The Cardiologist & The Motor Mechanic

A motorcycle mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a BMW M3 when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in his shop.

The cardiologist was there waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his car when the mechanic shouted across the garage,

"Hey Doc, want to take a look at this?"

The cardiologist, a bit surprised walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine.

I opened its heart, took the valves out, repaired or replaced anything damaged, and then put everything back in,

and when I finished, it worked just like new.

So how is it that I make £24,000 a year and you make £1.7million when you and I are basically doing the same work?"

The cardiologist paused, leaned over and then whispered to the mechanic;

"Try doing it with the engine running”.

On Vacation in America's Golden West



Start of a Great Holiday

Apologies to my regular readers for my absence from blogging for a few weeks. I have just returned from a fabulous tour of Nevada and California.

Upon arrival in Las Vegas the weather was not particularly kind to us. We experienced flash-flooding the likes of which had not been seen in Vegas for 45 years !  Dodging the heavy showers we managed to see all the sights and particularly enjoyed Caesars Palace and the Fremont Street lazer show. Also enjoyable was the visit to Hotel Rio where we had a super buffet followed by a tribute act show entitled "The Rat Pack is Back".  The next day we caught a flight from Boulder City to the Grand Canyon National Park.  Whilst our first stop at a viewing area was fine, the weather once again closed in and we encountered the first snow of winter at our next viewing area !  A great experience just the same with lots of lovely memories of our time at the Grand Canyon.

On Day 4 we departed Las Vegas and drove through the Mojave Desert to the playground of the stars, Palm Springs, California, where the weather was, thankfully, very warm and sunny. Whilst in this Desert Oasis we toured the homes of the stars and enjoyed a wildlife adventure in the Living Desert. We also opted to take an aerial cable car tram ride to the summit of San Jacinto Mountain to view a refreshingly different alpine view of the Coachella Valley.

On Day 6 we departed from Palm Springs for the drive to the sprawling mega-city of Los Angeles staying in the rather quiet suburb of Sherman Oaks, which is conveniently away from the congested downtown area. 

En route to L.A. we visited the Pacific Beach Resort of Long Beach and enjoyed a visit  aboard the original Queen Mary cruise liner which is now permanently moored in the port in her semi retirement. The ship is now a floating hotel with restaurants, shops, bars, conference facilities, etc. At the time of our visit  the Queen Mary was hosting an exhibition of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, memorabilia including many of her fabulous and famous dresses.

In L.A. we visited the Hollywood Bowl, trod the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard and saw the Dolby Theatre where the annual Oscars ceremony takes place. We travelled through Sunset Boulevard and Beverly Hills before pausing for lunch at The Farmers Market.  In the afternoon we spent several hours at Universal Studios looking at some of the movie sets and stunts that have made this city legendary.

On Day 8 we left L.A. for the drive along the Pacific coastline on famous Highway 1, through Malibu to the affluent Mediterranean-style community of Santa Barbara, famous for its chic shady streets lined with bistros and shops. We then continued on to San Luis Obispo for an overnight stay. The following day we moved north to the small artistic and fishing communities of Carmel and Monterey where we experienced a drive along the famous '17 Mile Drive' with its scenic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, rocky pine-clad cliffs and oceanic wildlife. 

Next stop was California's city of hills, San Francisco. We enjoyed a first night banquet at Fishermans Wharf and travelled across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island to take a look back at the vibrant multi-cultural city with all the lights on. Spectacular ! The following day we enjoyed a guided tour of the city including going over the Golden Gate Bridge. In the afternoon we took a cruise around San Francisco Bay and viewed Alcatraz Penitentiary on Rock Island which formerly housed some of America's most notorious gangsters including Al "Scarface" Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Robert "Birdman" Stroud.

The highlight of my visit to San Fran was taking the cable car up and down the hills of this amazing city through China Town to Ocean Square. I travelled on the footplate throughout holding onto the safety rail with one hand and video camera in the other. I was in my tourist element ! I had vivid pictures in my mind of Steve McQueen driving his sports car at breakneck speed  over the San Fran hills in the film Bullet.

                                                

After some further relaxation in San Fran including a visit to The Crookedest Street in the World, it was time to fly back to London with a treasure trove of happy memories which will stay with us for ever.

Thank you very much America for your customary warm and friendly welcome.  We'll sure be back again some day soon!

 



                         

                  The Crookedest Street in the World




Special thanks to Nalani O'Brien our dedicated and very professional tour guide who ensured the success of this wonderful Travelsphere holiday.

The Joy of Parenthood !



Kids, don't you just love 'em !!!!!!!!



Great Britain in shock over murder of two unarmed policewomen

Officers serving with Greater Manchester Police have said they have been overwhelmed with the support shown to them after the killings of two much-loved colleagues.

They said the force had received some 25,000 entries in its online book of condolence plus 19,000 messages on Facebook and 1,000 received via Twitter after the deaths of PC Nicola Hughes (23 and pictured right) and 32-year-old PC Fiona Bone.

As reported on PoliceOracle.com both officers, who were unarmed, were shot dead as they responded to a report of a burglary in Hattersley on September 18.

A number of shots were fired and a grenade was also used during the attack. PC Bone was killed at the scene while her colleague died later in hospital. Post mortem examinations have since concluded that both died from gunshot wounds.

A short time later, 29-year-old Dale Cregan surrendered himself at a police station in Tameside. He was arrested on suspicion of murdering the officers as well as two other men, David and Mark Short, in earlier separate incidents.

A minute silence was observed across GMP on September 19 exactly 24 hours after the killings. Football players also wore black armbands during their evening matches.

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said he had drawn comfort from the huge support that the force had received from police professionals and the wider public.

Sir Peter told reporters: “Our main priority at the moment is to do everything we can to support the families of Nicola and Fiona, who have an incredible amount to come to terms with. Our thoughts remain with them.

“The whole force is devastated by the deaths of Nicola and Fiona, but to know at this difficult time that the public supports what the police do and feel so strongly about the sacrifice of these two officers, is hugely important to us.

“Our investigation into these two deaths is ongoing. We will continue to ensure that anyone that was involved is brought to justice for what they have done.”

In the latest updates on the murder probe, the force confirmed it had been granted additional time to speak to Cregan, who will stay in custody until September 22.

The force has also said that a 28-year-old man arrested on September 19 in the Hattersley area on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder is still being questioned.

In addition, police are investigating the circumstances around the original call to GMP to report the crime the officers attended.

Article courtesy of www.policeoracle.com

Postscript: Dale Cregan appeared in Court today, Friday 21st. Sept charged with murdering the two officers and with two additional murders. He was remanded in custody to appear again at a later date.

Police Morale Plummets to New Depths

Many police officers will face the prospect of paying more in contributions and working longer.

Officers have reacted with fury to the news that most bobbies will have to work longer and pay more in monthly contributions to receive a full police pension.

The government announced on September 4 that, from 2015, a new “career average” scheme will replace the current final salary scheme and a new “normal” pension age of 60 will be introduced.

As expected, average member contributions will increase to 13.7 per cent.

Steve Trigg, Chairman of South Wales Police Federation, accused the government of being “unjust and immoral” in its changes.

He said: “This is quite disgraceful. We are a workforce with no employment rights and we have been forced into a situation where we can only voice our protest but take no other action. This government has failed our officers.”

A PC from Cheshire Police, who asked not to be named, added: “With the changes to pay and now pensions, I feel like I would earn more if I was on benefits.

“By 2015, with childcare costs, increased pension costs and a rise in cost of living I will be paying out more than I have coming in. The way this government are treating us disgusts me.”

Unlike pay, officers have no power of negotiation with the government where pensions are concerned. The Home Office can simply impose its wishes after consultation.

Andy Tempest-Mitchell, Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “Officers expect a reasonable pension as a payback for the huge restrictions that are placed on them in their private lives and the strict discipline code they are expected to adhere to.

“Policing is an arduous occupation and can take its toll over the years – the pension which is fully paid for is a reward for the intensity of a police career. You cannot expect officers to be working in the front-line into their 60s and beyond.”

The government also announced that there will be no change in pension age or amount received at current pension age for those who, at April 1 this year, were aged 45 or over.

There is also no change for those who are members of the 1987 Police Pension Scheme, aged 38 or over and 10 years or less away from being able to retire with a maximum 30-year pension.

Ian Hanson, Chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “This whole episode was about damage limitation from day one and although what has been released by the government is far from good news, it is better than the original plan.

“We have managed to secure concessions that improve the position for many more police officers than was originally planned. We have had to be realistic and acknowledge that our pensions were going to be reformed regardless of what we did.”

Paul McKeever, national Police Federation Chairman, said: “Despite being disappointed with aspects of this announcement, Staff Side [of the Police Negotiating Board] accepts it within the context of the government’s wider public service pension’s reform agenda.”

Above article courtesy of - Royston Martis - www.policeoracle.com

Addendum -  I wholeheartedly agree with the following comments added by a retired officer:-

I like the bit about "it could have been much worse"

Boys and Girls, you have been shafted right up the "wrong un". I'm lucky to have retired a few years ago and I genuinely feel very sorry for those officers affected by this. The job is still the same job and always will be. The big difference (and it will only get worse) is that you are now led by spineless donkeys whose main aim is to climb the greasy pole and politicians who have no real understanding of what you do.I joined as a Cadet in 1978 and I'm old enough to remember when cops were leaving in there droves due to poor pay and conditions. The Tory government were forced to bring in the recommendations of the Edmund Davies report and the bobbies were then paid a decent salary. It now appears to have gone full circle. No one ever joins the cops to get rich. It really is a vocational occupation and after 30 years of being one of society's street sweepers, you would expect a decent pension (that you have paid for!) and the knowledge that you will have time to enjoy it. (with a bit of luck) I wouldn't like to put a PC requires assistance shout up knowing that a couple of 60+ officers (who may have been quite handy in there younger days) were my only get out of jail card.

Just remember though folks, the vast majority of the public are silently behind you. You need to let them know how angry you are and ask them to stand behind you. Then watch as the politicians squirm and backtrack.

Good luck and stay safe.....

My personal view is that, whilst accepting that in these days of severe fiscal austerity changes may be necessary, major structural changes such as those being implemented to the police pension scheme should be restricted to new recruits only who will have the choice to join or not to as the case may be. It strikes me as being grossly unfair that officers who joined under an agreed contract several years ago should now have their terms and conditions of service drastically altered midway through their service. I would have been mortified if that had occurred way into my 33 years of service.

Can you imagine if that was proposed for the gold plated pensions of members of parliament and government ministers what their reaction would be ? I also feel strongly that the retirement age for police officers should be no more than 55 with the added option of electing to continue to 60 for those who are fit enough to serve on the frontline and wish to do so.  The reckless spending of previous governments coupled with the debacle of the bankers acting without integrity have brought this financial mess upon us. Now the police service who cannot take strike action against such an injustice have become a soft target for the government in trying to redress the fiscal budget. It it high time the Police Federation used the subscriptions of its members to fight these draconian measures in the highest courts in the land and not just sit back and accept it as fait accompli.

HerBunk Productions Pays a Diamond Jubilee Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

This is an astounding 3 minute video clip encapsulating the entire life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in pictures created in morph sequence. A moving tribute by someone who is clearly a computer software genious.

Congratulations HerBunk Productions on a superb piece of craftsmanship. I do not know how you did this but clearly your grasp of modern technology is obvious for all to see. Well Done and Thank you !

I hope I am not infringing your rights by embedding this onto my blog. If you object I will remove it  immediately.



With grateful appreciation to and my recommendation to visit   http://www.youtube.com/user/HerBunk?feature=watch

Pride of Plymouth & The Nation - Tom Daley

PLYMOUTH has always been rightly proud of its sporting sons and daughters.

Their accomplishments have helped put our city on the map and raised its profile, not just across the UK, but globally. But whatever fantastic achievements went before – laudable though they undoubtedly were – they have been eclipsed by the excitement and outpouring of delight at Tom Daley's bronze medal performance at the London Olympics on Saturday.

Because the Herculean efforts of this 18-year-old were not just a brilliant example of a young sportsman competing with the world's best in a captivating, scintillating and nail-biting contest of skill and nerve. They were a pulsating and impressive demonstration of a young man at the top of his game holding his nerve in the most pressurised circumstances imaginable, and coming away with a prize he had set his heart on – an Olympic medal in his home Games.

But what elevated this from just another story of sporting excellence was the fact that Tom Daley, a Plymouth youngster from a modest background who has captivated the world with his charm and prowess on the diving platform, achieved his dream against the backdrop of the loss of his beloved father, Rob, who did so much to help shape his career.

At the moment of his obvious rapture at winning an Olympic medal in front of a home crowd, he dedicated his prize to his dad, his family his supporters and his friends.

It was a demonstration of why this incredible young man has been able to keep his feet on the ground, despite growing up with the media spotlight trained unrelentingly on him. Why this global Plymouth success story has struck a chord with so many people in our city, the country and around the world. And why Tom is such an inspirational figure to so many people of all ages. The bullies who singled him out in his early teenage years must be beside themselves with jealousy now at his towering achievements. Hopefully they regret their small-minded acts.

But even if they do not, Tom has shown that it is possible to rise above such actions through hard work, dedication and a resolve not to be beaten.

He is a fantastic role model, which is why the City of Plymouth wants to ensure that his home city gives him a hero's welcome on his return – along with his college mate, gold medallist Ruta Meilutyte. She might not be part of Team GB, but she lives in Plymouth goes to school in Plymouth and is trained by a Plymouth coach with a Plymouth club at a Plymouth pool.

Let's show them what they mean to us, and mark their Games successes.

Article courtesy of Plymouth Herald: www.thisisplymouth.co.uk