FTSE 100 recovering?

OK, this is just a snapshot and all could change, but at the moment the FTSE 100 is up. I guess the real turbulence will be after Sunday when the situation with Greece becomes clearer. Clearly the countries in the Euro are doing everything to keep Greece in the Euro, but the Greeks are not wanting to play ball" and want things on their terms. Tax avoidance and possibly corruption seem endemic in Greece. Things have to change or they will be on their own again.

Thunderstorms in UK

At the moment the nearest thunderstorms seem to be in the east of Germany and in the Alps, with none in the UK.  Of course, this situation can soon change although it is definitely cooler here today with the winds more from the north. It is probably 8-10 deg C less here than a week ago.

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

FTSE 100 - on the slide

As I write this there is great uncertainty over Greece, which rejected the latest financial rescue package at their referendum last weekend. The FTSE 100 share index fell quite a bit today (down 1.58%).  It looks increasingly likely this "Greek tragedy" will end with Greece defaulting on its debts and leaving the Euro and possibly the EC.  The financial markets will be hard hit especially in those countries that use the Euro. A last minute deal is still (just) possible but I think the markets have assumed Greece is out. Certainly the European finance ministers and heads of government have run out of patience. If Greece leaves the Euro many nations will be impacted, not least Germany that stands to lose an enormous amount. For the Greek people, the future looks very bad for many years. No doubt they will eventually bounce back, but they risk civil war in the meantime. No, this is a real crisis for all of Europe.

See  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/markets/europe/lse_ukx .

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!