An industry is privatised, although there can be no competition, and investors guaranteed above inflation dividends. The supposed watchdog turns a blind eye to lack of proper investment. So in the last 11 years investors have received £11.9 billion in dividends.
WEATHER
What is going on? The Express and Star and Mirror have all reported expected snow and temps down to -10C by the end of the month. However the forecast for the South-West as far as I can read it, is cold nights with possible frosts, probably in rural areas, bright sunny or at least dull days with little precipitation.
COP26
SANDFORD STORES
My local shop and staff have been nominated as “Local heroes” for their efforts during the Covid Lockdown. They are into the last 20 in a competition run by Boost Energy Drinks.
The reasons why I think they should be in with a chance for the winners title are as follows. At no time did they ever ask for anything in return – shopping was done, drugs and prescriptions collected, co-ordination with volunteers was arranged without fuss. Days off were not contemplated. All done quietly and efficiently. Local councillors were hiding in their nuclear bunkers. Thanks should also be made to Thatchers Cider who set up a dedicated help line for locals. All this was co-ordinated by Aaron Bleach who fortunately is still an invaluable member of our community.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
An old but interesting subject. RollsRoyce are going ahead with a part government funded scheme to develop mini nuclear reactors. In many ways this seems to make sense, an emergency would be presumably on a smaller scale. There has been no reports of what to do with the waste – but given urgency in replacing fossil fuels and long term battery storage and hydrogen fuels still in the ‘promising’ class it would seem to make sense. How I hate admitting that the government might have got something right!
CLEMENTINES
I just received my box of organic clementines direct from an organic farm in Murcia – exciting.
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The number of domestic flights taken by ministers and civil servants last year – 293 per day! Who is hosting the summit on the climate change crisis – remind me! Why did anyone from the ONS need to fly domestically? Let alone 2055 of them. No wonder the government halved duty on domestic flights to £6.50 – a quick calculation makes that nearly £1 million saved!
HURRICANES, CYCLONES, TYPHOONS
Tropical Storm Wanda is probably the last of the season which has been one of the busiest on record, although most activity has avoided landfall, with the notable and destructive exceptions of Fred, Grace and Ida. 21 named storms were recorded this season which is the 3rd highest recorded.
COP26
I weren’t much cop at English at school, but I do understand the difference between action and vague promises. Johnson’s metaphors must be interesting after a date, more I will be in touch rather than see you at 5pm tomorrow at Claridge’s. Oh well, now the initial bullshit from world leaders is over with for the next 10 days or so I can ignore what journalists are try to make a story out of, when one does not exist.