World Of Winfield

Author: admin

Housing Policy

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brown and white wall paint houses beside green trees near high rise building

I noted with disconcertment the announcement the other day that help is to be given to 200,000 first time buyers to help them buy a new-build house. This is hardly the wide-ranging policy that is required to solve the housing crisis – which to me, is second only to the debt/deficit in terms of priority. That it doesn’t show as one of the top voter concerns is because ever-rising house prices are not a problem for those who own their house, which are the majority of the country. I am 35 now and many people of my generation will never … Continued

Detox Complete

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a person holding his belly fat

It’s all over bar the fat man singing. 31 days ago I drank my last pint of beer at Krakow airport, whilst on some pretty strong painkillers to get me through the flight.  The beer was at 3pm so as far as I am concerned, my detox is over in just a few hours time, meaning that I can have a beer with my Friday night pie.  Maybe even two. I’m not going to go over the details of why I do a detox – you can read my detox blog post if you are bothered.  Basically to feel better, … Continued

David’s Disappointing Debate Decision

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President Barack Obama and Prime

I am disappointed that David Cameron is refusing to take part in a series of debates. I accept that it probably took away the expected Conservative majority in 2010, allowing the Lib Dems to surge in popularity, though as a Liberal Conservative, the coalition between the two parties is as good as a majority. There was a sensible solution to the debates that nobody seemed to propose. Have a regional round, without the main party leaders.  For example in Scotland, you would have the SNP debating with the Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, and the Scottish Labour leader, Jim Murphy, … Continued

My First Piece Of Internet Fraud

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unrecognizable hacker with smartphone typing on laptop at desk

I had my first ever piece of internet fraud this weekend.  No it wasn’t me committing it. On Saturday I was checking my e-mail and this e-mail came in from Amazon Payments thanking me for my payment and subscription to ‘Private Internet Security Ltd’ (or similar) for $39.99. At first I thought it was a spam e-mail but it looked too professional and valid websites came up when hovering over the links.  So I clicked through to Amazon Payments, that I have never used, to find that I had an account, and it had my card details in it. I … Continued

Lent 2015

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fashion person art creative

What do paper clips, zebra crossings and French swear words all have in common? I have, in previous years, given them up for Lent. Yes Lent is that sacrificial period that I take slightly more seriously than Ramadan (seriously – how do you go without drinking water during the day??). And I continue in such reverent vain this year as I am giving up pruning my eyebrows. No plucking, no shaving, no form of eyebrow management is allowed for 40 days. You may jest but I am of the age where a fair proportion of my eyebrow hairs grow in … Continued

The Detox Is Back

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close up shot of a glass of orange juice

As I write this I have completed 10 days so far.  Consecutive days – unlike one of my colleagues who attempted a January detox, that started on 4th and finished on 25th and only actually managed 6 individual days.  I shall be doing a full 31 days – with the last day being Thursday 5th March. No alcohol.  No caffeine.  No bleach-snorting, no elephant tranquilizer, no e-by-bum, no vodka eye-shots.  Nothing.  Anything that could be seen as an intoxicant is out.  Fun is banned.   I first heard of detoxes through a hero of mine, Sven Vath.  I was quite … Continued

There Are No Snowmen In Poland

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I had never been to Poland before, nor to a ski resort (unless you count Burnley) so I jumped at the opportunity of a cheap weekend away – just £15 a night B&B and the return flights were £70. I didn’t know what to expect except alcohol, cold and snow.  However my first taste of snow appeared as we turned onto the M11 towards Stansted – the rain and sleet earlier in the journey had turned to a covering of snow and the traffic slowed, and as the snow got thicker towards Stansted, just one mile out the traffic came … Continued

2015 Goals

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I know we are 4 weeks in but I have finally written all my goals for the year. Lifestyle Lose Weight – So I didn’t quite manage my 6kg target last year.  I finished at 94kg, pretty much what I started on but averaged 91.5kg.  My goal is to get down to 87kg by December.  It’s a long-term goal – a lifestyle change not a crash diet. Monthly No Computer Evening – I live my life around my computer.  All day at work and I’m sat in front of it most of the time I am at home.  So on … Continued

The Danger Of Syriza

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low angle photograph of the parthenon during daytime

I note with some concern the election in Greece of Syriza. Whether it actually proves a disaster will depend on the European Union – and Angela Merkel in particular. I argued when the Euro-crisis first emerged that there were only two broad solutions – either for the countries in trouble to leave the Euro and devalue their currency until they were competitive in the markets again or for the Eurozone to become to become one fiscal unit – a United States of Europe, if you like, with, for example, harmonised tax rates and one collective Euro-debt (not exactly fair on … Continued

Freedom For Page Three

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woman wearing white bikini leaning on gray rock

I was delighted to see that The Sun was featuring a topless model on page 3 again late last week. Actually I should clarify, I did not see it – I only heard about it.  I am too engrossed in John Major’s autobiography and the only newspaper I read is The Economist. I was somewhat discombobulated two days ago when I heard the same commentators that were defending Charlie Hebdo’s right to offend, cheering on the apparent demise of daily boobs on the basis that it is sexist and outdated. It seems a tad contradictory to me. If you don’t … Continued