We would 2026 to improve please - invasions, New Year’s day swimming, parties, inadequate tents.

 Well, 2026 has got off to a dramatic start and today is only January 3rd. This was the first news report I saw at around 9.00:-

“Trump claims Maduro 'captured and flown out of the country'

US president Donald Trump claims that the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife have been “captured and flown out of the country”.

In a Truth Social post shared only moments ago, Trump wrote:

The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.

The Guardian has been unable to independently verify this report.”

And here’s Michael Rosen on Facebook:

“Trump is considering bombing City Hall and capturing Sadiq Khan.

Why not?”

New Year’s Day madness led to a number of people going for a swim. I seem to remember my father doing this on occasion in the sea off Southport. The sea there is the Irish Sea, long known to have been warmed by the Gulf Stream Drift. With climate change this may no longer be the case but certainly as a child I swam in warmish water off the beach at Ainsdale, but only ever in the summer. Not quite Mediterranean Sea warmth but pleasant enough. The first time I dipped my feet in the North Sea, probably at South Shields in Tyneside, I was somewhat shocked to see my feet turning blue with cold.

Anyway, they have been pulling bodies from the sea off Withernsea in the West riding of Yorkshire where the water is very cold. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued advice, warning that the effects of cold water shock, combined with weather conditions, pose a risk to anyone entering water that is 15C or below, particularly at a time of year when the average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland is 6C to 10C. And the last few days have been very cold.

In Switzerland they now think the Crans-Montana fire may have been caused by people holding sparklers too close to the ceiling tile and thus setting fire to them. Investigations are under way. But what a combination, excitable young people - mostly teenagers - and alcohol and fireworks in an indoor venue! How horrendous to send your youngsters off to enjoy a New Year’s Eve party and now to be waiting for bodies to be identified! 

Elsewhere, it seems that most of the tents supplied to displaced Palestinians, often sold to them at extortionate prices are quite inadequate for the Gaza winter. Many are not waterproof, others are too flimsy and poorly made to withstand the strong winds. Another nightmare scenario.

Back in early October Phil and I accepted the NHS invitation to have a flu vaccination and a Covid Booster injection. We thought we were protected for the winter. The germs should have a minimum effect of us! But either they gave us the wrong vaccinations or something new has developed in the meantime. We’ve been coughing and spluttering for weeks. Today, apart from a continued persistent cough is the first day I have felt relatively normal since the end of Christmas Day!  

I don’t think it’s just us either. Reports tell of A&E departments inundated with cases of flu.

We smile and wish people a Happy Year as we are out for a walk but on the whole, 2026 can only get better!

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!