House photos

At home this morning waiting for the HighShots photographer to come and take some shots of the house from a pole (see photos). Nice piece of kit (Canon camera). Now need to wait for the pictures to be sent to myself and the agents on a CD. In case you are interested in having some of these done yourself - the contact details are as follows:-

A William Holmes

Highshots Photography Ltd.

07985 972685

www.highshots.co.uk

will@highshots.co.uk

(He aught to give us a discount for this advertising.)

Lunch at Frankie & Bennies on the way to the beach.

Banking Systems in Chaos?

Yet another grey day. Whatever happened to global warning? I need some sun. Two semi-related stories in the news today.

Up to 400,000 people will not be paid as expected on Friday as a result of a problem with the banking system.

The Bacs system has been running slowly (when my PC's performance starts to decline I automatically suspect either SpyWare or a fragmented disc - hope they have checked these posibilities?) and so not all payments have been sent out in time.

The Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) - an association of banks which handles credit transfers - said the delay had been caused by a software problem which had been discovered on Wednesday. Sandra Quinn (remember this name) said "We would like to stress to customers that we are doing all we can to resolve it and how sorry we are to people affected by this problem." She stressed that by Thursday the payment system was operating normally again. "This was just a one-off problem. We are pretty sure it is resolved. We are confident that payments that should have been made today will at the latest be in customers' accounts by Monday morning." (Every problem is a 'one-off' (remember that) and either it is resolved or it isn't - sounds a bit vague to me). People who need cash for the weekend are being advised to withdraw it over the counter, as cash machines may refuse the withdrawal.

And the second story ......Hackers target TK Maxx customers
Stores in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland and Puerto Rico are affected

Hackers have stolen information from at least 45.7 million payment cards used by customers of US retailer TJX, which owns TJ Maxx, and UK outlet TKMaxx. In a statement to US watchdogs the firm said it did not know the full extent of the theft and its effect on customers.
TJX added that the security breach may also have involved TKMaxx customers in the UK and Ireland. But the company added that at least three-quarters of the affected cards had expired or data had been masked. The company advised that 100 files were moved from its UK computer system in 2003, and two files were later stolen.

Diary of events

18 December 2006 - TJX discovers the breach in security.
Within days it hires outside investigators and notifies US federal authorities.
19 January 2007 - Publicly admits the problem, but not the full extent
29 January 2007 - Reveals the full nature of the breach
Says data was first hacked in July 2005
Stolen bank card details date back to December 2002

A spokesperson admitted that the firm may never know what was in those files. "We don't know what was in those files - the technology the hacker used prevents TJX from knowing, and also the fact that TJX system routinely deletes files," (Yes - I use Microsoft software too - it always deletes files randomly - sorry routinely) the spokesperson added. The data was accessed on TJX's systems in Watford, Hertfordshire, and Massachusetts over a 16-month period from July 2005 and covers transactions made by credit and debit card dating as far back as December 2002.

Sandra Quinn (remember the name? Is this another on-off problem? Is she any less vague than in the other story?) from the Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) said there had been a "massive" compromise of security - on a scale not seen before. However, she said that that for most people, the card details stolen would no longer be relevant (that's comforting then) "If they were doing transactions with TK Maxx between those dates they will generally now have a brand new credit or debit card in their wallet, so they can be sure that it will be the old details of their card that has been compromised, not their current card."

The company, which discovered the problem three months ago and reported it two months ago, said that a lot of questions remained about the attack. "There is a lot of information we don't know, and may never be able to know, which is why this investigation has been so laborious," spokeswoman Sherry Lang said. "the intruder had access to the decryption tool for the encryption software utilized by TJX". "Since discovering the crime, we have been working diligently to further protect our customers and strengthen the security of our computer systems." (Sloppy procedures??? (If they have any.) If they are now strengthening their systems then they must have been weak in the first place. (And the NHS thinks it can keep patient data better protected than the banks even when laptops are stolen and a password is used? - I don't think so. ))

Weapons of Grass Reduction

Not great weather today (cold - overcast and threatening to rain) but the grass has to be cut before weekend so out I go in track suit and parka (suitably camouflaged so I don't frighten the wildlife).

Used the Countax sit-and-ride for areas immediately round the house. The remaining areas were thrashed with the Ransomes diesel, hydraulic three gang (complete with First Aid Kit).

Stopped for lunch. Just the paddocks left to do with the tractor and skid topper.

I know "I told you so" but, in today's news.............

There has been a computer theft at King's Mill Hospital (see previous article on Electronic Patient Records http://www.gaw-associates.com/inc/2007_03_16_archive.html ).

HEALTH chiefs have launched an investigation into how a laptop computer containing key information about thousands of children from across the area was stolen from an office at the King's Mill Hospital site.

They have tried to reassure worried parents that no medical information was on the computer and have sent out letters to more than 9,700 families to inform them of the theft and advise them to contact a special helpline if they have concerns.

The computer was one of three taken from the office on Wednesday afternoon and contained the names, addresses and dates of birth of children aged from eight months to eight years in the Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and Ashfield areas.

Nottinghamshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) chief executive Wendy Saviour has apologised for the blunder and insisted steps are being taken to resolve the incident and detectives have been drafted in to investigate.

"We are 100 per cent confident that there is no health information contained on the database and the information was protected by a password (bet it was 'password'), which reduces the chances of anyone being able to see the information," she said (reduces it to anyone with the slightest knowledge of hacking).

"It is very unlikely that the children involved will come to any harm, but we want to address individual concerns and parents should call our helpline if they do have any concerns.

"I would like to reassure the public that this matter is being fully investigated and we are taking every step to prevent this happening again in the future. " "Action will be taken to ensure that lessons are learned. We are very sorry for any difficulties that this may cause and greatly regret that this theft has happened."

Enjoy cartoons? Seen Life on Mars?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBFxscicJA0

House for Sale

A couple of viewings of our house scheduled for this afternoon. One of these is a guy who used to work at the same company as myself 20+ years ago. Seems he only lives a couple of villages away. It's VERY foggy so, unless it clears in the next couple of hours, they aren't going to see very much of the grounds, views over the surrounding fields or local wildlife (mainly deer, badger, pheasants, bunnies etc..)

Off for a little shop at Tesco's, fancy a paella for tea.

There was a flyer from the local Conservative Party / Councillors delivered the other day. This is a strong Conservative area (with Liberal democrats coming a close second but holding power on the local Council.) Strange isn't it, that as soon as an election looms they all start offering to communicate and be 'helpful'. The rest of the time they only seem interested in feathering their nests, clocking up their expenses for attending meetings and going on 'jollies'. I know I've said it before but voting only encourages them, so I don't usually waste my time. I'm not a great believer in so called 'democracy' anyway. Give me a benevolent dictatorship (from someone with no relatives) with all public services owned and run by the public. (I can dream can't I?)

Weather cleared up by lunchtime - beautiful sunny, warm day. First viewing went off OK, nice couple, kids go to same school as our grand children. Waiting for second viewer. Will probably cut the grass when he's gone.

He stayed a little longer than expected. Gaz and Gus arrived for some heavy painting in the barn - very creative. No time to cut the grass, get stuck into the wine and cooking the tea. Turned out OK.

IT (and Sex) were invented quite recently (allegedly)

The Chilton ICL 1906A in 1971, photograph courtesy Atlas Computer Laboratory, Chilton

Isn't it funny (and annoying) how 'the young' think they invented everything? Speaking to a lad in the pub recently he expressed his surprise "You've got a blog?" Almost a "you know how to use a computer?" (With a look of total incredulity all over his pizza-like chops.) If they ever thought about anything (other than their image) they's know that some of us were not only operating and programming wharehouse-sized mainframe beasts in the '60's, some of us were even designing them. All this even before their parents were born.

I worked on the ICL 1900 series machines for several years as an operator, programmer, shift leader and ops manager. I used George 1, 2 and 3 plus COBOL, ALGOL, FORTRAN and PLAN.

The ICL 1900 was a word machine with 24-bit words, containing 4 * 6-bit characters. Instructions were whole words, and a word could be addressed in both 'word' or 'character mode depending on the type of data it held.

Most 1900 machines were multi-programming under the control of the EXECutive or Operating System, (which, sometimes, wouldn't load from card or tape and had to be 'hand-switched' in the back of the CPU - a memory feat which hasn't been seen since.)

There were no fixed "partitions" within which programs had to abide, but there was full hardware protection to prevent one program from errantly trespassing in another's space.

Likewise all peripherals were available in a general pool and allocated to a program when requested and then released back to the pool when finished with (using a teletype as in the picture above). Every program started at address zero wherever it was located in physical memory, hardware 'datum' and 'limit' registers provided the translation/protection for user programs, which could be moved in memory as other programs altered their size or were deleted.

The memory size (core store or later ECL electronic) was typically 32K, 48K for smaller machines, 64K, 128K, 192K or 256K for larger machines.

An optional Hardware Floating Point unit was available, but tended not to be fitted on commercial machines.

The ICT (later ICL) 1900 series (I worked on earlier machines such as:- Atlas, Pegasus, 1301 and even Holleriths) was begat of a Canadian machine called the FP6000 (FP = Ferranti Packard). The main difference was the incorporation of a "standard" physical interface (i.e. a standard kind of plug) for all peripherals, and the use of a single operation code to drive all peripherals rather than having separate instructions to read a card, or print a line or whatever. The "PERI" instruction, an EXTRACODE implemented by the EXECutive, instead pointed to a small group of control words in memory which supplied the details for whatever I/O operation. This instruction caused an interupt/exchange of control to the memory-resident monitor that contained the actual low-level driver code for each type of peripheral. (The FP6000 on the other hand had "hardwired" and distinct op codes for each kind of I/O operation and did not have the concept of a resident monitor through which I/O was mediated).

Believe me, PC's are a piece of **** compared to these brutes. We may have scrunched up a few tapes and wrecked a few discs but we rarely lost any information (and what we did we could recover by the Grandfather, Father and Son system of storage.)

Speaking of screwing things up (I think I was) for the uninitiated, this is a punched card (mainly 80 column but some 40c existed). We have all probably heard of making a mistake, punching the wrong sequence of holes and then filling them up with 'chads' to save repunching it all. Well, I can admit to dropping a box full of these (over 5,000) whilst loading them into the reader and yes - it did take me all night (unpaid) to put them back in order. Those were the days - NOT.

Cliff Walk

Walk along the beach with everyone this morning. This digger was clearing the sand off the walkway in front of the beach huts. Tendring Council (if that's who was responsible) seems to be very good and considerate at this sort of thing.

Digger

Then went with Gaz for a walk on the top of the cliffs. This is just one of several old WWII gun emplacements on the cliffs above The Naze (several have slid down the cliffs and are now on the beach.)

Pill Box

Lazy Sunday

Two walks today. First, in the morning, North to Sunny Point. Second, in the afternoon, South to the Pier and Lifeboat Station at the end of the Pier (which is the second longest in the UK ).

These are the first pictures of the boat that I intend to publish over the next few weeks.

Lifeboat at the end of the pier

Launching facility

Gaz & Gus on the way to the pier.

Lifeboat & RNLI

Air / Sea Rescue Chopper over Walton Beach

Had a call yesterday from the boss of the local lifeboat station agreeing to have me on board to take some action photos - that'll be great (I hope). Just waiting for the engineers call.

Grey day. Breakfast in Frinton this morning followed by intensive shopping.

Chopper just flew over - don't know if it's a 'live' job or just a practice.

Gaz, Michell, Gus & Felix due here later today for some serious beach time.

Clocks go forward tonight.

STANSTED AIRPORT DEBATE

Reading Gareth's BLOG today. Pinched this photo. He says he would like to run a pro-Stansted campaign. I have thought this for a long time too. So here goes - I'll do it if he doesn't. If he does, then he'll probably do it better than me so I'll drop mine. Can't stand all the hypocrites who complain about the expansion of these facilities yet still use them (a famous young chef is a prime example). I am going to contact Stansted PR bod and get their side of the story. And, whilst I'm at it, Uttlesford District Council never asked me if it was OK for them to use money from my council tax to fight expansion - so much for democracy - suppose I could vote against the Councillors next time there's an election - but voting only encourages them. Willing to bet that if a full poll were taken of every resident in the UDCs area as to whether their money should be spent opposing, then we would find that the still anti's are in a minority. Come on UDC - make sure you are acting on behalf of the majority (or are you worried that you aren't?)

Regional business groups have backed Stansted Airport's bid to expand, saying it is essential for the continued economic prosperity of the region. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) welcomed the Government's Aviation White Paper update, which reaffirmed its support for a second runway and maximising the use of the first runway at Stansted. The local branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD) also expressed its disappointment at Uttlesford District Council's decision to turn down the airport's application for expansion on the existing runway.

Richard Tunnicliffe, CBI regional director for the East of England, said: 'Improved air cargo and passenger facilities are vital to keep the UK competitive internationally. The Government's plans for expansion could boost the economy by £13bn a year and as the Stearn Review made clear, economic growth and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive, as long as we deal effectively with carbon emissions.'

Jerry Golland, chairman of the East of England IoD, said: 'The application, to increase flights on Stansted's existing runway from the current cap of 25m passengers to approximately 35m, is hugely important for business and especially important to the many companies that rely on effective air-transport links.'

'Four million business passengers already use Stansted and with the airport operating at 23.5m passengers, extra capacity is needed quickly to ensure that the East of England and UK plc maintain their competitive edge in the global economy.'

'Limiting growth at Stansted will harm tourism, cut inward investment and damage the region's economy. We hope BAA is successful in its appeal against this decision.'

Zane Grey Artwork

Thought someone, somewhere might like to see these. They are scans of original guache artwork on board by J Pollack for Zane Grey novels which I bought several years ago . They were the first (and only) thing I have ever sold on Ebay (to a guy in California).

Hospital Car Parks

Hospitals have raked in over £95m in car parking fees despite calls from illness-stricken families to reduce charges.

New figures revealed today show the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust made more than £1.5m for the year 2005-6, and nationally at least £95m was recouped. According to the list, released by the Estates Return Information Collection, 30 trusts across the country, including Newcastle, are making more than £1m each from car parking.

MPs have recommended that hospital car parking fees should be scrapped for patients attending on a daily basis. The Department of Health has defended the charges, saying they helped ensure only those using the hospital parked there, reiterating that charges were up to individual trusts. A spokesman said: "Ultimately it's a matter for the individual NHS bodies to decide whether or not to charge for car parking and the level of charges in the light of local circumstances. "Charges help hospitals as it discourages people who are not using the hospital from using the car parking spaces. This can be a problem in inner-city areas. Most hospitals have exemptions from charges for patients and hospital staff are generally well trained in advising patients about these exemptions."

Biggest culprit in this area? Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. I can easily see how non-hospital users (workers in central Cambridge) might otherwise park in spaces which could be used by patients and staff but ALL appointment patients should be given free parking and there should be an attended space for emergency patients arriving by private transport. One problem which has grown over time is, of course, the number of staff who now need a parking space (and that includes the army of administrators, accountants, management consultants and outside contractors.)

A good example? Ely Princess of Wales Hospital (which I have attended for a whole day on a couple of occassions). Friendly, helpful staff ("park outside the entrance so youi don't have to walk far") and it is clean - how refreshing (and unusual) is that?

MGB Roadster (may be for sale)

This is the '65 Roadster. I really need to think seriously about selling it. If we move to a smaller house, then chances are I won't have space to keep it. For info, it was completely rebuilt in about 2000 - new heritage body shell and most of the rest was new too. It is immaculate and runs like a dream (when the battery is charged). Only got to use it for one day last year (to the garage for its annual service and MOT).

NB: The wife and grandson won't be for sale.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

WILL SMELLY BINS LEAD TO LOWER COUNCIL TAXES?

More homes could see the end of weekly bin collections, after government research said there would be no hygiene problems if rubbish was wrapped. (What are we supposed to wrap it in? Recyclable bags (which cost more)? Used supermarket (unrecyclable) bags? Lead lined boxes?)

Many councils have already adopted a policy of collecting general waste fortnightly - with many picking up recyclable rubbish on alternate weeks. (But how many Councils have reduced their Taxes as a result?) Ministers say the move encourages householders to recycle more. (Isn't it great how politicians can make such sweeping statements without any facts to back them up? Even when they use statistics they can't be trusted. When does 'spinning' become lying?) The environment department said it had targets on reducing landfill but it did not set waste policies for councils. (So it's not their fault then? If landfill is out - then what about sea-fill? Many coastal defences are in tatters. Why can't rock barriers be dropped in the sea with the resulting void being filled with encapsulated non-polluting rubbish? This could fix the land shortage problem within a decade. Don't believe me? You are obviously a sensible reader.)

Environment minister Ben Bradshaw said pilot schemes with fortnightly collections had revealed an increase in the amount of recycling. (Damned statistics again.) He labelled recycling as a "major part of our battle against climate change". (Might as well claim that it is effective against WW3 too while your at it.) Recycling household waste, he said, was "the equivalent of taking 3.5 million cars off the road" (So if we hit the target we won't need any new motorways for quite some time then? - Don't think so.) The research into waste collections - funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - found that if waste was properly wrapped there should be no hygiene concerns. (They obviously haven't smelt my grandkids nappies then. Even wrapping these in concrete wouldn't hide the smell.) "The research shows that alternate week collections work best when the public are informed well in advance of any change," said Mr Bradshaw. (What's that supposed to mean????)

The Conservatives say the government is disregarding public opinion. (Whilst I hate to agree with her she's right. However, I do feel that if they were in power they'd behave just the same. None of them ever listen. They all do what the hell they like.) Shadow local government secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Axing weekly collections will hit families the hardest, who quite naturally produce more waste than single person households, or couples without children. "Like many others, they will be asking whether it's too much to ask that our streets are kept clean and our bins emptied." (Regarding keeping our streets clean. It's not too bad for me living in the country but it must be hell for those living in towns. These wheelie bins stand close to the pavement edge (making exit from parked cars difficult) like batallions of Daleks. It makes towns look a mess. On a recent visit to Bury-St.Edmunds you could not move for them. They block the pavement (why aren't the police charging residents with this offence?) They are a hazard to the disabled and blind. If a shop were to put out an advertising sign taking up the same space they would get an enforcement order from the council's policing staff. And what about folks in smaller properties who don't have anywhere to store their three bins between collections? One Council I know has exempted residents from using the three wheelie bin system because they live on The High Street and don't want them to be "an eyesore" for visitors. So obviously tourism has a higher priority that protection of the environment.)

Some residents in areas where rubbish is collected fortnightly have complained of more rats, maggots and nasty odours. Doretta Cocks, a Hampshire housewife who campaigns against fortnightly collections, says they are "not adequate" and "compromise public health". She says her bin gives off an "awful smell" after 10 days, despite the rubbish being double-wrapped. (Maybe she's feeding her kids the same stuff as ours?)

But Paul Bettison, from the Local Government Association, said there should be no hygiene problems. "The concerns that some people have about vermin and flies have now been categorically proven to be ill-founded (Bollocks - prove it) - provided that people keep to the advice their local authorities are giving them." He said people should make sure their bins have a lid on at all times, and that lids are kept firmly closed. One third of English councils have already phased out weekly collections of general waste. Similarly, half of Welsh councils and many Northern Irish authorities already carry out less frequent collections.

The Green Party's Sian Berry said the move towards recycling needed to be backed by proper investment. "The government needs to create industries to process and use the paper and plastics we collect and stop the environmental absurdity of exporting our recycled waste to China." A separate study, by the government's waste body Wrap, found people in the UK are throwing away a total of 3.3m tonnes of food a year. Half the waste is inedible, although it still means more than 15p of each £1 spent on food is wasted. (Adequate proof, if proof were needed, that you can claim anything you like by manipulating statistics. I don't mind that there are stupid people around, it takes all sorts and as Tel says - "They're not all locked up yet". What I do object to is stupid people assuming that I'm as stupid as they are.)

Mother's Day

We went to Alex's (daughter) for Mother's Day together with Gareth (son) in the afternoon. Played with the kids ate loads, drank a fair bit. Adam was really into using Gareth's camera - loads of carpet shots. Meg was a star (as usual) and Owen contributed once he had woken up.

POLISH SPIES

The archbishop of Warsaw resigned over his tainted past

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED (or have they?)

A controversial law has just been introduced in Poland which requires up to 700,000 people to confess if they informed for the communist-era secret police. Under the new rules, anyone who refuses to co-operate or lies about their past (how would you know unless you had accurate records to prove it?) will be barred from working for a public company for 10 years. The conservative government has made it a priority to purge ex-communists and their collaborators from public life (political cleansing?). For the first time, the secret police files will be opened to the public. The new law greatly expands the number of people who will have to come clean about their pasts.

Weeding out former communists from public life is one of the main goals of the Kaczynski brothers, the identical twins who govern Poland as president and prime minister. Until now, the pair who were both activists for the opposition Solidarity movement in the 1980s, have concentrated on those who collaborated with the Communist secret police.

I have only wonderful memories of Poland in the old days, long before tourism and the dreaded stag party happened. Cool beers in the city on a summers evening, barbecues in the countryside etc. etc.

One series of events always comes to mind when I'm reminiscing. Meetings with the Polish Army (great bunch of blokes) whilst bidding for an IT supply contract. The format of the meetings tended to be as follows:

• They (very senior officers - some of which are probably running the country now, unless they have died or retired) bring out the vodka to accompany the coffee (grains simply dumped into a glass and floating on tepid water brought into the room by the architypal female tractor driver).
• Little conversation (because our interpreter didn't speak much English but was a friend or relative of someone important probably.)
• I drank mine straight down in one which surprised them (not used to serious Western drinkers and they hadn't got to meet many ex-UK-forces people during the 'cold war').
• Much appreciation from the locals - so more vodka continued to be sploshed into the large shot glasses.
• By the end of the 'get-to-know-you' session I'm still standing (sitting actually) but even this impressed them (one of them had fallen off this chair).
• Next, and all subsequent meetings, I brought a bottle (or two) of Glenmorangie - again much appreciated by the locals who insisted on us drinking both the vodka and the scotch.
• Needless to say we got the contract together with a strong introduction to the Polish Railways for a similar deal. Which could bring me onto the subject of counter-trade - but that's for another time perhaps.

Previously, only senior public servants were required to do so. Now academics, journalists, state company bosses and school headteachers will have to fill out a declaration or face dismissal.

Several senior journalists have threatened a boycott, saying the new law is reminiscent of communist times, when people were forced to sign loyalty pledges. Those who admit to being informants will not be punished (and if you believe that!). But one major problem is the current state of the communist secret police archives. Eighteen years after communism collapsed, they are now incomplete (if they were ever in that state) and some simply contain lies (a bit like the files in the UK then?). So people who deny collaboration in good faith may discover their secret police file says they were registered as an agent. Perhaps the most famous example is Lech Walesa, the legendary leader of the opposition Solidarity movement in the 1980s. His file said he was recruited as a communist agent and he had to go to court seven years ago to clear his name.

The Pope has named a new archbishop of Warsaw after Stanislaw Wielgus quit admitting he had collaborated with Poland's communist-era secret police. Pope Benedict XVI named Kazimierz Nycz, 57, who has been bishop of the Baltic city of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg since 2004. Bishop Wielgus resigned on 7 January at the service intended to install him as the city's new archbishop. He admitted spying on fellow clerics, many of whom had opposed the Soviet-backed government in Poland. Just shows you shouldn't mix religion and politics I suppose.

LONDON OLYMPICS BUDGET

Before I start to comment on this news item let me set the scene. I have been a lifelong Labour supporter. However, I have become more and more disillusioned even with Labour politicians (always was about the Tories). I now firmly believe that all power corrupts. Once they get their feet in the trough they're all as bad as each other. On to the comment.......

The budget for the 2012 London Olympics has risen to £9.35bn, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell (Before her election to Parliament in 1992, Tessa had a career in psychiatric social work, social policy and public sector management - (sounds a bit 'Archerish' to me), told MPs. Tessa and husband David Mills were said to be separating. Mr Mills' lawyer said their marriage had been put under "strain" by the controversy over their finances (so they get them wrong too?). Ms Jowell was recently cleared of breaching the ministers' code of conduct - because her husband did not tell her about a £344,000 gift (believe that if you will). Lawyer Mr Mills, 60, has denied taking the money as a bribe from Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. In a statement Mr Mills' solicitor, David Kirk, said Ms Jowell was angry (that anyone found out about it?) and embarrassed by the bribery allegations.)

The revised budget is nearly four times the £2.4bn estimate when London's bid succeeded less than two years ago. Construction is now budgeted at £5.3bn, there is a £2.7bn "contingency fund", and tax and security costs have risen (don't tell me they 'forgot' the dreaded VAT - pretty basic error for a Project Accountant?).

The Tories attacked her decision to "raid" an extra £675m of lottery funds - which means £1 in every £5 of good cause money now going to the Olympics. The budget outlined by Ms Jowell on Thursday largely covers construction costs of the Olympic Park and venues. The contingency fund will ensure the government cannot be "held to ransom" as it aims to hit deadlines, Ms Jowell said (so she's obviously not familiar with the first principles of Project Management). The government's contribution has risen to £6bn, she said, with £2.2bn coming from the National Lottery - including the additional £675m - and the rest from London's council tax payers.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has pledged to contribute an extra £300m, she said - but the money would not be funded from London's council tax, nor higher transport fares (maybe extended road pricing?). The cost of staging the event itself - currently estimated at £2bn - will be met through selling television rights, (so SKY & Virgin will be at each others throats again?) corporate sponsorship and ticket sales.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport later said the £2.4bn estimate from two years ago did not include costs for such items as regeneration and infrastructure - which the £9.3bn now does. Responding to criticism of the decision to use more Lottery money, Ms Jowell said that in the "overall scheme of things" its contribution was relatively small. She said the Lottery would benefit from profit sharing based on rises in land values in the Olympic park area. "London 2012 will bring huge financial gain to the whole country (but mainly the South east - well know for being a deprived area)... and it is only fair that the Lottery good causes should share in any such windfall," she told MPs. "I am determined to ensure that this temporary diversion from the existing good causes to the Olympic good cause is done with the least possible disruption" (i.e. "give me the money but don't give me any hassle"). Winning the Olympics had brought an extra £7bn of private sector investment to one of the most deprived areas in Europe (obviously not been to the slums of Portugal then - but she did say 'one of' I suppose?), Ms Jowell said. "The announcement today means it's full steam ahead (Steam - an outmoded means of propulsion - try diesel, or solar or windpower - what about wave power as the venues are quite near the coast?) for 2012," she added.

But for the Conservatives, the shadow Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said: "If you add together all the separate parts, the budget for which the government is responsible has nearly trebled since the Olympic Bill left Parliament under a year ago. "In raiding the Lottery for a further £675m to make up the shortfall the government will penalise precisely the clubs and small organisations, up and down the country, that were supposed to benefit from the Olympics."

Scottish Nationalist Party MP Pete Wishart (see what I meant at the start, they all want to get in on the act. MP's who haven't spoken for years now see a waiting bandwaggon to jump on and improve their visibility (which I suppose is what I'm doing too)) accused the government of using the National Lottery as "their own personal piggy bank" and said Scottish causes would suffer, to pay for London's regeneration. But Big Lottery Fund chairman Sir Clive Booth told the BBC he thought it could have been worse. "When I go back to the beginning of February and the numbers we were looking at in terms of increasing costs and what that could have meant in terms of impact on us, this outcome is much, much better," he said. Tory MP Mark Field suggested that the original budget was "a lot more slack than it might otherwise have been", (Tory speak for "it was crap") because Ms Jowell had not expected London to win the bid. She, in turn, accused the Conservatives of trying to undermine the Olympics and said they would have preferred it if London's bid had failed (now now Tessa - that smacks of peevishness).

Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster said: "Properly managed, (that's a laugh, all the piggies are in-line and they all want to be the boss - I see another Dome coming on) the 2012 Games will bring huge and lasting benefits to all parts of the country (it's going to be really great for The Outer Hebrides!). "But sadly today's statement and the chaos that has surrounded the last 12 months and more, calls into question the government's ability to provide that proper management" (ever thought about using the private sector? There could be many trained and experienced (old) Project Managers out there who would love to be doing the job for no wages. I understand that some have even offered their services but have never heard anything from the organisers (case of - "don't want them" they might get it right or expose our incompetence.")

Of the £5.3bn budget for the Olympic Delivery Authority announced on Thursday, £3.1bn will be allocated to build the Olympic Park and venues and £1.7bn for regeneration and infrastructure. The ODA would also be given a £500m contingency allowance (again, incompetence is starting to show, most project management principles would say that a contingency of 10% is more the norm. Why is this so high? - but the rest of the overall £2.7bn contingency fund would be "locked away", Ms Jowell said. (Who has the key? What is the process for unlocking the vault? Is there a potential for another scaldal here?) . Another £600m had been allocated for "wider security" outside the site, and £390m for other costs including the Paralympics and community sports coaches.

NHS PATIENT RECORDS ONLINE

ONLINE MEDICAL RECORDS

Patients will soon??? be able to look at their medical records on their home computer, it has been announced. The plan was set out by Connecting For Health, which is overseeing the introduction of the new NHS IT system - The Spine (where do they find these names?) - which will cover England. The organisation also revealed 14,500 patients in Bolton will be the first to have computerised NHS records set up. (How many of these have their own IT hardware to be able to view the data (because you wouldn't want to use any public access kit in a library would you?))

People will receive letters telling them data including medications will be uploaded unless they object. They will have eight weeks to view their records and raise any concerns they have. Details can be held back, or they can choose to have their entire record remain private. Patients will also be able to reverse restrictions on what details are accessible on their records if, for instance, they are in a situation where NHS staff need to see all their details. Staff will have smartcards and passwords, designed to restrict access to full data to those clinicians who need it, while administrative staff would only be able to see basic patient information.

Dr Liaqat Natha of the Kearsley Medical Centre in Bolton, one of the two practices which will test the system, said: "There are huge potential benefits from making patient records available to all staff caring for them, through the secure NHS network."

This is the initial stage of a national project to put everyone's medical records on a computer database so any NHS GP or hospital treating them would be able to look at them. Once the basic data is uploaded and successfully used, patients will be consulted again to see if they want all their details to be added. The home access via the website Health Space, which will be phased in from later this summer, will give people passwords to look at their personal records from home. Connecting for Health say the site will be highly secure, and will have far more protection than websites such as those which offer online banking (And we all know how secure they are - don't we? How long before someone downloads everything to a laptop then leaves it on a bus?) The only things that are certain are death and taxes!!.

Marlene Winfield, the National Patient Lead for the organisation, said: "We would be very foolish if we didn't use the strongest available safety measures." She added: "For patients, this will be a huge leap forward. "They will be able to see data such as test results and discharge notes and to add information such as whether or not they need wheelchair access for appointments." (Perhaps they could order their breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper at the same time - after all they'll be waiting in a corridor there all day).

The project in Bolton is the first step towards a national roll-out. It is expected another six areas will be taking part in the scheme by the end of the year. Birmingham University has been asked to carry out an independent evaluation of their success. Nothing like being positive but who says it'll be a success?

Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chair of the British Medical Association's IT committee, said: "The pilots will have to be carefully managed and evaluated if we are to maintain the confidence of the public and healthcare workers. "The lessons from this independent evaluation must be learnt before a more widespread roll out." And if the lessons are that it doesn't work, is insecure, will cost too much and adds little value - will it still be rolled out? - You bet because there are too many jobs on the line if it isn't. He added: "The electronic summary care records have the potential to improve patient safety (in case someone operates on the wrong patient? - yes it still happens) and the quality of care but patients will need to be made aware of their rights. "We would want to ensure that all patients receive balanced information that clearly explains their options. "The impact on GP surgeries will also need to be closely examined as we do not want GPs to be overwhelmed with enquiries about electronic records leading to increased waiting times for patients." So this system isn't for the benefit of patients after all?

The Parish of Littlebury

Started the morning with a walk around the fields.

This is the new sign for this area which is adjacent to our field. I think that calling it a Nature Reserve is a little presumptious, it is currently an unkempt copse.

Next to 'The Bumpy' is the little village church (where the Parish Council are meeting tonight).

Across the road a house is having its hedges layered.

The farrier came today - new shoes for Lady Jane. Why didn't I think to take some photos?

First cut - loads of flowers

Gave the grass the first cut this year.

Not a very good shot I'm afraid but there are a lot of primroses in this part of the garden.

Some tiny hyacinths in a pot against the back wall of the house.


Another beautiful day, may even last until weekend.

Walton Beach & Harbour

View of Beach Huts from the end of the breakwater at Sunny Point

08:00 Another beautiful day - strong sun, not too cold or windy. Swift walk into town for the papers and bread, (conversation with another 'speed' walker which slowed her down a bit) then up to the end of the prom (Sunny Point) where a local Tai Chi guy was doing his thing and the cafe owner was doing some concrete repairs.

Nice, obviously well loved little cruiser at the town yacht basin.

Return home to cut grass ready for a new house viewer on Wednesday.

Walton-on-The-Naze

Wonderful sunny morning - now extending my walking distance and increasing the speed. Today, head North towards the cliffs. This view is of the entrance to the backwaters with Harwich & Felixstowe beyond.

A bit of background to Walton, the Naze, what's happening etc.

The Naze is part of Walton-on-the-Naze, a seaside town on the East Coast of England lying some 70 miles north-east of Greater London. It is an area of natural beauty in the form of a 'nose' surrounded by water on three sides, protecting Hamford Water to the west which is a UK and European (EC Directive 79/409) conservation site. To the east is the North Sea - and to the north, Harwich harbour and the entrances to the rivers Stour and Orwell.

The name of the town comes from its original “Aelduluesnasa” (Aedwulfsness) meaning Edwulf’s Promontory. Edwulf was probably a local tribal chief in Ancient Britain. Over time the name became shortened to Altun’s Naze from which the modern name has come (adding a ‘w’ and putting an ‘o’ for the ‘u’). The Doomesday Book has Aelduluesnasa down for 40 smallholders, 86 villagers and six slaves… Seven hundred years later, as the Late Georgian seaside resort of Walton-on-the-Naze started to develop, the population was still less than 300 inhabitants.

The Living Naze Project

Protest sign

The Living Naze Project is a proposed 'Not-For-Profit' (if you can believe that) conservation visitor attraction set in 700 acres of private land (ah!! now I understand where the money would go) on the Naze peninsula at Walton-on-the-Naze in north east Essex. It is being promoted as:

• a "showcase for all things natural"


• the restoration of natural habitats to advance bio diversity


• a demonstration of the impact of climate change (if there is such a thing) measured through the local geology history and ecology of the peninsula


• the restoration of Walton Hall Farm to its 1,000 year old roots (that'll cost a bit - who benefits?) to yield premium-label, natural produce and


• the provision of nature trails that display the area's geology, flora, fauna and wildlife.

The project (as proposed) would be managed through the "gateway" of the Walton Hall Barns complex where the natural assets of the area would be "painted" by the creative team, visitors would be able to taste and buy local produce and natural foods, groups would be able to use the conference and educational facilities or simply go out and enjoy the Naze.

Tendring District Council's planning department received extenal (June 2006) legal counsel's opinion on their proposed planning committee report on the Living Naze. Counsel recommended that the planning department obtain a detailed plan of improvements to the Naze car park in addition to the Heads of Terms agreement that Living Naze have already entered into with the Council.

Whilst there appear to be several websites and interested parties who support this proposed project, I haven't been able to find any which support the views of the group 'AAND' (Action Against Naze Development.) In my opinion, simply dismissing them as NIMBY's isn't good enough and calling others names because you disagree with them always looses you credibility (when will they learn.)

Promise to get back to lighter stuff (trivia) tomorrow.

Toilets I have visited

Today started well with a walk into Walton for Dee's Sunday papers (never read them myself).

As I visited another toilet I thought that a 'theme' was beginning to develop (after one of yesterday's photos) so I decided to take a few more 'convenience' shots as follows:-

This one is on Mill Lane (leading to Walton & Frinton Yacht Club) in the Town centre.

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This one is just as you are leaving the Town Centre on the way to The Naze. A wonderful edifice complete with clock tower and a clock that SHOWS THE RIGHT TME - how professional is that? Well done Tendring District Council (if that's who is responsible).

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This one is next to the swimming pool and leisure (Columbine) centre - still boarded up.
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Finally, the one in front of the pier entrance.

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The first walk was followed by another walk with Dee into town and back at which point we have just got stuck into the vin blanc and nibbles.
This snack will probably be followed by an extended power nap until it's time for tea (I may even go fishing on the beach as high tide is due about 6pm tonight).
That's about it for today, let's see what excitement happens tomorrow.

Walk to Walton Pier

Time for some weekend R&R (as if I needed it!). Great Carousel on Walton pier.

You've heard of a 'Brick *h*t House'? Well this is a good Tendring District Council example on the promenade (not open though, good job Michelle isn't here.) Must dash.

Just made it back in time. All the flowers are coming out already - early spring. Where's my key???**!!

Seaman's Farm

Today I lazed around (Dee gardened) until we went to see Meg in her schools assembly. She had loads of rythm (did a dance) which obviously comes from her dad (born in Kenya). Then to Alex's to see Adam and Owen. A quick drive around Thaxted, Walden and Newport to see if we have missed any decent houses for sale -(haven't). Someone new wants to view our house on Sunday - but it's Saturday or nothing - not that arsed about selling since we can't see anything we want.

Old Gaffers Sailing to and at Pin Mill

On the way up the Twizzle.

Early morning off Pin Mill.

On the way home.

Another great day out, wonderful weather but arrived at Pin Mill when the tide was out so we couldn't get to the pub - cooked steak & kidney pud with mash and drank some Pussers instead.

Early morning at Walton

I know that this is typical of an evening shot but believe me, it was early on a February morning (view from balcony over garden gate and beach hut roofs - just visible).

Fishing at Walton-on-The-Naze

Locals return to the beach having checked their nets and pots.

Site Security

This site is policed by a real hard case (so watch your language).

Meg & Gus

Like a tickle Meg?

Manningtree

Great day out, walk and lunch at Manningtree (think the pub is 'The Ship') Loads of rubbish (sorry - collectables) hung from the ceiling (including Spiderman climbing up a net).

Old Gaffers

Bob and I had a wonderful days sailing in the Bradwell Old Gaffers Regatta (after a horendous passage the day before).