Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
The neighbours may object but...
...by feeding the foxes they see as vermin, this is the kind of thing I see in my garden.
It's a female fox with two of her cubs, and I think they were suckling, though they are a bit big for that!
It's a female fox with two of her cubs, and I think they were suckling, though they are a bit big for that!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Whoops!
As a faithful supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, I was privileged a couple of weeks ago to receive an invitation to their London conference yesterday at ZSL (ie. London Zoo). I sent my acceptance, but heard no more, and forgot all about it till I checked my diary on Friday night.
Whoops indeed. If I'd realised a day sooner, I wouldn't have gone to the zoo on Friday, but would have done my weekend shop then, to leave me free for Saturday.
Well, I rushed the shopping, and managed (despite engineering works on the train lines delaying me) to get to the conference less that 40 minutes late.
It was about east Africa, both land and sea conservation projects. There was also a talk from Andy Hodge, a marine biologist who also happens to be a double Olympic gold medallist in rowing.
It was a joy to be among so many like-minded people. I even managed to ask a well-received and important question about the involvement of native women in their projects (every picture they showed was of men and boys). The reply reassured me that they are fully aware of the different roles of men and women in the various communities they deal with and make sure they approach the right people in the right way.
Part of the deal was free entry into the zoo, which of course I don't need, but it allowed me to nip in by the back door and capture a few more pictures of Melati posing on top of the giant climbing frame.
Showing off her bright orange back and stunning markings:
Displaying her fluffy chin:
Treating us to her beautiful profile:
All these poses struck within a couple of minutes.
Privileged indeed. Me, not her!
Whoops indeed. If I'd realised a day sooner, I wouldn't have gone to the zoo on Friday, but would have done my weekend shop then, to leave me free for Saturday.
Well, I rushed the shopping, and managed (despite engineering works on the train lines delaying me) to get to the conference less that 40 minutes late.
It was about east Africa, both land and sea conservation projects. There was also a talk from Andy Hodge, a marine biologist who also happens to be a double Olympic gold medallist in rowing.
It was a joy to be among so many like-minded people. I even managed to ask a well-received and important question about the involvement of native women in their projects (every picture they showed was of men and boys). The reply reassured me that they are fully aware of the different roles of men and women in the various communities they deal with and make sure they approach the right people in the right way.
Part of the deal was free entry into the zoo, which of course I don't need, but it allowed me to nip in by the back door and capture a few more pictures of Melati posing on top of the giant climbing frame.
Showing off her bright orange back and stunning markings:
Displaying her fluffy chin:
Treating us to her beautiful profile:
All these poses struck within a couple of minutes.
Privileged indeed. Me, not her!
Friday, June 07, 2013
Two Zoos
This week I've been to two different zoos - making hay while the sun (for a change) shone.
On Tuesday it was Howlett's in Kent, where they have the giant Siberian tiger Malchek. He's an old boy of 17 now, and he's really looking it. He knows where and when his grub's coming, though.
There's also a young girl cub sent over from the sister park to be hand raised. She and her brother were rejected, and it was only after they'd been rescued by staff that it became clear mother was right. He was epileptic, and when he failed to respond to treatment he had to be euthanized. SHe had brittle bones, and surgery has so far been only partially successful. Sadly they will be unable to include her in the gene pool.
Then there were the black lemurs. Only the male is actually black, but the tiny head of the baby one female was carrying was pretty dark. Difficult to get a clear picture though.
Today I've been to London Zoo again, and managed a few shots of JaeJae on the prowl. You can hear how excited he makes the crowd. If only those who destroy these creatures, and those who believe in the "medicine" nonsense, would appreciate them alive instead of colluding in their murder.
On Tuesday it was Howlett's in Kent, where they have the giant Siberian tiger Malchek. He's an old boy of 17 now, and he's really looking it. He knows where and when his grub's coming, though.
There's also a young girl cub sent over from the sister park to be hand raised. She and her brother were rejected, and it was only after they'd been rescued by staff that it became clear mother was right. He was epileptic, and when he failed to respond to treatment he had to be euthanized. SHe had brittle bones, and surgery has so far been only partially successful. Sadly they will be unable to include her in the gene pool.
Then there were the black lemurs. Only the male is actually black, but the tiny head of the baby one female was carrying was pretty dark. Difficult to get a clear picture though.
Today I've been to London Zoo again, and managed a few shots of JaeJae on the prowl. You can hear how excited he makes the crowd. If only those who destroy these creatures, and those who believe in the "medicine" nonsense, would appreciate them alive instead of colluding in their murder.
All In
No need to ask how we feel about this episode.
Only one good thing in it.
Darling in the dark.
Only one good thing in it.
Darling in the dark.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Hellifax
One of the banks that had to rely on government intervention to stop it going under was the Halifax. I have banked with them for some time, and have not found them to be particularly clever. For example, when they sent me a letter containing my details and those of a complete stranger, saying one account was going to pay the credit card bill of the other in monthly payments, I phoned them up straight away so that it could be put right. All I asked was a couple of pounds put into my account to pay for the phone call. Their later letter refused, saying that, as they had already refunded me £12 over another of their mistakes, they didn't owe me anything! Pay for one mistake, get the other one free. After the intervention of the regulator, they paid me £100!
Well this time, I won't be laughing. Today I came home to a letter, dated 31st May, saying that on 3rd June and every month thereafter, they would be paying £995 from my account into the account of a total stranger. It obviously did not occur to them to check in advance the legitimacy of this uncharacteristically large sum, so by the time I heard about it my account was nearly £1000 light. That's close to four times the amount of my largest standing order, for the remainder of my mortgage. Yet it has been nodded through as though I did transactions like that every day, or indeed every month "until further notice".
Well I did notice, and they say that the money will be back in my account by close of business tomorrow. But if they find that it isn't a mistake by the bank or a fraudulent transaction, they will take it back again.
What the FUCK do these people think they are doing with MY money?
Well this time, I won't be laughing. Today I came home to a letter, dated 31st May, saying that on 3rd June and every month thereafter, they would be paying £995 from my account into the account of a total stranger. It obviously did not occur to them to check in advance the legitimacy of this uncharacteristically large sum, so by the time I heard about it my account was nearly £1000 light. That's close to four times the amount of my largest standing order, for the remainder of my mortgage. Yet it has been nodded through as though I did transactions like that every day, or indeed every month "until further notice".
Well I did notice, and they say that the money will be back in my account by close of business tomorrow. But if they find that it isn't a mistake by the bank or a fraudulent transaction, they will take it back again.
What the FUCK do these people think they are doing with MY money?
Monday, June 03, 2013
Acts of Contrition
I've gone back to A-Z mode, though my list doesn't include later series, so be prepared for some episodes to be missing for now.
I know this picture is ever popular.
I know this picture is ever popular.
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Melati, Judge Judy and stuff I don't get.
JaeJae was too busy at the zoo on Friday trying to imagine how he could magic a giant tortoise into his mouth. Melati spent most of the day hiding, but towards the she was checking out the world in public view.
I am a recent follower of Judge Judy, mostly because I cannot believe - not just the things people sue one another over - but the differences in law and responsibility between our two nations, especially where things to do with cars are concerned.
There don't seem to be any rules about the condition a car ought to be in to be legally allowed on the road. People are suing over vehicles that would have been off the road decades ago. They are disputing insurance liability. And here I get really confused.
In a case broadcast today the statement was made that "the insurance follows the car". So you can lend your car to anyone (presumably with a licence) and your insurance covers the car as driven by them. They can write it off and not owe you a penny.
Well, folks, see if you prefer the UK version.
It's the driver who is insured. They can be insured for more than one car, and they can insure a car for more than one driver. This allows new young drivers to be insured on their parents' policies instead of paying more than the price of a car just to drive one. The pricier and faster the car, the more the insurance costs.
I can buy insurance that allows only me to drive just my car; I can allow another (named) person, or anyone I choose later, to drive my car. I can apply my insurance to any car I am qualified to drive. I can insure my car third party only, third party fire and theft, or fully comprehensive. The cost on these various options will vary. And I can phone my insurance broker at any time to vary my cover.
But I cannot decide on the spur of the moment to let someone else drive my car unless that is the kind of insurance I have taken out. I would expect them to be insured to drive it, and wouldn't let them anywhere near it if they couldn't prove that to me.
If the bright sparks on Judge Judy are anything to go by, a lot of folks in the US have NO idea what their insurance is and what it can and can't do.
Add to that our MOT test (stand for Ministry of Transport) which every car legally on the road must pass annually once it reaches the grand old age of 3 years. No bangers on our roads! I hope...
I'm glad I'm over here.
I am a recent follower of Judge Judy, mostly because I cannot believe - not just the things people sue one another over - but the differences in law and responsibility between our two nations, especially where things to do with cars are concerned.
There don't seem to be any rules about the condition a car ought to be in to be legally allowed on the road. People are suing over vehicles that would have been off the road decades ago. They are disputing insurance liability. And here I get really confused.
In a case broadcast today the statement was made that "the insurance follows the car". So you can lend your car to anyone (presumably with a licence) and your insurance covers the car as driven by them. They can write it off and not owe you a penny.
Well, folks, see if you prefer the UK version.
It's the driver who is insured. They can be insured for more than one car, and they can insure a car for more than one driver. This allows new young drivers to be insured on their parents' policies instead of paying more than the price of a car just to drive one. The pricier and faster the car, the more the insurance costs.
I can buy insurance that allows only me to drive just my car; I can allow another (named) person, or anyone I choose later, to drive my car. I can apply my insurance to any car I am qualified to drive. I can insure my car third party only, third party fire and theft, or fully comprehensive. The cost on these various options will vary. And I can phone my insurance broker at any time to vary my cover.
But I cannot decide on the spur of the moment to let someone else drive my car unless that is the kind of insurance I have taken out. I would expect them to be insured to drive it, and wouldn't let them anywhere near it if they couldn't prove that to me.
If the bright sparks on Judge Judy are anything to go by, a lot of folks in the US have NO idea what their insurance is and what it can and can't do.
Add to that our MOT test (stand for Ministry of Transport) which every car legally on the road must pass annually once it reaches the grand old age of 3 years. No bangers on our roads! I hope...
I'm glad I'm over here.
Saturday, June 01, 2013
More Valentino
One of my earliest video efforts, using Eliza's pictures.
The music just seemed so appropriate.
Still can't believe Ray Davies played it at Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
Still can't believe Ray Davies played it at Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
The Velocity of Gary
A change from the usual film still - a video of the D'Elicious Mr D'Onofrio, alias Valentino, snogging everyone that moves.
Only 68,000+ views on YouTube...
Only 68,000+ views on YouTube...
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
A Cop Programme in Search of a Hero
Taggart is the strangest cop show in the history of the genre. Set in Glasgow, and first broadcast in 1983 with Mark McManus as the dour detective, the last episode of Taggart was broadcast less than 3 years ago - even though McManus died in 1994!
I was a great fan throughout its lengthy run, with two other senior detectives taking over the team, but under their "own" names. Taggart himself was as dead as McManus.
From quite early on there was a regular female character, but despite the promotion of male cops around her, she never made it above Detective Sergeant. In 20 bloody years!
It's gone now. Why it was called Taggart probably puzzled younger viewers. TV producers, eh?
I was a great fan throughout its lengthy run, with two other senior detectives taking over the team, but under their "own" names. Taggart himself was as dead as McManus.
From quite early on there was a regular female character, but despite the promotion of male cops around her, she never made it above Detective Sergeant. In 20 bloody years!
It's gone now. Why it was called Taggart probably puzzled younger viewers. TV producers, eh?
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Reality Check Needed
Every other crime show has a devilish bank robbery as its major crime, often with hostage situations in there with the robbery.
Is there really that much bank robbery going on in the US? 'Cos I can't remember that last time there was one in the UK.
Have we made it so difficult the crooks no longer even try? And if we have, maybe our friends across the Pond should have a look at what we're doing right for once!
Is there really that much bank robbery going on in the US? 'Cos I can't remember that last time there was one in the UK.
Have we made it so difficult the crooks no longer even try? And if we have, maybe our friends across the Pond should have a look at what we're doing right for once!
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