GENERAL DISCUSSION » Just a thought

Who invented the flip calender. I just turned mine over at 11-00am today from August to September only to find I had a doctors appointment at 10-00am the 1st. Doh!

I always write them and birthdays etc next to the relevent dates but this time I got caught out. At least my doctors receptionist laughed when I phoned up to apologise and was very understanding.

A recent Keep Britain Tidy study found roads and verges are some of the most littered parts of the country. The research showed 22 per cent of lorry drivers and 20 per cent of all motorists admitted to throwing rubbish from their vehicles in the previous six months.

Town halls across the UK want to be able to take action against the registered keeper of a vehicle from which rubbish is thrown if no one will admit to it, in a system similar to speeding and flytipping.

EWW!!!

Does he do a single malt?

Would any of you whisky lovers out there try this?

The creation of London-based designer James Gilpin, the biomedical tipple - named 'Gilpin Family Whisky'  - is created using the high-sugar urine produced by elderly diabetes patients, including Gilpin's own grandmother.

Gilpin - who is himself diabetic - filters the urine using the same processes used to purify water, removing the sugars in the process, which are then used in the fermentation stages.

Not surprisingly, Gilpin isn't planning to market the pee whisky commercially - instead, it's more of an art project. But if you really fancy sampling some of the stuff, Gilpin will be showing it off at the 100% Materials design event in London in September - complete with tasting opportunities.

YUK!

SALFORD CAN BEAT THE WORLD.

A Salford woman is thought to have smashed the world record for typing the fastest text message.

Melissa Thompson, 27, wrote ‘the razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human’, in 25.94 seconds. The official Guinness World Record is currently held by American Franklin Page, 24, who wrote the same passage in 35.54 seconds in March this year.

Ms Thompson unofficially shaved 9.6 seconds off Mr Page's record, which remains subject to Guinness approval.

I have to wonder how much time she has spent texting to reach that speed and to be frank who really cares?

Now it bothers me when I get a fly in the house but that is nothing compared to what some people have to put up with. How about this.

Peru battles vampire bat rabies menace.

Peru's health ministry has sent emergency teams to a remote Amazon region to battle an outbreak of rabies spread by vampire bats.

Four children in the Awajun indigenous tribe have died after being bitten by the bloodsucking animals.

Health workers have given rabies vaccine to more than 500 people who have also been attacked.

Some experts have linked mass vampire bat attacks on people in the Amazon to deforestation.

The rabies outbreak is focused on the community of Urakusa in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon, close to the border with Ecuador.

I don't think Noah would be welcome in Pakistan and it would have to be a very large Ark to accomodate the 14M people affected.

On a not unconnected note I see the Pakistani Taliban have advised the government not to accept western aid: it makes me convinced that we will never understand them and vice versa.

With all the rain we are having, not just here but all round the world it seems, I was wondering if it is time for me to start building an Ark like Noah.

But could someone suggest where I should gopher the wood

I hope those Ostrich are free range or are they battery reared like most of our chicken? If so I hope they don't try and put them in the same size cages as the chicken, picture it in your mind.

Cut your cholesteral with neck of Ostrich?

CLICK HERE

Time and place

The Mall, Eccles Shopping Centre, from 9.30am. every third Saturday of each month

While we are on the pub thing, this could set you buzzing if you disturbed it by accident.

Six-foot wasp nest found in Southampton pub

A 6ft-high wasp nest has been discovered in the attic of a Southampton pub.

Pest controller Sean Whelan was called in to deal with the 6ft by 5ft (1.8m by 1.5m) nest which housed a total of about 500,000 wasps.

Mr Whelan said after exterminating the insects, the nest had to remain where it was because it was too big to remove from the attic.

Oxford University experts have verified the nest is Britain's biggest ever.

They said they thought it was also the largest found across the world in the past 50 years.

The pub which housed the nest has asked to remain anonymous.

On the other hand how about health advice served with your beer?

Drinkers were toasting their health today as a team of medics took over a pub.

Doctors and nurses from Salford Health Matters were dispensing advice – and pints – at The Hope in Eccles.

It is part of an initiative to spread the word about the dangers of excessive boozing and to encourage responsible drinking.

The team was chatting to customers about drink-related issues and handing out leaflets.

I know people who are impatient for their first drink of the day but is this any way to behave if your local hasn't yet opened when you arrive?

Friday, July 31: Clement Vallandigham, a 19th century US politician and lawyer, died after going too far in defending an accused murderer. While attempting to prove that the murder victim could have accidentally shot himself, Vallandigham accidentally shot himself. On the plus side, it worked - his client was acquitted.

Now I like this one!

Wednesday, July 15: Frederick the Great, the king of Prussia, was no fan of coffee. In 1777, he declared: 'It is disgusting to notice the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects… Everybody is using coffee. If possible, this must be prevented. My people must drink beer.'

Maybe it's a way to get that 'youthfull glow' (in the dark no less)!

Are you radioactive?

>CLICK HERE

LIKE THIS YOU NUMPTY!

Just thought you'd like to know:-

Thursday, July 15: The world record for the longest carrot ever grown is held by Joe Atherton of Nottinghamshire, who in 2007 managed to grow a carrot that was 19 feet 1.96 inches long. It took a total of 14 months to grow, in a specially designed 21 foot long plastic tube.

How would you get it in a pan?

It only goes to prove that Christmas is merely an opportunity for business' to make money (fleece) the public. Would you take your grandkids around a store selling Xmas goods in August? I certainly wouldn't dare.

Could be snow soon as well Sparky as it seems we are nearly in the Xmas season. It seems that the marketing hype starts earlier each year but don't you think that this is just ridiculous?

Christmas comes early for shoppers in Oxford Street.

One of the country's top stores is to start its Christmas trading 145 days before the holiday.

Selfridges in Oxford Street will launch its Christmas season on 2 August - its earliest-ever start for the store.

People keen to plan ahead can purchase trees, crackers, fairy lights or even a £500 life-size donkey.The store said previous sales had shown some customers, especially overseas tourists, started thinking about Christmas during August.

Last year, its festive shop sold more than 1,000 baubles during the first week of trading after opening on 8 August.

... and it seems that there's more rain to come!

Is the hosepipe ban still on. This is Cumbria only a few months ago.....

I sure wooda' pardner

It will be interesting to see how much the ashes of the cat do make when they go to auction. If it does well will it start a trend? Purely by coincidence I came across this yesterday:-

Singing cowboy Roy Rogers' stuffed and mounted horse Trigger was snapped up for £173,000 by a cable TV network in Nebraska USA at an auction in New York.

I know you have a soft spot for Roy and Trigger Surfer but would you have bid if you had the money?

Auctioning off the ashes of the Coronation Street cat is one of the daftest things I have heard for a long time. The owner refers to the cat as "much loved" so much so that he is willing to put his emotions to one side for the sake of a few bob. Who in their right mind would buy a box full of ashes and does it come with a certificate of authenticity. 

Do you like a good auction? Will you be bidding for this?

Coronation Street cat's ashes to be auctioned off.

The ashes of a cat which featured in the titles of Coronation Street are to be sold at auction, it was announced today.

Frisky starred in the soap's opening sequence for 10 years and was seen at the start of more than 1,000 episodes, crouching on the roof of Jack Duckworth's pigeon loft.

His owner, John Rimington, who is putting his pet's remains up for auction next week in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, said: "Frisky was not only a much-loved family pet, but also captured the heart of the nation and made thousands of pounds for charities. We were very proud to be his owners and we are keen to keep his memory alive

THERE'S NO GLASS LEFT IN OURS FEZ!

Do you think this could catch on near you?

The people on the Scottish island of Unst – all 614 of them – take great pride in decorating the stop.

It started with a sofa and a table and now has a TV, art and even curtains.

The stop, near Baltasound, is now a tourist draw.

IS THIS A BIT FISHY OR IS IT FACT?

Eating fish and chips out of the paper is the best thing about holidaying in Britain. The second best thing is not having to wait at airports and the third is enjoying a 99 flake ice cream in the sunshine, is that with or without the ice cream running down your hand.

Must admit it's ages since I've had fish and chips from the chippy.

I don't know if it is the same with you but I've noticed that the appearance of my medication can differ from chemist to chemist and even on two different visits to the same chemist. The same applies to the medication that is issued on discharge from hospital and even between hospitals.

I came across a piece on Salfordonline about this and I agree that it could cause confusion and lead to wrong doses or drugs being taken in some cases. Has anyone else noticed this?

FROM SALFORDONLINE

Changing drug appearance causes problems for elderly University of Salford researchers have found that a Government scheme to cut the cost of prescription drugs is having unintended side effects for elderly people who are struggling to cope with constantly changing tablet colour, size and shape.

At present, the NHS will use the cheapest approved drugs it can find to meet prescriptions. This can involve frequent changes in appearance and packaging as the same drug is purchased from different companies.

The researchers from the University’s School of Nursing & Midwifery interviewed 32 people between 62 and 88 years old who were taking more than three prescribed tablet drugs.

They found that the majority of participants were concerned that older people could mix up doses of different medicines if the appearance or packing was repeatedly changed.

The findings are particularly timely given that the Government has proposed a scheme of automated substitution of branded medicines with generic drugs.

The interviews built on the team’s earlier work that revealed that less able elderly people were already suffering distress and confusion and that several feared that they could be at risk of medication errors.

Dr Tracey Williamson led the research. She said: “This problem has been known about anecdotally for many years, yet little research has been done into the effects of generic prescribing on patients.

“We are especially concerned for those who are more at risk such as vulnerable older people who may be socially isolated, less able or confident about seeking medicines advice, and who may be taking multiple medications.

“There are also those with language limitations and literacy issues, and those who are approaching a loss of capacity to self-manage their medications safely.”

Source: Salford University

THat Medical symbol with the two snakes it is called the Rod of Asclepius, don't ask me how you pronounce it. Here's the hissstory

The snake has been the symbol of a number of deities associated with healing, such as the Greek god Asclepius (Latin: Aesculapius), son of Apollo. The symbolism of the staff is authority and the snake means rebirth, due to its skin-shedding. This symbol is now used by several medical associations and companies. (See also Medical Cross)

The Rod of Asclepius is similar to the caduceus, the sign for the Greek god Hermes, the ancient astrological symbol for Mercury, gods of commerce and thieves, and later became associated with alchemy.

Remember Taco John?

>CLICK HERE

Monkeys do 'act the goat' a lot though!

I have to wonder if this picture is for real or just a well edited photo. What do you think?

At last, it's monkey riding a goat walking on a tightrope For all those of you who have been waiting ages for a decent picture of a tightrope-walking goat being ridden by a nervous monkey, today will be a good day.

The tightrope/goat/monkey incident occurred at a zoo in Fuzhou, in China's southeastern Fujian province. A close examination of the picture suggests that the goat seems to be going about its tightrope walking duties with an air of calm equanimity, while the monkey is clearly rather less pleased about the whole affair, and quite probably wishes it wasn't chained to a goat being made to balance on a rope for the entertainment of a gawping public.

Goats, of course, have naturally good balance, and in Morocco can often be seen happily climbing trees. Monkeys, on the other hand, are not natural goat-jockeys.

Isn't it nice to find a news story that makes you smile instead of groan. Yes it's about Meerkats!

Meerkat finds love through online dating profile Lilly the lonely meerkat has finally found love after staff at Twinlakes Park set up meerkatmatch.com, an online dating site for meerkats.

Staff at the park in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, set up the site after failing to find a male mate for the single meerkat.

The site describes the three-year-old as an 'alert, dark-eyed, inquisitive, free spirited lady with a good sense of humour who enjoys fine dining, digging and cosy nights in.'

The site drew in over 74,000 visitors before a breeder offered a match for love struck Lilly. 

Named Mr Darcy, the two-year-old from Cambridge has since joined Lily at the park, where the pair are said to be settling in well.

Emma Roe, office manager, said: 'We are delighted to have found Lilly a partner, we were contacted by a breeder who offered us a possible match - he turned out to be perfect, a two-year-old male from Cambridge.

'Meerkats live in large social groups and within the group there is only one dominant breeding pair, he was an underdog in a mob of nine and the ideal catch for Lilly.

'Having no name we felt 'Mr Darcy' was appropriate for our romantic hero'

Park manager Sandy Gyorvari added: "He's lovely, he's very nice mannered, and they're getting on really well.

"Females tend to be more dominant than males so she's bossing him about a bit, but he's settled in really well.

And yes it's true click MEERKAtMATCH.COM to visit the website

CAN'T YOU READ!!!

Surferboy, you have not told me yet if I was forgiven for not posting. By the way, I still have not had a letter from the electricity board asking for my reading - or any other letter. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

He may have been 84 SB, but the insurance companies still charge premiums for that age group at 25% or less than for youngsters. Maybe we should not allow anyone to drive before they reach the age of 40?????  

Another driver died over the weekend in Lancashire after he apparently drove off a side road into the path of an HGV. At this time there is no evidence to say the lorry driver was at any fault and he suffered no injuries.

The car driver was 84.

Willow. Another thought on why you might occasionally get logged out of here without you doing it is that it may well happen if you don't log out each time you finish on here as I think some people don't.

It is always good practice to log out of any website that is password protected each time you use it, if you don't you are leaving a possible security breach which could be exploited.

Hi Willow. If you are writing a pretty long post it may be worth doing it in Word then pasting it in here just in case and that will save you losing stuff and having to redo it if it is a fairly long piece or you are liable to get interrupted.

I don't know why it logged you out Willow, has anyone else had the same thing happen?

I was going to put on, 'Yippee, made it tonight' but when I looked all the reply buttons had gone. I looked up and the darned thing had logged me out, yet again. Why???? don't you still love me?

Well. I shall try again. I'm sorry I got tangled up with life and machines. I would try to post and it disappeared and say I had lost the connection

When you retire, I was under the impression that you could sit by the fire and watch telly all day, if that was what you wanted but what with the tax man sending me stupid letters about pension codes and the electric board ringing me and saying they haven't read my meter for years and telling me they might owe me money(surely theymeant Imight owe them money)(well, what the hell was that young bloke doing that came a fortnight ago;)and would I go and read it and confirm my name address and postcode and when I asked for the password they were very put out and I then said 'No' write to me you have my address. I still haven't heard from them and that was last week. If it was so urgent, surely they would have been writing immediately. I have my doubts about that call, and more post and more phone calls and papers to fill in and read. I think retirement is in fact a cruel joke. There is no peace.

Then you have the daughters - Mum, can  you just pick the kids up, I'll be late; make a tudor house with them for their homework-I forgot-(done with a kellogg's box and rabbit straw; pick up a parcel from Argos; look after kids on Saturday and while you are there 1)plant my sweetpeas; 2)wash the pots(so I finished the job and cleaned the kitchen, made the tea for when she got home from work, got some shopping(and paid)she had no toast-a disaster, and no milkshake-even worse; and then we sat down and painted pictures. When she got home, did she saythanks Mum-oh no- she said you haven't put the knives and forks straight in the drawer. I have now discovered that as a Mum and a driver at that, I am, therefore, everyone's right hand in an emergency, I have less time than when I was working and running  my business. I got paid for that but  a pension is b-awful wages. I tried going on holiday withmy friends but they even ended up coming tosee me for the day. Do I feel flattered or shattered? I am no dead sure. 

I got that far last night in my explanation and tried to post it and, guess what, all I had was 'nd'. Then Cyril really started playing up, so I shut him down-but didn't hit him with the brick as my common sence(Ihave some sometimes)told me that might be rather expensive. So I gave him a rest.(Does the 'puter go tosleep at night?)

Anyhow , Surferboy, does that explain the situation and if so, pretty please, am I forgiven? Lots of love from Willow. 

It’s dangerous ground to carte blanches 'BAN' a group of people simply because of their age. Their ability should be the deciding factor. Many people, old and young, rely on their cars to the extent that it is the only way that they can go about their lives, without help, or by other more expensive means. A person’s independence should not be decided by their age.

Unless there is an opportunity here for the Benefits agency to provide chauffer driven cars at the expense of the state. An opening for the creation of new jobs as well. And fairy stories....

PS --- Willow, i have the theory test on my own CDROM. You can borrow it next time i see you. No damage if you crash it too!!!

Oh Willow you poor thing! I await your meanderings.

The point I was trying to make was the the 89 year old driver apparently died at the wheel of a heart attack. Surely at that age the prospects of having one increase to the point where is it really safe to be a driver competant or not. Maybe at say 80 all people must give up.

I'll explain to-morrow. I have just written you a prolific apology for not posting, Surferboy, and the darned thing has totally disppeared. Now I am going to bed as I am knac---- but before I do that I shall hit Cyril over the head with a brick. Nite from Willow.It is 3.am. I was trying to make up for lost posts.

nd

Sparky. Was the Mock theory test on the Intenet? i'd like to have a go at it. I am hoping to have a go at the advnced drivers test this year as after a few lessons in modern driving from my driving instructor daughter,I personally feel I drive better now. I also believe it reduces your insurance but I would like to try tobe sure I am competant as without my car, my life as it is would stop. I do agree though that I have seen the odd one who shouldn't still be driving. Could be wrong but there's only one way to find out. However when we are on holiday together we do share the driving and she lets me cart he kids all over the place, so I must be still pretty reasonable.

I went on Facebook a little while ago and got caught up in a post about everyone over 65 should be stopped driving and this came from l9 year old students. I, there and then played hell with them and told them there were more dangerous youngsters on the road that put older drivers, and themselves and their friends in danger with their showing off and that I felt that all drivers should have a regular test and update on the highway code. the point is, if an older driver has an accident, it is all over the papers but there are so many of the young ones, they are not worth writing up. It isn't news, it's a fact of life. I had been looking for the young lady who used to work for me and whom, I helped teach to drive. I got several apologies on there which quite surprised me. Youngsters aren't all bad but they can be a bit stupid.

My grandson, whom I love very dearly, was caught doing l06 on the motorway(he was l9), and he was fined and got a three month ban. My daughter was furious that he had this punishment and said they should have been more l;enient and was talking about paying it for him. I laughed and said , "Good for them". (Needless to say, she was mad with me.) and told her not to dare pay it for him and not to be too convenient for running him about. I would much rather he had the lesson then than find out too late and not be here to pay it or so badly injured, his life was over. He must learn by his mistakes the same as the rest of us have to do. None of us are infallible.

Though age may have a lot to do with a persons competence to drive should not a persons competence to drive be the deciding factor. In other words, your suggestion of a re-sit of a driving test at, say, 5 yearly intervals. Many younger drivers tend to drive recklessly for no reason other than 'fun'! They then lie when they cause an accident, as i well know to my (recent) cost to my no claims bonus of some 22 years, and a much increased insurance premium!

Yes, a driving test at 5 yearly intervals, along with a test of Highway Code knowledge ... I wonder how many drivers actually studdied the Highway Code in the last 5 years. I guilty of not, though i have taken a mock theory test and passed with flying colours. (OOH! was that my head growing bigger? lol)

As a driver of considerable experience SB I am nevertheless aware of my inability to respond as quickly as I used to be able to - which is another way of saying that as time passes I become an increasing risk to other road users.

However,  at 70 years of age and every three years thereafter drivers have to reapply for their licence and state that they are fit enough to drive. This is where the system is inadequate. There isn't a check on either your health or driving ability and perhaps there is a case for resitting the driving test at 5 yearly intervals and, if successful, submitting your application for a new licence with a certificate from your GP.

The age at which a person becomes incompetent as a driver varies with the individual but I have seen some older drivers who appear to be a greater danger than some drunks. 

Relatives of a woman killed with her young son when a driver crashed into them in Lancashire have thanked their community for its support.

Who's going to rub the ointment on her chillblames?

Is That what they call bare conditioning Surfer?

Bet you didn't know this:- THE DOT OVER THE LETTER "I" IS CALLED A TITTLE.

Here's another bum note.

>CLICK HERE

OUCH!

I hate thinking about how the Spanish treat bulls at bull fights, but it is nice to see a bull getting his own back.

No blogging here Surfer. The more the merrier I say. So come on folks next time you look in why not stop a while and say HELLO!

VE HAV VAYS OF MAKIN YOU TALK, YOU ARE FORGIVAN DIS TIME!

I've been away for a few days SB - sorry I forgot to apply for leave of absence before I went.

It's hard to find one that works Fez!

As another thought for the day why is it now your back everyone else as stopped posting again. Meldrew, Sparky, Willow etc.....Answers on a postcard please!!!

I think they think this site is your personal blog!

This comes from the Advertiser RSS feed. It surprised me because I thought phone boxes were pretty hard to rob these days and further I thought they got little use but a substantial amount of money is involved, could it be that the thieves are BT employees? When was the last time you used a phone box?

February 08, 2010

A MAN has been charged with three counts of theft after up to £6,500 was stolen from phone boxes.

Alan Portwood, 31, of Carrfield Avenue, Little Hulton, also had a further 27 offences to be taken into consideration.

Another man Mark West, 36, of Shakerley Road, Tyldesley, has also been charged with three counts of theft with a further 27 offences to be taken into consideration.

Both men have been remanded in custody.

The charges follow a police investigation into allegations that up to £6,500 was stolen from phone boxes across Greater Manchester since the end of January 2010

Yes Surfer it has all become a bit frenzied in recent years and perhaps more so this year with all the big stores competing with December Sales instead of the usual january ones. One thought though VAT goes back to 17.5% on 1st Jan so if you have any big purchases you need to make now might be a good time. By the way I'm going shopping tomorrow!

Looking around town yesterday everywhere was packed already with Xmas shoppers. I really hate it like this. Anyone agree.

First it was Tierre Henry and now misery guts Arsene Wenger. That's all the thankyou we get for liberating France in the last war.

Sorry to have been 'absent' and not posting much of late. It's been rather inconvenient lately, but on the mend again now i think.

This picture from our late and much missed friend Brian (22carrot) sort of sums it up!

ME AND FEZ SEEM TO BE IN OUR OLD POSITION AGAIN HOGGING THE LIMELIGHT. NICE IF SOME OF OUR VIEWERS COULD TAKE A LITTLE TIME OUT TO PUT ON THEIR THOUGHTS ON ANY OF OUR SUBJECTS OR GREATE YOUR OWN NEW ONE TO GIVE US A REST.

Surferboy I've put it in the News section for now and will at some point make a place in the Resouces for Publicity etc. As Willow says Well Done and thanks.

well done, boyo.

Here's a copy of the letter published in the SALFORD ADVERTISER October 1st Willow. Perhaps Fez can copy and paste it to a more appropriate place where it can be viewed in the future.

Dear Sir's,
           You recently published a letter about the lack of availability and
sufficient funding for cardiac reabilitation schemes may I bring to your
attention a heart support group based here in Salford namely "Hearts Of
Salford."

Started as a project by Salford University for research into using the internet
to help people connect with other people that heart related problems they can
discuss person to person of their relevant conditions and it as now been taken
over and run by its volunteers such was the initial success of the scheme and
kindly funded with the help of grants from the British Heart Foundation and
National Lottery amongst others.

For anyone looking for reassurrance and an Email chat from others with similar
symptoms it includes a wide ranging A-Z Health Glossary built up by its members
over the last few years for looking up all manners of medical questions. Of
course they always insist you seek your doctors advice first but it's comforting
to have any worries relieved when you can message other members who have gone
through similar procedures and returned to normal health.

For anyone housebound it also as a general discussion forum along with an
everyday menu's section including such things as gardening, music and sport etc
so can help people keep in touch with the outside world.

I would recommend anyone to have a look on   http://www.heartsofsalford.net/

It's easy to register once on the site or you can just browse the content if you
wish. 

This has to be the week they didn't deliver my Advertiser, hasn't it?

Hi Surferboy. My son has borrowed my scanner to scan hundreds of old photos and put them on disc. If I get it back before the nevt committee meeting I will put it on here if not I will bring the clipping to the committee meeting on the 21st and hopefully someone else can scan it in.

Fez I see someone had an article in this weeks Salford Advertiser letters page praising Hearts Of Salford. What a nice chap! Perhaps you can scan it and put it in an appropriate place on here. Perhaps you best leave their name off though.

Maybe in that round thing under where one sits, maybe, with the straps one on each side over those bits sticking out  which, as there is no steering wheel are the only things to hang on to.

OO-oo-ooh! I don't think so Fez. Not much room for my bum, dangerous for my 'killer' heels and where-on-earth do I put my handbag?. (Politely now boys.!)

Now how about this to help save the planet. Really they have to be joking I mean how about you Willow would you trade in your limousine for this?

Have you ever thought about FUNGUS? Horrible dirty stuff but wait, it can be really good. Here's some things we use fungus for:-

. Marmite. Ditto Vegemite and Cenovis, the Australian and Swiss versions. Love it or hate it, the dark salty spread so tasty on toast is a yeast extract, and yeast is a type of fungus.

 Penicillin, the pharmaceutical that has saved countless lives, was originally derived from a fungus, Penicillium chrysogenum. Several other antibiotics are also fungal in origin.

AND . Statins, the money-spinning anti-cholesterol drugs, were originally derived from fungi, notably Monascus ruber and Penicillium citrinum.

But here's some yucky stuff.

 fungi have given us athlete's foot, thrush and ringworm - and our houses dry rot. Perhaps less to be thankful for in these cases.

From an article by Trevor Kavanagh in the Sun newspaper.

"At long last we can talk freely about immigration without being branded "racist"

He points out that our population figures are currently around 60 million and if immigration contiues to rise at its current rate that figure could be 80 million by the middle of the century, the highest in europe.

We are a small island struggling to cope economically and with our current population can we really afford to let the current free licence to enter our country continue whether that is from Europe or else where in the world?

I've just got back Fez. Here's a picture I took earlier.

I most fully agree that psychological pain is many times worse than physical pain.

Not wishing to bore anyone, when Janice died i was absolutly beside myself with the grief, to the extent that i actually had physical pain. I remember even now some 5 years on just like it happened yesterday.

I ached in every joint and muscle in my body, at the funeral i felt like i could hardly breath. My energy just withered away. I felt pains in my chest which forced me to sit down. When i left the chapel i felt dizzy, light headed, very weak and like i could hardly breath. I sometimes wonder whether i suffered a heart attack back then, especially given what hapened subsequently!

The pain of losing her, the painful memory of the morning that i found her dead in bed and what happened afterwards, moment by moment, was a recuring nightmare every night, many times a night. The same would happen during waking hours, at work, in the car, in the supermarket, in fact anywhere, anytime, for no apparent reason. Each time i would break down, and feel the pain. My chest would become tight and i'd feel weak and faint.

I've broken bones, had motorcycle accidents, various illnesses, even been poisoned which caused temporary blindness, but nothing has hurt so much as the pain of losing my Janice.

"Sticks and stones may break your bones" but words can hurt you more!

Apparantly the hurt from insults, hurtful words and verbal bullying can cause more lasting pain than a broken bone or pain from a physical illness.

"Psychologists found memories of painful emotional experiences linger far longer than those involving physical pain.

They quizzed volunteers about painful events over the previous five years.

Writing in the journal Psychological Science, they said evolutionary brain changes which allow us to work better in groups or societies could be key."

I don't know about you but I think there is a lot of truth in this. I can still recall with a shudder and clarity some hurtful things that have been said to me but times of physical pain are much less vivid in my memory.  Is it really the same for us all?

There's that number 6 again!

Is Manchester United going to play Port Merrion Wanderers???

Hi Polly. Yes there are bits about the olympics in various topics on here. Yes I did watch the mens marathon, the winner made it look easy even in difficult conditions. And didn't our people do well out there?

I was watching Countryfile yesterday and was surprised to find that the inspiration for the modern olympics came from the village of Much Wenlock in Shropshire.

In 1850 Local G.P. Dr William Penny-Brookes (1809 - 1895), who introduced physical education into British schools, inspired the fore-runner of the modern Olympic Games for the "promotion of moral, physical and intellectual improvement" and although the Game's venue is now decided by international committee rather than by by the parish council, we still hold our own Olympics here in protest every July - the other Olympics are also doing quite well too!

"The old womans" race for a pound of tea may yet be re-introduced as an olympic sport.

William Penny Brookes vision for the Olympic Games is hailed as one of modern sports greatest achievements. Of course, Baron de Coubertain was inspired to create the global event after a visit to the games in Much Wenlock.

Coubertain discussed how the Wenlock games might be translated on to a bigger, international stage.

See I had always thought that the french guy was the one who first came up with the idea.

And Much Wenlock really looks worth a visit perhaps for the next Olympian Games in July 2009.

There is loads of info about the Much Wenlock Olympian Games on the web just type it into google.