Ickworth (National Trust) walk.

As members of the National Trust, we are very lucky to have several properties with fine grounds nearby.  Today, as the sun was shining, we went to Ickworth not far from Bury St Edmunds. Although there were lots of lambs, the daffodils are still not out, in the main. A few are, but most are still in bud. All the NT places nearby are very different. We also made use of our free "tea for 2" voucher which came with a card.

Summer bird migrants arriving

The wheatears have started arriving back in Devon and soon it will be martins and swallows. The long winter will soon be behind us.

See http://www.devonbirds.org/news/bird_news/devon_bird_sightings .

The image below is not on this site but at the link below. You may have to wait for it to load. The link to the image will be removed if a problem.
http://www.devonbirds.org/images/library/dbn/public/stoke_point_male_wheatear_10617_0.jpg.

FTSE 100 on a roller coaster ride

The roller coaster ride continues. Presently, the FTSE 100 UK share index is up 0.35%.  It was higher still.

This is budget day in the UK so a lot can change later. I am still expecting big falls once the punters wake up in the real world with all its problems.

I would not be surprised to see the FTSE 100 at 5000 rather than around 6161. It will recover later, but we have uncertainty ahead.

FTSE 100 UK share index

At the moment, the FTSE is down on yesterday.  I am not too surprised, although as I speak it is trying to come back.

UPDATE 1124z:  Currently it is down 0.59% on yesterday.

UPDATE 2300z:  The FTSE 100 index ended the day down 0.56% on yesterday.  It fell a lot then hovered around at this lower level most of the day.

Syria and Russia

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35809087 .

I am no expert on Middle East politics but this move by Russia surprised us all. They still keep their bases in the region, but I think no-one (except maybe the US military?) was expecting this. Does it make peace in the country more (or less) possible? I only hope that all players work towards a peaceful and fair outcome for all in this war-torn land. The people of Syria have suffered too much.

Disappearing Patio

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35800866 .

Thank goodness no-one was sitting on this patio when it disappeared into a 300 foot mine shaft!

U3AC

Mondays this term I have been attending a University of the Third Age course in Cambridge. I go into, and out of, Cambridge on the bus using my bus pass. As I usually have some time after the course, I get a bite to eat in different places in the city. At the moment my favorite is Le Patissier, opposite St John's college. This is a small place but prices are reasonable and I have found the service very good.