Until reading the article on the BBC website I had no knowledge of the part played by Polish codebreakers in decyphering the German Enigma code. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28167071 .
There is little doubt that the work of the Bletchley codebreakers helped to shorten the war. I had no idea that Polish codebreakers were so important too.
Sunday 6 July 2014
Tour de France 2014
This year, "Le Tour" started in Yorkshire and tomorrow it comes to Cambridge en route to London. The crowds lining the route in Yorkshire were amazing - millions at a guess.
Some years ago (2010), when in Burgundy, we ran into the Tour de France quite by accident: Our route was barred off and we had to stop until the Tour had passed through. In all, it took 2 hours!
This short video was taken as we waited. All the cars leading the Tour were throwing gifts to the crowds. We got a frizby for our grandchildren. Others got teeeshirts, balls, drinks and sweets. It was quite an occasion.
Some years ago (2010), when in Burgundy, we ran into the Tour de France quite by accident: Our route was barred off and we had to stop until the Tour had passed through. In all, it took 2 hours!
This short video was taken as we waited. All the cars leading the Tour were throwing gifts to the crowds. We got a frizby for our grandchildren. Others got teeeshirts, balls, drinks and sweets. It was quite an occasion.
Saturday 5 July 2014
Ely Consort Concert
This evening we went to a concert given by the excellent Ely Consort in Burwell St Mary's Church. The Ely Consort must be one of the best choirs in the county.
See http://www.elyconsort.org.uk/ .
The concert this evening was a very varied program with Madrigals, Folk Songs and arrangements of more modern popular pieces. Altogether excellent music. The Ely Consort is about to do a tour of Germany.
The sung works were interspersed with music by Chinese, but Cambridge born, Hannah Brock (aged 15) playing Chinese music on the zither. Beautiful.
Cambridgeshire is blessed with many fine choirs. The Ely Consort is up with the very best.
Sadly, my health has not been good today. Both my stomach and giddiness were bad. However, I managed to walk to the church and thoroughly enjoyed the concert.
See http://www.elyconsort.org.uk/ .
The concert this evening was a very varied program with Madrigals, Folk Songs and arrangements of more modern popular pieces. Altogether excellent music. The Ely Consort is about to do a tour of Germany.
The sung works were interspersed with music by Chinese, but Cambridge born, Hannah Brock (aged 15) playing Chinese music on the zither. Beautiful.
Cambridgeshire is blessed with many fine choirs. The Ely Consort is up with the very best.
Sadly, my health has not been good today. Both my stomach and giddiness were bad. However, I managed to walk to the church and thoroughly enjoyed the concert.
Ukraine
For the life of me, I find it hard to make sense of the crisis in the Ukraine. The western media seems to put all blame on Russia, but I have my doubts.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28174104
This crisis seems to be about Russia being against the western leaning Ukrainian government and Russia wishing still to have a "sphere of influence" in the old communist states that once formed part of the USSR. The fact that Russia exports a lot of its gas to Europe complicates things. I don't know much about Ukraine's history but know Crimea was gifted to Ukraine by Russia in the old USSR days. Maybe this part should again be Russian?
Whatever, I hope differences can be fixed and a peaceful solution found. It would be terribly sad if Ukraine fell into civil war. Surely peace is worth so much more? Maybe the answer is more autonomy for the Russian speaking parts?
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28174104
This crisis seems to be about Russia being against the western leaning Ukrainian government and Russia wishing still to have a "sphere of influence" in the old communist states that once formed part of the USSR. The fact that Russia exports a lot of its gas to Europe complicates things. I don't know much about Ukraine's history but know Crimea was gifted to Ukraine by Russia in the old USSR days. Maybe this part should again be Russian?
Whatever, I hope differences can be fixed and a peaceful solution found. It would be terribly sad if Ukraine fell into civil war. Surely peace is worth so much more? Maybe the answer is more autonomy for the Russian speaking parts?
Friday 4 July 2014
Rolf Harris jail term
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28163593 .
It saddens me to see our childhood heroes jailed for sex crimes. In many cases these took place years ago, but justice has been done by judge and jury. This is good English law.
Personally, I think ALL sides in such cases should remain anonymous until a "guilty" verdict is reached. This is to protect all parties if the person on trial is found "not guilty". Sadly mud sticks and those found "not guilty" remain tainted for the rest of their lives.
Also today we hear of Andy Coulson, sentenced to 1.5 years in the phone hacking trial.
Personally I feel sorry for their victims and for the families of the accused who have to live with the shame and ignominy for years to come. In most cases, partners and children have stood faithfully by throughout the trials.
With good behaviour, these folks are likely to be released much earlier under licence. Of course. if they face further charges the sentences could be longer.
It saddens me to see our childhood heroes jailed for sex crimes. In many cases these took place years ago, but justice has been done by judge and jury. This is good English law.
Personally, I think ALL sides in such cases should remain anonymous until a "guilty" verdict is reached. This is to protect all parties if the person on trial is found "not guilty". Sadly mud sticks and those found "not guilty" remain tainted for the rest of their lives.
Also today we hear of Andy Coulson, sentenced to 1.5 years in the phone hacking trial.
Personally I feel sorry for their victims and for the families of the accused who have to live with the shame and ignominy for years to come. In most cases, partners and children have stood faithfully by throughout the trials.
With good behaviour, these folks are likely to be released much earlier under licence. Of course. if they face further charges the sentences could be longer.
NHS inefficiency
Let me say from the outset that I believe in the NHS (National Health Service) - that clinical care should not be a privilege of those who can afford it - everyone has the right to good care when they are ill. Creating the NHS was a highlight of the post-WW2 Labour government. The idea too that essential public services should be in public ownership is also fundamentally "right". BTW, I am unlikely to vote for Labour in the next General Election in 2015. Still looking at issues and policies.
What I do have an issue with are the gross inefficiencies in the NHS, especially when it comes to communications, both in hospital and when people are discharged. I have been involved in a heated Facebook debate over this.
It is my contention that the NHS could save billions each year and give patients a better, more caring service, if they "smartened up their act" on communications. I have countless examples I could give based on my own experiences and those of close friends. You may recall I was in a major UK hospital for 3.5 months last year.
Time and again I get cross when I see gross incompetence. In the private sector such idiots (if working for me) would have been sacked. There are no excuses - it is not a shortage of staff or overwork - in most cases it is sheer sloppy behaviour and unbelievably bad communications. The NHS needs to sort its communications out and fast. Personally, I think people need to be accountable in a "private sector" way. The NHS needs to get a grip.
Recently it took letters to the NHS bosses and my MP to get action. It worked for me, but it should not have been necessary: poor communication is the single biggest cause of waste in the NHS in my view. It needs sorting.
As an ex-manager in private industry, the NHS is crying out for reform. It has to happen, no excuses.
I could give numerous examples where poor communication was evident. In some cases it was individuals and poor training, in other cases the systems were letting the NHS down.
It pains me to see public services letting themselves down. The NHS could be so much better, and at effectively no cost - just smarten up the systems to avoid waste. Tell me, if the NHS was your business wouldn't you be crying out for reform? Because it is very large, not bothered about profits and publically owned it lacks efficiency and accountability.
What I do have an issue with are the gross inefficiencies in the NHS, especially when it comes to communications, both in hospital and when people are discharged. I have been involved in a heated Facebook debate over this.
It is my contention that the NHS could save billions each year and give patients a better, more caring service, if they "smartened up their act" on communications. I have countless examples I could give based on my own experiences and those of close friends. You may recall I was in a major UK hospital for 3.5 months last year.
Time and again I get cross when I see gross incompetence. In the private sector such idiots (if working for me) would have been sacked. There are no excuses - it is not a shortage of staff or overwork - in most cases it is sheer sloppy behaviour and unbelievably bad communications. The NHS needs to sort its communications out and fast. Personally, I think people need to be accountable in a "private sector" way. The NHS needs to get a grip.
Recently it took letters to the NHS bosses and my MP to get action. It worked for me, but it should not have been necessary: poor communication is the single biggest cause of waste in the NHS in my view. It needs sorting.
As an ex-manager in private industry, the NHS is crying out for reform. It has to happen, no excuses.
I could give numerous examples where poor communication was evident. In some cases it was individuals and poor training, in other cases the systems were letting the NHS down.
It pains me to see public services letting themselves down. The NHS could be so much better, and at effectively no cost - just smarten up the systems to avoid waste. Tell me, if the NHS was your business wouldn't you be crying out for reform? Because it is very large, not bothered about profits and publically owned it lacks efficiency and accountability.
Best man coming to stay
Every year our best man (Pete) comes down from The Wirral to stay with
us for a few days. He enjoys the bookshops in Cambridge. We enjoy seeing him and chatting. My wife and I
will have been married 43 years on July 24th having got married in 1971.
Pete is a perfect guest: he mucks in and helps. Like all good friends, we just pick up where we left off and it seems like a few days since he was last with us.
He last came in November when I was still in hospital. I was so ill then I cannot remember him visiting me.
Pete is a perfect guest: he mucks in and helps. Like all good friends, we just pick up where we left off and it seems like a few days since he was last with us.
He last came in November when I was still in hospital. I was so ill then I cannot remember him visiting me.
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