Ladybirds: have they flown away, home?

Last year we had so many ladybirds. This year I have hardly seen any.

ladybirds hibernating seedheadLadybirds in my clematis last year

ladybirds hibernating clematis leaves2

cropped-ladybird-line.jpg

I was reminded today of the ladybirds while on a walk with a friend, when I looked closely at the old man’s beard illuminating the hedgerows. No nesting ladybirds. Continue reading “Ladybirds: have they flown away, home?”

All the perfumes of Arabia …

It has been reported in the French press that a deprived family visiting the Musée d’Orsay on Saturday was escorted out of the building because other visitors had complained that these people smelled bad.  The family, two adults and a child whose age varies according to which report one reads but around 10-12 years of age, had come to the art gallery with a volunteer from ATD – quart monde France.  This group was set up to fight for the dignity of people (Agir Tous pour la Dignité).  According to one report the volunteer bought the entrance tickets and then lunch for the group in the restaurant.  While visiting the Van Gogh room, the group was asked by one museum attendant to leave because other visitors were complaining of its unpleasant smell.  The group disregarded this request and moved on to another room with fewer people in it.  Then four attendants surrounded the group and escorted them out of the front door, where their entrance fees were refunded.

The Musée d’Orsay has apologised for the incident, but also pointed out that deprived people do not need to pay for admission.  ATD should have known that. Was this some sort of stunt?  As usual the most interesting section is the comments page where many readers feel that ATD should have spent the cash on filling up the larder for this family and possibly adding some soap.  It’s a ticklish problem.  An ATD spokesman has commented that this is the sort of treatment meted out to those who “have poverty written on their faces”.  I’ve never come across such an incident before.  Have any other Charioteers?

http://news.fr.msn.com/m6-actualite/une-famille-d%C3%A9favoris%C3%A9e-priv%C3%A9e-de-mus%C3%A9e-pour-cause-dodeur

Niger v Ghana – Afcon 2013

We met at 6pm.

I was the last to arrive, a beer was poured and waiting for me. A quick chat, distribute the tickets and off to the van,

We arrived at the Fettes road gate within 10 minutes, our lift dropped us off within 10 meters of the entrance unlike large well attended rugby tests there was no queue! A quick stroll through the electronic turnstile, a cursory body pat down and off to find our seats. Continue reading “Niger v Ghana – Afcon 2013”

Church vs. Church and others

It was bound to happen. A gene expert at Harvard (USA) reckons he can create a neanderthal person with some nifty lab work – and a little help from a homo sapiens female. Pretty clever, huh? Now I reckon it’s a first – an attempt to reverse the flow of human evolution, instead of all that effort to speed up its normal progress with prize-winning science and politically-correct social engineering. (Talking of which you’ll be relieved to know that the latest citizenship test for wannabe Brits would almost ceratinly outlaw half of the present incumbents, were they lucky enough to take part.)

Neanderthal Museum, Mettman, Germany

Frankly I’m shocked that Head Office in Rome and the PoW hisself haven’t mustered their legions to attack the Harvard heretic. How dare he play god, a privilege reserved for crown and clergy?

But what say you? Wouldn’t a few neandertals come in handy for light housework and other duties beneath One’s station? Definitely.