on the future

Listen to James Lovelock talking to Oliver Norton of Nature.

This is the first occasion I've heard his voice. I don't know why, he must have been on YouTube before. I suppose, generally, I would only check out the dubious loons I come across in print, and their manner in person, on video, usually supports this first impression. It didn't apply to Lovelock when I read him and hearing him speak now confirms that opinion. And he seems like a real nice guy to boot, despite his message.

on the weather

In England it's important to know the weather. Especially these days when I have an allotment and seven potentially free days in which to indulge myself. My browser has a quick link to the BBC-Met. Office local forecast for Gloucester - it's the closest they get. This site gives a full forecast at three hourly periods for the next 24 hours, followed by a brief forecast for the next five days. It changes hourly and most of the time fails to keep up with the weather.

Basically, it doesn't work.

But we keep persevering with it, in hope, because Brits are, as anyone who knows us will tell you, weather-obsessed. Paradoxically, we complain constantly about whatever weather we're given, too wet, too hot, too cold, too windy, and yet we're optimistic it'll improve.

I once heard a Met. Office spokesman explain how difficult it was to predict with any degree of accuracy a short-range forecast, say tomorrow or next weekend; it was much easier to do long-range ones, say in a month's time. A year hence is even better, a relative cinch. It doesn't take a genius to realise what a futile endeavour forecasting is. It will rain sometimes, we're not sure when.

All this is, in some way, confirmed in this forecast for the coming summer; it will be hotter and drier than the previous two summers. "Good news, finally", says BBC forecaster Laura Tobin. "Compared to last summer, which was miserable... it will probably be positive for the majority of people."

YIPPEE!

However, a grey cloud, the Met. Office's government services director, Rob Varley warns, "They are not forecasts which can be used to plan a summer holiday or inform an outdoor event."

Right, as you were....

Nevertheless, allotmenteers, keep your barrels filled!

on t-shirts

The more I look into VideoJug - remember, Life Explained. On Film. - the more I feel I'm being had. Have a look at this clip showing you how to fold a T-shirt. I've got a drawer full of these myself. In fact, these days they're the only shirts I tend to wear: they're easy, comfortable, and quick. Never thought it was a problem until now; I've watched this film five times and each time takes me further from the truth...

ciren bicycle

I've just read that plans are afoot to make our town centre ''more pedestrian-friendly''. I think this will be a good thing. The area known as Market Place lends itself perfectly to a piazza style arrangement - or ''café culture'', as the paper puts it. The current arrangement of two two-lane roads separated by an island and taxi rank/car park isn't realising its potential, plus we have the grand church front as its centre-piece. I don't know how they'll arrange the traffic flow and I don't really care. How can it be worse than it already is? Most of the time I'll walk into town: it's not far, and quite pleasant.

Recently, I've dusted off the bike and intend using it more. It's quicker. It's even quicker than the car at certain times, and there's no parking charges. Not that I would ever pay parking charges: there's plenty of places to park free if you know where to look. But with a bike you don't have to bother with all that. However, I hope they do something better with the cycle routes in the grand scheme. We have them, here and there, but no one thought to join them up.

My front brakes squeal like a pig, and my rears hardly work at all; I fear the cable has stretched. My dérailleurs front and back are temperamental to say the least. I need bicycle repairman! Youtube, normally a good point of call, has so far not come up with the goods. Instead I got a YouTube copy, VideoJug, - tagline ''Life Explained. On Film.'', and three videos on bike care, none of which are particularly any good unless you happen to be an alien just arrived from planet Zogg, or somewhere else where they've never seen a bicycle, however, this one is worth watching for the funny bike-owning guy. I like the cut of his comic jib and don't know why I haven't seen him on telly.

Turning more hopefully to (fanfare of trumpet) How to Maintain your Mountain Bike for Peak Performance!, (that's more like it!) I was amazed to be shown how to wash my bike with soapy water and a stiff brush. Er...? Tell you what, here's that funny guy again in this video where his bike's half-inched, and half-inched some more. Pay careful attention! I'm always worried I'll get back to my bike and find it gone. Still, the walk home isn't far, and quite pleasant.

asparagus

Allotment Tales: Late April

After the forced rhubarb, the next crop we enjoy is asparagus. I say ''we'' but I'm the only one in our house who likes rhubarb. I can't fathom why. Nevertheless, we forced the smallest clump - we have three separate clumps, all inherited from the previous allotmenteer - under an old dustbin. I recommend forcing for rhubarb lovers who can't wait to get their rhubarb under an oaty crumble, with custard. It is the pinkest, smoothest rhubarb you can imagine. It's all gone now - the forced stuff - so it's on to the asparagus.

We've had two bunches from our bed already. We're lucky to have inherited it as a mature bed along with the rhubarb and several fruit bushes. Lucky because new beds shouldn't be harvested for the first three years! Even then, the cutting should be stopped after six weeks, and eight weeks on a mature bed, to allow the crowns to take in energy and gain strength. After the cutting season, the asparagus is left to grow into tall, elegant fronds which look attractive blowing in the breeze and are a coveted prize amongst flower arrangers. Don't let them! They're storing more energy for next year. Only cut the fronds when the berries appear to ripen, and before they fall, and cut them all down to the ground. Then give them to flower arrangers, if still desired.

Asparagus is a good choice for allotments. Considering what they cost in the shop in season, you can recoup your allotment rent in a few cuttings. Last year, our first year, we were eating asparagus 2 - 3 times a week for eight weeks. I noticed it was three quid a pop in the local farm shop! There are many ways to eat asparagus and with all that cutting we must have tried most but simply steaming and serving with butter and freshly ground black pepper wins hands down. Plot to plate in under half an hour - lovely.