Thursday 23/3/17 - the day after

I feel like I've been MIA again!  

Pulling my back and being out of action didn't do much for my mood which hasn't been great recently.  The weather and dark nights do not help and looking around seeing all the things I want to get done not being done just compounds the whole thing.

And then stuff happens that makes you realise how lucky you are and that you really shouldn't be whining.

Like a nice sunny day that means getting out and about with hubby.

These pictures were taken at Three Mills and the nearby park in Stratford.  The mills were originally working mills and one of the oldest examples of tidal mills.  More info on them can be found here.


Having all the family together and meeting the newest members Joe and Ness.

Surprise packages in the post:

And the knowledge that although some might want and try to damage our basic beliefs, our democracy and our freedom by committing acts of terror, we will not be terrorised.  We will stand together against such acts, and will not be defeated.

The events in London yesterday were awful and I've just watched on TV a minute's silence being held in Westminster and outside the police headquarters, Scotland Yard.  Fortunately none of our family were caught up in it, although hubby's building, which is a Government building was locked down for a while initially.  Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones or have loved ones injured by the events.  Their lives will be changed forever.

It was shocking, but I wasn't shocked.  For months now, having seen similar events happening elsewhere, it really did feel like it was not if, but when would it happen here?  Living in a major city you are aware that the city is a target.  I think it is a testament to our police and security services that we have not seen more attacks.  

I'm sure that additional security measures will be implemented and some will no doubt say these should have been in place before.  That the attack could have been prevented.  But how do you stop an individual who decides to hire a car, drive to London, plough into innocent people and then go on a rampage with knives?  

I know it's not as simple as that.  The threat of terror attacks is scary but more scary is the state of the world today.  Even beginning to think about the big questions facing us in the future is too scary to contemplate.  As individuals though we can aim to do our best to not make problems worse.  To be kind to one another.  To be tolerant of our differences.   To respect our planet and its resources.  To raise our children with love and provide them with an understanding of right and wrong.  To make the right choices.  To understand that sometimes we get it wrong.  We make mistakes.  The important thing is to learn from those mistakes and ensure that we don't repeat them and to show those who try to terrorise us that we will not be cowed.