Why Caroline Lucas is special...

 Click on the box to enlarge:

From now on when I eat a Tunnocks Tea Cake...

... I will see it a little differently, thanks to a lady in Scotland named Jacki Gordon and BBC News, who published a story today about how the photo below, and other photographs came to be created (here is the link). 

There are more amusing pics in the news story. This one caught my attention because I like Tunnocks Tea Cakes and treat myself at Christmas and this afternoon I got the box from the fridge...

...then I opened it...

...and placed the tea cake on a plate large enough to catch any escaping chocolate or crumbs...

...then I unwrapped it...

...and took my first bite, careful only to eat some of the chocolate, revealing what is inside. This really is heaven on a plate...

...I'm sorry that I can't show you what happens next because it will be too painful to watch if you don't have a Tunnocks Tea Cake of your own to eat. All I can tell you is that I do what I do as slowly as possible and have a deep sense of pleasure when it's all over, that only a few other things in life can equal. For the record, Susan eats a Tunnocks Milk Chocolate Caramel Bar at the same time and a lot faster, even though it weighs more.

The BBC News story about Jacki Gordon is a coincidence, since I had it mind to share my love of Tunnocks Tea Cakes with you over the holiday. I will be eating one a day until the box is empty.

A atmospheric Sun looms large over Stoke-on-Trent

Posted by my friend Rosie to her Corners of my mind blog a couple of days ago. It's as if the trees see the Sun for what it is – a life giver. Very atmospheric.

Nottingham City Transport's NHS fundraiser you can wear, read and use to wrap gifts

Here I am a couple of days after taking delivery of two masks, a book and seasonal wrapping paper I bought from Nottingham City Transport, which they are selling to raise money for local NHS staff and patients.

The wrapping paper has already been put to good use, wrapping Christmas presents. The labels were made at home by Susan and printed on 220gsm white card.

Here is a link to the NCT website news story about the masks, book and wrapping paper: https://www.nctx.co.uk/read-all-about-it-nct-branded-face-coverings-and-book-written-nct-customers-sale-raise-money-local

A great idea. I wish them well. I also love the fact that Buster is back again. I still think he makes a great logo, despite being close to 40 years old. Here's Buster earning his keep on the front of my favourite NCT Route Map and Pocket Guide, dated October 1983 (click on the images to enlarge):

Perhaps next year NCT will create a fundraising 'Santa Bus', which will spend time on all the routes, collecting the wishes of passengers young and old and, perhaps, helping to deliver donated gifts to those who do not have a chimney for Santa to use. A few of his reindeer on the front and along the sides, plus his sleigh of course. I can't wait...!

In the meantime, enjoy the next few days as best you can in these difficult times. I am of an age when I tend to remember those no longer with us, who shared their happiness with me, and try to do the same.

Take care and thanks again to Nottingham City Transport for their generosity.

Why informing the public about Covid-19 is a mess

 Lifted from the BBC News website a few minutes ago. If the BBC newsroom's editor was managing the service better, then the two stories below would not have headlines likely to confuse many readers. Are things going to get worse or do fewer Covid-19 related deaths mean things are getting better, so let's all enjoy the seasonal break?

Click on the images to enlarge.

It is a mess. In this case I think we should take heed and read what the medical press has to say.

General Election % Turnouts 1945–2019 and how Labour does better the lower the turnout

 I will let my tables/graphs speak for themselves. High turnouts are worth little if your majorities are small. Click on graphs to enlarge:

A Beeston winter Robin

 

I saw this little fella out and about during the summer in his swimming trunks but he was too quick for me.