Needle Point

The sun shines and the sky is blue. What better than a boat trip out to The Needles, Isle of Wight.

White Peony

Just look how lovely this Peony is, growing nicely in the garden. Pity it will be over far too soon.

Up

I seem to be getting increasing annoyed with the (over) use of certain words or phrases.

For example I was listening last week to a female singer being interviewed and she seemed to pepper every sentence with at least 5 uses of the word "like." Get a dictionary, young lady, expand your vocabulary and set an example to your fanbase.

How many times has the phrase "up coming" been a substitute for "future" for goodnees sake? The latter is shorter and must be easier to say don't you think? Even on the radio this morning the weather reporter said "This up coming week..." hold on there was absolutely no need for "up" in that sentence, was there?

Please don't get me started on "experts" who, while being questioned in the media, start every response with "so." Grrrrr.

I think I need to go for a little rest in a darkened room.

Euro?

Many will know I'm not normally bothered by the Eurovision Song Contest. The UK rarely seems to pick the right song or performer to gain a great deal of support from the other voting nations. Appearently though our entry did receive top marks from Downunder; thankyou Australia but since when did you join Europe LOL?

Having said that the Aussies faired far better with their entry, finishing 9th compared with the UK's lowly 15th. In fact Australia finished far higher than UK has for perhaps as many as 10-15 years. Think that speaks volumes. Perhaps Australia should apply for a permanent place in this euro-pop spectacle, while the UK ungracefully withdraws. At least those English speakers interested in the annual "event" might be able to cheer on a country that might actually stand a chance...

Over 500 Years In Print

Reading University has been in the news today. They have discovered a couple of pages from a book.

So what, you might ask? The pages in question are extremely rare examples from a religious book printed by William Caxton, the man who introduced the printing press to Britain. Read the BBC story here. The pages are due on display soon at the Uni's Museum of English Life, for a short period. Think I might pop along.