the scum is coming home to roost

The south of the USA is poised for a huge environmental disaster in the shape of a state-sized oil slick that has spilled out of a dead oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

We need to wean ourselves off oil NOW! It's running out in any case and only the countries that start decoupling from this muck will survive in the 21st century. Why the USA persists in exploiting this filth is a mystery to me - Saint Obama is even planning MORE offshore oil rigs. Is everyone in the USA a cretin or are they so nihilistic that they just don't care?

Over the next few weeks we're going to see nasty images of oiled seabirds and worse - totally innocent victims of moronic humanity's need to cling on to the past.

If any good comes from this it can only be the realisation that the price of oil - both morally and economically - will soon be out of our reach.

The disastrous Green Party needs to drop their idiotic worship of 'Climate Change' and start to realign their policies to deal with the real threat - Peak Oil. All UK parties need to clearly identify the need to switch from oil to sustainable energy sources over the next ten years. At the moment only the BNP are even talking about it!

plan b

I absolutely love the new Plan B album, but I find it pretty odd that suddenly everyone knows him! I saw him live a couple of years ago in Bristol, and 'Who Needs Actions When You've Got Words' was always playing somewhere in the background. He followed that with the bootleg 'Paint it Blacker' (we've got a signed copy) which had some great tracks on. Now he's gone and totally reinvented himself and reveals he's probably got the best white soul voice since Dusty Springfield.

So once again Plan B is everywhere. This will definitely be THE sound of the summer!

earth day - and political upheaval

It's Earth Day but Bristol's more caught up with the goings on at the Arnolfini, where the bland and identical 'leaders' of three of Britain's least relevant political parties are going to chat for an hour or so.

A carefully hand-picked audience will fire bland, unimportant questions at the three non-entities, and probably pop over the other side of water for something to eat and drink afterwards.

What galls me is the way that here, in the heart of OUR city, police are walking around with sub-machine guns. It's not what life's about and it shouldn't be allowed. This is Britain, not bloody downtown Baghdad, and this sort of macho, 1950s posing makes me sick.

So I'll be glad when this little jaunt is over and Bristol, and Britain, can get on with the things that matter in life.

naturism on bristol's doorstep

Ridgewood is the closest naturist site to Bristol and we've been members for about three years now. This is the recently created garden feature by the patio.


Overall look at the site with the small pool in the background.


Our very own 'chalet' in the grounds, close to the trampoline and miniten court.


What happens when a deer takes a liking to your Christmas tree!

Naturists are probably the coolest people on the planet. And Ridgy is probably one of the coolest sites of all - and all on Bristol's doorstep. It is a bit basic, and that's part of its charm, but we have big plans for the coming years. The land is now held in perpetuity for naturism by the limited company we set up last year, so is totally secure. There are even a few places available this year - if you're a naturist or want to give it a try please look at the website for more details.

harbourside circular

Outside Cafe Gusto.


The little ferry across to the SS Great Britain.


Steam train on the Bristol Harbour Railway.


Hoarding outside the new museum.

We took a circular tour of the harbourside on Saturday under the bluest sky you'll ever see (thanks to the volcano). On the way we stopped at Caffe Gusto which does an excellent range of paninis and salads. Then across on the ferry to the SS Great Britain. There was a smell of steam on both sides, the Bristol Harbour Railway was running. Then back past the new museum which is getting closer to opening every day. Bristol had a seriously continental feel!

peaches and scream

This was the ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the rainforest kids' waiting room at Southmead outpatients department on Thursday. Among the guests were the chief executive of Southmead/Frenchay, the High Sheriff and top brass from John Lewis, who donated lots of toys.

High Sheriff Peaches Golding attempted to overcome her fear of spiders by allowing a tarantula from Bristol Zoo to touch her hand. It was great fun!


All in all an excellent day and probably a nice break for many of our visitors from either the more onerous duties of high office or the stress of bringing kids to hospital.

funderworld

Best fun in Bristol this weekend is Funderworld - not just the yukky rides but the big tent with food, drink and entertainment. We went up in the week, the day before the volcano, with the sun setting behind the chairoplanes. Great stuff!

feet on the ground

About the only thing moving through the air at the moment are the kids on theh Chairoplane at Bristol's Funderland.

We've now had two days without aeroplanes roaring overhead and isn't it brilliant? This is a glimpse into the future if ever there was one. The air industry is in serious decline with rising fuel costs, pig-headed 1970s style staff and a 7% fall in tourist traffic over the last year. Several airlines have already shut down. Continental is stopping all flights from Bristol from November. Airports are beginning to be under-utilised, and things will only get worse for them.

As the airlines falter, and as the climate continues to heat up, perhaps the British will finally realise that we don't need to go abroad for all the things we want from a holiday? We're having four holidays this year involving flying but I can't see us doing the same next year.