Author: Richard

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JAM

I have just made some nectarine jam – at foirst it did not set properly but hopefully another blast on the heat will do the trick. It tastes rather wonderful! I. might make some lemon thin biscuits, or scones to have it on later. I will also make some more baguettes – I will just spray a little water as the last ones were tasting a bit waterery. I have just ordered olive oil from CrowdFarming – I love the fact they pront a label with JamJam on ot for the tins and whilst just over £10 ltr is expensive it seems ok for organic and kniwing all the dosh goes straight to the farmer – in this case Finca Bardomus, Fernando Agramunt. I guess I need to make some more strawberry jam – the last lot was rubbish, did not set and I used it to flavour home made yoghurt and oat cookies. I have noticed the abscence of insects whilst making jam – which is good but a little concerning.

I have also just received a box of lemons from Carmen Valasco at El Carrascal with a winter varieties called fino and primofiori. Organic which means the zest can be used. More baking stimulated, and also aioli on salads.

Neighbour cutting grass I am hemmed in but across the road 3 neighbours have let trhe vetch flower and two have let ragwort and chicory flower, it would be so nice to see wildlife return to the sterile lawns – although I accept that some birds such as green woodpeckers and corvids like the lawns! Like everything a mix and diversity is good.

Tomatoes are coming on 670g so far but this should escalate next week as the plum tomatoes and striped ones and normal ones ripen. I think/hope 10kg should be possible this year. Most mints are doing great – basil seems to be bolting a bit (hopefully as I use more with the tomatoes, it will bush out a bit). Mints are blooming and I will dry some more to make herbal teas. Flame lily continues to astound. Lime and lemon by front door looking good. New apricot tree seems to be getting established ok and the grape vine that I thought I had killed by lack of care seems to have new leaves and forgiven me after Martin moved it to make it easier to water.

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JUST WORDS

A fall in the rate of inflation is nice, that’s all! The cost of things is still 7.9% more expensive than a year ago – how many peoples wages are that much higher? Food and drink inflation is 17.3%. Perhaps the word inflation needs replacing with “more than a year ago”. Food from the rest of the world is also klikely to be hit by the climate crisis, sugar is up 54% and olive oil up 44%. I think I am correct in saying that further Brexit restrictions for food and plants come in in January. The new Russian restriction on Ukranian products will also have an impact on bith supply and prices. Besides the Mediterranean, Southern USA and China are both experiencing extreme weather conditions which will affect their production and export of food stuffs.

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CLIMATE CRISIS

Kerry needsd to tell the Chinese to act now to cut emissions. The arguement put forward by China about historic emmissions is just not valid in the present crisis. They are correct that the west gained an early advantage by burning coal, oil and gas, but the crisis is here, and now, and every country needs to face it.

Right wing politicians across Europe with nationalist agendas also need to look closely at their use of the climate crisis in culture wars and anti-woke measures. History will not be kind to them.

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ECONOMICS

Obviously not a science but several things have been pointed out recently. First that giving public sector workers a 10% pay rise would have little effect on inflation as the cost of teachers, nurses, doctors, etc. are not passed on.

The second was new to me, and is verified by Bank Of England documents. That is that if the extra money printed is used to increase productivity and health it is not inflationary. I admit that I do not understand the printing money bit! But it would seem, if the 2 pieces of information are true, that a new government could invest in the NHS and education, new green infrastructure and projects without it being inflationary. Maybe Starmer understands this, and also realises that it is beyond the comprehension of many voters (especially the older, no university education, ones!). Abolishing the 2 child benefit would produce no discernable benefit to society. Increasing child nursery places would.

Just folding the dough to make baguettes!

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WHAT IS THE POINT

of politicians? The seas are at record high temperatures, Greece and Spaon have huge fires, temperatures in China exceed 50C and in southern Europe and the USA heat warnings are issued. And our government is passing laws to make it illegql to walk slowly with prison sentences. It is like Westminster and certainly Downing Street have become lunatic asylums! There is no hope of a vaccine or a quick fix to solve the problem, and the jabbering idiots do nothing, except allow water companies to fill rivers and the seas with shit in case we thought we could get a quick cooling dip. It is CRIMINAL INEPTITUDE.

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SEA TEMPERATURES

Forget the “Heat bomb” in Mediterranean Europe, it is the unprecedented sea temperatures that are of the greatest concern together with the lowest amount of Antarctic sea ice ever recorded. Whilst I am super critical of this government for just about everything, Starmer’s Labour Party is looking to be no better when it comes to climate change. Starmer talks about economic growth at every opportunity. Even with greater emphasis on green investment ‘Growth’ equals more CO2 and other pollutants in the atmosphere. Surely a Labour Party should be talking about greater social equity? There is enough wealth in society for everyone to be more than comfortable. Public sector pay should be pegged to a multiple of the basic wage in the sector – the arguement that Council leaders are responsible for a multi million 3 business does not hold up when most of the expenditure has been sub-contracted. How many in the health service earn more than the PM? University leaders are on ridiculous money. Of they are that good let them move to the private sector and increase efficiency there! Increase in applicants in the private sector should also reduce top wages?

Could Labour also reduce the tax allowance on share dealing? A ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on transactions in the city would also help public sectors.

Elon Musk entering the electricty generation market and Dale Vince starting an airline – both could disrupt the status quo for the sectors involved to the benfit of the environment

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WEATHER

Southern Europe reaches temperatures of 48C, over 100 million Ameriacns are faced with temperature warnings next week with temperatures in the 40C’s. India and China are also. facing record temperatures.

Whilst the UK is experiencing a run of depressions bringing rain to most parts, I would love to know what the government plans are for a heat wave? With COVID everything was reactive rather than proactive! Will we have to wait for bodies to be piled up outside hospitals before action is taken. What plans are there for street sprays, opening up museums and libraries with air con. Or will the government give inflated grants to friends who purport to set up electric fan companies? What plans are there to limit petrol/deisel engines? What plans to support fire and ambulance services?

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ENVIRONMENT VERSUS CULTURE WAR

With no policies and no clue Shapps tries the culture war thinbg on Labour stating that they are funded by “Just stop oil”. Whilst this is a blatant lie that any 10 year old would spot, it goers down well with the deranged readers of the media trash. Already they have claimed that supporting green energy would add hundreds to energy bills. Tjey never mention the cost of not supporting it. The UK is one of the most gas reliant countries in Europe and therefore one of the most susceptable to price fluctuations (and we have seen how the free market for mortgages has impacted on many). Allowing easier planning for onshore wind would be an immediate benefit.

All new housing should be fitted with south facing solar panels and double insolation.

All urban areas should have a tree planting policy to amealorate future temperature fluctuations. Water companies should provide discounts for water butts, car parks should be latticed to encourage infiltration, and where appropriate be covered with solar panels.

And I repeat my call for news programmes to include a section on the climate crisis and daily updates on proportion of green energy produced every day. How aboutr a “Tomorrow’s Green World” similar to the 1970’s innovation programme.

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ECONOMICS

So Rachel Reeves says that labour will build a strong economy. In my opinion we have a strong, if distorted economy altready. Unemployment is low, the stock market buoyant, the pound strong against other currencies. We have a huge debt and balance of payments deficit. Tjhe natiral environment is suffering enough, as are the poor. What is needed is a realignment of economic policy into sustainable growth, more equitable distribution of resources. A radical rethink of a Britain that benefits ALL its inhabitants is needed. Labour did this after WW2 – can it do it again?