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Here we are on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Once a Danish possession, it was purchased by the United States in 1917 as a base for the navy, during WW1.


This was the first time we had Wi-Fi since embarking because we economised on the ship's 'extras'.  Other passengers have been complaining about it. When do people not complain about Wi-Fi?  But I think we may have been taught a lesson - it's hard to do without.

St Thomas was previously Danish so, like Denmark did long ago, they drive on the left.  Yet, as in the US, the cars here are left-hand drive.  It's a reverse of taking an English car to the Continent or in Myanmar where they drive right-hand drive cars, from Japan, on the right.

It's strangely disorienting, and not very safe.

It's a small island and not a big job to reverse the traffic lights.  On September 3, 1967 the whole of Sweden, road tunnels and all, switched sides overnight.  Even Myanmar switched overnight (the wrong way).  Yet something about the US psyche resists change. They can't go metric either.  

The island seems idyllic but it was far too hot.  While Wendy shopped, I just had to find a bar and sit in front of the fan, drinking pina coladas ?.

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Travel

Southern England

 

 

 

In mid July 2016 Wendy and I took flight again to Europe.  Those who follow these travel diaries will note that part of out trip last year was cut when Wendy's mum took ill.  In particular we missed out on a planned trip to Romania and eastern Germany.  This time our British sojourn would be interrupted for a few days by a side-trip to Copenhagen and Roskilde in Denmark.

Read more: Southern England

Fiction, Recollections & News

The Coronation

Last Time

 

 

When George VI died unexpectedly in February 1952, I was just 6 years old, so the impact of his death on me, despite my parents' laments for a good wartime leader and their sitting up to listen to his funeral on the radio, was not great.

At Thornleigh Primary School school assemblies I was aware that there was a change because the National Anthem changed and we now sang God Save The Queen.

Usually, we would just sing the first verse, accompanied by older children playing recorders, but on special occasions we would sing the third verse too. Yet for some mysterious reason, never the second.

The Coronation was a big deal in Australia, as well as in Britain and the other Dominions (Canada, South Africa and New Zealand) and there was a lot of 'bling': china; tea towels; spoons; and so on. The media went mad.

Read more: The Coronation

Opinions and Philosophy

Energy Solutions

 

 

 

 

Most informed commentators agree that Australia needs a better mix of energy sources.  We are too dependent on fossil fuel.  This results in a very high rate of carbon dioxide production per capita; and this has international and domestic implications in the context of concerns about climate change.

Read more: Energy Solutions

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