It is still too early to tell how this is going to pan out.
The euro, yen and dollar exchange rates have moved in favour of UK
exporters and making imports from these nations more expensive.
I have the feeling that the euro will collapse in value in the next 18
months as the remaining EU nations wake up to Greek debt (there is no
way they can repay this) and the likelihood of the Greeks defaulting and
leaving the EU. This would really hit Germany. In the end I
think the UK will be fine. The UK was a net contributor to the EU and we
voted to leave. This puts an even greater burden on the richer EU
members.
It would not surprise me if we had a snap General Election here in the
UK, especially if the Labour party commits self-imposed suicide and
splits in two. Our current Prime Minister, Teresa May, did not vote for
Brexit and neither did any in my family. If a General Election was to
be called then the Conservative Party is likely to get a huge majority.
I am currently reading a book on the history of Europe 1789-1989. I had
little idea how the borders and alliances changed so much in the 1800s.
Clearly Europe is still evolving.
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Thursday 11 August 2016
Monday 1 August 2016
Stroke update
Every now and again I give an update on my recovery from my stroke in
2013. There is very little change! I seem to be on a plateau now with
most (all?) foods OK but I still have problems with drinks. Beer and
orange are OK in small sips but I find tea (especially Lapsang Souchong)
and coffee hard work. I used to love these!
All the time I feel giddy on my feet and I still tire easily after any physical or mental activity of more than about 15 minutes. My emotional threshold seems lower - I worry and cry more. I have a sick feeling most of my waking time. Sleep is fine, although I sometimes muddle dreams with reality: for example I was convinced my younger son had decided to break a journey to the Lake District here next weekend. He is coming but they have no plans to visit the Lake District. I must have dreamed this! I can drive and most cognitive functions are fine. My fine motor skills are not as good as they were. My voice is poor.
In summary, I am having to adapt to the new "me". If things improve, great, but after all this time I am beginning to, reluctantly, accept my limitations. The main problem is people see me and say how well I look. Indeed I do look well. Inside I still feel unwell. In some ways it would be easier to have a disability that people could see.
All the time I feel giddy on my feet and I still tire easily after any physical or mental activity of more than about 15 minutes. My emotional threshold seems lower - I worry and cry more. I have a sick feeling most of my waking time. Sleep is fine, although I sometimes muddle dreams with reality: for example I was convinced my younger son had decided to break a journey to the Lake District here next weekend. He is coming but they have no plans to visit the Lake District. I must have dreamed this! I can drive and most cognitive functions are fine. My fine motor skills are not as good as they were. My voice is poor.
In summary, I am having to adapt to the new "me". If things improve, great, but after all this time I am beginning to, reluctantly, accept my limitations. The main problem is people see me and say how well I look. Indeed I do look well. Inside I still feel unwell. In some ways it would be easier to have a disability that people could see.
Saturday 30 July 2016
Church Blog Updated
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/
This now includes Mildenhall in Suffolk. Supposedly, the largest church in Suffolk according to Simon Knott who knows a few things!
Mildenhall |
This now includes Mildenhall in Suffolk. Supposedly, the largest church in Suffolk according to Simon Knott who knows a few things!
Friday 29 July 2016
Flying Ants (again)
Even though we thought we'd seen the last of the flying ants in the house last week, we unusually had a second "invasion" yesterday. Normally we see these once a year and then they are gone. Perhaps it is the wet and warm weather?
Saturday 23 July 2016
Yet another sunny day and flying ants
For about a week now we have had better summer weather in this part
of the UK. Temperatures have been in the mid 20s to low 30s (deg C) all
week. We had one big storm which dropped humidity, but yesterday and
today are hot.
It is also "flying ant season". Whilst I was out yesterday we had hundreds of flying ants in our bedroom. I gather these larger,flying ants are queens.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuptial_flight .
It is also "flying ant season". Whilst I was out yesterday we had hundreds of flying ants in our bedroom. I gather these larger,flying ants are queens.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuptial_flight .
Wednesday 20 July 2016
Humidity dropped
A few hours ago we had a violent storm pass through with heavy rain, hail and thunder. Now the storms have moved east towards the coast (now in the North Sea) and we are having a lovely evening with much lower humidity and pleasant evening sunshine. The image shows the storm at its height a few hours ago.
See www.lightningmaps.org .
See www.lightningmaps.org .
Tuesday 19 July 2016
Hot day
We have had the hottest day of the year so far with a temperature of 32 deg C, so we spent some of the afternoon in the garden. We had
tea outside. There was a gentle breeze.
Here are a few images in our garden. The first is our Crocosomia "Lucifer" and the second a cobweb on our birdbath. The latter was being well used by the wasps today. There was a sparrowhawk chasing the young swifts high above us. The frog (?) was spotted when we watered the garden.
Here are a few images in our garden. The first is our Crocosomia "Lucifer" and the second a cobweb on our birdbath. The latter was being well used by the wasps today. There was a sparrowhawk chasing the young swifts high above us. The frog (?) was spotted when we watered the garden.
Monday 18 July 2016
Trident
This evening, the UK Parliament votes on whether or not to renew the
Trident submarines which carry our "independent" nuclear deterrent. I
personally think this is a TOTAL waste of money. Most nations
don't have this. Are we really any safer? Personally I'd rather spend
the money (£100 billion?) on things that help us with 21st century
threats such as terrorism.
What amazes me is why so many in the UK parliament think this is "a good idea". Sorry, but we are in NATO and are very very unlikely to fire nuclear weapons. In my view, Trident should be phased out as soon as possible.
Sorry if this is political, but I hate the whole idea of the UK having nuclear weapons at all. Were these ever to be used, it would be the end of civilisation. We should be setting an example for others to follow.
What amazes me is why so many in the UK parliament think this is "a good idea". Sorry, but we are in NATO and are very very unlikely to fire nuclear weapons. In my view, Trident should be phased out as soon as possible.
Sorry if this is political, but I hate the whole idea of the UK having nuclear weapons at all. Were these ever to be used, it would be the end of civilisation. We should be setting an example for others to follow.
Saturday 16 July 2016
Summer at last?
Here in eastern England we have had a bad summer so far: it has been very wet and temperatures have been lower than normal. Oddly, my brother in Devon has had a good summer. Next week they are forecasting warmer weather here with sun. Temperatures of 25-22 deg C are possible here. The jet stream has been right overhead and we have seen low after low roll in with very few long sunny spells. Maybe things are changing?
Thursday 14 July 2016
Mr Bean - sacked
The man, allegedly, who stabbed Boris Johnson - a possible UK Prime
Minister candidate - in the back (metaphorically) has been sacked from
the new UK Cabinet. I for one, although not a Conservative, agree with
this. There is no place in the UK government for such people.
I am told Mr Gove is a bright man. His recent behaviour has left me speechless. I only hope that all around the Cabinet table are people who take theÃr jobs with great seriousness. They will be married to their jobs and all will have to work long, hard hours.
I am told Mr Gove is a bright man. His recent behaviour has left me speechless. I only hope that all around the Cabinet table are people who take theÃr jobs with great seriousness. They will be married to their jobs and all will have to work long, hard hours.
The Future
We now have a new Prime Minister and Cabinet. We voted to leave the EU. The future is a book still to be written. I very much hope we welcome genuine refugees fleeing conflict in their own lands.
I wish the new PM well, but it is a VERY long time go that I voted Conservative! Leaving the EU and still remaining good friends with our European neighbours will not be easy.
As I have said before, we like the idea of free trade but not free movement of people to our small island. We already are crowded with a high population density. Unlike Germany with a falling population we do not actually need people.
Of course, genuine refugees fleeing conflict are always welcome. We welcomed Hugenots, German Jews and others in the past and I hope we are still a welcoming place for those fleeing trouble in their own lands. Most British have always welcomed refugees. I remember being at school with a boy from Hungary in the late 1950s. I hope he soon felt at home.
I wish the new PM well, but it is a VERY long time go that I voted Conservative! Leaving the EU and still remaining good friends with our European neighbours will not be easy.
As I have said before, we like the idea of free trade but not free movement of people to our small island. We already are crowded with a high population density. Unlike Germany with a falling population we do not actually need people.
Of course, genuine refugees fleeing conflict are always welcome. We welcomed Hugenots, German Jews and others in the past and I hope we are still a welcoming place for those fleeing trouble in their own lands. Most British have always welcomed refugees. I remember being at school with a boy from Hungary in the late 1950s. I hope he soon felt at home.
Friday 1 July 2016
Battle of the Somme WW1
It is 100 years ago today that the Battle of the Somme started with a huge loss of life. The whole of WW1 was a slaughter of innocents. It should never have happened.
If we learn anything, it is that wars like this one are futile and it is usually the innocents that are killed or injured. We should do all in our power to ensure such futility never occurs again.
I am not a Quaker but I have great sympathy with their policy on non-violence.
If we learn anything, it is that wars like this one are futile and it is usually the innocents that are killed or injured. We should do all in our power to ensure such futility never occurs again.
I am not a Quaker but I have great sympathy with their policy on non-violence.
BREXIT
It is now over a week since the UK voted to leave the EU. Although the pound
has fallen the stock markets seem to have taken things OK so far. The UK seems
to be on a self destruct route at the moment with the Labour party in
civil war and the Conservatives thrown into confusion by Boris not
standing for PM. It will be some time before the fog clears and we chart
a new path.
Personally I do not trust Gove and think Theresa May would make the best PM, although I am not a Conservative voter.
If a snap General Election is called my inclination is to vote Liberal Democrat again.
Personally I do not trust Gove and think Theresa May would make the best PM, although I am not a Conservative voter.
If a snap General Election is called my inclination is to vote Liberal Democrat again.
UK Weather - summer?
We are now in July and certainly here in East Anglia we have had one of
the worst summers I can remember so far. We have had just a few
continuous days of sun and settled weather. Most of the time it has been a mixture of rain,
cloud and some sun.
In the west of the UK it has been better, but we have had a real absence of high pressure over us with long settled, warm, sunny, weather.
Roll on summer!
In the west of the UK it has been better, but we have had a real absence of high pressure over us with long settled, warm, sunny, weather.
Roll on summer!
Tuesday 28 June 2016
Our elder son
Our elder son came up from London to see us this afternoon. He is a
professional jazz pianist, so works odd hours. When he comes up, he helps
us in the garden. It is always good to see our boys.
Hedgehog and Muntjac Deer
This morning, we found a hedgehog in the back garden. For those
unfamiliar with these, they are about 15cms long, prickly, and cover
about a mile on their, mainly nocturnal, walks. We used to see them
often at our old house but this is the first seen here. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog.
Muntjac deer seem to have taken a fancy to our sunflowers as the tops have been eaten! See http://www.bds.org.uk/index.php/advice-education/species/muntjac-deer
Muntjac deer seem to have taken a fancy to our sunflowers as the tops have been eaten! See http://www.bds.org.uk/index.php/advice-education/species/muntjac-deer
Friday 24 June 2016
BREXIT - the new reality
So the referendum has taken place and the UK people have chosen to leave
the EU. All of my close family voted to remain IN. The future of the UK
is unknown. Indeed, the future of the EU may now be very different. All
I hope is that we remain friends with our neighbours in Europe. We have
always wanted the EU trade, but we have never sought closer political
ties. The future is ours to forge and we must chose a good future that
unites its people not divides them.
Sunday 19 June 2016
The EU referendum - vote!
If we vote to leave the EU I shall not be too surprised. It is vital that everyone votes as this will impact the UK for years to come.
The REMAIN campaign has been very negative and focused on the harm to the UK if we vote to leave and not the benefits of being "in the club". A vote to leave will probably mean that Scotland will want another referendum and lead to the break-up of the UK. If we leave the EU then I think others will follow and the Euro will collapse. This is serious for the world.
It is entirely possible we could vote to remain in the EU. One thing is certain: the outcome is too close to call.
It is possible David Cameron will continue as UK Prime Minister for years to come. On the other hand we could see Boris as PM as early as November. What is certain is that politics is changing. If we leave I suspect a lurch to the right politically will occur. This is happening in many EU nations and this is dangerous.
Although my wife and I voted IN (remain), the outcome could go either way. The EU cannot continue as a weak protectionist club. It has to change or it will fall apart. The danger of this happening has never been greater.
The REMAIN campaign has been very negative and focused on the harm to the UK if we vote to leave and not the benefits of being "in the club". A vote to leave will probably mean that Scotland will want another referendum and lead to the break-up of the UK. If we leave the EU then I think others will follow and the Euro will collapse. This is serious for the world.
It is entirely possible we could vote to remain in the EU. One thing is certain: the outcome is too close to call.
It is possible David Cameron will continue as UK Prime Minister for years to come. On the other hand we could see Boris as PM as early as November. What is certain is that politics is changing. If we leave I suspect a lurch to the right politically will occur. This is happening in many EU nations and this is dangerous.
Although my wife and I voted IN (remain), the outcome could go either way. The EU cannot continue as a weak protectionist club. It has to change or it will fall apart. The danger of this happening has never been greater.
Saturday 18 June 2016
Tim Peake returns from the ISS
Thankfully, Tim Peake who had spent 6 months on board the ISS, has
returned safely to Earth. He has done much for the UK in space. We must
not forget that space is still a hazardous environment. Getting back
from space is still very hazardous.
Tuesday 14 June 2016
Anne's House
We have a friend who has been to visit me most months. She lives in a
VERY old house. Today we walked to her house for tea and scones.
This roof, to the rear of her house, is a real problem in heavy rain as gallons and gallons of water flows off it, causing her cellar to flood. She has taken measures to minimise the problems but she is always nervous with heavy rain around
This roof, to the rear of her house, is a real problem in heavy rain as gallons and gallons of water flows off it, causing her cellar to flood. She has taken measures to minimise the problems but she is always nervous with heavy rain around
Sunday 12 June 2016
UK Weather Forecasts
OK, I moan about weather forecasts a lot and here I go again.
Yesterday the forecast for OUR VILLAGE on the day said rain showers all afternoon. It was dry until we went to bed. Luckily it was dry for our Fete.
Today OUR VILLAGE was supposed to be dry all day. Guess what? It is raining!
If you cannot rely on the forecast for NOW, what IS the point? Before readers tell me how complex our UK weather is may I say, yet again, our forecasts are rubbish.
The only reliable weather forecast in the UK is to look out of the darn window.
Millions have been spent on super-computers to enable better forecasting - oh yes?
Yesterday the forecast for OUR VILLAGE on the day said rain showers all afternoon. It was dry until we went to bed. Luckily it was dry for our Fete.
Today OUR VILLAGE was supposed to be dry all day. Guess what? It is raining!
If you cannot rely on the forecast for NOW, what IS the point? Before readers tell me how complex our UK weather is may I say, yet again, our forecasts are rubbish.
The only reliable weather forecast in the UK is to look out of the darn window.
Millions have been spent on super-computers to enable better forecasting - oh yes?
The UK Queen at 90
Although not a royalist, I think the UK queen has done very well over
her long reign. The very survival of the institute of monarchy is in no
small part due to her. The money that royalty brings in must more than
make up for the expense of the royal household.
Ours is a constitutional monarchy: although the queen has weekly discussions with the Prime Minister of the day, she in no way influences the day-to-day running of the nation. She does open Parliamentary sessions in her "official" capacity as head of state (The State Opening of Parliament)
I cannot imagine us as a republic with a president. We are lacking people that we could all look up to and respect. Somehow I cannot imagine the monarchy after Elizabeth dies. It is bound to happen sooner rather than later. Will we still have a monarchy 50 years from now?
Ours is a constitutional monarchy: although the queen has weekly discussions with the Prime Minister of the day, she in no way influences the day-to-day running of the nation. She does open Parliamentary sessions in her "official" capacity as head of state (The State Opening of Parliament)
I cannot imagine us as a republic with a president. We are lacking people that we could all look up to and respect. Somehow I cannot imagine the monarchy after Elizabeth dies. It is bound to happen sooner rather than later. Will we still have a monarchy 50 years from now?
England Football Supporters
Yet again, I am ashamed of the England supporters abroad. Now, I
am sure it is a small minority who cause all the unrest and violence, but
these tarnish the game. Also, sometimes others start the violence knowing that England fans will be blamed.
Personally, I think a lot of this is due to drinking to excesses. Maybe there should be a blanket ban on alcohol within a certain radius of games? This seems unfair on "normal" fans who just go to follow the teams.
I am not a great football fan. Some games are watched on TV but I would never follow my teams abroad. It must be 30 years (at least) since I last went to a football match!
Personally, I think a lot of this is due to drinking to excesses. Maybe there should be a blanket ban on alcohol within a certain radius of games? This seems unfair on "normal" fans who just go to follow the teams.
I am not a great football fan. Some games are watched on TV but I would never follow my teams abroad. It must be 30 years (at least) since I last went to a football match!
Saturday 11 June 2016
SPAM?
A few days ago I got an email purporting to be from Microsoft saying that they think my email address was compromised.
Now, this may be a SPAM, but if you have received any suspicious emails supposedly from me, please accept my apologies. As always DO NOT open links you do not trust or know to be safe. If you have received anything odd, purporting to have been sent by me, please let me know.
Hopefully the issue has been dealt with and you should not get further trouble. If this is a SPAM please let me know too as my mail account did not see this as SPAM.
Now, this may be a SPAM, but if you have received any suspicious emails supposedly from me, please accept my apologies. As always DO NOT open links you do not trust or know to be safe. If you have received anything odd, purporting to have been sent by me, please let me know.
Hopefully the issue has been dealt with and you should not get further trouble. If this is a SPAM please let me know too as my mail account did not see this as SPAM.
Church Fete
This is usually held the next weekend in June each year, but it
was changed to coincide with the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations.
Although thundery showers were threatened all afternoon, they kept off. My wife ran the cake stall, as she does most
years. It is usually a good chance to meet village people not seen for a
while.
Tuesday 7 June 2016
EU Referendum
As we are away on the day when voting takes place, we have voted by postal vote. We posted our votes off today. The outcome will be close.
Horses in Newmarket
We do most of our food shopping in nearby Newmarket, which is the world
home of horse racing. Here everything stops for the horses! We don't
mind. After 40 years in the area I have never been to a horse race!
This was a string returning from Newmarket Heath earlier today. It is unusual not to see race horses in Newmarket.
This was a string returning from Newmarket Heath earlier today. It is unusual not to see race horses in Newmarket.
Friday 3 June 2016
Profound exhaustion
Since my stroke almost 3 years ago I have suffered from bouts of profound exhaustion after doing physical or mental work for more than about 20 minutes. No-one and I really do mean no-one seems to get it including medics, my wife, friends etc. They all say how well I look and assume I am fine. Well, I am definitely not right!
To be honest this gets me down. As hard as I try, this never seems to go away. I hate it. In an ideal world I would rest more, but I know this is impossible.
I have great sympathy for others who have hidden disabilities: people may look fine on the outside but feel dreadful inside. This is how I am a lot of the time. Not always mind you. There are better days and times.
To be honest this gets me down. As hard as I try, this never seems to go away. I hate it. In an ideal world I would rest more, but I know this is impossible.
I have great sympathy for others who have hidden disabilities: people may look fine on the outside but feel dreadful inside. This is how I am a lot of the time. Not always mind you. There are better days and times.
Thursday 2 June 2016
Summer?
According to the Met Office we are on the second day of summer. We have
had better days in mid-winter! The photo shows the external temperature
after lunch. It was taken in our car and it did not vary for the whole
journey. In the meantime, the west of the UK is bathed in sunshine.
Begonias
Begonias in Front Garden |
We usually put in winter flowering primroses for the winter.
The back garden begonias will probably go in later today. It is still cold and windy here!
Tuesday 31 May 2016
The EU Referendum
With only a few weeks to go, the outcome is hard to judge. Yes, the EU needs to reform, we are probably better off as a nation IN the EU than out of it, the campaign has been poor, leaving the EU would be hard but not a disaster.
Sunday 29 May 2016
Plymouth Argyle in Playoff Final
Plymouth Argyle are playing AFC Wimbledon at Wembley tomorrow (3pm kickoff) in the League Two playoff final. I hope they win. If they win, they will gain promotion to League One.
UPDATE 2144z: They lost 2:0.
UPDATE 2144z: They lost 2:0.
Cancer
On of my wife's friends has, out of the blue, been told she has breast
cancer that has spread. It was a total shock. It was picked up by a
routine screeing. She had had no pain or warnings. She has been told she
has less than 5 years to live. Both my father and grandfather died in
their 60s of heart conditions. I know my time is limited. Maybe I'll
live to 95 or I could die next week. However I have hope. What she has
been told is, in effect, a death sentence. I'd find this hard to accept.
Clearly she is very worried. She has not been helped by her doctor who
was rather uncaring about the whole thing. With cancer there is always
hope. Some do recover and surely she should have been told this
Thursday 26 May 2016
Australian In-laws
For the last few days we have been hosting our son's Australian in-laws
so my blogging has been restricted. This morning,
they returned to my son and family in Kent. It was very good to see
them.
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