When people comment on how Brexit has divided families, communities, political parties and so on, I think there is much truth in that. Perhaps when our idiot Prime Minister talks about putting that behind us and moving ahead together, he has arguably made a good point.
I still remember someone at church chortling about the UKIP success in the 2016 referendum. I also remember mentioning how we (in the blummin Council) would have to consider the longer term implications about the EU money drying up. She then confessed how she had no idea any EU money ever came to little Bedfordshire. This kind of illustrates how unwise the referendum was, or at least the choice people were given – how could most people have made an informed decision back then? Who really knew what they were voting for?
On 30 January I wrote to some German friends, in Bremen. I expressed sadness about what had happened and it was not our choice. We had a lovely reply, one of kindness and love, expressing some solidarity with us. I appreciated that.
I have clocked an interesting letter from the Christian Institute about Brexit. It helpfully put a few things in context, things which are controversial in many ways. Some of the issues are:
- bioethics – the UK apparently has more liberal laws than compared to the EU as a whole, allowing the creation and destruction of human embryos for research
- the UK has banned Catholic adoption agencies and has laws which have been used for spurious and vexatious reasons. Take the Christian baker (the Ashers) who ultimately defended and won the right to decline making a cake celebrating a gay wedding. Such developments and cases have tested our laws and these have never had anything to do with Europe
- the UK is keeping employment laws from the EU. While these have generally been good, they have also been used against people who have acted with genuine conscience which should be recognised
- Human rights laws have also come from the EU. Again generally good and well intentioned but they can also be used against people. This is where there are potential conflicts with other laws such as free speech. A very tricky area
- The UK seems to have a more liberal stance on LGBT and same sex marriage issues than much of Europe. We cannot attribute such legislation to the EU; it is home grown and goes against the teaching of the Bible
Hopefully this puts things into perspective in terms of how the EU, while far from perfect, has generally been a force for good and we have not been ruled in a heavy handed way from Brussels. To those who have demanded our sovereignty back, I have asked them to name one law which has been foisted on us and they object to. Needless to say, nobody has ever named one.
We did, however, laugh our socks off at an old edition of Yes, Prime Minister on TV last night. Not only was it a tribute to the late Derek Fowlds, the episode beautifully captured the shenanigans of Government (something I can relate to very easily!).
Health
I have only run 16 miles this year. Back in late 2019 I was running 18-20 miles a week.
My hips are a little painful sometimes, worse after I have had a run. I thought it was muscular first of all but now I’m thinking it is joint or bone related. Not sure what to make of it.
The kidney area of my back hurts a bit. Not enough for painkillers but something is not right.
I have finished two courses of antibiotics for a Urinary Tract Infection this year. My urine is reasonably clear and I don’t think I have an infection right now.
My kidneys are quite slow at producing urine these days. Yesterday I made a mental note of what I had drunk through the entire day before having a full bladder. I had 3 mugs of coffee, 2 mugs of tea, a glass of cherry juice and a glass of water – almost 2 litres. My first pee was at 3pm – a little under 500mls.
I am normally cold. I like the house to be kept at 25C which has Rachel and Hannah sweltering, opening windows and complaining. I get hot at night.
After yesterday’s Parkrun – just 5k in a slow 29:30 – I was very fatigued throughout the day.
Sometimes I feel a little lightheaded, either sitting or standing.
My blood pressure is okay-ish typically at 130/82.
I have a Urology appointment at the hospital next week and a Renal appointment early in March. There is an overlap between both specialisms although broadly it is about the plumbing and the urine production respectively. I always look forward to these appointments although there is a sense of trepidation with each nowadays. In other words, I feel the theoretical problems are gradually becoming more real.
Hannah’s birthday!
Hard to imagine our youngest daughter has just turned 20. Hannah was at home for some of this last week and we picked up a couple of her friends on Friday evening. They had a girly sleepover which comprised of turning the sitting room into a bedroom for the three of them – all good fun.