WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

My strong advice is don't do it again.......

[Stanley]

I seem to have got several things off my back. I have Peter the Ombudsman fighting my corner with BG. I have my chiropody appointment set for April and my feet feel wonderful and my repeat prescription seems to be on track now.
I shall enjoy the lull until something happens to upset it.....
(Oh, and the engine build is going well.)
If you have a minute or two to spare try having a read of THIS BBC report which asks the question why did so many new buildings which should have been to exacting standards of resistance to 'quake damage fail in the recent disaster. There may be a very sad story to tell when things become clear.

[Tizer]

That nutcase Musk is at it again. I was glad to hear Bill Gates saying that we should instead be spending the money (as he does) helping the poor people around the world. That's the real challenge, rather than vanity projects to send humans into space to do what AI and robots can do better. And our ability to research the universe direct from our home planet gets better every year.
`Starship: SpaceX tests the most powerful ever rocket system' LINK

[Stanley]

Peter, I heard a space scientist saying yesterday that one of the main reasons for sending scientists to distant planets like Mars is that they can do so much more science, faster than robots.
Mind you, I heard and approved when I heard Bill Gates saying that rather than spend money on vanity space projects it should be spent here on earth on helping the poor.
What good did Branson going to the edge of space do anyone?

[Tizer]

Peter, I heard a space scientist saying yesterday that one of the main reasons for sending scientists to distant planets like Mars is that they can do so much more science, faster than robots.

He's wrong. Robot development is rapid and they don't have all the problems associated with getting humans onto other planets and keeping them alive. We'll soon be able to send barrow loads of tiny robots to the Moon or Mars to do all that's necessary without endangering humans. And save money that we can use to make Earth better for all.

[Stanley]

I'll believe you Peter rather than an anonymous 'space scientist'. It just shows how partial our understanding of these matters is and how easily we are led astray.
I had a nice experience yesterday while I was sitting at the end of Albert Road on my elevated perch on traffic duty. I saw Susan and Mick on the Clitheroe Bus as they passed and they saw me.... frantic waving all round. Nice....

[Tizer]

Tripps would say it was spooky!

[Stanley]

Not really Peter. I knew they were going to Clitheroe and there was an outside chance they'd pass while I was sat there.

[Tizer]

`Housing crisis: Could Bristol's back gardens offer a solution?' LINK
The bit that got my attention was this...
Melissa Mean, director of We Can Make, says the community does not feel the project is being forced on it. "It's quite striking that the planning applications for the first two homes got over 40 letters of support," she said. "The planning officers almost fell over - usually they get hundreds of letters of complaint." Ms Mean says the community is in charge of how many homes are built and what materials they are made from, ensuring that what gets built is welcome. She says they have had a "brilliant" relationship with Bristol City Council. The homes are built with the planet in mind too - using 100% UK timber to build them and powering them with renewable energy. Solar power and air source heat pumps are used, rather than "dirty gas pumps", says Ms Mean. "Also, because they're so well insulated, it doesn't take much energy to run them either," she adds. "That's great for our residents, because that means low bills."

[Stanley]

I heard that Item in the news Peter and it struck me what a sensible initiative it is and that my be because it is local and not over managed by central government. Think of the difference there would have been if it had been managed from Whitehall.... I've been watching repeats of 'Yes Minister' and can hear Sir Humphrey explaining how it should be done.

[Stanley]

I have been watching a Youtube video on making shuttles and power loom weaving. Lancashire looms, same shuttles as us and the weavers were still kissing shuttles..... Amazing.....

[Gloria]

Just been into Eccleston and seen speedo mick on his travels, gave him a bag of change, he gave me a kiss, lovely bloke.

[Tripps]

Of course I had to google speedo mick.

Rather wish I hadn't now. What an eejit. If it wasn't for "charity" he'd be sectioned.

[Gloria]

Of course I had to google speedo mick.

Rather wish I hadn't now. What an eejit. If it wasn't for "charity" he'd be sectioned.

He is a really nice guy.

[Cathy]

Speedo Mick appears to be quite a character, and good on him, he is not hurting anyone and he’s doing a lot of good.

[Stanley]

Couldn't resist it
(Flying my kite at Laguna Beach a few years ago....)
Actually what got my attention was my friend Liam the carpet fitter who popped in and raised standards in the shed.

[Stanley]

Two new shirts from Hoggs of Fife arrived and I actually threw two old ones away. I think the smell of the new carpet must have broken some sort of barrier in my head!

[Stanley]

The news that broke on BBC this morning that Barlick is host to the World Pie Contest this weekend!
Well done the Arts and Crafts Festival!

[Cathy]

Is anyone from OG entering anything?

[Stanley]

Not that I have heard Cathy!
See THIS for the Telegraph and Argus account of the Arts Festival.

[Stanley]

There were no pies for sale!
You've often heard me talk about seeing Wilson Keppel and Betty at the Theatre Royal in Stockport when I was a lad. Hare they are, one of the most popular acts on the stage at that time.

Sorry about that. Chase it, it's worth watching....

[Big Kev]

Police have found a body in the River Wyre.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-64697300

[Stanley]

I heard that report Kev and they said it wasn't far from where the police said she probably went in......
Now the question will be did she fall or was she pushed. The poor woman will not be allowed to rest until the media are satisfied.

[Stanley]

(It was Nicola of course....)
What grabbed me was the delivery of two cards from my friend Martha in Somerset.
One was a Valentine for my birthday, the other was a Xmas Card.....
Null Point for the Post Office!

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report that Asda and Morrisons are putting limits on purchases of some fruit and vegetables as supermarkets face shortages of fresh produce. Asda said it was capping sales of items such as tomatoes, peppers and lettuce at three each per customer.
This is a small cloud on the horizon and will become more important as time goes on. It is the failure of imported food to make up for UK shortages. This will become more and more common as climate changes and farming patterns change.
It demonstrates the complete ignorance of those politicians who place difficulties in the way of UK growers....
As I wrote that I listened to Minette Batters making exactly the same point to farmers and the minister at Birmingham.