Mr Sleet

I would now expect last years record area to be surpassed sometime in early to mid August, a full SIX WEEKS ahead of the time when the maximum is normally achieved. Amazing and sadly little reported.

I read the article. Some of the comments by so called "scientists" are what makes me distrustful of them, and I have been a scientist in R&D for 21 years !

Thanks John. That graph makes me wonder what all the fuss is about re: global warming. :o

Well if you could find something in the Sun you would have a convert :lol:

I don't think the 71-2000 average is relevant to Bluecons question, probably better to use a rolling 30 year average, ie 77-2007, which would put MarchApril May just a bit cooler than normal. :lol: Probably we should now wait to see if Bluecons feels his question has been answered :o

Blogs, anti-capitalist environmental pressure group and Socialist newspapers. To me, hardly surprising or convincing.

Fact is, in recent years we have cooled, as John's chart shows. The question is, will the cooling continue ? Nobody knows.

John if I wanted that an internet messageboard wouldn't be my first port of call I think this debate is entertaining amateur stuff, end of. And I think the Met Office scientists are probably very good, it is the spin that comes out of the climate centre that is dubious, it's hardly balanced IMO.

All true I'm sure, but Bluecon asked about Spring and Summer 2008 , March/April/May/June which were average apart from May , which was well above average.He didn't ask about winter, global temps or the 61-91 mean. Just answering his specific question.

You are not raining on my parade, I picked the 6th September 1995 because that was around the date of the ice area minimum Nah, the ice you refer to wasn't a floating bit that choked the channel in 2007, it never actually melted from the winter and remained anchored to the main arctic basin ice. I was following that with interest. A quick look back will confirm that. Also open in Sept 1984, 24years ago. Doesn't look like the ice is all that perennial to me But I do agree with you about the soot, that is not good.

Not sure about which hedging you are using but they are normally quite slow growing and take a while to establish before they start to gain height, maybe 3 or 4 years is more realistic. You say they are around your compost- is it rotting compost if so, not good as that takes nitrogen out of the soil. Is it a sunny site ? My advice is give it more time. PS See my tip above regarding garlic to stop slug attack.

It's true, Bondi beach is under that lot somewhere !!

Oh dear, yet more spin GW you naughty boy ! The eastern passage opens up fairly often as far as I can see, I have picked one year at random (1995 ) although I haven't done a thorough analysis. see below : So it's not as though it's always been perennial ice.

The CET ( Central england Temperature) has been about average apart from May, which was well above. We are looking at our coolest June since 2002.

Great post SPM , lets hope for many more from you !

I can just see all the birds watching you chopping all that wood and saying (chirping ) to each other " beter eat plenty of berries boys, it's going to be a tough winter"; so a vicious circle is started...

Caterpillars ?Well, with the price of meat as it is, why complain ? You have a ready meal Liming the soil in late autumn should promote growth in cabbages and broccoli. If you get strong growth the plants find it easier to shake off pest attack.

Hi All. I had an allottment for about 7 years and grew all sorts of stuff, soft fruit , asparagus the lot. Just a tip for dealing with slugs - boil up garlic cloves in water.Dilute. Spray on crops to be protected. Solution should keep for a while if you keep it cool and dark. You may need to experiment a bit with the strength and spray every few days or so. Don't worry, your veggies won't taste of garlic Might also keep cats away. Garlic Wash Recipe Take 2 bulbs of garlic, crush them, and boil them rapidly in two pints of boiling water for approximately 4-5 minutes, or until there is a very strong garlic smell. Let the liquid cool then strain it. Top up to the two pints mark again and bottle the result. To Use – Put one tablespoon of the Garlic Wash into one gallon of water and water over the plants with a fine rose making sure the whole plant is covered. This is a completely natural product and should do none of the other plants any harm. You can add a bit of fairly liquid to the mix. Sleet Out. Katie If you wanted to grow cabbages and brocc but can't maybe you are a bit too acid ? Liming the soil in the cabbage patch should make it tickety-boo. ( there is a wrong and right time to lime though).

Still above last year but probably not for long. NH area loss speeded up a bit now. Got the humble pie from Waitrose yesterday but it is still firmly in the tin.

Hi OK some straight talking. If the mods were a bit tougher and kicked people off for provocative and downright insulting comments (it's only one or maybe two) then there wouldn't be a problem. I say shut it down. Some people seem to be on the site every waking hour, it may be kinder to close it and let them get a sense of perspective back. I say this with a compassionate tone as I worry for some contributors. Mark ( Mr Sleet)

Melt rate slowing down :

No, it's clear that there was an increased melt rate for two weeks in April that has brought us to where we are now. For now, the two lines are diverging in favour of a lower melt rate.THis is even clearer from the relevant graphs on the CT site.

OK proper reply : As regards global warming, I believe that.... even if it's mostly 'natural', it's still worth working towards sustainable living. Which is the same as TWS.

As regards global warming , I believe that some would be good, I'm sick of freezing to death on Bournemouth beach every summer. Prize (donated by Shuggee), a years supply of weetabix, or a years supply of Imodium, depending upon your bowel habits. Mr S.

Hi GW I would say that if the shelf is continuing to break up in winter then most probably temperature isn't the cause. I think the CT graphs are very useful as they cover a very large area and enable comparisons to be made back to 1979. The hypothetical phenomenon you refer to if it exists should have been in play throughout the period from 79, hence it is perfectly valid to compare now with the past 30 years Mr S I would say that this is a much more likely explanation.