'Leap second' into 2006

We are all waiting for the bewitching hour to welcome in the new year but hang on a sec...

Us mere mortals have been informed that because the Earth is apparently slowing down a 'leap second' will be added to the end of today - so the New Year's Eve countdown will end 00.00.01.

Scientists are delaying the start of 2006 by the first "leap second" in seven years, a timing tweak meant to make up for changes in the Earth's rotation. Apparently this adjustment is necessary periodically to keep our clocks in sync with solar time used by astronomers.

The U.S. Naval Observatory has announced that it will add an extra second to the nation's atomic clocks this New Year's Eve - the first time a "leap second" has been deployed since 1998. The adjustment is necessary because the length of an atomic day - i.e., 86,400 seconds ticked off an atomic clock - was set according to observations made around 1900. Back then, the Earth rotated a tiny bit faster than it does in 2005. Scientists say the rotation slows about 2 milliseconds every 100 years. What could make this happen?

Read on

It's all interesting stuff but for most people their only concern is just to welcome in the new year - 2006. The world is waiting - fireworks have started - champagne corks popping.

Happy New Year to all... a special thanks to everybody who takes the time to read this blog.

An after thought - wonder how many clocks will have to be manually adjusted by one second?

Where's the Party's Christmas cheer gone?

What happened to 'Goodwill to all men'? Charles Kennedy's New Year Message 2006 published on the party website is extremely disappointing. One expects something cheerful and happy with hope for the future but the theme of the whole article is horribly drab and miserable - all rather depressing.

We know it's not Charles himself who wrote it - must be one of his press office staff trying to be politically correct. Whoever it was has got it all wrong - it's not the time of the year for political point scoring, it's a time for reflection.

With all the political manoeuvering amongst some of the MP's (apparently it's still continuing), it would have been heartwarming for Charles's seasonal message to rise above it all by reaching out to the grassroots members. Some credit and thanks to party staff and members for all the hard work they have put in throughout the year wouldn't have gone amiss. Without their dedication and commitment, the successes of the past year would not have been possible.

Friday update:
With all the hoo-ha about Charles Kennedy's leadership which is enough to make a saint swear, listen to his interview - BBC Radio 4's The World At One - Kennedy hits back over quit call (click the audio button under his photo). Asked why - according to the Liberal poll - one in 12 local councillors wanted him out, he replied: "I would be very surprised if that were the case, let me put it no stronger than that, very surprised indeed". He rubbished unsubstantiated claims that 3,300 party members - including 386 councillors - have signed a petition calling on him to quit.

Good on him - it's the voice of the man we know and love in positive mode - the power and the passion in his words is heartwarming . I'm certainly going to be one of the delegates at the one-day conference he mentions coming up in early Jan - already booked. I must be one of the serious Lib Dems he refers to.

Was Tom Brake ever a child?

Noticed this on Guido Fawkes' Blog - He writes,

In a press release which desperately screams "look at me, look at me please somebody", Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary Tom Brake MP, sent out a tragic Christmas Eve press release in which he advocated that Santa used more environmentally friendly public transport. More environmentally friendly than magic flying reindeer?

It's not even funny, just pathetic. Don't really understand the rational behind publishing such a press release - better to say nothing than to put out a statement for the sake of attempting to grab a headline. The whole magic of Christmas for children is the ideal of a Father Christmas visiting all the children's houses on his sleigh pulled by his reindeer in the dead of night.

Honestly, I have to agree with Guido Fawke's for once - What could be more environmentally friendly than magic flying reindeer?

The next thing we will see in the press is that the Lib Dems are against Father Christmas - fiddlesticks.

Reindeer food and Angel dust...

Christmas is a time that people keep in touch. I'm not a religious person - all my family are multi racial and of various religious faiths. Since my daughter Jaycee died several years ago, I have only gone through the motions. This year the spirit of Christmas has really touched my heart because of the children from the next generation.

My darling Naim has opened my heart - mobile in hand he calls Nana several times everyday. It's Nana, dindins, ooh, laugh, giggles, bye bye and kisses. He thinks every time the phone rings its Nana. Last Wednesday he spent the whole day with me. What a laugh. He can't talk but he can certainly make you understand what he wants.

My friend Robert phoned to say he was coming and see him before going to work. I mentioned his name an hour later so Naim grabbed his shoes and banged on the door insisting we should go out. He has only just started to walk so waiting at the gate I thought it was quite safe. Surprisingly he opened it and ran down the road. That memory will live with me forever, seeing him run with his two fist clenched out in front of him to balance. Tried to make him turn back at the junction but he refused. He turned right into Southcote Road and continued running. What a palaver to get him home. Lucky my friend had arrived and Naim hearing his voice climbed up the stairs. I was completely taken aback at his rate of development in just a couple of weeks - he's so independent. End of this month he will be 1 year 3 months - have to see him more regularly otherwise I will miss a lot. Tomorrow he will be here to open his presents...........

My nephew Matthew surprisingly has leave from the army so this year it was a proper family Christmas for him. His children Hannah and Rebecca are 4 and 5. I've not seen them since they were babies but they talked to me on the phone as if they saw me last week. Out of the mouths of babes as they say. Hannah was so surprised that their grandma, my sister Anne-Louise, has a sister. I suppose at that age it's difficult to conceive grandmothers having sisters. They were telling me what Father Christmas was bringing them. Hannah insisted they had put out the reindeer food and angel dust for when Father Christmas arrives. She sounded so serious. I've never heard of that before - it was mince pies and milk when I was a child and mine were growing up. Their mother is Asian so in a quieter moment, will have to ask Matthew where that custom comes from.

My niece Ayida's children, Chibudo and Chinna are of a similar age and they were having cake making lessons in the kitchen when I spoke to them. That brought back memories of when my children were young and further back when we were small (social etiquette for young ladies).

My other niece Luli is only 18 years old and has grown up lovely. It was a struggle for me relate to her and her older sister Ayo when they were smaller because my daughter was close to them. Ayo is a real knock-out, just stunning. Not sure what she will do with her life but she's at uni (arts). She's inclined to be a singer or a dancer but knowing my sister she will probably encourage her to be a teacher or something considered sensible.

My sister Ann-Louise has rejoined the human race - she's so friendly these days. She remarried quite suddenly last year to somebody she met on the internet. Bob is just so nice and a stabilising influence on her. He's also got a family so it's a dog called Shadow, children and grandchildren, a garden and all the classic suburban life. Actually he is amazing. Nothing is too much trouble for him. God created a real miracle when he found that man. At least I've got one sister back.

The best thing about today is that my eldest son Marcus came round. The hospital gave him leave - he does worry me because there is absolutely nothing I can do about his illness. It's haunted me for years. The whole family spoke to him on the phone. Even Rebecca, a school friend of his and family friend phoned from Germany specially to talk to him. Everybody knows he's not well but it didn't make a difference. Something seemed to strike a chord in his head that people care. Sule came to pick him up and take him back. Tomorrow he has agreed to come again to get to know Naim - Sule will collect him. It was only today after seeing the stroller, the high chair, the baby things in the bathroom and all the toys wrapped up, his mind seemed to accept him as being really Sule's son. Something in his head up to now seemed to associate the boy with my daughter - that's according to the doctors.
He bought us some lovely presents specially picked which was really surprising. Seems another miracle happened today.

Lets see what tomorrow brings....

Rumblings via the web about Charles.

Had hoped all the rumblings about Charles Kennedy's leadership of the party would blow over, at least for some time. Wish his critics within the party would stand up and be counted instead of hiding behind anonymity and continually leaking statements to the press. Unfortunately the debate continues. Today's Herald online and IC Wales have reported on the launching of a website Kennedy must Go - calling on Charles to resign. It's supposed to have been set up by grassroots party campaigners. What a strange site - so amateurish. Not sure the way they are collecting emails is strictly legal either - also wonder how many key activists would have 'the bottle' to sign it. The site's not helping the situation because the knock-on effect, if nothing else, will just add fuel to the fire. If it's perceived members are seriously campaigning against Charles, the opposition and the press will have a field-day.

Ben Ramm, one of the architects of the site and the editor of The Liberal, the party's in-house journal, has made some laudable comments. Charles genuinely believes he can take on David Cameron but the unanswered question is; Can he and win? The seemingly lack of coherent direction of the party at this present time, is real a concern to many members. So many activists are saying all the polite words to his face so as not be identified as going against him as the leader but the underlying factor remains - the backstabbing and gossip is not healthy for the party. There is no point in presuming the issue will just evaporate, it's persisted for too long - Charles himself, has to sit up and smell the coffee.

We all know he is determined to carry on and has some staunch supporters (I'm one of them) but can he really 'raise his game' (the new cliche being banded around). Nowadays politics is all about personalities and the way an individual is perceived. Charles is a man of the people (chat-show Charlie, so coined by some bods) that's obvious but he doesn't come across as authoritarian which is what the public expect of a leader.

Many members of the party are concerned about the Cameron factor. David Cameron might be enjoying his honeymoon period as the leader of the Conservatives but he's an extremely sharp cookie. His website Lib Dems 4 Cameron and his sugary message sent out to Lib Dem MP's and other activists asking them to join him was a clever stunt. Hardline Lib Dems don't take him with any seriousness but he is a natural charismatic showman with a boyish charm that's infectious. His every move is being watched by the public and his success in winning over so many of the 'fuddy duddy' conservatives has rejuvenated interest in politics. It's obvious that rightly or wrongly we are heading more in the direction of American politics. Sadly there seems to be less interest in policies and more interest in the 'actors' themselves.

I'm just wondering for how long Charles can take the pressure. I sincerely hope he can 'stand the test of time' but once the media goes for the jugular, it takes a strong and dynamic person to brave it out.

That Christmas Ritual

Every year there's the ritual of writing Christmas cards and actually getting round to posting them. Yearly, I try and reduce the list hoping I don't forget or offend somebody. Ironically, every year cards arrive from the most unexpected people. Have received some real surprises this year - I'm deeply touched by a few from party VIPs because they have obviously taken the time to write the message and sign the cards personally. When I think of the thousands that get sent out from their offices, it's heartwarming to think that Susanne is still on their personal list.

The best card came from my niece Ayida's children - Don't know how the sorting office could even read who it is was for - what do you expect from 3 & 4 year olds - they really tried, it must have taken them ages to patiently write all the words.

We have a wonderful new temporary postman, Barry Daly - the old one has been promoted so he may become our regular - trust the Mail office to assess the good ones but at least he's been noticed. Most of my presents I've purchased online - made arrangements with Barry to deliver them across the road to the shop if I'm not in, which is hardly ever. Saves that famous 'You are out' card and rearranging deliveries. It has worked so well that the same arrangements have been made with Royal mail. Mind you the regular delivery firms seem to have sussed out when I'm likely to be in because I seem to be the local drop off for all the neighbours parcels - 4 properties either side. Not that I mind.

Sheila, one of the elderly residents from the estate up the road who I help from time to time, dropped me off a load of books as a present. Not tatty books but all lovingly preserved. She doesn't have much money and it's her way of saying thank you. Keep telling her it's not really necessary but she says I'm the only person she knows who reads books, 'proper books' as she calls them and anyway it's Christmas.

Never ending cases before the Standards Board

I've been reviewing some of the cases coming up before the Standards board, Adjudication Panel for UK - Tribunals since a political associate advised me that her case was due to be heard - it's been pending for months. Just noticed this morning it's slated for early in the new year - seems to have taken forever to get the case heard. It's costing her an arm and a leg in lawyers fees but she's determined to fight for her political life. The cases are open to the public but as the venue is so far away, I can't really attend to give her the much needed moral support.

Am particularly interested in the case against London's Mayor, Ken Livingstone. Case no. APE317 was originally listed for two days - couldn't see the likelihood of it only taking two days myself - presume Ken thought he could 'swan in' and 'swan out'. All the hype on the news channels and in the newspapers last Tuesday. First round to Livingstone in fight to keep job - of course the case was adjourned.

There is no date set for the continuation but the board have surprisingly issued a First part report - most unusual - presume it's because it's Ken and his high profile status. Wonder how long before the case concludes. It could drag on for years. Not that keen on Ken myself see Ken’s big mouth! but he has an irritating flamboyance which attracts public attention. I'm pondering the consequences of him possibly being barred from holding public office for some years and the effect it could have on London.

The tribunals are frustrating the way they drag on and on. Islington's case has been going on for almost 3 years - now slated for 4 - 5 Jan 06. Hope that this will be the end of it one way or another. It's causing a shadow over many things - people are always asking about it but one has to keep stum until the final determination. There is an air of optimism that they will all be cleared but that's not the point. I feel deeply concerned the effect this can have on somebody's self esteem having it over one's head for so long.

We have our local council election in may 2006 and these are some of our best councillors for god's sake. The council are doing a sterling job. The thought that any of them could be barred from public office for any length of time is not worth contemplating.

Lib Dems win High Barnet - put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Fantastic news this morning - from the home base of our London Region Chair, Sean Hooker - Lib Dems win High Barnet by-election from the Conservatives.

I'm leaving all the details to the number crunchers and statistical bods who I expect will have a field day, given the press reports this last few days over the party leadership. Who really cares there was only a 30% turnout - A win is a win in my book and it makes my small contribution Barnet Spires - when a church is not a church worthwhile.

For us on the Regional Executive we can now have our Chair back. He's been election focused over the past few weeks - can't say I blame him - there's only so many hours in a day. He must be ecstatic this morning and eager to welcome Duncan MacDonald on board as the new Councillor.

An orange sky...

The news report tonight - fires in Hemel Hempstead have finally been put out. Now the investigations and clean up will start.

We are quite some way from the incident and haven't noticed the streaking of the sky since Sunday - smoggy in the early hours, some dark heavy patches of clouds during the day but nothing to write home about. This afternoon was different. Around 2.45 pm looked up and observed the stranges sight I've ever seen in the sky in UK - was quite spectacular.

Directly above where I was standing was clear blue sky with bright sunshine filtering down. To the right was a streak of heavy dark grey - I can only presume was smoke. To the left there was a thick band of brown cloud and directly behind it higher in the atmosphere was a wide orange band of something (not sure if it was smoke or cloud). People momentarily just stopped and stared. It remained like that until the sun went down.

Must be the effect from what ever they have been spraying on the fires

Sometimes wish I had my camera to hand.

From Camden's Xmas cheer to Herts smoke

Today has been a strange day, since the news of the explosion broke. Now I know what I witnessed in the early hours of this morning was definitely the fallout. The smoke trails have been clearly visible streaking across the sky all day. It has darkened the sky of what under normal circumstances would have been a lovely day. Residents have been looking out of their windows at the back observing the phenomenom.

Telephoned my friend's mother, Ann, to see if she was OK. She lives in Enfield which is obviously in the path of the smoke. She was having coffee in a shop when I called and hadn't heard of the incident. Ann had me in stitches laughing - apparently she had woken up before 6am and noticed the bright sunlight - went back to sleep planning what she would do with her day. When she awoke few hours later, the sky was black. Her first thought in her 'old age' was that she had slept though the whole day and it was night again, only realising her error when she switched on the light and saw the clock. Not understanding what was going on, Ann dressed up and went out. She said that she lacked the courage to ask anybody why it was so dark - didn't want anybody to think she was a batty old lady (bless her, she is 72). Mind you it is the shortest day of the year around the 21st but maybe today gave it a run for it's money.

Saturday: was the turn of helping Camden local party (Holborn & St Pancras Liberal Democrats). Thousands of Christmas cards to send out - some festive clerical activity they called it. So pleased that the venue for the meet-up was on the 134 bus route so no walking involved - the foot is getting better but still can't take a lot of walking.

Was a fun day. Masses of people helping - such a jolly crowd. Cllr Jill Fraser arrived in the pre-Christmas spirit. She's a lady after my own heart, no wonder the local residents love her. Cllr Keith Moffitt (Group leader) and Jonathan Fryer turned up. Jonathan amazes me - I hardly go to any Lib Dem event anywhere in London these days without seeing him. Champers and mince pies to round off the day was an added bonus - not that I can handle more than one glass.

Very surprised to see a former member from my local party turn up. Charles hasn't moved, he's just transfered to Camden's local party (personal reasons ). Good for me because he has a car, lives down the road, so Susanne with boxes and cards got a smooth ride home.

Considering the events of today, taking the work home was a wise decision.

This evening checked my emails, so pleased to receive one from Mark Valladares. Three cheers, sanity has prevailed and he has changed his mind - quick chat and checked his blog
When friends and reality intervene

To add to the strange day - a fire engine with flashing lights has turned up directly across the road - something's going on in the house opposite. Have to find out what's happening.

The impact reached here!

The most bazarre thing happened about 6 am this morning. There was a strange loud noice and a heavy thud against the back windows in my flat - the panes started to shake violently for a few minutes. Looked outside and couldn't see anything unusual. Sat pondering what on earth had caused it - knew I hadn't imagine it because I was awake drinking tea in the kitchen.

Just turned on the news to hear that there's has been a massive explosion at the fuel depot in Hemel Hempstead.

Farewell to the Routemaster

The phasing out of the last Routemaster bus (route 159) today, one of London's icons, was a passing of an era.

The special 'fond farewell' journey starting at Oxford Street (near Marble Arch) and terminating at Brixton Garage - ended 50 years of service.

There's been a lot of sentimental twaddle about Routemasters - In my opinion they should have been phased out from Public transport some time ago. They are from a time when there was less chaos and congestion on the road. No buggies and healthy and safety wasn't really a consideration. They are certainly inaccessible to wheelchair users

They are ideal as tour buses and special events. The Lib Dems hired one (open-top) for their 'Axe the Tax' campaign tour around London last year. I was part of the entourage from party HQ to Southwark and it was really great fun.

Updated information - thanks to a useful message via comments. Apparently there are two heritage routes for tourists where the Routemaster remains in service Routes 9 and 15 - Take a trip on a London landmark.

Islington - How did recycled waste ended up in Indonesia?

I was absolutely flabbergasted watching BBC One's - Real Story with Fiona Bruce on Monday night: How green is your wheelie bin? to learn that recycled household waste from Islington has been found in a 500 tonnes shipment of unsorted waste in Indonesia destined for landfill. By the end of the programme I was furious that this could have happened.

Must say I am deeply concerned after all the effort the council has put into promoting recycling in the borough. It's made a mockery of the whole programme and demeaned the efforts of local residents who are diligently sorting their rubbish each week. Householders in UK are urged to recycle to stop waste going to landfill sites, so for it to be shipped abroad for landfill, beggars belief.
Had a wild thought - wouldn't like any of my junk mail to be found and returned. It's a scary thought that somebody so far away may have my name and address.

Quite rightly so - Councils are now investigating what happens to their recycled rubbish.

I was waiting for some reaction from Lib Dem councillor Bridget Fox who is passionate about the scheme and has put a lot of time and energy into making it a success. As I expected Bridget has ordered an investigation.

This is not something to be brushed under the carpet. London Waste Limited and Grosvenor Waste Management have to explain what the waste is doing in Indonesia. I've been championing the cause to my neighbours locally in St Georges Ward and many are now taking it onboard but I can imagine what some of them are going to say now. One particular resident in my property has 10 -15 bags of rubbish each week, more when it's holidays and birthdays and their reaction to the whole idea of recycling is that they just can't be bothered.

Have noticed a rebuttal - Grosvenor Waste Management - Press release hastily denying the whole thing. They would, wouldn't they to protect their business. I'm sorry but it's not good enough. I've more respect for the BBC investigative journalists.

Updated information: Bridget's on the warpath - jokes apart - this is one issue that I'm confident will be investigated thoroughly and the findings made public. The council is committed to the highest environmental standards.

They don't call me the Lib Dem lady for nothing.

Sunday: A change of plans - no choice, needed to rest the foot. A bit disappointed I couldn't go to Haringey. Just love that local party - everybody is so friendly and inclusive of everybody warts and all - nobody cold-shoulders anybody. Didn't want to risk getting layed up - important meetings all week which I must attend.

No rain, so managed to sort out some of my plants in the back garden - sitting down job. It's taken me months to clear the ground and dig up all the roots - had to dig down about 3 feet, bit by bit. Bags of roots and even more (rough calculation 55) bags of buried stones and old household rubbish. All the things I do for people round here is because it's helping the community and that's my nature but it's also nice to get spontaneous help when I need it. Managed to get all the 30 year old cast-iron posts cut down with an angle iron by a neighbour, Eddie (council surveyor said it would be much quicker to get them removed myself even though they agreed after inspection they were a safety hazard). He brought it from the building site he was working on, in the company van. What a noice and smell but what a relief when they were removed. Didn't know how to thank him - difficult to talk to Eddie at the best of times. His broad Irish accent makes it diffcult to understand what he's saying. As silently as he arrived he packed everything up and drove off in his van. The Polish builders working on the adjacent house came and carried them away and dumped them in their skip. They weighed so much, it took two men for each post.

Neighbours have been offering me plants and flower pots have been appearing. Apparently people have been watching me from their windows in the back amazed at the tranformation after all these years. The best thing is that everytime I've needed to dump the bags, skips have appeared across the road - Camden side. Actually got permission to off-load them all from the owners. My friend has been very good in humping them across the road - they were so heavy. Another neighbour Arthur from upstairs disposed of the last 18 bags. He's a nightmare when he's drunk but so nice when he's sober. The lady having her flat renovated across the road asked me yesterday if there is anymore before the second skip goes. Wonderful to say it's all gone. Now have promises from some of the builders for end-of-job remains of sand and gravel - need to lay some flagstones before I buy a shed and set a sitting area. The Irish networking around here is quite remarkable. They don't call me the Lib Dem lady for nothing.

Got a design plan in my head with an area for the grass marked out. With all my other commitments it will probably take me another year but it will be worth it in the end. What has motivated me to take on such a heavy task after all these years is my grandson Naim and having somewhere safe for him to play outside when it's warmer.

Back to politics - Much later had another good talk with Mark Valladares but he's still got the hump. Actually it's more than that but I wonder why I can understand what's caused his reaction - where he's coming from and why he's stuck to his resolve when others are just hoping the matter will blow over and just go away. Promised not to betray his confidence but when it becomes a point of discussion at the next meeting, it will be some straight talking from me. Just hate all this pussy footing around, smiling with one's teeth and cold shouldering folks - it's diplomacy gone mad. Told somebody needs 'the bottle' to stand up and be counted. Well I've certainly got 'the bottle' to speak my mind when it's necessary and on this issue something has to be done.

Barnet Spires - when a church is not a church

Friday: Really hurt my left foot and right hand when I tripped on the pavement along my road. The council have a shedule of works for repaving all the roads in the borough but I really have to find out when the Islington side of Brecknock Road will commence. There have been several newspaper reports of people claiming against councils for personal injury because of bad pavements. Wouldn't like to go against my council but enough is enough - not the first time it's happened to me and it frequently happens to other people. It's quite undignified falling on the ground like I'm on my last legs or something - plenty of 'knights in shining armour' around to help me up but that's not the point. Went home and soaked my foot in hot water and it seemed to be OK.

Saturday: Up early ready to go to Barnet and help in the by-election. Not as easy as I thought - the telephone calls just wouldn't stop. My friend Vivian in Bedford phoned to say she has been in hospital for 10 days after collapsing with heart problems. Another problem to stress me out. Vivian is quite a bit older than me but even so information like that out of the blue is disturbing.

The shop called me and asked if I could come and help with the stock orders. Gosh it's so easy, I'm sure the call was just to see my face - It's not rocket science but a simple matter of deciding the quantities to order of the fast moving items and calculating stock levels of slow moving items so as not to over-stock. Somebody in the past ordered off head so there are some items gathering dust which will never sell and will have to be thrown away. Such a waste. Anyway got a newspaper and some fags for the effort but the hour spent delayed my journey further.

Got to Barnet - easy on the Northern line to High Barnet - never been that far up the line before - quite a novelty.
The weather was lovely. Wasn't difficult to find the campaign HQ but what a trek - the area is so hilly. Pleased to see I wasn't the only one from the London Region executive who turned up. Would have been more fun if Pete Dollimore had been around but he was one of my earlier calls from his sick bed.

Took my wack of deliveries expecting to get back for the canvassing later in the afternoon. Then the rain started - not heavy but enough to spoil the whole show - the temperature suddenly turned very cold.

The lady dishing out the specifically addressed envelopes must have thought I looked fit because my batch of letters had only one or two names in each street. I must have walked miles carefully following the map. About to go back to the HQ - suddenly experienced an excruciating pain in my foot. Could only hobble along the road. I was a long way from anywhere sensible to sit down, so on a garden wall it was. A cheeky boy came up to me on his bike "what are you doing there misses, that's our wall". Had no choice but to explain my predicament. He dashed off to call his mother who told him to take me down to a short passage leading to the High Street. Only a short distance but what a chatterbox and a curious mind. All the why, what for questions, why I was delivering Lib Dem letters.

Was a bit nervous about the dingy passage - back doors one side and a wall another - had no alternative but to brave it out. Came out near what looked like at first glance, a church. Hobbling closer, realised it was the entrance to a shopping mall. What a beautiful sight and an imaginative way of converting a disused building!

Found a place for coffee and a rest. Couldn't manage any more and had to go home. Felt disappointed in myself but a hurt foot is a hurt foot.

Back home I've been trying to find some info about the history of the Spires Shopping Centre on the web. I'm presuming it was an old church but no luck so far.........

Islington - strange but true

There's a lot of interesting news coming out of Islington this week. From the Islington Gazette -

Roof protesters halt Blair speech

GREENPEACE protesters caused a major security breach when they disrupted a speech by Tony Blair in Islington.

The Prime Minister was due to address the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference at the Business Design Centre, in Upper Street, outlining energy plans that could lead to new UK nuclear power stations.

An another intriguing local news - Skulls dug up on estate

THE bones of 19th century hospital patients have been dug up by workmen on a Finsbury estate.Workers putting down cables on the St Luke's Estate in Bath Street, Finsbury, called police after they made the gruesome discovery of several skulls and bones.

The bodies are believed to be from St Luke's Hospital that occupied the site in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Read all about it in the Pink News

Food for thought. Came across a website kind of blog - Pink News. Have to admit being slightly naive - should have realised the connection to the Gay & Lesbian community before clicking on the link. Must say it's a real eye opener - learned a lot just reading about the issues especially about the expected gay marriage ceremonies to be held after the Civil Partnership Act comes into force in England and Wales on December 5th.

Under the Politics heading: It’s got to be Cameron for the Conservatives to get the gay vote - not sure of the relevance. Followed by Liam Fox says his impending marriage should prove he isn’t gay.

Some of the stories in the News section are quite horrific. ASBO teen jailed for homophobic attack - can't understand what prompts people to behave in such a way. What's a persons sexuality got to do with anything. Why does it disturb people so much?

When an extra pair of arms would be good.

Sometimes wish I was an octopus with an extra set of arms. Not sure whether my personal life gets fitted in around Lib Dem stuff or the other way round. So many emails asking if I can go here, there and everywhere or can I do this, that or the other. Everything in London is being geared up to the May 2006 local council elections, that's apart from other party commitments.

Just been told the Pizza & Politics is off tonight. Was quite looking forward to it but it's good that Angela telephoned to let me know, otherwise I would have trooped all the way there. She's a councillor in my ward but lives the other side of Islington. In this cold, even to venture outside takes will-power.

Had an email that our end of year Regional Exec meeting on Saturday has also been cancelled. It's the Chairs perogative as there is an important by-election in his area so it's all hands on deck. Feel obligated to go and help because Sean and his band of merry men regularly came to help during Lynne Featherstone's GE campaign. He was so good at just taking what was dolled out to him. He wasn't offended by yours truly, miss bossy boots in organisation mode. In fact his team took overload. Well! Saturday it's Barnet. Probably will mean all day because there's no point in going all that way for a couple of hours. Hope there's canvassing - my best skill. Just love knocking on doors chatting to people. Got it down to a fine art now.

Sunday, it's a social event in Haringay. Wine and mince pies. So pleased to see that Monica, one of the key players in that local party has been elected to the London Region exec. She a smashing person and we seem to get on OK. She's one of those people who cares about others and doesn't have a ruthless streak.

Across the road is Camden and events are in the pipeline. Everything is being marked up on my large page-a-day wall diary. The way things chop and change, it's the only way I can keep up with what's happening.

Under the microscope...

Two years ago I volunteered for a study on the long-term effects of smoking at the Royal Brompton Hospital's research unit in South Kensington London. Surprisingly at that time the result came back that it had no long term effect on my body - seemed I fitted into that special 1% of the smoking population.

Last week they called me again and asked if I would take part in another test - more intense study. Thought all good stuff and at least I get to know what's going on inside of me. Monday, I had a Lung function test and yesterday a Bronchosopy (only agreed to the Bronchospopy under a local anesthetic - have a low pain threshold). Didn't take long and they insisted on sending me home in a taxi. The doctor was Italian and had a lovely bedside manner.

Why they selected me from all the people on their books - age x height x no of years smoking. You learn something new everyday - informed taller people have larger lungs - suppose it's logical if you think about it.

The amazing thing about research units is that they have all the latest technology and the appointments are organised like clockwork. I've agreed to stay on their books - bit selfish really thinking about myself rather than the results of the studies. It's a sad state of affairs but you don't get that kind of treatment under the National Health.

Well until the results are posted....