Here At Last!

For better or worse the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union today. To be precise at 23:00 GMT, midnight Central European Time. In the short term nothing with change, certainly not before the end of this year. Will the supporters of the EU project be proved right or will Leavers have the last laugh? We only have one opportunity, going it alone, to get it right.

A depiction of celebrations at the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben to most) or everything blowing up in our faces..?

Coining It In

The UK's Royal Mint are preparing to launch a new 50p coin to mark our official departure from the European Union at the end of this week. Sadly those in society who still cling to the notion that somehow we will remain in the EU have announced they will refuse to use this coin and will not accept it if offered in change. All I can say is thank you: that's more of these lovely coins for me LOL.

Seriously though if you're offered "legal tender" coinage and you refuse it, what then? Is the person offering the money obliged to find an alternative or has the person who refused said coin(s) technically waived their rights? Answers please on a postcard or the back of a stuck down envelope to the usual address, as they used to say LOL.

Wise After The Event

Some words of wisdom, learnt the painful way LOL...

After handling salty or spicy food, don't attempt to put your contact lens in without thoroughly washing your hands!

Just sayin'.

Whoops!

Think someone made a "miscalculation" with the office dishwasher LOL.

Cards

So nice to receive cards in the post. Particularly on your birthday. Especially birthday cards from overseas.

My how time flies, can't believe ll has turned 16.

Many happy returns young man!

Waterworld

We've had so much rain this winter, not sure there can be much more to come! The Holybrook river near me has burst its banks and quite a few paths have disappeared.

Bong! Bong!

Should Big Ben ring out at the end of this month, to mark the UK formally leaving the European Union?

To be clear Big Ben is the common name of the large bell housed in the Elizabeth Tower, above the Houses of Parliament. Currently the clock (and bells) are being refurbished and therefore at they are inactive and silent.

It would be possible at quite some expense to sound the bell at 11pm GMT, but is it really worth it? Leaving the EU is in my opinion a great opportunity for this country, however I cannot help but ask what we would gain by sounding the bell? Yes it is an internationally recognized symbol of the UK and has been rung in the past at important moments. In these difficult financial times, couldn't that money be better spent towards the budgets of transport, education or health care?

Besides I am sure there will be fireworks (upsetting animals and owners) and parties up and down our great nation. Watch this space...

Responsibility

First post of 2020, not off to a good start...

Don't you just love it when the supposed responsible adult(s) choose to ignore their unruly charge, leaving said child free to disrupt others, all the while they sit away from the action having a good time and getting drunk?!? Hardly fair on other patrons of a restaurant or pub is it?

Why should others have to step in, to be "parent"?

There I said it, got it off my chest. Rant over.

Happy new year everyone.