Oh my goodness – this is getting a bit tedious. Another heatwave, more drought and no rain on the horizon. Reservoirs running low, rivers running dry, scorching temperatures and scorched fields. And, now it turns out that the temperatures in Europe are rising the fastest of anywhere else on earth. Good to know that we’re a world-beater in some contexts.
We wandered out Wednesday evening to take a glance at the solar eclipse. Only about 90% obscured where we are so not really all that impressive. We did have a piece of paper with a pinhole so were able to “see” the eclipse without burning our eyeballs but soon after we ventured back indoors to watch the total eclipse from Spain and Portugal on the BBC. Much better pictures than I could have managed.
I remember a similar partial eclipse in 1970 when I was at Yale. On that occasion the moon obscured about 95% of the sun so again, not a total eclipse but a bit more than this one. However, my recollection of the event is very different to what we had Wednesday. The skies certainly got much darker, the birds did indeed begin to chirp and sing and the temperature dropped quite noticeably.
We had the Clacton by-election on Thursday. Sadly, Count Binface did not win and the stench that is Nigel Farage has been returned to Parliament. Now the investigation into his dodgy finances will continue. LOL.
In other news, I read that Geri Halliwell (of Spice Girl fame) is “heartbroken” at losing out on the purchase of a local estate. She and her husband, Christian Horner, formerly of Red Bull F1 racing, currently live in a village quite local to us. They apparently had their hearts set on the move to the Edgcote estate partly (or perhaps mainly) because the house had been used in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as Netherfield, the home of Mr Bingley. Geri Halliwell is, allegedly, a huge Jane Austin fan and had her heart set on the move. However, their offer of £45 million was a bit below the £52 million offer which was finally accepted. Why is this of interest to anyone? Only because the Edgcote estate is one of our (and Daisy’s) favourite stomping grounds. Our favourite stroll around the estate provides three or four opportunities for a hot dog to dive into the river, one of which Daisy generally reaches and takes advantage of about ten minutes before we get there.
YCNMIU
We had a nice “surprise” the other day – we had notice that Anglian Water had credited our account with a “compensation” payment of £140 for the two days we spent completely without water earlier this year, and the two days when the pressure was so low (due to a burst water main) that effectively we were without water again. So, about £35 per day – pretty generous, I guess – we certainly don’t use £35 worth of water each day. So, very generous.
For context though:
Anglia Water’s CEO took home about £1.9 million last year.
Anglia Water loses about 182 million litres of water through leaks every day. The hosepipe ban which we are currently subject to saves about 5.5 million litres of water each day. I was about to write that by my reckoning that means Anglian Water is still allowing 176 million litres of water to flow away every day.
A bogus calculation, of course. Anglian Water are still losing about 182 million litres of water each day, with or without a hosepipe ban.
In 2025, Anglia was responsible for 16,779 sewage discharges lasting a combined total of 101,598 hours across their network. That works out at the equivalent of about 11.5 sewerage overflows running full bore 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Just sayin’.
Happy Birthday today to my lovely niece Amanda, aka Dr Stragnell. I remember very clearly the day she was born – we were in France with my folks and we received a telegram (how quaint and old-fashioned) at the house in which we were staying in St Cyprien with the good news. Happy Birthday Amanda!
And, Penny’s sister J has her birthday this week as well so Happy Birthday to you too.
And finally, a couple of our neighbours prepare a calendar each year with local photos to raise money for Katherine House Hospice near Banbury. This year they decided to have a series of “Then and Now” photos of various homes in the village, including ours. Framington House looks slightly different but still instantly recognisable.
How many differences can you spot? I’ve counted 12 but wouldn’t swear to have spotted them all. Answers on the back of a postcard!
We’re up in Northumberland again, as we speak. Going to be here for about two weeks – Adam, Ava and the girls are joining us for this first week and then some very dear friends and former neighbours are coming for a few days the following week. Lots to see and do!
And finally, finally, as we’re going to be in Northumberland for a couple of weeks, the Head Gardener decided to harvest a few items prior to our departure.
The grape harvest is somewhat less than a third of what still remains. And, I have to say, the larger ones are very sweet. We’ve had dozens and dozens of courgettes and the heirloom tomato is supposed to be like that, apparently. Also very sweet, I am told. The potato harvest has been a bit of disappointment this year – not enough rain! At least they’ve not been boiled in the ground as in South Korea!
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg