WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Tizer]

`Part of New York's old Tappan Zee Bridge demolished' LINK

[Stanley]

I like it P





I had a visit yesterday. So nice to see my daughters together and enjoying themselves......

[Cathy]

Love the pics. New Treasures.

[Stanley]

!

[Tizer]

Great photos, Stanley, and you all look so happy!

[PanBiker]

Smashing Stanley, better than medicine.

[Big Kev]

I like it P





I had a visit yesterday. So nice to see my daughters together and enjoying themselves......

Great stuff

[Stanley]

You are both right. What grabs me is that over the years I have gradually got them to accept that death is a natural process and instead of worrying about it we should get on with being nice to each other and at the same time preparing for the inevitable. We talked out it when they came and they laughed about who would get what when they clear the museum out!
A piece on Woman's Hour about the decline in sales of high heels for women. Good!! I have always said that whoever introduced the fashion was a sadist. It appears that fashionable trainers are becoming the preferred option.
97 year old male involved in major traffic accident...... I think you all know what my opinion of elderly drivers is.

[Stanley]

Later.... I'm slightly disturbed by the tone of reports about Prince Philip's accident. My best guess is that he was T-boned as he was turning out on to the main road. Nothing has been inferred from this. This morning the local council says they are going to put a speed limit on the main road. The inference of this is that speed was a factor, ie. the two ladies in the other car, were travelling fast. The police say that at the moment there appears to be the possibility of a prosecution for driving without due care. Question is, who? I get a whiff of deference creeping in here.

The fact that he is still driving at the age of 97 is portrayed as an example of his fortitude. I am afraid I would characterise it differently.

Another thing that I have been meaning to raise for a while. There is an advert in the BET each week for a photographer's offer to do a portrait of an infant who has 'graduated' from nursery school. Complete with a fetching pic of a little boy in scarlet robes and mortar board. Do we really need this complication? Do infants actually 'graduate' from nursery? It's an American import and I regret it.

Later, THIS Report of Jasmin Paris and her extraordinary achievement running the Montane mountain race. Quite astounding!

[PanBiker]

We have one of the Barlick Fell Runners (John Boothman) doing the race as well. He should be finishing around now and may be around 7th in the men's race. Lot's have been following him all week over in FB land.

[Wendyf]

I've been glued to the Spine Race since it began last weekend. John did remarkably well didn't he? He finished just after 9am this morning. Jasmin is being interviewed on Woman's Hour this morning.

[Stanley]

I was going to listen to her but I think her appearance has been postponed....
Later still, no she's on now!

[Big Kev]

97 year old male involved in major traffic accident......

[Stanley]

Love it Kev
Margaret has managed to get hold of Richard and Ursula Drinkall and arranged for us to do next Friday to see them at Waddington. Sons John and Richard will be there as well. That will be a a Red Letter Day!
As a man who has no great enthusiasm for the monarchy I wonder how much TV time they would spend on me if I had a traffic accident..... The sad truth is that they are all honing their obituaries ready for the inevitable when they will have some real news to concentrate on....... Bit like vultures circling....

[PanBiker]

Didn't take long to announce that the speed limit on the road would be reduced and the council has magically found money to introduce speed bumps as well. Can't see how they can do that on a road that will now have a 50 limit rather than the national norm of 60 for an A road. I wonder if we could get Philip up here in Pendle to have a few bumps, maybe we could get the dodgy bit of our roads sorted out as well! As I understand it, he was on the minor road joining the main road and was hit on the side, sun was directly in front so should have no bearing on his view looking right and left. It will be interesting to see what the RTA cops come up with.

[Marilyn]

He has to be at fault - minor road entering a major road. No two ways about it.
I wonder how flexible his neck is and how easily he can look left and right. Things tend to seize up as we age. I think he should be confined to driving on the estate.

[Stanley]

A nice visit by Margaret. We sorted out to hospital trips, a trip to Ilkley for new shoes and lunch and our visit to Ursula and Richard Drinkall. Social calendar is getting full!
97 year old.... Did I hear a report yesterday that he had been see driving without a seat belt since the accident?
Later, indeed I did. The police say they have spoken to him.....
See THIS Sky News report on the burial today in Hertfordshire of the remains of six victims of Auschwitz. It moves me and is entirely appropriate. Lest we forget!

[Tizer]

97 year old.... Did I hear a report yesterday that he had been see driving without a seat belt since the accident?
Later, indeed I did. The police say they have spoken to him.....

Yes...The Duke of Hazard, perhaps?

[Tripps]

I must confess I didn't pay attention to the Spine Race , and didn't click on SCG's link. I've now come across it on an American news digest site - Pennine Way Spine Race

I've seen very little coverage in our media of this remarkable / fantastic achievement - despite the BBC pushing their agenda on women's sport soccer / cricket / boxing (!) at every opportunity. I can't think why.

PS - Looks like I've not been keeping up, or getting up early enough for breakfast TV - here's an interview - Jasmin Paris.

[Wendyf]

I was gripped by the Spine Race from the beginning, following the competitors' trackers live on the website, and watching videos of the race as they were posted on Facebook. There was drama from beginning to end with the last man on the course yesterday stopping to help an injured competitor and despite being given an extra two hours to complete he was totally exhausted and gave up about 12 miles from Kirk Yetholm late last night. Thousands of people were willing his tracker dot on when it slowed to a stop high in the Cheviots....

[Wendyf]

Martin Barre (ex Jethro Tull) and Band playing an acoustic set at the Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre tonight. Great little venue, brilliant guitar playing!

[Stanley]

Clear sky so I have a good view of the brilliant full moon which is just starting to darken. It will be a totally eclipsed Blood Moon when we are on our walk. (LINK)
Later at 05:00. Still clear. Just been out, total obscurity and blood red. The best view I have ever had in my life of a blood moon!

[Tripps]

I amused myself yesterday by imagining the planning meeting for the Spine Race.

I know let's have a long distance race up the Pennines.

OK that's a good idea - how far should we make it?
The full length - about 286 miles.
OK - how long should we give them to complete the course?
A week should be plenty.
OK - what about sleeping arrangements?
None - they will have to sleep as and when they feel the need.
What about food and water?
They can carry all they will need for the week with them.
Can they have any help?
No they must be unaided.
What about emergencies?
That's covered - I'm sure the helicopter will rescue anyone who gets into trouble.
When's the best time of the year to do it?
Middle of January I'd say - reduces the danger of heatstroke.
Won't it be dark most of the time?
Yes.


OK let's do it. What could possibly go wrong?

[Wendyf]

If I was offered the choice, I'd rather run the 268 miles of the Spine Race than row the Atlantic in a small boat. The Guardian made a mistake with the 286 mileage.
There is a summer version, can't wait!

[Stanley]

Summer or winter it sounds like masochism to me!
First treatment at Airedale. Must get ready for M to pick me up......