Why is every UK taxpayer paying for this?

The Pope is here...apparently.
But why are UK taxpayers footing half the bill for his visit?
It's crazy.
If the head of the Muslim faith, Sikh Faith, Hindu faith, Buddhist faith, ooops or even the head of the Jews was to come, would they get half their "visit" paid for by UK taxpayers? I think not, and I resent my tax being used for this. I don't pay much, but do not agree to us footing the bill, even if only half of it.
Vatican City is rich enough to make sure the Pope is secure whilst here.
I am NOT a catholic and object quite strongly. I wonder if there is any way the non catholics can get a tax refund? Shouldn't think so, but what about members of other recognised faiths who might like a visit from their spiritual leader, they have every right to feel annoyed as well.
On paper, I'm C of E, but my actual faith is a personal matter.
I wouldn't mind paying towards the Dali Lama to visit, although, if he was to visit I feel sure he wouldn't want all the ostentatious show that the pope has been shown.
No wonder people turn away from organised western religions with their "Sunday" morning goodness.

Big Brother is watching us all!

Nope, not the waste of space on channel 4 that has finally come to an end. Politics for Novices subject for today.
Everywhere we go today there are CCTV cameras, yet, why aren't they in evidence on the soaps.
For example, someone got into a fight on Coronation Street the other day, outside the Rovers Return, yet there is no CCTV camera. Most pubs have premises CCTV outside them, or nearby these days, and I am sure there are more cameras in Manchester than Morecambe, so the plot line has an unrealistic twist to it.
Similarly, Eastenders seems to have no CCTV cameras, enabling Lucas to bury someone in a public "square" .
Perhaps the script writers should address this oversight. I know "crime" plot lines help with popularity, but REALLY....they should also be relevant.

Flu!

I started with flu on Thursday last week. Haven't done much apart from sleep, read and sleep some more since then.

UK versus Australia

No, nothing to do with cricket, rugby or any sport.
I'm thinking about "Come Dine with Me"
Yesterday there was a whole weeks episodes on channel 4, but they were Australian ones, and I'm afraid the whole enjoyment of the programme is for me, the commentators comments, and the Aussie commentator is nowhere near as entertaining as Dave Lamb. I'm not sure if it's his voice, his comments, the banter he seems to share with the week's cooks, just he is far and above more entertaining than his Aussie counterpart.

Butterfly count closed

The Big Butterfly Count closed on 31/8/10, or for anyone who isn't from UK..31st August 2010!
The findings of the count's throughout August are here
Today at work within five minutes I spotted five butterflies, one I have never seen before. What species? soon.
Behind my workplace, a school, are the local allotments. I know one of the allotment keepers has bees, as he works at the school. So despite the school being possibly classed as urban environment, there are the allotments close by.
The butterflies I spotted were small white, 2 tortoiseshell and red admiral.....the fifth..never seen before...the closest to what I saw is the Silver Washed Frittilary...the yellower one.
I'll be honest..it was yellow and black, and I know I have never seen one before...and was flying fairly low.
Have enjoyed spotting butterflies...now I need to check if our swifts are where they normally are this time of year...means walking the dogs later, but ...am OK about that...
The bats are still in the alleyway behind my house, am glad to see that..I thought their roost was subject to arson earlier this year, so am happy to see them.

Another butterfly count

Around noon today I decided to do another butterfly count and submit my sightings, as part of the big butterfly count.
There were 28 in 15 minutes.
One I couldn't identify, cos it didn't settle and moved quite fast, and I saw what I think was a Comma butterfly. It's the first time I've seen one of those, so it made me smile.

Dangerous dogs!!! again?

This story is news over here today and yesterday. The puzzling thing I have found is, some "news" reporters say there were 2 dogs, some say 3.
If you are going to run a story about dangerous dogs, or indeed anything, please get you facts right.
Although, to me, even one dog who attacks a child, is one too many. I have dogs of my own, but if either attacked a child I would have to consider the very worst thing a dog owner can possibly entertain.
But to me, the story just shows how lackadaisical are our laws about dogs. Yes, I know that the UK is renowned for it's love of it's pets, but a dangerous dog is just that, and perhaps our laws are not tight enough.