What is the actual benefit of the World Cup, the new stadiums and the millions spnent ton hosting the event, when the dust settles and the locals are left to get on with their lives. Like with South Africa and the Olympics in Greece, in all honesty probably not very much.
People in Brazil will stay have poor amenities, expensive medicine, and for many the squalor of the lowest quality housing in sordid districts. And maybe the true legacy will be the cost that the Brazilian taxpayers must pay for this showcase sporting extravaganza, for many years to come.

Well down Costa Rica and good luck in the next game!

I am at a loss, the sadness is so deep and overwhelming it threatens to drag me down to the deepest depths as if tied to an anchor and cast into the ocean. And the reason? Our local shop, called Biedronka (Ladybird) has given up the quest of accepting cash only, and ventured into the modern world by accepting, wait for it...  cards.
No longer will I have the joy of watching people search endlessly for the smallest of small change, the minutest of coinage, and the wonderfully dejected look of the cashier when you reply that you have no such small change with which to challenge the range of their mathematical skills.

To the differing ladies I met from Australia who were charming, but wonderfully lost and befuddled, I wish you well and feel that investing in a map would open a world of possibilties for all of you. It was great to have some entertaining banter with our antipodean cousins:)

I read an article yesterday that stated that the decline of France within the EU, and in its relationship with Germany, has now led to a condition where Germany is the overwhelming power with the EU. A condition and state that was never part of the vision that brought Europe together.
Such a pity that the left-wingers have been building a social welfare superstate, whilst as usual ignoring the simple fact that an unfettered trading sytem that encourages entreprenuralism is central to creating wealth and work.

Europe must encourage economic growth, whilst protecting the rights of citizens, Sadly the system I expound is nearer to a British idea of an open and healthy trading market within Europe, which at the same time keeps it competitive with the rapidly emerging super economies of China and India.

It is time for the EU to get back to basics, fundamentally a good idea, but like so many institutions and regimes of various hues before, it is slowly running off the rails, and turning into a bureaucratic nightmare and nearer fragmentation.

The gardens at Sintra, such a beautiful and fascinating place with small towers and dark grottos, endearing, and such beautiful flora and fauna.

There are no simple likes or dislikes when assessing somethings, people or places. Take for instance Lisbon, by turns charming, graceful and yet sadly lacking in sincerity. The clubs and bars with Fado would should sweaty cheese and stale rolls under your nose, and should you tentatively pick at them, you will find the price of two beers now includes a small meal, too.But saying that, the music was atmospheric and evoked the town beautifully.
Step out from the fading glory that is your hotel, and go in search of the amenities of a European city, such as as shops selling a range of fruit, vegetables and sundry items, and you will be hard put to find such an establishment. It is almost as if you are squeezed into the choice of heading into one of the cafes or restaurants, which are fronted by the staff continually entreating you to partake of there fare, even if they just saw you finish your meal in the adjoing restaurant, pay and leave!
The streets are paved with small white stones which glisten and give the place a very distinct feel and the views from the rooftop terrace of hotels are wonderful.

Slipping gracefully into a derelict state

Lion door

Drinking water

Boar floor

Ornate door

Well, well, well

Call me old fashioned, call me slightly paranoid, but the possibility of using the showers at Frankfurt airport was simply not inviting.

Cable view

Spine of building

Concrete in volume

Slight gradient

Before ascending

Sky and panels

Exoskeleton

Aging tram

Lisbon modern

Factory in the woods

Bend in the rails

Aging tree

Lake and reeds

One of my students is a vet, a gentleman about 57 years old, and an intelligent and caring man who really does care and does his best for the animals which come under his wing.

However sometimes he is left powerless when it comes to the wishes of the owner of an animal. For instance, he told me of a mare that was having problems giving birth to her foal. The vet suggested a caesarean section, which he felt was the best bet for both the mare and the foal. Unfortunately it was at this juncture that a neighbour told the owner of the mare that such a procedure would lead to the death of the mare, even if the foal should survive.

So the vet was sent on his way and they employed another specialist who basically cut the foal up into pieces whilst still inside the mare, and pulled it out piece by piece.I have never seen the horse, but it made me feel so sad, what an awful option to choose when the vet was so confident of saving them both.

Metal Ballads Collection

Metallica - When A Blind Man Cries (lyrics On Screen)

"They say that every society is only three meals away from revolution. Deprive a culture of food for three meals, and you'll have anarchy."

This can now be updated along the lines of, '' Every society is in danger of collapse without an electrical portal for their chargers''.

Definition of blind hypocrisy. A guy I met who is a communist, left wing apologist and ardent anti-capitalist who (quite rightly) abhors racism and discrimination.

 But here's the catch, he has a wide range of investments in South African diamond mines.Well I guess money is money, which ever way you look at it;)

My Polish friend has just sent me a message to say that England lost, and that we do not have a good team this year in the World Cup.This after telling me what a good squad we have earlier on! We didn't lose, no, no, no, we came in with a good second  positive postion.

Trundling train

Well done Costa Rica:)

Colombia win 3-0 against Greece. The sound of horses neighing in relief across Colombia is audible across South America.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "A World Cup without me is nothing to watch." Are the majesty of modesty and grace wrapped up in one beautiful soul!

Colombia beating Greece means there will be no horses decapitated and their heads placed in the beds of the relatives of the Colombian team in the morning. Good news for everyone, especially the horses.

Fountain

A combination of a lack of time, and technological mishaps and the usual ebb and flow of modern life have keptme away, but now I'm back:)
I want to give a big cheer and hurrah for the England team who take on Italy tonight in our first game of the World Cup, which I'm sure will be hugely successful;)
The end of a school year is upon me, and it has been highly successful and much enjoyed, with many smiles and with the students enlightening me about many things, and often making me laugh and bringing fun and happiness with them.

Lamps

Wall and cloud

Suntree

Palace of Culture