April

Isn't April brilliant? I must admit that in the 24 months since I'd last fully experienced an April in the UK I had quite forgotten just what a sensationally fine month it is.

Take for example its place in the year: It's early Spring, and as the month begins the trees are still largely bare and the weather cool. Suddenly though an explosion of green appears from nowhere, bright, fully saturated greens of vibrant hue and quality. The trees spring to life, the fields glow, the hedges and cherry trees are in blossom, birds return to our shores and are busy constructing nests; all combine to make the countryside look absolutely marvellous.

Best of all, we know we've the whole of the summer stretching off far into the distance. These are but the earliest days of warmth, sun and colour. Many months lie in store with all the expectation and promise that they contain. Why would you want to be anywhere else?

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?