FTSE 100 - on the slide

As I write this there is great uncertainty over Greece, which rejected the latest financial rescue package at their referendum last weekend. The FTSE 100 share index fell quite a bit today (down 1.58%).  It looks increasingly likely this "Greek tragedy" will end with Greece defaulting on its debts and leaving the Euro and possibly the EC.  The financial markets will be hard hit especially in those countries that use the Euro. A last minute deal is still (just) possible but I think the markets have assumed Greece is out. Certainly the European finance ministers and heads of government have run out of patience. If Greece leaves the Euro many nations will be impacted, not least Germany that stands to lose an enormous amount. For the Greek people, the future looks very bad for many years. No doubt they will eventually bounce back, but they risk civil war in the meantime. No, this is a real crisis for all of Europe.

See  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/markets/europe/lse_ukx .

Egypt's disgrace?

A replica of a world famous statue of Queen Nefertiti of Egypt has (rightly) caused outcry. The locals think it  is amateurist and downright ugly.  Even I could have done better. The statue has now been removed. I hope they manage to replace it with something decent.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-33411219 .

Very old films now available on the BFI website

Since lunchtime the BFI ( British Film Institute) has made available online, many digitised old home movies, some of which are well over 100 years old.  Incredible.

See http://player.bfi.org.uk/new/ .

Cranial osteopathy

I have now had 4 sessions in Cambridge to help with my stroke after-effects. I am now less tired (I still get tired but I seem to recover more quickly), still have problems with swallow and speech and still feel giddy when walking.

Some think cranial osteopathy is a "snake oil" treatment but it helps me relax so, for now, I am continuing. Time will tell if it really helps. I just want my symptoms to recede. I still feel below par. The tiredness is better. I just hope the other remaining symptoms get better too.

House quiet again

We had our "London" grandchildren for a couple of nights and for once the weather was hot and sunny, so they were able to enjoy being in the garden and spraying themselves with the garden hose. Our grass was turning brown in places so any hosing helped!

Hot weather and the grass

I am battling to cut both lawns in this intense heat. I have cut the front lawn but still have to do the back lawn.  Later, I think this heat will break and we will get a downpour. Off to do the back lawn now.

UPDATE 1530z:  Both lawns cut now, but the grass is becoming brown with the heat.  Both front and rear lawns need a good long soaking! A good storm with lots of rain for a few hours might help. Watering with a hose really only makes the surface damp unless it is done for a long time. Even in the driest of summers, lawns seem to bounce back when real rain does arrive.

See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en .

UPDATE 2048z:  Watered parts of the front grass for more than 30 minutes as well as the flowers. Wonder if the dry patches will recover?

Hot weather

The intense heat continues with temperatures in the 30's deg C expected here. The thunder risk remains. As I write this at 1010 local time it already feels HOT here. This very hot weather is unlikely to last. In true British fashion, we are always moaning about it being too hot, too cold, or  too wet! We should be glad the weather is so good. It is good that the nice weather is happening around the time of long, light evenings. It is light here until after 10pm.