Day Jar View

Benjamin Franklin said: “Beer is living proof that God exists, and that he wants us to be happy.”

In and around the coastal towns of West Wales this week, I think that the happiest people in the UK must live here. I haven’t seen one chain pub, but instead of these soulless behemoths, there are literally dozens of independent pubs lining the streets, all presumably making enough to keep going.

It may be that the culture of these towns is centred around the pub, so they keep them afloat, or it may be that the pubs themselves keep the towns together, acting as the hub for all the gossip and socialising. Every so often a politician or other bleats about the demise of the Post Office, and I seem to remember it was Prince Charles who said something about the demise of the country pub.

Now, flower-talking notwithstanding, I think he had a point. It makes for a nicer visit, and if I was a local, given the choice of either 5 smaller pubs with different beers, characters and banter, or one giant brewery with euro-lagers and big TVs – I’d go for a mini-crawl every time.

Just spent 25 mins in a sauna at an indicated 70 degrees. Felt pretty hot when I came out which is no surprise.

Compared to the world champ of the other week, though, I’m an amateur: they managed 18 mins at 110 degrees.

Wonder if there was anything left?

I suppose it is Bank Holiday Monday after all, so we should expect a 70′s disaster flick.

I was surprised to switch over and see The Towering Inferno though. I know it’s 7 years since 9/11, but the sight of Hollywood’s finest inside a blazing skyscraper is probably still too close to the bone for some. But hats off to Channel Five for showing it.

Perhaps more perplexing is how on earth they managed to get that many actors in the same place at the same time. Must have cost them a fortune.

Worth every penny I’d say.

I know how much wholesale gas and electricity prices have gone up this past year, so this isn’t a criticism of the energy companies, as I’m not some Liberal sandal-wearer (although I do own some nice sandals) who thinks that companies who make profits are the devil’s work.

However, when you hear that the owners of the holiday complex that we are staying in might have to close their pool and spa complex next year because of rising bills, it starts to hit home how these 30% hikes can affect people.

My business won’t be directly affected by fuel price rises, nor will we have to wear extra jumpers at home, as there’s plenty that can go before we do that. But when your fuel bill goes from £8000 one year to already £12000 so far this year, you are looking at your profits disappearing fast.

He said he can’t charge customers extra as they are paying more themselves at home too, but I for one would happily pay a bit more if it meant they could keep it going. Because to be honest, if they hadn’t had the pool complex, we would have gone somewhere that did have one.

I hope they manage to keep it.