UFOs and Debach
The government has released details of various UFO sightings today.
I’m not sure that I believe in UFOs, but there are sightings, for which there is a not a rational explanation. Sometimes, these are ones that just weren’t investigated, so by the time we do, any chance of an explanation is long gone.
Where we used to live at Debach, we were right in line with the runway at Bentwaters and often lights could be seen hovering to the east. They were just the landing lights of USAF jets on final approach. But others thought they were otherwise.
But there is also the Rendlesham incident, where American servicemen thought they saw aliens and an alien craft. The BBC found out the truth in 2003. It was a hoax.
But was it? Others are just as vociferous in saying it was aliens.
I prefer the BBC’s explanation.
But the alien has a certain credibility and has lasted a long time, so much so that the BBC based a version of New Tricks around it.
A Small Note on a Grim History
I had to pick up a friend from the ferry at Harwich after football and whilst waiting I noticed the following.
Kindertransport Plaque at Harwich
We mustn’t forget what happened. Especially, with all the troubles around the world.
I have no religion, but my family is a potent mix of Jew and Huguenot. They all came to Britain because of oppression.
Can anybody say that refugees in the past have not enriched our country and it’s culture?
Pubs
I don’t go down the pub very often. Especially, if I’m by myself! But on Saturday night after the rather disappointing goal-less draw against Leicester, I went for a drink in the sun at one of my favourite pubs, The Woolpack in Ipswich.
The Woolpack, Ipswich
It is a good and friendly pub, and there were several of my old friends there, from when I lived just north of the town. It is also better on a sunny day, as there are plenty of seats outside.
It also serves draught Aspell Cyder, which is always a very good reason to visit the pub. They will also serve it without the silly special glass, that Aspall promote.
Changing Face of Ipswich
I took these two pictures in Ipswich on Saturday.
Civic Drive, Ipswich - 1
Civic Drive, Ipswich - 2
These two views fit together. In the first one, you see the old Crown Court and the space where the Civic Tower used to be and in the second, you see the AXA offices that have been reskinned and turned into something respectable and a good working environment.
All of these buildings were built at the same time, but why did they pull down the Civic Tower, rather than refurbish like the AXA offices? Was it because it was built to a much lower standard?
At my party yesterday, a surveyor said that civic and NHS buildings are now designed without air-conditioning to save money. Is this short-sighted? I suspect so and in twenty years time, we’ll be upgrading them to make them a decent working environment.
As a postscript to this, I went into Debenhams to try to find something. The air-conditioning had failed, but even with the lights turned down, it was oppressive.
The Anonymous Widower 