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COVID

An official report states that the Conservative of the time wasted £10 billion on unusable kit, I know it was a panic time but contracts were handed out without even a glipse of common sense – but the papers ignore this and complain about a present government spend of £10 million on advisors. I think it is proper that such sums are scrutinised to avoid waste, especially at times of public hardship. I know people who are complaining about hardship and the rising cost of living whilst driving a new EV, getting various work done on their house and going out regularly for meals – some hardship. Round here the hardship is well hidden – it often has in rural areas, but there is no evidence of poverty. Only a poverty of caring for others. Parents are quick to blame teachers and schools for their offsprings antics and rarely castigate themselves for poor parenting.

An excellentbresult in Dallas last night and the England football team showed what it could have been. Tonight we will see the masacre of the beautiful game by FIFA greed and American commercialism, half-time by the regulations stipulated by FIFA should be 15 minutes, yet the final will have a 30 minute show with advertising and a star line up, on top of the hydration breaks. Half time is when fans go for a slash, get a cuppa and a pie before returning to their seats to moan about the referee!

Ann Widecombe murder – the accused perpitraitor had his arrest extended for 7 days – and we wait for actual news, Farage says the guy hated him, anything to seize back the news and concentrate it in the muppet himself. Trumpy is having an anger fit again against the Iranian people, this time by bombing their bridges and thus making life even more difficult for people, especislly the poor, and ensuring they will support their despicable government.

So tomorrow we start to learn how different the country will be under Burnham rather than Starmer, to whom I offer my hopes for a great retirement and that he shuts up about destroying the Corbyn Labour Party. Burnham has a difficult job to do with the Labour Party, let alone the government – BUT only the racists and fascist knuckle draggers will not hope we can stop talking about broken Britain – and embrace hope and dreams.

Warm again – and how do brambles grow so fast?

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NEW PM

So from Monday we have a new Prime Minister – Andy Burnham. Firstly cut the crap about him not being elected and not having a manifesto, this type of change has been rife in Parliament this century. Hopefully we will see some big decisions immediately; He should put Thames Water into administration, and any other utility that is misusing customers money; Political funding should be met head on – the public will support whatever restrictions are put on; Drilling in the North Sea., Rosebank and Jackdaw should go ahead with all income supporting green energy initiatives, but no new licences should be necessary!; USA – we need a reset, tell the orange child to fuck off, ban foreign governments financing political organisations – Trump has facilitated a $7 gift to Jacob Scum-Dog’s think tank, and also has supported the Argentine teams use of a banner declaring the Malvinas ‘to be theirs’. FIFA have a no politics rule for a very good reason. Football is a global game played by billions, unlike American minority sports, political gestures have long been outlawed, basically Trump is a thick narcistic bully with faltering cognitive ability, oh and also a rapist and child abuser – how the fuck did America elect the slime ball. Back to Burnham – just down the road for me!. He has already encouraged positive thoughts by talking about basic Labour virtues, can he follow through on Gaza, cost of living, green investment.

Meanwhile all has gone quite on the byelection in Clacton between Count Binface and some joke grifter. The latest IPSOS poll suggest a 60% lead for binface, but interestingly 74% said investigation into his finances should continue regardless of byelection result. Farages popularity raating is falling – perhaps people are more discerning as the facts role out – or will they continue with their racist views?

Tonights football? Heart England: Head France – it should have been the final! Will both teams play to win, or will it be another bore? Mbappi, Kane and Bellingham all have a chance to deprive Messi of the golden boot!

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HERBS

I do not know why I am a little obsessed with my herbs – I just bought 5 diferrent thyme, some golden oregano and a rosemary, also got some parsley seeds to grow inside., oh and a chaya! I filled my 200ltr water butt from a hose – just incase there is a hosepipe ban in the next week or so. I feel a little guilty as this seems selfish – but I have invested in my wilderness. Butterflies are supposedly doing well this summer – I have nettles and buddleja, together with herbs and flowers, but have only seen, skippers, whites, meadow brown and a blue so far, maybe they will appear later.

Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister – a remarkable event, Labour MP’s must be wondering what they lack in charisma to not being challenging him! 401 are seen to be not worthy as a newcomer sweeps the board! Is he worth the hype? The left are likely to be disappointed – he is part of the establishment, albeit with some nice ideas.

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NEW TERM

The Daily Fail has come up with a new term, Ann Widdecombe’s murderer MAY have been a “left wing terrorist”. Of course they have no knowledge of this – he was not known to the police or anti-terror organisations. So this is to whip up a bit of hatred against people like me and my family. Reform personalities, especially Farage and Jenprick, are trying to make it all about them – Farage turned down government funded protection saying it was inadequate ‘is that compared to the £5million you said was donated for your security, Nigel?’. Other MP’s have shown concern but not panic despite regular death threats and a desire not to be blase, she once received 600 rape threats in one evening! So back to the top – is there a left-wing terrorist threat in the UK? I am sure there are a few friendless losers who are on their own, compared to right-wing terrorism which is organised and supported by right wing parties and the press.

The village hall is showing the football tonight, I was told there will be a fantastic atmosphere! From geriatric people who hate football and are closet racists, No thanks. Spain was a revalation last night, beating the favorites France – Trump will possibly have to watch the game with 2 PM’s, one of whom is defiantly anti-American/Israel war on Iran. Starmer can be seen as right of centre but still not a fan of his. I am sure the POTUS will be supporting Argentina, and watch out for dirty tricks!

11 million people live in areas where less than 10% land gets shade from trees. A report on BBC website todays suggests the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC – a vast, north-south system of currents that carries warm surface water towards the Arctic and returns colder water thousands of miles south through the deep ocean (known to my generation as the North Atlantic Drift!), is breaking down. Temperatures in the south especially have markedly risen, rainfall data in the paper was selective, but it is likely that we will see more extremes and floods (unless the beavers get to work! Also a question – are grouse moors more vulnerable to wildfires, we already know that they are exascerbating flooding near them. Time to ban shooting wildlife for pleasure and the male ego! This could open up a huge swaithe of land for the public wind turbines or solar, or even more H.E.P.?

1st tomato from greenhouse today! And drying lots of herbs! More on the way!

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NO NEWS TODAY

The papers have lost the plot – the front pages were characterised by their lack of news. It was all conjecture and guesswork. Anne Widdicombes murder was ‘politica’ was suggested as a fact when all that had happened was the investigation was taken over by counter-terrorism police, who presumably have more knowledge and expertise than Devon & Cornwall police. Tonights football match also revealed a great deal of hot air and rumblings about past misdemeanours. A study of the last heatwave also revealed that the right wing press were reporting on it without a mention of climate change. there was even conjecture about the price to be spent by someone with, too much money, for a T.Rex dinasaur skeleton. In the past philanthropists would have created a museum and endowed it with scientific research teams, but now – we will see, or not see it again! The farce that is Trump’s war (with huge casualties) continues – here again the facts are hard to ascertain. Do the verbal vomit that comes out of his, and his pals, mouths mean anything at all. His latest is to charge a 20% tax on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz – illegal, but like he cares about that, he has probably forgotten he said it,nor has denied he said it.

Of greater concern is the lack of awareness regarding wildfires, there have been outbreaks across England and Wales in the last couple of days, and with no rain expected for the next week or so, it would seem sensible to issue a public warning against BBQ’s in vulnerable places – a ban on disposable units would also help. Perhaps councils should set up free BBQ sites in urban areas, or at least charge a no profit fee to ensure safety and clean up. Many people live in flats and would love the opportunity for a bbq party somewhere safe. Lostwithiel council has provided a BBQ by the River Fowey which is free to use and kept unlittered by appreciative users (as far as I know).

Everything seems to be monetised now – even scrubby Sand Bay at W-s-M has car park charges, it used to be just the NT to help pay for the upkeep of Sand Point which has free access, but now walking by the sea is seen as a money making exercise. Like all sports – there is a price to pay, when in my teens, my neighbour Ann and I would cycle into the tennis grounds provided by the council and charged a couple of bob and hour for the privilege, now it is ‘join the tennis club – darling’. A local field with goal posts is surrounded by a 8ft fence and locked – it seems always.

Where is the love? Has society turned into insular units of selfishness?

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EL NINO

Just about everyone is now aware of El Niño and La Niña – these events were unknown to me in childhood. So the ‘Godzilla’ El Nino has started with sea temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean 3C above normal. Many are speculating about what this means for us weather wise – early projections are a wet autumn and then a cold end to winter (which I presume means dry?) and the a hot summer. But the weather is the least of our concerns. Latest statistics reveal that an estimated 440 people A DAY DIED in the last heatwave (comparison 35 deaths each day due to traffic accidents). A study by Goldman Sachs (not a UN related body!) estimates that world food commodity prices could rise by 15.8% – this would have an impact of a rise of 1.3% rise in food prices across the Eurozone. trumps war with Iran will continue to have an impact on fertiliser and oil prices, and Ukraines war with Russia seems to be taking a new turn with the Sea of Azov blocked for Russian exports of oil and grain. Add in the cuts in aid budgets by Starmer and Trump and there are parts of the world that will be basically fucked by any extreme climate events.

Thank goodness for Hannah Spencer – a new Green MP who has already made a mark – decrying the drinking culture of Westminster, this time she is introducing a bill to set maximum temperatures in the workplace – I wonder who will oppose this?

Wild fires are breaking out in a few areas of the UK – most notably Snowdonia. I am sure the firefighters are doing a brilliant job – but do they have the training and equipment? 70% of land is owned by 1% – a need for legislation to put the onus of proper management on those Rich F’s!

Hey kids early warning, I want another large water butt for Christmas .

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HEY JUDE

You make me glad! Jude Bellingham was scorer of two goals in last nights tense Q-F. Now for Argentina and the GOAT, What makes the World Cup special is the differing styles of play, even the Champions league in Europe does not offer the diversity or the tension. There is a lack of atmosphere that is usually provided by a partisan crowd singing, presumably one does not shell out several thousand £s to do something as common as sing ‘in public’! However the teams have come together and melded together, albeit intermittently, and new legends created. Despite 48 teams competing the last 4 were predictable from the onset. France are probably the best team, Spain have not really clicked – yet, and Argentina have had the luck (or conspiracy?) whilst England have shown great team spirit but have relied on Bellingham and Gordon for inspiration.

Meanwhile – the Widdecombe murder is the main topic. I wonder what the police were thinking when they arrested a man for the murder and then let him go 24 hours later? Did they think that with the inevitable publicity they ought to arrest someone, anyone? Why this guy – is he a n’er do well with a reputation? What suspicion did they have to arrest him? And now they have arrested a guy 200+ miles away? In this latest scenario it would seem that the police may have had some intellignce information? It is an interesting story for a novel. Public figure with extreme views is found bludgeoned to death. Police immediately arrest local man with no evidence, then a man 200 miles away. What was the motive? Was it a robbery gone wrong? Or was it an assassination? Maybe we will find out eventually?

Weather – temperatures agin 30C here, although a breeze. I am still appalled at the lack of urgency by government regarding the climate crisis. The right wing want to drill for more oil and gas, money is all they care about. But it is a crisis and a government report has set a 20 year timetable for sorting it – air con in care homes, schools and NHS. If it was a war it would all happen much, much quicker – why is it that killing people demands a quicker reaction than saving people? And sea temperatures in the North Sea and Channel are 5C warmer than normal. But who cares?? Not the idiot standing against Count Binface in Clacton.

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CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Amazing – there are still ignorant toe rags who believe that global warming is not causing a risk to life on earth – and we need to be aware of the impact on the natural environment too. I would call on Ed,Milliband to present a weekly TV show on all channels licenced to air on UK TV. He could use the room fitted out for Boris to make Covid announcements. I am sure he could fill 10 minutes a week with data about renewable energy production and innovations, CO2 levels, etc. all with the flags draped behind. Do we have to wait for wildfires in the UK to cause death and destruction before we take action. And why is there not an outcry about the decline in insects, and thus other species, I am old enough to remember a front grill on a car after a medium drive being festooned with dead insects – no longer, how many insects do you see around a nicely mowed lawn? I am proud of my wilderness! Despite the neighbours – who have absolutely made no comments, for or against, apart from cutting their lawns and spraying to stop wild flowers from germinating. Any way

neighbours – I am 73 and live alone, only one neighbour asked how I was keeping – about 10 months ago! So neighbours who asked me to water their plants whilst on holiday can FO. I might be a little unconventional but I am not unfriendly and I think generous – I have given produce in the past but have received nothing in response. I guess that is the impact of living in a tory heartland – Guardian readers 1 or 2, Mirror readers = 1, Rural Britain !

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WILDFIRES

Spain is suffering from the worst wildfires for years – Andalusia may have 11-20 dead. Te extreme heat is causing problems across Europe. Not due to Moroccan disquiet about the World Cup, which caused minor disturbances in cities in France and Holland, and on the Edgware Road in London (hardly riots all over Europe!), bro’! I suspect an English loss or even victory against Norway would result in more arrests (if a defeat then domestic violence will spiral), but be under reported in the crap media. The climate crisis reveals itself occasionally, and is rarely taken notice of. Heat kills, but too many people enjoy it for it to be seen as a problem, morons declare that they love the Mediterranean weather, but ignore the consequences. This is Gaia providing a warning of what is to come if we do not take action – like NOW! Systems in nature are slow to react,and a rise in sea level and ocean temperatures will not have an easy fix.

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WARMING UP

Temp at 09.30 is 28C – should top out at 32C this afternoon. I woke up at 0415 and decided to get up and do things early, so all plants watered and greenhouse, drink for later made (mints, ginger, lemon and honey). Pillow cases in wash with t-shirts, etc., Football watched on catch up (France look very good). papers sorted at shop, and paper read – all before 0730! Fan is on – thank goodness for the solar panels!

News is depressing as usual – Iran -Israel/USA continues, oil prices hike again, more accusations of Israeli execution of an aid worker, and also of children. At least Andy Burnham admits that Labour got it wrong on Gaza – we will see if he puts substance to words. farage is now being investigated for further dodgy contributions and money laundering – it seems highly probable that should he win the byelection he will be suspended and another byelection called – this time with all the major parties. Even posh dicks like him, Tice and Jenprick have to obey the law.

My garden is seen by some as a weed invested mess – but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is certainly wild in areas, but I have planted things to diversify, and allowed intruders like evening primrose and chicory to flourish – fennel is self seeding and had been seen growing in the roadside gutter 5 house fronts away, along with pals, the last 2 mentioned. I have planted a few roses (red, white, yellow, purple, orange, pink) and a few herbs. I might make a video and post it of a suburban wilderness.