Boris Johnson: "Forget about trying to contain Germany – we should copy it"

Good article by Boris Johnson at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10193985/Forget-about-trying-to-contain-Germany-we-should-copy-it.html.

Shame he doesn't mention energy policy, which is definitely something Britain should copy from Germany!

Minister wrong over windfarms

Sorry to go on about this, but I can't stop thinking about the windfarm unhappiness of our so-called Environment Secretary. See my letter (below) published in the Leicester Mercury today.

Windfarm happiness, part 2

Sent a follow up letter to Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay today.

If you missed Question Time on 6th June, you might want to watch the last few minutes at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b02v2qn5/Question_Time_06_06_2013/. The relevant 'bit' starts at 51:20.

Windfarm happiness

Letter sent today to Environment Secretary at owen.paterson.mp@parliament.uk

Dear Mr Paterson

Rather than embracing wind power as part of a portfolio of clean, renewable energy solutions, which is what one would normally expect from an Environment Secretary, you appear to have reservations, to put it mildly, as evidenced by the article at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337466/Wind-farms-complete-scam-claims-Environment-Secretary-says-plans-turbines-causing-huge-unhappiness.html, for example.

It is a shame you were not present at the recent Swinford Windfarm Community Fund launch event, which was an interesting and happy occasion where a good time was had by all.

The eleven impressive turbines at Swinford Windfarm have been generating pollution-free electricity since November, apparently without causing any problems whatsoever, just like the four turbines at nearby Low Spinney Windfarm. Many observers regard these elegant structures as symbols of a new age of enlightenment that are perfectly compatible with the landscape in Leicestershire and elsewhere.

For your edification I attach a photo of Swinford Windfarm showing all eleven turbines (taken in the evening after the Community Fund launch event), and I am taking the liberty of copying this message as an open letter to various contacts.

Yours sincerely

Herbert Eppel, Pro Wind Alliance founder member
EurIng CEnv MEI MITI
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Germany Seeks a New Longest Word

This is fascinating, don't you think?
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-seeks-a-new-longest-word-a-903470.html

A slightly more 'sober' report on the issue can be found on the Tagesschau website at
http://www.tagesschau.de/schlusslicht/rekordbandwurmwort100.html

What is wrong with using Amazon?

I was vaguely aware that are are 'issues' with Amazon but am embarrassed to admit that I hadn't followed it up. Have now read Boycott Amazon – What is wrong with using Amazon? and will think at least twice in future before using Amazon!

Update January 2015:
The other day I came across Wordery on eBay while looking for the New Oxford Style Manual, following recommendations from translator colleagues. I proceeded to order the book from Wordery and was well impressed. Based on my experience so far, I can recommend Wordery as an alternative to Amazon for book orders. 

Update July 2021:
Further recommendations from colleagues (not tried these myself yet):

• https://uk.bookshop.org
• https://www.medimops.de
• https://www.betterworldbooks.com
  

Best Friday humour ever (probably), and food for thought: Die lustigsten und skurrilsten Grabkreuze – plus: Dumb Ways to Die

See below for your entertainment (in German, sorry), but also food for thought - note last paragraph.

On a related note, see "Dumb Ways to Die", an Australian rail company's public safety warning video at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2012/nov/28/dumb-ways-to-die-video