Self isolating circular walk from Forest Gate via Bush Wood & Wanstead

On Sunday Gill and I took advantage of the lovely weather to walk from home for our hour of exercise. We went via Wanstead flats (Epping Forest) past Jubilee Pond into Bush Wood then Wanstead then home. There is loads of beautiful openspaces and parkland within London.

As you can see, pretty much everyone we saw was acting appropriately and keeping to government guidelines. If we keep this up then our parks and open spaces will not have to be closed.

I note today that the French government have banned taking physical exercise between 10am to 7pm. Hopefully, if we keep to our government guidelines such drastic measure will not need to be introduced in the UK. 

Self isolate or this may happen in UK

Hat tip UK Government website

"This is a non-professional translation of the French personal travel exemption relating to the COVID-19 decree.

You must download the French form below, print it and complete it and carry it on your person for each outing.

This attestation complements the printed and paper versions currently in circulation and works on smartphones or tablets with a QR code which allows the police to scan it without needing to touch the device. Police will also be able to see if and when the attestation was edited to counter fraudulently dated and timed copies. There is no risk to data being stolen, as files will not be stored. However, you can save your own information.

In accordance with Article 3 of the decree issued on 23 March 2020 prescribing the general measures necessary to deal with the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic in the context of the health emergency

I, the undersigned

Mrs/Mr:

Born on:

Address:

• certify that my trip is related to the following reason authorised by article 3 of the decree of 23 March 23 2020 prescribing the general measures necessary to deal with the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic in the context of the state of emergency:
• trips between home and place of work, when there is essential need for it, because the professional activity cannot be performed at home (provide permanent documentary proof) or professional trips that cannot be postponed
• outings to make essential purchases (full list available on gouvernement.fr), or to purchase supplies that are indispensable to professional activity, or to withdraw cash
• outings for urgent medical care, appointments and care that cannot take place remotely, care for chronic diseases, such as diabetes
• outings for essential family reasons, to assist vulnerable people or for childcare
• short trips, close to home, for individual physical activity, excluding collective sports, and for the needs of domestic animals; a walk with someone living in your household; within 1km of your home; no longer than an hour; only once per day
• responding to administrative and judicial summons
• joining a community activity, if asked by your administrative authority

Completed in (name of town or city) on (MMY) and time (hour you left home) Signature

La Marseillaise: 'The Greatest National Anthem in the World, Ever' - BBC...

"Historian Simon Schama explains why La Marseillaise is the greatest national anthem in the world, while artist Andrew Park reimagines Delacroix’s iconic painting Liberty Leading".

La Fête Nationale. Joyeux Quatorze Juillet ((aka #BastilleDay in UK but not interestingly in France where it is just known as their national holiday)

To our Brothers & Sisters in France "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" Solidarite & No Pasarán!

Following the massacre of the innocents in Nice. To all comrades in France currently suffering from and facing the fascist threat.  Solidarity! Yes but also "No Pasarán!

Casablanca La Marseillaise

 
"On ne passe pas". Never give in to fascists

Solidarity with France

Liberté, égalité, fraternité

IKEA "blacklisting" and spying on customers who complain

Check out this article in New York Times on IKEA in France up to no good. While far worse has gone on the UK where thousands of trade unionists had been "blacklisted" this is surely a first that a major company has allegedly been bribing police and hiring private eyes to spy on customers who dare to make a complaint! Amazing.

Hat tip SERTUC.

The NHS in 2010 Compared to Franch, Germany and the US

So why have the Tories decided to wreck arguably the most successful and cost effective health service in the world? ‪#‎nhs299‬ Hat tip Our NHS Our Future.

Marseillaise 6 mai 2012 Paris Place de la Bastille avec François Hollande

Congratulations to the new Socialist President of France, Francois Hollande!

UNISON International Seminar: Leeds 2009

Yesterday evening the UNISON International Seminar began in the Queens Hotel in Leeds. There are 93 delegates registered from all over the Country. Most are BIRO’s (Branch International Relation Officers).

Unions love jargon and I can remember the first time I heard the term BIRO's I could not for the life of me work out what the term stood for.

I’m here as a delegate from the London Regional International & European Committee with our Chair Ray Mouratsing. At the “Introduction to Weekend” there was an “ice breaker” group quiz. We split into groups of 2 or 3 and had to answer questions on posters with geographical themes put on walls around the conference room.

Some of the questions – (and surprising answers). FRANCE - What percentage of workers in France are members of trade unions? Is it 70%:40% or 10%? (Answer 10%). True or False - until 2009 did some trade unions in France have special rights due to their resistance work against the Nazi during World War 2? (Answer True)

SWAZILAND – How much money did the 13 wives of the King of Swaziland spend on a recent shopping trip to Europe? Is it £500,000: £1 Million or £4 Million? (Answer £4 million). How many political Parties contest elections in Swaziland? (Answer None – there are no elections in Swaziland as it is an absolute monarchy).

Bastille Day - Viva La France

Hat tip thingy Paulie via Slugger