Slums in UK

On a news report on the BBC last night, we were shown a very ugly side if the UK.

In several cities, illegal immigrants are bring housed in what can only be called modern day slums. They are made up of sheds and out houses at the bottom of gardens that are made into make shift accommodation used by illegal immigrants, usually Indians. These people are living in appalling  conditions and have to pay upwards of £500 per week for the privilege!

Local councils claim they can't do anything because they need to give 24hr notice of an inspection, so when they arrive the people have gone and the hovels are deserted.

Possibly the worst part of all this is that the people who rent the slums out themselves of Indian decent. Proving that brother will sit upon brother got the right price...

Pay Day, No Pay

I have used very successfully a pre paid Mastercard Payment card now for over three years. It is a good way to save money in a way that allows you to use it like a credit card. Online purchases, Hotel and Car hire purchases etc. Some of these things a Debit Card can't be used sometimes.

I use My Cash Plus, it's bben a very good card and helped me budget on hildays. They have recently introduce the "iAdvance". This is a service similar to Wonga.com and the like. Out of interest, I looked how much it would cost to borrow £50 over 10 days. Imagine my surprise when I got the following message.

"KEY FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Amount of Credit: £50.00

Total Amount Payable: £61.00

Term of the Agreement: 11 days

Repayments: You will pay to us £61.00 in one payment on the 03/03/2012. We will collect this payment by debiting your cashplus gold card account that you have registered with us on the date stated.

APR: 42242%

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Interest Charged Per Day Per £100: £2.00

Total Charge for Credit: £11.00

Rate of Interest: 730.00% per annum (fixed)

The interest charges have been calculated by applying the Rate of Interest shown above to the Amount of Credit assuming the duration of the Agreement is as stated under the heading Key Financial Information.

If you wish to settle the loan agreement before the agreed collection date please call customer services".

I could not believe the interest rate! Definately be giving that service a miss...

More Bomb News

It apperars the bombing incident in Bangkok on Tuesday was indeed the work of Iranians. This seems to coincide with devices that were left in India and Georgia and intended for Israeli Diplomats.

Thai Police have the perp who threw the exploding bombs, He was easy to catch, he blew his own legs off. A second man was detained at the Airport and a third Iranian who escaped to Malaysia was arrested trying to board a flight to Tehran. Thailand is currently organising extradition from Malaysia.

A fourth suspect, a woman escaped on a flight out of the country on tuesday and a fifth suspect is also being sort.

Iran as obviously said it was a set up job by Israel, and people shouldn't believe that Iran had anything to do with State Sponsored Terrorism.....

Bombs in Bangkok

Today, there were a series of explosions in Bangkok. First reports suggest links to Iran.

It appears that a house near Ekimai, on Sukhumvit 71 exploded and from this three men escaped. Two appeared to have escaped in a taxi, whilst the third man was unable to get a taxi and three a hand held bomb at it. The taxi was damaged and the driver injured.

When the Boys in Brown turned up on the scene, it appears that the bomber threw another bomb at the Police! Unfortunately the device seems to have a tree and bounced back at the bomber and blew his legs off! Doohhh!!!

When more info comes through, I'll update...

Diary of a Snowy day

4th Febuary 2012

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Thailand Battles with itself

Thailand once again seems to be torn between factions of the old elite and new thinking generation. This time the topic is the divisive Lese Majeste Law, or article 112.

I have explained several times that this law exsists to protect the Thai Monarchy from criticism. Recently there have been several high profile cases that have resulted in people of all nationalities being imprisoned for either critcising or allowing other people to break law 112.

Now the intelligency of Thailand are asking for reforms to #112, Academics and students at Thammasat University have formed the Nitirat Group to call for the wholesale amendment and hopefully the end of #112. To tow the line, the University as distanced itself from this group and as banned all debate on the subject. In all fairness you can't blame them. In the 70's. dozens of students were massarced by Government sponsered gangs, the crack down was savage and there are plenty of footage on Youtube that is very gruesome.

I, however do wonder. Is all this commotion that seems only to be between High level Thai's and foreigners living in thailand is filtering through to the public at large? I believe they have more to be bothered about, plus the establishment is deliberately not discussing the subject in the media. I say "Not discussing", I really mean, they can't discuss it. If an Editor dare show any sort of support for the Nitirat Group they could expect a black bag visit at best.

This lack of debate is really sad. I think that Thai people are more than capable of having a reasonable debate, but like most things in Thailand, its the Elite who decide who discuss's what.

Derwent Valley World Heritage Site

I'm so used to and take for granted where I live. In fact, I only live 200M from a World Heritage Site. I can see it from our living room window.

Below is the description on the World Heritage Web Site:

"Derwent Valley in central England saw the birth of the factory system, when new types of building were erected to house the new technology for spinning cotton developed by Richard Arkwright in the early 19th century. There was large-scale industrial production in a hitherto rural landscape. The need to provide housing and other facilities for workers and managers resulted in the creation of the first industrial towns.


The valley contains a series of 18th- and 19th-century cotton mills and an industrial landscape of high historical and technological significance. The industrial-scale production and the workers' housing associated illustrate the socio-economic development of the area. The construction in 1721 at Derby in the English East Midlands of a water-driven mill to manufacture silk thread was a very significant event in the Industrial Revolution. This was the work of Richard Arkwright, who in the 1760s successfully developed a machine for spinning cotton. He formed a partnership with silk manufacturer Jedediah Strutt. They selected Cromford, a village upstream of the river Derwent from Derby, for his first mill, work on which began in 1772. Arkwright also made provision for his workforce, mostly children. In order to attract them and their parents, he developed the village of Cromford. Weavers were invited to live in the houses that he built, their children working in the spinning mills and the parents weaving calico from Arkwright's cotton on the topmost floors.

The Evans brothers began building a cotton mill at Darley Abbey, just north of Derby, in 1782, in the beginning in partnership with Richard Arkwright. It was completed around 1786, but burned down two years later. Its replacement was constructed immediately and was considerably enlarged. The company diversified its production, eventually giving up spinning, and it is now the home for a number of small businesses.

Like Arkwright and the Strutt brothers, the Evans family provided a community for their workers. The late 1820s saw the beginning of a progressive decline in the fortunes of both mills. In 1979 it had suffered two fires and much alteration. It is now home to a range of small businesses, as well as a popular heritage attraction. The Masson Mill, by contrast, was modernized in the late 1880s and was in continuous operation until 1992. Now the complete property consists of a continuous strip 24 km long, from the edge of Matlock Bath in the north almost to the centre of Derby in the south.

Belper is located halfway between Cromford and Derby and is formed by Belper North Mill (1804) and East Mill (1912). Its houses are built from gritstone or locally made brick and roofed with Welsh slate. They are laid out in rows, largely on an east-west alignment and in various forms as the company experimented with different designs. There is also the Chapel and Chapel Cottage (1788)."

If you ever visit the area, drop me line....

Scotland

This week I went to Scotland for the first time ever. I seemed to have been to dozens of countries all around the world, but neglected to visit this one on my doorstep!

I was there with work, being shown by Lenny at our Grangemouth Depot. During the full day that I spent on the road I got to see alot of mid Scotland and Glasgow.

It did seem different to to England, the acsent was amazing! With everything ending with the word "PAL" eg. "See you Pal". At one appointmentin the sticks, I really had to strain to catch what was being said. I also had a lengthy discussion about Irn Bru. It seems, that in Scotland, Irn Bru is drunk like we drink Coca Cola.

I stayed at Airth Castle Hotel, I was surprised that I stayed here! It was a four star Hotel well above my pay grade, but I didn't knock it.

I visited Park Head, the home of Celtic Football Club, and went through such notorious neighbourhoods as Govan and The Gorbals. Both looked pretty smart to me.

One thing I noticed was the lack of any non white people. During my whole stay I only saw one Black lady pushing her baby and that was in the heart of Glasgow. I was told "We don't have many Darkies up here"!

I would like to re-visit Scotland, but when the weather is better and of course with Nuch and Elizabeth.

Bullshit Car Insurance

Its that time of year again when i have to renew my car insurance. Like every year you have to jump through the same hoops and wade through the bullshit the Insurance companies lay down.

Its all a trick that Insurance compnies hope that the less interested person will just renew without checking out the new inflated renewal.

My last premium cost around £35 per month. Hastings direct, my insurance company quoted a renewal at £45 per month. They seemed a little bit taken a back when I told them what they could do with that offer. I then told them I had moved. Straight away the guy told me that would make a great deal of difference, maybe my new postcode would be better and the premium lower. I then told him my postcode was the same. Despite this he managed to get my premium down to £39 a month.

I told him I would think about it and for him to give me a call  back later. In the mean time I went on the confused.com web site and put in all my details. Amazingly (but, not surprisingly) I found an all singing and ancing policy for onl £31 per month, it even had better cover than my present policy. The company that was offering it to me?

You guessed it- Hastings Direct.

When the sales guy phoned me back, I told him I'd found a policy at £30 per month on a comparison site, but wouldn't tell him who. He went away to ask his Supervisor a question and came back with a matching policy for £28 per month.

Why do we have to go through this crap every year? Just give me the best price and I'll not bother checking the internet. I guess they work that for every person who questions a renewal, one person will just sign it and pay full whack.

Thai Politics 2012

First off, I know that foreigners are never welcome participants in Thai politics! Thai's believe that their politics is there business. Right fully so, however it still doesn't stop people from having an opinion.

Last year the PTT of thaksin Shinawatra came to power under the guise of his Sister, Yingluck. Obviously Thaksin is still a fugitive and wanted on corruption charges. This isn't a healthy start really.

PTT were elected with about 50% of the popular vote, they promised the world to the poorer of thai Society. In all fairness, if I had of been able to vote it would have been for PTT, the Democrat Party alternative were never a viable option.

Since the election, PTT have returned to standard form for Thai Government. Behind the scenes strings are being pulled by the powerful and this is to the detriment of the normal person. Populist moves like freezing Diesel duty, whilst popular, miss the point that to improve the lot of normal people a good stream of revenue is needed. Never mind that corruption is at an all time high and those who should be paying tax get away with it.

PTT have increased the crack down on free speech with a Department set up purely to moniter the internet for any person breaking the laws on Les Majeste. This is a law which prohibits the critism of the Royal family. High profile cases have included a US citizen, a Web master and a 70 year Grandad being sent to prison for years at a time. The Thai press are very careful what they write so tend not to bother reporting many stories.

Recently the US Ebassy issued a terrorism warning based on solid info, The Thai foreign ministry went beserk and amazingly found a suspect the same day. The guy looks like more of a patsy than a criminal, but providing face as been saved in Thailand then that isn't a problem.

In a recent cabinet re-shuffle, one of the ministers is on a US black list for financial dealings with Zimbabwe and another is on a murder charge dating back to 2010. It seems, its not what you know, but who you know.

Finally, one of the back bone pledges of PTT was the raising of the minimum wage to 300 baht per day (£6), this as since been shelved. Add this to the terrible handling of the recent mega floods and the corruption on going without punishment and it seems that its business as usual in Thailand.

The latest is talk of another Military Coup. There hasn't been one for over five years, so one is due.

                                                        Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra

Supatra restaurant Hua Hin

We have been to the Supatra Restaurant several times now and it as got to have one of the best settings for a restaurant going.

You can see by a stone wall over looking the beach and in the shadow of Khao Tikiab in the south of Hua Hin.

Whilst it is probably more expensive than a lot of local restaurants, the quality of the food is outstanding and the service is also excellent.

This place is definately worth a visit.

Address:
Supatra by the Sea Restaurant
122/63 Takiab Rd.
Nong-gae, Hua Hin,
Prachuab Khiri Khan 77110

More Shocking News from Bangkok

I seem to be a little behind current affairs in Thailand. The above picture first appeared a few days ago as a viral going round the Thai web sphere.

It shows a group of 13-14 year old thai girls in a state of un dress and in provocative positions. Thai opinion is split, with most of the population going off in their usual explosive tirade of public lynch mobbing, whilst most Thai male teenagers are using it as their PC wallpaper.

In my opinion, what do you expect? Every day these young girls see their idols in various states of undress and models avertising everyday products using their female form as the selling point. Modern life Thailand, get used to it.

Shocking News from Bangkok

In a shocking development over the weekend, Bangkok as been plunged into a state of near panic!

It all stems from photos coming out of several illegal Casino's showing dealers topless!!!

I'm not sure what people are so alarmed at. Illegal Gambling or Topless ladies in Bangkok? Like everything in Thailand, it needs the occassional outrage just to keep certain people in check.

Bangkoks top Copper said he is shocked to see topless ladies in Bangkok. WTF!

Chances are that its one of his Officers who is running the Casino, not withstanding even I know where there are illegal Casino's in Bangkok and i don't even live there. Has far as topless ladies go, he will only need to walk down any entertainment area in Bangkok and he'll get to see a bit more than topless girls!!!

I think that the biggest outrage is that the pictures put online are pixelated!

That was the year that was 2011

2011 started as 2010 end, very snowy and cold. I was still only working part time, but we were more than getting on fine. At the end of the month I got a full time job. Working for a National company at their local Depot.

In March, Elizabeth and I went to Disneyland Paris. Not my cup of tea, but obviously Elizabeth looved every second. It was good to get back to France and I made the most of our visit to the Hypermarket near Calais to stock up on goodies.





Over Easter I took Elizabeth to Matlock Bath and a visit up to the Heights of Abraham via the cable cars. The cable cars never fail to impress and the pictures you can get looking down the Derwent Valley are truly spectacular.

In May and June we went on Holiday to Thailand. We did Bangkok, Koh Samet and Hua Hin. All of these are personal favourites of mine. We stayed at several excellent Hotels and visited some excellent beaches. We met the In- Laws who were all fine. Although later in the year they were severly affected by the floods that hit Thailand.

One of the lasting memories were the Zoo's we visited in Thailand, we were able to get up close and personal with Dolphins, Orang Utan, Deer, Sharks, Elephants and baby Tigers.

Elizabeth continued to grow both in height and personallity. She is becoming a proper little person. There are good days and bad days, mostly good days. She is in The rainbows, goes to Karate and is having swimming lessons.

In August, Elizabeth and I went to Zante for a week. Despite loosing our original holiday to Turkey because of the holiday company going bust we had a great time. I really like Europe and hope to get there again this year.

The last quarter of the year as been taken up by my re-introduction to cycling. It as bought alot of memories and I'm meeting up with alot of people who I've not seen for years. I bought the bike through the Cycle to Work scheme, which means I got a top bike and I get at least 40% off and only pay for it weekly. I'm still searching for the downside of the scheme.






2011 was definately better than 2010. I can only hope that 2012 is as good.

Concordia Disaster

You wont have failed to have seen pics and reports about the Italian Liner "The Concordia" sinking off the coast of Italy.

Some of the images have been amazing, sadly the price paid looks like around 30 people have lost their lives.

The reason appears to be that Captain Schettino was impressing a lady friend with his handling of the 60000 tonne super liner and hit a massive rock, The ship soon took on water and listed to where it settled.

By all accounts, it was absolute chaos! All semblance of civilty dissappeared and panic took over.

Below is the conversation btween the Italian Coastguard and the feckless Capt. Schettino. This conversation is not painting the Capt in very good light. He is currently under house arrest and is facing severe charges.

Coastguard official, Captain Gregorio De Falco (CG): “Hello. This is De Falco from Livorno, am I speaking with the captain?”


Captain Francesco Schettino (FS): “Yes, good evening Captain De Falco.”

CG: “Am I speaking with the captain? Please tell me your name.”

FS: “This is captain Schettino.”

CG: “Schettino? Listen Schettino, there are people trapped on board. Now you need to go on your lifeboat, under the bow of the ship on the side. There is a ladder. You need to climb up the ladder and board the ship. Get on board and report to me how many people there are. Is that clear? I am recording this conversation, captain Schettino.”

FS: “Captain, let me tell you one thing...”

CG: “Speak up!”

FS: “The ship, at this moment...”

CG: “Captain, speak up! Shield the microphone with your hand and speak louder, clear?”

FS: “At this moment the ship is tilted.”

CG: “I understand. Listen, there are people who are coming down the ladder on the bow. Go back in the opposite direction, get back on the ship, and tell me how many people there are and what they have on board. Clear? Tell me if there are children, women and what kind of help they need. And you tell me the number of each of these categories. Is that clear? Look, Schettino, perhaps you have saved yourself from the sea but I will make you look very bad. I will make you pay for this. Dammit!”

FS: “Captain, please...”

CG: “There is no 'please’ about it. Go back on board. Assure me you are going back on board!”

FS: “I am in the lifeboat, under the ship, I haven’t gone anywhere, I’m here.”

CG: “What are you doing?”

FS: “I am coordinating...”

CG: “What are you coordinating there? Get on board the ship and coordinate the rescue on board. Are you refusing?”

FS: “No, no I am not refusing.”

CG: “Are you refusing to go on board? Tell me the reason why you are not going.”

FS: “I am not going because there is another lifeboat that has stopped.”

CG: “You get on board. This is an order. You need to continue the rescue. You called the evacuation, now I am in charge. You need to go on board the ship, is that clear?”

FS: “Captain.”

CG: “Can you hear me?”

FS: “I am going.”

CG: “Go. Call me when you are on board. My air rescue team is there. He is at
the bow. Get going. There are already corpses Schettino. Move!”

FS: “How many dead are there?”

CG: “I don’t know. One I am aware of. One I’ve heard of. You need to be telling me this. Christ!”

FS: “But you are aware it is dark and we can’t see anything?”

CG: “And what do you want? To go back home, Schettino? It’s dark and you want to go back home? Get on the bow of the ship and tell me what can be done, how many people there are and what do they need. Now!”

FS: “I am here with the second commander.”

CG: “Excuse me?”

FS: “I am here with the second commander his name is...”

CG: “So both of you, get on board, both of you. What is the name of the second?”

FS: “Dimitry.”

CG: “Dimitry who?”

FS: “Dimitry... “ (Unclear)

CG: “You and your second commander, go and get on board now. Is that clear?”

FS: “I want to get on board the ship but the other lifeboat has stopped its engine and it is drifting and I called other rescuers.”

CG: “It’s already one hour you are telling me this. Now, get on board. Get on board! And you tell me how many people there are.”

FS: “OK, Captain.”

CG: “Go, right now!”

After a short break and with rescue workers struggling to evacuate the remaining passengers and crew from the ship, the exchange between Capt De Falco and Capt Schettino continues:

CG: “Captain, I am De Falco from Livorno.”

FS: “I have called the company and they told me there are hundreds of people on board the ship. I think.”

CG: “Captain can you not give me an exact number?”

FS: “It seems like it’s 100. Captain, I am not able to give you the exact number. Earlier we were carrying out the evacuation of all the passengers and now all of us officers are here.”

CG: “Where are you? You and your officers are all on the lifeboat?”

FS: “Yes, me and the second commander...”

CG: “Excuse me but earlier it was just you and your sailor and now you are telling me that you are there with the officers. So you could have continued the evacuation? Why don’t you go back on board and see what is happening and then tell us?

FS: “At the moment...”

CG: “Get back on board! Send someone back on board to coordinate.”

FS: “I am coordinating at the moment.”

CG: “I am giving you an order captain. You must send someone on board.”

FS: “We are going on board to coordinate.”

CG: “Exactly, you have to go back on board to coordinate the evacuation. Is that clear?”

FS: “But we can’t go back on board now.”

CG: “Why did you get them off Captain?

FS: “They abandoned the ship.”

CG: “One hundred people still on board and you abandoned the ship?

FS: “I didn’t abandon any ship because the ship turned on its side quickly and we were catapulted into the water.”

CG: “We will see later what happened. OK. But from now you let me know everything that is happening. You stay on the life boat and don’t you go away. Is that clear?”

FS: “We are here, we are here.”

The feckless Capt. Schettino

Annual Apology 2012

Its the time of year were I begin by apologising for not posting in over four weeks.

It seems to happen every year at about this time. No excuses...

Well maybe?

We moved house over the Christmas holiday and have only just got my broadband connection back and the PC set up. Certain items of furniture only turned up, which is more of a comfort thing.

The main reason seems to be the time it takes me to get back in to a routine after the Christmas break.

Has usual, here comes my promise to keep this blog going! This year I need to do another complete another 268 posts to bring up my 1000th post on this blog. Number 1000 will be posted on the 31st December 2012, providing the end of the world prophecy doesn't come to fruition.

So, Happy New Year everyone....

Like it or lump it

Thailands Army chief Prayuth Chano-cha has urged the public to refrain from discussing the possibility bombings during the New Year holiday, and the issue of the lese majeste law.

If people aren't happy with the situation with the Lese Majeste law they are quite welcome to leave Thailand.

The Lese majeste law is a law in Thailand that makes it illegal to criticise the Thai monarchy or the institution of monarchy. Recently a 61 year old was sentenced to 20 years for sending 4 text messages, an Thai born American was sentenced to 15 years for putting a link to a book that defamed the Thai King and a web board editor as been sent down because people posted adverse comments on her web forum.

The US Embassy in Bangkok as been allowing comments on its open Facebook page. Some of the comments left were definately in breach of the Lese Majeste law and the Embassy faced protests by ultra right groups that even posted pictures of a beheaded Ambassador on the page.

Ultra right wing shit like this really scares me, we are currently in the process of booking next years trip to Thailand, I will be monitoring the situation closely and if there are any further problems  and Malaysia here we come.

McDonalds cross the boundry

In the local paper today and on advertising boards outside 2 McDonald Restaurants in Derby. McDonalds have annouced that they will be opening on Christmas Day. Even the whore monger giant Supermarkets have left this day as a holiday.

I can't believe any one at 9am on Christmas morning will think, "I know, we've opened the presents, now lets nip down to McDonalds". I really hope no one turns up and this will be the last time they do this stunt.

Lets make Christmas, Christmas again....

Shameful

This is the latest viral video doing the rounds in the UK. It shows a possibly drunken or drugged up Bitch of a woman on a tram in London hurling racist abuse at any non-white person on it.

One of the saddest parts is the fact that she as her Toddler child sitting on her knee and is giving it several rounds of Fucks in front of him without a care.

In America, she would be described as Trailer Trash. In the UK, she would be called a Chav, but I belive that description is being disrestpectful to Chav's.
 
Since this video as been posted online, the woman as been arrested for spouting racism, similar to the charge John Terry may have to face. The lady is also recieving some support online, but this is very, very small.

Don't get me wrong, even though I'm married to an Immigrant and have a mixed race Daughter, I believe that the UK does havean Immigrant problem, but in my view it's nothing to do with skin colour, but with people entering the country illegally and not putting anything back into society.

Watch the Video and judge for yourself.

Old House Flood

I came across this video on You Tube of the housing project we used to live on.

As you can see, the flooding is staggering, these video's were taken after the worse was over, but still the devastation is beyond my comprehension.

When I think of all the people we know who live on the Project and the livelihoods they earnt from their houses, I really hope that they recover soon.

New Phone

Well after 3-1/2 years of using an iPhone, I have finally changed phones.

I have just bought a Samsung Galaxy S2. It seems to have everything that the new iPhone 4S has and is far superior to the iPhone 3GS that I was using. Sadly the main reason is the expense, at nearly £200 cheaper than the new iPhone it was pretty much a no brainer.

I really like the 4.3" screen and the brightness of the screen, the 8mp camara is outstanding.

It will take a bit of time to get used to the new Android operating system, but first impressions are that it does the things I need it to do and alot easier.

Also no "iTunes", heavens be praised from being tied to something that is the only way your phone can operate with.

Gagged

Thailand seems to have plummed a new low in the sphere of free speech.

This week a 61 year old Thai man, Ampon Tangnoppakul has been jailed to 20 years in prison for allegedly sending four SMS messages to the secretary of the former PM in which he is said to have broken Thailands strict Lese Majeste rules.

Lese Majeste is a law designed to protect the Thai royal family from critism and abuse. In itself that is maybe not a bad thing. Some of the things that are said about our royal family really gets on my nerves sometimes. However if the critism is deserved, then an adult discussion is a good thing.

Unfortunately, in Thailand, a group of elite, ultra royalist who run the country have taken the law to its enth degree. Anything negative or not towing the official line will see you in court. It is used as a political football and every party has to be seen to be cracking down on any one that breaks the law.

In the Bangkok Post today, it was reported that anyone who puts anything on Facebook or likes anything that is considered to be a Lese Majeste offence on facebook will be tracked down and prosecuted.

It seems that in this present world of instant news and social networks, I can only see Thai jails becoming full of people who have broken the law, maybe even people who weren't even aware that they had broken the law.

Thai Floods in Pics

As the floods in Thailand move slowly from the north down to the north, west and central Bangkok, below are a few pics of the flood so far....

Hopefully the waters will start going down soon.......

Goals Goals Goals

Today I ticked off another of my cycling goals.

Since I got my new road bike I have set myself five goals:

1. Ride to Matock 35km
2. Ride to Bakewell  60km
3. Ride the Chatsworth-Bakewell circuit 72km
4. Ride the Chatsworth-Bakewell-Winster circuit 88km
5. Ride to Buxton 125km

I would like to think I can acheive these goals by the end of the year, however this will more than likely depend on the weather, which if its anything like today will make things tougher.

Bangkok Flooding 2011

Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra as annouced that the worste is probably over in this years monumental flood! This is Thai Elite speak for:-

 Bangkok City centre as survived again, so we'll be able to go shopping later in the swanky Shopping Malls!!

Unfortunately, for the Northern and Eastern parts of Bangkok, the normal Thai people have had to sacrifice their homes, livelihoods and in some cases their lives so the Central part of Bangkok can go on as normal. Whilst I wouldn't wish the floods on anyone, maybe if the central part of Bangkok had shared a bit of the pain, then maybe it wouldn't have been as bad for others.

It also means, that be the so called important bits of Bangkok have stayed dry there will be no need to do anything about future flooding. This is going happen year after year until Thailand as a country do a few of the following.

• Stop cutting down more forests and Jungle
• Have a proper flood and irrigation plan that will protect the population
• Stop building Das in very sensative areas
• Stop all building on flood plains (Including Airports)
• Do something about it now, not when its too late

A couple of these pictures were taken less than 2km from our old house in Pathu Thani, God knows what that Soi is like....

Bangkok Floods get worse

The floods in thailand this year have been terrible. However in Bangkok at the moment things seem to be coming to a head.

The run off from the North of the country are slowly, but surely moving towards the capital and then the sea. Unfortunately, not everyone in Bangkok will be worried about getting wet feet. The Government is sacrificing the Northern and eastern parts of the city to save the central part of time. (Strangely were most of the rich folk live)!

Pathum Thani were I used to live as been inundated for the last 48 hours, the Express Way is closed and several major Industrial Parks that employ 100,000's of workers have been sacrificed in order to keep the water away from the centre.

People we know have had to move belongings up to the second floor and one of Nuch's friends as been trapped upstairs now for several days with 2m of flooded water down stairs.

The Government have handled the situation so poorly that no one is listening to them and are fending for themselves. This as bought out the best and worst of Thai society. Profiteering is rife and the "I'm all right jack" mentality is as strong as ever. 1000's of car drivers parked their cars on the Express way to keep them dry, this being at the expense of normal folk trying to get back to their homes.

I' m seriously worried for the people that I know in Bangkok, I only hope the next week will see some respite from the high water and that people can get back to living their normal lives without having to repair to much damage to their houses.

Diabetes, me and cycling

Since I started riding my bike and enjoying taking excercise, I've noticed that I have to really watch where and when I eat or drink and also what I eat and drink when I'm the bike.

Today was a classic example. I went on a 1-1/2 hour ride which I was really pleased with my performance. I got back home qabout 11am. I felt hungry, but I got ready to go out. WE went shopping and at around 12.30pm as we were walking around Westfields in Derby I suddenly lost proper vision and had a mild blackout. Luckily in "Build a Bear Workshop" there was a seat for bored adults and I gladly took it.

I'm coming to know the symptons and what to expect when I have a Hyperglycemia attack, feeling dizzy, blurred vision, sweating and being irritable amongst others. It occurs when your blood sugar drops below 3.8mmo/l and can cause many more problems.

A quick visit to the food court sorted the initial dizziness, but even now, 6 hours after it happened and an hour in bed I still don't feel myself.

Tonight I'm going to have a good high carb and protein meal and drink plenty of fluid before bed.

This isn't going to go away, so I'm going to have to be ultra careful when I do another hard workout. Look what I eat before, during and after excercise.

Bad Thai Flooding

Over the past four weeks, Thailand has been experiencing some of It's worst flooding in living memory. Heavy monsoon rains and several Super Typhoons in the China Sea have added to the deluge. All this seems to be heading for a Perfect Flood in Bangkok with two King tides coming up in the next two weeks.

The flood surge as slowly, but surely heading south from the North of the country. The main Chao Prya river that runs through Bangkok as burst the banks of all the Towns and Cities to the North and several Dams have been forced to let water go. This as of course made the situation worse.

However, everything will be fine for Bangkok! Bangkok's Govenor "Sukhumbhand Paribatra", seen in the picture took a bhuddist statue to a Temple to pray for the water to subside. So thats OK then! Other loon schemes include having a convoy of Tugs to push the flood water out to sea.

I've been in Thailand during a flood and there is a lot of water about, also componded by snakes trying to find dry ground and even alligators causing trouble. Lets hope that the predicted flood yet again leaves Bangkok largely unscaved.