Orbitting the Sun
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Joining the dots between Solar and EV
Exeter City Council have installed solar car ports on the top deck of multi-storey car parks that they own. The photo above is taken from one of those carparks. This is a bold move, the first project of it's [...]
Apr ’20 – Onwards and upwards
On 12th April the UK entered into the next stage of lockdown with the re-opening of non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers, and pub gardens opening across the country. Restrictions on social distancing, waring of face-masks, limit of 6 people meeting [...]
Cranleigh to Guildford Rail Link: Correcting the Beeching Legacy.
Dr Beeching (*) was not alone in his belief that railways should be run as profitable businesses. This wide-spread belief has translated to a de facto policy that remains welded into decision-making processes at a county council level today [...]
Mar – 2021 – Relief at the turn-around.
I'll not forget the morning of 4th March 2021, driving to St Christopher's Church in Hazelmere to receive my first COVID-19 vaccination. I knew it would be another couple of weeks for the vaccine protection to be significant. The [...]
Feb ’21 – The good, the bad and the ugly
An undesirable consequence of endorsing liberty and freedom of speech is that we increase the risk and likelihood of bad things happening. If somebody with pernicious or narcissistic tendencies gains power (by what-ever means) then things can go from [...]
Myanmar – Background to the coup d’état
For the best part of 2000 years Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been overwhelmingly Buddhist. So how is it that the authorities governing this nation of peace-loving people have managed to put the country at centre of the [...]
Jan 2021: UK’s NHS at material risk
We started 2021 with over 50,000 new COVID-19 cases each day. A new record high of 57,725 new cases on 2nd January triggered alarms in authorities across the UK. Agencies monitoring the transmission of the disease published graphs that [...]
To peace, happiness, prosperity and survival
Beyond this COVID Pandemic. At this poignant time, it feels appropriate to look forward with hope and trust and self belief. It seems to me that our future, peace, happiness, prosperity, and indeed our long-term survival are all contingent [...]
Dec 2020: Christmas in lockdown.
COVID and Brexit have dominated the news for the last three months with both becoming increasingly critical through December to year end. In England the second national lockdown ended on 1st December and the country reverted to the regional [...]
B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation
On December 14th Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in parliament that a new variant of COVID-19 had been identified and was spreading much faster in some areas across the country. There was statistical evidence of an increasing surge in [...]
Nov’20 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough
Results of accelerated COVID vaccine test and trial programmes around the world have come to fruition this month. US drugs company Pfizer and German company Biontech have been working collaboratively. On 9th November they jointly announced that they had [...]
Electric Bus: next sustainable step?
During the 2010 to 2015 term of government in the UK (Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition) the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the ‘2013 spending round’ a provision of £500 million to support schemes for ULEV (Ultra Low Emission [...]
Oct 2020: Winter and COVID-19 closing in.
I have observed some spectacular sunrises this month during my morning walks with the dog. The reducing daylight hours remind me that winter closing in, the northern hemisphere is getting colder and darker. The most pressing thing on the [...]
Sustainability – What can I do about it?
A bi product of the pandemic has been some reduction in our global emissions. For the those of us who still need to work for a living (and happen to still have a job) the huge increase in ‘working [...]
COVID-19 Global death toll passes 1 Million
In the UK we are accelerating into the next onslaught from COVID-19. On Tuesday 29th September the global death-toll from passed the 1 million mark. Once again, I am compelled to produce a separate post, focusing on Novel Coronavirus [...]
Sep 2020 – And then there were three
COVID-19 has been strengthening it's lethal grip on humanity during the month. Many countries including the UK are moving into what appears to be a second wave. We remain hopeful that a vaccine may be available in the new [...]
July ’20: Economies edge back into action
Our skies now have tell-tale signs that advanced economies are edging back into action. The purity of our skies, glorious while it lasted, is now once again again criss-crossed with vapour trails. I’m increasingly aware of the sound of [...]
June 2020 – Taking solace in the garden
We have been taking solace from the tranquility of our garden this month, as the outside world seems to have drifted further into some kind-of surrealistic dreamlike state. The easing of the lock-down announced by Boris Johnson 's triggered [...]
May 2020: Through the initial COVID-19 peak
It’s the end of May 2020, Spring has sprung, we are through the initial COVID peak and the lockdown is being eased. The earlier panic buying and public anxiety about Coronavirus is being superseded by a public vexation about [...]
Lockdown routine as COVID-19 takes hold.
By the end of April the UK has spent six in lockdown and COVID-19 has taken the lives of 26,771 UK citizens. Lockdown has become routine and we are coming to terms with the close proximity of this evil [...]
COVID-19 takes 10,000 UK lives in 41 days
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COVID-19 kills 4,934 UK citizens in 31 days
How is it that COVID-19 killed 4943 UK citizens in 31 days? We are one of the most economically and scientifically advanced nations in the world. Of course, now is not the time to ask such questions. We must instead focus on fire fighting. Our beloved NHS is in the front-line of this fire fight
Mar 2020: UK Prepares for COVID-19 impact
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A layman’s update on COVID-19: 19/03/2020
Seven days ago the World Health Organisation changed the status/definition for this COVID-19 outbreak from 'Global Emergency' to 'Global Pandemic'. The UK's risk mitigation activities appear to have failed and we are accelerating into an un-contained transmission of COVID-19.
Feb ’20: Locked down areas in Northern Italy
Coronavirus is creating big problems in the prosperous region around Milan in Northern Italy. Deaths have jumped from 21 to 29 in Italy over the past day and the of people infected has shifted from 889 to 1128. Towns are being locked down, people are not going out.
A layman’s impression of COVID-19 (29/02/20)
A layman's impression of COVID-19 (CoronaVirus Disease 2019.) It’s an illness caused by an infection of our respiratory systems. Similar to Influenza, the infection is created by a virus. COVID-19 infects cells that combine to form our lungs. Viruses are highly efficient parasites, invading cells within our vital organs
Roccaraso: 70 ski slopes covering 110km
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An old dog can learn new tricks.
Two Dads and two Lads went on on a ski trip to Roccaraso, Italy, in February 2020. Snow conditions were fine for our group's ability levels: By the end of the holiday, the whole group had the confidence to [...]
Farewell to World’s largest free trade zone.
The UK is walking away from the world's largest free trade zone, under a cloud of misinformation and denial. Tariff-free movement of goods, services, capital and people across nation state borders within the EU will no longer be how the UK operates. Our children will be denied EU privileges that we have enjoyed.
Dec 2019: Seismic changes for the UK
Brexit goes into overdrive following the 2019 election result and the UK prepares for seismic changes. We’re heading for the biggest shakeup in economic and monitory policy in a generation to get us through. About 45% of UK imports come from the EU and 79% of imported food comes from the EU[..]
UK 2019 Election: Breaks the deadlock
Within minutes of Polling Stations closing at 10pm on 12th December, the exit polls were predicting a big win for the Conservative Party in the 2019 UK General Election. As the actual results came through, the magnitude of the error of judgement from both Labour and Liberal Democrats became shockingly clear. [..]
Dangers of cycling to work
I remember seeing the incoming car’s bonnet in my peripheral vision a fraction of a second before the impact and feeling the front of the car fold under my body, no time for me to break or change direction. I remember going over the bonnet and impacting the road
Nov 2019 – Terrorism in run-up to Election
There was a continual sound of at least one helicopter and numerous sirens close to the office, our phones were pinging breaking news. Two black high-speed police ribs, blue lights flashing, blasted past. Out of the window we could see London bridge was at a standstill
Oct 2019: US out, Turkey + Russia in.
On 9th October (within days of the Americans beginning their rapid withdrawal) Turkey launched an offensive into Northern Syria to remove, what they described as, the threat of Kurdish terrorists. Trump cautioned President Erdogan of Turkey against slaughtering the Kurdish people and issued threats to destroy the Turkish economy
A memorable weekend in October 2019
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Sep 2019: Suspending Parliament unlawful.
Johnson had to fly back from the US to provide a suitable explanation to the Queen, then straight across to the Houses of Parliament to face the music there. Tempers were fraught in the Commons that day with some highly irresponsible rhetoric whipping up emotions, seeding ideas of possible civil unrest
Aug 2019: A volatile future is unfolding.
Toddbrook reservoir had exceeded capacity and was overflowing. The sheer force of the water tore into fractures in the dam and got under the concrete skin. The situation quickly went critical as chunks of material were ripped out by the fast-flowing water. The dam was at risk of collapsing within hours, putting life at risk in the surrounding area.
Staycation 2019
This is the first time we have not travelled away as a family for a summer holiday since having children. We did all go skiing earlier in the year, though not as a complete family. The main reason is that [...]
Jul 2019 – New PM resolved to leave EU
I landed new contract with Just Eat at the end of June at their head office, just East of St Pauls with splendid views across to the City. The delivery targets are challenging and should provide a pipeline of professional [...]
July 2019 – Super Sunday of Sport
While Super Sunday was undeniably one of the most magnificent sporting days in Britain in recent living memory, I cannot complete this month’s blog without first a mention of how proud we of our Womens Engalnd Football squad, their talent [...]
Jun 2019 – Heat and pressure notched up
So the month kicked off with a showdown between two English clubs in the Champions League Final, I confess that I found the match a bit of a let-down. As with the Europa league, both Spurs and Liverpool had massive [...]
May 2019 – Fact or Fiction?
Fact …. really is stranger than faction. I’ve been blogging at least once a month for the past year now and the story, the reality, the history continues to unfold in a most unpredictable way. Quick rewind to 1st May [...]
Hong Kong pro-democracy
The predicament which Hong Kong citizens face has become increasingly visible across international news channels over the past year. Images of thousands of protestors, wielding umbrellas, many wearing white disposable face mask filters to conceal their identities from Chinese and [...]
Apr 2019 – Climate: The World is at risk
Extinct Rebellion is the name of a well organised Climate Change activist group who have been causing a lot of disruption in London this month (sticking themselves to trains, blocking bridges, generally getting in the way and making a nuisance [...]
Mar 2019 – Mindfulness outdoors
Taking the dog for a walk first thing in the morning can be SO therapeutic and such a good time to reflect on life (as long as I’m not rushing off to work). It’s good for the sole. I’ve been [...]
February 2019 – A breath of fresh air.
The Molloy household all went skiing this month. As my son was booked into his first ski trip with his school and I’d landed a decent 6 month contract last summer, Sonja and I decided top take our daughter skiing [...]
January 2019 – Happy new year.
It’s great to see the new year in with really close friends. We did some proper good partying on the Isle of White this year: We're a group five families in all. We meet a couple of times a year [...]
Dec 2018 – Year ends on a high with Sky
Looks like my contract at Sky may be extended. Totally impressed with the way Sky has embraced Christmas for staff and families: The place is totally decked out with tasteful Christmas trees and lights. They’ve laid-on a family day with [...]
Nov 2018 – Cultural highlight: Frida Kahlo
An early cultural highlight this month, a trip to London to see the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the V&A. What an incredible life she had, what strength, resilience and amazing talent. Absolutely loved all of her work. The curation was [...]
Oct 2018 – Less is more Guys and Dolls
Highlight of the month was a trip with Sonja and the kids to the Royal Albert Hall on 20th to see Guys and Dolls. Absolutely top drawer. This production had no stage set, this may have meant we focused more [...]
Sept 2018 – Visible flypast of ISS
Last week I came home promptly and persuaded everyone to head over to the rec after we’d cleared away from supper to watch the International Space Station fly past. I was surprised how clearly you could see the shape of [...]
August 2018 – Back to the great outdoors
The transition out of a normal routine to a couple of nights under canvass and experiencing life in the great outdoors with family friends is always a highlight of the summer. Oh yes, it’s so much fun to be holed-up [...]
Jul 2018 – Grass-roots football
Blimey, what a month! So I had to post earlier in the month on England’s amazing performance on the World Cup football stage this. Hats of to the lads, they went much further than any-one expected and gave it everything. [...]
Back to work after a year long sabbatical
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UK Ambassadors for football 2018
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Jun 2018 – Highlight is Elvis Costello
Wonderful to see Elvis Costello at Blenheim Palace this month (my birthday treat). Nick Lowe was an excellent supporting act was on top form, as were The Waterboys. Such magnificent surroundings to see these guys. Stayed locally in a very [...]
Jun 2018 – England Football Squad
The newly reconstructed England Football Squad cautiously opened their account in the Group Stage of the World Cup with a 2:1 win against Tunisia on Monday 18th June. These young lads must surely have bee aware of the global interest [...]
First blog: Introduction
Hello this is Chris Molloy, online. This post is an introduction to my digital world which has two different perspectives: View 1 is this website, my personal blog, where I’m having fun, sharing observations and evoking memories. View 2- are my other ‘business-focussed’ websites that speak to agents, customers, clients[..]