I love Kendal Mint Cake and it would give my diabetic pills and insulin injections something to work on
Hi Brian. We noticed quite a few visits to our site from here, so we thought we'd sign up and say hello. (Jon, Colin and I tend to be on Facebook and Twitter.) Thanks for your kind words about Hornet Heaven. We're delighted you're listening. Cheers, Olly.
I haven't looked at the dates to be sure, but I have a feeling that the World Cup, Wimbledon and the Tour de France are all taking place about the same time. Mentioned it over dinner tonight, and it seems that if there is a conflict of TV time, then it is the football that will lose out. Normally in July I try and do as many jobs that have to be done in the morning, watch the Tour in the afternoon, then when that finishes watch the tennis. Football as well doesn't quite fit into the schedules. Good job I have two eyes, one for the TV and one for a stream on the computer.
Well weather here maintaining the mild temps with sun. How long it will last before the more normal 30+ C arrives who knows? Interesting politics here at the moment. Having ousted the right wing, catholic supporting, corrupt party there is expectation. Expectation that many more of them will go to jail. The leader of the recent Gurtel case (just one of many) got 51 years behind bars, the ex-treasurer 33 years, his wife 15 years, plus another 26 people behind bars. Sadly, fining the ex-treasurer 44 million Euros firstly demonstrates how much these people stole but sadly secondly how much was stolen that will never be recovered. And will it be paid or as like the case with the footballers and the princess here, has the money been magically lost in the international banking system. And the right wing party, as well as individuals have been blamed, clearly this was systematic and widespread (There is a foto of Aznar's cabinet in 2005 - 13 of 16 are in jail). And with numerous outstanding cases, involving the left as well as the right, one has to think how much: poverty, unemployment, and lack of education could have been reduced. Anyway, now the new PM (traditional socialist party) has been sworn in, and being an atheist, without a bible or crucifix in sight (shows spain is changing slowly I guess). But this guy only has 25% of the seats in parliament. Can he really address the economy, resolve the Catalan crisis, and keep the government stable? I doubt it so I expect an election soon. Sorry guys rambling. Didn’t mean to do that much but that’s life here. Not all sangria, sand and other s words. Enjoy your day one and all
Yes. Sadly what the Rajoy right wing party did in the last two years was greatly stoke the fires. Sending the police in, dragging old ladies down stairs, arresting politicians, refusing to talk, shouting for 30 years imprisonment (the irony of that will be contemplated by his imprisoned party members ) for independistas. The result is that positions - for or against - have hardened. Of course the new guy Sanchez could be accused of stoking fires by accepting that both Catalunya and Pais Basque are countries within countries. But he needed their support and he understands talking is the only way to a long-term solution. (Throughout the Catalan Independistas have remained pacifist. And that has stood them well with regard to non Spanish support). The question I always ask that never gets answered is who in the right mind would want to remain part of Spain? It is a sick country. Youth unemployment remains at 35% but to sort of quote Scottie "Many are jobs Jim, but not jobs as we know them") We spoke yesterday to my wife's cousin, an active independista, and he feels the push for independance is as strong as ever (he maybe a little biased of course ). [There is another option being discussed and that is to split Catalunya as the pro and anti areas are quite well defined]. Of course the answer is obvious to outsiders and to the far left party Podemos - have a debate followed by a legal referendum. But while you cannot get Spaniards to admit it, the rest of Spain knows that if the Catalans walk then spain is finished. So they demand that any referendum needs every Spaniard to have a vote (Turkeys and Christmas me thinks). This one has a long way to run .
Should add there is no stomach for Independence in Pais Basque. They just want investment for their industry. Oddly Rajoy gave them that just a few weeks ago and then they turned on him. Sanchez has already said he will keep the budget as is so Pais Basque is happy until there is an election.
Morning all, grey and showers forecast. Nothing very exciting happening in French politics. It would seem that by and large we have a government that people are fairly happy with, some would dispute that, although the left are making life as difficult as possible. The Corsican independence movement has not gone away, but has won much aid for the island through talks, resulting in the violence almost disappearing. From time to time a police station will have a token fire lit in the entrance, but I haven't noticed anyone getting killed for a long time now. It is very chic where the boats come in with the tourists, but go off the beaten track and there are a lot of very run down towns and villages. Over the years I have been visiting there are signs of new life, but progress is slow. I think that it is the speed of improvement that people get fed up with.
It is interesting if independence in Europe could be contagious? It seems the EU at the moment is undecided. Some think so and some think internal politics must be resolved internally and it will end OK. But imagine if Catalunya walked. If they stayed in the EU and with the Euro then surely others would say “told you, let’s go”. And if they were booted out of the EU would they negotiate a trade deal with the UK? And who would follow? And could they use the UK template, when and if that ever melds? Just tossing ideas here but could be we will soon be in uncharted waters
Yes, afraid they did yorkie. Even the island of Corsica is divided between north and south politically. It is actually two departments, and the southern one is led by nationalist politicians, but the northern one has mainland parties running their affairs. The nationalists are very left wing, and very independent, but when push comes to shove they stick with France as they receive a great deal of help with tourism, the main source of income for them. Every now and again one of the football clubs that play in the French league get into hot water as a demonstration will stop a game taking place.
Came across: Femu a Corsica Corsica LiberaNational Liberation Front of Corsica All sounds very John Cleese to me But more seriously: the National Liberation Front of Corsica, have carried out a violent campaign since the 1970s that includes bombings and assassinations, Only in 2014 and 2016 did it announce the cessation of its armed struggle. Nevertheless, a number of splinter groups have so far emerged and are still active. Sadly that last bit reminds me of somewhere nearer home
Good morning all from a warm and dry Weston-super-Mare! Off to see the consultant this morning to discuss my options. Have a good day!
