tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63951036603479306582024-03-18T20:05:26.176-07:00Malcolm Busby Gardener Storyteller Wildlife SurveysThe Ramblings of a Cambridgeshire Man.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.comBlogger406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-66262783578281371062017-09-02T09:08:00.001-07:002017-09-02T09:08:23.988-07:00Council Cuts ifs and buts etc etcYou try not to be downhearted by the obvious slippage in standards these days across the board, whether in council or emergency services, how you are treated and what you can actually buy in shops etc but the signs and actualities are there, everything has got worse, everything is struggling to make ends meet.<br />
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A week or so ago there was an article in the local paper about an outdoor centre near Chatteris that needs new managers. East Cambs DC the council who want to let the site say the it has officially been a centre since the 1980's.<br />
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It is an old gravel pit and a small amount of surrounding land next to a main road it has a few buildings and mainly traded as an activity and water centre. It stopped after a bungled burglary and arson attack in December 2016.<br />
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The council say it doesnt want to be unduly prescriptive about what anyone can do but they will need a robust and economically sustainable business plan. They also say ots on a direct bus route and close to stations at March and Ely<br />
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For that read you are going to need a lot of luck and deep pockets. Look on the internet such centres are struggling, schools who were a major user cannot afford coaches let alone to send kids out for the day, informal public use needs expoensive insurance and more facilities these days, it also needs somewhere closer to where people are. As to railway stations close, both are at least ten miles away.<br />
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Methinks the coucil is clutching at straws and heaven only knows what will become of the site because I am reckoning the council cannot afford to and dont want to run it in any way shape or form.<br />
<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-26336772382605014142017-08-19T13:17:00.004-07:002017-08-19T13:17:44.553-07:00Okay I have worked hard this weekOkay I have worked hard this week and I am feeling it, ache all over.<br />
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What have I done then to get like this. Worked in 21 gardens for between two thirds of an hour and three hours. Which all added up to a total of 34 hours paid work.<br />
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Driving time between home and work not counted of course cos I cant charge for that despite the hours it takes epecially driving around Cambridge. Speaking of driving, over five days I did just under 200 miles.<br />
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Might not be much to some but it needed doing to free up a day next week to get my car looked at in a garage. Self employment eh, flexibility and freedom just dont ask me to move too quickly.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-89598584185128393642017-08-06T04:17:00.000-07:002017-08-06T04:17:48.666-07:00Vince Cable, village bank branch closure <span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true"> So there I am sitting in front of the telly full of cold and I hear this mornings reporting of Vince Cables comments, I have also seen the comments on the village Facebook page about the proposed closure of the only remaining bank branch in the village I live in. </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">Vince Cable has made various comments that are of course being taken out of context but broadly suggesting that the elderly have shafted the young over the Brexit vote by voting for a pre EU country that they hope will return ignores something and makes the why they voted that way far too simple in itself.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">Surely the question should be what is it that they no longer see that they hope will return, okay perhaps false promises ,aka lies, which I see Alan Sugar is speaking up about as well today, fancy eh politicians should not lie, hah thatll be the day. Whats a headline in one of todays papers £36 million divorce from EU, I cannot remember the divorce settlement being realistically mentioned other than as a scorn dismissal and this looks to be the UK starting offer.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">Different recent news items have mentioned loss of bus services, fracking, loss of police stations, lack of social and dont laugh "affordable" housing. Yes the worlds changed how many will say all changes have been for the good of the poeple though andhave then been made with a full appreciation of the social and economic impacts on society as a whole, so to be honest I can see why some folk voted as they did and after all it was there choice which they were and are allowed to make. </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">Its all there if you look and then think have I played even a small tiny part in this changing world. We have all been encouraged to play a tiny part and that is my link to bank branch closures.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">As I see it we are all to blame for the closure of bank branches and other shops etc in hamlets villages town suburbs whereever in one way or another by going along with improvements in technology and by not keeping on using the said services, the flip side has been that the services provided by all aspects of business have reduced because they have done the same thing. Why would they not because whatever anyone says or thinks they need to make a profit to survive whether that is enough to cover costs and make a reasonable profit or otherwise. After all without making money how do they employ others.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">We the customers (which at times includes the service providers themselves) only realise and react when something we use ourselves is affected, the same as council services being cut that you dont use until you need too and when you ask about something they used to provide, lets say removal of large objects to the tip, are told it does not exist now or there is a charge. </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">It is no point getting upset at the particular service provider although I can understand why people do, its a reflection of the commercial situation they are operating in, if a branch of a bank or shop is losing money, how long are the company supposed to carry it for? How many services they used to provide do they not now provide? In the case of the local bank branch I hear services have been steadily reduced as have opening hours already.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am very pleased to see the village Post Office coming forward to say we can help with some banking, the thing is how many people will say right unless we support the Post Office they might be in this position themselves one day, hopefully not this branch but ofr course enough have already. </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">Personally my bank which is increasing my business account charges is reducing its counter staff making it more of a chore to pay money in, although they seem to be able to pay someone to challenge everyone with the same question what are you here for, in an effort to get us not to get to use the cashiers but the automatic machines, jokingly I have commented to friends before long it will be you go in and the safe door will be open with a sign saying leave your pre sorted money here and we will deal with it later, perhaps they do that already thopguh with night safes? </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">Sounds a bit like how supermarkets might get in the end as well, you help stack and get a discount.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="csvev-0-0"><span data-text="true">We have got our hamlet, village, suburb even the world into this, it is up to We to get us out of it. Sunday morning cold powered rant over.</span></span>Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-18294186703759606102017-07-11T00:55:00.001-07:002017-07-11T00:55:21.675-07:00zero hours contracts, cash payments, blah blah blahSo we have a new report out today about the Gig? economy.<br />
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Now I know there are folks out there much worse of than me but, all this talk about zero hours work and no cash payments leaves me thinking yet again please can you live in the real world where I have to work.<br />
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I have around 30 gardens that I regularly work in every month, all of these customers can say I want you to do more work or less or none, according to season and plant growth and what disposable income they have. So is that 30 zero hours contracts then with no holiday or sick pay etc etc and then bear in mind most of my customers are elderly.<br />
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Which brings me onto cash payments. Most of my income comes via cash and cheques with the small remainder via BACS. The BACS ones are usually landlords or companies or younger family members or individuals. So the report is saying less cash payments and at the same time banks want to do away with cheques, most of the elderly folk I work for will no way pay by BACS even though it would cost me less in bank charges because they want to know how much money they have and why shouldnt they.<br />
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My hourly charge is what I think most of my customers are willing to pay, I know I am not the dearest gardener and I also know I am not the cheapest. Yes I would like to up my prices but I dont think I will keep some of my work if I do. Its work I can do that keeps me sane, pays the bills etc and I am not getting any younger myself. Oh and yea it helps the mainly elderly folk I work for living in there own tidy homes and gardens longer with less fear of a knock on the door from some dodgy gardener working for less or more! and paid straight into there back pocket.<br />
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The report goes on about self employed paying less tax surprise surprise, guess what if I included in my hourly charge for all my time spent driving between jobs, usually around 30 miles a day and for at least an hour a day, time spent on record keeping, phoning next days customers, maintaining equipment etc it would go up somewhat.<br />
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I am registered self employed I have public liability insurance and a basic police check, I am also registered with Trading Standards as a Buy with Confidence trader, I pay my taxes on my profit and slim they are. Its as much about providng a service for me.<br />
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Yes I know there are unscrupulous employers out there, who need cracking down on but please dont tar us all with the same brush.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-25228114418686016862017-06-11T03:22:00.002-07:002017-06-11T03:40:00.114-07:00Some stability would be nice<span data-offset-key="f5e43-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am probably not the only person thinking the same thing at the moment. </span></span>I am only a simple man, I work for a living and everything I do is done with a sense of pride, with the best intentions and carried out professionally.<br />
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I live in a country that I love which is also lived in by many millions of other people, we all live together thinking about different things, believeing in all sorts of people places whatever and prioritising things differently but generally all getting along.<br />
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To enable that to happen we have an elected group of people in (and I use this word nervously) charge who govern and guide our actions hopefully with the aim of everyone in this country being able to get by and be happy, this first group of people are balanced by more elected people who see things from a slightly different viewpoint because we are all different.<br />
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Just a few days ago we had an election, I know it feels like ages ago already because of all the harping on and on. Ever since we have had claim and counter claim again going on and on.<br />
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As a simple man can I please make a plea, for the love of this country can you all please shut up, agree to differ and get on with running this country wisely and fairly, its not much to ask is it really.<br />
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The good of this country needs to be first not party political bickering and infighting and needlessly going on about another election, this last one cost us around one hundred and fifty million to stage that could have been spent elswhere possibly more usefully. Do we want and need that again any time soon.<br />
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We the people just want you to govern wisely and compassionately, after listening to what all the people say about there hopes fears and ambitions.<br />
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Just to repeat something I said earlier, for the love of this country can you all please shut up, agree to differ
and get on with running this country wisely and fairly.<br />
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<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-58271629937411907752017-02-13T10:44:00.000-08:002017-02-13T10:44:06.664-08:00Oh dear oh dear oh dearThats it I have gone and done it, a website me a website and not a spider in sight mind there is a poem if you can find it. try putting in malcolmbusby the one person who reads these sometimes, when theres a z in the month!Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-85507994061868161102017-01-30T09:17:00.003-08:002017-01-30T09:17:54.771-08:00la lala lalaNeed to calm down and think nice thoughts, just sat here fuming when I hear a tapping sound, whats that I think, is it the neighbours in there garage looking for something or is it the cat wanting to go out.<br />
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I go to the front door and look no not next door, I got a feeling look on the roof, sure enough query answered, at least 2 Redlegged Partridge tapping about looking for food among the tiles, and I smiled.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-77192407767019841922017-01-30T09:14:00.000-08:002017-01-30T09:14:01.874-08:00delivery blues and a question?You know what its like, you order something over the internet and wait for the delivery, well todays little saga just about beats everything as far as I am concerned.<br />
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Just got off the phone to a lady in the complaints section of a large courier companyXXX. I terminated the phone call eventually telling them I will be in touch with the seller of the goods. Below is the message I have sent the seller via there contact section on another large companies website.<br />
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Good afternoon, Just thought I would send you a message about the gloves order which has just been delivered to me but that delivery is what you need to know about.<br /><br />Your product namely the gloves are good I have bought them before but not sure where from. But your delivery service XXX, well where do we start. <br /><br />I waited in all day on Friday 27th. I am self employed and spent the time worrying about not earning, looking at my emails in the evening I see that a delivery attempt has been made at about 4pm or so it says. What! I went off like a thing thats gone off, no one came anywhere near the house or knocked on the door or rang the bell so fuming I filled in a complaint form on the XXX website, needless to say they havn't got back to me. <br /><br />Today Monday 30th I get an email saying delivery attempt today I wait in again cancelling work and fretting, both me and my lady were at home today, surprise surprise an email about 4 pm no one at home when we tried to deliver. I wont swear but yet again no one came anywhere near today. <br /><br />I phoned XXX complaints section and spoke to a lady, we confirmed the address for delivery, I will speak to the driver and phone you back. I told her my thoughts that he had tried to deliver to XXXXX rather than XXXXX because no cards have been left if they still do that. When she called it was you were right he thought he knew where the address was and then says can I meet the driver about 5 miles away in a neighbouring village, speechless and thinking who is the delivery driver and who is the customer I said no. Well he will have to come back to you she says but he hasnt got much time.<br /><br />The conversation was interesting, apparently not all drivers have sat navs and if they hadnt managed to deliver another time the package would have gone back to the depot where someone would have called me before it was returned to the seller, just as well it wasnt something important. I eventually told the lady I was hanging up after wasting two days hanging about for something that was worth about a fiver and had to be signed for. I dont know what else we can do except apologise I am told. I am not happy and will be in touch with the seller I said which I am now doing.<br /><br />I know I have ranted on and on but I would suggest you take this up with XXX as I have to wonder how many other folk are having these problems.<br />
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I kept my cool I didnt swear but did tell the lady it was a struggle to keep calm and not get angry. <br />
So to the question: Should I have been pushier or should I just accept that life can be like this?Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-38820046077596843902017-01-15T02:11:00.001-08:002017-01-15T02:11:11.741-08:00Packaging chunterSo here we go then on a mild bemused rant about yes packaging, something I think we all have a go at now and then especially in connection with online orders.<br />
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Yes I admit it I order stuff from that site you know the brazilian river one. Recently ordered two items for my car or my van if you listen to some of my clients.<br />
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One piece arrived like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ5XgdG_9GUxKWHROQHpotc2JTbU5jIiGikIZZn-wrbALLX2DRAWv73OAvo6lPBK0QDpRLp8Nc22_yYCIa_KRMR1FwSeKpXhctyUK2C2QRk19jc61YAuGKIE5TJNFISnAS9npkn5EfCY/s1600/P1000662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ5XgdG_9GUxKWHROQHpotc2JTbU5jIiGikIZZn-wrbALLX2DRAWv73OAvo6lPBK0QDpRLp8Nc22_yYCIa_KRMR1FwSeKpXhctyUK2C2QRk19jc61YAuGKIE5TJNFISnAS9npkn5EfCY/s320/P1000662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Its a bumper protector made of plastic it was in a plastic bag and is about 4 foot long, I know i'm old enough to use imperial, it was wrapped in corrugated paper without any rigidity in it all.<br />
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You see that box its laying on well inside that was the other item I ordered, some air deflectors for the front windows. Made of thicker plastic and in a carboard box themselves they were sent in that box above with some scrunched up brown paper to stop the box in which they were in if you follow me from moving.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDsn9GeIRAfP6XuuBoNRCUaWrKiYvSDHwnLlvXFH11U9MCK1l61gnHNrKd_3_u0RTPpgnVMqaZ8F9pFhRG0EctmZg8_AMXK5CjwyLFZROW-Lo25PZdaT5ZkF72W6MglG4OKdzmHimZ8A/s1600/P1000661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDsn9GeIRAfP6XuuBoNRCUaWrKiYvSDHwnLlvXFH11U9MCK1l61gnHNrKd_3_u0RTPpgnVMqaZ8F9pFhRG0EctmZg8_AMXK5CjwyLFZROW-Lo25PZdaT5ZkF72W6MglG4OKdzmHimZ8A/s320/P1000661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For scale I will tell you that is an A4 clipboard I have put in the cardboard box which I think I could have fitted half a dozen air deflector boxes in, true the box within a box wasnt damaged but blimey was it really necessary to put it in something quite so big!<br />
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I suppose the worrying thing is which was correctly wrapped for delivery the bumper protector or the air deflectors, what do you think?<br />
<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-53687709925824132072016-12-01T11:32:00.001-08:002016-12-01T11:32:11.910-08:00Two remarkable things seen today and you will not like one of themOne doesnt go round with ones eyes closed normally, its dangerous especially while driving.<br />
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Today has excelled itself for two remarkable things seen.<br />
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The first and most amazing indeed as was only talking about it needing doing for ages is, tadah, they have finally replaced the worn out white lines etc on the A14/Milton roundabout, big cheers and much hooting and hollering, where did you find the money to pull that off County Council but thanks for redoing it, using it was getting a bit like russian roulette would you come out the other side intact.<br />
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The second I couldnt believe and I am still in a state of shock and disbelief over. We were driving slowly down Histon Road around midday today and had just gone past the little row of shops, there was a small white french make van wanting to turn right onto Histon Road. I was looking at it because I couldnt work out why I was seeing two head shapes in the drivers side window. I stopped to let it out and then I realised what I was looking at and as my passenger pointed out it was disbelief that stopped us both from noting the registration number and reporting it. Why, well would you drive a vehicle with a sixish month old baby on your lap held only be your left arm which also has to change gear etc. He was.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-35342206575071226482016-10-30T06:09:00.001-07:002016-10-30T06:09:20.292-07:00Back to normal then with a binNeed to get back to normal after stories all over the place so this morning felt the need to get rooted well almost.<br />
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Cut the lawn, higher cut of course as its autumn now and then emptied and mixed up the contents of my lawn cuttings and shredded paper compost bin, mixing in the clippings from this morning of course.<br />
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Its looking some good stuff given it was only started this summer, worms are working well bless em, and hopefully todays green stuff will give them a bit of heat to keep going.<br />
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This lot is bound for my perrennial beds when it does get finally turned out in the spring.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-46464474292517485272016-10-30T06:03:00.000-07:002016-10-30T06:03:01.214-07:00stories for allJust spent four days telling stories to children and adults all over a nearby town.<br />
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I wont say where cos they might still be embarrassed at me telling there at all. But I enjoyed it and I hope some of the folk listening did too, I know some of the adults who I suspect have never heard let along enjoyed stories before got some enjoyment from a mixed set of Canterbury Tales, Arthurian and Robin Hood I did. I even heard a whisper or two from a few children as well following my little attempts at entertaining them.<br />
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Did I say I was in costume for the whole thing, fancy having to put up with stories from a bloke wearing that lot. <br />
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Many thanks to Stuart and Maureen for help with the costume. Then I also need to mention Elaine for putting up with my gadding about this last week, coming home last night after a couple of nights in a bearable B and B was very welcome and calming.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-84248182580012565552016-08-17T10:07:00.002-07:002016-08-17T10:07:41.338-07:00Those little midgy flies that get in your faceI know I have speculated on this before, flies, the little midgy things that get in your face if you turn a light on when its dark, you know them!<br />
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I do a couple of bat surveys every year around this time both for a certain species called Daubenton's. I have surveyed at two sites over ten years at each each and at both the number of bats seen every year has dropped and dropped. Why well I dont really know but I have my suspicions.<br />
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Whenever I detect a Daubentons I turn on a torch to see they hunting for insects just above the surface of a waterboby os some sort. In years gone by whenever the torch went on I was bombarded by those little midgy flies, but not any more the numbers are well down if they are there at all. The number of flies is definitely down or it appears that way to me.<br />
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Fine you might think, but what if the dropping number of flies means less bats and also less fly eating birds and other insects.<br />
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Granted lower fly numbers might not be the cause of less bats, perhaps there roost sites have been developed or improved but I cant help thinking no food no bats.<br />
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Does it matter, I think it does. Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-21062315369354752112016-08-17T09:56:00.000-07:002016-08-17T09:56:20.512-07:00Overheard in the post office yesterday and shirtsSo there I was in the post office returning a shirt I had bought over the internet as you do. Strange thing bought a few shirts all the same size but one was just too small, why if they are all the same size and made by the same company.<br />
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Anyway in front of me is a young person getting some bits and pieces sorted for a european holiday.<br />
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They have completed everything and then say, can we still use an E111 form in Europe now that we have left.<br />
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The look on the face of the member of counter staff was priceless and they said so politely, we are still in Europe so yes you can.<br />
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So I am left there wondering; Why is one shirt smaller than others of the same size. Have some people not been listening to news since the vote. Did those same people not listen to anything before the vote. Even more worrying how many other people think the same!<br />
<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-91592178060857448082016-07-18T13:19:00.004-07:002016-07-18T13:19:41.705-07:00Its what can we cut next timeIve got this hunch I blogged about a local council wanting to charge for green bin recycling last year. And yes they now do it. Whats next, well a council in Cambridgeshire is now floating the same idea.<br />
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Fenland District Council which covers the towns of Wisbech, March and Chatteris together with the surrounding area is having a "consultation" about charging £40 a year for the use of a green waste recycling bin. Interestingly they say that in areas where this has been done there are no increases in flytipping, be nice to see the evidence for that.<br />
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They suggest that for houses that dont produce enough themselves to fill a bin regularly but who want to keep a bin, that sharing with neighbours could be a useful idea. They helpfully say you can always take your green waste to a recycling centre or compost all your waste.<br />
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Whats the driver, well they say it costs £700,000 to operate a green waste scheme in fenland and they dont get a government grant for this part of waste collection. Its got nothing to do with not wanting to provide a service then and increasing community charge has it. Will community charge come down if the service is paid for by people paying there £40, I doubt it.<br />
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Now if Fenland are looking at this how many other Cmabs councils are I wonder, waiting to see the responce. Lets go forward another year or two and whats next, the recyclable materials bin?<br />
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I suppose if I was cynical I would forecast that in just a few years time we will all be back to a weekly collection of a black bin that is stuffed to the lid with anything you care to put in it.<br />
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<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-80661518745230263502016-06-24T07:48:00.000-07:002016-06-24T07:48:12.970-07:00Some snippets from yesterdays workDutifully did my job as a poll clerk yesterday in a little village in Cambridgeshire.<br />
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Thought I would share some snippets of information.<br />
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Firstly we had a turnout of almost eighty percent of those eligable to vote (not including postal) which was more than for the last election by a few voters. Good if not for the result.<br />
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Secondly we had at least twenty people, and not just because they had just reached 18 years old, who you could tell had never voted before by the way they behaved and what they said including a couple over 60.<br />
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Thirdly we had at least three people asking why we only had pencils in the polling booths, at least one suggesting the votes could be changed. Some of the secondlies above.<br />
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Fourthly and you might not know this but there is a piece of plastic to help visually impaired people to vote in the right box. They have liftable flaps and braille and raised lettering. For the referendum this was modified to just Remain and Leave and was supposed to be stuck on the voters ballot paper then taken off again for reuse if necessary with someone else. I heard at the training session they had got problems with it. On the day a piece of paper nay a letter with the device that proved to be a laugh. It included the words, the adhesive used was too aggressive, I swear I heard it growling at times. It then detailed how you should use two paperclips of a certain size to hold it on the ballot paper and described how to fix the paper clips with the long leg behind the ballot paper even had diagrams to illustrate that point. <br />
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<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-54515971222182813992016-04-25T09:22:00.000-07:002016-04-25T09:22:25.190-07:00 Smell vinegar in Bristol? That will be the weed killer The BT website is running a story about Bristol today using vinegar as part of a trial to control weeds, rather than using Glyphosate.<br />
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Very commendable I would say, I use it where I can, the only other options for weeds are pulling or chopping which are not always successful on paved areas.<br />
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I use half a litre of value white vinegar at the strength it is sold in this country with a dash of washing up liquid in a hand trigger sprayer or in a bigger sprayer I up the washing up liquid. The washing up liquid helps the vinegar stick to plant leaves. Best to use it on a dry day when there is going to be some sunlight or heat afterwards in my experience.<br />
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Dont be tempted by stronger vinegar the acid level could burn you if you get it on your skin.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-29825671002444306282016-04-03T03:41:00.002-07:002016-04-03T03:41:26.031-07:00Remembrance is continuousYesterday I went along to a friend and customers 90th birthday tea which was lovely. I met some folk I had lost touch with and swapped stories and we caught up remembering each other and hoping it wouldn't be so long till next time.<br />
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This morning I had just stopped at a site to carry out some ecology work and my mobile phone peeped. I checked a text, a very special customer also well advanced in years passed away this morning a very special lady. I stopped what I was doing and toasted her from my bottle of juice.<br />
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Bless you Molly.<br />
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<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-37055880912358643732016-04-03T03:32:00.002-07:002016-04-03T03:32:18.093-07:00Im gonna have a rantSo this morning I went out early to do some ecology work at two sites, one close to Royston the other close to St Albans. The driving was lovely and quiet all the way until I left St Albans for home, by then it was well past nine and people were getting out and about.<br />
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Why do people need to rush around all over the place, why do they need to dive from the far lane to the kerbside lane of a three lane roundabout in the space of twenty metres weaving between cars at a stupid speed just to get down a slip road.<br />
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Why when I am tootling along at 60 do in the kerbside lane to they speed up close behind me before indicating and then moving to the middle lane.<br />
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And why do so many drivers not know what that funny stick thing is below the steering wheel that makes a greenish light twinkle on and off on there cars dash.<br />
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To me its symptomatic of the pressure people are under to work and make money at all costs, nothing is sacred anymore and I'm not just talking about religion.<br />
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There is a saying, stop the world I want to get off, I think I sympathise with the person who wrote it!Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-13454152027029411012016-03-05T06:31:00.003-08:002016-03-05T06:31:44.330-08:00Twas a nice walk thoughControversy aside I did enjoy my walk around Ely Country Park. Its managed by a mix of landowners and perhaps because of this has no real corporate feel to it. Its got surfaced paths and unsurfaced nay really muddy ones as well, but then thats where you can choose where you want to go.<br />
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After walking through a short grass area you enter tree and shrub lined Springhead Lane then reach the old pits with ducks, geese and great crested grebes, oh yes and a couple of kingfishers dobbing about. Then its through the gate in the hedge and along by the river back to town.<br />
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Lovely views of the cathedral on the way round as well this one from the path by the river.<br />
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And for a bit of variety you can watch the trains and imagine its the Flying Scotsman you are seeing. An enjoyable walk to my mind.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-3543211283388309712016-03-05T06:22:00.003-08:002016-03-05T06:22:59.428-08:00opinions are onions with a pi right!<br />
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My local paper has been carrying a story about the way a footpath that runs through a Country Park in Ely has been managed recently. The lane called Springhead Lane or Lovers Lane has been opened up by a contractor working for the county council cutting back trees and shrubs and by cutting back bramble.<br />
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Some of the locals have been complaining bitterly to the local papers and getting quite a bit of coverage, one lady says she is horrified by what has happened down at Lover's Lane. <br />
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Its one of the reasons I went for a walk down there yesterday to see what outrageous damage has been caused partly because I have long held the view that the path was too shaded and might make users feel insecure. The picture below is a Cambridge News picture which shows part of the lane now.<br />
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Now far be it for me to tell anyone how to manage anything especially as I only managed parks for twenty years, but to my mind its great, even further towards Ely itself where the increase in light will lead to a lot of growth this year including from the cut tree and shrub stems and a safer feel to the path, see picture below also Cambridge News of that section, but then what do I know like I say.<br />
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I can remember a few years back a paper was published about public perceptions of the countryside, it looked at what made people feel they could use the countryside and what made them feel they couldn't. Overgrown paths and not being able to see a reasonable distance were high on the lists of not encouraging use for both women and men. So like I said earlier well done county council I think its great.<br />
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But then thats my opinion, others think differently. Opinions eh onions with pi in.<br />
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Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-4649552201902196212016-03-03T02:56:00.001-08:002016-03-03T02:56:46.974-08:00Which came first aorta or hadnabinferI had a late afternoon appointment at the local hospital last week, all connected with my recent spell of ill health and well it had me confused by the end and no mistake.<br />
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First an ultrasound, well surely ultra means really good but I didnt hear a thing, then the doctor says me kidneys are fine and so was me aorta. Well first off what does he know about my shopping at the butchers and then aorta what.<br />
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Already slightly confused I heads of for a blood test, take a ticket here and wait the sign says, so you takes one of them tickets you used to get at supermarket meat counters you know them ones with numbers on. The nurse calls out the number and off you go to get your blood took.<br />
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I says to her when do we get some meat then with this ticket, she looked, that got me wondering had they run out, then I got to thinking about that doctor and what he said about kidneys, was that all they had left!<br />
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I came out like I said confused with no meat or kidneys come to that and thinking. Aorta known that Id get nothing but if it hadnabinfer a late apointment then perhaps I might have.<br />
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<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-21537388649091302002016-02-20T11:23:00.003-08:002016-02-20T11:23:48.819-08:00cart before horse or whatIm still in a state of disbelief really. <br />
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There is a group of Councillors and lord knows who else called rather grandly the City Deal who for months have been throwing ideas for improvements to traffic about left right and centre for the good of Cambridge, a lot of the ideas are based around improving bus travel.<br />
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Imagine my surprise then when earlier this week it was reported that the City Deal team have had a meeting with the main bus operator about there high ticket costs.<br />
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Is it me or what! <br />
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<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-92058689448400490732016-02-20T01:55:00.002-08:002016-02-20T01:55:49.394-08:00Space time continuum distorted down the fen part twoIs there a part two, how can there be. Well there is its the bits I forgot to say just in case you all rush of down the fen read on and be warned.<br />
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So after the terrific incident involving the lorry and the overwhelming amount of traffic, about four cars etc each side of the blockage. We all drove on across the fen when to my complete consternation I noticed road repairs, what, yes road repairs new tarmac to try and lessen some of the humps and bumps.<br />
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Now if you have never driven across there you will not know that the road is listed, not architecturally you understand but side to side so perhaps listing might be more appropriate then it is also twisted and has almost mountainous sections to contend with which are fine if you respect it and drive at speeds that mean you get to the other end without shaking and worrying about what that noise was on the car when you hit a sticky up bit.<br />
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Anyway repairs have been made so the next few crossings could need to be made slower than usual to work out which humps bumps twists etc have now gone and which remain. The benefit of those changes will of course all change if we get another odd year of weather and the road sections, concrete covered with tarmac, move again as they do on a regularish basis.<br />
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Then after my lazy late lunch I finally reach the village of Reach well not quite and what do I see, the road crossing wires of a traffic monitoring counter. The cheek of it, the county council are obviously trying to find out how many vehicles are using the fen road, despicable behaviour that will encourage people to drive the route just to go over the wires and be counted. I hope the poor folk of Reach have been warned, the users of the Dykes End will certainly have something to talk about over there pints as a result of this.Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395103660347930658.post-12964665838071660492016-02-19T03:24:00.000-08:002016-02-19T03:24:21.145-08:00Space time continuum distorted down the fenSo there I was going back home from working in a couple of gardens, I know I had said, I will go back home across the fen and have a late lunch sitting down Tubney Fen oft times a quiet oasis with just the breeze slipping through the reeds and the call of the birds for company, luxury.<br />
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I drove through Upware up and over the lodes dropped down to the field level and what was that, cars and farm vehicles all stopped and looking ahead, ahead to where one of Manchetts big recovery trucks all flashing lights was stopped at the rear of a red articulated lorry.<br />
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What the "stale Christmas cake " was going on I said to myself. Looking closer from a 200 yards away I was with other cars etc on my side of the blockage I could see the front end of the red lorry had gone partway off the road into the sticky and soft fen soil, its right black soil out there. Manchetts had got it out and back on the road, but, looking in front off and behind me I could see at least four vehicles both sides of the blockage, for that location a massive amount of held up traffic. I wont stress or even mention the silver car of idiots who sped past me before seeing the holdup and then turning round and speeding off again the other way, no I wont mention them.<br />
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Well with the recovery truck and the red lorry mobile albeit missing a mudguard moved out of the way the massive amount of accumulated traffic stated moving again. Never been held up so much down there. Trundled on across the fen until looking forward we all saw the next holdup a horse being ridden along , would the problems never stop, thankfully it pulled over giving me a chance to see a farmer having more drainage pipes put in a field down there.<br />
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And then I pulled over and long breath aahhhhhh. Lunch at Tubney Fen, reality restored all right with the world the space time continuum hiccuped and like a gravitational wave it settled back on the beach of peace.<br />
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Until that is the mob of argy bargy Coot started squabbling, the Little Grebe tittered, Gadwall and Wigeon called, well peace of a pleasurable sort as I sat there in the sunshine with my sandwiches and peppermint tea.<br />
<br />Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498521859315918828noreply@blogger.com0