Bluesky Thinking

Turning on the radio on Thursday evening, I was greeted to silence. This was somewhat of a surprise as my wireless has been set bang-on Radio 4 for three years at least.

I was just about to investigate the problem when a Blackbird broke into song. As soon as it had finished, the owner of the garden that the thrush was singing in said how much she was enjoying the quiet – a rare commodity for her given that she lived directly under the flight path to Heathrow.

Congratulations to PM and Eddie Mair for highlighting the positive side of the cessation of commercial flights across Europe. Contrast the BBC News channel that when not showing pictures of regional reporters inside empty air terminals and aeroplanes parked up on the tarmac, carp on about how much it is costing the economy ad infinitum.

So, in an attempt to provide a little balance, here is a list of some positives to arise from Volcanogate.

1 A glorious clear blue sky unmarked by vapour trails that normally mean our airspace looks more like an Emo’s wrist.

2 The irritating gobshite owner of Ryanair, Michael o’Leary, is losing wodges of cash.

3 Wonderful sunsets.

4 Less carbon dioxide is being pumped into the atmosphere.

5 Blanket news coverage means less time for Brown, Clegg, Cameron et al to espouse hot air, waffle and spin.

And, of course, all those people who are currently sat in their garden with a glass of chabbers, enjoying one of life’s simplest pleasures: birdsong, rather than the roar of Rolls Royce engines.

Until later.