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TYPHOON DOLPHIN

Over one million people were evacuated in China yesterday due to Typhoon Dolphin. It packed maximum wind speeds of 150km/h (94mph) when it first slammed into Yuhuan in the Zhejiang province at 17:30 (09:30 GMT) on Sunday before making a second landfall in the city of Wenzhou about an hour later, meteorological authorities said. Parts of China could experience upto 500mm rain causing flooding and landslides. This storm is thought to be more severe due to El Niño, Rather than watering down Net Zero, we should be ramping it up, yes car manufactures will squeal but in the end will compete to be more efficient and thus successful! I have considered a heat pump, but think that batteries are not quite at their peak yet (and I love my high powered shower which runs off a combo boiler!). I am pleased to say that my solar panels are contributing to the nearly 50% from renewables at this moment. World sea temperatures are at a record high – be afraid, very afraid!

A study by the Guardian showed that nearly half the tweets , about the June riots in Belfast and Southampton in June, on X were from abroad. I am all for free speech, but if the posters, and the media are not liable for slanderous or subversive comments they should be shut down. Foreign states have a vested interest in undermining our country, and there may be an element of financial gain involved? The thugs attacking our police officers were referred to as patriots rather than the racist thugs that they are!

Netanyahu continues to defy Trump and the world by demanding everything rather than even a small compromise.

Sadiq Khan has overruled Westminster Councils ridiculous decision on “vertical drinking”, it had planned to not issue licences to pubs where people do the British thing of horizontal queueing! A good bar tender knows who is next in line to be served. Other plans by Westminsters Conservative council included ‘last orders’ at 10pm, clubs to shut at midnight. I am sorry if it is noisy, but why buy a house in the entertainment capital of the UK and then complain about the noise? Ironic that it takes a Muslim to uphold British values – suck on that Elon Musk!

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WEATHER

Being British, it is a major topic of conversation – usually because the weather changes frequently. However it is possible that we are facing a change. July has been persistently dry with warm rather than hot weather, next week we are facing yet more dry weather with temperatures above 30C. My garden is holding up well, although the apples look a little sorry, Wild fires seem to be common across the Northern Hemisphere, Canada is the last I noted, South Korea has record temperatures, and still the twats complain about net zero targets. We have no idea about the impact of El Niño yet. Most likely is a wet autumn, and then a harsh January, but nobody is making firm projections yet. What seems likely is that food prices will soar as the Southern Hemisphere reacts to the changes of El Niño.

Netanyahu dismisses Trump’s plan for Gaza – their blood lust seems to be insatiable! Why the fuck does anyone put up with Israel? Kick them out of the UN and ostracise them completely. Russia and China must love the havoc they cause amongst supposed allies!

A picture for you

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SHUSH

I have nothing to say today – I was going to vent some anger regarding the prison system but it is too summery – in summary prison should only be used to protect the public from harm.

I have watered the garden, picked some thyme to dry, filled. a water butt incase of a hosepipe ban – I would be allowed to water plants less than 6 months old, but do not wish to piss off the neighbours with their brown lawns!

I just looked up electricity generation figures -at 10.50 only 7.5% was being produced by fossil fuels (gas). have a lovely day.

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NO NEWS

I can always tell when there is no real news – every paper leads with a different story dominating the front page. The filth are trawling around to find someone to encourage their readers to hate – rather pathetically. It would be nice if, on days with no real news they published good news stories or optimistic ones. They even manage to report heat waves without mentioning climate change!

So, I have put the suppliments in the papers at the shop, done the washing and put it out, watered the tomatoes and chilli, mints, herbs and hanging baskets should be ok for now. I have filled a water butt in case we have a hosepipe ban so 250ltrs should see me through the next heat wave – 31C next week forecast. 19 counties recorded no rain in July. so far we have had 33 days of temperatures above 30C, the record of 34 is likely to be broken this week – and still the RW wankers will call for more drilling in the waters around the UK.

Has the word empathy been replaced in many areas by woke and used therefore as an insult. Some residents in Thetford are proving to be thugs and layabouts!

But I have some questions, the paper last week said that 49 people who had been returned to France under aa government scheme for illegal immigrants, had reappeared in the UK – at a cost of £1000 per person per boat, or £4000per lorry journey, where do they get the money? Presumably someone is paying them? If I could sell everything I own(of value) I doubt I would raise more than £1000 – apart from the house! Setting up a legal route would seem urgent, and then anyone in a small boat could be returned, not necessarily to France, but to their country of origin, legal routes for actual asylum seekers would ensure the victims and poor could get through – and be provided with accommodation – Kemi Badenoch please note. Why do the RWPress refer to her as ‘Kemi’ as a term of endearment, whilst refering to Burnham rather than ‘Andy’?

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RIDICULOUS

Politicians on the right seem to be affected by the hot weather, either that of they are having a competition to state the most obviously ridiculous statements. First up is Rupert Lowe who on TV refused to say that King was a white briton (he has a Greek father) – apparently both parents need to be white and born in Briton to be acceptable! – fucking ejit! He also states that Britain ‘is hurtling towards becoming an Islamic country”Then Trump calls for long jail sentences for anyone who leaks that the us` is running low on offensive weaponsregardless of the truth of the matter. Meanwhile the press is avoiding reporting the disturbance in Thetford where right wing activists have descended to harass possible asylum seekers.

A report on pollution of Englands water bodies finds that every single one is polluted with toxic chemicals whilst only 14.3% of surface bodies achieved a good ecological status. Pollutants included ‘forever chemicals’, mercury and flame retardants, beside the usual agricultural runoffs and chemicals. Most of us regard turning on a tap for water as a right as ubiquitous as breathing. However it is becoming clear that the water industry has been fucked by capitalism and the demand of investors for a quick profit. How safe is our drinking water? For sure they (the water companies) kill the bacteria that makes us vomit, but do they/can they clean out the toxic chemicals? Reports a while back suggested that male sperm counts were halved in the the last 50 years, possibly due to the pill?. What other nasties are we drinking. Also we have a rising population with an individually rising demand (and also data centres?) but have not built any new reservoirs for 3 decades. But do we need to change? Building standards could adapt to use mainly rainwater for flushing toilets, even baths and showers. My house was built with a soaraway for rainwater and bathwater (1950’s build) I guess many more homes could have this. Drive ways could have a lattice to replenish the water table, Nothing is as complex as it seems if treated at a local, small level. How long before we see misting centres prolificating in the UK (walk through and get misted with water to cool down – being the UK it is likely that there will be a charge!

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JOURNALISM HAS GONE ON HOLIDAY!

The press has returned to tired old stories and reguritated them (single sex spaces and early release from prison!) Or taken a totally no interest story of a black academic at Cambridge alleged to have commited plagiarism- to avoid being racist the mail published a large photo of the guy. Only one paper led with a stabbing attack in London which injured 4 (the attacker was a white female!). Other favourites that are being ignored as the public disagrees with the papers owners views – i.e. climate change. The Mail ran an arguement by some tosspot stating that it is too late to stop it and many would love a Mediterranean climate – “see your home burnt and neighbours killed in the inferno – hs appeal?”.

Did you know that 80-95% of taste is via smell? Also Westminster Coucil has come out against vertical drinking! They want the beer to be provided by staff to people sitting at tables! At least a vertical drinker will wobble a bit if they have too many (Gore in Parliament?) rather than fall asleep? By the way the council is Conservative controlled! No woke nonsense here then!

A drone armed with 600lb explosives has been discovered at Leipzig Airport – surely front page information. The airport is a hub for Ukranian planes, so accusing Russia would not be unreasonable. However it would seem that European countries (yes us) should be preparing for drone attacks on different scales – from individual attacks to basically bombing attacks. What happened to the Gatwick shutdown caused ‘by a drone’ – it all went very quiet!

NHS warnings of extreme heat in the future. A suggestion – provide a £40 mobile air con to vulnerable, and give them a £40 voucher for money off their electric. Cheaper than burdening the NHS. I have bought one and it works fine. P.S. also encourage householders to let their garden lawns be populated by flowers – roses are lovely and bush plants can grow to 2m, whilst herbs such as sage and rosemary can provide smells, herbs and shade. The total area of lawns in UK domestic gardens is estimated to be roughly 176,000 hectares (1,760 square kilometers). This is calculated from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) finding that domestic gardens cover about 502,757 hectares and that lawns make up approximately 35% of that space. This is about the size of Worcestershire – the area turned over by householders to a wilderness (at present – scorched and brown!).

Meanwhile in the States things are getting interesting. Democratic primaries seem to be going to the left with the latest El-Sayed winning in Michigan. His opponent raised $50 million but still lost. can America really become great again without the toxic influence of Trump and MAGA?

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OLD AGE

Just a few thoughts. Firstly always regard being old as a privilege rather than something to moan about, yes there are many inconveniences associated with old age, slower reactions, stiffness, bits of the body malfunctioning, but we have made it! Despite the self abuse and risk taking of our youthful years and beyond we made it! Are we wiser? Probably not – politicans tend to be older, and some of them are right ejits – Trump is a prime example of someone who is old and thinks it makes them clever (the evidence, your honour, shows this to be a no brainer, literally). For my generation, the situation has been wonderful for many of us, I got a grant to go to uni, a job basically for life, free health care and for a long time free dentistry, cheap public transport before Thatcher, the 1960’s/1970’s, and now a pension that is more than adequate. TBH what is there to moan about? A dodgy knee and deafness in one ear, meneires disease, Yes there have been hiccups on the way – but we made it!

The press is resorting to laziness – complaining about the early release of prisoners, despite and ignoring the fact, that the last Government caused this crisis by not building new prisons, increasing jail times and cutting the Probation Service.

Capitalism without a human face is crap! The big 4 banks in the UK have reported profits of £29.2 billion in the last 6 months – how? Well to my ignorant eye there seems to be 2 ways 1. do not pay depositors a fair return on investments; or 2. charge companies and individuals extortionate rates for overdrafts/loans. Maybe they have also overcharged on fees for acquisitions. Then the top oil companies have been creaming it – $90 billion in last 3 months – created by the mystery created by Trump and Israels war with Iran and Lebanon. But the RWPress continue to harp on about the small boats (is it because the thick punter can understand the plight of 100 people on a small boat but are too thick to acknowledge the $/£ billions made by the rich. Palantir which has £670 mill in government contracts paid just £2mill in tax, and they have access to your medical records!

Farmers and landowners have called for a ban of disposable bbq’s, I thought they were banned, but a small design change and they are now reusable bbq’s . And should be banned, with a class legal action against all those who sell them, maybe the law should be changed to make anyone who sells them responsible in part for damages and prosequestion for manslaughter.

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RAIN

It is quite exciting really, it looks like it may rain here this afternoon, fingers crossed for enough to refill water butts, although the south-east looks like missing out. Basically essex and Kent have a savanna climate regarding rainfall, and recently summer temperatures. However the following week is predicted to be mainly dry. Farmers are talking up prices and certain crops like cereals and cauliflower/brocolli seem to be suffering. Many farmers in Europe will have lost their crops (I was informed of an avocado farm which lost 30% of its trees. The latest country to be reported in the press with wildfires is Greece. El Niño will reach its zenith in December (hence the Spanish name), so we can expect at least another year of strange weather until we return to normal before La Nina takes hold! The Danube is at record lows and has revealled some interesting find in it scorched bed.

The latest poll from Clacton shows Farage at 75% and Count Binface on 20% – even this is humiliation for the toad faced twat! The turnout is expected to be low – if his number of votes goes down that is a virtual defeat in the context of no mainstream opponents! His latest embarrassing publicity attempt is that he would instruct the Royal Navy to intercept small boats and return them to France – which senior military personnel have said is not practicl or legal – like he cares! It is a story that will rally his racist supporters. I am mystified why the government have not yet opened up legal channels to get into the UK – are they frightened by the racists? If we did that, then all small boats arrivees would know that they would be returned to France. I am still mystified as to where these migrants get the money to board a small boat – the owners are doing it for charity or even political reasons. Many may be trafficked. The refugee crisis is one which needs calm appraisal rather than racist ranting.

On/off/on/off/on/off/on/off I fucking give up – latest USA/Iran talks are being hyped up by the US, and ignored by Israeli genocide units! And the price of will fluctuate to the glee of dealers in the petroleum markets – especially American ones who get prior knowledge! Producing oil and gas has a fixed price, selling it is up to the market price – UK motorists and many homeowners are facing higher bill to satisfy the shareholders in the Petro companies (who are ignoring the climate crisis – but not immune!

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EDUCATION

Something I know a little about having taught for 27 years. Is there too much testing and reporting – of course, we do not make plants grow by measuring them! The testing regeime was enhanced during the reign of terror instigated by various, mainly, but not exclusively, Tory governments who were intellectually bereft, My daughter had to undertake 110 externally marked exams up to and including A Level, where she got 3 B’s and a D. Any competent teacher could have predicted this end result. She went on to get a 2.1 from Manchester University. At no point was she assessed for her research and analysis skills. I am not saying that all exams should be abolished – well maybe. Pay a school like Eton £60000 a year and they will coach your offspring to pass academic exams – that’s fair, not! Many politicans of all persuasion have great qualifications from private schools and OxBridge, but have shown intellectual stupidity when it comes to government of complicated issues. OFSTED also judge teachers and schools after a brief visit of amazing stress and paperwork. This could be made so much simpler by comparing exam results with socio-economic data of the students/and parents.

Parents can use OFSTED as an excuse for their offspring, and test results to berate te teacher – yet many homes are litary deserts with no written word in sight! And libraries have been closed (to save money? or as class vandalism?). I say this as someone who had a son aged 14 who only read the Argos catalogue! And before anyone comments on me being a bad parent and embarrassing my children, they never read this – to avoid the embarrassement that comes with every post! To ensure they all have been commented on, my eldest, who only did homework whilst watching neighbours, went on to get a PhD! I am not in favour of homework, in Geography it was pointless unless there was a natural disaster or some other big event, when I would ask students to watch news/documentaries – as any parent would.

So would I do away with exams totally – the answer is probably yes, they are designed to fail students, create stress and fail to provide the information that most employers want. Attendance records would be a help for many employers, but ultimately the best 2 appointments I made as Head of Geography were based on interview and personality, rather than academic results (I apologise for narrowing down to 2 – have have thought of several more since).

Back to the UK – farmers are alerting the government to potential food shortages due to the drought. It seems obvious that farmers should prepare for future droughts – and should recieve a grant for doing so, but some farmers abuse grants – so care should be seen, but also the retention of water on farms would reduce flood danger, enhance wildlife and be good generally.

At present fossil fuels are only providing 9.5% of our electricity. And there are still dumbasses out there who want to scale back on Net Zero. Even the car companies, if they are honest, want to comply!

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CEUTA

A warning? With major powers funding disputes around the globe and especially sub-saharan africa, there are many displaced people looking for a better life. The west cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities in Sudan – they are being funded bypeople outside the region, possibly Russia, possibly Qatar or Saudi Arabia, and I suspect the weapons will emanate from America and Europe. So we can stop bleating about a problem for which we are, at least partially, responsible. Starmer cut the foreign aid budget to spend more on defence – a very short sighted measure. It is the instinct of the right wing populists to set up impenertrable borders (walls, fences or in our case patrol boats). These people are desperate (and whilst there may be assassins amongst them, most are just commiting everything to a better life), there are those in the UK who would shoot them on sight, and sink their boats – appalling attitudes to human life.

So Andy Burnham, what is needed here is not a pragmatic approach but an idealogical one. We should immediately stop all trade with the pariah state of Israel, Cut the arms trade to areas of conflict – however minor,; increase our aid budget and trade with impoverished regions., work with others to strengthen the UN and ICJ. The aid budget also needs careful examination to ensure it is aid, not hidden dodgy trade deals! With global warming – and AB do not enhance it by encourging drilling in the North Sea and Atlantic, the number of refugees is likely to increase. Before you condemn them try some empathy for a change.

Jodrell Bank maybe about to close due to pragmatism – whilst not washing nappies, or feeding the homeless, I personally think it would be a disaster for the UK. Surely there are a few billionaires whilling to chip in small change (for them) to keep eMerlin operational, where is the hope and pure interest? I am minded to remember Madrid Airport – fresco’s and modern art brightening the walls and corridors; arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick, or I guess anywhere in the UK and it is like walking into B&Q or a hypermarket – boring. I welcome AB’s educational initiative, but we must not lose sight of the stars, or the arts!

And Trump is uping the rhetoric by accusing any critics of being communists – quite why this has such resonance in the States is another thing I do not understand! I guess the DNA of migrants in the past was to be free of any government interference – hence the ability of psychopaths like Trump, Musk and the techbros to accumulate such paper wealth.