Once again a muslim community in Britain is feeling divided by arrests in its midst. I have two feelings on this matter based on what I've seen of the news coverage.
Firstly, the protestations of relatives and neighbours that the men are absolutely innocent. Cast your mind back to when the arrests of the attempted London bombers took place. The exact same happened there. Outrage in the community. Although they're innocent until proven guilty the evidence looks absolutely damning on these poor excuses for human beings. We'll see what happens from the current arrests, however. We should resist the urge to follow in the footsteps of the media and jump to conclusions before being aware of the facts. If the men are freed without charge, then perhaps there's room for complaint. If the men are arrested, however, the local community should look at the police's track record. It's not unblemished, certainly, but the police don't generally act in this manner unless they've amassed a fair amount of evidence and are expecting the 'cell' (or whatever the group is in this instance) to act imminently.
As for the reasons of elements of the muslim community getting so worked up as to plan such acts, I would say this: do you really feel that you're the only group opposed to the situation in Iraq? I would put to them that a majority of the British population is now opposed to Blair's war, and a great many always have been. (Remember the marches past Westminster?) However the population of this country as a whole believe in making their feelings known in a democratic manner; through lobbying and at the ballot box. If there are people in this country who believe that violence and death is the route they have to take to be heard they are not only wrong but they forfeit their part in our community and country. Shout from the pulpits, or rather the minarets if that's more appropriate. Write to your MP, protest - peacefully - against the failing foreign policy of the Blair government. Lobby, shout, do what you can, but remain within the democratic and lawful system that we enjoy and that keeps our country stable and prosperous. Don't believe you are being marginalised, as on the topic of foreign policy you will find yourselves in good and plentiful company. Peace. (at home and abroad.)
20070131
20070130
Farewell Blackpool
The super-casino decision came in today and to the surprise of everyone; the media and winning council included; Manchester took the prize. There have been congratulations all round of course but underlying this has been disquiet that Blackpool would have made the more sensible choice for location being a failing seaside town in desperate need for a big pull. The super-casino could have been it, but now, short of an overturning decision in Westminster, it seems Blackpool will be left out in the cold. Not only that but with the relative close proximity of the Manchester super-casino, Blackpool's chances of securing its own licence seem dead in the water.
Manchester may well have better infrastructure but having already been at the receiving end of no shortage of investment in recent years it wouldn't have done any harm to see this particular awarding go to another. Blackpool was built on entertainment and could have well used the casino as grounds to fund extensive infrastructure upgrades. It seems the government is happy for the formerly prestigious seaside resorts to die. After all, when Blair is happy to discard any consideration of holidaying at home in favour of grand vacances abroad with a mighty big carbon footprint to match, should we be in the slightest bit surprised?
Manchester may well have better infrastructure but having already been at the receiving end of no shortage of investment in recent years it wouldn't have done any harm to see this particular awarding go to another. Blackpool was built on entertainment and could have well used the casino as grounds to fund extensive infrastructure upgrades. It seems the government is happy for the formerly prestigious seaside resorts to die. After all, when Blair is happy to discard any consideration of holidaying at home in favour of grand vacances abroad with a mighty big carbon footprint to match, should we be in the slightest bit surprised?
Dodgy domain dealings
The internet is strewn with potential pitfalls and scams for the unwarey, but this week I discovered one that was new even to me.
I've been spending the past week or two racking my brains for a good website address. I've generally used the website bb-online.co.uk as this shows the availability of all domains on a page at once. What I began to realise, however, is that a day or so after I'd looked at a domain the .com version of that domain would magically become registered, meaning that if I'd really wanted that domain I would have had to stump up a not inconsiderable amount of cash, and certainly many times more than the standard domain registration fee, to secure it. Even more sneaky was the fact that the registration date wasn't today's or yesterday's date but a much earlier date, which clearly it couldn't have been and must have been faked or forged somehow.
I didn't quite deduce whether this was due to the particular website I used for the search or whether someone was intercepting the searches upstream and automatically registering. In any case it's another instance of 'buyer beware' and that if you do see what you're looking for it might be best securing it quickly. Fortunately for me when I did finally come across the right domain I new it and bought it without delay and at least I must have racked up some domain registration costs for the company that was trying to fiddle me out of a domain.
I've been spending the past week or two racking my brains for a good website address. I've generally used the website bb-online.co.uk as this shows the availability of all domains on a page at once. What I began to realise, however, is that a day or so after I'd looked at a domain the .com version of that domain would magically become registered, meaning that if I'd really wanted that domain I would have had to stump up a not inconsiderable amount of cash, and certainly many times more than the standard domain registration fee, to secure it. Even more sneaky was the fact that the registration date wasn't today's or yesterday's date but a much earlier date, which clearly it couldn't have been and must have been faked or forged somehow.
I didn't quite deduce whether this was due to the particular website I used for the search or whether someone was intercepting the searches upstream and automatically registering. In any case it's another instance of 'buyer beware' and that if you do see what you're looking for it might be best securing it quickly. Fortunately for me when I did finally come across the right domain I new it and bought it without delay and at least I must have racked up some domain registration costs for the company that was trying to fiddle me out of a domain.
20070129
Quiet on the blogging front
I've not been doing a good job of maintaining my daily posts to the blog. For one thing my writing energies have been channelled elsewhere and in many ways there's not been a great deal that's leapt out at me to write about. However let's have a quick scan of the day's news....
I'm undecided whether I should be concerned about so many British Muslims in favour of having Shariah law in this country. I feel some background reading is in order first to understand what it's all about before taking a definite stance, although I'm generally uneasy at hearing talk of any religious movement active in the UK. During my travels last year I saw several examples of religious belief taken to (what are to me) extreme levels and I find it's something I can't relate to in the slightest. Is this really the 21st century? In spite of all our advancements so many are actively laying down years of their lives in the worship or any manner of pointless ends. If it makes them happy to believe in these things, fine, but I'll fight tooth and nail to ensure they have no bearing over my daily life and similarly I make no demands upon others.
The British Airways strike has been called off at not quite the last minute but sufficiently late that many passengers will have found themselves seriously inconvenienced for the third time in a year. Fair enough the other occasions weren't the airline's fault directly, but the handling thereof commencing with the erection of a large white marque outside Terminal 4 and quickly descending into chaos hasn't done the company and favours at all. I flew back from Australia with BA which was my first flight from them in some years. Although fine enough the standards couldn't compare with a modern Qantas airbus and the superb customer service by the Aussie national airline.
The sites of the super-casinos will be announced tomorrow. I'm rather hoping that Blackpool will come out favourite as although I have no interest in gambling the place could do with some investment and job creation and I suspect it'll have a positive effect on the region's economy as a whole. The BBC did focus on the increase in homeless in Australia following their boom in casinos but I suspect no-one would notice in the likes of Blackpool. I suppose I'm hoping that the investment will bring associated developments to the resort. A nice multiplex within fairly easy reach of here wouldn't go amiss for instance.
I'm undecided whether I should be concerned about so many British Muslims in favour of having Shariah law in this country. I feel some background reading is in order first to understand what it's all about before taking a definite stance, although I'm generally uneasy at hearing talk of any religious movement active in the UK. During my travels last year I saw several examples of religious belief taken to (what are to me) extreme levels and I find it's something I can't relate to in the slightest. Is this really the 21st century? In spite of all our advancements so many are actively laying down years of their lives in the worship or any manner of pointless ends. If it makes them happy to believe in these things, fine, but I'll fight tooth and nail to ensure they have no bearing over my daily life and similarly I make no demands upon others.
The British Airways strike has been called off at not quite the last minute but sufficiently late that many passengers will have found themselves seriously inconvenienced for the third time in a year. Fair enough the other occasions weren't the airline's fault directly, but the handling thereof commencing with the erection of a large white marque outside Terminal 4 and quickly descending into chaos hasn't done the company and favours at all. I flew back from Australia with BA which was my first flight from them in some years. Although fine enough the standards couldn't compare with a modern Qantas airbus and the superb customer service by the Aussie national airline.
The sites of the super-casinos will be announced tomorrow. I'm rather hoping that Blackpool will come out favourite as although I have no interest in gambling the place could do with some investment and job creation and I suspect it'll have a positive effect on the region's economy as a whole. The BBC did focus on the increase in homeless in Australia following their boom in casinos but I suspect no-one would notice in the likes of Blackpool. I suppose I'm hoping that the investment will bring associated developments to the resort. A nice multiplex within fairly easy reach of here wouldn't go amiss for instance.
20070125
Heat ray
A new weapon devised by the US military was on the news this evening. As far as I can tell it fires microwaves at targets - like a microwave oven. "Coming soon! Al dente evil doing Al Qaeda terrorists!"
20070123
Work in progress on the website
It's been yonks since I last posted a website update to the blog, so here we are. I'm in the midst of a major update to the travel section of the site which is certainly due since my return from the big trip. Although it'll take more time before I get the trip written up itself I'll be featuring guides to selected journey on the site plus a new big feature. The travel section's also going to be getting a makeover to provide a rather more flashy look. More on this when it's complete and online.
20070122
For Sale
I'm currently selling several bundles of magazines on ebay.
First off, finishing on Friday are issues of the Dalesman magazine grouped by year for 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 respectively. Each is complete set from that year (12 issues) except for 1960 for which is August edition is missing.
The Dalesman covers life in the Yorkshire Dales and these issues cover changing times with the introduction of new technologies but also the closure of many local railway services.
Also going under the ebay hammer are 49 issues of Shortwave Magazine. This cover issues from March 1994 until February 1998 completely plus there's also the December 1998 issue plus a binder from 1995. Shortwave Magazine covers a great many radio related hobbies. This auction finishes next Monday.
First off, finishing on Friday are issues of the Dalesman magazine grouped by year for 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 respectively. Each is complete set from that year (12 issues) except for 1960 for which is August edition is missing.
The Dalesman covers life in the Yorkshire Dales and these issues cover changing times with the introduction of new technologies but also the closure of many local railway services.
Also going under the ebay hammer are 49 issues of Shortwave Magazine. This cover issues from March 1994 until February 1998 completely plus there's also the December 1998 issue plus a binder from 1995. Shortwave Magazine covers a great many radio related hobbies. This auction finishes next Monday.
20070121
Sunday
Today's been a quiet day spent writing on the whole interspersed only with a walk into town where we managed to encounter to end of familiar faces. Here are a couple of images from the walk by the river:
20070120
The wind it doth not abate
Although no longer at damaging speeds the wind continues unabated, seen here lashing the promenade at Morecambe today:
20070119
Ye three phones of Orient are
For a limited period only I'm the proud owner of three (count 'em) mobile phones. Somewhat excessive you might criticise, and indeed you'd be right. Due to various shenanigans with Carphone Warehouse I was offer a good deal to change my network to Orange and then an event better deal to stay put with O2. This does provide the opportunity to compare three Sony Ericsson phones.
K800i (left), W810i (centre), K750i (right)
The phone being replaced in the K750i. It's done fine service for what is well over a year, maybe getting up towards two I can't be sure. It's 2 Megapixel camera and MP3 capability combined with memory stick duo slot for expandability of memory made it tick all the right boxes and proved a big step from my previous phones. Lugging it around the world has taken its toll on the poor thing, however, and it's looking tatty and the joystick is wearing out.
I bombed straight into a Carphone Warehouse in London last weekend and asked what they could offer me. I should in hindsight have examined the options a little more thoroughly but I'd briefly seen a couple of phones which replaced my K750i and decided I'd be happy with either. As it is I've now got both. Let me explain.
I was offered an Orange tariff and with it the W810i which is a specific Walkman model. I was happy to stick with this phone and network until I called O2 who promptly offered me a far superior deal and a better phone which would have cost me an extra £70 or so with Orange. I'm now the owner instead of the K800i and the W810i will soon be returned. Until it is though, I've the chance for some comparison.
Size-wise the W810i is all but identical to my existing phone using essentially the same case. There are improvement of course. As a walkman it comes complete with a gig memory stick duo and the mp3 playing software, not to mention the funky Sony Walkman branding. Although I've not used it extensively, there are clearly extra features for listening to music and grouping tracks. The most significant improvement in features over the K750i is the quality of the speakers. The K750i always sounded slightly tinny and with limited volume. In stark contrast the W810i gives off a good sound at even the lowest volumes and turned up the full richness of the audio can be appreciated; quite some feat from a small mobile phone speaker. The earphones provided are clearly for the music lover as they're quality 'in-ear' type that gives excellent bass and range overall. The other models offer the standard Sony Ericsson earphones which suffice but are by no means special. Navigation-wise this model opts for 4 buttons for navigation around a central button which was a joystick on the K750i but here is a basic select or play button.
Onto the latest phone which, as I'll be keeping it I've been getting to know rather more intimately. This is a completely different kettle of fish from the other two models being somewhat larger, offering a longer LCD screen and featuring a second camera for 3G purposes. I haven't yet delved any depth into its features such as the 3G which I do want to look into more before potentially running up a significant bill. However as regards other features, the real selling point here is the 3.2 megapixel camera. This is the same resolution as the first compact digital camera I bought not so many years ago. So proud are Sony with the camera that they've given it the Cybershot branding. But how does it fair in practice? The first think to note well above and beyond that of the K750i is the speed of operation. The focus is faster and the processing speed, that lag from pressing the shutter button to the camera taking the photo is reduced from near eternity to a fraction of a second. The picture quality isn't comparable. An extra megapixel and a bit it may be, but the benefits of the resolution and more advanced features are immediate. The pictures look crisp on the camera's LCD and don't fair badly on a full-sized PC screen either. It also features a sliding lens cover which I noticed that W810i lacked. For keeping the lens clean and in good shape, even on such a small device I think a cover is a must. The general build quality is good. It's solid and made of a hard rubber/soft plastic material which gives off a feeling of quality that's superior to the standard plastic finish of the other models.
It's early days still but I think I'll be happy with the camera I've ended up with. I would have probably been happy with either but as having a decent camera takes priority over better MP3 playback it's the right choice. I'll get around to reviewing the new phone in more detail at a later date.
K800i (left), W810i (centre), K750i (right)
The phone being replaced in the K750i. It's done fine service for what is well over a year, maybe getting up towards two I can't be sure. It's 2 Megapixel camera and MP3 capability combined with memory stick duo slot for expandability of memory made it tick all the right boxes and proved a big step from my previous phones. Lugging it around the world has taken its toll on the poor thing, however, and it's looking tatty and the joystick is wearing out.
I bombed straight into a Carphone Warehouse in London last weekend and asked what they could offer me. I should in hindsight have examined the options a little more thoroughly but I'd briefly seen a couple of phones which replaced my K750i and decided I'd be happy with either. As it is I've now got both. Let me explain.
I was offered an Orange tariff and with it the W810i which is a specific Walkman model. I was happy to stick with this phone and network until I called O2 who promptly offered me a far superior deal and a better phone which would have cost me an extra £70 or so with Orange. I'm now the owner instead of the K800i and the W810i will soon be returned. Until it is though, I've the chance for some comparison.
Size-wise the W810i is all but identical to my existing phone using essentially the same case. There are improvement of course. As a walkman it comes complete with a gig memory stick duo and the mp3 playing software, not to mention the funky Sony Walkman branding. Although I've not used it extensively, there are clearly extra features for listening to music and grouping tracks. The most significant improvement in features over the K750i is the quality of the speakers. The K750i always sounded slightly tinny and with limited volume. In stark contrast the W810i gives off a good sound at even the lowest volumes and turned up the full richness of the audio can be appreciated; quite some feat from a small mobile phone speaker. The earphones provided are clearly for the music lover as they're quality 'in-ear' type that gives excellent bass and range overall. The other models offer the standard Sony Ericsson earphones which suffice but are by no means special. Navigation-wise this model opts for 4 buttons for navigation around a central button which was a joystick on the K750i but here is a basic select or play button.
Onto the latest phone which, as I'll be keeping it I've been getting to know rather more intimately. This is a completely different kettle of fish from the other two models being somewhat larger, offering a longer LCD screen and featuring a second camera for 3G purposes. I haven't yet delved any depth into its features such as the 3G which I do want to look into more before potentially running up a significant bill. However as regards other features, the real selling point here is the 3.2 megapixel camera. This is the same resolution as the first compact digital camera I bought not so many years ago. So proud are Sony with the camera that they've given it the Cybershot branding. But how does it fair in practice? The first think to note well above and beyond that of the K750i is the speed of operation. The focus is faster and the processing speed, that lag from pressing the shutter button to the camera taking the photo is reduced from near eternity to a fraction of a second. The picture quality isn't comparable. An extra megapixel and a bit it may be, but the benefits of the resolution and more advanced features are immediate. The pictures look crisp on the camera's LCD and don't fair badly on a full-sized PC screen either. It also features a sliding lens cover which I noticed that W810i lacked. For keeping the lens clean and in good shape, even on such a small device I think a cover is a must. The general build quality is good. It's solid and made of a hard rubber/soft plastic material which gives off a feeling of quality that's superior to the standard plastic finish of the other models.
It's early days still but I think I'll be happy with the camera I've ended up with. I would have probably been happy with either but as having a decent camera takes priority over better MP3 playback it's the right choice. I'll get around to reviewing the new phone in more detail at a later date.
20070118
Who cares ... you decide
Celebrity Big Brother has been in the media today for what it has to be said somewhat different reasons than normal, but at the end of the day it's all the same sort of celebrity orientated nonsense we could likely do without.
Is this all an issue? As a society we suffer from a huge grey area in free speech where we're on uncertain ground as to what is acceptable or not. What is a joke to one person becomes the gravest offence to another. It strikes me that what was said, I am admit I've only caught snippets through the news along the lines of the lady targeted having dirty hands, is borne through stereotypes. Guide books will warn you about personal hygiene in a great many countries; does this make them racist? More likely what is happening in the CBB house boils down to little more than back stabbing and bitchiness, drawing as it often does on the crudest of sources for ammunition.
My gut instinct is to leave it be. For one thing Jade and her kin are the type of ignorant loud-mouthed scumbags that are best ignored. They're incapable of furthering themselves through any intelligent means so I feel aggrieved that a moment's airtime on the news should be taken up with what they spout out. Or the other hand if it does go as far as the police we can but hope that it will lead to the removal of Jade from the media spotlight through a destruction of reputation. It would hardly be character assassination; after all what could you say to put such people down that is any worth than what they bring upon themselves through their own words and actions.
Either way we should be rid of it. I despise the cult of celebrity and the likes of Jade who is in the spotlight as no result of any iota of talent, achievement or indeed any positive aspect at all should be despised the most. However I shall be practising what I preach and not going anywhere near Channel 4 this evening. Ironically I have just renewed my contract with Carphone Warehouse who today pulled their sponsorship of CBB with immediate effect. I would like to claim the two events were linked but alas I can only endorse the action; not that it is necessarily against racism but against this generation of baseless fame that so craves media attention in the house. Let them be starved of this very attention. However quiet a news day it is there must surely be events in the world many times more deserving of coverage. But that rant will be saved for another day.
Is this all an issue? As a society we suffer from a huge grey area in free speech where we're on uncertain ground as to what is acceptable or not. What is a joke to one person becomes the gravest offence to another. It strikes me that what was said, I am admit I've only caught snippets through the news along the lines of the lady targeted having dirty hands, is borne through stereotypes. Guide books will warn you about personal hygiene in a great many countries; does this make them racist? More likely what is happening in the CBB house boils down to little more than back stabbing and bitchiness, drawing as it often does on the crudest of sources for ammunition.
My gut instinct is to leave it be. For one thing Jade and her kin are the type of ignorant loud-mouthed scumbags that are best ignored. They're incapable of furthering themselves through any intelligent means so I feel aggrieved that a moment's airtime on the news should be taken up with what they spout out. Or the other hand if it does go as far as the police we can but hope that it will lead to the removal of Jade from the media spotlight through a destruction of reputation. It would hardly be character assassination; after all what could you say to put such people down that is any worth than what they bring upon themselves through their own words and actions.
Either way we should be rid of it. I despise the cult of celebrity and the likes of Jade who is in the spotlight as no result of any iota of talent, achievement or indeed any positive aspect at all should be despised the most. However I shall be practising what I preach and not going anywhere near Channel 4 this evening. Ironically I have just renewed my contract with Carphone Warehouse who today pulled their sponsorship of CBB with immediate effect. I would like to claim the two events were linked but alas I can only endorse the action; not that it is necessarily against racism but against this generation of baseless fame that so craves media attention in the house. Let them be starved of this very attention. However quiet a news day it is there must surely be events in the world many times more deserving of coverage. But that rant will be saved for another day.
20070117
Yorkshire Dales history
While tracking down a book on google I was presented a link to the 'Out of Oblivion' website, which as the electronic version of the 'Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Historic Environment Record' charts all facets of the area's history.
Some random browsing reveals all manner of historical nuggets. I never knew for instance that the Sedbergh Trust Turnpike was set up in 1761 to establish toll roads in the area. I suppose back in those days constructing a road would have required some considerable effort for which a financial return was sought.
KL is just off the edge of the map but as we venture into the Dales quite often it's good to discover what factors has lead to the area taking on its current form.
Some random browsing reveals all manner of historical nuggets. I never knew for instance that the Sedbergh Trust Turnpike was set up in 1761 to establish toll roads in the area. I suppose back in those days constructing a road would have required some considerable effort for which a financial return was sought.
KL is just off the edge of the map but as we venture into the Dales quite often it's good to discover what factors has lead to the area taking on its current form.
20070116
Busy skies over the lune valley today
Apache Longbow helicopter spotted heading down the valley
Various shots of Tornado aircraft and Apache Longbow helicopter
Some of Tuesday with recollections of Friday
Sunny again today. Readers not from the local area may be somewhat perplexed as to this apparent fascination of mine with the appearance of the glowing orb. I must admit the near perpetuity of rainfall recently has been perplexing me as even in this much watered corner of the UK is receiving a good deal more in the way of rainfall than normal.
As normal my late-night writing shift meant a late rise today, although I was awoken to the announcement that we were all going for a walk. A quick glance outside explained why: blue skies, broad sunshine and a continuation of the mild weather that's become synonymous with this winter.
Off to Barbon then; locally pronounced Baa-bun, although the 'Keeping up appearances' set prefer it by its upper crust title of Bar-bonn, which probably exists if you visit the correct German city. A trudge through a wood and along a fell side later and we were all feeling much the better for it.
It's raining now of course. We couldn't manage a whole day of fine weather, perish the thought, and the forecast is for more of the gales that so hampered my journey down to London last Friday. Just as well I'm not making weekly visits as I'd likely be facing a repeat performance.
Damaged overhead lines at Oxenholme station limited trains to a single track and in an area where points aren't too thick on the ground the delays quickly build up. My train had to wait for two north bound services to pass Penrith before it could proceed. The wasn't without entertainment. Two trucks with some special rail attachment slowly passed the station doing I'm not entirely sure what, while when an engineer presumably flicked a switch in a control box for the overhead lines there was a great flash and crackle as electricity arced across the gantry. It must be broken after all; at least they're not making it up.
As normal my late-night writing shift meant a late rise today, although I was awoken to the announcement that we were all going for a walk. A quick glance outside explained why: blue skies, broad sunshine and a continuation of the mild weather that's become synonymous with this winter.
Off to Barbon then; locally pronounced Baa-bun, although the 'Keeping up appearances' set prefer it by its upper crust title of Bar-bonn, which probably exists if you visit the correct German city. A trudge through a wood and along a fell side later and we were all feeling much the better for it.
It's raining now of course. We couldn't manage a whole day of fine weather, perish the thought, and the forecast is for more of the gales that so hampered my journey down to London last Friday. Just as well I'm not making weekly visits as I'd likely be facing a repeat performance.
Damaged overhead lines at Oxenholme station limited trains to a single track and in an area where points aren't too thick on the ground the delays quickly build up. My train had to wait for two north bound services to pass Penrith before it could proceed. The wasn't without entertainment. Two trucks with some special rail attachment slowly passed the station doing I'm not entirely sure what, while when an engineer presumably flicked a switch in a control box for the overhead lines there was a great flash and crackle as electricity arced across the gantry. It must be broken after all; at least they're not making it up.
20070115
Stranger in a strange land
There have been no blog entries in the past few days as I've been down south in the big smoke catching up with old friends during a long weekend. It's proven an odd experience. Having lived in London for two years before setting off travelling I return to find myself like a complete stranger there. Although I know all the places there's no sense of homeliness or familiarity with what I associate with normality. It makes me wonder that whether this has always been the case and that sharing a flat with a friend merely obscured the fact.
As one of my friends correctly noted "you have a love - hate relationship with London". It's true enough. London's a place that has repeatedly driven me away and attracted me back, although currently I don't feel at all compelled to return to live there. It's a place where I tried to lead a life of others' expectations but not follow my own way.
There is a certain pressure to move to London in that it's seen as the single place in the UK where it's all going on, and this is continually hammered home by the London-centric media which never ceases to extol the virtues of the capital and the glorious lives that each of its writers is living therein. I've heard of many from around these parts who have tried their luck down south and stuck it for varying periods before in many cases giving it up in favour of alternatives. London in some ways is an extreme option. There are a great many opportunities at hand but the sacrifices required in cost of living, quality of living and density of population around you aren't inconsiderable.
The process of self-discovery is proving to be a long one. I'd have thought that I'd have this all done and dusted years ago, however it wasn't to be. Exactly what it best intended for me is not yet entirely clearly but the fog seems to be gradually lifting.
As one of my friends correctly noted "you have a love - hate relationship with London". It's true enough. London's a place that has repeatedly driven me away and attracted me back, although currently I don't feel at all compelled to return to live there. It's a place where I tried to lead a life of others' expectations but not follow my own way.
There is a certain pressure to move to London in that it's seen as the single place in the UK where it's all going on, and this is continually hammered home by the London-centric media which never ceases to extol the virtues of the capital and the glorious lives that each of its writers is living therein. I've heard of many from around these parts who have tried their luck down south and stuck it for varying periods before in many cases giving it up in favour of alternatives. London in some ways is an extreme option. There are a great many opportunities at hand but the sacrifices required in cost of living, quality of living and density of population around you aren't inconsiderable.
The process of self-discovery is proving to be a long one. I'd have thought that I'd have this all done and dusted years ago, however it wasn't to be. Exactly what it best intended for me is not yet entirely clearly but the fog seems to be gradually lifting.
20070110
Sunshine - can it really be?
For the first time in what seems like weeks we've had a full on day of sunshine. Being pestered to go for a walk, not that I had any intention of missing this rare spell of good weather, I headed into town. Foolishly I didn't take my camera as sunny days are like a magnet the RAF. I had only been gone a few minutes when the roar of jet engines saw a BAE Hawk fly over, chased in a dogfight by Tornado. Later on a Chinook helicopter was doing the rounds. You win some, you lose some.
It's been the first time I've tried my webcam in sunshine and it didn't take to it too happily. Even on the lowest settings it tended to overexpose. Never mind, it's unlikely to have to cope with these conditions too often anyway!
Although without the SLR I had by 2-megapixel mobile camera of pixelated mediocrity on hand to snap a few sights by the river. The Lune was well up but not in flood. As I reached the bridges a group of canoeists were just packing up. Rather them than me in these conditions, but I imagine they must have know what they were doing. In the light of the a recent canoeing death on the river the other week up at Sedbergh the dangers associated with the river have been brought to everyone's attention.
Without further ado here are a few of today's mobile snaps:
It's been the first time I've tried my webcam in sunshine and it didn't take to it too happily. Even on the lowest settings it tended to overexpose. Never mind, it's unlikely to have to cope with these conditions too often anyway!
Although without the SLR I had by 2-megapixel mobile camera of pixelated mediocrity on hand to snap a few sights by the river. The Lune was well up but not in flood. As I reached the bridges a group of canoeists were just packing up. Rather them than me in these conditions, but I imagine they must have know what they were doing. In the light of the a recent canoeing death on the river the other week up at Sedbergh the dangers associated with the river have been brought to everyone's attention.
Without further ado here are a few of today's mobile snaps:
20070109
ee-bay-gum!
After very occasion forays into buying largely low value items on ebay, today has seen a turn up for the books and I made both my first big purchase and have started selling items to boot.
Although at first I reckoned I'm cobbled together a few items worthy of flogging, on looking around what's on offer there's invariably other people trying to rid their attics of the same old tat and expecting much less than I would otherwise like to receive for it. It's perhaps the fate of many of us in this age of mass manufacturing that the collection of old games, annuals and the like aren't so individual at all but something shared by many thousands extending even in having the same clutter gather dust for twenty years or more.
Exactly how far this adventure into on-line auctioneering goes is still to be seen. I suspect if some money is made on something it might prove inspiration enough to continue the trawl for owt sellable. But oh how I lament the car booting of all those Star Wars toys many years ago...
Although at first I reckoned I'm cobbled together a few items worthy of flogging, on looking around what's on offer there's invariably other people trying to rid their attics of the same old tat and expecting much less than I would otherwise like to receive for it. It's perhaps the fate of many of us in this age of mass manufacturing that the collection of old games, annuals and the like aren't so individual at all but something shared by many thousands extending even in having the same clutter gather dust for twenty years or more.
Exactly how far this adventure into on-line auctioneering goes is still to be seen. I suspect if some money is made on something it might prove inspiration enough to continue the trawl for owt sellable. But oh how I lament the car booting of all those Star Wars toys many years ago...
The RAF is back!
I've hardly heard anything from the RAF since I returned a month ago but today they're back in the Lune Valley, or rather briefly *over* the valley. One Hawk earlier today and a couple of larger sounding jets just now. In the past I could have pretty much guaranteed that they were Tornadoes, but these days it might even be Eurofighter Typhoons. Here's to spotting one of those guys soon.
20070104
Edinburgh or Manchester for a quid
Following up from yesterday's comparison of rail fares; today's Guardian ran an article on finding cheap fares. This mentioned that Megatrain covers both South West and Virgin routes. I thought maybe this was where routes merge south of London but had a look anyway. To my amazement I discovered that Oxenholme is covered on a route that runs from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh. I could travel to Scotland or Manchester for a quid! The routes are clearly designed to use lightly loaded services and I suspect the choice of using Oxenholme rather than Lancaster or Preston is that passenger numbers are lighter too from here. It's great news, and a service I endeavour to make the use of soon.
£70 return to the big smoke
The start of the working year brought with it the seasonal hikes in train fares. Over the past few years a return from my local mainline station Oxenholme to London Euston on the Virgin West Coast mainline has been rising through the 60s of pounds and as of Tuesday has broken through the £70 mark for a saver return. It's a 400 km journey taking 3 hours.
This struck me as a touch steep, so I set out to compare the price with other European countries. As a benchmark I'm using travelling on a Friday afternoon and back on a Monday afternoon which is a common weekend away option and likely to avoid rush hour periods.
First off we go to France with their wonderful high speed rail network. Let's start with an unfair comparison, that of time. From Paris to Marseille it takes a little over 3 hrs but covers 750 km. The standard price outbound is £68, and return £56 as this is classed as off-peak for some reason, making a £124 total. The return costs more than what I would pay, but the single costs a similar amount or less than the saver single for my route at £68. In addition discovery fares are offered by SNCF which are designed for a stay in the destination over a Saturday night. Using these fares brings the price down to £51 out and £42 back; £93 in total. More expensive, but covering getting on for twice the distance without costing anywhere near twice as much.
Time for a fairer comparison. Paris to Limoges is exactly 400 km as with my own route and also takes around 3 hours. The train is standard, not a TGV and costs either £31.50 or £35.50 each way, for a total from £63 to £71. These are comparable to the fares I'm facing on my route to London. The Discovery fare costs either £24 or £27 for a £48 or £54 total; considerably cheaper than my fares. It should be noted that the discovery fares were available from all services whereas cheap Virgin Value fares are much harder to come by.
(Source: raileurope.co.uk)
Next to Germany. Hamburg to Fulda (on the mainline to Munich) is 418 km, takes just over three hours by high-speed ICE train and costs €78 each way (£52) for a total of €156 (£105), although a return fare is offered for the same price for the single but not available for the sample dates I used. Going by the standard fare the price is cheaper for a single but a good deal more expensive for a return.
A second German comparison, this time with standard InterCity services between Frankfurt and Plattling (on the Passau mainline), some 404 km apart and a journey time of around 3 hours 40, costing €63 (£42) each way for a €126 (£84) return price. In this instance cheap return fares were available, making the return €63 (£42) in total.
(Source: deutsche-bahn.co.uk)
Finally to Sweden. Stockholm to Alingsas (on the mainline to Gothenburg) is 410 km. By high-speed X2000 train this takes 2 hours 35 minutes and costs 900 SEK (£67) for a standard ticket or 600 SEK (£44) for an advance purchase out, and 958 SEK (£71) standard and 538 SEK (£40) advance back, making a total of 1858 SEK (£138) standard and 1138 SEK (£84) advance return. Only the advance single works out cheaper than my route to London.
When comparing the Swedish Intercity trains on the same route the story is different. The distance is the same at 410 km but now takes 4 hours 25 minutes and costs 445 SEK (£33) both outbound and back, making a total of 890 SEK (£66). For the sample dates an advance price was only available for one return train, of 378 SEK (£28). Going by the standard prices the single fares are much cheaper whereas the return fares are very similar to my route to London, but a good deal slower.
(Source: sj.se)
What conclusions to draw from all of this? The main point has to the ridiculous pricing of single fares on many routes in the UK which cost only very slightly less (and on occasion a little more) than the return price. I can't see any reason for this other than encouraging travellers to make a return on the same route. However for those having to make a one-way journey the price is something of a rip-off.
If simply sticking to a comparison of return journeys then the price I'm paying doesn't compare too unfavourably with our brothers abroad in many instances. It's tricky to know where to place the Virgin West Coast trains as the journey time is generally slower than the high speed trains on the continent but quicker than their InterCity trains. There's also the complex issue of advance and discount fares which all have differing availabilities and conditions attached.
I had been expecting to discover that I was being ripped off compared to the continent, but this isn't the case, which is something. The situation might be different if I had to commute on the horrendously priced 'Standard Open' tickets, but for general travel we seem to be doing ok.
This struck me as a touch steep, so I set out to compare the price with other European countries. As a benchmark I'm using travelling on a Friday afternoon and back on a Monday afternoon which is a common weekend away option and likely to avoid rush hour periods.
First off we go to France with their wonderful high speed rail network. Let's start with an unfair comparison, that of time. From Paris to Marseille it takes a little over 3 hrs but covers 750 km. The standard price outbound is £68, and return £56 as this is classed as off-peak for some reason, making a £124 total. The return costs more than what I would pay, but the single costs a similar amount or less than the saver single for my route at £68. In addition discovery fares are offered by SNCF which are designed for a stay in the destination over a Saturday night. Using these fares brings the price down to £51 out and £42 back; £93 in total. More expensive, but covering getting on for twice the distance without costing anywhere near twice as much.
Time for a fairer comparison. Paris to Limoges is exactly 400 km as with my own route and also takes around 3 hours. The train is standard, not a TGV and costs either £31.50 or £35.50 each way, for a total from £63 to £71. These are comparable to the fares I'm facing on my route to London. The Discovery fare costs either £24 or £27 for a £48 or £54 total; considerably cheaper than my fares. It should be noted that the discovery fares were available from all services whereas cheap Virgin Value fares are much harder to come by.
(Source: raileurope.co.uk)
Next to Germany. Hamburg to Fulda (on the mainline to Munich) is 418 km, takes just over three hours by high-speed ICE train and costs €78 each way (£52) for a total of €156 (£105), although a return fare is offered for the same price for the single but not available for the sample dates I used. Going by the standard fare the price is cheaper for a single but a good deal more expensive for a return.
A second German comparison, this time with standard InterCity services between Frankfurt and Plattling (on the Passau mainline), some 404 km apart and a journey time of around 3 hours 40, costing €63 (£42) each way for a €126 (£84) return price. In this instance cheap return fares were available, making the return €63 (£42) in total.
(Source: deutsche-bahn.co.uk)
Finally to Sweden. Stockholm to Alingsas (on the mainline to Gothenburg) is 410 km. By high-speed X2000 train this takes 2 hours 35 minutes and costs 900 SEK (£67) for a standard ticket or 600 SEK (£44) for an advance purchase out, and 958 SEK (£71) standard and 538 SEK (£40) advance back, making a total of 1858 SEK (£138) standard and 1138 SEK (£84) advance return. Only the advance single works out cheaper than my route to London.
When comparing the Swedish Intercity trains on the same route the story is different. The distance is the same at 410 km but now takes 4 hours 25 minutes and costs 445 SEK (£33) both outbound and back, making a total of 890 SEK (£66). For the sample dates an advance price was only available for one return train, of 378 SEK (£28). Going by the standard prices the single fares are much cheaper whereas the return fares are very similar to my route to London, but a good deal slower.
(Source: sj.se)
What conclusions to draw from all of this? The main point has to the ridiculous pricing of single fares on many routes in the UK which cost only very slightly less (and on occasion a little more) than the return price. I can't see any reason for this other than encouraging travellers to make a return on the same route. However for those having to make a one-way journey the price is something of a rip-off.
If simply sticking to a comparison of return journeys then the price I'm paying doesn't compare too unfavourably with our brothers abroad in many instances. It's tricky to know where to place the Virgin West Coast trains as the journey time is generally slower than the high speed trains on the continent but quicker than their InterCity trains. There's also the complex issue of advance and discount fares which all have differing availabilities and conditions attached.
I had been expecting to discover that I was being ripped off compared to the continent, but this isn't the case, which is something. The situation might be different if I had to commute on the horrendously priced 'Standard Open' tickets, but for general travel we seem to be doing ok.
20070102
Alliance or rumour mill?
After I glimpsed a story about an alliance between Virgin and other airlines on one of the news channels last night I thought I'd try to get some more information about it. At first details were thin on the ground but as of this morning the story seems to be making many of the nationals and regional papers.
Details are unconfirmed to say the least. The initial story wrote of an alliance between Virgin Atlantic, Malaysia based AirAsia and EasyJet with the prospect of flights from Manchester and possibly Luton to Asia from £43. However later reports reveal that EasyJet are denying any negotiations with Virgin.
This morning, while more local papers continue to report the 3-party alliance and potentially rock bottom fares to Asia, the Times has taken a entirely different tack, indicating the Virgin may be looking to buy a stake in AirAsia with an eye to opening up routes within Asia.
Details are unconfirmed to say the least. The initial story wrote of an alliance between Virgin Atlantic, Malaysia based AirAsia and EasyJet with the prospect of flights from Manchester and possibly Luton to Asia from £43. However later reports reveal that EasyJet are denying any negotiations with Virgin.
This morning, while more local papers continue to report the 3-party alliance and potentially rock bottom fares to Asia, the Times has taken a entirely different tack, indicating the Virgin may be looking to buy a stake in AirAsia with an eye to opening up routes within Asia.
20070101
2007
Happy New Year.
Out with old, in with the new. Whatever. A new year passes in to being with very little celebration in this household. I suppose after seeing the valley lit by fireworks on the millennium, one Hogmany in Edinburgh and seeing in 2006 in Vienna it all seems a bit tame now. Despite forecasts of gales and lashing rain nothing really transpired, here at least, although rather predictably the local television transmitter has just gone off... again.
Last year proved to be out of the ordinary in a thoroughly positive way and with luck this next year may do the same, albeit in a different fashion. I've been lapping up the numerous round-ups of 2006 that have been offered on TV having missed many of the events taking place in the UK while abroad. I suspect the most anticipated event of 2007 will be seeing the back of Mr Blair. He won't break Thatcher's innings, Francis Urqhart style, but like Thatcher he is leaving due to pressure from his own benches. Many could no doubt draw many more parallels between the two however it's quite late enough for one evening and I'm going to see the next few hours on the new year in with some kip.
Out with old, in with the new. Whatever. A new year passes in to being with very little celebration in this household. I suppose after seeing the valley lit by fireworks on the millennium, one Hogmany in Edinburgh and seeing in 2006 in Vienna it all seems a bit tame now. Despite forecasts of gales and lashing rain nothing really transpired, here at least, although rather predictably the local television transmitter has just gone off... again.
Last year proved to be out of the ordinary in a thoroughly positive way and with luck this next year may do the same, albeit in a different fashion. I've been lapping up the numerous round-ups of 2006 that have been offered on TV having missed many of the events taking place in the UK while abroad. I suspect the most anticipated event of 2007 will be seeing the back of Mr Blair. He won't break Thatcher's innings, Francis Urqhart style, but like Thatcher he is leaving due to pressure from his own benches. Many could no doubt draw many more parallels between the two however it's quite late enough for one evening and I'm going to see the next few hours on the new year in with some kip.
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