These are just two of the four squirrels that were tearing around in our garden.
Sadly, the one on the left has lost most of the skin and fur from the top of his head. It was looking very sore from the nose up to between the ears. Possibly had an encounter with next doors cats.
Apologies for the poor quality of the photo, I did try to clean it up a bit. This was taken on my phone, from about fifteen feet away and through the double glazing, hence the reflections.
A nurse, who works at Queen Alexandra Hospital, has suffered a panic attack, following an attack against the hospital bus on which she was riding.
The bus was attacked by youths throwing stones. One of the windows alongside the nurse shattered, bringing about the panic attack.
One can only imagine the thought processes going on inside the heads of these morons. They certainly have no concerns about the potential consequences of their actions.
This is yet another example of the same moronic behaviour that sees youths attacking all of our emergency service workers.
Who on earth thinks its a good idea to attack our firemen while they are trying to save lives at risk in fires and road accidents. And who thinks its a good idea to attack our ambulance crews and paramedics while they are attending those same incidents.
And then we have the police having to stoically endure interference on a daily basis, whilst putting their own lives at risk, going about their business, to protect us from these same idiotic morons.
Presumably, these are the same thought processes that make firing fireworks at peoples houses. As was happening, in Portsmouth, only a few weeks ago.
This imbecilic behaviour isn’t restricted to the Portsmouth area, rather it is endemic to the whole country.
I don’t understand the whys and wherefores and I don’t pretend to have a solution. What I do know is that the ASBO scheme isn’t good enough. Some youths see being awarded an ASBO as a badge of honour.
When I was a youth, the older folks used to say “they should bring back National Service”. I find that I am now of the opinion that is a good idea.
Going further back in time, to the 16th and 17th centuries, there were the stocks and pillory. Now the idea of these really appeal to me.
Throwing rotten fruit and veg at these miscreants would give some instant feelings of retribution to their victims. And, just maybe, these morons would be too embarrassed to offend again. They would certainly be a very visible reminder to other would be offenders.
I think today’s society could learn something from our ancestors.
Pre-pandemic the skies over Hampshire were fairly busy, with flights descending into Heathrow, or heading further north, interspersed with those heading to a myriad of international destinations.
Latterly, as we all know, the number of flights worldwide are very much reduced. So much so that the sound of a flight, mid evening, triggered my curiosity.
So, flying overhead was this flight.
Originating in Spain from Madrid and heading into London Heathrow, with just 10 more minutes flying time.
I’m guessing that the, near silent, Hampshire airspace will become quieter still, as fewer people are prepared to travel when the UKs new rules are activated on Monday.
This glorious plant is waving to me from my next door neighbours garden. I have no idea what it is.
Does anyone know what it is ?
I have just read this article about Christmas decorations being vandalised.
Residents in Whiteley have suggested that youths with ‘bladed weapons’ are the culprits.
It shouldn’t be the case, but I never cease to be amazed by the depths people are prepared to descend.
Given the difficult times we are navigating, why would anyone deliberately set out to cause grief and aggravation for the homeowners and spoil the pleasure for everyone.
This is such a selfish and thoughtless act.
I hope that they are caught and punished.
This cute fella was helping himself to the sunflower kernels I put out for the birds.
Following much nagging and abuse, I finally capitulated and put up the tree. I have even turned on the lights outside the house.
This must be the earliest preparation, for me, ever and the first time we have placed the tree in the conservatory. And, I have to say, I like the effect with all the reflections.
Yet another development goes ahead, driving rough shod over the needs of, and ignoring the existing issues that plague, the local residents.
Proposals for 16 affordable homes, comprising 7 houses and 9 flats, to be built on the corner of Doyle Avenue and Nothern Parade in Hilsea.
16 homes, but with parking provision for only 12 cars. According to the councils own standards the site should provide 29 parking spaces, yet they approved this much reduced proposal.
Why ? Why have guidelines if you don’t stick to them ?
“The surrounding roads are past saturation point as confirmed by the highways engineer. Evenings and weekends are dire as people are parking illegally” So says Janet Rennell-Smith, a local resident from nearby Westwood Road.
Lib Dem Councillor Lee Hunt, not missing an opportunity for a dig at the current Conservative Government, said “The city council is under huge pressure from the Conservative government to build 12,000 new units of accomodation in or city and that’s what we’re trying to acheive”
Typical blame game from the Lib Dems, sounds like our honorable councillor is saying “It’s not our fault, we were just following orders”
Tory Councillor, Terry Norton, was at least prepared to stand up to all that “pressure” and requested that the proposal be rejected.
This is typical of the local councils, in this area, who crumble and give in to the all powerful developers rather that standing firm and considering the needs of their constituents, the folks that voted them into office in the first place.
Our councillors should be forcing developers to provide adequate parking for any new development and to ensure that any such development does not exacerbate any existing issues.
Portsmouth is an island city so is cannot expand past its coastal border. Any development that provides an increase residential units will always add to the traffic and the need for parking. Portsmouth is already blighted by a lack of available parking. Many folks cannot park outside their own homes, typically ending up several streets away. Portsmoth council has also created further parking issues after closing roads in Southsea, supposedly to protect people exercising during the pandemic lockdown.
This new development will only aggravate an already fractious situaion.
Earlier this month I became aware that HMS Queen Elizabeth was due to sail from Portsmouth Harbour after a short provisioning visit.
The Queen Elizabeth class is a class of two aircraft carriers in the Royal Navy. The first, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was commissioned on 7 December 2017. The second, HMS Prince of Wales was commissioned on 10 December 2019.
My wife and I took a wander along Southsea sea front to take a look. As we had been in Australia for the previous seven months and had only just recently returned, this was our first opportunity to view this huge vessel.
We found a seat right by Southsea Castle, providing us with the ideal viewpoint to watch HMS Queen Elizabeth and her escorts head out into the Solent.
Here are just a few of the photos that I took on a lovely, sunny afternoon.
I am currently languishing in the Perth suburbs, Western Australia.
Last October, my son-in-law Steve was diagnosed with a brain tumour (glioblastoma). Very quickly, following the diagnosis, he was whisked into hospital for brain surgery. At the time we didn’t know how much after care he would need but we offered to help out and so my wife and I travelled out to Oz to provide support.
After care wasn’t the issue. Steve really recovered well after the surgery with no real pain and none of the residual weakness that would have been present following an abdominal or chest operation.
No, the follow up treatment and schedule was the real issue.
The radiotherapy was daily, Monday to Friday, for six weeks. Whilst the chemotherapy was tablet form, taken daily Monday to Sunday during the same six weeks. Following the surgery Steve was forbidden to drive for the next six to twelve months. So, to enable my daughter to carry on working, my role was to act as chauffer. Daily trips to Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth interspersed with trips to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, also in Perth. As well as various trips for blood tests and scans.
As the chemo built up in his system, the expected nausea and fatigue and exhaustion also built up. Alongside all this came the loss of appetite and corruption of taste buds.
And here is the conundrum.
What do you feed someone, who has all this going on ?
Even after the initial course of chemo and radio therapies has been completed, the dietary disruption continues.
After all, it is hard enough, under normal circumstances, to cater for the normal familial likes and dislikes of
Before the tumour and chemo, Steve used to pretty much eat everything. Now he finds the flavour of most foods to be too strong, overpowering.
So, bland is the order of the day. Steamed fish or chicken predominates. Or the same but simply pan fried or baked. No sauces and definitely no herbs or spices. Some meals comprise just two tenderloin chicken pieces, total weight around 60g, steamed and maybe accompanied by a couple of carrot batons and/or a small broccoli floret.
So, how do I feed Steve without overpowering his hypersensitive taste-buds ? How do I coax him to eat a bit more as his energy levels are already depleted due to the chemo ? The lack of food does nothing to boost those already depleted levels. How do I introduce a bit of variety to his diet ?
Although he completed the initial concurrent chemo / radio therapies, my son-in-law has now started a new regime. He takes a five day course of tablet form chemotherapy, one week in four.
So, the disruption to taste, appetite, stamina and energy levels will be continuing for the next six months at least, maybe even for twelve.
Any suggestions ?
WrAnTz 