I've had a lovely Xmas and hope to have a good new year so thought I had better do this now as I may not be in any condition to do it in the early days of the new year (self inflicted wounds from parties so no sympathy expected)
Our television companies excelled themselves again this year. I thought that last years efforts made it almost impossible for them to produce a worse line up of programes but I was wrong. they succeeded again this year. Thought I might hold a raffle based on people choosing a time and day that there would be a totally new program on one of the channels but I gave up on that idea as it will probably never happen. Still it's nice to have one channel, the dear old beeb, that's advertising free. Except of course for all the BBC stuff they want to sell.
Enough of that.
What has the new year got in store for us.
For me it will be a race to gather all the info to update the www.tour-devon.com web site. It is getting increasingly difficult to keep up with shop closures. I try to make sure that the shops mentioned on the site are still trading but unless someone tells me I have to tour the area to check if they are. Do me a favour if you know of a shop closing down or a new one starting up - PLEASE let me know.
I'm looking for good B&B establishments to feature this coming year so any info would be gratefully received.
I would like to add some holiday stories to the site if anyone has a tale to tell then please send it in. Any bits for the www.tour-devon.com web site can be sent to admin@tour-devon.com.
Once again
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Monday, 8 December 2008
Been idle again
Been idle as far as the blog is concerned but busy with the web site.
If you want to see what I've been doing there then go to http://www.tour-devon.com and see. I have a talking dog on there now!!!!
What do we think of the present economical climate. I reckon it's good for governments to bail out banks that caused the problems. I've caused my financial problems so expect to hear from the government any day now, telling me how they are going to help me out. I can dream can't I!!!! good that the fuel has come down in price but funny it hasn't come down at the same rate it went up.
We have all these companies crying out for help because their profits are being hit and I really feel sympathy for them after all their efforts ripping us off with high prices so they made nice big profits for years. Sorry I am being a little cynical. Personally I think the banks and the rest should be allowed to go bust. they caused the problems and it is they that should pay not me, my children and my grandchildren which is what is going to happen. a sort of double whammy. the gov take our money in taxes and give it to organisations that have caused their own problems and then our taxes will increase to replace the money. Surely the right thing would be for those companies to have their profits taken for as long as it takes for them to pay the money back.
right, had my ramble for today.
If you want to see what I've been doing there then go to http://www.tour-devon.com and see. I have a talking dog on there now!!!!
What do we think of the present economical climate. I reckon it's good for governments to bail out banks that caused the problems. I've caused my financial problems so expect to hear from the government any day now, telling me how they are going to help me out. I can dream can't I!!!! good that the fuel has come down in price but funny it hasn't come down at the same rate it went up.
We have all these companies crying out for help because their profits are being hit and I really feel sympathy for them after all their efforts ripping us off with high prices so they made nice big profits for years. Sorry I am being a little cynical. Personally I think the banks and the rest should be allowed to go bust. they caused the problems and it is they that should pay not me, my children and my grandchildren which is what is going to happen. a sort of double whammy. the gov take our money in taxes and give it to organisations that have caused their own problems and then our taxes will increase to replace the money. Surely the right thing would be for those companies to have their profits taken for as long as it takes for them to pay the money back.
right, had my ramble for today.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Children in Need
Like many I'm watching the Children in Need "show" and have been thinking about a comment made by Terry wogan.
He said the 35 million raised last year is a big help but it would take 150 million to cure the problem.
The population of the UK is just under 61 million SO if everyone gave £2-50 to the fund the problem is solved. That seems a very small amount of money for everyone to give as a one off.
That could be reduced by half if our MP's gave up their expenses for one year and gave the money to the fund (last year it was £78 million paid to them.)
How about it MP's and public - you MP's give your expenses and the rest of the population put £1-25 each into the fund.
Total = the £150 million it is said that is needed plus a little for extras.
He said the 35 million raised last year is a big help but it would take 150 million to cure the problem.
The population of the UK is just under 61 million SO if everyone gave £2-50 to the fund the problem is solved. That seems a very small amount of money for everyone to give as a one off.
That could be reduced by half if our MP's gave up their expenses for one year and gave the money to the fund (last year it was £78 million paid to them.)
How about it MP's and public - you MP's give your expenses and the rest of the population put £1-25 each into the fund.
Total = the £150 million it is said that is needed plus a little for extras.
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Angry
I haven't done anything with the blog for a while as I needed to calm down and get my thoughts in some sort of order.
I'm getting old and looking back I wonder what or where my generation got it so wrong.
Everyone is in a panic over a recession, fair enough, a lot of people who make a living by investments, shares etc. are getting a bit of a hiding but they wont end up starving. Our brave troops are in wars they cannot win and many have lost their lives.
Across the world we see regimes that treat their citizens like expendable objects.
Throughout all of this we in the comfortable western world sit back and criticise, talk about it in the pub and sometimes pop the odd coin or two into a collecting tin and feel that we have done our bit so no need to bother any more.
A boy dies at the hands of those that should have loved him and everyone is up in arms about the "system" failing. Where were the neighbours who knew what was happening and did nothing. Social services got it wrong but I just wonder how many cases the social worker had on the desk at the same time. Throughout the system there are dedicated workers that have more and more piled on them but no more resources to deal with it. Successive governments have cut back on public spending on the things that really matter and increased spending on the things that don't.
What makes it worse is that we let them. We put them in power. We've allowed the "system" to develop into a bureaucratic nightmare that helps no one.
How about the "system" being looked at with fresh eyes and being changed into one that actually works and helps those that need help.
Millions and millions of pounds/dollars/euros are collected worldwide and used to help the countries that don't seem to be able to look after their own. Noble as that may seem the truth is that very little of the help actually gets to those that need it and a lot of the money is syphoned of into these governments pockets. Strange that whenever you see the images of the starving the politicians and leaders that are in view look very well fed.
The truth is that world poverty could be cured but it is not economically prudent. This world is divided into two types of people. The rich who want for nothing and the rest of us that are just above or below being broke. It's about a 10 to 90 ratio and politicians for many years have made sure it stays that way. I cannot see that changing in my lifetime or in the next few generations, if ever.
At any one time there is about enough food in the world to last around 6 weeks. Take the starving out of being starved and that would fall to maybe 2 or 3 weeks. One bad harvest and the world starves. So! the rich will continue to get richer and rest will continue to struggle.
Always strikes me as funny that throughout this world the religious leaders never seem to really address this imbalance, politicians like things the way they are. It is only those who want a better world for all that do openly say what they truly think.
I am waiting for that day when a politician or religious leader stands up and tells the real truth. Hasn't happened in my lifetime yet and I have a feeling it never will.
Glad I got that off my chest.
Now for another rant.
Did you know that to make it appear that everyone can get a NHS dentist the government are recruiting from abroad. Yes! you knew. So did I. BUT did you know that because of their training the majority are only licensed to perform a small percentage of a normal UK trained dentist work. Anything more than routine check ups and simple fillings have to be referred to the dental hospital. Net result dental hospitals now having longer waiting lists and staff pressurised all the time. Once again a whitewash job. Government "we have solved the problem and everyone can get a NHS dentist" but in truth a cover up for the lack of investment in the past which lead to a shortage and a lack of finances to pay those that did train.
I'm glad I'm old and not going to be around in this world for too much longer. I feel really sorry for those that will be. I don't envy our kids growing up in this corrupt world.
I'm getting old and looking back I wonder what or where my generation got it so wrong.
Everyone is in a panic over a recession, fair enough, a lot of people who make a living by investments, shares etc. are getting a bit of a hiding but they wont end up starving. Our brave troops are in wars they cannot win and many have lost their lives.
Across the world we see regimes that treat their citizens like expendable objects.
Throughout all of this we in the comfortable western world sit back and criticise, talk about it in the pub and sometimes pop the odd coin or two into a collecting tin and feel that we have done our bit so no need to bother any more.
A boy dies at the hands of those that should have loved him and everyone is up in arms about the "system" failing. Where were the neighbours who knew what was happening and did nothing. Social services got it wrong but I just wonder how many cases the social worker had on the desk at the same time. Throughout the system there are dedicated workers that have more and more piled on them but no more resources to deal with it. Successive governments have cut back on public spending on the things that really matter and increased spending on the things that don't.
What makes it worse is that we let them. We put them in power. We've allowed the "system" to develop into a bureaucratic nightmare that helps no one.
How about the "system" being looked at with fresh eyes and being changed into one that actually works and helps those that need help.
Millions and millions of pounds/dollars/euros are collected worldwide and used to help the countries that don't seem to be able to look after their own. Noble as that may seem the truth is that very little of the help actually gets to those that need it and a lot of the money is syphoned of into these governments pockets. Strange that whenever you see the images of the starving the politicians and leaders that are in view look very well fed.
The truth is that world poverty could be cured but it is not economically prudent. This world is divided into two types of people. The rich who want for nothing and the rest of us that are just above or below being broke. It's about a 10 to 90 ratio and politicians for many years have made sure it stays that way. I cannot see that changing in my lifetime or in the next few generations, if ever.
At any one time there is about enough food in the world to last around 6 weeks. Take the starving out of being starved and that would fall to maybe 2 or 3 weeks. One bad harvest and the world starves. So! the rich will continue to get richer and rest will continue to struggle.
Always strikes me as funny that throughout this world the religious leaders never seem to really address this imbalance, politicians like things the way they are. It is only those who want a better world for all that do openly say what they truly think.
I am waiting for that day when a politician or religious leader stands up and tells the real truth. Hasn't happened in my lifetime yet and I have a feeling it never will.
Glad I got that off my chest.
Now for another rant.
Did you know that to make it appear that everyone can get a NHS dentist the government are recruiting from abroad. Yes! you knew. So did I. BUT did you know that because of their training the majority are only licensed to perform a small percentage of a normal UK trained dentist work. Anything more than routine check ups and simple fillings have to be referred to the dental hospital. Net result dental hospitals now having longer waiting lists and staff pressurised all the time. Once again a whitewash job. Government "we have solved the problem and everyone can get a NHS dentist" but in truth a cover up for the lack of investment in the past which lead to a shortage and a lack of finances to pay those that did train.
I'm glad I'm old and not going to be around in this world for too much longer. I feel really sorry for those that will be. I don't envy our kids growing up in this corrupt world.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Thought it was time to add a little more. Extra busy as there's over 100 pages to add to the web site so going to be busy for a while and may not have time to add anything here.
Still struggling to finance the site. Seems no one wants to help. Everyone wants to use the info on the site but not help to keep it there. With over half a million visitors I thought that at least one or two might offer to help or make a little donation.
I'm going to keep it going for as long as I can but without help to finance it that is going to be very difficult.
If you havn't looked at the site then take a look at http://tour-devon.com and maybe, just maybe, you might be i spired to make a contribution to help me keep it going.
Still struggling to finance the site. Seems no one wants to help. Everyone wants to use the info on the site but not help to keep it there. With over half a million visitors I thought that at least one or two might offer to help or make a little donation.
I'm going to keep it going for as long as I can but without help to finance it that is going to be very difficult.
If you havn't looked at the site then take a look at http://tour-devon.com and maybe, just maybe, you might be i spired to make a contribution to help me keep it going.
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Getting up to date
I've been very lax with the blog as things have been hectic with the website (www.tour-devon.com) Even though the season is virtually over I'm still getting a lot of enquiries from far off places. Just wish the lovely people in Australia would remember the time difference before they phone me at 2 or 3 in the morning. Much as I like to try and help anyone who may be thinking of visiting us here in glorious North Devon, being woken up at 3am by someone wanting to know what the best accommodation is or where's the best place to go for a fishing holiday is inclined to get me in a slightly bad mood.
The weather this summer has not been kind to us but overall this area has had the best of it. Today is glorious sunshine and definately shirt sleeve weather. forecasters say it is going to last for a while so if your thinking of a trip now seems to be a good time.
I don't have a lot of time today so I will end with a quick request to you. If you have visited us I would love to hear your experiences of my area.
The weather this summer has not been kind to us but overall this area has had the best of it. Today is glorious sunshine and definately shirt sleeve weather. forecasters say it is going to last for a while so if your thinking of a trip now seems to be a good time.
I don't have a lot of time today so I will end with a quick request to you. If you have visited us I would love to hear your experiences of my area.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Been a bit busy
Not had chance to add to the blog lately as things have been hectic. Plus of course watching the Olympics when I could.
I keep seeing the news items on what can be done with our kids and every time the blame is passed around like a parcel in a game. The simple fact is that it is the ones around my generation that are to blame. We let the world go the way it has and now try to blame everyone else. Bit like Bush and Georgia. Georgia went in first and the Russians defended their people that lived there. Bit like the Americans going into Iraq to defend it's people. Strange how it's OK if the west do it but not if anyone else does.
I'm just glad I'm the age I am. I would hate to be growing up in this world today. I feel sorry for those that are.
Back to the web site. that's growing as well. Since being asked about the Parishes in the area I am now in the process of making an interactive map that will show each of the parishes and what there is to offer in each one. If anyone reading this has any information they would like to pass on to me I would be glad to receive it.
I keep seeing the news items on what can be done with our kids and every time the blame is passed around like a parcel in a game. The simple fact is that it is the ones around my generation that are to blame. We let the world go the way it has and now try to blame everyone else. Bit like Bush and Georgia. Georgia went in first and the Russians defended their people that lived there. Bit like the Americans going into Iraq to defend it's people. Strange how it's OK if the west do it but not if anyone else does.
I'm just glad I'm the age I am. I would hate to be growing up in this world today. I feel sorry for those that are.
Back to the web site. that's growing as well. Since being asked about the Parishes in the area I am now in the process of making an interactive map that will show each of the parishes and what there is to offer in each one. If anyone reading this has any information they would like to pass on to me I would be glad to receive it.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Why am I here
This is a new addition to the www.tour-devon.com web site. A place for me to let of steam and have a moan or to jump for joy.
I've been doing the site now for about a year and it has grown out of all recognition to what it was and, in a way, to what it was meant to be. What started as a simple exercise in building a web site for an exam has turned into a major information source. I love doing it but the costs are getting a bit more than I can handle so I may have to re think what I am doing. I can either shut down completely or reduce the size of the site so I can get onto a free hosting package. I don't really like either option as the site seems to be used throughout by many thousands of people and any reduction would spoil their visits. The only other way I can see is to find some sponsorship from someone but up to now that has proved virtually impossible.
Still, never say die and keep fighting. I've survived major heart surgery which came at me from out of the blue so I reckon I can deal with anything now and somehow I will keep the site going. thought about selling my body but after looking in the mirror I don't think 50p will go very far.
Anyone with any ideas, please get in touch (admin@gmail.com)
Keep watching this space as my intention is to add a bit at least a few times a week
I've been doing the site now for about a year and it has grown out of all recognition to what it was and, in a way, to what it was meant to be. What started as a simple exercise in building a web site for an exam has turned into a major information source. I love doing it but the costs are getting a bit more than I can handle so I may have to re think what I am doing. I can either shut down completely or reduce the size of the site so I can get onto a free hosting package. I don't really like either option as the site seems to be used throughout by many thousands of people and any reduction would spoil their visits. The only other way I can see is to find some sponsorship from someone but up to now that has proved virtually impossible.
Still, never say die and keep fighting. I've survived major heart surgery which came at me from out of the blue so I reckon I can deal with anything now and somehow I will keep the site going. thought about selling my body but after looking in the mirror I don't think 50p will go very far.
Anyone with any ideas, please get in touch (admin@gmail.com)
Keep watching this space as my intention is to add a bit at least a few times a week
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TOUR DEVON RAMBLINGS Headline Animator
Why I love Devon
home is where the heart is
About Me
- sean
- Barnstaple, North Devon, United Kingdom
- Built a web site about my home area and grew to love the place more by doing so and want to share it with everyone. Started the blog to let off a bit of steam about everything and anything. Comments are welcomed from anyone