We watch the BBC 6 o'Clock News most nights ( Read more... )

There now, having issued polymer £5 notes a while back, the Bank of England has today issued one billion new £10 notes which will enter circulation over the next few months ( Read more... )

I've recently started volunteering with a Christian debt counselling agency which runs a branch from our church building.  I've only met three or four of our current clients, but the size of their debts ( Read more... )

Two things today.

First - Yesterday a policeman was shot in Paris by a reported Islamist militant.  He was subsequently shot by the security forces ( Read more... )

In the interests of 'security' the Bank of England will be issuing a new £1 coin at the end of March this year.  There are estimates that we have around £433 million worth of such coins stashed away in piggy banks, 'spare change' jars and various other places around the homes of the UK.  Dear Reader, should you have any such £1 coins, and it might ( Read more... )

There are sandbanks in the Solent.  These provide a hazard to passing shipping.  Also, being sand banks, they tend to change shape over time.  One particularly large sand bank, the Bramble bank, appears 'above' water for a short while at very low tides every month.  Yesterday it 'surfaced', more or less, for around fifty minutes.  In this time two ( Read more... )

The thing to look for in the skies this weekend, Dear Reader, is a triangle composed of Mercury, Venus and the crescent moon.  Pretty, no?  It was no use looking here this morning, glo'm of day and all that.  Maybe tomorrow, just before dawn (around 7-7:30am).  This is part of the Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars, Moon pre-dawn line-up I told you about ( Read more... )

Right, washing done, out on line drying.  Apparently in Poundbury, the Prince of Wales' 'model' village built on various principles, including 'green' ones, doesn't allow residents to hang out their washing to dry outdoors.  'Green'?  Hmmm, looks like someone got their ideas crossed.  After all, it isn't as if people hang washing out all day every ( Read more... )

The sun was shining this morning when I got up.  So I collected a few things and put them on to wash.  Looking out now I fear I may have been a little previous.  The forecast for today was more rain.  Tomorrow is forecast to be fine.  Oh well, there's always the dehumidifier.

Now I know I have blogged about the benefits of knitting before. Here ( Read more... )

Changing Government
    As H had been at work Saturday he had the day off yesterday.  In the course of conducting other business he visited a bookshop or two & returned with a copy of the latest Pratchett, "Making Money".  Anyone thinking of giving that to us for Christmas had better think again!  As usual Pratchett takes ideas, stretches them out ( Read more... )