Kingsnorth Power Station policing injuries revealed by The Guardian
Those Kingsnorth police injuries in full: six insect bites and a toothache
- Kent force admits no officers hurt by protests
- £5.9m police operation 'colossal waste of money'
Thank god for the UK's Freedom of Information Act, albeit limited in its scope.
Read the full story here
2008/12/15
2008/12/14
The fast twist into winter
Hove beach at dusk
Nine days till the shortest day of the year but I know the longest days are still to come. Post-Christmas we begin the grim haul through real winter, when spring seems a lifetime away and the light cannot return quickly enough.
But on Hove beach there is still life; walkers on the front, fishermen, dog owners doing their duty and exercising their keeps. There is still life, and life is still. Some peace here, with my camera and my son, in the cold and sharp of dusk.
It's been a bustling, busy summer; a busy year all-told. I'm ready for the rest and reset of Christmas and New Year. 2009 stands open before me and I have hope and love in my heart. I don't wish for more.
Nine days till the shortest day of the year but I know the longest days are still to come. Post-Christmas we begin the grim haul through real winter, when spring seems a lifetime away and the light cannot return quickly enough.
But on Hove beach there is still life; walkers on the front, fishermen, dog owners doing their duty and exercising their keeps. There is still life, and life is still. Some peace here, with my camera and my son, in the cold and sharp of dusk.
It's been a bustling, busy summer; a busy year all-told. I'm ready for the rest and reset of Christmas and New Year. 2009 stands open before me and I have hope and love in my heart. I don't wish for more.
2008/05/07
Gliding on the Downs
High on Devils Dyke
Rising up behind Brighton & Hove are the South Downs, a 70-mile line of hills that protect the fields of southern England from the buffeting of sea winds. The site of many Neolithic settlements, it's easy to see why ancient Britons favoured such a spectacular vantage point. They must have felt like the whole world lay at their feet.
Now held in the National Trust, the area is popular with walkers, day trippers eager to escape the town, and with modern ancient Britons...
Some of the shapes and patterns in the land (both natural and man-made) reminded me a little of Alex MacLean's superb aerial photography. (Designs on the Land is very fine.)
Nice location for a spot of cricket, wouldn't you say, old bean?
Curvaceous, yellow:
It's an easy ride out of Brighton (on the number 77 bus) to some of the best views the UK has to offer. Map link here.
Rising up behind Brighton & Hove are the South Downs, a 70-mile line of hills that protect the fields of southern England from the buffeting of sea winds. The site of many Neolithic settlements, it's easy to see why ancient Britons favoured such a spectacular vantage point. They must have felt like the whole world lay at their feet.
Now held in the National Trust, the area is popular with walkers, day trippers eager to escape the town, and with modern ancient Britons...
Some of the shapes and patterns in the land (both natural and man-made) reminded me a little of Alex MacLean's superb aerial photography. (Designs on the Land is very fine.)
Nice location for a spot of cricket, wouldn't you say, old bean?
Curvaceous, yellow:
It's an easy ride out of Brighton (on the number 77 bus) to some of the best views the UK has to offer. Map link here.
2008/04/15
Kids these days
Or how stories about the bogeyman can backfire
According to this report from the Guardian, 'Children as young as 10 may be posing as predatory paedophiles on internet networking sites to frighten boys and girls they have fallen out with, police revealed yesterday.'
I mean seriously, in a world where members of the government have clearly never been online or sent an email, how are they supposed to respond to stories like this? They must feel lost - which frankly they deserve.
Seems like kids are, as ever, smarter than adults think, and they don't believe the hype. I'm not saying paedophiles aren't a problem in UK society - just that overblown media-led panic and reaction are. It's good to read that kids are relieving all that pressure in the way they know best: by laughing at it, and us.
According to this report from the Guardian, 'Children as young as 10 may be posing as predatory paedophiles on internet networking sites to frighten boys and girls they have fallen out with, police revealed yesterday.'
I mean seriously, in a world where members of the government have clearly never been online or sent an email, how are they supposed to respond to stories like this? They must feel lost - which frankly they deserve.
Seems like kids are, as ever, smarter than adults think, and they don't believe the hype. I'm not saying paedophiles aren't a problem in UK society - just that overblown media-led panic and reaction are. It's good to read that kids are relieving all that pressure in the way they know best: by laughing at it, and us.
2008/04/06
Bird shoot
A weekend in the country
Spent a couple of happy days exploring the Cotswolds with friends. Visited a falconry centre; some amazing birds - and interesting to learn a little about how they're trained, and how their trainers think. The birds are in captivity, yet roam free - seemingly tempted back by the steady supply of food. They're supremely handsome creatures:
Not sure I'd be cool with one on my arm...
We also visited Blenheim Palace, a vast, impressive and vaguely ungainly lump of a place, built by Queen Anne as a gift for the First Duke of Marlborough following his victory at the battle of Blindheim (Blenheim). As you do. The house and 2000 acres of park land are well worth a visit, although you can't help think that the historical tour of the place would be better under National Trust rather than Marlborough family stewardship.
The late-winter light wrapped coldly around the naked trees, reminding me of other branches, on the other side of the world.
Spent a couple of happy days exploring the Cotswolds with friends. Visited a falconry centre; some amazing birds - and interesting to learn a little about how they're trained, and how their trainers think. The birds are in captivity, yet roam free - seemingly tempted back by the steady supply of food. They're supremely handsome creatures:
Not sure I'd be cool with one on my arm...
We also visited Blenheim Palace, a vast, impressive and vaguely ungainly lump of a place, built by Queen Anne as a gift for the First Duke of Marlborough following his victory at the battle of Blindheim (Blenheim). As you do. The house and 2000 acres of park land are well worth a visit, although you can't help think that the historical tour of the place would be better under National Trust rather than Marlborough family stewardship.
The late-winter light wrapped coldly around the naked trees, reminding me of other branches, on the other side of the world.
2008/04/05
Post 100
Life realigned? Priorities adjusted?
It's taken around one-and-a-half years to reach 100 posts on this blog, in which time I have:
Started a family (well, almost: the kid is due 1st May)
Fallen deeper in love
Lived abroad for the first time
Quit a job I hated
Started a job I love
Learned (some of) a foreign language
Become less materialistic
Become more artistic
Read some fine books
Played some great games
Spent time with great friends
Seen the world in a different light
Seen myself in a different light
I feel that time runs short; seeing more of the world and of myself leaves me hungry for life. Each day could last twice over and still I would wish for more time.
According to the media, China arches and groans in the east but all I remember are smiles and warmth - once again proving that a government is not made of a country's people but of abstract concepts that often disconnect from humanity. Society is just an idea. We miss China, but what I'm doing now feels important (to me; for me), and E, thankfully, understands.
And so, here on the turn of 100, with the arrival of our first child just weeks away, I wait and work, excited, nervous and alive.
It's taken around one-and-a-half years to reach 100 posts on this blog, in which time I have:
Started a family (well, almost: the kid is due 1st May)
Fallen deeper in love
Lived abroad for the first time
Quit a job I hated
Started a job I love
Learned (some of) a foreign language
Become less materialistic
Become more artistic
Read some fine books
Played some great games
Spent time with great friends
Seen the world in a different light
Seen myself in a different light
I feel that time runs short; seeing more of the world and of myself leaves me hungry for life. Each day could last twice over and still I would wish for more time.
According to the media, China arches and groans in the east but all I remember are smiles and warmth - once again proving that a government is not made of a country's people but of abstract concepts that often disconnect from humanity. Society is just an idea. We miss China, but what I'm doing now feels important (to me; for me), and E, thankfully, understands.
And so, here on the turn of 100, with the arrival of our first child just weeks away, I wait and work, excited, nervous and alive.
2008/03/20
Change
I want to believe it can happen
He may be God Squad, but if I was American I know where my vote would be going in this year's elections...
...I just worry how long it'll take him to right the wrongs of the last eight years. Moreover, I still look back mournfully, and with the scar of accumulated wisdom, at the copy of the Guardian I kept from Labour's 1997 UK election victory.
He may be God Squad, but if I was American I know where my vote would be going in this year's elections...
...I just worry how long it'll take him to right the wrongs of the last eight years. Moreover, I still look back mournfully, and with the scar of accumulated wisdom, at the copy of the Guardian I kept from Labour's 1997 UK election victory.
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