Plane safe, just - amazing video (fake)

Just seen this video. The pilot remains cool and collected and manages to land the plane,less a wing, safely. This is quite remarkable flying. The pilot is safe and no fire. Quite unbelievable.

Indeed - quite unbelievable. This video is a viral FAKE. See http://www.snopes.com/photos/airplane/onewing.asp
If you look carefully you can see how the fake was made.Very convincing.

Jean and Alan

As you may recall, my brain bleed last September means I am not allowed to drive for a while. I am still awaiting a decision from the DVLA as to when I can resume driving. Whereas a few months ago the thought of driving would have been stupid, I now know I could safely drive again.

In the meantime my wife is doing all the driving and I am extremely grateful that she can do so.

Today we ventured to Letchworth in Hertfordshire to see old friends Jean and Alan.

We have done this journey, with me driving, dozens and dozens of times. Why is it that my wife does not know the way? :-)  What is it about women drivers that makes them, apparently, such hopeless navigators?  Also, I anticipate trouble coming up ahead and slow down and change down. My wife seem clueless of such dangers. At the moment I have no choice but to be a passenger.

 I shall be very glad when I can drive again.

Kindness

Last night, we were sent a copy of our oldest grandson's school report. He is 6.5 years old and lives in London. He is getting on really well, but the thing that pleased us most was that the school think of him as a kind little boy who is faithful to his best friend.

One thing my recent illness has taught me is you find out who your real friends are. Some people that I had expected to be overflowing with kindness and genuine love just don't want to get involved: they have avoided finding out how I am really feeling and this shows and hurts.   Others have gone out of their way to be genuinely kind and caring, bless them. Most times I try to manage but it is good to have genuinely caring friends and relatives. Genuine love shines brightly.

As an example, one of my hobbies is amateur radio and I normally enjoy building and experimenting. This week, two people, one a total stranger, have offered to build a kit I've had for some months. The kit has been left unbuilt as my hands are too clumsy. Such genuine kindness. I was overwhelmed by their offers.

I am so pleased that my grandson is kind and caring. We love him to bits and this is how we find him. I hope he grows up to be kind and loving.

Strangford Loch

This afternoon Jackie (of Jackie and Bill) called in for a chat and cup of tea. Their two sons work in the Far East, in Shanghai and Hong Kong.  Jackie is hoping they will move back to N.Ireland to a house not too far from her sister. 

N.Ireland is a very beautiful part of the British Isles, unknown to most in Britain. Recent political unrest did N.Ireland (Ulster) no favours. The distrust goes back centuries and make no sense in the modern world. 

Strangford Loch http://www.strangfordyachtcharter.com/images/stlview.jpg

Jackie and Bill hope to move to a place near the top of Strangford Loch, one of the best places in the Province.

See http://www.strangfordlough.org/ .

Polish code breakers - the unknown story

Until reading the article on the BBC website I had no knowledge of the part played by Polish codebreakers in decyphering the German Enigma code. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28167071 .

There is little doubt that the work of the Bletchley codebreakers helped to shorten the war. I had no idea that Polish codebreakers were so important too.

Tour de France 2014

This year, "Le Tour" started in Yorkshire and tomorrow it comes to Cambridge en route to London. The crowds lining the route in Yorkshire were amazing - millions at a guess.

Some years ago (2010), when in Burgundy, we ran into the Tour de France quite by accident: Our route was barred off and we had to stop until the Tour had passed through. In all, it took 2 hours!

This short video was taken as we waited. All the cars leading the Tour were throwing gifts to the crowds. We got a frizby for our grandchildren. Others got teeeshirts, balls, drinks and sweets. It was quite an occasion.

Ely Consort Concert

This evening we went to a concert given by the excellent Ely Consort in Burwell St Mary's Church. The Ely Consort must be one of the best choirs in the county.

See http://www.elyconsort.org.uk/ .

The concert this evening was a very varied program with Madrigals, Folk Songs and arrangements of more modern popular pieces. Altogether excellent music.  The Ely Consort is about to do a tour of Germany.

The sung works were interspersed with music by Chinese, but Cambridge born, Hannah Brock (aged 15) playing Chinese music on the zither. Beautiful.

Cambridgeshire is blessed with many fine choirs. The Ely Consort is up with the very best.

Sadly, my health has not been good today. Both my stomach and giddiness were bad. However, I managed to walk to the church and thoroughly enjoyed the concert.