Lies?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31253409 .

It seems all politicians make rash promises before a General Election and then find out lots of reasons to sidestep them after they win power. I am no Conservative friend, especially after the news on the HSBC bank today, but the latest "promise" on paid paternity leave from Labour I take with a pinch of salt: pure electioneering gimmicks.

Drones

Increasingly, unmanned drones are being used for non-military uses such as aerial photography. I have seen some very good examples of this recently.

However, the military use of drones is also increasing and this is a concern. From the comfort of a control bunker thousands of miles away, controllers can "take out" unwanted individuals or groups without the risk of pilots being captured or shot down. This is open to abuse and error. It is "war by proxy". The worst that can happen is a few drones get shot down. The risk is totally innocent people are impacted or killed.

At the moment drones are mainly being used by The West.  What happens if terrorists get their hand on these?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31290147 .

Pensioner bond extension

The very attractive 1 and 3 year NSI over 65 bond offer is to be extended to May. Many pensioners have already signed up as they pay, even after tax, high interest rates by modern standards. If this is an attempt to encourage saving in the UK, then it is working.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31241867 .

High streets

The economic downturn and the internet have had a huge impact on UK High Streets. In some towns a fifth of all shops are vacant. Clearly the "model" will have to change.   Already there are far more coffee shops and similar. Maybe the internet giants will start to have more of a presence on UK High Streets?

Whatever evolves, town centres will be quite different in 10 years time. Maybe the John Lewis model will be the example? I.e. have some large city centre stores which sell goods but also a healthy, non-competitive, internet business too?

Perhaps more than most, book shops have suffered. Virtually any book can be found on the internet in just a few seconds. Even in Cambridge, quite a few bookshops have gone. Many small book traders prefer to do all their business on the internet.

Ukraine peace?

So far, this conflict has claimed at least 5400 lives. Lives simply wasted. The latest peace suggestions by France and Germany seem to have been largely rejected in Moscow.

Clearly some of the Russian speaking parts near the Russian border would prefer to be part of Russia. Surely some sort of agreement along these lines will be the basis for peace in the end? A lot of this is posturing. The Russians claim they are not directly involved. Many in Ukraine are looking to Europe for their future.  Compromse has to be sought.

The sooner all sides see sense the better for all.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31185027 .

Swaffham Prior

Today, in the bright cold winter sunshine (3 deg C) we visited Swaffham Prior in East Cambridgeshire. This village has 2 windmills and 2 churches . The churches are next door to each other in the same churchyard. Both churches date from the 13th century.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

"On your side"

Ed Miliband does not come across as a charismatic leader, but then again, nor do the leaders of the other parties. Churchill was charismatic back in WW2.

At the moment I have no idea for whom I shall be voting at the next general election this spring here in the UK.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31139811 .

Ukraine peace bid

European leaders are trying to get a new peace deal for Ukraine, a crisis region where already 5400 lives have been lost. This is such a waste.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31143983 .

If ever there was an example of a futile war this is it. Russia denies involvement. Clearly the Russian speaking east of the nation seeks closer ties with Russia, whilst much of Ukraine seeks to be closer integrated in Europe. Civil war is not the answer.

Tesco and other supermarkets

From time to time we buy fuel and food from Tesco.  However, I am appalled that this supermarket chain allegedly, treats many suppliers very badly, paying some very late or too little as in the case of milk suppliers. I know Tesco is not alone and that some other supermarkets are also treating their suppliers poorly.

We customers are often complicit as we demand ever lower prices.  However, personally I'd be happy to have fewer lines to choose from and to pay a bit more to ensure suppliers are fairy rewarded.

Tesco is currently under investigation. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31143452 .

FTSE 100

Although down (slightly) on yesterday, the FTSE 100 seems to be recovering and should be back in positive territory this afternoon barring any shocks.

UPDATE 1410z:  Still gradually coming back. Still negative, but only just.

UPDATE 1735z:  FTSE 100 ended the day 0.09% up.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/stockmarket/3/default.stm .

Oil prices

The price of a barrel of oil seems to be rising again and stood at around $58 today. Maybe the oil companies will be increasing their prices very soon!  Most prices for domestic fuel have dropped  far less than the drop  in wholesale prices.

Visits - another blog!

Today we went out to Eye and Thornham Parva in east Suffolk.We ate at Beard's Deli Cafe in Eye. We have a blog to record our East Anglian Church visits. Although mainly for our own records (otherwise we'll forget!) it is a public blog, so you are invited to join us "virtually" and add comments if you wish. We hope to visit several churches each week.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/  .

Cambridge United v. Manchester United - round 2

This evening is the second "go" at the 4th round FA Cup match between these 2 teams. This one is at Old Trafford as the first tie at the Abbey Stadium in Cambridge resulted in a nil:nil draw.  A replay is great for Cambridge - think of the money for new players - although a win is perhaps far too much to hope.  Good luck Cambridge United!

See http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/ .

UPDATE 2320z:  Sadly Cambridge United lost 3:0 to Manchester United. Never mind. It is certainly no disgrace to be knocked out by the much richer club. They must now focus on the league.

FTSE 100 end the day well up

The FTSE 100 share index ended the day up 1.32% up. It is not far off its highest ever figure for some time, but the markets remain very volatile and tomorrow it could well fall back again.

Saudi allies?

So, the Prime Minister says the Saudis are our friends. Personally, I think this regime is dreadful, especially the beatings and imprisonment of a moderate blogger. We are "friends" with this regime as they buy our arms and have lots of oil. We would not be friends if they were Belgium.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31098378.

No real snow yet

Although we have had the occasional snow shower, what we have had has not stayed on the ground for more than a few hours. Tomorrow I have to drive to the Park and Ride car park on the edge of Cambridge. It is possible there will be snow on the ground in the morning.

Only in "the land of the free"

Sometimes it would be hard to make this up, but a 3 year old reaching in his mother's handbag for an iPad managed to shoot both his parents with his mum's gun with the same bullet.  Thankfully, both are recovering. Gun freedom? As I said, "land of the free".   Albuquerque, New Mexico.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31082294 .

Greek debt

In some ways I feel sorry for the ordinary Greek man and woman.  They are having to replay huge debts whilst their economy is doing very badly.  Many in Greece are experiencing real poverty.  They should never have been allowed into the Euro club all those years ago.  Tax avoidance had become a way of life in Greece and they are so far out of step with the economies of northern Europe. In many ways the Greeks expected it too easy within the Eurozone. Now they are finding out the hard way.

I very much doubt they will be able to re-negotiate their repayment terms.  If they leave the Euro now it will be very bad for Greece and hard on the Eurozone.  Sadly,with other indebted nations "in the wings" Germany and others in the Euro club cannot give in to Greece.  Tough times are ahead.

See http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/as-in-1942-germany-must-show-restraint-over-greece-10015905.html .   Apparently,Germany has misread Greece in the past.

Syrian news

The latest news from Syria of the beheading of the second Japanese hostage is meant to frighten the world.  Surely it must frighten those who carry out such acts against the will of the leader they claim to follow?  No virgins await these people in paradise.  More likely is hell.  Seek a different path. Love and kindness always overcome evil.

Deport them NOW!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31056608 .

4 men are jailed for kicking in a lecturer's face so badly that he needed reconstructive surgery. Why not deport these common thugs now? Why do we have to pay their board and lodgings "at her majesty's pleasure" for even a single day? They have no right to be here.

Catholic Church and C. of E. out of step?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31063500 .

Is the world flat?  Was it created in 7 days? Is the evidence of fossils all wrong? Yet again we seem to be having a Canute moment within the main churches. DNA engineering could prevent thousands of needless deaths. Sorry, C.of E. and the Catholic Church, but I think you are totally wrong.

Syrian hostages?

The fate of the Japanese reporter and the Jordanian pilot under the threat of execution in Syria seems to have gone "off the radar". There is no BBC news on this so far today and even http://www.aljazeera.com/ has no information. I wonder if news agencies have been asked to say nothing? I do hope for a peaceful outcome.

See http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/World+News/Middle+East/Syria .

Our neighbour's garage

Garage footings under construction

Our next door neighbour is having a garage built next to his bungalow. It is not in our view and it will not affect us. Sadly access to this is disputed between him and our local museum who own part of the access track he wants to use, as I understand things.

I don't want to get involved in the dispute as I am friendly with both sides. It seems to be a dispute that could so easily have been avoided though.  Silly how such petty arguments can be the cause of so much distrust and bad feeling. If it had been me I'd have put the garage in the same place but gone in directly from the road instead, thereby avoiding all the bad feelings created.

FTSE 100

The FTSE 100 share index has fallen this morning, although it may be staging a bit of a comeback?  Sepura shares (my old company) also seem to be sliding a bit too.

Snow - at last

We get very little snow over here these days. Today we had the first real snow of the winter, although amounts were small by the standards elsewhere in the UK. This photo was taken this morning around breakfast time.

UPDATE 1525z:  All our snow has now gone. Winters over here are far less severe than they used to be.  Global warming? If we get even a few days with snow on the ground is now the exception. If the wolrd is warming, it could be critical later in the century. The evidence does seem to be pointing to a warming world, although the increase has perhaps stalled in the last 10 years. The sooner we stop subsidising fossil fuels and adapt to renewable energy sources the better.

At one time we could count on at least a couple of weeks of real snow. Last winter we only had a couple of mild frosts. I am not complaining, but if the world

MH370 mystery

The Malaysia airliner disappeared 6 months ago and not a single trace of it has been found. It is presumed tragically lost in an accident with total loss of life of all on board, somewhere in the South Indian Ocean. Conspiracy theories continue, and will continue, until some evidence of its crash is found.  It is surprising that nothing at all has been seen.  By now I would have expected something to have been spotted.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26503141 .

Stroke update

Last year I was expecting to be fully back to my old self well before now. As it is, I am still some way from that position. Overall, I think I am still improving, but the big leaps I was expecting don't seem to be happening. Perhaps I should be satisfied with slow, small, moderate steps?   I still feel as if I am living in a bit of a dream world, I still feel drunk when walking (feel giddy), still tire easily, and drinking thin liquids is still not easy.

Overall, I am getting slowly better, but perhaps I should expect to be left with a level of disability and will be pleasantly surprised when I get fully fit again. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic? Whatever, I am not giving up: I want my "old self" back again this year.

FTSE 100 down today?

London's FTSE 100 share index is currently down 58 points, probably as a result of Greek default fears and its impact on trade into the Eurozone. Currently it seems to be stabilising down.

UPDATE 2204z:   The FTSE 100 share index ended the day 0.22% lower than yesterday.

Lavenham, Suffolk

The Swan Hotel in Lavenham (see image RHS) was where our younger son and his wife had their wedding reception. Years before I came here on a course. Food was fabulous and after a week I had put on 8 lbs.

Today we visited Lavenham and ate a simple lunch at the Angel Hotel opposite the Guildhall. It had recently gone back to being a real pub with soup and sandwiches on the lunchtime menu.

Weather was January! 5-6 deg C, rainy and miserable, although it brightened up after lunch with a cold, biting wind.

Anti-Jewish feelings?

It saddens me that so many Jewish people find the UK is anti-Semitic but many Jews chose to live apart: separate schools, avoidance of eye contact in the streets (try it - it took 15 minutes or more in a Jewish part of north London to make any eye contact and the Jew who eventually did make eye contact was shocked!). Sorry, but in an inclusive society all groups must try to integrate. This applies to all groups and not just Jewish people.  By the way, some of the kindest people I know are Jewish. I am all for love and kindness between all peoples.

Euros

I continue to be puzzled by the Euro and the fact that so many different economies have been prepared to share the same currency when their underlying economic strengths are so different. Take for example Germany and Greece whose economies are poles apart. At the present time the Pound to Euro exchange rate is very favourable. One pound Sterling buys about 1.33 Euros. Greece has said today it will not default on its loans,but how will it pay its debts?

Auschwitz - 70 years on since liberation

Some years ago I visited Auschwitz. Even in the 21st century this Nazi death camp still gave me shivers. It is a miserable place and during WW2 it must have been horrific.

Today, hatred of the Jews seems to be on the increase. I have no sympathy for Israel's position over Gaza and Israel's position on the Palestinian people. All I wish is that everyone can respect the views of others and of their right to exist and worship as they wish, even if they chose to do so differently. Life is too short for hatred.

Arab, Christian, Jew? It matters not. What matters is we all share this little planet together, and should do so  in peace.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30996555 .

Park and Ride

Every Tuesday I drive into Cambridge (Newmarket Road Park and Ride) where I pick up the Park and Ride bus into Cambridge, where I attend my U3AC course called "Maps in the Computer Age". It is an excellent course with good supporting notes and links. Apart from the £1 to park, travel into the city is free as I have an OAP bus pass.

Visit by son and granddaughter

Today our son and granddaughter visited us from London. It was good to see them both. She is very good at 24 piece jigsaws on the iPad. She did about 6 or 7 without any help whilst sitting on my lap. Seeing them always cheers me up. She is 4 in May.

FTSE 100

Amazingly, the FTSE 100 share index ended the day slightly higher than it started, despite the turbulence of the Greek's voting into power a government that is mostly composed of the far-left Syriza party that wants to renegotiate its bailout terms.

NHS poor communications

I have concluded (yet again) that NHS communications is very bad. My speech therapy sessions were cancelled out of the blue (no reasons given). When I tried to email the address given it bounced ("not recognised"). So I tried another email address given on their website and again this bounced ("not recognised").

Also, I found out today of someone awaiting a rearranged chemo session for cancer who was asked to phone first but for a whole hour the phone was not answered! The appointment the previous day was cancelled as "everyone has gone home".  Sorry but NHS communications is unbelievably poor. Nobody takes ownership. Frankly it is CRAP.

The NHS needs to smarten up its communications. If this was the private sector, there would be ownership (individual responsibility) and someone would be sacked if things did not improve.

Every day, the NHS probably throws away millions of unnecessary pounds. The sheer waste is staggering.

I believe in the NHS but get very frustrated by the evident inefficiency.

Currencies

Against all currencies, apart from the Euro, the pound is stronger. I was expecting the pound to strengthen against the Euro today following the Greek vote yesterday. Markets are fickle! Even the FTSE 100 share index has hardly changed. It has bounced around all day but, at the moment, is little changed all day.

Greece (more)

So the left wing Syriza party was just short of an overall governing majority and has formed a coelition with a far right anti-austerity party. The next few months will be critical for the Euro - will Greece pay its debts and will it leave the Euro? - and how will Greece cope? Will the coelition of far right and left work? The calm before the storm?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30981950 .

Greece

I am not sure what to make of Greece. Life currently is very hard for the Greeks with great austerity and very high unemployment. On the other hand they say "you reap what you sow". For years tax avoidance had become a way of life. Their future will become even more uncertain with a very left wing Syriza government.

RSPB bird count - again

I am repeating my 1 hour bird count today, this time at the front of our bungalow overlooking the grass patch, hedges and windmill near our local village museum. I expect to see fewer birds, but it will make an interesting comparison. 

This morning, there was a crow actually on the birdtable and a red-legged partridge underneath.   Both were missing from my count yesterday!

UPDATE 1725z:  Although there were fewer species spotted at the front (4 rather than 6) the number of starlings was much higher as there is a roost on the windmill sails. I saw 26 unique starlings but had this been an hour later it would probably been 100+.

RSPB birdcount weekend

Any 1 hour, record max number of each species seen in period. Last year just 1 wood pigeon! At previous house often saw 10-12 species.  Weather was setting full sun, about 5 deg C.

This year, 6 species recorded late PM (3.10 to 4.10pm):

• 2 dunnock, 
• 6 starlings,
• 5 wood pigeon,
• 1 blackbird, 
• 3 mallard, 
• 2 black headed gulls.

NOT seen, but often seen in garden, were long tail tits, blue tits, great tits, robins, jackdaws, rooks, crows, red legged partridges,chaffinches,collared doves.

Saudi Arabia - double standards?

Lots of double standards over the death of King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia as world leaders fly in to show their respects. Why does the cynic in me say this has more to do with arms and the oil trade? At the same time this "nation" is brutally beating a moderate blogger with 1000 lashes after Friday prayers most weeks and it has subjected him to 10 years in jail. Cameron, Obama and other world leaders - use your influence on the new king! I know Middle East politics is complex, but this punishment is brutal and not in keeping with the 21st century and true democratic values, Saudi Arabia should change.

7 party TV election debate?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30955379 .

It looks likely that one of the TV election debates will include representatives from 7 main parties. There is also a debate planned between Ed Milliband and David Cameron.

Cambridge United v Manchester United in the FA Cup 4th round

This match was on BBC TV this evening.

Humble little Cambridge United (non-league until this season) held mighty Manchester United to a 0:0 draw and win a replay, worth an estimated £1.5M to Cambridge, at Old Trafford. It was a great game and Cambridge outclassed the Premier League team for quite a lot of the time. Well done Cambridge!

Greece - Sunday's election

At the moment Syriza, the left wing party, looks set to win in Greece on Sunday. If so, an exit from the Euro, and the EU, is possible. This could have dramatic ramifications for both Greece and the rest of the EU, including the UK.

Saudi King Abdullah dies

So the 90 year old king, the longest serving king in the world, has died and he is being succeeded by a 79 year old. Many are praising the old king. Call me stupid if you like, but to me he represented a backward, if oil rich, nation that still does not like the idea of women driving cars! We were friends with this dictator because he had lots of oil and bought our fighter jets. Sorry, but I wish this place would become a fair society for all its citizens. It has some way to go. The 10 year jail term and 1000 lashes in public after Friday prayers for a moderate blogger, says a lot to me. Move forward. The world expects more humility and kindness please. The world does not want you to be another USA, but it does expect all nations to respect its citizen's right to freely express views.

The new king promises "continuity".  What does that mean?   Little change?   See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30950731 .

FTSE 100 - modest gains this morning?

At lunch time the FTSE 100 share index was still in positive territory - just.  At the moment it is anyone's guess how it will end the day, but barring any shocks, it is likely to end the day little changed.

Public life on show

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30943010 .

It must be so hard being right in the public eye as with Prince Andrew this week. Whatever the truth, it costs money and time to defend a reputation. I am quite pleased to be just me, a nondescript blogger.

Climate change again

We were meant, according to the newspapers, to be having our coldest winter in the UK for over 100 years.  It was all down to the position of the Jet Stream. Well, although some parts have had snow on the ground, we have had just a few snow flurries and not a single day yet with snow staying on the ground. Last winter was very mild with only a couple of mild frosts and no snow. I know things could yet change, but I doubt we are in for a very bad winter.

There is plenty of evidence that the world's climate is changing and our winters, here in the UK are, on average, getting less cold. I am basically a believer that the world's climate is changing, but I remain to be convinced by some of the worst projections. Another 10-20 years of data should indicate what will happen. In the meantime, we should be seriously moving away from fossil fuels.

UK crime figures down again?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30931732 .

According to the official statistics, recorded crime is down yet again in England and Wales. I am a bit suspicious of the figures. Is crime really lower or is it just that the police don't record crimes as they used to (it would spoil their numbers) or that people no longer report all crimes? If correct, this is good news. It certainly does not feel safer, although we have, thankfully, not been a victim of recent crime.