Rear Lawn

Our rear lawn is about twice as big as the front lawn. I cut the front lawn a few days ago. Although I started on the rear lawn, I've had to take a break as it is still much too wet in places. Another hour or so and I should be fine.

Rear lawn

The last time I cut the rear lawn it I needed 4 breaks, but think my stamina is a bit better now, so fewer breaks were needed. Although not perfect, it is much better for being cut.

World Cup football

Germany has just scored in extra time, and unless Argentina produces a miracle goal now, Germany will win the World Cup. They certainly deserve to win after their trouncing of Brazil the other night. Should the Argentinians level and then win on penalties it would be a cruel end.

Germany have won. Thankfully there was not a need for a penalty shoot-out.

Profound tiredness

One of the hardest aspects of my brain bleed after-effects is the profound tiredness I feel most of the time. People say I look well, but most of the time I am very, very tired. The smallest physical job: hoovering, having breakfast, any gardening etc leaves me so exhausted.

I guess the nearest analogy is M.E.  Some days are a bit better, but most of the time I just want to rest. My physical stamina is improving slowly, but I am looking forward to the day when "usual" physical activity leaves me with energy still.

Seaweed and better seaweed

Call me a real cynic but the BBC weather (based on the Met Office data) said for Burwell "dry" all morning and "showers" after lunch. At breakfast time (around 0800z) it was raining heavily! The Met Office recently upgraded their computers. I think they should buy better seaweed instead!

Why are their forecasts so bad, even on the same day? I am sure they could do better. When there is a big "high", forecasts are easy. Surely they could do a better job in more mixed weather. Usually the best forecast is to see what it says a few days out and assume the opposite. This is crazy with all this investment.

Israel and Gaza

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28275414 .

Surely Israel wants to be treated fairly and so do the Palestinians. It is in BOTH sides best interest to negotiate a fair and lasting peace. The war that basically started the current mess was fought in 1967 when  I was doing my A-levels and now I have retired! Surely it is not beyond both sides to jaw, jaw not make war, war?

There are precedents for warring parties to make peace - South Africa, Northern Ireland for example. The endless cycle of violence does no good at all and just makes hate stronger. Make true and lasting peace and let's have mutual respect. Both sides are different: accept these and make a lasting settlement. It both frustrates and puzzles me why the cycle of violence goes on and on.  No-one wins.

Cutting the lawns

Both our sons (and one grandchild each) are due up on Wednesday. In the meantime, if the weather dries, I hope to cut both lawns, front and back. The lawns here are larger than at our old home. It takes all my strength to cut them these days, whereas in the past it would have been effortless.

Front lawn with windmill back right. Laurels trimmed yesterday.

I managed the front lawn today. 0.75hrs rather than 1hr the last time I cut it. It is 2 weeks since it was last cut. It left me "cream crackered" but I managed it. The back lawn is larger. That is probably a job for Monday or Tuesday, if the weather is dry.

Assisted dying law

So the old Archbishop of Canterbury, George Cary, has changed his mind on this subject and now will support a bill on it going though the House of Lords. I hope I never need this.

Dying in great pain and suffering must be truly dreadful. I guess it is a fear/hope of an afterlife that worries us most? If dying was just going into nothingness then there can be little argument against assisted dying to make ones end peaceful. If there is some form of life after death,who knows?

I wonder what the old archbishop believes happens when we die? I just don't know.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28274531 .