Prescott

Miliband at SE Regional Conference 20/02/10

In the House of Lords

I work in the House of Lords. Today a question will be asked by Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall at approximately 2.40pm about Milton Keynes. She will ask "Her Majesty’s Government what support they will give to the restoration and development of Bletchley Park."

If you want to watch the question - and the expected seven or eight minutes of "supplementaries" - it is available live (and for a month thereafter) on http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Home.aspx

The usual practice is that the person asking the question stands up and says

“My Lords, I beg leave to ask the question standing in my name on
the order paper.”

A representative of the Government (Unlike the House of Commons questions are directed to the Government, not an individual Department), usually the Minister for the Department felt most appropriate to answer, gives an answer of no more than 75 words. The original questioner asks a supplementary - and other Peers can ask relevant supplementaries for approximately 7 minutes.

Apologies

I haven't been able to post as many entries as I had intended. It will be some time before I can get internet access at home - and as I am on the campaign trail until June 4th - I'm not getting to places where I could otherwise get internet access.

As soon as Sky have activated my landline - and the broadband which I can't even order until the landline is working - I'll be making regular entries. Until then - I'll post when I can.

Over the last few days I've been leaving Milton Keynes early and returning late - to campaign in Nottingham; participate in an NFU debate for the European Parliament in Rutland http://www.nfuonline.com/x38364.xml; attend the national launch of the European campaign in Derbyshire http://www.labour.org.uk/winning_the_fight_for_britains_future_-_gordon_brown,2009-05-14; and to attend a Library Training Day for my Open University Law Students at the Birmingham College of Law. On Sunday I went with my daughter and her boyfriend to the Airshow at Duxford. It was a very enjoyable day (if a little cold and wet at times).

In the evenings I've been continuing to read Sir Frank Markham's excellent history of Milton Keynes. I'm particularly interested in the canal; road and railway history of the area. I'll be writing some posts on these topics soon.

More Birds & a Cycle

Yesterday on my walk to the station, as I crossed the bridge at Furzton Lake, a Heron was sitting on the bridge.

On my return we went for our first cycle - to Morrisons.

Today I am in Leicester, where I tutor at the University. It's a longer journey than I undertook when living in Rugby, but it was great listening to a Benny Goodman CD. I made good progress on the M1, apart from a brief hold up between Junctions 15 and 15A.

Healthy Lifestyle

Now that I'm back at work - I've started walking to Milton Keynes station. It is such a lovely walk. It takes about 35 minutes and is through parkland. There are so many different birds en route - I'm going have to invest in a bird spotting book! My wife is a bit better at identifying birds than I am - just in our area we have seen a woodpecker; herons; geese & loads of ducks.

A Costa coffee shop at Milton Keynes Central station which opens at 05.30 is a temptation. Perhaps tomorrow. I've been catching the 06.20 train, but may experiment with later services over the next few days.

Last night, after a walk with my wife by Furzton Lake, I listened to a Benny Goodman CD - prompted by the high praise heaped on him by both John Dankworth and Emma Johnson at this week's 'Jazz Matters'. He really makes a superb sound - both in his own playing - and through his band.

First Day Back At Work

After a busy weekend - finally some kind of order has been established around the house. Still a bit more to be done - but many of the rooms are now tidy - and about half the books are on their shelves.

We didn't work all the bank holiday weekend. We had an enjoyable meal with family at the TwoForOne Restaurant on Furzton Lake. We walked there - and we've had a few other walks. This morning it was a delight to walk to the railway station. My route is through the linear park in the middle of North Furzton - crossing a bridge over a part of Furzton Lake; across Watling Street (V4) and past the Bowl and the Teardrop Lakes. It took 32 minutes - and a couple of rabbits and lots of birds crossed as I was walking. It was delightful - so much like walking in the country - except I was in a city.

On Sunday we went to 'Jazz Matters' at the Stables. A fascinating morning about the Clarinet, led by Sir John Dankworth and Emma Johnson.

I have posted some photos at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94294&id=522735145&saved#/album.php?aid=94294&id=522735145