Autumn is here.

After a good and long summer, the rain band came through yesterday and the temperature has dropped some 6-8 degrees. It now feels like autumn has arrived. The temperature mid-afternoon was 15 deg C. Before the rain band it was in the low 20's Centigrade.

Roses - Oct 5th 2014

Our roses by the front door are now in their 3rd flush with plenty of buds. The cosmos (LHS) still look good although the sweet peas in the back garden are now coming to an end: we have been cutting these since the end of June for the kitchen table.

Where AIDS all started - in a 1920s Congo town

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29442642 . According to scientists working on the history of AIDS, it all started in Kinshasa, Congo in 1920 and then spread as a result of railways, sex and population growth.

Last gym session (for now)

Outside the Newmarket gym

Today was my last day at the gym in Newmarket as part of their "Active For Life" programme.  I have been going twice a week, most weeks, since May. Although my stamina is better, I don't think my balance has improved much. From next week I am attending a weekly U3AC course in Cambridge so will do a fair bit of walking to and from the bus stops. I am hoping to drive to the "Park and Ride" site when again allowed to drive the car.

Rovio (Angry Birds creators) to cut jobs

Rovio (Finland) who make the famous Angry Birds game are to cut 130 jobs (16%) of its workforce. Angry Birds is very addictive game!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29458445 .

Lynsey de Paul dies

The singer/songwriter Lynsey de Paul has died in her mid-60s from a suspected brain tumour. She was most famous in the 1970s.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29457228 .

Sepura PLC

My old company, Sepura, continues to "hold its own" with shares holding their ground.  Although they have fallen back from their peak of over 150p a share earlier this year, they are hovering around the 140-142p a share currently, which is just above the price at which they were floated about 12 years ago.

With both TETRA and DMR products they have a good future with a world-wide market.

UPDATE 1605z:  Shares in Sepura ended the day at 140.5p.

UPDATE 3.9.14  2245z:   Shares ended at 141.0p.

David Cameron's speech today

Well, I think it very unlikely I shall vote Labour in the General Election next year.  I have voted labour several times in the past. I don't like Ed Milliband (at all) and he left out vital parts in his recent Labour Party conference speech on the deficit and immigration.   At the moment, I am inclined to vote Conservative as they seem to have the better policies. I wish the Conservatives were less "toffs" though. In truth,whoever gets elected will have a tough time. I am not voting UKIP.

The difference between the 2 main parties is really not that great. As a "first past the post" election, tactical voting will be called for. I'd like to vote Green but think this will be a wasted vote in a General Election.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29433919 .