#Afterlife personal thoughts only

I am writing this short blog to share my blunt (and simple) thoughts - on the basis it might be helpful/reassuring to others with a similar thought patterns or wresting with the same issues/dilemmas.

In a nutshell I am an atheist because I have never got beyond what my head tells me. Darwin's incontrovertible Theory  of Evolution and Survival of the Fittest - and The Chaos theory (such as I understand it) leave no scope for divine intervention in our daily lives. I mean no disrespect to anyone's religion - I am almost envious of them for being able to believe what they believe - but Creationism for instance (in my opinion) - cannot stand up to objective scientific evaluation against Darwin's observational and fossil evidence - so I cannot believe it.

However this is where I am. I would like to believe in a true god. I would like to believe somebody is watching over us. I would like to believe there is an after life - because it would be comforting - it would be reassuring and it would certainly be convenient. For me however - and sadly perhaps - I have never come close to an epiphany - but I have wondered at nature of course - but never come close to believing this has been planned and created by an all knowing God and he is above - looking down on us and looking after us - and there is a life beyond this life.

For myself I am pretty sure I will never be converted by words - and struggle with the whole edifice of established religions and their hierarchies and certainties and their assertions and control.

I was discussing this with my brother Rob while on holiday. He said quite seriously that I should read science fiction (which I have never done). This would open my mind to the thought of things like other dimensions - other possible realities - such things as parallel universes and open my mind up a bit to let other possibilities in. This made me smile - he might be on to something. - perhaps I am too grounded - too objective - ha! It would not be a huge step to be agnostic!

Hopefully an epiphany will come to me. I do not expect it to happen. I will continue to live my simple life (Buddhist tendencies) on the basis that we have one life and this is it but I will leave my mind as open as I can - and maybe something will bring about a change - especially as my heart is willing I think.

#Brexit observations one month after - magnanimity required

You will note from my blog I have been away camping and writing a blog following the Brexit referendum vote has not been practical - and so much has happened of course.

These are my current thoughts :

• A change in the leadership of the Conservative Party and therefore Prime Minister was necessary and it has been accomplished swiftly which is a good outcome. Theresa May was probably the best candidate and it is positive of course that despite campaigning for Leave she fully accepted the legitimacy of the referendum vote and quickly stated unequivocally that "Brexit means Brexit, the need to control the free movement of people and reaffirming the policy to work to get net inward migration down to the 10's of thousands. She is uniting the Tories and has been very impressive. We need strong and clear leadership at this challenging time.
• She has done what she said she would do which is put Brexit campaigners in the frontline of Brexit and trade negotiations.
• Hammond is sound and will do a good job steering our ship through what is and will be tricky and unpredictable waters despite arguing for remain.
• I am concerned about Amber Rudd at the Home Office and her commitment to achieve the very hard task of significantly reducing net migration. She was very pro remain and has not made the same acknowledgement regarding the weight of the referendum outcome and what it should mean at the time of going to press - ha!.
• Prime Minister May has made it a priority to reach out to all parts of the Union. This is wise of course. In practical terms it must be unlikely and undesirable for Scotland to some how remain in both the Union and the EU when the rest of the Union leaves the EU. This seems to be an inevitable collision course and my own view is call Nicola Sturgeons bluff on a second referendum and if the Scots decide to leave the Union - so be it - but it is far from certain that they will.
• There are real but not insurmountable problems with the Irish border. It seems Dublin will be keen to find a practical solution too and I am sure they can. We are fortunate indeed that Ireland is a relatively isolated island rather than a short hop across the Channel (which would make border controls much more problematic.)
• It is clear the democratic Brexit vote does not provide for the free movement of people to be traded off as a condition of access to the single market. This would be a democratic betrayal and unacceptable.
• The apparent rise in cases of racial abuse on the back of Brexit (using the Brexit vote as a pretext) is vile and not what Bexit was about for the vast majority I am sure - and it must be stopped. I think it will with grown up press reporting.
• However immigration numbers was probably the major issue in the referendum. In my view one clear way of dealing with negativity towards immigrants is for the country to be seen to adopt and effectively implement a fair immigration policy that controls the free movement of people from the EU and reduces net migration to an agreed maximum number. (as per the Leave vote) Failure to do so will almost certainly polarise our country and create unwanted and unnecessary community tensions. The democratic wish is for net migration to be significantly reduced and controlled properly so we can plan. 
• There is genuine concern that there will be a further surge in inward migration to beat the full implementation of the Brexit vote. This will need to be addressed with an interim measure. It is unrealistic and unhelpful to call for right to remain for everyone who is here regardless of any other consideration or negotiation.
• Markets, FTSE and sterling seem to have weathered the initial perceived negativity of the vote outcome. Markets are volatile and often divorced from the real world. Project fear was no doubt overstated  but it is highly likely there will be negatives in the performance of the UK economy in the period of negotiation of Brexit exit terms and establishing and bedding in new markets. It is too early for the REAL economy to be effected yet by the Brexit vote but it will probably happen and expect a bumpy ride and reduced growth in the first year or two. On a positive note I also feel our economic fundamentals are relatively strong thanks to the measures the Cameron era have taken and even with less growth in the short term at least the UK remains a good bet for the markets and investors as the foundations are pretty good and certainly very good compared to many countries in the world including southern European ones and even France.
• Slowly there is emerging a softer tone from the EU regarding Brexit terms as realisation dawns that it is everyone's interest to face up to the decision made by the UK electorate and extract the best from it. Cutting off noses to spite faces is often the reflex position but hard nosed business realities will eventually prevail.
• There is some frustration that May has not made clear statements or provided guarantees for the future - however she is right - sensible to not reveal your hand too much - to make concessions - before you start negotiating Brexit. Keep your powder dry. 
• There have been encouraging signs about trade deals with the US, Canada and Australia and NZ - but that is all it is and all it can be at this stage. We are perversely fortunate that the world economy is struggling - BRIC is not growing as it was. World trade is not growing well - so consequently a lot of countries will be very interested in doing new business with the world's 5th largest economy.
• It suits the EU for Article 50 to be invoked immediately. That gives them clarity and control in negotiation - as there is 2 years for completion of the leave process once the clock starts ticking. However if we prepare well, do our research, lay some ground globally and define what we want before we invoke Article 50 we are not over the EU barrel. As a EU member until we start the leave process we have a vote - sometimes a veto and that could be used sensibly and effectively in negotiation.

My final point is the need for magnanimity from everyone

The EU referendum vote was a very challenging and confronting decision to make. Passions flowed. There were few certain "facts" about the effect going forward of a vote to stay or leave - how could there be.  There were and are claims of lies/half truths/exaggeration and misinformation from both sides ie Project Fear from Remain - Osborne's penal emergency budget - Save £350 million per week for the NHS and Turkey joining the EU from Leave. Both sides were guilty of at the very least stretching the point or painting the blackest scenario possible. Both reasonably plead fundamental legitimacy while castigating the other side for employing the tactics they used. I have no wish to defend either side.In the end it became a matter for personal interpretation and sifting through the information and deciding what was important. It is the nature of politics - buyer beware - and of course as the polls tightened panic set in and a panic reaction is part the explanation for the conduct of the campaign which of course was far too personalised and far too sensational at times - from both sides! However at the end of the day it is crucially important we all trust the electorate - particularly politicians and the media. The electorate are not stupid - they were not duped by Leave anymore or less than the Remain voters were duped. The fact is they knew what they wanted - what was important to them - they read between the lines - they cut through the rhetoric - they made up their own minds - some rejected experts - they rejected the status quo - democracy in action. Having said that the size of the Remain vote was large too and there was and is a degree of polarisation that we need to close of course.

But now the vote is cast. We have a democratic system. We cannot and must not question it. The people have spoken in accordance with the rules. We have a democratic majority to leave. There is no future in denying the outcome. Brexit must happen and the referendum was unequivocal - controlling free movement of people is a red line - even if that means no single market.

So what next. Magnanimity required in massive doses - magnanimity from all politicians, from the whole electorate, from commentators and from our current EU partners.

First of all magnanimity is required from all those associated with the Remain campaign - who believe a wrong decision has been made (some claim by unfair means - as referred to above). I would say to them - democracy has spoken - the people have decided in accordance with our democratic system. It is absolutely paramount that that decision is respected. It flows from that acceptance that the decision is made - and we have to make the best of it - rather than try and undermine it. This is the new Prime Ministers position. Her side - Remain lost. No point in whinging. We can't turn the clock back. Lets get behind the decision and make Brexit a success. (it is sickening to hear people like Owen Smith calling for a second referendum to authorise terms of Brexit - or the dreadful wealthy vested interests agitating through Michcon de Reya).

Magnanimity is required from all those associated with the Leave campaign. Their victory was a close one. Market reaction so far, while not in terms of project fear does not mean Leave predictions of a gentle bump has been proven right, yet. There are many potential problems looming. It will be very unhelpful to say the least if all involved repeatedly claim we told you so - we were right you were wrong. There is no mileage in that. We need to come together - respect the vote and make the best of it without hubris or recrimination.

We can hope for magnanimity from our current EU partners. We do not wish them ill. We do not want to be successful at their direct cost necessarily. All that is happened is the people of the UK have democratically voted to show the EU is not working for them and wish to leave the club. Above all democracy has to be respected graciously one would hope. The Farage sneering at the EU Parliament is just the sort of behaviour we don't want. Hopefully the EU is not a sinking ship or a failed project. With maturity and magnanimity on both sides we can continue to work with Europe to build a more prosperous safe and secure world for all our peoples by acknowledging the decision made by the British people and their reasons for doing so.

I remain very optimistic. A great and transforming decision for our society and all our futures I believe.

#Cornwallcamping

We (extended family) are now back from 8 nights under canvas on a rural camp site at the Cornish village of St Buryan near Lands End and the fishing village of Sennen Cove. We  have been going back there every year for about 15 years. The formula has been much the same and we love it - but can grumble a bit too about the highly changeable weather - ha!.

Cornwall as most of you will know is South West England and Lands End the end of the SW peninsula is the most westerly point of the UK - a famous landmark as a destination. (See John-O-Groats to Lands End). (note - the immediate area at Lands End is very commercialised and spoilt by bused in tourism - but walk away a couple of hundred metres and you are back to the wild nature)In my view the deeper you get down into Cornwall the more special it gets. There is a special light that has attracted artists for centuries but for me it is the coastal ruggedness, the evident power of the sea and the pristine air gathered unhindered over 3000 miles of wild Atlantic that sets it apart. Consequently Sennen is a surf beach - it is why we go - we go for body boarding (but make sure you have a wet suit - the northern Atlantic is far from tropical.)

I have previously written in my blog about Sennen - no need to do it again. I have also written about the dilemma of going back to the same place every year rather than experiencing different places. If our Sennen based holiday would be my only one - I would have difficulty in going back to the same place every year but fortunately that it is not the case. The advantages that accrue from repeat visits are very apparent to us now. We know the area well and we are known by the locals - which adds something positive - "blimey is it that time of year again !? ".  We know the best camp site for us - we know where to pitch to avoid the worst winds - ha! We know the walks and the pubs and where to get the best "oggies" (Cornish pasties). We feel like we have made an investment in the area - we have established a tradition - the same family jokes come out around the camp table every year. What is great is my two little grand daughters are well in to it now - so a new generation taking on the baton - ha!

As my family and my brothers families have grown up and are at university, or globe trotting or working it has become increasingly impossible to get everyone down there at the same time although evidently the spirit is willing. This year brother Mike (& Jack) squeezed in a few days between business trips to China and the States, my daughter Victoria came down with her family, set up their tent base for a couple of days and then was called back to work for one day. So a round trip of 200 miles plus to get back down again - but it was worth it - great they were all there when the weather improved. A particular mention to sister in law Kay who downgraded accommodation to a tent without electric (like the rest of us) from previously - more luxury. Anyway a long story - but she loved the simplicity - didn't you Kay - especially yet again - Robs barbecue with grass !!? George and Laura couldn't make it this year - a shame but there is next year - ha! Special mention goes to my youngest son Richard. On the Thursday he had his tonsils removed. By Sunday he couldn't keep away and came down to stay. It is true he was in real pain but had the right pills and consequently got through and he said he was sincerely glad he came. He is now fully recovered it seems (touch wood) which is brilliant.

Anyway - here are a few photographs.

All set up - awaiting the arrivals

James and his first "oggie". St Buryan Inn on the left - Margaret's shop on the right

Sennen Cove

Annabelle being brave - Mousehole Harbour

Porthcurno

Mum and Ayla

More low cloud than rain!

Beautiful little Porthgwarra

Mike, Jack and James

Pictures from the South West Coastal Footpath - Porthgwarra to Sennen which takes you around Lands End

Longships Light House off Lands End

Jack and Annabelle preparing dinner

Mousehole Harbour

Porthcurno surf on a lovely day

More walking scenes

Not bad with my phone camera!

Around Lands End

Rob fascinated by barbecues - he brings a new type every year. Same problem - Kay's dinner always late and with grass !

Victoria Phil and the girls love it at Porthcurno

In a beach shelter - a shower. Richard smiling only 5 days after having his tonsils out!

Ayla going for it in the park

#EUreferendum Teamspirit and the hope for Brexit

I should not be writing this blog now because I do not really have the time (rushing to prepare for the annual family 10 day camping holiday down at Sennen, Cornwall and I am all behind - ha!) but I have just got back from my early morning bike ride and as usual have been thinking too much. So I am going to put this short blog down as a marker and come back to it when I have more time.

Of course Brexit is dominating everything. I feel so optimistic about it - I feel it is so badly needed for our country - such a great opportunity for our nation - but frustrated because not everyone can see it. Here is my thinking. Apology that I am using football as the tool to do so.

Simply the England football team performance at the European Football Championships was dreadful - miserable. There was evidently little or no team spirit, no cohesion, no shared common purpose, no leadership, no joy, no enthusiasm and therefore the inevitable - failure. This encapsulates where the UK has been. We do not know who we are, where we are going and who is really leading us and we are miserable as a result. We are certainly not reaching anything like our potential (apart from - maybe - in the false mantra of GDP. What is that really worth if we live in a demotivated, dehumanised and stressed society.)

Contrast this with the Welsh team - much smaller than England in terms of resources and on paper far fewer star players. They have displayed everything The English team haven't. They are a TEAM - a WELSH TEAM. Team spirit is personified. They have, strong leadership, a common ethos, a sense of purpose - a togetherness. They are enthusiastic and joy abounds - their nation is behind them. They are in the semi finals!

My point is the difference between the England and Welsh football teams is an illustration of the problems currently facing the UK. The UK has been the England football team. The UK as a country has lost an understanding of who we are, what we stand for, what defines us. There is no common purpose, and no team spirit as a result. We are one blob and we are not happy. I do not have the time to develop the arguments now - but basically I feel the root causes have been a loss of democracy to the EU project that we have never truly bought into as a cause, too much wishy washy London centric liberalism, and too much and uncontrolled inward migration.

I am hoping with the backs against the wall Brexit decision (out of adversity and having rejected both "expert" dictat and undemocratic control) we can define ourselves again, we will take charge of our own democracy and stand proudly on our own two feet and unite behind a common cause, have a clear sense of purpose and be proud of our nationhood. Lets hope we get the strong leadership right. (as an aside I see a lot of Margaret Thatcher characteristics in Theresa May.) Now back to the chores!