Horse Power At Camden Lock
The narrow boat, Ilkeston, was today towed through Camden on the Regent’s Canal in the traditional way by a horse on its way to the London Canal Museum.
The horse, a thirteen-year-old Clydesdale-cob cross is called Bunny.
In some ways it brought me back to my childhood, when I can remember the horse-drawn dust-carts in the old borough of Wood Green. They used to use them around the backs of the shops, as one-horse carts were so manoeuvrable.
IPPR Says Fuel Prices Should Rise
The IPPR is reported to be saying that fuel prices should rise, much to the dismay of motorists. It’s all here in the Telegraph.
I don’t care what happens to fuel prices personally, as I don’t have a car and I get my public transport in the London area free.
But I’ve always felt that fuel prices are too low, as this increases consumption, which increases global warming. It also reduces the pressure for vehicle manufacturers to make more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Concerning the latter, I have a lot of hybrid-buses near me, including of course, the New Bus for London. All of these hybrid buses deliver much higher lower fuel consumption and in addition, quantities of black smoke and noise.
Rises in fuel prices would improve our vehicles in other ways.
Condolezza Rice Invited To Join Augusta National
Augusta National seems to have forgone it’s ban on women members, by inviting two women to join, one of whom is Condolezza Rice. It’s all here in the Guardian.
I remember a tale from a few years back, where someone in Houston, was employing a new secretary. One of those who came for interview,said, that she was a woman, black and Jewish and therefore she ticked three boxes. She got the job, as coincidentally, she was also the best applicant.
So did Augusta choose Connie because she ticked two? The other lady is white and blonde!
I have a feeling that Tiger Woods is not a member!
But then I’m very much in agreement with Groucho Marks on clubs.
I wouldn’t join any club, that would have me as a member.
But then, I’m a member of that dark club called widowhood.
Race, gender and sexual orientation are not restrictions as to membership.
A New Coffee Stall On Islington Green
I walked through Islington Green today and there is now a coffee stall at the opposite end to the statue of Hugh Myddleton.
Giddy Up Coffee Stall On Islington Green
The guy running it is Australian, so it would appear, what with my physio and the chiropodist, the area now seems to have an increasing number of businesses, with Aussies in charge.
EggsMilkButter Is Now Open
EggsMilkButter, the cafe opposite my house, is now open.
The cappuccino was excellent and the wi-fi connection was strong. Although, it is just a few metres too far away to connect to my own router, but that is down to geography and my wi-fi.
Edinburgh Gets A New Tram
Edinburgh has now got a new tram, that apparently could easily be run up and down Princes Street, which is more than the new electric ones can do.
The trouble is that it’s a replica of a nineteenth century Edinburgh horse tram, which was made from a garden shed. Read about the full story here.
I know the budget for the new tram is a bit tight, but isn’t this taking things a bit too far to save money.
The View Of Assange In The Press
This article on the BBC, gives a summary of what the world’s press has said about Julian Assange’s press conference yesterday. The Guardian, which would have been considered to be a likely supporter, said this.
“At around 2.30pm Assange emerged on to the balcony, a pallid figure dressed in a business-blue shirt and maroon tie. There was an enormous roar. Assange managed a thumbs-up, then tapped the microphone and inquired: “Can you hear me?” This, perhaps, was the moment for someone to shout: “‘E’s not the Messiah! ‘E’s a very naughty boy!”
The Independent, another possible supporter, was in a similar mood.
“A competent image consultant could have warned him not to emerge into the public eye looking as he did. Far from giving him a Churchillian look, his blue shirt, crimson tie and cropped hair created – as one wag pointed out on Twitter – a curious resemblance to John Inman, from the 1970s’ sitcom Are you Being Served?
“But what was much more serious – the elephant in the room, so to speak – was Assange’s wilful failure to say anything about the actual reason that the Swedish police want to question him.”
But The Sun, which seems to be an increasingly serious paper these days, was similar in tone to The Independent, without the theatrical references was quite matter of fact.
“Odious Julian Assange loved every second of his pompous balcony rant. His speech was long on egotistical claptrap, but oddly failed to mention what this extradition case is actually about — the rape of one woman and sexual molestation of another.
“If Mr Assange really does believe in the importance of transparent justice in a democratic state, he should subject HIMSELF to it now and get on the first plane to Sweden.”
Moving to Assange’s home country of Australia, the Australian takes a more practical approach.
“Assange is an Australian and Australia is a staunch US ally. If Assange’s legal future became a major talking point in this country, you could probably expect a bit of nationalism to intrude. It’s likely, though not certain, that Assange would be seen as wearing the white jersey and the US perceived as wearing a black one. In other words, it probably wouldn’t transpire as a US public relations triumph.”
It’s a mess and the sooner it’s cleaned up, the better.
EggsMilkButter Opens Tomorrow!
I’ll soon have a nice cafe opposite for coffees and snacks called EggsMilkButter. It opens tomorrow.
I wish them every success.
The Anonymous Widower 