Beetles

One of the exhibits at the recently refurbished Zoology Museum in Cambridge is of these beetles. Some are huge.

UAE Frees Academic

So the UAE has pardoned the academic who was researching security in the UAE I believe. No doubt this was a result of UK government pressure and the UAE fearing UK investment falling.

This reminds me of some years ago when the Greeks thought some UK plane spotters were spies: they just did not get it! It is true, some of us have very strange interests. 😊

One year on

About a year ago, the only bank in our village closed. It has still not sold. The plot is central and I am quite surprised it wasn't snapped up.

Mortality

Earlier, I walked to the bakers. On the way was a dead red-legged partridge that was probably hit by a car. I doubt the motorist was even aware. Things like this just remind us how fragile life really is.

A year ago my son's brother-in-law was killed whilst crossing the road on green at a pedestrian crossing in Australia. The car driver was on her phone and ploughed into him. He was only young. Tragic.

When we die (some of us) hope for some kind of life after death. No-one is really sure, but probably we just cease to exist as we did in the billions of years before we came into existence. What chance we were born at this time on this planet? One thing is certain: we know very little.

Are all religions our attempt to come to terms with our mortality? I do not know. No-one is really sure.

East Suffolk

Thornham Parva Church

Yesterday, we went to east Suffolk, visiting Eye and Thornham Parva churches. The first is a very ornate place, probably as a result of the wool trade. The latter is a very small, thatched church. The architect of the re-built Coventry Cathedral is buried in the churchyard here. In my view, Thornham Parva is one of the best churches on the planet. It is simple, but a haven of peace.

Own goal?

Sorry, but President Trump seems to like own goals. 

His latest swipe is against the French president Macron, allegedly. Sometimes he would increase his ratings by just shutting up. I want to swear, but I had better not! To many outside of the USA he does himself no favours.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46198297

Remembering

100 years after the end of WW1, we are still fighting wars and innocents are still being killed. Looking back, WW1 seems a total waste of young lives. Lambs to the slaughter!