Icelandic Meltdown and BoJo bows out!

Apologies that we missed last week’s blog. The Team and I were busy finalising the second episode of my monthly Podcast – BOARDING NOW, which is available to watch on YouTube (JezzaTV), and to listen to on Spotify.  We are already working on July’s edition, which will feature the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, as well as a Staycation in Norfolk, great sounds, and the usual news items through my eyes.  If you would like me to dedicate a tune to a loved one or friend, drop me a line via jeremyspake.com and I will do my best to include it in the show.

My new novel – TROIKA, is taking shape and will soon be entering the final edit stage, so we are on track for this to be published later this year.  I’ll keep you updated with all the relevant information as it happens.

The tragic story of the Titan submersible has dominated the news this week as the world has watched on at the rescue efforts to try and save the lives of those trapped onboard the tiny craft.  I suspect that had the submersible been exploring any other wreck this story would have been a byline on the news, but because the occupants had paid a staggering 250k each to dive to the wreck of the world’s most famous cruise liner the Titanic, events held us captivated hoping for good news.  Tragically, time ran out for the souls onboard Titan, and I’m sure like many others, I am wondering how this tragedy happened.  We are hearing plenty of theories about the vessel and its suitability to dive to such depths, I can only hope that the truth becomes known to give some comfort to those who lost a loved one.  The Titanic will no doubt continue to fascinate human curiosity, but one hopes that the days of going to see it for yourself are over, at least until such time as the safety of the vessels used can be assured.   
 

It’s been a BAD news week for borrowers, as mortgage interest rates soar, although banks have pledged more protection in a bid to avoid a repeat of the foreclosures experienced when the Sub-Prime mortgage market collapsed at the hands of an Icelandic banking meltdown in 2008.  Worryingly, as the Bank of England battles to bring inflation under control, we receive news that UK Government borrowing, known as the Public Sector Net Debt, reached a staggering £2,567.2 billion which is estimated to be 100.1% of the nation’s GDP.  In other words, we are up to our necks in national debt, in fact we are drowning.  What does this mean for you and me?  

Put simply, we can probably expect to see public services affected as the Government tries to bring borrowing under control.  So, hospital waiting queues will likely grow longer, potholes in roads will grow bigger and taxes may have to rise to help stem the flow of funds going into the abyss.   I found it somewhat ironic that as we were being told that the nations debt had reached a level last seen in 1965, we have pledged $3 billion of World Bank loan guarantees in support of the Ukraine.  Whilst I am the first to want to support those affected by conflict as you know, I am struggling to see how when we are clearing bereft of spare cash, we are promising to stand guarantor for a not insignificant sum that should the Ukraine default from we will need to find.  I’m going to have to start checking behind the settee in case the Chancellor needs to pass the hat round.  I’m sure that Britain is hoping to be heavily involved with the reconstruction programme that will be needed throughout the eastern half of the Ukraine, but with the conflict showing no signs of abating any day soon, it may be a long wait before reconstruction can begin.  I once again urge leaders to apply pressure on both the Ukraine and Russia to get round the negotiating table to bring this madness to an end for the sake of the victims.

None of us can have been surprised by news that Boris Johnson was found wanting when the results of the inquiry into Downing St parties during COVID lockdown were published.    Boris slipped out stage right prior to the report being published in a bid to get ahead of the story, but the House of Commons still held their vote to vilify BoJo, which in truth was nothing more than trying to show the populous that they play by Queensbury rules, when in fact it felt like a pre-general election poll to test the mood of the nation.  They don’t really need to test the mood of the nation, unless I am missing something, we are utterly fed up with the goings on in the Palace of Westminster and want to see the country building a long-term stable strategy to put us on a par with the best of the rest.  Britain’s people are tired of battling through one crisis after another!

Folk have escaped to Glastonbury to enjoy the legendary music festival and forget the rigours of the everyday.  Revellers haven’t been in agreement about some of the performers, notably the Arctic Monkeys who appear to have divided the audience in two with their music set, although it is reported that the band are battling through illness (namely laryngitis), which might explain why some of the party goers liked their music whilst the others were left wanting…it may have also had something to do with the amount of hooch consumed (possibly).  All I can say is, I wouldn’t want to be left having to clear up after the festival if previous years are anything to go by, it often looks like a tornado has blown through the place.  Still Glastonbury is used to it by now…

The sound of the week in the office has been generously provided by the late and great Nina Simone, who will feature in July’s BOARDING NOW music line-up.  Nina’s songs are generally very uplifting and for their time were ground breaking.  Nina’s music often accompanies adverts on television, thanks to the harmonies and beats… Thanks Nina for keeping the office buzzing all week!

Have your say! I’d love to hear what you’d like to see in the blog each week? After all this is all about interaction, so knowing what you think, what you’d like to see me writing about and your views of the world in general would be great!  So, if you have something you want to get off your chest or have a fab idea or two drop us a line and we will try our best to include items that spark debate.

Ideas and feedback can be submitted by using the handy form on my website, be sure to select Blog & Podcast Feedback!  I look forward to hearing from you…