the service: tickets are cheaper buying in advance and trains have been clean and on time. People complain a lot, but with a bit of planning, trains are good - just sit back and relax.
I am sure it would be more hassle on a commuter train in the week, but at weekends it works well. For one person, with a railcard I bet you'll find trains cheaper than a car for a moderate journey.
Thursday 26 June 2014
Visitor numbers
My amateur radio blog seems to be attracting an average of about 1000 visits a day, but surprisingly, this very modest little blog here has growing numbers of visitors and now attracts around 100 visits daily. Both are "as it is" blogs: I write about what I am doing or what interests me.
With a total daily audience of around 1100 people a day, I sometimes lose friends. One regular visitor to the other blog was offended that I moaned too much. I didn't think I did. When asked to say what had upset him, he never replied, so may have eaten humble pie or, as I told him, he can simply go elsewhere and choose not to read everything.
I try to be fair and balanced in what I write, but I am only human.
With a total daily audience of around 1100 people a day, I sometimes lose friends. One regular visitor to the other blog was offended that I moaned too much. I didn't think I did. When asked to say what had upset him, he never replied, so may have eaten humble pie or, as I told him, he can simply go elsewhere and choose not to read everything.
I try to be fair and balanced in what I write, but I am only human.
UK Population
One of the pleasures of New Zealand was the low population density. Even the places between the lovely places were lovely because there were so few people. We drove up the west coast on the main road and saw just 4 cars in one hour! This was a real joy.
Contrast that with the UK which now boasts a population of 64 million, up 400000 in just one year. We are a small island and need no more people, please!
We need to put a lid on immigration, letting in only those we really need for skills we are short of, and put a lid on large families. In this age of available contraception and education there is no excuse for large families.
At the rate we are going we will be unable to feed and house everyone. Surely there are other places for those coming to the UK to live? Wide open spaces in continental Europe?
This is not being racist: I did NOT vote for UKIP or the BNP. What I am expressing is just pure common sense. Our small island is growing far too fast and this HAS to stop.
Basically I support the trade aims of the EU, I enjoy visiting European countries but think we have to be able to limit net inward migration into the UK. If the EU does not agree then we may need to walk away from the EU and its fine trade aims. I am against a federal Europe: this was not what we agreed when we joined.
Contrast that with the UK which now boasts a population of 64 million, up 400000 in just one year. We are a small island and need no more people, please!
We need to put a lid on immigration, letting in only those we really need for skills we are short of, and put a lid on large families. In this age of available contraception and education there is no excuse for large families.
At the rate we are going we will be unable to feed and house everyone. Surely there are other places for those coming to the UK to live? Wide open spaces in continental Europe?
This is not being racist: I did NOT vote for UKIP or the BNP. What I am expressing is just pure common sense. Our small island is growing far too fast and this HAS to stop.
Basically I support the trade aims of the EU, I enjoy visiting European countries but think we have to be able to limit net inward migration into the UK. If the EU does not agree then we may need to walk away from the EU and its fine trade aims. I am against a federal Europe: this was not what we agreed when we joined.
Sepura shares still good
Sepura shares are still high at 149.75 currently. This is close to the highest they have ever been.
I am not aware of any great new products coming through - I retired 6 years ago and these days am very out of touch - but the share value still suggests they are "doing the right thing".
Perhaps it is because they have now diversified away from just TETRA digital radios?
I am not aware of any great new products coming through - I retired 6 years ago and these days am very out of touch - but the share value still suggests they are "doing the right thing".
Perhaps it is because they have now diversified away from just TETRA digital radios?
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