Blair Succession

An interesting piece in the papers today over how the US and Busy had wanted to ensure Blair could stay on as PM for as long as possible after Brown had harangued Condoleeza Rice over foreign policy when she visited the UK.

Ultimately they must have thought Brown was not someone they could easily do business with (or get unwavering support from as they had been used to with Blair).

In some ways it is interesting to know they even were that worried, Brown certainly was never going to back out of Iraq of Afghanistan after being part of a government that had backed the controversial wars.

Walk: Extended Run Route

Did the full set today, after the bad weather of recent weeks:

R0 0.23km (Past traffic lights to before left turn)
R1 0.35km (Back to traffic lights)
R2 0.32 km (Bus stop to second T-junction)
R3 0.3 km (Crescent to Crescent)

Grand total 1.2 km Represents 25% of the route of 4.66 km.

Trident

An interesting article on Russian Akula submarines trying to track a Trident submarine leaving port to record a noise signature.

Not that this is anything new, but I can imagine things like this have been stepped up amongst all the talk of the need for a nuclear deterrent.

Bike ride: Village Short Route

Keeping my bike riding going, only the village short route:

6.4 miles, 10.3 km, time 34 mins.

Quite windy today and not easy to go fast on the exposed peak lane.

Walk: Winchester to Shawford

My first walk with a local walking group. Starting out at Winchester station, walking out to the Cathedral, around the back of the college and then along the river to hills overlooking Winchester.

The walk was about 6 miles, and it rained for the last couple of miles. But a good route and also a good distance in which to start this type of thing.

Film: District 9 directed by Neill Blomkamp

An off beat film about a population of stranded aliens that land in South Africa and become a social problem living in slum conditions, addicted to cat food.

The film centres around a typical corporate employee working for an agency whose job it is to evict Aliens from the slum and move into a managed camp site. His attitude and fly on the wall documentary making really make the film.

He becomes infected with the aliens biotechnology and now the tables turn, having much more sympathy for the stranded aliens plight.

A funny film worth watching 7/10

Walk: Extended Run Route

Another Saturday run, with a slight change on the stints:

R1 0.25km (Past traffic lights to before left turn)
R1.5 0.35km (Traffic lights to bus stop)
R3 0.3 km (Crescent to Crescent)

Only three running parts, it was wet and wanted to avoid the slippery pavements later on the last part of the run.

Grand total 0.9 km Represents 19% of the route of 4.66 km.

Bike Ride: Village Medium Route

8.5 miles, 13.6 km, time 45 mins.

The medium route, with the steep hill before cycling down to the village, and returning through Peak Lane. The hill did not feel too bad, and I got round in a good time.

Holiday photo: Eden project

A very interesting conversion of a former clay mine, into domes that house Tropical and Mediterranean plants and climate. Has an eye on explaining where are food supply comes from, and conservation - very impressive.

Holiday photo: Lanhydrock House

A Victorian House visited on holiday. After a fire in 1881 the house was restored in high Victorian style, an impressive long room and preserved quarters. I found the history of the family interesting, left for South Africa in the 1950s and the house passed to the National Trust - probably the family wealth had decreased and could no longer afford the upkeep.

Holiday photo: Coast overlooking Seaton

A holiday photo, along the south coast path in Cornwall. Overlooking Seaton on a (almost) clear day.

Trade Mission in India

A very well intentioned trade mission to India by Cameron, trying to open up restricted markets - I'm sure we have some businesses other than defence that could benefit from that.

The news reports gave the predictable export of BaE Hawk jets, being manufactured under licence. But the irony now is India is probably thinking "why do we need you" and it is more likely that there conglomerates will buy remaining industries over here.

Still a good realisation of where the exports have to go if we are to recover, but a country that thrives on excessive regulation and no shortage of wheel greasing (read: corruption)

Trident funded from existing Defence budget

So at last! Here is the contradiction that may see a much reduced Navy or the cancellation of Trident.

The MOD has been assuming the nuclear deterrent would be funded out of the treasury as it is separate from ordinary defence - more strategic and political.

But now the Treasury is saying the 20 billion must come out of defence funding. Of course over many years that it will take to replace the ships, so likely a few billion a year.

The Navy has left itself in a weak position, not enough Type 45's to protect two carriers. So I predict the carriers will be built, but one will be an immediate loss making export to India. Maybe also seeing the sale of some of the 45's as the defence review may reveal we need more less capable ships in the current climate.

Interesting times, and a great example of government decision making being shaped by lack of money.

Bike Ride: Village Short Route

First bike ride since May, but that is because the walk/run has been taking priority.

6.4 miles, 10.3 km, time 32 mins.

This is my short village route, that skirts around the outside but still uses the Peak Lane route home.

Walk: Extended Run Route

After a bit of a break a Saturday run, and did not feel too bad - matched my last distances:

R0 0.23km (Past traffic lights to before left turn)
R1 0.35km (Back to traffic lights)
R2 0.32 km (Bus stop to second T-junction)
R3 0.3 km (Crescent to Crescent)

Grand total 1.2 km Represents 25% of the route of 4.66 km.