h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

jwf

In and out processes can be quite sexy. But perhaps I had migratory factors in mind because of the reference to population figures. Though there has been a reverse flow of the Poles in the economic downturn the Coalition has not been meeting its net-migration targets because fewer people are emigrating. As I inferred, time was when people were telling me that this country was finished and with my French connections I really should go there. Not anymore. On Sunday our daughter pointed out that if we want Euros for our French life the rate of exchange is the best that it has been probably since it crashed in 2008.

But I was wondering re the Census figures whether there is a Baby Boom factor. In the last decade the post-war Baby Boomers (my parents got ahead me being born in 1944) have reached retirement age, and our Actuary daughter tells me we are referred to as "The Phalanx"- a uniquely healthy, strong and active generation. Presumably this would mean a greater % surviving into retirement , and as we are largely fit and active, creating additional demand for goods and services, many of which seem to be challenges taken up by immigrants either very highly qualified (like doctors, dentists etc) or prepared to accept very menial work.

Sometimes the two are the same an old friend who had worked in a bank serving Latin America discovered a friend who had been a university professor in Argentina working as a dishwasher in a London cafe. Precious freedom of thought and speech. We take it for granted.

Cass

Slip, slop, slap. Neither Jungian nor Freudian, just official advises for when the sun comes out.

Don’t know what centaury that’s likely to be though.

Sunblocker is almost certainly going to be essential when and if the sun shines because we will be going straight from autumnal temperatures to mid-summer sunshine.. Already ten days ago one h2g2 poster who had rejoiced at the opportunity to get out into the Sun albeit briefly subsequently regretted the discomfort of sunburn. Yesterday, profiting from more or less no rain to finally sow my carrots, not laying my hands on my regular gardening hat, I took out another cap. Years of going off from the UK to French sunshine since I lost my "thatching" up top have taught me that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Cass

Yes

& very soon