I currently watch the world wondering what is going to happen next, interesting times we live in.

Then a presenter on the news told us that Obama is only 47 years old. Hardly a year older than me; now that just depresses me - comparing ain’t so good some times.

Does any of it make any difference to me?  I will get up tomorrow morning and keep on doing what I do.

I remember walking the Camino for a few weeks.  I did not know what was happening in the world at the time - and I was happy without the news.  How much news do I really need?  And how much of it is not good for me?

I know many who have started to filter their own news…

Share with:

It is not the easiest stuff to read.  But keep trying.

When I started in University I wanted to see if I was good enough for the information I would be reading during my last year and therefore went looking for it.  This was a mistake, I was going to build up to that point, and I was going to read at a level that eventually surprised me - hey it was philosophy, fun…

So learning this is also slowly and bit by bit, but steadily also.  Read some of the well written and easier to digest information like Aaron Walls SEO Book Blog - but keep coming back to seeing what Google are putting out there.  Over time you will find some of the jargon creeping into your own writing, and you will be getting to know what you are talking about.

I have not been posting here for a while - work has been very busy.  I notice this with other SEO bloggers in Ireland - they post for a while and then it dies - work gets intense - then quiet for a while and the little guilt monster gets back on my shoulder - I am always telling clients to post often if they blog - or if not often at least at regular intervals.

Go away little guilt monster.

Bookmark to:

I find these men and women inspirational.  I watch them run and they help me want to do better in everything, they help me to understand that time is needed sometimes to learn - just keep at things - day after day.

Thanks

Share with:

However I have become an expert at apologising.  Almost everyone I know have heard the words “I’m sorry” from me this week.  More than anyone has Anna.

I have been quite cranky.  But I have been getting better - this weekend has been much better than last weekend.

Oh, yeah - feel like I have put on about 5 stone…

Share with:

We are two pilgrims who have walked all the way of Saint James several times and we just build a pilgrims’ home whose name is “HOSPITALET SAINT JACQUES ®” in France inside the city of Aire sur Adour.

Aire sur Adour: Is in the south west France, department of Landes.

On the way of Saint James from LE PUY to SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT, the “via Podiensis” or GR 65. Just after Nogaro and before Arzacq.

We have make our pilgrims’ home comfortable, with inside 14 beds in 5 bedrooms, central heating, a kitchen and all the services that pilgrims need.

It is just on the way of Saint James, inside the city but in a quiet place, with a large garden.

Hospitalet Saint Jacques is reserved only for pilgrims who are walking (also those who ask to special enterprises to carry their rucksacks) and for those with donkey.

Sorry but we don’t accept persons walking with the help of a private car.

Our web site in French and in English: www.saintjacques-hospitalet.fr

I was one of those only a few short days ago - and I don’t yet feel like I have escaped it. So maybe a bit too soon to be polemic about the bloody smokers?

I have now been off the dam things since last Thursday - wow nearly a week! But I have managed to apologise to almost everyone I know. I am not known for my easy going take on life - but this week I have been a grumpy bastard. I say things to people on the phone and ten minutes later I am calling them back saying “sorry, I’ve stopped smoking and I lose it sometimes.” So far everyone has been very understanding - but I am sure that will only last for so long.

Today at lunch time I even found myself swearing at the TV, listening to a government minister once again not answering a question, there I am raising my voice to the TV saying “throw her off the program - don’t let her talk shit anymore” - wow, life would be a dam sight more interesting if I stayed like this.

Share with:

With the huge increase in medical treatment abroad it is worthwhile knowing something about the VAT side of this.  VAT laws current provide certain tax relief for people who suffer from chronically illness or disabilities. When it was introduced into this country it was agreed that disabled people should not have to pay VAT when buying items designed solely for their use, or when having equipment including buildings adapted so that would be able to use it. This principle still stands, and zero VAT rating does not extend to all goods and services supplied to a disabled person, but only products designed specifically for disabled people.

Who qualifies for VAT relief?

People who can qualify for VAT relief if they are “chronically sick or disabled”

They are classed “chronically sock or disabled” if:

• They have a physical or mental impairment which has long term sustainable adverse effect upon your ability to carry out everyday activities

• With a condition which a medical professional treats as a chronic sickness

• Are terminally ill

It does not include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able bodied or any person who is temporarily disabled or incapacitated.

What products are VAT exempt?

Products which are purchased for your personal or domestic use may be eligible for VAT relief, such goods include:

• Electrically or mechanically adjustable beds

• Electrically or mechanically chairs

• Electrically or mechanically stair lifts, hoists and lifters

• Sanitary devices

• Wheelchairs

• Bathrooms

• Alarms

• Building work; ramps, doorways etc

• Low vision aids

• Medical and surgical appliance

• Motor vehicles

• Parts and Accessories

• Repair and maintenance

• Mobility scooters

• Others - equipment which is designed solely for sue by disabled people will remain eligible for relief.

It is the designer or manufacturer who is able to determine whether the goods qualify for zero rating.

This as we know is becoming ever more popular. While it gets very expensive in Ireland for dental treatment – people have been travelling to Northern Ireland for a long time to get the expensive procedures. Well this has now expanded, and it seems like we have all become potential medical tourists.

Just book a holiday, catch a plane, lie on the beach and get your teeth done, or a face lift, or whatever you want – really.

But is it that simple? For most the answer appears to be yes, however, how do you arrange who to see? How do you know if they are any good? Who checks this for me?

Well now there are companies filling this need in the market. They act as a third party and arrange everything for you, giving you more security and peace of mind when it is needed. So you can have them book your dentist in Prague, or your laser eye surgery in India, or Poland or almost where-ever you want.

Bookmark:

Over the past two decades, Eastern Europe has emerged as a significant and popular destination for medical tourism. Its well-established medical infrastructure built around prominent research hospitals, as well as its proximity, first encouraged West Europeans to consider dental treatments and cosmetic surgery vacations in the East. Shortly afterward, Americans began to follow.

Specialized travel agencies offered dental treatments, without the high cost and bureaucratic procedures that their own national health service entails. Prices were so much lower that clients from the UK would fly out, undergo their dental treatment, spend some time sight-seeing, and then return home.

Dr. Bela Batorf of the British Hungarian Medical Association told the BBC: “our prices are a third or less than English prices.” Of her trip to Budapest, Sue Smities said, “The only thing we had to pay for was the flight and overnight accommodation. The consultation, x-ray, and CT scan were all free.”

West Europeans traveled to Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland for spa treatments as well as biomedical interventions. Both Budapest and Prague offer thermal springs and spa facilities, with treatments such as hydrotherapy and water massage, as well as aesthetic surgeries.

The same factors that make healthcare in East Europe so appealing to patients, make a short vacation to recuperate from their surgery seem a good idea as well. The national airlines of East European countries offer competitive airfares. Patients find a short stay enjoying Budapest, Prague, or Warsaw a good value, as they enjoy these cities’ many attractions.