Summer?

The clocks went forward this morning in the UK, we're officially in British Summer Time. How come it's absolutely hammering down with rain LOL?

Six Days

Really can't believe it took less than a week, from application to delivery, for my new passport to arrive. Not bad going, despite the horrendous photograph. Of course you know what they say about passport photos- that if you look like the picture in your passport, then you are too ill to travel LOL.

Wise Words

Pinched from elsewhere on the Interweb.

New Coins

The Royal Mint are issuing a number of coins in 2023 to mark noteworthy events. To this end, they have released a fold-out presentation pack featuring the new £5, £2 and 50p coins.

His Majesty King Charles III will not only receive his coronation but he will also turn 75 years old.

75 years ago our NHS, National Health Service, was formed to provide universal care for all which would be free at the point of delivery. Also in 1948 the HMT Windrush docked in the UK, bringing people from the Caribbean hoping to start a new life and contribute to the rebuilding of post-war Britain. Despite facing difficulties and racism, many would fill important roles within society, including within the newly form NHS.

The two remaining coins mark the death of author J R R Tolkien, 50 years ago, and the centenary of perhaps one of best known steam locomotives, the Flying Scotsman. This engine is the oldest working locomotive still in service on the UK's rail network dontchaknow.

Keep Your Details Safe

Rarely do I endorse a product here and I must make clear I'm receiving no reward financial or otherwise for this. However this is something I feel I should share.

We all have to be careful to guard our personal data and what happens when we throw away documents. This could be bank or credit card statements, the information printed on the packaging of the increasing amounts of items we have delivered to our homes. Here's a handy and easy to use solution that renders most information unreadable: the Data Defender, available from Amazon and no doubt others. 

Priced at under £15 (USD 18, AUD 27), why not give it a try? You never know, it might just prevent someone from defrauding you or a loved one.

Spirited

Recently I discovered the hit sitcom Ghosts from the BBC. 

I've been binging it on the iPlayer. It's pretty good. Not only that, the BBC also remade the series for American television, which is also available to binge. The colonial version is fairly faithful to the original and is equally funny. Recommend both.

Cost Of Living

Wow- I've just been notified by my home broadband provider they will be increasing their charges by a whopping 15% with effect from 1st May. This will take my monthly charge to £68 (about USD 82 or AUD 121). Ouch. To add insult in injury, when the contract ends this coming November, the price is set to rise by a further (extortionate) 20%. All the while they are cutting services, such as the termination of their WiFi hotspots. 

It really doesn't pay to be a loyal customer, does it? They're almost as bad as insurance companies for punishing long standing clients.

Thankfully having announced the May increase, my provider has to give me the opportunity to terminate before they take effect. Think I'll be going to one of their rivals, where as a new customer I can get an introductory price at least 50% lower.