The traffic reports were pretty horrific today, but the run over the M62 was pretty good, making good time to Lancaster services. Back on the motorway, and off at the next exit, then right before the uni – I guess they are all on holiday still as very few cars parked on the road, and along rural roads to site.

What struck me was how nice it was to be out of town, fields all around, well except for the embankment of the reservoir, and trees, and the buildings, and the cloud hiding the top of the hill opposite.

Still, nice to get out.

Should have taken a photo though.

Whilst sailing this year, Watch Leader Tony told me of an incident afloat involving a yacht, its owner and a bunch of his friends on a day out. The skipper was hit by the boom of the sail (the pole at the bottom) and knocked over board. His friends could do nothing to assist, they didn’t know how to operate the radio (to call for help) of start the engine (to enable manoeuvring) or to control the boat. The skipper died. The fact that one of the guests was Chris Evans means its a little easier to find news articles to link to like here and here.

The point is, it makes sense to (along with checking the weather… that applies to all outdoor activities) ensure that you consider what might go wrong. Some suggestions for sailors are here but what about other activities? When walking we have a plan of where we are going, and even already some “escape routes” we can use. Something about “Be Prepared”

The writing on the gift tag hoped I would like it. I do. Only now we are having to work out which of the places we want to hang it it is actually going to hang in. I think the home office would look a good home for it, but Vicki seems to want it in the hall.

(hopefully this will help towards google finding Reuben Stanley too)

Friday evening, I went out on a very short propper ride.

Average Speed: 13.8mph
Distance: 3.41 miles
Time: 14:47.8

Like I said, only a short one. But a start.

Dear Mr Brown

Your home insurance has now expired. If you would like to continue your cover you should contact us immediately.

To renew your cover

Call us on 0800 015 4717* to renew and to advise us of any changes to your details.

You can pay one annual payment by credit or debit card. If you prefer to pay monthly, please have your bank or building society details to hand and we can arrange the direct debit instruction.

Steve Genders
Head of Online Marketing UK Insurance
Aviva

This is nonsense. I know this because since last October I am not insured with them…

Seems like a pretty abusive marketing tactic to me. actually my insurance runs out in 60 days. I suppose today they could give me a quote…. but I think i might ignore them on principle now.

This email and any files sent with it are intended only for the named recipient. If you are not the named recipient please telephone/email the sender immediately. You should not disclose the content or take/retain/distribute any copies.

heh. yeah. right….

Of course flu is nothing to be, umm, sneezed at. It kills about 1,500 people in the UK every winter – but of course that is dull old people flu, not this headline-friendly new flu.

Meanwhile the lower bound could be only twice as bad mortality for “swine flu” as for common or garden flu

And the NHS website is quite good at giving a good science background as to why the science is not generating real answers just yet…

Oh, and I think the same people who comment on BBC’s Have your say, are now commenting on the NHS website too. Is it me or is it bizzare that what I thought would be a public information website with *facts* somehow is a place for public opinion instead.

Happy days.

Doc Crippen caught my eye today.

Imperial College, the Imperial College, really is offering a PhD in

“Gender-related differences and game-based learning for virtual patients in Second Life.”

Really.