UK Norway Interconnecttor - A Step Closer

It seems to have been talked about for ages but the UK-Norway interconnector is a step closer to existence with the letting of contracts to 3 infrastructure contractors.

The link is promoted as a means for Norway to spill excess renewable generation to the UK while providing increased security of supply to Norway. This has to be the right way to look at this project. I have heard some suggest that there is a major boost for UK security of supply as well, but you only have to think about the likely conditions at both ends at times when there is a squeeze on UK supply to realise that this is just wishful thinking.

Another Low Carbon Commitment Down the Pan

Why does the Government seem to believe that there's a trade-off between low carbon construction and total number of houses built? The allowable solutions scheme and the proposed 2016 domestic building energy efficiency targets are both being scrapped. As the spokesman from Willmott Dixon said - "This announcement seriously undermines industry's confidence in government policy and will diminish future investment". And owners of new homes will be foisted with less efficient dwellings than they would otherwise have had.

The Scourge of the Selfie

I have just returned from an extremely enjoyable short break in Prague. As with any holiday there were a few minor blips of which possibly the most irritating was the huge number of tourists taking selfies (with or without sticks). There's plenty to see in Prague and it's quite reasonable that people will wish to photograph these sites as a reminder of their holiday. However, is it really necessary that they stick their own mugs if front of everyone else simply because they adhere to the cult of self? And when they get home what will they have? Here's a picture of me obliterating the view of the Charles Bridge. And in this one you can just make out the Hrad behind my grimace. Oh, and look here's the Spanish Syangogue peaking over my left shoulder. Really!

So, selfie takers, please remember that there are other people in this world who might wish to take photographs of historic sites without your ugly features gurning away in front of them. It is the site that is of interest - not you!!