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FOOTBALL – END OF APRIL

What a brilliant season, although not for all. Everton’s game with Liverpool is incredibly important for both. Will Pickering take out an important cog and ruin the season for Liverpool? A win for the reds would leave the toffees 1 point ahead of Burnley with a worse goal difference. Watford and Norwich seem destined for the championship and Leeds are by no means safe. Villa have plummeted whilst Palace and S’hampton are below the 40 point mark.

At the top Liverpool and ManC will battle to the last I suspect. Chelsea have faltered (a run of easier matches in December may have misled their true ability. Arsenal/Spurs for the last place in Europe? ManU – despite not being as bad as some suggest are out of luck and belief at the moment so might miss out on all European competitions (if not in the big one, this is probably a result of sorts – they will not miss the few million in prize money or TV ).

Fulham def promoted and already being criticised for playing style “which will not hack the Prem”. Bournemouth also looking good for guaranteed spot – then the next 4 for the playoffs. Peterborough, Derby and Barnsley down. The in-betweens house some biggish names – but I think all have yoyo written all over them.

League One -Wigan, Rotherham and MKDons will battle for 2 auto places. Sunderland will get a playoff but a club of their size and status should be trouncing everyone in this league – maybe they are not ready yet for resurrection? Pilgrims in with a chance as are the Owls. Plymouth vs MK Dons next week could be important.

League Two – FGR promoted, Exeter should join them and could Bristol Rovers make it a West Country party? Oldham become first Premiership club to exit football league, along with Scunthorpe (another rude joke gone). Exeter play Northampton in another crunch match.

Much lower down the leagues Chelmsford may have survived for another season in Vanarama National League.

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ENVIRONMENT NEEDS HELP NOW

Once again the government has no plan other than Sleaze-Dogg ripping up protective legislation. Energy costs to carry on rising and the war in Ukraine is blamed. It is government policy that is to blame. France caps energy rises at 4%, Italy offers. 110% grants for improving home energy efficiency. Government boasts of £20 million ring fenced grant for tidal power research where we are world leaders (from a tiny base!).

Put speed limits on motorways and enforce them. Subsidise energy efficiency. Allow onshore wind farms. Support organic farms. Stop allowing housing projects where car use is essential due to location away from shops and facilities.

EVERY INDICATOR POINTS TO DISASTER. But the government does nothing.

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PASTA

Trying out ideas! Make pasta like lasagne sheets, and then cut to make 8cm rolls. Stuff with tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, herbs, mince, whatever. Big decision is do I do it like ravioli and boil, or bake so crispy? If the later I guess very hot oven an paint pasta with olive oil?

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MAYBE

the world has got too complicated. Globalisation has its huge benefits, but if we lose site of the real world were are basically lost. There are many signs that we are stressing the support systems for human life on Earth.

We need a radical rethink of economics to make investment sustainable, to make education relevant, and to make social interactions beneficial to all.

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TORIES ARE CORRECT

on one thing. Partygate is going on too long. Sue Gray’s report (awaited), The Met.Police (ongoing), Parliamentary Committee (To be started) are all dragged out at the request of the government. He knows, we all know he has lied and broken the law. He should have gone immediately as any respectable honest person would. Except he is not respectable or honest. Yes there are more important matters to be dealt with by a competent government – those guilty should resign immediately and let Parliament do what it is there for – debating and governing the country, not wasting time on the spoilt brat.

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VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

supported by Education Secretary Zahawi. Government statistics show that in the last five years there was an average of 58 child deaths by assault or undetermined intent a year in the UK. And stop using the word smack to imply a lesser assault. Even shaking can kill, so let there be a law which prohibits violence against other people INCLUDING children.

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SPORTING BANS

Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players this year. I totally understand why. But being banned for the decisions of others seems undemocratic. Should individuals be asked for their opinions to decide whether they could compete, but this would also possibly lead to vilification at home. And would also be a horrific human rights digression.

Sport is a great way of sharing culture and ideas. Banning a countries teams may be more acceptable? I am not sure. The England cricket team going to South Africa was overtly political support, USA and USSR boycotting successive Olympics in retrospect seems to have been pointless politically.

Not visiting a country seems to be more potent than the reverse. I would support a ban on the England football team from Qatar this year due to human rights breeches.