The UK has experienced a late bloom of Summer this week. Early in the week British children returned to school following the long Summer holidays and the sun decided to put in an appearance.

The nights have sometimes had an Autumn nip in the air but the days have been glorious. The Summer that never was in the UK at least appeared for this one week. In London the Paralympics have been well supported and are due to close today. The British medal toll is again staggering. It has been a good year for the UK, if you ignore the poor weather, economy and the terrible government.

Watching the last night of the Proms yesterday it was plain to see that 2012 has swelled British Pride in some. This year the last night of the Proms was broadcast in Hyde Park and beyond swelling in effect the audience. The venue, the Albert Hall, was as usual packed to the rafters and TV audiences joined in the event.

The Proms were established more than 100 years ago offering a music event for the masses. Whether ticket prices make them easily affordable these days is unlikely. However TV coverage means that you can join in the madness. As the finale played out people sang, cheered and waved flags. The songs were traditional British songs such as Land of Hope and Glory. but some of the sentiment is as meaningful as ever. Yes, Britons will never be slaves!

British news this week has been dominated by the Cabinet re shuffle and a family murder in the French Alps.

Cameron's cabinet re shuffle achieved little in real terms. It has done little to bolster his position with his MPS or the public. There have been reports that the knives are out and some in the Tory Party are looking to oust Cameron. Reports that London Mayor Boris Johnson could be a serious challenger to the leadership of Cameron are strange as well as laughable. Yes Boris has a wide fan base and is loved for his eccentricity but is he PM material? We think not. Still he has that "Public school" background so loved by the Tories.

The murder investigation in the French Alps continues with French police now in the UK as part of their investigations. It has been revealed that the four people who died in the BMW in the French Alps all died from two bullets to the head. There seems little doubt that the murders were some sort of execution but why and by whom remain unknown. The two girls now orphans may still hold vital information.

As the new week begins it is due to be a return to Autumn. Enjoy the last of the beautiful weather today if you are able.

A blogger's tale

A while ago I was asked,
Why and when did you decide to start writing?
Furthermore - what persuaded you to take your talents to the Internet?

Here is what I wrote in reply.
In 2007 I was working in a pressurised environment for the NHS in the UK. My job held plenty of responsibility and hassle, for few rewards. Feeling that I was approaching breaking point I decided that it was time to walk away. As it has turned out I did return in a few short months but in a part-time capacity and different hospital environment.

When I first left though I took a drop in money. My new, temporary job was only just above the minimum wage and the 16 hours reduction in the working week added to the financial restraints.

Still I was much happier and the break gave me time to re-evaluate life and my priorities.

So, at home, with more time on my hands, and no money, I began to research ways that I could make a little extra money on-line.

Simply google "making money online" and all sorts of opportunities and scams are easy to find.

I wanted something that was legitimate, non pressurised and offered a little pocket money.

I began with surveys and mystery shopping and found the rewards nice. They were not always vast but they were steady extra cash.

English had been one of my best subjects at school and writing seemed a possibility. I had been good at art but my poor eyesight limited these opportunities.

I signed up at Dooyoo.co.uk and Ciao.co.uk and began to write product reviews. My initial reviews were dire. Whether it was lack of experience, my health at the time or simply lack of practice I do not know, but some reviews were dreadful. Still I earned a little money and built up a community. All in all I enjoyed these sites. Epinions was another that I joined, but only for a short time.

As my writing improved I gradually abandoned these sites and moved on. For a while I did go back and amend some of the reviews but as the rewards were small it felt time to move on.

I guess Helium was my first proper Internet writing site. It was in its infancy when I joined. Over the five plus years that I have been a member Helium has morphed into a new entity. Some of this I like. Some I do not.

Then in time I came across Hubpages. That site for me fulfilled many of my creative needs at least it did back then. It was user friendly, easy to get to grips with and did not make too many changes, too often. Yes, it has made some but most have been welcome improvements. Infobarrel was recommended by a fellow Hubber other sites followed. In time I streamline my Internet writing. There are only so many hours in a day and I do not want to be a, Jack of all trades, master of none, as the saying goes.

I guess on the whole I would say that I decided to try writing as a means to earn some extra money, but it turned out to offer so much more. Writing online offers flexibility, instant writing rather than jotting down notes and needs little initial financial outlay except for needing to have a computer.

It has helped me keep track of new technological innovations, make many virtual friends and stretch my brain. As practise makes perfect it has greatly improved my writing skills. At least I hope it has. It has become a big part of my daily life. I use it as a means to unwind from my daily part-time work.

As I am approaching retirement I have seen and experienced so much over the years that in some ways I have a wealth of knowledge. That is true of all of us as we go through life. The Internet enables us to share our knowledge and experience with people around the world.

The Internet was the place I chose to write mainly because it is accessible, relatively free, non restrictive and World wide. I also liked the possibilty to remain anonymous when required or wanted. I have no delusions about being another Jane Austen or J K Rowling but enjoy putting my thoughts into words.

Now with two websites under my belt I have gone from blogger to webmaster. Who would have though it? Certainly not I.

If you think that it is easy to make a bundle of cash writing online you are mistaken. It could however be the hobby for you.

The 2012 UK Summer wash-out is set to continue for at least two more weeks. Heavy rain has lashed various arts of the UK since May with little respite. Much of the country is on flood alert and many householders have endured the soul destroying effect of flooded homes this year. Such heavy rains cause other damage to roads, businesses  and pavements for example, so all in all Summer 2012 will be a costly affair.

We Brits are known for our obsession with the weather but this year it has been extreme weather breaking many records. The UK went from severe drought warnings to flood alerts almost in the blink of an eye. So what has gone wrong?

The culprit is the jet stream. It flows above us, six miles high, an ever moving river of air. Its position is crucial. Normally during the traditional summer months in the UK its position is above the UK bringing us that welcome sunshine and bright biue skies we currently yearn for. This year it is beloow the UK brininging the wet weather. Air pressure rules as far as weather goes.

Strangely this changed position of the jet stream is also responsible for the extreme temperatures the US is experiencing right now. Much as we would like good weather the US scorching temperatures are equally bad news.

So is this down to global warming or just one of the Earth's natural changes?

Research indicates that it is all part of global warming. The earth's jet streams are reported to have been shifting. Figures gathered from the late seventies show a position movement each year which has been called by some the widening of the "tropical belt" As jet streams move toward the Poles extreme weather will become normal weather.

If mankind is responsible is it too late to reverse the changes, or is it even possible?

Common sense tells you that you cannot abuse the planet and not expect a backlash. However some governments are now using the negative climate changes simply as a means to sting their citizens with more taxes. In reality it will take a re-think of many things. Of course we can all be environmentally conscious citizens without undue taxes. The bonus will often be personal money saved.

It may be too little too late but what have you got to lose? Earth is all we have. Future earth will be what we make it. Perhaps we should be laying down good foundations now for the next generation, before it is too late?

Tags: UK weather, extreme weather, jet stream position, US heat, UK rains, UK flooding, environmental damage

As another month kicks off today, most of us in the UK wonder if Summer will ever truly arrive in 2012. British weather may be renowned for its unpredictability but this year it has exceeded expectations. Official figures, still to be confirmed, show that last month was the coldest since 1991, the wettest since 1860 and the dullest since 1909.

2007 was previously recorded as the wettest June in the UK. That year many UK homes and businesses were flooded. No doubt that flooding record has been exceeded this year as flood warnings continue across the UK. Only last week one town appeared covered in snow after a hailstorm dropped hail the size of golf balls. During the same week though two days saw hot, humid temperatures which drained workers.

The UK is not alone with its wonky weather this year though. Across the Pond North America and the USA have experienced strange weather patterns, and across the globe each country has faced weather challenges. Global warming, climate change or simply the Earth's natural changes could all be responsible but it is hard to prove. There is no doubting that mankind is not a responsible occupant of planet earth. Scenes almost reminiscent of the movie The Day After Tomorrow should be seen as a warning. In real life it is doubtful that a happy ever after would be the outcome.

Corruption and welfare reform have dominated UK home front news.

Banking sleaze means that few people in the UK would respect their banker. In the past this official was a person who had authority and some respect. These days it is an occupation that is a four letter word, The Tory party of the UK coalition is hell bent on welfare reform. Their focus is easy to explain. Whilst the ordinary man and woman bicker against each other they leave the true spongers alone. The hierarchy of UK society are left to prosper and abuse the system.

Reform of the House of Lords is being given lip service by the Coalition but Cameron may not be as keen on this as Nick Clegg. For Mr Clegg it is part of fulfilling the Lib Dem election mandate. The Lib Dems and the Tories are now looking towards the parting of their ways following the next election. It will soon be every politician for him or herself.

Further afield Syria and an EU referendum appear to be the current Coalition focus.

A summit in Geneva left out relevant countries for obvious reasons. This however may mean that a resolution on Syria will prove difficult to implement or uphold. Hilary Clinton for the US is adamant that Assad must go. Will that leave another destabilised Middle Eastern country?

The Tories know that many UK citizens want out of the EU. At the very least most want a renegotiated deal. As part of the future election campaign Tory ministers are considering a referendum. It will however not be a simple in or out decision but rather a means of the terms of our membership.

In reality then this, as well as welfare reform, is simply the start of electioneering for the next general election.

July looks set to throw a range of weather at us, probably enough to cover all seasons. Enjoy those glorious sunny days if and when they arrive. If nothing else the weather will be a conversation piece.

Tags: UK weekly news wrap, Syria, EU referendum, UK electioneering, UK Coalition, UK flash flooding, wonky weather, official UK weather statistics