Hay Fever in Switzerland
You’d expect the Swiss to be fairly professional about this and this web site is very much so. The trouble is finding it was difficult as typing something like “pollen forecast switzerland” into Google, gets all sorts of crap paid for sites mainly from the United States.
The interesting fact, is the Swiss thinks a lot of their hay fever comes from an imported plant called ambrosia. They are now attempting to eradicate it.
Originally from North America, ambrosia (ragweed) is a weed with two specific properties: an extremely high spread potential and highly allergenic pollen. Pollination begins in mid July and continues until the first autumn frosts.
In the last twenty years ambrosia has spread on a massive scale in Europe. In Switzerland it has now spread over vast swathes of land in the Geneva and Ticino regions. North of the Alps its presence is limited to specific areas, but without appropriate countermeasures there is an imminent risk of it invading the whole country.
To avoid this scenario, from July 2006 ambrosia has been declared by law a plant that must be disinfested / eradicated.
I wish them luck.
Computer Disasters Incorporated
When we were writing Artemis, and afterwards, some people asked what we would have done if it had all gone wrong.
We didn’t officially have a Plan B, but then we had organised the company, so that if we had to close it, we’d all come out with something. I can remember having a chat with the company accountant and he explained, how our system of leasing systems, meant there would always be a useful cash flow from a sale for some time.
I do remember though talking about a company called Computer Disasters Inc. Basically, it would have been a no-fix no-fee rescue company for computer systems that had gone awry. After all we had the people to sell such services and the experience to fix them.
I suspect it’s a concept that has been used successfully by others.
Kelvin MacKenzie’s Voicemail
According to this article in the Telegraph, this is the welcoming message on Kelvie MacKenzie’s voicemail.
I am not here right now, but leave a message and Rebekah will get back to you
I like it.
We Need More Duchesses!
The late Duke of Devonshire and his wife, who is now the Dowager Duchess have spent a lifetime turning Chatsworth into a commercial proposition. Some may argue that they were wrong, but surely the people who flock to the house in droves aren’t doing it because they hate it.
But I do like Matthew Parris’s tale in The Times today, where the current Duke is organising tours around the scaffolding, that clothes the House now, so that repairs can be performed.
It is a great idea, as when restorations are performed, the public should be encouraged to see the skills involved, especially, when taxpayers or lottery losers money is involved.
On a similar level, few would argue that the ViewTube at the Olympic Park has not been a success.
So let’s see more exhibitions, webcams and viewing galleries on major construction sites.
At least Network Rail put up a small exhibition at King’s Cross, but where is the information around the new CrossRail stations? It might be on the web, but many of those who might be interested probably don’t have a computer to hand.
The Royal Victoria Dock Bridge
The Royal Victoria Dock Bridge is a footbridge that links the ExCel Exhibition Centre to the south side of the dock.
As it has lifts at each end, it is not difficult to get across the dock. Some of the pictures of the SS Robin were taken from the bridge.
Th SS Robin Opposite the ExCel
The SS Robin is the last steam coaster left and now after a certain amount of rebuilding it is sitting on a barge in the Royal Victoria Dock behind the ExCel Exhibition Centre.
If you want to go and see it take the DLR to Custom House and walk down to the dock.
The Anonymous Widower 