Seen in the News

[Whyperion]

For the funeral itself they have banned all private jets and have asked that dignitaries arrive via commercial flights. No helicopter transfers and no private limousines for Heads of State at the Abbey. All apparently, will be assembled at an undisclosed venue west of London and taken to the event via coach. They can leave their limousines at the remote venue for collection later. After the funeral they will be transferred via coach back to the remote car park.

This is to meet security and transport logistics for what is likely to be the largest event of its sort yet staged. All agreed by the planners, security services and the traffic and Metropolitan Police.

Yanks aren't happy about Joe on a bus! They will have to suck it up though.

I presumed the West London location would be RAF Northolt, where planes etc can land and is not too far from Luton/Heathrow for transfers from other flights. Cannot really think of a closer location in the West of London other than maybe Olympia.

[plaques]

I presumed the West London location would be RAF Northolt, where planes etc can land and is not too far from Luton/Heathrow for transfers from other flights. Cannot really think of a closer location in the West of London other than maybe Olympia.

Forget it. These are Heads of State and should be treated with respect. They are not a bunch of wild football hooligans intent on creating mayhem and destruction as they rampage through London. A safe corridor requires setting up, drop them off, and then repeat for return. Surely its not beyond the wit of man to draw up a plan that would suit everybody. They've had 71 years to think about it.

[Stanley]

How people get to London for the funeral isn't of any interest to me. Five mile queues and nine hour slow walks over that distance are beyond me anyway. I was surprised when I turned the TV on at 16:00 yesterday to find that the BBC had gone back to almost normal programming! Even they have run out of things to say. Perhaps they're all writing their scripts for the grief fest that will surely come on Monday.....
In the very real world of the Ukraine the Russians continue to be driven back. The Ukrainians are being so successful they are worried that Putin might snap and resort to tactical nuclear weapons. It is surreal, it's as though the UK had some sort of 'iron dome' defensive system that shields us from these things. Our politicians are ignoring inflation, energy prices and even nuclear threats on the grounds of 'respect' for a dead queen.
You couldn't make it up....

[Tizer]

Judging from a report in the FT Putin may have got a frostier reception from Xi on his visit to Beijing than he expected from their last meeting. Xi is beginning to see that Putin's war on Ukraine is affecting China's trade with the rest of the world. Putin probably told Xi last time that it would all be over in weeks - now Xi recognises Russia is failing and yet Putin seems determined to drag out the war. Xi might have diplomatically warned Putin that his `special operation' is wrong and should be brought to an end a.s.a.p. Let's hope for that!

[Whyperion]

I presumed the West London location would be RAF Northolt, where planes etc can land and is not too far from Luton/Heathrow for transfers from other flights. Cannot really think of a closer location in the West of London other than maybe Olympia.

Forget it. These are Heads of State and should be treated with respect. They are not a bunch of wild football hooligans intent on creating mayhem and destruction as they rampage through London. A safe corridor requires setting up, drop them off, and then repeat for return. Surely its not beyond the wit of man to draw up a plan that would suit everybody. They've had 71 years to think about it.

I am always reminded of the Yes (Prime?) Minister (YPM sometimes reprised themes and jokes from YM), order of seating at some royal wedding or celebration, Can We Not Seat Them In Alphabetical Order ? (No - then you get Israel next to Iran next to Iraq).

The problem is the odd person with grudge creating mayhem against a reasonably safe passage of such heads of state. I assume the Papal representative probably will take the tube from Wimbledon Park from that part of the common that is forever The Vatican State, other heads probably from their embassies in London , most of which are not too much of a walk from Westminster Abbey.

MSN reports that West Coast services will be enhanced with charter trains with slam door stock (actually I dont think that is true - West Coast Railways charter trains I think are now a MK2 Variant with a form of door locking that does not meet Avanti Safety Case so are being hired in by Network Rail - should provide about 500 additional seats from Lancaster to London.

[Whyperion]

Protester jailed for two years for mocking queen

(Spolier, it is slight clickbait - it is in Thailand

[Whyperion]

BBC Website

Sterling fell more than 1% against the dollar to $1.1351 at one point, its lowest since 1985, following the release of the retail sales figures. The pound recovered later to climb above $1.14.

[Stanley]

Peter.... The general opinion amongst China-Watchers is that you and the FT are right. There is no reason for Xi to be too enthusiastic about policies that are causing China problems as well as the rest of the world. Russia will be pedalling very hard to spin the latest meeting as an endorsement for them from China but as we well know, China has only one foreign policy goal, their own interests and war in Ukraine does not further them. End of story!

[Tizer]

Now I read that Asian nations are turning against Putin and his war, and especially Narendra Modi in India. Modi has met Putin in Uzbekistan and told him to end the war. It's not surprising when you realise how trade and food supplies for the Asian nations are disrupted.

[plaques]

Now I read that Asian nations are turning against Putin and his war, and especially Narendra Modi in India. Modi has met Putin in Uzbekistan and told him to end the war. It's not surprising when you realise how trade and food supplies for the Asian nations are disrupted.

If Putin can gain a monopoly on food supplies like he with oil and gas not only can he be assured of being independent of America for grain imports but he can also have control of the emerging markets. The West must make absolutely sure that Ukraine maintains its independence as much as for our sake as for their own.

[Tizer]

This new Briefing Room episode (30 min) is excellent...
`Ukraine: Have we reached a turning point in the war?' Radio 4
The BBC blurb...
Ukraine's military has retaken thousands of square kilometres of territory near the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. The Russians are said to have retreated in haste and disarray, but they retaliated by shelling a large power plant, causing blackouts in Kharkiv, the country's second biggest city. Is Ukraine's successful counter-offensive a turning point in the war? Could Ukraine win? Experts say Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, won't countenance defeat, and will escalate instead of retreating or suing for peace. Might Putin launch a tactical nuclear strike? Or use mobilisation or conscription for all-out war?

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:
- Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring and co-host of the BBC's Ukrainecast podcast
- Michael Clarke, Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy
- Samantha de Bendern, Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House
- Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London
- Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor of The Economist

[Stanley]

So often, in circumstances like these, the denouement is brought about by something quite unexpected that the 'experts' never predicted. Roll on this happening here as well!

[Stanley]

See THIS for a complete guide to the funeral today.
I look forward to a resumption of normal life tomorrow.

[Whyperion]

It does become a bit of a crashing end to a national (not royal - which continues) mouring period. Back to work vassals.

Apart from the Super Typhoon in Southern (mainly) Japan - its not been unique having been storms in 2019 and 2018.

Great Western Railway into Paddington managed to loose two miles of overhead cabling delaying (or causing many ) guests for the passed monarch's funeral. GWR never seem to be able to cope with incidents that well, they do have some non electric dependent rolling stock so are not totally dependent on network rail repairs, and it is possible to get from Reading to Waterloo (just) which is actually closer via the thames footbridge to coming out at Trafalgar Square for Whitehall at least, as well as to West Drayton (then Walk or Bus with District Line to / from Westminster.

For those that are interested in Gardening, and being reminded that this has been the first funeral to be televised, the BBC reported on the choice of flowers for the coffin.

At King Charles III's request, the wreath for Her Majesty's funeral contained flowers and foliage cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House in London and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.

It included foliage chosen for its symbolism:

Rosemary for remembrance - ( Rosemary, a herb, has long been a symbol of remembrance because herbalists thought it was good for memory, rosemary is also associated with love and loyalty, and it was used for marriage bouquets or for burials, as well for strewing on the dead.)

Rosemary also featured when the King gave his first TV address to the nation. He was flanked by a portrait of his mother on one side and a small silver vase with sweet peas and sprigs of rosemary on the other.

Myrtle, the ancient symbol of a happy marriage, cut from a plant that was grown from a sprig of myrtle in The Queen's wedding bouquet in 1947

English oak, a national symbol of strength, in a nod to the Queen's constancy and steadfast duty. It also symbolises strength of love

In among the flowers was a handwritten card which read: "In loving and devoted memory, Charles R."

The flowers in the Queen's funeral wreath featured scented pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias and scabious, all in shades of gold, pink and deep burgundy, with touches of white, to reflect the colours in the Royal Standard flag.


There were further flowers in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle -

Longiflorum lilies "Watch up", Bouvardia "Royal white", Dahlia "Caro", Dahlia "Maarten Zwaan, Eusroma "Rosita" (Lisianthus) and Rose "Avalanche"
With greenery: Eucalyptus "Popules Bes", Soft ruscus, and other greenery picked from Home Park

The BBC also listed the White Flowers used at Balmoral/Edinburgh and the drive to Buckingham Palace earlier.

[Stanley]

There was a funeral in London......
An early indication of what we can expect now is the fact that dock strikes are starting. See THIS report from Liverpool of the start of a 14 day docker's strike.
At the same time you can expect to hear from Felixstowe that they are going out on strike again.

[Stanley]

More what isn't in the news.... It would seem that the white elephant aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has vanished from the news. This almost certainly means that the damage to her propulsion system is far more serious than we have been told. HERE is the only reference to the ship I can find, no mention at all of the fact she has a serious defect.
Understandable. Deeply embarrassing. Especially in view of other events over the last 14 days.

[Whyperion]

There was a funeral in London......
An early indication of what we can expect now is the fact that dock strikes are starting. See THIS report from Liverpool of the start of a 14 day docker's strike.
At the same time you can expect to hear from Felixstowe that they are going out on strike again.

Felixstowe and one other were up for sale at about £2m, Macquarrie (Aussie investment co) have bid about £1m to £1.2m.

[Stanley]

"Thousands more part time workers could have their benefits reduced if they do not take "active steps" to work more, under a planned welfare reform. Chancellor Quasi Kwarteng is expected to announce a shake-up of the benefits system to "get Britain working again"."
Great! So this is part of the plan to improve the lot of the poorest is it? Cut the amount spent on Universal Credit again! (That's what this announcement really means....) I think we're getting the drift of what we are in for.....

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on reactions in Russia to Putin's call for mobilisation of about 300,000 reserve troops. To put it mildly, this is not popular in Russia!
One of the things that struck me when doing the LTP was the enthusiasm with which people volunteered for service in the army as soon as war with Germany broke out. In WW2 there was less volunteering and from what we can see in Russia volunteering for patriotic reasons is a thing of the past. The nearest thing I can remember to what is happening in Russia is the reaction we saw in the USA when the draft was brought in to raise an army for first Korea and then Vietnam. There was a mass exodus of young men of military age North of the border to Canada and in some cases even further afield.
It remains to be seen what the reaction to this will be.....

[Stanley]

See THIS for the six coastal castles most at risk from rising sea levels. So English Heritage are appealing for funds to protect them.
Somehow I don't think that this appeal is going to have much success in a time when there is a cost of living crisis. Good luck lads but don't hold your breath!

[Stanley]

Just heard that Andrew Stephenson, the man in charge of levelling up, is on Question Time this evening.....

[Stanley]

"A UK ticket-holder has won Friday's £171m EuroMillions jackpot, it has been confirmed."
I am happy to say that this item of news does not inspire me to change my life long aversion to gambling. I shall not be buying a lottery ticket this week. My opinion is that the lottery is a tax on stupidity, the odds are ludicrously high against winning.

[Tizer]

More what isn't in the news.... It would seem that the white elephant aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has vanished from the news. This almost certainly means that the damage to her propulsion system is far more serious than we have been told. HERE is the only reference to the ship I can find, no mention at all of the fact she has a serious defect. Understandable. Deeply embarrassing. Especially in view of other events over the last 14 days.

This is all I can find and it's from RN Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse on Twitter. The RN has gone very quiet about the issue - not surprisingly!
“Our initial assessment has shown that a coupling which joins the final two sections of the shaft has failed. Now this is an extremely unusual fault, and we continue to pursue or repair options. We’re working to stabilize the shafts section and the propeller, after which the ship will return to Portsmouth. The ship will then probably need to enter a dry dock as this will be the safest and quickest way to affect the repairs.”

[Stanley]

Sounds as though someone missed a serious flaw during the manufacturing process. I'd guess at a fault in the composition or heat treatment of the steel used to make it. We may never know, it may be too embarrassing.....

[plaques]

Sounds as though someone missed a serious flaw during the manufacturing process. I'd guess at a fault in the composition or heat treatment of the steel used to make it. We may never know, it may be too embarrassing.....

Biodegradable elastic band instead of UV resistant stuff.