Not being able to avoid inheritance tax by buying a farm

There has been a lot of controversy because of the changes in inheritance tax laws for farmers. Basically, some people have bought farms to avoid inheritance tax. An example of this is Jeremy Clarkson who has been quite vocal in speaking out the changes.  While he has made a TV series about farming and a successful one at that, he did buy his farm to avoid inheritance tax. I obtained quote below from this article, but it was originally in The Times. 

"Land is a better investment than any bank can offer. The Government doesn't get any of my money when I die. And the price of the food that I grow can only go up. "But there is another, much more important reason: I can now have a quad bike. "I have always loved the idea. They are like motorbikes but they don't fall over when you leave them alone, they look great and they bring a bit of civilisation to Britain's rather dreary green and brown bits."

Apparently other have bought farms as a way of avoiding this tax, something I never knew until I heard about it on BBC Any Questions. 

All I See Is You

I liked this film.  It can be best described as a psychodrama but what I liked the most about the film was the way it showed the vision of Gina, the main character, or lack of it, to the viewer.

Overall, I would say that this is an average film, but I have not seen one showing visual impairment so well, both from the perspective of the affected person, but also the helplessness that they can experience.  It had an engaging plot, one that focused on the needs of Gina and the insecurities of Jason.

Coming from a personal family background where abuse did take place, I thought that the issues of control were shown quite well.  I know that many have not liked it, but I think that they overlook the main message of the film, that being the effects of blindness on her person affected and the family along with how recovery can change things. 

Am I glad I watched it?  Yes.  I would have been happy to have paid to watch it in the cinema, and if someone is to watch it, I would recommend it to them if they want to empathise with someone with visual impairment, for when it came to that, it addressed this issue really well.  

The Lie

This is an average film which I will not be watching again. While marketed as a horror film, I would argue that it is a black psychological drama with an engaging plot, but a slow story at times.  While I did find it funny at times, I am not sure it was meant to be so.  Would I have been happy to pay for it? I would not have been unhappy.  But this is a film I doubt I would recommend, as there are so many other films out there which are better. 

Cruel intentions

I liked this film. Not as much as Dangerous Liaisons, but I can see the appeal of this to young adults and teenagers. If you do compare it to its more adult counterpart, only Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon compare in acting ability. You truly appreciate the skill John Malkovich, Ryan Phillippe not coming close to his skill. Selma Blair again does not match Uma Thurman, but this may be down to the film itself as opposed to the ability of the actresses. 

In its own right, it is great, in places. But if you want to appreciate the story fully as a film, watch Dangerous Liaisons. 

Trump and Article 5 of the NATO rules

Article 5 provides that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each & every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members & will take the actions it deems NECESSARY to assist the Ally attacked.

I have stated before that I have concerns that Trump would support nations of NATO if Russia attacked.  Many think that he would obey Article 5.  I think that he would and would take the actions that he felt was necessary to assist the ally which had been attacked. And I suspect that such actions would in essence, be nothing.

 

We lost

Yesterday I was out to a work do. While there, a Chelski fan told me the score. He was optimistic of his results today saying that his team would be above Arsenal in the league. He will not be laughing now. The loss is a shame, as is the red card for Saliba as he will miss the Liverpool game. I know Match of the Day said it was deserved but I disagree.

Anyway, here is hoping we do well in Europe at least. 

My kids and travelling

My son has a concert to go to this week. My daughter has been in London this weekend. My wife and I have realised that we need to make sure that both are better equipped to travel in London.

We both grew up in or close to the city and were used to travelling by The Tube or by bus.  When we took my daughter down to London, we realised that we had taken things for granted as while we were used to travelling on the system, they were not. My daughter now hopefully is better prepared for it, but I am not sure with my son.

My Mum, who lives in London, has asked about my son travelling down to see her. But I had to remind her that it would take him three hours to get to her and three hours to get back.  The train journey from Colchester to Liverpool Street station is an hour, if there is no engineering work, he would have to use The Tube, and then there is the walk to and from the stations at both sides of the journey. Once I pointed that out, she accepted that would not be happening l hopefully we will see her next weekend, but we have to get there early as otherwise a drive of ninety minutes can take three hours in traffic.