Swine Flu Update

Current travel advice

The Foreign Office is now advising against all but essential travel there.

Please be aware, due to the conditions on some travel insurance policies you will not be covered if you travel to a country the Foreign Office has specifically advised against travelling to. As always, check with your provider before you travel.

Routine Consular and all Visa Services at the Embassy in Mexico City have been suspended until further notice. British Nationals in Mexico, who have an urgent consular issue should call the Embassy on (01 55) 5242 8500 for assistance.

The official advice from the Health Secretary:
First, it is important to emphasise that in all cases outside Mexico, the symptoms of this illness are mild and all patients have made a full recovery.

Second, we can all take simple measures to prevent infection, in particular covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands regularly. Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms should go home and contact their GP.

Third, anyone who has recently travelled to the affected areas and is experiencing influenza-like illness should stay at home to limit contact with others and seek medical advice by phone from a local health professional or NHS Direct.

Scottish Stunt Rider Danny Macaskill

A film of Edinburgh cyclist Danny Macaskill performing stunts around the city is attracting huge interest.

BBC report:


You Tube videos:

Kite surfer triggers a huge rescue effort

A man kite surfing in the Bristol channel triggered a huge response from the RNLI, coastguard and RAF when he got into trouble at 18:30 on Tuesday. The rescue involved five RNLI crews, four coastguard teams on land and a RAF helicopter - not bad for one person.

He had been attempting to cross the channel from Weston-Super-Mare to Cardiff but was eventually picked up 15 miles away near Aberthaw power station, Vale of Glamorgan.

He was well equipped with a dry suit and backpack but was blown off course during the attempted crossing.

After being rescued the man was given tea and "advice" and dropped off to catch a train back to Weston to find his car.

Tragedy at Shropshire Cave

One teenager has been killed and another seriously hurt after a cave in.

A group of teenagers had set up camp in Hermitage Caves new Bridgnorth. A boy, 16, has been killed and an 18 year old girl has suffered back, neck and rib injuries.

Their have been recent reports of cave-ins due to tree roots penetrating the roof of the caves - so far the authorities have not confirmed the cause of the this particular cave-in.

Full story on BBC News >>

Ewan McGregor Davidoff Advert

Slightly old news this but I'm still amazed it ever made it to TV. If you haven't seen it yet it is one of the cheesiest cash ins on a celebrity profile I have seen. On the back of McGregor's round the world and Scotland to South Africa journeys, which don't get me wrong are good in their own right, Ewan has signed up to advertise a new Davidoff fragrance.

The work of pure cheese:



And the excellent parody: