Massive wasp nest on bed

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-28949601 .

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77193000/jpg/_77193328_waspbed-copy.jpg

A woman in Hampshire and a pest controller had a shock when they discovered a huge wasp nest in a spare bedroom. The wasp nest was covering a spare bed and was 3 feet across. It was the pest controller's most diifcult job in 45 years.

Conkers

Collecting lots of conkers

One of our "Kent" grandchildren has just got back from the churchyard with a bag of 112 conkers from the horse chestnut trees. My wife has been busy extracting some of these from their green, spiky casings.

It is nice to think that the conkers from these very same trees brought pleasure many years ago to our own sons.

Norway

Unlike the UK, Norway decided to keep its oil wealth so it could invest it for the future.  By contrast, here in the UK we continue to live beyond our means and we have huge debts. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28882312 . Norway seems to be an example of how we should have behaved. Now it is too late.

See also http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/25/vitenberg-norways-mythical-oil-wealth/  for a touch of sour grapes.

Gaza Truce

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28939350 .

Today it is announced that Egypt has brokered a long-term truce between Gaza and Israel. I hope this one holds and that Israel starts to treat the people of Gaza as real human beings for once. Of course, Hamas has to stop firing missiles into Israel. Is it too much to hope that Israel and the Palestinians to forge a real peace deal that would really last?

Family day

Today, the "London" grandchildren went home and the "Kent" grandchildren and their mum and dad arrived. In the changeover we had a house full and a good opportunity for the grandchildren to play together and for us to take some family photos.

This is all the family today:

Sepura Shares

The value of shares in my old company seem to have settled down at a little more than their original offer price back when first floated. At the moment they are valued at 145.38p. At one point a few years ago they were down to as little as 30p.

Darling and Salmon go head-to-head on TV

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28929057 .

I have no strong opinions on an independent Scotland: it is up to the Scottish people to decide, although I think an independent nation will present all sorts of challenges in the years ahead. They would have the benefit of low energy costs (mainly hydro when the oil runs out) but they will face currency difficulties and their wealth creation sector is small. Tonight's debate could be crucial to sway voters still undecided. An independent Scotland would not be a disaster for England, although such an outcome is likely to leave Scotland much weaker in the end.