Gales!

I shall start tonight with a light hearted report – read to the end before you realize why it’s light hearted! I’m sure the Brits. are the only nation to laugh at themselves so much!

A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt in keeping with Australia's child custody laws and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her.
When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.
After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the English Cricket Team, whom the Court firmly believes are "not capable of beating anyone”

Now, more serious! I have published a picture of the top of a tree in my father’s garden which not only broke and blew off – it also managed to traverse the length of the garden! I have survived well as I took the satellite dish off last night, strapped down the TV aerial and ratchet strapped all the deck gear down as it was about to blow off. Many trees appear to have blown down in Cathiron Lane and I guess the site workers today have spent much of the day cutting up and removing trees! According to the news, about 8 people have died and winds have topped 90 MPH in some areas. Reminds me of the South Eastern hurricanes of the late 1990's. Apparently now the wind is calming down but the snow is on the way – oh joy!