Discourteous Drivers Will Kill Someone Soon


If ever there was a junction that should have traffic lights installed then it is the one which currently has a roundabout to manage traffic between Stakes Road, Purbrook Way, Crookhorn Lane and Stakes Hill Road.

The problem is that folks on three of the feeder roads usually come to a stop and feed onto the roundabout in a sensible manner. However, those on the fourth road, Purbrook Way, usually take a run at the roundabout from two to three car lengths back while looking to their right on the assumption that if there is nothing coming from that direction then it is clear for them to traverse the roundabout. This they usually do at speed.

This then means that folks coming from Crookhorn Lane who had diligently stopped, find they have to make a standing start, up hill, into the path of a stream of vehicles that are already moving at speed.

I will admit that I have sat with frustration factor rising higher and higher until I have forced my way onto the roundabout. This usually is greeted by much gesticulation and vocalisation to which I respond in kind trying to indicate that this is a roundabout and that they are supposed to stop at the lines across their road.

One thing I have noted is that the same problem does not occur when the roundabout is approached from any of the other feeder roads. So there must be something about the layout of the entry point from Purbrook Way that causes the entering drivers to totally forget about the highway code and good manners.

I have no idea how many accidents have occurred here but certainly fear for my safety every time I approach this roundabout.  I would point out that I am not a timid driver but this site does worry me.

 

Antonio’s Restaurant, Fareham – Carol Godsmark’s Eating Out


One of my favourite restaurants in the area. Nice to see them getting a bit of publicity.
Antonio’s Restaurant, Fareham – Carol Godsmark’s Eating Out – The News.

Very Sad


A feeling of great sadness has settled over our family as it transpires that the body found yesterday was that of a teenage boy known to a number of my grandchildren.

The death of anyone is a sad thing. But to think that a young boy had reached the point, where he would feel he had no other alternative than to take his own life, is even more so.

My thoughts are with his friends and family.

Hubert Sumlin – RIP


At aged 80 it can be said that  Hubert Sumlin has had a good innings. The world of electric blues will miss him.

As a Chicago electric bluesman he has been the one of the creative inspirations for so many musicians including Eric Clapton and Keith Richard. He is best known for being a member of Holing Wolfs band for many years although he also played for Muddy Waters for a while.

Since posting this I have just discovered that Mick Jagger and Keith Richard have “insisted” on covering the costs of Sumlins funeral.

The Stones stars issued statements following Sumlin’s death:

“Warm, humourous and always encouraging, he was a gentleman of the first order,” wrote Richards. “Miss him, yes, but we have his records. All my condolences to his family. One love, Hubert.”

“Hubert was an incisive yet delicate blues player,” Jagger wrote. “He had a really distinctive and original tone and was a wonderful foil for Howlin’ Wolf’s growling vocal style … He was an inspiration to us all.”

Attempted murder probe after bricks thrown on to A12


I am glad that the police are treating this as attempted murder.

There cannot be anyone, who does not know what the potential outcome is, when a chunk of concrete or bricks, as in this case, are dropped off a bridge into the path of road vehicles travelling at speed.

So, the assumption has to be that the individuals who do this must have one intent and that is the death of one or more motorists.

Even if they don’t die, the victims will suffer horrific injuries.

The police must treat these acts as attempted murder and the courts must come down heavily on those responsible.

BBC News – Attempted murder probe after bricks thrown on to A12.

Complaints over Clarkson strike comments reach 21,000 – Smacks Of Orchestration


What a ludicrous situation.

Many people have made more contentious, more distasteful comments on TV and Radio in the past and have received less attention for them.

Clarkson is renowned for his outrageous comments and when viewed rationally his comments, regarding strike participants, are no worse than your average comedians remarks made during almost any show currently being broadcast into our living rooms.

Anybody who believes that he really would have them shot is a total moron.

Given the large number of complaints that have so far been received I can only believe that they are coming from Unison members and that this is an orchestrated action to further publicise the union position and to incite sympathy for the union membership.

The fact that Clarkson has even deigned to apologise I feel is a total over reaction to and insignificant comment.

BBC News – Complaints over Clarkson strike comments reach 21,000.

£30m Tipner junction given the go-ahead


Well now. At long last some good news and a sensible housing solution. Making use of the wasteland that has blighted the entrance to Portsmouth for so many years.

Proper, right minded, investment in the Portsmouth area.

Lets hope the whingers keep their mouths shut during the pain that is coming once the changes to the M275 start.
£30m Tipner junction given the go-ahead – Transport – The News.

Waterlooville man charged over images – Too Close For Comfort


I have family and grandchildren in the area that this pervert lives.

The magistrates ruled the case was so serious it must be heard at the crown court.

And now he is out on bail ?

I trust that there are significant restrictions on him. Too many times the legal authorities take a lenient path and we the public pay the price when it all goes wrong.
Waterlooville man charged over images – East Hampshire – The News.

Hold Your Head Up


Every now and again the BBC really rocks.

Yesterday morning while I was working I happened to have BBC Radio 2 playing in the background instead of my usual Radio Paradise. Note, I said” in the back ground”. That was until my ears perked up.

Ken Bruce was playing Argent’s “Hold Your Head Up”. But not just the usual version. Oh no, Ken was playing the album version, complete with extended instrumental break in the middle.

Needless to say I wound the volume up to 11.

So imagine my surprise as I am driving home this morning, having just dropped my wife off at work. Chris Evans was bemoaning the fact that he had suffered a huge dose of show envy.

What was that envy ?

Well, of course, it was the fact that Ken Bruce had played the album version of Hold Your Head Up. So to get over this Mr. Evans decided to play the same track.

So there I was, stuck in my car, parked on my drive, with the volume on my radio turned way up.

Two days on the trot good ol’ Aunty Beeb had hit the gold spot.

What do you think the chances are that they can make it a “hat trick” ?