For the last few years we’ve had a lot of wasps collecting around the back of the house and an investigation showed we had a nest. Rentokill wanted £50 to take it away but “advice” said in the winter the nest would be dormant and I could just pull it off & chuck it out. Hence it’s been there a few years - every summer I think I’ll do it myself in the winter & every winter I either forget or lose my nerve. This weekend though I remembered and was feeling brave (foolish?).

So there I was, twenty feet down a tight crawl space, maybe enough room to turn around slowly, definitely not enough room to move fast in any direction and confronting a 1 to 2 feet diameter wasps nest wondering if they were all dead / asleep / wondering what the noise was and deciding who to send out to investigate. I wriggled round to get a grip of it & kicked my torch. So there I was, twenty feet down a tight crawl space, etc etc … and in the total dark.

:-O

Not on an IT topic but a very interesting article from another publication

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God | Matthew Parris - Times Online

Of course  as a Christian I am pleased to hear about the practical good Christians are doing but his comments about attitudes and philosophy are even more interesting.

I think, as with most things, the pendulum has swung too far in “cultural respect” PC sort of way. The time when we (”the west” “British Empire” “Christians”) told everyone else how to do it right (and when I say “it” I meaning everything - including “it”, that’s why it’s called “the missionary position”) has gone (thankfully) but in order to avoid imposing our values we don’t always speak up for what we believe to be right. 

The BBC reported today about The Taliban bombing schools for the heinous crime of educating girls. That women shouldn’t be educated may be their belief but I don’t think it is cultural imperialism to argue against it. Once things get to the bombing stage obviously a great deal more is involved.

What we all need is to express what we believe in (”our beliefs” but that sounds a bit too spiritual) in an open and respectful way and maybe even have grown up conversations. Oh well, I can dream…