Shock, Horror!

I sat watching Sky news completely aghast by the turn of events in the UK. My beloved London had become a war zone. I say beloved because I spent the latter part of my teenage years in the UK whilst doing sixth form and subsequently tertiary courses.
Though it was late, I started sending text messages and making Skype calls, leaving messages via Facebook to a number of family and friends who are also living in some of the places that had the worst rampages. I have fond memories of the Arndale Shopping centre in Manchester and tears filled my eyes just watching looters go wild, bashing the glass doors, lighting fires, etc.

I do know for a fact that the morale fabric in the UK has broken down over the years. Indiscipline, lack of respect and an aversion to people in authority, are some of of the things the youth can be accused of. Some young boys and girls who cannot find jobs are frustrated and do not have much faith in the government. Primarily because the government has let them down in more ways than one and  in addition, are cutting back on certain services available to the youth.

I think David Cameron and his party need to sit back and take a long hard think about how they can bring about peace and gaining the trust of the youth. Maybe the re-introduction of  the National Service may be the answer or redesigning the National Youth Scheme...I don't have the answers and I am only speculating. I do want to say congratulations to Mr. Sheldon Thomas for doing a yeoman's job in helping teenage boys get out of gangs. He saw and discussed a different angle of the looting and mayhem going on in the UK and it was refreshing.

I do hope and pray that the rioting stops and people can get back to feeling safe in their homes and shops.

Holiday

I had not taken a holiday in a long while but in August 2010 I took the plunge and visited Switzerland. I love Switzerland and first came here at the young age of 9. I fell in love with it and even then told myself I would be back. I did come back in July 1982. At the time the hit band "Imagination" had just come out with the top hit "Illusion". Anytime I hear that song, I remember walking by Lake Geneva, ice cream cone in hand and just enjoying the view of the Jet d'eau against the backdrop of the mountains.

I'm back again in Summer 2011 and this time staying for much longer and enjoying every bit of it. Weather has been great though we have had some rainy spells. Been up to Lugano and I will recommend it to everyone. Wow...that place really made an impression on me. I have made some new friends, people who are friends of friends from back home and it's been great.

I know I shall be back again and will take a whole new set of photos. In the meantime, enjoy some of my photos.