Why are we surprised?

The signs that Burma is run by a repressive regime are easy to find and well reported so why do we think that anything changes when a cyclone arrives? The savage attacks on the monks and other protesters last year were a pretty clear example of what the military government thinks about it's own people so a few hundred thousand deaths is unlikely to give the leadership many sleepless nights.

The following is an extract from the Berkman Center for Internet and Society's report on internet censorship in Burma (2005) and gives a flavour of the paranoia of the regime.

"Internet access is costly and the state uses software-based filtering techniques to limit significantly the materials Burma's citizens can access on-line. Most dial-up Internet accounts provide access only to the limited Myanmar Internet, not to the global network that most people around the world can access. The state maintains the capability to conduct surveillance of communication methods such as e-mail, and to block users from viewing Web sites of political opposition groups, organizations working for democratic change in Burma, and pornographic material. As compared to states elsewhere around the world, Burma's censorship regime is among the most extensive."

What a week!

Last week we had six wonderful days in the Lake District to get some walking in and what a brilliant time we had.

That's the thing about mountain weather: it's unpredictable. We started all the walks in good conditions and by the time we reached the top we were in cloud or rain or hail or a thunderstorm. And then the weather clears and it's all worth it. The next pics are the same peaks on the same days, taken minutes later.

No strenuous exercise said the doctor

The doctor at the hospital said no strenuous exercise for four to six weeks the day before I was off to the Lake District for a week of fell walking. Bad timing.

It started with a wart on my knee and when the nurse had diagnosed that I stood up, and in true Carry On fashion reached for my belt and said "while I'm here there's something else I'd like to show you". She looked suitably horrified until I explained that I had a birthmark where SPF 15 isn't necessary and it had changed a bit in the last few weeks. She suggests that a viewing by a doctor would be best so off I go to see the GP and he takes one look and says I need to go to the hospital asap. Fair enough I say and am impressed with the efficiency of the good old NHS. I start to think a bit more about this speed and efficiency when the letter confirming my "emergency appointment" arrives. Hmm, that's the first time those words have been used. I arrive at the hospital on time and within an hour I've been examined, photographed and had the birthmark and associated extension removed for tests. Yes, photographed. There I am, in a photographer's studio, trousers and pants round my ankles with the full range of lights and equipment aimed at my groin making conversation with the photographer about anything but the focus of his lens. All in a day's work for him but altogether surreal for me.

I was on my way back to the car when it dawned on me what I had said to the doctor. "When can I start strenuous exercise?" I was thinking of any impact on the training for the Three Peaks Challenge but bearing in mind where he was operating I imagine he thought I meant something else. Ooops!