Northern Rock bonuses

Northern Rock employees are apparently about to receive large bonuses, for having met targets for repaying the £26 billion loan from the government, which of course, translates into the £26 billion loan from you and me, the poor, benighted tax-payers. They deserve this, it is said, because they have 'worked exceptionally hard in extremely difficult circumstances.' I'm sure they have, just as I'm sure lots of people in other jobs throughout the country have, even to the point of agreeing to reductions in their hours so that colleagues would not be made redundant and being forced to take weeks, even months off work in order to avoid losing their jobs.
Once again, this is an example of how banks and other financial institutions appear to lead a charmed life, with no consequences no matter what actions they take.
Call me naive, but I, in my simplicity, would have thought that those members of the public who have chosen to save their money with Northern Rock since its nationalisation have played at least some part.


Gas bills

So British Gas are about to graciously reduce our bills by 10%. Good of them considering it is now (hopefully) near the end of winter and that a few months ago they increased them by an eye-watering 35%.

Spring on its way?

New Year is the time for new resolutions, a fresh start, kicking oneself into shape. Well, that's what they say. I tend not to make New Year resolutions as I either forget them or decide they're a bad idea within weeks or even days. However, I had decided to take myself in hand exercise-wise before Christmas and for me, that means mostly doing more walking. I have a couple of problems with this, though.
1. The weather at this time of year - not always conducive to my faltering motivation.
2.. I need a dog to walk with. It's nearly three years now since Lucy died and I do keep wishing I had another now. Dog rescue centres are few and far between around here but I'm not rushing and I'm hoping it will happen sooner or later.



Anyway, back to the walking. One day last week, when the weather was fine, bright and sunny I decided to walk the almost-five-miles there and back to the chemist. You see, it just takes that first step - well, getting out through the door - that's after you've heaved yourself off the sofa. Easy, really - and well worth it, trust me! This is what the route to Coed Poeth looked like.




Oh, and it's uphill all the way.

Plaster board and dust

So, we're still no further forward on the British Gas smart meter front and I've given up making non-existent appointments with them...