Opinions.

I know I haven't posted anything for, well, quite some time. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am lazy. Secondly, I have been doing other things. Finally, there are enough people spouting their opinions on topical events. I have enjoyed writing about some things, but really I'm just another voice in the crowd. I'm not going to bother posting anything topical to do with the news anymore, partly because there are plenty of other people doing that, but partly because it is a waste of my time (and indeed your time should you choose to read it).

From now on I'll only post anything on here if it is useful. Sometimes it might be a travel blog and sometimes, not. Basically if I find out something that can help others in some way then I'll post it. Unless it is obvious. Obviously. 

News news news.

I highly doubt anyone has noticed/cares, but I haven't posted much lately. This is partly because I've been busy, but partly because there has been lots of news. The problem this has is that it makes it difficult to write. It isn't because there is no inspiration, but because there is so much going on it becomes really difficult to care about anything. Writing about what is going on shouldn't be that difficult, but there is so much going on and there always seems to be something going on, so it doesn't seem worthwhile. In summary:

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

Robert Frost

The Ashes.

The Ashes are well under way now, with England taking a comfortable 2-0 lead in the series. As someone who has always been a cricket fan this is completely unfamiliar territory; the last time England took a 2-0 lead in a home Ashes series was in 1890. The first test was a fantastic match, the kind where right up until the end it was impossible to say which side would win. That said, the first test wasn't a typical test match in many respects. A lot of the wickets that fell were due to batsmen playing shots that, well, aren't test match shots. If it was a Twenty20 match then fair enough, but in the 5 day version you should be leaving and blocking more, not risking your wicket for the sake of a boundary.

This week's test has certainly been different. England managed (just) to win after only 4 days. Excellent innings from Ian Bell and Joe Root put England in a commanding position allowing the bowlers to do the rest. And they did, very well. Again, that said, Australia's batting has been woeful. The use of the DRS has been poor and the shot selection has been poor, but even taking that into account they have looked totally outclassed. 

With England being so dominant, and it looking like that will continue (although I don't want to write off the Aussies, they did almost win that first test) it raises some interesting thoughts. We never really find ourselves as strong favourites in almost any big sporting stage, but now we are and we are living up to it. People seem almost apologetic that the match has been so one-sided. Listening to commentary you'll keep hearing things like "it's a shame" or "a pity" or "disappointing" that Australia haven't competed.

Now don't get me wrong, I am delighted with how England are doing, but winning comfortably just isn't very British. In fact, it's just not cricket.

Heatwave!

If you're in the UK you'll have probably noticed that there is a bit of a heatwave going on. So, have fun in the sun, but remember to put on sun cream and drink plenty of water. Anyway, too hot to type any more. Enjoy the weather.

State of Origin.

Today saw the decider of the 3 game State of Origin series and it didn't fail to disappoint. Queensland won the game 12-10, making New South Wales the losers for the past 8 years. NSW can consider themselves a little unlucky but there is no denying what a fantastic team the Queensland outfit is. The massive crowds, the build up, the intensity of the game all make for a great spectacle. I just wish we had something like that in England. We do have The Ashes, which is an intense rivalry, but without the physical contact it just isn't the same.

The attitude towards sport in Australia must be the key difference. It is taken much more seriously and is funded much better, and that is why at most sports they are better than us. We could have a competition as intense as the State of Origin, but only if we invest in sport more. It isn't just a matter of entertainment, but fitness, health, well being and even money. If you can sell out an 80,000 seat stadium then you'll be bringing in a hell of a lot of money.

Here's hoping sport in the UK can take off.

Ice Cream Vans.

I love ice cream vans. The various tunes they play, the array of delicious food, the convenience, the nice people who serve you and how much of a welcome sight they are during warm weather like we've been having lately. All of this got me thinking. Well, actually it got me hungry, but after eating an ice lolly I started thinking. Do other countries have ice cream vans? I know America has them and I doubt that places that are cold all year round have them, but do hot countries have them? Are there any in North Africa of the Middle East for example? Are there any in Australia of South America? If there aren't then I may have found a gap in the market.

As always answers in the comments box. Also if anybody sees this as a worthwhile investment then I'm perfectly willing to partner you.

Stay cool everyone.

By eating frozen treats.

Oh no not the Post Office too!

Regardless of your opinion of the Royal Mail, it works. It is easy to complain about it and it does have flaws, but it has existed for almost 500 years and well over 100 years in a form we'd recognise today. So why, after so long, has the government decided to sell it? If it isn't turning a profit in the hands of the government; the people who have ran it for hundreds of years, why should it suddenly become a cash-cow in the inexperienced hands of private enterprise? Things do get lost and sometimes broken in the post and sometimes things are late, but considering how many pieces of mail must be sent every day it is pretty impressive that the vast majority of things I want through the post arrive and arrive on time. It is a fairly simple rule that I think most people know; if it isn't broke, don't fix it. As far as I can see Royal Mail isn't broke. It might not be fantastically profitable, but that doesn't mean the government should give up on it. If the government were as forward thinking as they pretend to be then they'd think if initiatives to make the postal service more profitable, rather than do their default option of just selling it off. 

This government has no answers to any problems we face. All they can do is sell every government asset off in a cowardly attempt to absolve themselves of any blame. I might sound like I am overreacting but we can't just sit back and take this kind of thing. The NHS is still under threat from privatisation.

Can we please make some sort of stand for Royal Mail?