environment, food+drink

National Allotment Week

5-11 August is National Allotment Week.
National Allotments Garden Trust and the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners will be teaming up with local authorities to recognise the importance of allotments — not just locally, but nationally too.
Following on from the success of the 2012 event they are bringing back their ‘Party on the Plot’ and inviting allotment societies across the country to dust off their bunting and BBQs, spread the word and hold a jolly good knees-up!


Too often allotments are thought of as places that only grow the humble potato or everyday carrot, but in truth they offer a cornucopia of delicious treats, including some of our most delicious fruit: strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries; blackberries, plums and apples.
Allotments need protecting from development plans and budget cuts, so now is the time to get involved and help ensure they survive.
As always there is more information on the National Allotment Week website.

personal, sexuality

Five Questions, Series 4 #3

So it’s that time again. Well to tell the truth it was probably than time days ago but who round here is clock-watching? Isn’t retirement all about not having to worry about clocks?
Anyway, yes, it is time for an answer to question three in the latest series of “Five Questions”. So here goes …


Question 3: If you could be the opposite gender for a day, what would you do?
To put it very simply: Fuck.
I’ve always wondered what it is like to be female, and especially to have sex — because it seems to me from the outside that sex is a much different experience for girls than for boys.
More importantly, perhaps, I feel I should know, and would like to know, what it’s like to be female. And I don’t just mean the good bits like fucking, but also the messy bits like periods and childbirth. No I doubtless wouldn’t enjoy those bits, but it’s about understanding as well as having fun.
I’m sure if even 10% of men could experience what it’s like to be female, even for just a few days (and conversely 10% of women experience what it’s like to be male) then we’d understand each other so much better and everything would work so much better. Yes, I know we all have these ideas of what being the opposite gender is like, but I suspect they are mostly delusions. And there’s nothing quite like the real thing.
But yes, basically, if I had only one day, I’d fuck. It might be fun, it might be educational and it might even be lucrative. Sounds like a winner to me. 🙂

amusements

World Thumb Wrestling Championships

The World Thumb Wrestling Championships are being held on Saturday 3 August at the Triangle Tavern in Lowestoft, Suffolk.
World Thumb Wrestling is a fun sport, where competitors are encouraged to glam up their thumbs and choose a ‘stage name’ for their thumb before entering into battle. There are men’s and ladies’ competitions.


Each Year the annual World Thumb Wrestling Championships is held at the Mecca of Thumb Wrestling, Lowestoft, Suffolk. On display are some of the World’s top thumb wrestlers who battle it out to see who will be the champions.
It seems that anyone can enter by buying a ticket online or registering at the venue before 14:00 on the day (spaces permitting).
There are more details as well as the rules, on the World Thumb Wrestling website at www.thumbwrestling.co.uk.

amusements, photography

Buggered Britain #19

Another instalment in my occasional series documenting some of the underbelly of Britain. Britain which we wouldn’t like visitors to see and which we wish wasn’t there. The trash, abused, decaying, destitute and otherwise buggered parts of our environment. Those parts which symbolise the current economic malaise; parts which, were the country flourishing, wouldn’t be there, would be better cared for, or made less inconvenient.
I’ve blogged this “yard” before in Buggered Britain #13.

Buggered Britain #18

As you can see, it doesn’t materially improve with keeping.

photography

Weekly Photograph

Early yesterday (Sunday) morning I went photographing in central London. It was a glorious bright, warm, sunny morning in which the Albert Memorial, in Kensington Gardens looked absolutely stunning.

Click the images for larger views on Flickr
Albert Memorial
Albert Memorial
Kensington Gore, London; 28 July 2013

Later in the morning the Italian Gardens at the NE corner of Kensington Gardens (near Lancaster Gate station) were equally delightful, if rather more populated by the time we got there in mid-morning.
Italian Garden, Kensington Gardens
Italian Garden
Kensington Gardens, London; 28 July 2013

amusements, current affairs, medical, science

You May Have Missed …

Another in our series highlighting articles you may have missed …
Unfortunately top billing this week has to go to Prime Minister David Cameron’s desire to impose a “porn block” on every internet connection. Needless to say the internet has been awash with people decrying the scheme as unworkable censorship. Some has been the usual squealing about anything we don’t like but much has been sensible commentary on the abhorrence of censorship and the practicalities of why the system won’t work. Those of you who know me, and who follow here, will be able to guess my view. Here is a selection of articles:
Original news item from the Independent: David Cameron cracks down on online pornography with ‘porn block’ option
The anotherangryvoice blog shouts against David Cameron’s “national wank register” although the article is more rational and practical than that sounds.
Meanwhile in measured fashion New Statesman asks 10 questions about Cameron’s ‘war on porn’
While in PC Pro the smaller ISPs are resisting.
Another blogger maintains the proposed UK porn filter is a threat, not a safeguard.
Milena Popova looks at the proposals from the perspective of an abuse survivor.
Finally there is the inevitable e-petition on the government website: Do Not Force ISP Filtering of Pornography and Other Content. At the time of writing it has just over 25,000 signatures. Whether you agree or not I’d urge everyone to sign as 100,000 should ensure a parliamentary debate, which is about the best we can do in exercising our full democratic power.
Now let’s return to the usual rather more amusing and esoteric fare.
Big ears! Yes ears (and noses) really do grow as we age.
Here’s an interesting, if slightly contentious, article on why we should fight back against those who are determined to kill off obesity. Yes, we know there may be risks (for some) in obesity but moral blackmail isn’t the answer and quality of life does matter.
At last an explanation for all those tales of werewolves. Apparently sleep quality declines around the full moon.
Still on things medically orientated, scientists are increasingly demonstrating that there are links between faulty body clocks and mental illness although it should be stressed that a correlation doesn’t prove causation.
Well who would have guessed? Bottlenose dolphins use names to identify each other. Wolves too it seems. You mean all animals don’t? I bet they do; just because we can’t understand what name our cat or dog calls itself!
A couple of writers for Practical Fishkeeping magazine go snorkelling in an English river and are surprised by the amazing biodiversity.
Oh dear, here we go again … More sleight of hand in the finance industry. Nationwide Building Society is working out how to issue shares and remain mutual. Ho hum …
Meanwhile some fun … I love it when eccentric, guerilla ideas take off. Apparently campaigners have planted cannabis seeds all over a German town and the authorities are struggling to keep up with destroying the resulting sudden growth.
More fun, but more seriously … apparently the Tory party’s plans to claw back EU powers have been thrown into disarray after an official study describes the London-Brussels balance as ‘broadly appropriate’. As usual though, I bet they ignore their advisers.
And now for a true British eccentric. Obituary for the 7th Marquis of Anglesey, historian of the British Cavalry, who died last week.


And on British eccentricities, here is a series of photographs of Britain’s listed historic signal boxes.
Finally one close to my heart. Biologist Rob Dunn investigates the roamings of his cat, and despite her age gets a surprise.
More anon …

words

Word: Kleptocracy

Kleptocracy
A ruling body or order of thieves.
A government by thieves; a nation ruled by this kind of government.
Hence a government characterized by rampant greed and corruption.
[See also politics, from the words “poly” meaning “many”, and “ticks” meaning “blood-sucking parasites.”]


The first use recorded by the OED is in 1819 although regular use does seem to appear until the late-1960s.

natural history

National Marine Week

National Marine Week isn’t so much a week as a fortnight as it runs from Saturday 27 July right through to Sunday 11 August.

The UK’s marine areas are home to a number of amazing and unexpected creatures like dolphins and basking sharks as well as corals and all manner of shellfish. Organised by The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Week is intended to celebrate these marvellous animals and encourage us to go out and explore our local seashores.



If you’ve ever wanted to watch puffins, spy on bathing grey seals or see dolphins then this is your opportunity. You can also learn more about sea plants and beaches. There are a range of activities on offer, including remarkable rock pool rambles and marine treasure hunts for every member of the family.

As always there is much more information over on the National Marine week website at www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-seas/get-involved/national-marine-week.