I hope that you will enjoy this post and will be encouraged to share it.
THE CATHEDRAL CLOSE
It is unusual in the 21st century to find a Cathedral Close, but Norwich still has one, and there were many splendid things to photograph. The first of two dragons (note the title of the second post referred to above) was Biggles, the RAF dragon…
There are also two statues of famous warriors, Nelson and Wellington…
There were also many birds around…
Of course, in a place of this nature one would expect plenty of interesting old architecture, and such expectation was met…
This iron sculpture also appealed, as did this chance to include a dragon and a blackbird in the same shot…
My survey of the Cathedral Close began with one dragon and its with another, Norwich Serafina, the Norwich School Dragon…
Although I have been out and about today, and have some good pictures which will feature somewhere, this post is going to be almost entirely given over sharing stuff from other people, as I have some fantastic links and a couple of decent infographics.
VOX POLITICAL AND A VERY IMPORTANT FOI REQUEST
There are a number of links in this subsection, which relates to a long running campaign by Mike Sivier of Vox Political. As well as some stuff from Mike himself, I have a link to a piece about the MP for Newcastle, who has weighed in on our side, and a very important blog post from Jayne Linney which I have already shared with my twitter followers. I hope you will visit all the links below:
First up in this section is a graphic representation of TTIP…
My other infographic, saved on my computer as “Sprawl-mart” concerns a certain US Supermarket and tax havens where it has shell companies but no stores…
ANOTHER EVENT AT KING’S LYNN LIBRARY
Details of an upcoming event at my local library in pictorial form…
The front of the library.The event poster.A combined picture.
SOME PHOTOS FROM TODAY AND A CLOSING STATEMENT
I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and that you will be encouraged to share it. I finish with a selection of today’s pictures…
I have a good haul of photographs from today, and some interesting links to share with you, as well as the main story…
ELECTRODES AND FLICKERING IMAGES
Being signed up to the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge’s email alerts I get a lot of details of studies into Autistic Spectrum Conditions for which they need volunteers and being passionate about reducing the ignorance about Autistic Spectrum Conditions that continues to bedevil our world I nearly always agree to take part.
This particular project was to do with responses to visual stimulation and required me to visit Cambridge. My appointment had been arranged for 11AM today, carefully avoiding any clash with work commitments…
GETTING THERE
The train journey from King’s Lynn to Cambridge takes almost exactly an hour, which given that they leave King’s Lynn just before the hour strikes meant that I had to be on the 8:57AM. Arriving at the station in King’s Lynn in very good time, and purchasing my ticket without undue difficulty I was able to take some photos at the recently restored station…
This blackbird clearly isn’t conversant with passenger safety advice!
The train approaching.This map is inside the train doors – I took the pic en route to finding a seat.
The train journey was uneventful and (mirabile dictu) ran exactly according to schedule. Although it is far from straightforward to get good photos through a train window one or two of my attempts are worth sharing…
Ely CathedralBoats at ElyAt Cambridge, witnessing a service run by Abellio arriving (almost certainly late given their reputation)The operating company that runs service between London and King’s Lynn – no connection to the Great Northern Railway of old which ran services out of London Euston.
From the station, it was a walk through past the bus stops and on to Brooklands Avenue, which goes straight through to Trumpington Road, picking up some more photos en route…
Cambridge and its environs are served by an excellent local bus system.
AT THE AUTISM RESEARCH CENTRE
Having dallied sufficiently that I would not be crazily early I rang on the doorbell of Douglas House 15 minutes in advance of my appointment time, signed in as requested and waited. It turned out the researcher who should have been conducting the experiments was not around that day, so someone else took charge of me. The preliminaries (paperwork) attended to, it was time to set me up for the tests. This involved me donning an electrode cap (effectively a swimming hat with points for attaching electrodes), each electrode point being filled with a conducting gel before the electrodes could be attached, and then the electrodes being attached. A second set of electrodes were attached around the eyes . The purpose of this get up was to monitor electrical activity in my brain while I responded to various visual stimuli.
Everything, be it lines or proper pictures, was flickering so that I only got fleeting glimpses. There was one set of exercises that involved proper pictures, one that involved viewing arrows and then clicking a button as soon as white box appeared on the screen, and several involving flickering lines.
At the end I was quite relieved when the wires were all detached and I was able to wash the gel (which is water soluble) out of my hair and take my leave.
Although the gel feels cold when it first makes contact with you, and when all the electrodes are fitted to it the cap weighs quite a bit I feel that this set of experiments are no great imposition. If you are 18 or over, have an Autistic Spectrum Condition, feel that you could undergo this and are able to get to Cambridge you could send an email to: Sarah Kaarina Crockford” <skc48@medschl.cam.ac.uk>
GETTING BACK
A combination of the fact that I finished at the Autism Research Centre at 12:15 and that I wasted no time getting back to the station meant that I was able to catch the 12:35 train back to King’s Lynn, and was sat down to a late lunch at 2PM. A last couple of photos…
As well as my title piece I have a variety of links, some infographics and some photos of my own to share…
SUMMER ARRIVES
We are enjoying the best weather of the year so far – yesterday was an authentic shorts and t-shirt day and today looks like following suit. On Saturday, which was prevented from rivalling yesterday only by persistent strong winds, Leicestershire played a one-day match (50 overs per side) against New Zealand. When New Zealand were 153-5 it looked like being a decent contest, but then Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi smashed extremely rapid centuries to boost to the total to a daunting 374-5. Leicestershire were never in the hunt, and in the end only just got the margin of defeat down below 200 runs.
Yesterday, Leicestershire were straight back in action, against Surrey in the county championship, and although the turn around was not so dramatic, they again let a good start get away from them, as Tom Curran swiped 60 from number 9 in the order for Surrey. Leciestershire regained some of the ground they had surrendered when, Surrey having finally been dismissed, their openers then saw things through to the close without mishap.
INFOGRAPHICS
The first infographic (of a total of four) that I choose to share is this one on domestic violence:
Infographics two and three both concern the case of Stephanie Bottrill, just one of the idiotic delusional sociopath’s (IDS for short) many victims…
To end this little section a bit of humour concerning the Republicans…
LINKS
My first link is to a story from the Newark Advertiser featuring yet another example of DWP cruelty.
My next link comes with a couple of pictures, and is brought to you courtesy of Cosmos Up and features the Hubble telescope.
My next link is to a blog I have only just come across which looks both interesting and important, by someone called Eve Thomas – the post that caught my attention being this one.
That is all my general links, but I also have a couple that I have given their own subsection, which relate to…
AUTISM
The first of the two links in this section is a blog that I had not previously come across, mylifemyautism, run by Dr Marquis Grant who I came across on twitter.
From a new find to an old favourite, my final link is to this post from Autism Mom.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND CLOSING STATEMENT
Just before ending this post with some pictures, I thank everyone who has read this post, hope you have all enjoyed it and that you will be encouraged to share it. The first two pictures relate to a Cosmos Up story concerning the possibility of microbial life on Mars, while the rest are mine, all taken yesterday…
This is a blog post of my most frequent type – a title piece, some infographics from various sources, some links and some photographs. Enjoy…
A WET SUNDAY
Although the weather was far from appealing yesterday I did manage to get a decent length walk in en route to my aunt’s house for a birthday meal, and as you will see late there were some good pics to be taken.
The meal was superb, and there was some decent television afterwards.
I got home just in time to catch the final stages of the day’s play in the test match. England are going to need to bat very well to win (and with two days to go a draw is almost out of the question.
INFOGRAPHICS
My first infographic is an important ‘mythbuster’…
The next infographic concerns the requirements that the Tories plan to impose on strike ballots. Bbefore showing it I will say this: I do not think that those who choose not to express an opinion deserve to be taken into account, which is why when talking about the vote gained by the Conservatives at the last election I always refer to the 36.9% of the votes cast that they receive and not the 24% of the electorate that voted for them. Now for the infographic…
My last two infographics are both aimed directly at Mr Cameron…
LINKS
COSMOSOLOGY
Cosmos Up are a very reliable source of interesting material, and today the provide the first two links that I choose to share:
It is no secret that I sign and share a very large number of petitions. This, courtesy of change.org, is a story of a petition that has achieved the desired result, and I am delighted to share the celebration of this success.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I hope that you have all enjoyed this piece, and that you will share it. Here to round it off are some photographs…
This bird is so small that was very difficult to capture it at all.
Not a bad pic of something that is a quarter of a million miles away!
As well as my title piece, I have my usual selection of links, infographics and photos to share with you.
ANOTHER GREAT TEST MATCH IN THE MAKING
In spite of the interventions of Jupiter Pluvius (a mischievous deity who specialises in interrupting test match play in England) the truncated day’s play we got yesterday at Headingley was sufficient to indicate that we are in for another classic test match. Luke Ronchi, making his test match debut for New Zealand, scored a spectacular 89, and the scoring rate was lively throughout. The pitch offered plenty to bowlers throughout, but any error in length or direction was liable to be punished. James Anderson became the first England bowler to take 400 test wickets. It is possible that this will not be the only historic milestone to feature in this match – if Cook bats well he could become the first England batsman to amass 9,000 test runs. The second day is just under way, and a mere six minutes in to the day a six has already been hit – and a wicket has been taken by the very next ball. Yesterday was a wonderful day for cricket lovers – after play finished at Headingley there was commentary on the T20 Blast (20 overs each per side) game between Essex and Somerset, which ended in a tie. Chris Gayle making his debut for Somerset scored an explosive 92, giving the houses adjoining the ground a peppering.
INFOGRAPHICS
I have no fewer than six high quality infographics from various sources to share with you…
A reminder for those who are sceptical about trade unions of where we would be without them.
LINKS
RELIGION
First up in this section, an article highlighting some indefensible behaviour and attitudes from those running a Jewish school in north London.
Second, a cardinal who has described the Irish as ‘worse than pagans’ following their decision to legalise gay marriage.
My first link in this section follows on from the stuff about religion, and comes with a very impressive picture. It comes courtesy of Huffington Post and features a creationist who discovered a 60,000,000 year old fossil fish.
This is my final subsection of the links section, and includes three items. Of course, this entire blog is strongly anti-discrimination, but these three pieces relate more specifically to that concern than anything else in this post. First up, the S*n have been hammered by IPSO over the despicable behaviour of their columnist Rod Liddle in relation to Emily Brothers, who is both blind and transgendered. Enjoy this piece from zelo-street.
My second piece in this subsection comes from across the pond bpecial neey way of Disability Scoop and concerns schools (ab)using truancy laws to get rid of children with special needs.
My final piece, again from the other side of the Atlantic concerns a large donation made to college by the mother of an autistic student by way of thanking them.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I hope you have enjoyed this post and that you will share it. To finish off I have a few pictures for you…
These dragonfly jewels were on display in the window of the Salvation Army shop in Fakenham
This detail is from the side of St James MCP, from outside which i shall be catching the bus next week.
As well as my main piece this post will include some good links and some photos.
CRICKET AND THINGS
Thanks to two splendid innings (Cook, finally out this morning for 162 and Stokes, an 85-ball century yesterday) England have pulled off a remarkable turnaround putting themselves in a position from which they might actually win this match. Moeen Ali has just gone, leaving England 343 ahead with one second innings wicket standing. If New Zealand are minded to have a crack at the target we could have a superb finish.
The weather is nice enough, though cloudy, to be sitting outside.
Anderson has just been bowled meaning that New Zealand will need 345 to win in 77 overs. The highest ever total in the final innings to win at a test match at Lords is 344 by the West Indies in 1984, so if New Zealand get these they will make history.
On now to some links…
LINKS
To start with, a link to Charlotte Hoather’s latest post.
DWP LINKS
I have three links in this section, one to a post on johnnyvoid, one to a DPAC post and one to an official government:
Two links here, one to an article about the Catholic Church’s response to the Irish referendum on gay marriage and one to a piece from atheist republic about proof:
I have some excellent photographs from in and around King’s Lynn to share with you. Mentioning sharing, i hope that some of you will share some or all of this post…
This beer mat was given to me by a friend in Norwich.
An attempt to capture tadpoles swimming in the upper Purfleet.A close up showing a couple of tadpoles.
As well as a personal account of yesterday’s cricket I have my usual selection of links, infographics and photos to share with you. Enjoy the ride…
ENGLAND STARING DOWN BOTH BARRELS
England bowled reasonably well yesterday, taking the least eight Kiwi wickets for 220, the fly in the ointment being that this was from a starting position of 303-2 and therefore still left them facing a first innings deficit of 134. This was compounded by the loss of debutant opening batsman Lyth and the no 3 Ballance in the reply. To give themselves a chance of escaping England need to still be batting by lunch time tomorrow (and probably a while after as well).
This England team, with Moeen Ali batting at no 8 and therefore being considered a front-line bowler, bore all the hallmarks a team selected with avoidance of defeat in mind, rather than going for victory, and the lack of bowling depth told in the New Zealand innings. Just to make one thing clear: Moeen Ali is a fine cricketer, it is just that he is not by any stretch of the imagination a front-line spinner (and his county, Worcestershire, have never used him as such).
Struggling like this against New Zealand does not bode well for the main meat of the summer, the visit of the oldest enemy.
INFOGRAPHIC
Just the one infographic today, concerned with the Irish referendum on gay marriage:
LINKS
My first two links concern disability hate crimes, the main article having been shared widely on twitter (13 RTs and counting since I posted a link to it). The first of the two links is to the post on Vox Political that put me on to the story (although I must register a mild protest about VP’s current policy of putting out vast numbers of small posts – it seriously clogs the inbox) by way of acknowledging my source. Here then after that preamble are the key links:
The natural follow on from this is an article from Welfare Weekly about the scandalously high unemployment rate among disabled people.
My next two links both concern Autism. The first is a petition via 38 degrees which I urge everyone to sign and share. The second is a link to a post about a research project for which I have already signed up and I urge other autistic people to do likewise.
My last link is to a petition being run by change.org calling for 16 and 17 year-olds to be able vote in the EU referendum. Since I would extend all political votes to this age group I had no hesitation in signing and sharing, and I hope that others will follow my example.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Only a few pictures to share with you today (I take this opportunity to thank everyone who is still with me and urge you to share any or all of this post)…
A brief account of Surrey’s successful run chase, two infographics, some interesting/ important links, some photos and a call for support for two very important petitions.
INTRODUCTION
The layout of my last post having attracted positive comment, this post will be on similar lines.
SURREY SECURE SPECTACULAR SUCCESS
Having already featured one jaw dropping display of stroke making, this amazing match which featured over 1,500 runs in the four days was settled by another. Surrey terminated the Leicestershire second innings on 480 leaving them 216 to get in 24 overs for victory. Back in they day such a chase would have been considered purely nominal and the openers would have settled for quietly polishing up their batting averages courtesy of an asterisk in the scorebook. One of the batsmen who opened this innings for Surrey did get his asterisk in the scorebook, but Stephen Davies achieved this in anything but quiet fashion – he finished with 117 not out as Surrey completed their first victory of the season with two and a half overs to spare.
KING’S LYNN LIBRARY 110TH BIRTHDAY PLANS
King’s Lynn Library, one of three to be regularly patronised by your correspondent (Fakenham, where I work, and Norwich are the others) will be celebrating its 110th birthday this coming Monday. I have a picture of the advertising poster and of the building itself for you…
INFOGRAPHICS ON HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORT AND
THE GENDER BALANCE IN PARLIAMENT
Two infographics for you, first this one, courtesy of Violetta Golding, on the gender balance of the House of Commons:
Our second infographic concerns Homophobia in sport:
Also, with the Human Rights Act under threat in this country, this is well worth a visit.
Finally for this section, a really quirky little piece about how the beak (bird) developed from the snout (dinosaur)
A PICTORIAL INTERLUDE
Some pictures taken today, going in here to break things up a bit (my next section after these pics is VERY IMPORTANT)…
TWO VITALLY IMPORTANT PETITIONS CONCERNED WITH WOMEN’S RIGHTS
I have saved this item for the end of the post. A while back we won a victory over Julien Blanc, preventing him from being invited to this country. It now looks like we will need to win this battle for a second time. The other matter is even more serious: Charlton Athletic Football Club are considering signing a man who took part in the gang rape of a fourteen year old girl. Although it comes close to making me physically sick that a football club could be thinking of offering a contract to such a person, the real problem is that football’s governing bodies have still not laid down rules about this. I have links to petitions relating to these issues, both of which I hope you will sign and share:
I encourage you to share this post or anything within this post that takes your fancy and end with my usual message for those who have reached this point:
Some important links, notably about getting Katie Hopkins to apologise to the autistic community and about electoral reforms and some photographs.
INTRODUCTION
I have given my post this title because a large part of it is given over to sharing links, including to thunderclaps.I also have some good pictures from Kings Lynn today.
#katiehopkinssaysorry2autism
The above is a hashtag now being used in our campaign to get Katie Hopkins to apologise to the autistic community for some very offensive comments. There are two links connected to this:
2) Thunderclap, pooling social media reach for better effect.
If you decide to tweet about this campaign don’t forget the hashtag, and if you wish to retweet something someone else has posted about the campaign append a comment of your own and the hashtag (“quote tweet”)
ELECTORAL REFORM
One of the things the recent election demonstrated to everyone with eyes to see it was how badly flawed ‘first past the post’ is as a system. I have three links connected to this to share with you:
1) A blog post which makes the case superbly, from Dan Keeling.
2) A petition that I hope you will sign and/or share from change.org
4) Last and in the chief place, this from Caroline Lucas.
A PICTORIAL INTERLUDE
This picture can be seen at The Crown Inn, East Rudham
A LOCAL DERBY MATCH
The first days play has just finished in the county championship match between neighbours Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Worcestershire would seem to be having the better of things, having bowled well, but one really needs to see both sides bat before attempting to form strong opinions.
MORE PICTURES
Can you spot the bee? Given it’s size it did a fine job of hiding.Preparing for the ascent
SHARING
I hope that you have enjoyed this post. I encourage you to share any or all of it. A final message for those who have made it to the end:
aspiblog 