Andy Ramblings

Big News! There was a Huge earthquake here in the UK, many chimney stacks knocked of roofs. Pandemonium, as bricks hit the pavements when nobody was there. Some one could have been hurt.  Cars could have been crushed under the weight of 10 bricks. Oh yes, it was lethal some newts were woken up.

Yes, that's roughly how the media has reported it. but really nothing much happened, and yes, I did feel it last night, thought it was a rather big underground train (I live just over the northen line link between Kennington to Waterloo. so, wow!

For more information check what the BBC said.

Oh and yes, this has nothing to do with Global warming.

UPDATE:

Looks like earthquakes around the area of Mrket Rasen, there have been quite a few more over the past few years. Check out this link from the British Geological survey.

Click image to enlarge

So yesterday was a great day for taking photo's. The sky was clear, the air clear, but the temperature bleedin' freezing. So off I went with a camera friend of mine to take some photos of London. The trip started from the London Docklands, then a skip south to Greenwich Observatory to take some shots over London. Clouds started coming over, making for a good skyscape.

Next of down to the Themes to take a boat trip upto Tower Bridge then a walk over the millenium Bridge to walk over to the London Eye. This was where I was testing low light, night photograpy. All in all good fun, and it took me a few hours to warm up. I have pretty much decided to get my own SLR camera, So you poor souls will be getting more photos.

 

You can see the rest of the photos at this link.

Antony Gormley  an international aritist who has a knack of coming up with some funny idea, thought provoking even. He's famous for the Angel of the North (Gateshead, UK). Before he did the angel, he did 'Another Place'  100 iron status in Crosby Bay (Liverpool, UK).

This is what they look like, with 100 of them all over the beach, & bay, you will never be alone.

The thing is, you know something is getting a bit out of hand, when they start going all over London, the Event Horizon where there were 31 of his status doted over various building around the Thames. Here's one...

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So today was the 'Flora' London Marathon. 26miles to run around London, Why ? I mean, the weather was gorgous? and 36,500 people decided that run around London for fun?! I tell you, the sun got em! Madness I tell you. I simply watched the first 30 mins of these 36 odd thousand running, and I was knackered and needed to have multiple water stops, or coffee for me.

With temperatures hitting the high 23⁰C there were plenty of peeps who simply concked out before the end of the race.

The thing about the London Marathon, is that a lot of people do things for charity, Very good for them and to be honest, it's a very good platform to publicise you charity, as they will get some air time on the BBC.

What grabbed my attention on the BBC website, is that there is this blind guy who wants to do 7 marathons in 7 days. Fine I say, I ope you make it, but has anyone asked the guide dog? I mean, I know dogs like to have a good run around, but, 26mils or 182mils in a week, doesn't sound like fun for the dog.

Anyway, here he is:

Image from BBC

These photos where taken the other day, when the sun was beaming down over London. Yes, it was cold, but the sky was as clear as anything, but the again, if I was further away, I might have seen all the smog.

So, here's the pictures, slightly modified, but the colours are all there.

Well, one can say, the weather is rather odd here in London. The last 2 days/nights we have been having, well, normal winter type temperatures for once, you know, when it's very cold, and hitting the sub-zeros. So, what can one say to this poor rose? there all by it's self, no other roses to keep it company. But it did make a nice photo, so when it goes, either tonight when it freezes again, or naturally, either way, you have to say, it's a very nice one indeed.

Warning! We have had a few millimeters of snow over night., ok, your on your way home and are wondering what the hell is he telling us about the snow, you know, it been, it stay a while and buggered off, well, I gather this is for tomorrow.
So, as there is snow, drive carefully, also an excuse to show how well, some of the houses around me are insulated. Ok, pointless post really as it's all happened and I'm no use as a weatherman. But then I will be bad tomorrow!

Oh hell, have a look at the pointless photo there!

So, the date has been announced and is England leading from the front? Of course not, we never do! We wait, like a master, to see if the food taster dies, before we'll start to eat a meal.
What brings this up? Well it's the smoking ban, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, in fact, I'm rejoicing! So way all the baa humbug and all that? Well it's because, England will be banning smoking last, and in my view, not the best time either.
Here's the banning list, in order of who's going to ban first in the UK.

• Irish Republic: March 2004 (ok not in the UK)
• Scotland: March 2006
• Northern Ireland: April 2007
• Wales: April 2007
•  England: July 2007

Read more about the time table here

OK, the Irish Republic (Eire) banned it and the pub industry didn't die! In the Summer I can imagine the pubs being empty inside and all the smokers falling over themselves outside in the pavement. If it's raining, well, they'll all be huddled in a corner under some ledge getting rain down their necks.

All I can say is this, I'll be glad, I just don't like going to pubs in general, you go in, you leave smelling like a big pile of poo. And yes you, if you smoke you smell like that too, especially when you have just come back from your fag break..

Yep, So 1st of July 2007 can't come quick enough!  But why can't England start at the same times as everyone else? Scared? Vote loser? (May Local elections?)

In the UK, the land of safety madness and wonderful warnings. Today, while I was out, yes I do go out from time to time. So I had a good giggle when I saw this sign, advising Bus drivers to be aware that there may be low trees, Having a look at the trees, I think the person who printed these signs didn't have a look at the trees in question...