An eclectic list of storm names chosen by the UK Met Office, Met Éireann and KNMI (The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute). So here’s something that hasn’t been effed up by Brexit.
Now it’s time to select names from 1st September 2021 and Bertie seems an obvious choice for enthusiasts of PG Wodehouse, a Barons Court beagle and Penelope Keith, (playing Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, in To the Manor Born, her beagle is called Bertie.) Some of the names chosen last year are niche and may have caused newsreaders to seek advice from the pronunciation department. If you’d like to submit a name in a totally pointless “democratic” exercise similar to “elections” in a few countries we all know, at least three of which I have visited, then go here. Vote early, vote often; a catch phrase in elections in Northern Ireland before attempts were made to reduce blatant electoral fraud. In NI today the Shinners seem to have outwitted the Unionists. It’s at best disappointing that voices of moderation are not heard. Lord Trimble was a good man in the politics of the North.
The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) has resumed sending Short Term Observers to elections. This month and in July STOs have been selected to go to Armenia and Moldova. The notice given to apply was too short for me. I cannot down-tools and go away for eight days without some prior planning. I wonder if these election missions count as overseas aid?
On the money front, the value of my mish-mash of investments has held up well this year but not gone up much, if at all. Apparently it’s good to diversify. This is what you hear from a fund manager who has chosen a stinker. So it made me smile when I looked at this snapshot of most of the investment trusts I hold. All down except for the three Vietnam funds. ‘Nam rules, OK?
I thank my lucky stars.