A Good Helping Of Turner
Yesterday, I went to see the Late Turner at the Tate Britain. I followed it up by seeing the film, Mr. Turner at the Barbican Cinema.
It was a good idea and I would recommend both the exhibition and the film to everyone.
Viewing The Poppies In The Rain
I went to The Tower today to see the poppies.
Seeing them in the rain, might have made the whole thing more poignant in a way.
But certainly rain or not, the field of ceramic poppies is truly spectacular.
Do You Have A Community Energy Partnership?
We all pay too much for our energy, because whatever the politicians do, the Big Six just use their muscle and highly-paid lawyers to get around every attempt that is made to force prices down.
They also can rely on our natural inertia to stop us changing.
So I was particularly pleased to see OVO has setup a community energy partnership in Sussex with Community Energy South.
Everyone should check out their local community energy partnership.
We’re only small consumers but we must give the Big Six as tough a time as possible.
Do you think large consumers of electricity like Network Rail, Transport for London, just roll over and pay what the Big Six think they will charge?
Peer-To-Peer Lending For The Non-Digital World
I was an early adopter of peer-to-peer lending in 2008 and now have a six figure sum invested, which returns me over five percent before tax.
Reading the letters about poor broad band and mobile phone coverage in today’s Sunday Times, it strikes me that many people are cut off from this sensible investment.
I could if I wanted to, set up my Zopa account, so that I perhaps looked at it once every blue moon.
Would it be an idea if one of the peer-to-peer lenders offered a minimal input product for those disconnected from the digital world?
Money would be paid in by a direct transfer or even a cheque paid in at a bank branch, if you still use one.
If you needed to check your account or perhaps withdraw a small amount of the interest and repayments that you have received as cash, you would just use a debit card in any ATM.
Obviously, you will still have the option to login normally, if you wanted.
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.
A New Tram Loop At East Croydon
I don’t go to Croydon very often, but I always have problems with getting between the two stations; East Croydon and West Croydon. The reason is that I live near Dalston Junction and therefore end up at West Croydon, but I have onward travel from East Croydon. I also sometimes want to travel to IKEA via West Croydon.
The Tramlink is being updated with a new turnback loop at East Croydon station, which is described here. I took these pictures in the area, where it will go.
It doesn’t seem to me that any of the options suit me better than any other, but I hope the cars I saw rushing about in the area between the offices calm down, when they share the roads with the trams.
One thing the new loop won’t do, is help me get to IKEA from West Croydon station. Either I walk through to the Church Street stop or go to East Croydon and get on a tram to Wimbledon.
A Station With Oversite Development
I’d never been to Wembley Central station before and was surprised it was being redeveloped with a hotel, flats and shops over the top.
We certainly need to do more development like this.
In my view everybody wins, as the station is better and can be made totally step-free, and we need hotels, offices and housing in London. Perhaps too we should think about building public buildings like hospitals, schools, colleges and council buildings over the top of stations.
Judging by the adverts on the development, Wembley Central will be getting a much needed coffee shop.
A High Street Without A Coffee Shop
In this day and age this would seem incredible. As I emerged from Wembley Central station, I asked the staff and they said there is only McDonalds.
But he was right and I couldn’t find one.
Given that this station is one of those for Wembley Stadium, this is very difficult to understand.
Wolsey’s Gate, Ipswich
Wolsey’s Gate is another of Ipswich’s Grade 1 Listed Buildings.
Wolsey’s Gate, Ipswich
It is hidden away in the Docks and is quite difficult to find. I remember the first time I found it with my mother, after we’d come in on the bus, to look at Ipswich. We’d been looking for the town centre and had walked the wrong way from the bus station. I think we went back soon afterwards and took a bus home.
Metier’s Buildings In Ipswich
These were Metier’s buildings in the Fore Street area of Ipswich.
Note that the major building we did up, has now been converted to apartments.
The Anonymous Widower 