The UK’s Unhealthiest High Streets And Gluten Free Food
In this report on the BBC, they published a list of the healthiest and unhealthiest High Streets. This is the unhealthiest list.
1. Preston
2. Middlesbrough
3. Coventry
4. Blackpool
5. Northampton
6. Wolverhampton
7. Grimsby
8. Huddersfield
9. Stoke-on-Trent
10. Eastbourne
Of these I have only ever been looking for gluten-free food in the first four and Wolverhampton.
In the first four, I drew a blank even in Marks and Spencer on getting anything tasty, except for a gluten-free quiche in Middlesbrough. Although, I did get a gluten-free pizza in Pizza Express in Preston and a Polish gluten-free pastie using a cabbage leaf in Wolverhampton.
What makes things worse in these places, is that none has a Marks and Spencer Simply Food at the station. Preston is so bad at the station, that when I got stuck there once after football in Blackpool, I went home via Piccadilly, so that I could have supper in the Carluccio’s there.
It would be interesting to see how many coeliacs have been diagnosed in these towns.
Will We See A Station At Addenbrooke’s?
Addenbrooke’s is the major hospital in Cambridge and it is starting to be surrounded by the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and a cluster of innovative medical companies.
Will We See A Station At Addenbrooke’s?
The picture shows the hospital sitting like a medical Ship of the Fens in the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Public transport between the hospital and the centre of Cambridge and the Science Park relies on the Guided Bus, but as a station is being developed at the latter, it was no surprise that David Cameron suggested that there should be a station at Addenbrooke’s.
If Cambridge continues to develop, then the rail lines that fan out from the city will need to be developed, if only to allow more commuting into a crowded city. Cambridge may have a very good Park and Ride System, but getting from Cambridge Science Park station station to Bury St. Edmunds or Ipswich would mean a change of train at either Cambridge or Ely.
As all the lines in the area are either electrified or are being studied for possible electrification, I suspect we’ll see some extra lines, junctions and curves around Cambridge to improve transport routes, especially to improve links to the East West Rail Link.
The only certainty is that in a dozen years the Cambridge rail system will be unrecognisable from that we have today.
Greater Manchester To Control Local Health Budget
\This report on the BBC entitled Greater Manchester Councils ‘to control £6bn NHS budget’, is surely the way for healthcare to go in the UK, as I suspect that health needs in various parts of the country can be very different.
Manchester is getting increasingly like London with an elected mayor responsible for various issues. Some of these issues are related, like the provision of good public transport to and from hospitals, so it is only right that they are dealt with locally. I am lucky in that my three local hospitals; the Royal London, Homerton and University College are all an easy bus ride or train journey away, but what proportion of the UK population, need to get a car or taxi to their local hospital?
An Unusual Cancer Story From Germany
I have just read this story on the BBC web site entitled The Blind Breast Cancer Detectors. Here’s the first paragraph.
Women being screened for breast cancer in Germany may find themselves in the hands of a blind examiner. The idea has been around for a few years, and unpublished research suggests that it really works – that blind people can in fact detect tumours earlier than their sighted counterparts.
Now I’ve never had cancer, but C had breast cancer and she found the lump herself, which the GP discounted. It was later confirmed by a specialist.
But in Penang in Malaysia, we were staying at the Mutiara hotel. My back was giving me trouble, so C suggested I had a massage.It was probably the most successful massage I’ve ever had.
And the masseur was blind! They explained that the Malaysian government was training them to work in the luxury hotels of the country.
I thought at the time, it was a good idea. I still think it is and after reading the BBC article, I think that the sensitive fingers of the blind may go a lot further than relieving tension in my spine.
I Thought Dinosaurs Were Extinct
I watched a lot of the debate the so-called three parent babies and am very pleased that the House of Commons voted in favour. The debate is covered fully in this article on the BBC web site.
I saw several men and no women put up ridiculous arguments as to why they were voting against. Several of these dinosaurs are listed as Roman Catholic on Wikipedia.
But David Willetts, Liz McInnes and Jane Ellison amongst others put forward sane arguments that carried the day.
No MP has any business to use principles of his or her religion to legislate for others in the UK, who do not share their faith.
So if a Jewish or Muslim member, wants to bring in a bill banning the eating of pork in the UK, they should have no right.
I am old enough to remember the birth of Louise Brown; the world’s first IVF baby. We look at IVF as commonplace and Robert Edwards won a Nobel Prize for his work in the field, but at the time it was controversial.
I believe that in a few years time, this technique, which is being developed at Newcastle University, will also enter the mainstream too.
BT Annoys The Big Six Energy Companies
You would think that BT would be very much in bed with the Big Six energy companies, as they probably draw their directors and advisers from the same pool of fat cats.
So I was surprised to find this guide to the quirkier small energy companies on BT’s web site.
I doubt a big broadband/telephone/mobile company would get into the energy business, as the corporate world is littered with failures of companies trying to ride two horses at once. But with smart meters coming in and all the connectivity that a broadband company has, they could offer you a free lifestyle application that calculated your energy usage and suggest how you could save money.
I can certainly see these applications being developed and when properly connected to your house or flat they could make a lot of difference to your lifestyle and how you sustain and support.
Electricity, gas, phone and broadband usage can all be precisely monitored and relayed to the app on your phone, tablet or laptop.
Much modern housing also has an activity monitor in each room of the dwelling. I have one in each room here and they are the controllers for the underfloor central heating. My ones aren’t but others exist that could be connected into the system. As the average adult is quite a large heat source of upwards of a kilowatt, they can effect the heat input to the room to maintain the required temperature.
Given to, that the Internet of things is coming, which will know what’s going on in the dishwasher, microwave, cooker and washing machine, the best apps will be able to tell you why you’re lifestyle is expensive.
And of course, I haven’t linked this to your car and credit card bills, yet!
Suppose too, you had intelligent scales that weighed you each morning and automatically took things like blood pressure and pulse.
Hopefully, these apps will nudge people to a better lifestyle.
I suppose in some ways, they will be a bit like automatic lifestyle coaches, suggesting things you might or should do.
Mansion Tax To Pay For 1,000 Nurses In Scotland
This is the front page headline in The Times. It is subtitled.
Labour targets southern England to woo north.
These headlines are based on a policy statement by Jim Murphy, the Scottish Labour Leader. The Times also says he didn’t clear it with Ed Miliband.
My house would probably not be worth enough to pay a mansion tax, although knowing politicians, they’d probably change the rules to make most houses in London and the South East pay the tax.
But I thought that the NHS in Scotland was devolved.
One thing I find, is that if I talk about the NHS to people in England and Scotland, those in places like London, Liverpool and East Anglia, are much more satisfied with prerformance than those north of the border.
Energy Efficient Houses Linked To Asthma
I found this research on the Exeter University web site, after seeing a report in today’s Sunday Times.
Very Interesting!
The Power Of Check-Lists
The most interesting article in The Times yesterday was entitled How A Checklist Saved A Little Girls Life. It starts like this.
A simple procedure borrowed from the airline industry and a bit of humility has ensured many more patients survive
It is powerful stuff and I hope every doctor and health administrator reads it. But I doubt they will, as what does the aviation industry know about medicine?
The author of the article Atul Gawande is giving the Reith Lectures this year. I shall be listening.
How To Be Scientifically-Correct For A Greener And Better World
Matt Ridley’s article about eco-toffs got me thinking. So if I was the world dictator, what would I recommend as a greener lifestyle that was scientifically-correct and hopefully gave you benefits as well!
Cook From Scratch
I have a list of quick delicious nutritious recipes, that I can cook from a series of staples kept in my fridge and store cupboard. I also experiment.
One thing I don’t use is a freezer, except to store frozen peas, although with some dishes I make enough for two and put the one in the fridge for a couple of days later.
Don’t Live In Two Houses
I’ve lived in two houses twice in my life. Once we lived between London and Suffolk and at another we had a second house in Antibes.
Never again! It’s just so much hassle and eventually C and myself got fed up with it all.
So either rent the second house or sell it and invest the money. Any income could be used to have holidays in your favourite hotels!
Don’t Smoke
I look forward to the day, when you don’t see any signs of this filthy habit.
I feel very strongly about this, as our longest son died in part because he smoked.
Don’t Use Lifts For A Couple Of Floors Unless Someone Younger Than You Is Also Riding
We’re all lazy and climbing a few stairs is a good exercise.
But do use a lift, when a lazy soul is using it. And make them feel guilty about their lack of exercise.
Feed Your Mind
Nothing improves your inner self, than seeing exciting events or places you’ve not seen before.I travel a lot and even when I’m at home, I use my Freedom Pass to explore new places in London and the area around.
Go Gluten-Free
I have to be gluten-free as I’m coeliac. But it is a diet choice with a bonus. According to Nottingham University, those on a gluten-free diet are 25% less likely to get cancer.
Invest In Peer-To-Peer Lending
Choose a reputable peer-to-peer lender with the right rate and risk profile for you. Not only will you be getting a better rate on your savings, but you’ll be lending money to individuals and businesses at a rate less than the banks. You’ll also be giving that wunch of bankers a good kicking.
Keep Your Body At Its Ideal Weight And Fitness
I am virtually the same size as I was when I left University in 1968. One doctor told me that the main reason, I recovered from the serious stroke so quickly, was because of the good state of my body.
Smart Meters and Thermostats
I have smart thermostats for my heating that I can set precisely, but despite trying hard, I haven’t managed to get a smart meter fitted for either gas or electricity yet, so I can see my usage on my computer.
Think Seriously About Your Car Usage
Too many households have car ownership that is poorly matched to their needs.
I for example, don’t have a licence any more and don’t have a car. My eyesight is getting better and I suspect that in a year or so, I could get my licence back with ease. But I don’t want the hassle of car ownership, especially as I have so many bus routes everywhere.
My son has also decided he doesn’t need a car and if he wants one for a few hours, he uses something like a Zip-car.
A friend too, had their car stolen and hasn’t replaced it.
So as a car costs several thousand a year to own and run, are your current car arrangements the best and most capital efficient?
In many cases the answer is no!
Traditional Terry Nappies
C and I were very keen on these, especially if they’re paired with a nappy service, which takes away the dirty ones and then delivers the freshly-laundered ones. I can still see C burying her face in the clean nappies and luxuriating at the experience. I have heard mothers of my generation, say that their babies almost begged to be put back in a cloth nappy when they were put in a disposable one.
I’ve also seen in the sewers how many disposable nappies end up there, before being sent to landfill.
We shouldn’t force parents to use traditional nappies by increasing taxes on the disposable ones, as there are people, who for various reasons have to use disposable ones. But we should get the water companies and councils to encourage traditional ones, as they are the major commercial beneficiaries of such a product.
I wonder if I can still fold and fit a traditional nappy.
Use Contract Cleaners
I have a three-bedroomed house and I use contract cleaners, who send two girls once a week for two hours, at a price comparable with what I’d pay for a lady to do say a whole morning.
But the big advantage of this type of cleaning, is that I don’t have to have any cleaning equipment or materials.
So other than food, I have to buy very little in the supermarket. I think it’s just soap, washing-up liquid and washing tablets for clothes.
Walk In Cities
Cities are very interesting places to walk, as there is always something to see and you might just find a nice cafe for a coffee or see a jumper that goes with your favourite trousers or skirt.
Cities should encourage walking by putting up maps and information.
The Anonymous Widower 