WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

Lovely! A satisfied customer! I'm glad you were lucky, it was obviously intended for you....
I've just been listening to File on Four which was about the Russia of the Nineties. I enjoyed it and it reinforces my admiration for the Russian people. It struck me that they are in the same rank in my estimation as the Jews, basically good people but saddled with a cruel government. That probably puts me at odds with some people but it's an honest assessment based on reading history.

[Whyperion]

Shell's profits around 3 times what they were this time last year, something screwy going on somewhere. Rather convenient there's a war in the Ukraine to justify high energy prices.
https://www.ft.com/content/b2713bd1-afa ... 0c4e8a7ab7

Maybe belongs in Energy Matters, but Shell own part of what was British Gas ( think its the Gas Supply business ). Also the Oil industry has always had the problem of High Capital Costs, Low Running Costs, so any increase in prices becomes very sensitive to Profits ( and depends on how profits are reported - last year might have had some exploration write offs, and most reporting profits are before Interest and Amortisation, so the real profit is the bottom line figure ).

Meanwhile
Red Wall Seems Intact

[PanBiker]

Stanley wrote:

I enjoyed it and it reinforces my admiration for the Russian people. It struck me that they are in the same rank in my estimation as the Jews, basically good people but saddled with a cruel government. That probably puts me at odds with some people but it's an honest assessment based on reading history.

I still talk to Russians on the amateur bands. They tend not to talk about politics but the contacts are a lot more liberal in content than when I was first licensed, during the Cold War. Back then it was a straightforward "rubber stamp" job. Signal report, how cold it was and please to QSL (confirm contact) via PO Box 88 Moscow.

[Tripps]

Oh I do like that Tripps. Good choice

Thanks - you have good taste. . . .

[Big Kev]

How nice my small front yard looked when I did a CCTV check this morning.

20220507_080129.jpg

[Cathy]

Gosh I thought it was Stanley’s new front garden for a split second.
It does look good Kev

[Big Kev]

Thank you Cathy. Whoever planted it up made a good job, as one thing dies off something else comes out. It'll be full of roses in a month or so.

[Tripps]

Nice pic. It must be great to see that every time you open the front door. I'm a bit jealous.

[Tripps]

I've driven past this place many times -including this afternoon. I'd heard of Real Tennis, but never seen it, or been in a court.

This tells you a lot about it. Looks like fun. . . . Real Tennis at Cambridge

Here's how they sell it to the students. Enjoy this quirky sport with Student membership that has lots of perks .Massive subsidy

[Stanley]

I know I am a pleb and it doesn't worry me, I am in good company but why do we have to attach privilege to prestige at Oxbridge? Is it to prepare students for the way life will be lived after graduation?
Actually what grabbed me was the fact I slept late again. Perhaps my body is trying to tell me something.....

[Tizer]

The regular BBC pictures on a particular topic. My favourites are the `May contain nuts' and the `avocado mining'!...
`Your pictures on the theme of 'under construction'' LINK

[Tripps]

Good photos - thanks Tiz.


I love my daily 'walk ' around Puerto de la Cruz. Today's was exceptional. It's the Festival Mueca which I'd never heard of.

Now see the detail. I love the sacred cows and the trad jazz Kletzmer band.

[Stanley]

A sit in the Square with Susan, Mick, Jess, Muthomi and the bonus of Lilly and Kahara. One of my friends was passing and commented on what a large family I had around me. It had never struck me but I suppose she is right....Lovely bit of sun and Lilly was in full 'adopt me' mode, captivating everyone with her smile.

[Cathy]

Sounds lovely Stanley.
Yesterday was Mother’s Day for us.

[Big Kev]

The difference between Yorkshire Water and United Utilities for a new water main connection to replace a lead pipe.
Yorkshire Water charged me £1800 for this connection less than 2m from the boundary.
United Utilities will do the the connection for free and pay me a £550 grant (to cover the cost of running the new pipe from my boundary to the house) if I have it ready within 90 days.

[Stanley]

That's verging on criminal Kev. Luckily, apart from being very short, My connection was upgraded before we bought the house.
Today is the first day I am really sure my back is improving after the back storm.
It was lovely Cathy and once again I had forgotten it was Australian Mother's day!

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC account of a report by paramedics that lives are increasingly at risk because of the breakdown of ambulance services after historic under-funding. Just one more aspect of neglect of vital public services.
What really pisses me off is that every time a government department is asked to comment there is a stock response.... "We are investing £Xmillions in the service" That is no answer!

[Cathy]

Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough
96 yrs old today

[Stanley]

I'd missed that Cathy. Same age as the queen?
(Just looked him up and he was born on the 8th of May Cathy..... )

[Cathy]

Yes, that is strange. It came up on FB yesterday, saying it was Sir David’s Birthday.

[Tripps]

Not my usual taste, but I like these bad boys, and they have a new video out. THE HU

That Mongolian cello must be the most 'uncool' instrument ever but they get away with it.

Step aside Mr Donegan - you're down to number two now.

[Stanley]

I find them very similar to Yotu Yindi David and they are one of my all time favourites. Gives a completely new meaning to the term 'Mongol Hordes'!

[Tripps]

Nice. .

I'll see your Yotu Yindi and raise you a Hunnu Guren
Mongolia meets Latvia.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report about another mass shooting in Buffalo, NY.
The suspect is believed to have driven for several hours to reach the predominantly black area of the city. Thirteen people were shot (ten dead) and the majority of the victims were black, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said.
Officially described as a race hate crime, this is going to raise increased demands for gun control but will anything actually happen?

[Stanley]

I had a visitor! Joan, who was one of my first volunteers at Ellenroad 30 years ago. What a treat to see her, only a flying visit as she had other matters pressing on her but so nice to see her looking so well.



Joan and Hedley Bradshaw, last engineer at Spring Mill in Earby.