Euro Money Go-Round

Recent leaked reports have suggested the UK is prepared to pay a "divorce bill" of around 40-50 billion Euros to leave the EU. Just take a moment to consider how much that is.

I can't help but wonder about fairness of it all. The UK is a net contributor to the EU, while many countries are net recipients. Does that mean if one of these countries announced a desire to leave this undemocratic block, the EU commissioners would insist on dragging out talks and further insist on continuing payments to said country? I think not.

I know the arguement is that as a nation we made financial commitments for certain projects. But should that really extend to pension payments for EU officials for the next 30 or so years? Especially for the likes of Member of the European Parliament, Nigel Farrage, a man who has led for years the campaign for us to quit the EU?

Filmed In Supermarionation!

The retailers are doing their level best to get the public to part with their hard earned. Looks like one supermarket has found my weak spot* but I will remain strong and will not give in to temptation LOL.

* But you can keep Terrahawks, if it's all the same.

Reading Minster

Had to take a trip this afternoon into Reading to deal with some financial affairs.

I ended up very close to the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, or Reading Minster for short, or St Mary's Butts as it was known as I was growing up. Apparently there has been a Christian place of worship on this site since the seventh century, while the current structure dates from the eleventh. It is also believed that in the 1500's the church was heavily restored using material from the ruins of the nearby dissolved abbey. Inside there are some very fine examples of medieval ceramic floor tiles; next time I have the opportunity I will try to take some pictures of them.

Stunning Sky

I promise no filters were used, this is how the early morning sky appeared. Wonderful isn't it?

Splendid

I'd like to share this picture, taken on a recent walk. Superb colour for the time of year, don't you think?

St Laurence

Chris Lee has created this excellent image of St Laurence church, Friar Street, with the town hall to the left and Queen Victoria to the fore. The old picture dates to about 1904. To the right buildings were destroyed by bombing during the war and rather "unfortunate" structures put in their place. As you might be able to tell the modern building line is somewhat different to the original as a result.

Quick, Quick, Sloe

Sure beats standing in the cold picking the berries, pricking before adding to gin and waiting a number of weeks. But will it taste as good..?

Poppies

Ceramic remembrance poppies "planted" in 2014 at the Tower of London (credit: Historic Royal Palaces).

Agincourt

Found this little gem on a recent walk. I just need to research any possible Reading links...