Good morning everyone,
After what I have seen on the news of Japan, I dont think I will mention British weather again.
How lucky we are

Good morning...........

A rather sleepless night, probably the sight of that terrible disaster in Japan has had an effect on my mind, we are fortunate in this country that we don't suffer the extremes of nature other parts of the world, particularly the southern hemisphere, endure.

Enjoy your day ......

Old Sage

Evening all

A bright and sunny day here with temperature creeping up to feel like late Spring.

The Missus got robbed at the Cashpoint yesterday,not the end of the world but disturbing enough that I didn't get round to posting yesterday. It is, however, rather sad when you are relieved to say that it's only money.

Very damp here, darn sarf!

Sorry to hear your disturbing news Ivan, Hope that Mrs Blanco is okay Your Right to say its only money as long as she wasn't hurt ones health is the most important thing I'm guessing tho that she has been upset by the happening
As well as being dammed angry
Why should some low life (polite term here as its Sunday) believe they can come and grab your hard earned cash
******************
It looks as if the reactor's in Japan have been contained to a degree.
The pumping of sea in to the pressure Vessel means that their working life has come to an end.
The normal cooling water would be deminralised water with no impurities that could react with the nuclear side of things .
A couple of points that keep being misreported at least on the wireless
The venting off of steam following a pressure build up (think of your domestic pressure cooker ) heat water, pressure rises and the pressure cooker releases the steam via a relief valve .
same thing in Japan this would not be a problem as long as the Fuel remained undamaged .If there is damage which seems possible fission products are contained within the steam. This , in this case has been released to the atmosphere (bad news) it is known as Contamination
You will not receive radiation from this unless you come in close contact with the small particles.
There are three methods to protect persons from receiving Radiation Doses

Time: how long you spend near a source of radiation
Distance: how close you are to the source
Barrier: some object that is between you and the source

Radiation
Just think of it like your three bar electric Fire and apply the rules as above .

Contamination
A different Kettle of Fish. Material expelled from the reactor as it
explodes as in Chernobyl is spread far and wide this material is radio active and harm's plants and people, it is detected as wind born dust and does emit radiation which is how we know it is there.
All nuclear facilities have health physic monitoring, air monitors at Heysham one of the nuclear plants where I worked detected very high levels within days of the Russian reactor failing .Before the Event was admitted by the Russians
The point is, at the moment unlike Chernobyl the reactors containment is intact The small danger to locals can be prevented by taking Potassium Iodate tablets these flood the thyroid and prevent the take up of Radio active Iodine which can be a fission product discharged from a poorly/Bu***d reactor. All uk nuclear establishments have stocks of these tablets to distribute to the locals
If your diet is high in Iodine you are probably protected .Years ago you used to see people with Goitres which is I think a lack of Iodine in diet related to the thyroid ..
Sorry if I have gorn on a bit but the soap box was empty

Its dull but dry here this morning
Away to the east coast in a while, Grimsby to see daughter might have a fish supper sea food a good source of IODINE



Enjoy your trip Alan