Blog Day 65: Wednesday 27 May 2020

Some of you may be aware that earlier this year I enrolled in the local U3A for a topic called Maritime and Military History, unfortunately I was only able to attend three sessions before the virus thingy closed the whole place down.  Like the ed staff at the Shrine the volunteer staff at U3A have been active in keeping members informed of what is happening and offering some of the courses on line.  Stephen, the convener of the Maritime and Military History group has been sending e-mails with links to various topics that either connect to the earlier sessions or of topics that he thinks may be of interest.  It is good to see these people going out of their way to maintain connections that may otherwise be lost over this period of time.

The following was sent out by Stephen for the group about the sinking of the RMS Laconia in the 2nd World War, so here is the story of the Laconia Incident.

Firstly, if you'd care to read about it:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia_incidenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia_incident

A short, related story closer to home:

 https://www.smh.com.au/national/abc-voice-of-soccer-saved-by-german-u-boat-commander-20200403-p54gpn.html

And two episodes of a film/documentary made about it: Part One - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7esQ9S46EJY

Part Two - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijoHGhSDSls
This incident had ongoing repercussions about how survivors of U-Boat attacks were treated and some consequences for the way future sinkings were to be treated as war crimes.

Talking about ships, yesterday I said that there had been another Ruby Princess associated infection in NSW, this was incorrect and the infected person is actually from Cairns in FNQ.  Keep your guard up in Cairns guys.

There has also been a further death reported in Queensland of a 30 year old male, who may have caught it off a aged care worker.  This is the youngest reported death in Australia.

Further 8 reported infections in Victoria, no further reported deaths.

Corona Virus Daily Stats: Day 142

Vic: 1,618 infected (+8 from previous day) - 19 deaths (increase 0)
Aus: 7,142 infected (+16 from previous day) - 103 deaths (increase 1)
Recovered: 6,560
World: 5,588,299


Comments

  1. Richard28 May 2020 at 09:48

    Wow, my last comment was May 14, sorry for my tardy absence but I have a good reason. No I didn't go away during ISO but I have been working on trying to get my money back from my pre-paid trip early next month. I have felt my blood pressure explode during this 'quest' or should I say epic quest to the point that I have had to walk away from the computer. So far Italy can continue to decline as an economy to the point that mass riots occur and the mafia take over completely (more so than now), Venice can sink into the mud and disappear forever, Barcelona should be bombed again as it was in 1938 during the Spanish War. The Eiffel tower can fall over in Paris so no tourist is ever interested in visiting the country again just to mention a few. If they seriously think that a voucher is compensation, which has to be used by the end of the year is compensation, then I wish lots of evil things (I should not tell you exactly as it may offend some viewers) upon them. Wow talk about a frustrating process. I continue to tell myself, I am not alone is this quest. So that is where I have been. Now to start my letters to local European Gov'ts to tell them exactly what I think about their country and why tourism is not returning. Let's just say the chances of me seeing Europe ever again are very slim indeed. One place in Barcelona said they would give me a credit for 5 yrs. If anyone is interested in going to Barcelona I have some cheap accommodation for you just don't mention my name when you get there.

    I noticed very little response to my MMT, most disappointing but I did notice some comments regarding the governments budget issues with Jobkeeper. We are 'normal' (define normal these days because I can't) people and think that an under-spend is a good thing. In Government, it's as bad as it gets. When you put in a budget and it's approved, you must spend that money. Crazy as it sounds, I had to do it in a foreign country by thousands of dollars. I saw it as a waste the Gov't saw it as coming in on budget.

    Your trip to Mornington must have been exciting but how were your driving skills. It's interesting to say the least watching people drive after so long. The new rule is don't go around a roundabout, just mount it and go through it. Very popular on my recent outing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Graeme28 May 2020 at 12:09

      Welcome back, sorry to read about your travel travails but you seem to have it all under control. I might take you up on the Barcelona offer one day. I think Andrew made some comment about MMT, he is a high school teacher so should know all about it. I haven't commented on MMT as I don't understand it and you know me, I am not going to offer an opinion on something I know nothing about. My driving was fine, it was everybody else on the road that were causing the problems.

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