The thetrainline.com site and trains

In recent months we've made use of day returns on the train as I have not been fit enough to drive yet. Using our senior railcards we have booked tickets at www.thetrainline.com and collected tickets at the station.

So far, I cannot fault the service: tickets are cheaper buying in advance and trains have been clean and on time. People complain a lot, but with a bit of planning, trains are good - just sit back and relax.

I am sure it would be more hassle on a commuter train in the week, but at weekends it works well. For one person, with a railcard I bet you'll find trains cheaper than a car for a moderate journey.

Visitor numbers

My amateur radio blog seems to be attracting an average of about 1000 visits a day, but surprisingly, this very modest little blog here has growing numbers of visitors and now attracts around 100 visits daily. Both are "as it is" blogs: I write about what I am doing or what interests me.

With a total daily audience of around 1100 people a day, I sometimes lose friends. One regular visitor to the other blog was offended that I moaned too much. I didn't think I did. When asked to say what had upset him, he never replied, so may have eaten humble pie or, as I  told him, he can simply go elsewhere and choose not to read everything.

I try to be fair and balanced in what I write, but I am only human.

UK Population

One of the pleasures of New Zealand was the low population density. Even the places between the lovely places were lovely because there were so few people. We drove up the west coast on the main road and saw just 4 cars in one hour! This was a real joy.

Contrast that with the UK which now boasts a population of 64 million, up 400000 in just one year. We are a small island and need no more people, please!

We need to put a lid on immigration, letting in only those we really need for skills we are short of, and put a lid on large families. In this age of available contraception and education there is no excuse for large families.

At the rate we are going we will be unable to feed and house everyone. Surely there are other places for those coming to the UK to live? Wide open spaces in continental Europe?

This is not being racist: I did NOT vote for UKIP or the BNP. What I am expressing is just pure common sense. Our small island is growing far too fast and this HAS to stop.

Basically I support the trade aims of the EU, I enjoy visiting European countries but think we have to be able to limit net inward migration into the UK. If the EU does not agree then we may need to walk away from the EU and its fine trade aims. I am against a federal Europe: this was not what we agreed when we joined.

Sepura shares still good

Sepura shares are still high at 149.75 currently. This is close to the highest they have ever been.

I am not aware of any great new products coming through - I retired 6 years ago and these days am very out of touch - but the share value still suggests they are "doing the right thing".

Perhaps it is because they have now diversified away from just TETRA digital radios?

Another beautiful day and "Active For Life"

Today may be the last sunny/dry day for some days according to the weather forecast. Our "London" son was unable to come yesterday because our granddaughter has tonsillitis. She is getting better. So, as mentioned yesterday, I cut the grass.

This morning it was off to the gym again in Newmarket for another 30 minute Active For Life session to improve balance and stamina. The latter is improving, but balance is still not right.

Stroke "progress"

Over the last 2 days I have cut both the front and back lawns. In the past (when healthy) these would have taken about an hour. They take much longer now, but at least I managed them. The front lawn was done without a break, whereas last time I had to keep stopping as my stamina was so bad.

The other area where progress is being made is on foods: ALL my foods are now via mouth and the things I eat go down well. Not so liquids like tea and coffee, which are often problematic, even with thickeners.

Walking is also better: I still feel wobbly when moving on my feet, but walking itself is not a problem.

At last there may be some progress on my stomach upset and bad breath issues too: the doctor is doing some tests to see if I have a bacterial infection, once clear of a certain medication I take each morning (until this week). If the result is positive, I can be treated for the infection and hopefully cured of it.

Sepura - doing well?

The company I retired from 6 years ago seems to be doing well recently with their share value at 149.75p currently. Not too long ago shares were less than 40p each. They must be doing something right. In the last few years they entered the DMR market in addition to TETRA and have acquired a base station and software applications house. I would have thought DMR would be a very difficult market with lots of competition and cut throat prices.

See http://investors.sepura.com/ .