Parakeets in the wild

We have been "grandchildren sitting" in Stoke Newington, London, but are back home today.  See previous post.

 

One difference is hearing parakeets first thing in the morning. There are lots of these in nearby Springfield Park. I see these Australian birds have now reached Plymouth. They are becoming naturalised and spreading widely. At one time these escaped cage birds would have been rare indeed here in the UK.

It is hard to believe that collared doves first appeared in the UK in 1955. Little egrets were virtually unknown in the UK before the late 1980s and now they are all over the place.

There are different species of parakeets, but I think those spreading are from the same core stock, but this may not be the case: several escapees may have survived and bread in the wild in the UK.

 See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parakeet .

Grandchildren sitting

For the last few days and nights, we have been in Stoke Newington in NE London looking after our young grandchildren. This has included getting them to school on time. Their parents were away in Brussels.

FTSE 100 - are we living in the real world?

The FTSE 100 ended the day up 0.34%. I am still expecting large falls but so far this has not happened. Sentiment is pushing it higher but reality should push it well down.

I can't help thinking we are living in a parallel universe where reality does not apply.

With all the debt and uncertainty in the world, I think those who invest in the companies listed in the FTSE 100 are living their lives with their eyes and ears closed. At some point, reality will set in and the brown stuff will hit the fan big time and all hell will let loose. At some point, the world faces a MASSIVE re-adjustment and no-one will be immune.

Growth cannot continue in a world with limited resources. Also, living on debt cannot go on for ever. When interest rates are very low it may make sense, but what happens when these rise? China is a real danger and so apparently is Japan.

Mark Carney - leaving EU would be biggest domestic risk

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751919 .

It seems a bit suspicious that the banks and big business want us to vote IN. At the moment I am in favour of IN, but I could well be persuaded otherwise if the facts are clearly presented without the spin.

Broadband

Just had a free upgrade on broadband from Virgin Media on their cheapest package. Pleased. It was even faster when I tried it earlier - and this is over a wi-fi connection for the last bit.

Jordanian refugee camp - enormous

The size of this is truly staggering.

See https://www.facebook.com/bbcshorts/videos/1140808579272340/ .

FTSE 100 - the rough ride continues

At the moment the UK share index is down 0.77%, although it is trying to come back. Further falls are likely as there is so much uncertainty about.

UPDATE 1622z:  At the moment it stands at down 0.99% but it was lower.