Of interest

I’ve written before how GDP is such an ineffective measure of how well we are doing. It hides such a multitude of sins and masks huge disparities in wealth within a country. Nations can seem to be doing well by a trick of statistics or the variety of industries that they are strong in. Also, … Continue reading Measuring the health of a nation

Driving at twenty miles per hour can feel like a pain, but when you are in the middle of a housing estate with parents taking their children to school, a slower speed makes sense. Cars and children don’t mix.  Yet for some people it seems an impossible ask. Despite warning signs on the estate where … Continue reading Twenty is plenty

Image thanks to The Chronicle I’ve always been in two minds when giving money to people who beg in the streets. I am aware that some of those I pass by are part of organised gangs, yet seeing two people asleep in a doorway in the centre of Newcastle in the middle of the day, … Continue reading E-begging

Image thanks to BNP Parisbas Before I start, don’t get me wrong. I am all for renewable energy sources, though I am a bit skeptical about nuclear power as a future alternative. I’m delighted therefore to hear the efforts of the energy companies to move away from fossil fuels to renewable sources. I gather that … Continue reading Renewable energy

A drive to Rothbury and a walk along the river felt like a good idea and so off we set on what turned out to be a lovely summer’s morning. We drove along the winding road that leads to Rothbury, past  where the landslip had been and along by the redwood trees that mark the … Continue reading A morning in Rothbury

Image thanks to Very Well Family Those of you who regularly read my blog will know that I am lucky enough to have two grandchildren. They are the lights of my life, (not to detract from those others who are also very important to me). It is amazing watching them grow into their own characters, … Continue reading Don’t they look like

Image thanks to Science Alert I read somewhere about the doorway effect. I can’t remember where but then I wouldn’t be able to.  Apparently walking over the threshold into another room can lead you to forget why you went there in the first place. So it happened to me this morning as I went into … Continue reading The doorway effect

It’s my granddaughters favourite tune because it’s a party song! She tries putting her left leg in, her left leg out but hasn’t yet grasped which leg is which. She is only two. When it comes on we all have to jump up and dance around and when it stops there is the inevitable shout … Continue reading Hokey Cokey

Image form Airplane How have you been coping with this hot weather? The saying goes that horses sweat, men perspire and ladies merely glow but I’ve been sweating throughout (as have most of the ladies that I know!). Don’t knock it though as the ability to sweat has been a significant evolutionary advantage for our … Continue reading Sweat your assets