-
Recent Posts
Archives
Categories
- A Thames Journey (11)
- Art, books, theatre, cinema (64)
- Canal and River life (5)
- London (69)
- Music – concerts, lists, reflections (299)
- Music – Have You Heard? (90)
- Music – Top Tens (38)
- Photos (76)
- Photos – lovelondonscenes (173)
- Photos – Scenes from Berlin (16)
- Poems (4)
- Politics and social (4)
- Random stuff (55)
- Sportsthoughts (175)
- Uncategorized (1)
Blogroll
- My photos on Flickr Check these if you like the selections on the blog
-
Join 848 other subscribers
Twitter comments
Tweets by JasthoughtsMeta
Category Archives: Random stuff
The Orchids at Kew Gardens
Kath and I went to Kew Gardens today to see the Orchids exhibition in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. It opened on 4 February and runs until 5 March. It’s an annual show, but it was the first time we’ve … Continue reading
BP and solar power – a missed opportunity
I worked for BP for most of the 80s, first as an economist, then in mergers and acquisitions and finally in business planning in Paris. I had a great experience over the years and learned a lot that stood me … Continue reading
Posted in Politics and social, Random stuff
Tagged BP, Business, Climate change, India, Solar power
2 Comments
On re-reading “1984” – the Brexit connection
Over the last few days I’ve done a fair bit of travelling. Memphis to Chattanooga by bus, then back to Nashville, and the flight home via Detroit. Amongst other things I took the opportunity to re-read George Orwell’s dystopian classic … Continue reading
The “Put it to the People” march, central London, 23 March 2019
Like a million or so other people, I went to the Put it to the People march in central London today. Ostensibly a march for another referendum, the mood was much more about cancelling the whole Brexit thing right now. … Continue reading
Beauty in small things
Back in the early 2000s, when I’d recently become a senior civil servant, I went on a two week leadership course. It was brilliant, and one of the highlights was a day on creativity (yes, in the civil service!) where … Continue reading
Posted in Photos, Random stuff
Tagged Aldeburgh, Photography, photos, plants, Suffolk coast
Leave a comment
Reflections on retirement
Yesterday was my last day at IPSA – the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which regulates MPs’ expenses and decides their pay and pensions. I was the Director of Policy and Communications there. I’d been there since its creation in early … Continue reading
My novel: “The Decision”
I’ve written a novel. It’s called “The Decision”. It’s now available for sale – direct from me at the moment. Like to know what it’s about? Here’s a summary; “The Decision” is a novel about politics, the environment, relationships and … Continue reading
Belfast Part Two: The City in Pictures
Part two of my Belfast trilogy. Mainly photos, but putting them together reminded me how much I loved this city. Even though I’d never looked properly around it before, I felt it was part of me. My second city – … Continue reading
Belfast Part One: A Driver’s Story
My wife, Kath, and I have just been to Belfast and environs for a few days. It was a brilliant trip. For me, the first proper visit to the the place that my mother is from – I’ve had a … Continue reading
Love and Hope (for Manchester)
Last night’s atrocity at the Manchester Arena is beyond words, as many, including the singer Ariana Grande in the aftermath, have said. Beyond senseless. Pure evil. I have nothing I can add to that – just my heartfelt best wishes … Continue reading
Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Random stuff
Tagged Alex Petridis, Coldplay, love and hope, Manchester, music
4 Comments