Give me a Nadiya

If you live in the UK and have a TV then the chances are you saw Nadiya, the 30 year old mother of 3 from Leeds, win "The Great British Bake Off" last night. She was the delightful girl who wore the world on her face and in her eyes. Her expressions of sadness and joy were just wonderful. She deserved to win, although they were all good.

All day my wife has been saying, "give me a Nadiya" whenever I have been pathetic with my stomach bug. Perhaps this will become an expression?

Wouldn't it be good if our politicians could let their guards down and show us the real people behind their facades? Go on David Cameron, "give us a Nadiya".

UK FTSE 100 up again

After a dodgy start, the FTSE 100 share index is up yet again this lunchtime.A lot could still happen: it could go yet higher or collapse later.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/markets/europe/lse_ukx  .

Wanting to die?

At one time I could never understand this.

I have had the after-effects of a stroke for 2 years now and these last few days I have had a nasty stomach bug. Right now I feel truly "shite".  I really ought to go back to bed.

Although I am sure I'll soon feel quite a lot better, I can understand how some people, when their bodies are old and exhausted, just "throw in the towel" and say they have had enough of life.  Some patients with very high pain levels must feel like this. This is sad, but now I understand.

No doubt tomorrow I shall feel much better. Onwards and upwards. There is still a lot of living to enjoy in me yet!

IMF warns of stagnation

See http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/06/imf-warns-stagnation-threat-g7-economies .

OK this is the Guardian and it is a paper of the left, but this is worrying.

The growth in the west is not based on firm foundations. For a long time I have advocated living within our means and not on borrowed money at low interest rates. This will not last.

At some point debts have to be paid.

FTSE 100 up again

It looks like the UK FTSE 100 share index will finish above 6300 today. At the moment it is clawing back earlier losses, but nothing would surprise me. The market wants over 7000 by the year end, but it could fall apart and end the year end below 5000.

Russian air strikes in Syria

Well, I have mixed feelings over these. It would be much better if Russia and the USA would agree who the real enemy is and sort things out. This is the first Russian air action since WW2 outside of the old USSR I believe. Russia clearly wants to be seen in the Middle East. It is also looking to Syria for forward bases in the region.

Devon webcam at Hope Cove

If you like to watch webcams, you may like this one at Hope Cove in S.Devon. It says the webcam is in Salcombe, which is total rubbish. For some reason it has been a bit intermittent of late. There are lots of others you can view in Devon. Usually there is a good view down towards the old lifeboat station at Hope Cove and the waves crashing on the beach. There is also a flag that gives a good idea of how windy it is there.

Hope Cove is where my ancestors lived in the 1500s.

See http://www.camsecure.co.uk/SalcombeHopeCove.html  .