Category: Geography

Interesting article in todays paper by John Harris. It suggests that clustering is taking place in previously fairly uniform voting areas. Cambridgeshire, Surrey and West Sussex have moved to the left (possibly due to migrants from London). Greens win in East Sussex, Gloucestershire and Kent. Whilst areas in the north have moved to the right. Or is the terminology of left and right out dated. Are people making economic decisions based on their situations, education and beliefs. Just as religion is virtually nonexistent in my world, so the discussions about veganpsm, organic food, poverty and food banks, the wealth gap and the obscenely rich have grown.

Israel is reaping the result of its unfair nationalist policies for the past few years. Does criticising the Jewish government of Israel make me anti-Semitic? Personally I do think so because I really do not know or care what a persons colour, religion, orientation, etc. is. There have been many things that seem wrong to me that have happened in the Middle East – most emanating from Post-War British rule. I am not sure the situation was ever manageable, but it seems like we did not try too hard!

This might develop into a longer post than usual.

Levelling up is a favourite term for our misguided mob leading the country. Something they themselves have decried for decades. Ebbw Vale was built for steel, and now that industry has gone there is little point in pouring money into a failed site. So is this true of the north of England (or Wales, and parts of Scotland)?

A sort of who am I? I was born in Essex to Essex parents. So I am Essex, and therefore English, British, European and a member of the human race. I vote on the left/green, I support Sunderland and Forest Green Rovers. I have lived in Cornwall, London, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, West Midlands, North Somerset, Avon, Devon (some for a very short time). My children were born in Cornwall, East Sussex and Avon (Bristol). my children live in Bristol and Cornwall. My grandchildren are all Cornish.

Looking really good in most areas with Braintree being the top the larger areas.

Interesting times? First of all Chile – 3rd in world league table of % vaccinated but has a spike in infections. This is put down to easing of restrictions too fast. Vaccination is not the answer, just part of the solution. Social distancing and mask wearing indoors, are probably here to stay for some years. Opening the doors for foreign travel would seem to be over optimistic (or culpable?) until the worldwide pandemic has abated. I think the theme time for the detective series in the 60’s was called ‘Softly, softly, catches monkey”. – Probably classed as racist now – but an approach favouring caution is needed.

Secondly the Astra Zeneca – definitely the most world friendly one, but would it have been approved under normal circumstances? Almost certainly not without caveats. But has it been a success? Apart from the 7 deaths and 23 other cases it has – without it, the number of deaths would have been thousands – but no solace for the deceased’s relatives. Given a choice I would want my children to have a Pfizer or Moderna one; but definitely have the jab.

There are still many things that are unknown – how long do the jabs work? Are they successful against variants, are they ok for children? What level of protection is necessary for ‘herd immunity”. – if this exists at all.

Brilliant – yesterday Maz, Rich and Erin and Adam came up -first time we have all been together since 2020 I think. No hugging, just sensible distancing, so hopefully all ok – patio door open all the time too. Cornwall and here have very low rates of the virus at present so I hope all is fine.

Interesting radio programme on this topic. Asia countries have done much better than Europe. They acted faster than we did and seem more efficient – thus have not had to lockdown late and hard! South America has in general been abysmal!. Brazil’s President is a danger to his country and the world!