See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27204009 .
Russia is getting upset by NATO "cold war" behaviour and sanctions - well tough! Reduce your 40000 troops on Russia's border with Ukraine then.
The small scale NATO moves are about re-assurance whereas Russian moves are pure threat to a free and independent nation. Cool it or expect yet more sanctions. You should have to pay for your intimidating behaviour.
Russian actions belong back in the Cold War days and have no place in a free and democratic world. Russia, act like a grown up and stop throwing your toys out of your pram. I know there are always at least 2 sides to any dispute but Russian actions are plain wrong. This is not the way to air you grievances.
Russia is a great nation that deserves to be treated respectfully, but only if it behaves like an adult nation. Russia is behaving like a spoiled child at present over eastern Ukraine.
I fear for the future of eastern Ukraine: The Russian "inner circle" is still living in the 1970s. The age of the USSR is long gone!
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Without water
Isn't it amazing how we get to depend on our essential services? Just after breakfast our cold water went off. Others locally are cut off too. I need water for my syringe (4 loads, 4 times a day) to keep my fluid intake up ( stroke). Our neighbour phoned the water company who seemed not to know of the issue quoting "4 hours" to fix which sounds like a standard answer and I guess it could be any time! Now told "6 hours" typical for a mains leak, but it could be longer. I have gone on the Anglia Water "Water Care Register" which promises to deliver bottled water if the supply is disrupted for long periods. You have to be disabled and have a need for regular water as I do (stroke 2L a day).
It is only when water and electric or even the internet goes off you realise just how much we take these essential services for granted. When we first moved last year we had no phone or internet for weeks - what a pain that was!
We are now having to be very frugal with the little water we have - just what is left in the system.
People in rural 3rd world countries have had to be frugal with water and electricity for years and years.
It is only when water and electric or even the internet goes off you realise just how much we take these essential services for granted. When we first moved last year we had no phone or internet for weeks - what a pain that was!
We are now having to be very frugal with the little water we have - just what is left in the system.
People in rural 3rd world countries have had to be frugal with water and electricity for years and years.
Monday, 28 April 2014
Out this afternoon and MH370 speculation again
This afternoon my wife and I went down the road to friends for a couple of hours. It was nice to "chew the cud" and talk about all sorts of things - to be normal in fact.
At the end we were speculating about flight MH370 again, and we all agreed there was something we are not being told. The rumour mills are working overtime but it is odd that not a single piece of wreckage has been found yet.
One theory is it was shot down and whoever was responsible does not want to own up. The other odd fact is that the USA has been remarkably quiet when the skies are riddled with US spy satellites. Surely, the USA would know where this plane came down? Or did the USA have a part to play in its end?
Has it been secretly landed at a US base in the Indian Ocean? Maybe Diago Garcia? Why no mobile phone traffic at all? See http://www.emirates247.com /news/missing-mh370-latest-air-search-called-off-only-underwater-now-2014-04-28-1.546548.
The Australian PM seems confident the acoustic pings detected in the search area off W.Australia were from the plane's black boxes.
Lots of questions but, as yet, no answers.
At the end we were speculating about flight MH370 again, and we all agreed there was something we are not being told. The rumour mills are working overtime but it is odd that not a single piece of wreckage has been found yet.
One theory is it was shot down and whoever was responsible does not want to own up. The other odd fact is that the USA has been remarkably quiet when the skies are riddled with US spy satellites. Surely, the USA would know where this plane came down? Or did the USA have a part to play in its end?
Has it been secretly landed at a US base in the Indian Ocean? Maybe Diago Garcia? Why no mobile phone traffic at all? See http://www.emirates247.com /news/missing-mh370-latest-air-search-called-off-only-underwater-now-2014-04-28-1.546548.
The Australian PM seems confident the acoustic pings detected in the search area off W.Australia were from the plane's black boxes.
Lots of questions but, as yet, no answers.
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Quakers in the UK
Although not a Quaker, I seem to hold views that almost totally align with them. You may want to read the latest copy of Quaker News which gives a good insight into Quaker ways. See https://www.quaker.org.uk/quaker-news .
The Quakers are to be found working quitely behind the scenes on all sorts of fronts. Their policy of total non-violence is commendable.
The Quakers are to be found working quitely behind the scenes on all sorts of fronts. Their policy of total non-violence is commendable.
Lawns and Green Thumb
At our old house we had our lawns treated regularly by Green Thumb. This is a franchise business. For several years and with very little effort on my part (apart from mowing) the grass was very green and totally weed free.
Last week they gave the first treatment to the lawns at our bungalow. Already, the weeds are dying, so the signs are promising. These days there are similar companies fighting for the lawn care business. I have only experience of Green Thumb, who are good. I could probably do the same lawn care treatments myself, but not sure the results would be as good. It is surprising how many people asked me how I managed to keep the lawns looking so good. I just tell them Green Thumb!
Last week they gave the first treatment to the lawns at our bungalow. Already, the weeds are dying, so the signs are promising. These days there are similar companies fighting for the lawn care business. I have only experience of Green Thumb, who are good. I could probably do the same lawn care treatments myself, but not sure the results would be as good. It is surprising how many people asked me how I managed to keep the lawns looking so good. I just tell them Green Thumb!
DAB radios
I am a fan of AM and FM broadcast radios. Coverage is so much better than my DAB radio which drops out half the time and is really a waste of money. Give me FM any day of the week.
Well, today I read that OFCOM is consulting on DAB+ which is a new DAB format, rendering old DAB sets obsolete. Personally, I hope they never remove AM on medium, long and short waves, and FM on Band II VHF.
Well, today I read that OFCOM is consulting on DAB+ which is a new DAB format, rendering old DAB sets obsolete. Personally, I hope they never remove AM on medium, long and short waves, and FM on Band II VHF.
More normality today
Although my stroke still makes me feel sick and wobbly, it was good to do more "normal" things today: after lunch my wife and I took turns to do a ticketing duty at our local Burwell museum and windmill ,and this evening a friend came around to erect some amateur radio antennas. Not yet back to normal, but more steps on the way back to "normality".
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