It seems that the British Empire is now finally consigned to the past. The UK, having diminished its influence by Brexit, is now also coming to realise that the Empire was not that keen on our violence and control.
TRIVIAL NEWS
There is a lot to be said for the trivial occasionally. A little light relief. Thank you Will Smith for this. I do not condone violence ever – he could have made his point more forcefully with words. However I can understand his reaction to a very poor jibe about his wife. I think James Corden would have made ruder comments with less reaction as he would not have been so insensitive. Attacking an Oscar nominee personally would seem to be fair play, but their family has to be out of order, especially on a world stage. So he was totally wrong in my opinion – violence is not. It is misogyny – cave men should be consigned to cartoons.
Whilst interesting today it will be forgotten tomorrow as we return to the grim reality of Ukraine and climate change.
EDUCATION
Nadhim Zahawi is at least awake which cannot be said of his predecessor! However quite what his ‘reforms’ will do is a puzzle. He wants more academies to link together to form MAT’s (formerly known as Local Education Authorities run by local councils). He announces new targets without apparently putting up any cash for changes. And the target of 2030 for MAT’s is rather pointless.
WEATHER
I was wondering what impact a cold spell would have on wildlife? It is not predicted to be frosty which is something, but early nesting birds/broods could suffer? Butterflies? Blossom is out on many trees but they will need the bees to fertilise, yesterday there were lots of insects around. My bird feeders have gone strangely quiet in the last 3 days or so. Have they found a better source?
Plenty of Brimstone Butterflies in last week
FOOTIE GAME
Back to normal again after I totally screwed the admin this weekend.
Some games look straight forward, but at this time of the season most have something to play for, so surprises will occur. Liverpool should beat Watford, and ManCity should beat Burnley and Chelsea should beat Brentford. However nerves, a slight knock from international duty, can all have an impact. Brighton Norwich should be one for the Seagulls but the Canaries are showing some spirit so I am going for a draw. The midland derby looks like a draw to me, as do Leeds-Southampton and Palace and the Gunners. With ManUtd who knows? Brilliant players but maybe not enough leaders? Suspect they will be Vardied. Which leaves Everton heading south despite a good set of players – is Lampard heading for the fall with the Toffees? Boardroom rumours cannot help, and he has not had enough time to impose his influence – but look at what Xavi has done at Barca? What would Everton do to have a 4-0 win away at Anfield?
WEATHER FORECAST – GARDEN – KITCHEN
Temperatures beginning to fall with possibility of snow at lower levels in South-West! So I think it is steady as it goes in the garden. No more planting for 2 weeks. Sunflowers are racing ahead. I need to get the ‘different’ vegetables in pots ninth greenhouse, but have no space until I can give some tomato plants away, and plant some up – 8 in greenhouse, maybe 10, and 4 in front by kitchen window.
Then put sunflowers in pots next to them. I need another grow bag for repotting flowers in troughs and bigger pots. Then herbs to kitchen windowsill, and maybe bedrooms. Maybe buy a couple of plants for hanging baskets.
Then out to Draycott towards end of week for strawberries and jam making.
Making rum garibaldis later.
A QUESTIONNAIRE
- Is Johnson doing a good job?
- Has Brexit been good for Britain?
- Did the Government handle the Covid crisis well?
- Are Government Ministers honest and moral?
- Is the Government handling the economy well?
- Is it right that the rich pay less tax?
- Is the UK respected around the world?
- Should we forget about slavery?
- Should we ban all migrants?
- Did you vote conservative or UKIP?
- Will you vote Conservative?
If you have said yes to more than one (we all make mistakes!) of the above your IQ is lower than your age.
RUBBISH DAY
First Siri tells me it 28C and expect storm later, then the papers are on a rerun, then I cut myself in the garden (not badly – just a scratch really). Just made me grumpy!!
Coffee and start again.
BREXIT CRISIS
Economy in shambles, tax up, poverty up, rich wealthier, inequality increased. EU leading on world stage with meeting with Biden, taking in migrants, cutting fuel bills. Britain leads in increasing fuels bills, poverty, and a lack of compassion. Sleaze-Dogg says there are some teething problems for some fishermen and farmers, but otherwise Brexit is brilliant. I guess it is, for those who want to do away with environmental and employment rights.
GARDEN AND WEATHER
Lovely days, but cold at night with a slight frost on neighbours freshly mown lawn – my grassland ecosystem seemed frost free which makes me wonder about the moderating impact of rewinding lawns vis-a-vie the opposite impact of ‘the lawn’. I am sure that Iread that the average temperature in Atlanta, USA went up by 5C in summer when street trees were removed.