Category: Geography

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EPSTEIN FILES

So the DoJ is witholding a further 2.5 million pages of documents, having released over 3 million today, 6 weeks after a deadline laid out by a court. What is there to hide? Documents released are mainly aimed at names already known like Andrew his are particularly damning, as are the unsubstansiated accusations against Bill Gates. Trump is mentioned numerous times but nothing particularly damning – what is in the 2.5 million? and why is it being withheld? I suppose evidence that your President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is a paedophile could be construed as a national security risk! Although any level headed person knows that Trump is a risk to humanity! What the files do reveal is that the power exerted by many men (usually white and at least middle aged), is exerted in the form of dominence over young and often vulnerable young girls. Should I have include d young women in their sordid abuse of power – probably, having never used (word used is deliberate) a prostitute I am unaware of the circumstances but ……. ? This is a clear case of white rich men exerting power over younger girls and women and reveals the lack of morality that is associated with extreme wealth in many cases.

Quite why the Daily Express leads with “Time to get Brexit done properly” , rather than the above is beyond me, other than the Express being formerly owned by a pornographer. Brexit was a huge mistake and one which the majority of the public would like to see reversed – but maybe not the geriatric readership of the Express.

Climate change – it is estimated that 6.3 million properties are in danger of flooding, rising to 8million by 2050. So at least 10% of the UK population. Extreme rainfall is becoming less unusual so flood prevention schemes are only viable in vulnerable places like the Somerset Levels; other places are less easy to protect from an intense downfall, especially in urban concrete jungles. Increasing the paving of gardens for parking has made a significant difference to the ability of water to infiltrate. The pipes used by the Env.Agency to drain the levels last week were fuck off huge! A localised storm in the spring after a wet month could bring huge damage – especially with houses being built on floodplains. Your house insurance will rise – even if you are not affected. But all is ok – Farages Reform Party says climate change is a con.

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DEMOCRACY

I am aware that the USA is a strange democracy – usually the Presidential race is won by whoever raises the most billion $dollars. however I am shocked at how the President seems able to conduct illegal (under international law) foreign incusions with impunity and little criticism from Congress. Does this mean that the American electorate is broadly supportive? Evidence from the big cities like New York would suggest not. So where is this much acclaimed (by Americans) democracy? They have a President that is sweating as more Epstein stuff is revealed, who is fixated on money. He wants peace in Gaza – so he can build an exclusive condo resort; peace in Ukraine so he can access oil and other reserves; invades Venezuela and illegally kidnaps its President – again to access oil and resources; threatens Columbia with the same; threatens Greenland – which would destroy NATO – for resources again. I suppose we should be thankful that we have exploited our resources in the UK already (although there are some rare earths rumoured to be in Cornwall. Beware!

So the November elections are the first opportunity to undermine him – give the suppine Republican Party and the largely irrelevant Democrats. Could he take over Greenland? Well he has no regard for laws anywhere. Their one saving grace maybe the lack of blonde bimbos in a population largely intuit! BUT really how can the American nation just watch an egoistic buffoon ruin their countries reputation.

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QUIZ

My Xmas quiz 2025 is almost done – here it is- with maybe additions later.

General knowledge

1. Carnaby Street is in which part of London

2. Alpha Ursae Majoris, Alcor, zet UMa, Merak, Alkaid, Alioth arę stars in which constellation?

3. “taste the Rainbow” – catch phrase for which product?

4. Which furniture design is famous for functionalism, leather and steel?

5. What were the first words said on a telephone?

6. What is the record for ‘running’ up the Empire State Building?

7. Which FA League football ground is highest a.s.l.

8. Which runner was the 4th member of the golden era of middle distance running with Steve Ovett, Seb Coe, Steve Cram and …

9. What type of star is the Sun?

10. What is the highest grossing movie of all time?

Geography

1. Someone from Zagreb is a ?

2. City where Blue Nile meets White Nile?

3. Desert largely in Namibia

4. Ankhor Wat is in which country?

5. It is midday in London, Xmas Day – what time is it in Tokyo?

6. The source of the Amazon is in which country?

7. What is meteorologically a “broken sceptre”?

8. Which capital city would get most points at scrabble?

9. In which country would you find the Okavango Delta?

10.   Rapa Nui is known in English as?

History

1. In which century was New Zealand first populated by humans?

2. Where did Columbus first land in the Americas?

3. Whose horse is preserved at the National Army Museum in London?

4. What is the newish name for Upper Volta – post colonial?

5. Who was the longest serving 1st Lady in the USA?

6. How old was Joan of Arc when she was burnt at the stake – there were some evil bastards around at the time!

7. A statue by Rodin stands outside the UK Parliament building – which city does it commemorate?

8. What was a stanary town?

9. Where did Lady Godiva supposedly ride naked?

10.   Which is the biggest stately home in Engl

Nature

1. The largest tree is a ?

2. Camberwell Beauty and Essex skipper are what?

3. A group of goldfinches is called a ?

4. Owls are zygodactyl – what does that mean?

5. Pica pica is the scientific name for which common British bird?

6. How many species of trees are native to Britain?

7.     Which bird was extremely common in North America but became extinct early last century?

8. Which bird is the symbol of the RSPB?

9. Which bird migrates at least 23000 miles each year?

10. Which animal is thought to be the most dangerous in Africa?

An anagram section – to be printed and completed during quiz, or a race?  Anagrams to be printed alphabetically?  Could be Somerset place names like EMNOORST?

1. AERSTT

2 ACDDEHR

3. ACEHTTW

4. ACCEHIMORSSTTT

5. EEEHNORSTTWY

Arts

1. Where was the painter of the `Mona Lisa born?

2. Who won a Turner Prize for an unmade bed?

3. Whose painting was stolen for a second time in 2024 – and the robbers left a note saying ‘thanks for the poor security’

4. Who wrote Wuthering Heights?

5. Name the winners of tickets in Charlie and the chocolate Factory.

6. Who wrote the ‘Famous Five’ books. Name the 5!

7. What nationality was the composer Chopin?

8. Who masterminded the London Olympics opening ceremony?

9. Who was the painter famous for painting scenes of winter festivities in the 16th century?

10. Who was the drummer with the Who in 1970’s, considered one of the best rock drummers ever?

11. What is the title of Richard Osman’s top selling book this Xmas?

Politics

1. Where does the Chancellor of the Exchequer live (Official residence)?

2. Who is President of the EU?

3. What does the speaker of the House of Lords sit on in Parliament?

4. The Parliament of …..called Alpine was founded in 930AD – where?

5. Name the UK Prime Minister who was assassinated?

6. Which PM was nicknamed ‘milk snatcher”?

7. Who was the first president of the USSR?

8. Which country had the first ever female leader?

9. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were deported to Australia for what crime?

10. The British Parliament abolished xmas in what year?

Air travel

1. Which airport in the world has most passenger traffic?

2. Which airport has the rain vortex?

3. The airport of which country has the three-letter code of ‘FUN’.

4. Only 50 pilots have been trained to land in which countries International Airport

5. Which airline with an ICAO of BAN and a call sign of PENGUIN?

Winners in 2025 – name the competitions

Celtic; Europe; Lisa Tertsch; JJ(Austria), Nnena Kalu; Maria Corina Machado; Bath; Middlesex; Mikey Madison.

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USA

The USA, or at least Trump and MAGA seem very hostile to the EU. I guess this is to be expected as at least western Europe tends to be centre-right wing most of the time with liberal social tendencies. The EU is twice the size of the USA population wise and has a far greater diversity of people and environments. The USA has forever used migrant labour to increase its power. However Europe has the brains, manpower and market to compete. Europe will eventually compete with US companies and will stop the drain of profits. Maybe we should encourage more links with China and India and the Arab World, and also South America and the hispanic world. America was great at exporting democracy – until it wasn’t. I think that many have realised that the USA was a dormant malicious tumour for some time. Trumps bromance with Putin comes and goes – but Russias impact on Europe is what Trump encourages. Paying our own way on NATO is fine – especially if we can tax the techno firms. Why does Trump lust after Putin? – to undermine the EU. China is too large for Trump to cosy upto to get any benefits; the EU too diverse; India is a possibility with Modri: Africa is too late and Trump’s brmance with Musk has soared the continents pallette.

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COVID REPORT

I am not sure that the report will change much! The overiding comment around here was that the situation was unprecedented and the government did its best, in the circumstances. I am not in agreement as I believe the government put money before people until the situation was dire. However the report does not reveal that the overall death toll would have been lower. Johnson was undoubtably the wrong person to be in charge, then or at anytime really.

I am surprised that the report did not analyse the geography of the disease. I kept a note of how the disease seemed to spread selectively – araes with low infection rates were soon engulfed. I suspect that the map of infections on a micro level would be more revealing. The £200 million report concentrated on Government decisions – but hardly mentions the geographic dimension and epidemiology should be of prime importance – Dr.John Snow should have set a presedent.

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COP 30

Do not let the fascists and deniers win! Starmer is retreating as Reform do well in the polls – but it does not have to be like this. Musk has launched a competitor to Wikipedia and the right wing knuckle draggers and flag shaggers have referred to Wiki as Wokepedia thus identifying there greatest weakness. FACTS. Wiki is fact checked and whilst tgere have been mistakes it is very good and accurate. The right wing hate this attention to facts, much preferring to brag about the lies they circulate on social media.

I recognise that there will often be disputes about facts, and that even substantiated ones may sometimes be disproven. However when even the POTUS sprouts garbage we have a problem. Paracetamol does not have any supporting evidence for causig autism – fact, but if Trump says so! But I can make up my own mind about that – but climate change affects every single one of us. The theory is indisputable; the impacts verified; but still the empty heads claim it is a left wing conspiracy! Fuck me, how stupid can these people be, and then gullible to extreme levels.

270 million were made homeless in the last decade by climate change, and 117 million by war. Is there a bigger exlistentual threat to our planet. My apples had fewer insect intrusions than ever before – I guess this should be welcomed, but I use no insecticides and the bird feeder was used less often. I just realised that I had jumped from 250 million homeless to maggot free apples – however they are linked inextricably.

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HURRICANE MELISSA

Hurricane Melissa has developed into a Category 5 hurricane over the warm seas of the Caribbean (2 degrees warmer than the norm). What this means is 250kph winds and a storm surge of upto 4m. The storm is slow moving and could also bring a metre of rain. The hurricane will cause widespread damage and hit the economy. If only it hit Miami! Not to kill people, but a huge impact on the U.S. might at least the MAGA idiots rethink? On reflection probably not, they would just blame democrats for upsetting God!

Will it bring heavy rainfall to the UK in a couple of weeks? I suspect so. Maybe it will coincide with Starmer announcing a step back of green energy promises? I was a Labour Paty member until recently, but Labour seem to be almost as clueless as the last jerks. Raising Nat. Ins. was, in retrospect wrong, and harmed the economy. A wealth tax would have been/be better. I see lots of houses being built, but no drop in prices. I read that on average rent is 45% of wages – fucking ridiculous. Introduce a rent freeze for 3 years – that would allow people to plan ahead. If new houses are not being bought to rent out the price should fall. I am sorry if tat means some people end up with negative equity – but the gravy train for landlords and house builders and banks needs to be halted. If only 10% of income was unnecessarily going to rent/mortgage and could be retained by tenants and mortgagees we would see a booming economy. Workers could be paid a fair wage, food quality could rise and people would not resent the taxes which pay for the NHS and Education and Police and so many others who make this country great.

So I do not think Labour are brave enough or even have the intellectual ability to be bold. I live in a 3 bed bungalow – by myself. Make me pay for this anti-social behaviour! My house value has more than doubled in the last 25 years and I have made no great improvements (unless you count my wildlife garden!).

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COAL

So India celbrated passing 1bn tonnes of coal extracted and burnt. Oceans warming, increased species extinction, Iceland has mosquitos for the first time, Forests continue to be felled unsustainably. Will humans be clever enough to solve the problems of melting glaciers, rising sea levels and, as yet unforseen catastrophes? Well the signs are there – the traffic lights are amber and yet our politicians carry on regardless – but nothing funny about this carry on! Hey folks – burning your clothes and matresses this winter will keep you warm – but you will be fucked in the future! Farage and tory followers want to increase fossil fuel burning ‘because it keeps the energy costs down’. Basically they are saying screw the environment as I will be dead before the shit hits the fan – ‘hopefully’.

However there are positive signs – one in five new cars sold last year in the UK was electric, in China nearly half. However I am not sure we are doing enough to protect our oceans. Just because they seem endless, and are 80% of earths surface area, they should not be ignored. They are the carbon sink and the oxygen provider for life on earth.

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FACT CHECKING

Do we fact check enough? I was talking in the shop and pointed out that the number of people crossing into the UK was 25000. (fact check it was 36000 in 2024 and higher this year), My colleague then said “per day” and he was serious! The publicity has distorted reality by that much. My colleague is not right wing, and would classify him as reasonably intelligent but also someone who does not follow the news. He was shocked when I said per year, genuinely shocked! Also of the 36000 about 5000 (mostly from Albania) were returned and with about 68% granted asylum. they were mostly from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania, Syria, and Eritrea. 73 people died attempting the crossing.

International asylum law, primarily established by the 1951 Refugee Convention, protects individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries. It grants the right to seek asylum in another country and outlines the responsibilities of states towards refugees. Key aspects include the principle of non-refoulement, ensuring that refugees are not returned to places where they face persecution.  It is not true that they must seek asylum in the first country they visit. France in 2023 had about 167000 asylum seekers whilst the UK had 67000 in total. Asylum seekers in the UK typically receive £49.18 per week for each person in self-catered accommodation to cover essential living needs like food, toiletries, and clothing.If they are in catered accommodation (where meals are provided), they receive £8.86 per week

The latest scam by Reform is to highlight the number of illegal immigrants (those staying without permission. Obviously this number is unknown so there is a difficulty fact checking and it allows the hateful to elaborate and exaggerate. What we do know is that the last government were abject in this area, like most others. Hence this government suggesting a ID Card. Estimates put us as second only to Germany in the numbers of unregistered migrants. There seems to be some grey area here, in theory a 20 year residence in this country gives a permanent residence permission – but stories of the Windrush Generation and deportations by the Home Office vary with this interpretation! I am not sure about ID cards – they have them across most of Europe but I really do not have the info!

Statistics Showing the Impact of Immigrants on the UK Economy and Society. The economic and societal impacts of immigration in the UK are significant. According to the Office for National Statistics, migrants contribute approximately £83 billion to the UK’s economic output annually.

It is impossible to know the exact number of illegal migrants in the UK because some people successfully evade border controls and remain undetected, while others enter legally but their status becomes irregular later on. However, estimates suggest there are between 417,000 and 863,000 irregular migrants in the UK, including UK-born children.  farless than the figures quoted by Reform and Farage (the source of these stats admit that they are flawed!)

So these are the facts as provided by respected authorities.

PS. I just put inials on apples so that they rippen with my grandchildrens inials embedded in the skins as the ripen.n



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CHINA

Why now? The BBC website has 2 major articles about China – both vaguely hostile. The first was about Chinese plans for a new embassy. I am sure that all the embassies of major countries are riddled with spying equipment – even the so called friendly ones – all will have their spy networks. So the article seemed rather hostile. China is far from a beacon of democracy but more later. The second article was about Chinese students at Uni in the UK being asked to spy on fellow students. The article went further to state that university lecturers were being ‘encouraged’ to avoid certain topics.

Both these articles have elements of truth – China is bit of a mystery to most of us. When young in 1950’s my dad sowed the seeds of nightmares by saying that there were so many Chinese that if we went to war with them ‘they would just over run us’. As a geographer I know a bit about China, and a little of its history. But basically I am ignorant about it and try to avoid imposing my own beliefs when hearing about China. I am aware that China has been more than nasty regarding  alleged ethnic cleansing in China’s Xinjiang region. Hong Kong has also raised questions regarding western style democracy. Tibet is another issue, although huge investments in infrastructure have been made. The big issue is Taiwan. Here Trump needs to be very careful in withdrawing the US from its world power.

China is also used as an excuse for not pursuing green energy projects. Yet China has an indisputable lead in installation of renewable energy – and yes it has a lot of coal power stations. China  Over the past 40 years, the number of people in China with incomes below $1.90 per day – the International Poverty Line as defined by the World Bank to track global extreme poverty– has fallen by close to 800 million. That is fucking amazing! Maybe we should be pushing Chairman Xi for a Nobel Peace Prize?

In the realms of fairness as I have mentioned a lot of negatives about China. The USA is attempting to defund universities that have criticised Trump. ICE is arresting and deporting citizens born in the USA (with glee). In the UK an 80 year old woman was arrested and her house searched for – holding a Palestinian flag and a banner stating that Israel should stop killing Palestinians.

Can I make a philosophical comment here? And I have thought it through so it may be open to much criticism. “A nation should not be judged on its successes, but how it handles its failures”. I was thinking about the Windrush generations, Hillsborough, Grenville Tower, miners riots under Thatcher, bean field debacle, PollTax riots. Our recent history of dealing with civil disobedience and dissention is not great.