December 17, 2009
Heights, Bright Lights & Frights
Last weekend my wife and I took our daughter Charlotte to visit London. Charlotte had expressed an interest to see the 'bright lights', and Xmas seemed a good time to go.
She particularly wanted to go on the London Eye, see the London Dungeon and do some shopping. I also suggested an open top bus tour – weather permitting.
Well, we got the train down on the Friday, arrived at 9pm in the hotel, and after a bite to eat hit the sack. Up early on Saturday the rain had held off so we went for the open top bus tour. Even after living in Kent for many years we had never done this. It was really enjoyable, but very very cold!
The girls moaned a bit, but seemed happy enough, and the commentary was excellent. Oh the things you learn. Then we passed the London Dungeon, and Charlotte changed her mind about going in. Too scary apparently!
As I am writing a novel about Robert The Bruce, as we passed Westminster Hall I was reminded that this was the very building that fellow scot William Wallace was taken to to be sentenced to death in 1305. A little further into the bus tour, we then passed a pub called the 'Hung, Drawn & Quartered, where Wallace was killed in this very way.
Many of you will remember the Mel Gibson film Braveheart, and although this film got a lot wrong historically, my research has shown that Wallace and Bruce were incredibly brave and determined individuals. They were fighting to save Scotland against massive odds from Edward Longshanks, a terrible adversary, and went through hardships we would find hard to imagine today.
Back to the 21st century!
Soon we passed the London Eye, and decided to go the following morning. We eventually hopped off at the Sherlock Holmes pub, and had some hot food to revive us. I also took the opportunity to sample some real ales – in the interests of research of course 
Unfortunately I was then dragged to the – SHOPS! They chose Covent Garden (originally Convent Garden was run by nuns), and senior and mini management took over. I just did as I was told, and pretty soon the girls had an impressive array of carrier bags.
There was also a few jugglers and comedy acts performing as they do, and I must say it was almost bearable as we homed in on a hot mulled wine stall.
Then it was back to the Hotel and a nice meal, and on the Sunday morning we went on the London Eye. There was only one small problem – it was absolutely pouring with rain. Anyway, after a bit of a queue we got on, and off into the sky we went.
Now I must say at this point that I am not good with heights. Over the years I have learned to 'face the fear and do it anyway', but this very high wheel really tested me. It is 450 feet high at the top, and seemed to me to be every inch of this as I grimly smiled at Charlotte, who was fine, and my wife Aly who took lots of photos and really enjoyed it.
It was a very interesting 35 minutes, and although the rain and mists restricted the views, it was very impressive. Back on terra firma I breathed a sigh of relief, and we then had to make a dash for the coffee shop with the rain still lashing down.
Then a taxi back to Kings Cross for 3 o'clock, and our train back to Newcastle. Perfect timing, a nice sandwich and cup of tea, and with a novel to read, all was well. An hour later we were a few minutes out of Peterborough when we felt a small bump, and the train slowed to a stop. After a minute or two, there came the announcement that someone had committed suicide by standing in the path of the train!
What strange feelings came over us. Disbelief, shock, and compassion for the person who had been in such despair that they were driven to such an act. And what about about the poor driver?!
Knowing we were going to be delayed for quite awhile, I went to the buffet car to stock up on a few snacks and drinks. Talking to the barman, I couldn’t believe my ears when he informed several of us that suicides were almost a daily occurrence!!
Incredible!
We eventually got back home a couple of hours late at 9 o'clock, whereupon Charlotte announced that she had just remembered some Maths homework that was needed for the next day!
Oh well.
Snippets of News
Ray and I have quite a bit of CPD to do each month, and on one of the recent events we attended talking about the economy, there were some interesting facts and predictions (predictions that may well be right or wrong!).
- 7% of the population earn over £100k pa
- 3% of the population earn over £150k pa
- When Tony Blair came to power in 1997, the public sector employed 1 in 7. It is now 1 in 4
- The average public sector worker now earns £2k pa more than their average private equivalent
- After the election, VAT may well increase to 20%
- China is talked about as massively influential for growth. But it accounts for only 4.6% of GDP compared to the USA at 27.35%. At present rates of growth, China will overtake the USA in 2050
- It is estimated that over the last year the stock market was 79% driven by sentiment. Over the last five years the figure is 18%
- 5000 bankers will be paid more than £1m this year
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