Categories
General Observations

The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track

I’m commuting most days for at least 1.5 hours each way.

Ridiculous, I know.

But that’s the situation.

Actually, it’s been working out rather nicely because it has given me an enforced opportunity to get work done ahead of time (on the way into the office) or afterwards. Often, though, I don’t feel like working. And now and again I flick up BBC iPlayer to check out what’s available.

I’m pretty traditional with my iPlayer use: Top Gear…. and that’s usually it. Unless something really catches my eye.

Recently I thought I’d check out: “The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track”

It’s a typical BBC production. The team spent a year traversing the UK to create a series of 60 minute documentary style episodes focusing on different sections and regions of Britain’s railways. I’ve actually found it very interesting to watch, particularly as I’ve usually been on a train at the time. It has given me good insight into the logistics required to deliver the train service I take every day.

I found myself pretty embarrassed watching the outraged reactions from commuters at being told their train is 12 minutes late (or something like that) when we — the audience — have just been hearing that the reason for the delay is that someone’s just lost their life in a tragic accident. I’m never one for screaming “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???” at train guards and customer service team members — but I do often get rather frustrated internally when I arrive at Waterloo and find the trains delayed for hours.

I think it’s “not knowing” that causes the real frustration. Standing there on the platform I don’t mind if the train is going to be delayed by 20 minutes. Or even 60 minutes or more. Tell me, so I can plan accordingly. The documentary has reset my expectations — principally because I’ve been able to see that, a lot of the time, the railway teams don’t actually know what’s going on. This is simply because they need to wait for an engineer to travel to some distant location, find that some thief has ripped all the cables out of some newly installed switching cabinet and then assess the damage. Fair enough.

You can still catch the episodes on iPlayer right now. Worth a look, especially if you’ve a bit of time to use up when you need to decompress after work. On the train.

Categories
Observations

It’s a brave new world out there… Have you come across the book, Wool?

I was captivated by this Wall Street Journal post about the eBook marketplace. Here’s the quick summary:

Hugh Howey’s postapocalyptic thriller “Wool” has sold more than half a million copies and generated more than 5,260 Amazon reviews. Mr. Howey has raked in more than a million dollars in royalties and sold the film rights to “Alien” producer Ridley Scott.

And Simon & Schuster hasn’t even released the book yet.

In a highly unusual deal, Simon & Schuster acquired print publication rights to “Wool” while allowing Mr. Howey to keep the e-book rights himself. Mr. Howey self-published “Wool” as a serial novel in 2011, and took a rare stand by refusing to sell the digital rights. Last year, he turned down multiple seven-figure offers from publishers before reaching a mid-six-figure, print-only deal with Simon & Schuster.

Fascinating.

The story goes on to highlight that the publisher has now got involved and has put Mr Howey on a standard media tour. The publisher is busy banging the traditional marketing drum as that’s how they’ll make their money. What I find so fascinating is that having heard about the book, I think I might check it out.

What I mean is that I’ll probably buy it. It’s $5.99 or £5.39 for the eBook. I don’t want a physical copy though.

I wonder if the Wall Street Journal piece this weekend was effectively delivered via public relations paid for by the publisher? Because it’s helping the author — I’ll buy his book, he’ll get 70% of the proceeds — but that certainly won’t help Simon & Schuster. Not at all.

I wonder how many other people will hear about the book via traditional channels such as television, print and radio and then reach for their Kindle or Kobo?

Interesting times.

Here’s the blurb for Wool:

In a ruined and hostile landscape, in a future few have been unlucky enough to survive, a community exists in a giant underground silo.

Inside, men and women live an enclosed life full of rules and regulations, of secrets and lies.

To live, you must follow the rules. But some don’t. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism.

Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are allowed outside.

Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last.

Categories
Food

There’s a horse in your lasagne, sir

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I had to smile to myself in wonder at the headlines this morning as The Telegraph splashed with the news that apparently Findus, makers of frozen ready meals, have discovered that their Beef Lasagne is actually 99% Horse Lasagne.

(I got the “99%” from today’s issue of The Sun newspaper!)

I was rather surprised to discover that, again “apparently”, this has been going on for more than a year. It’s not as if a little bit of horse fell into the meat mixer at some factory somewhere. No. It seems Findus have been shipping horse ready meals for ages, unbeknownst to them or the public.

Just where is this going to end?

I’m reasonably content that the Tesco Finest bacon I had this morning is 100% pig. I think it would be quite difficult to fake that. However when it comes to anything containing “meat” like Lasagne, I suppose you can’t quite be sure.

I’m reminded of Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler from the Terry Pratchett Discworld books. He routinely sells sausages, “made not of pork but rather of anything that’s been near a pig.”

Oh dear.

You’d think that serious people in serious white coats would have been, I dunno, testing the food before Findus (et al) actually stuck it into their factories? Or maybe they just check to see that it looks mostly meat-like?

We shall no doubt find out soon.

Categories
Postage

Using Collect+ to return my Amazon package was painless

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I have to say I wasn’t feeling that good about being forced to use the Collect+ service to return my Amazon package. Although I expect nothing but greatness when it comes to Amazon, I did wonder how it could possibly match my standard (super-high) expectations of Amazon.

I shouldn’t have worried, I really shouldn’t.

Here’s the background: Over the Christmas period I ordered a big noticeboard for the office via Amazon. I buy everything I can on Amazon, primarily because of the purchase experience and the predictability. Unfortunately when the product arrived one of the corners was seriously damaged.

I did a few clicks on Amazon and — boom — they instructed me to print out a returns label. No bother, I thought.

It was only when I continued reading that I saw the mention of Collect+.

Right.

Here’s the Collect+ overview from their website:

Collect+ is a new parcel service delivering freedom and convenience, not just parcels. We have built a network of over 5,000 local corner shops, open from early ‘til late and often 7 days a week, allowing you to drop off or pick up parcels at a time and place that suits you.

I did wonder. This all sounds good but what’s the actual user experience when you head into the local corner shop? Especially when you arrive with a huge noticeboard-sized package?

I stuck the return label on the package and put some selotape over it to protect from the elements. Thoughtful, I reckoned.

Then I checked for my nearest local shop. Even on a Sunday it was open until 6pm. I arrived at the Spar mini supermarket and I had to take a moment behind the car wheel to mentally prepare myself for the consumer horror I was potentially about to be exposed to. I could picture the scene and it wasn’t pretty. I was mostly thinking about the possibility of a totally disinterested employee telling me words to the effect of “I dunno what you mean”.

I did see a PayPoint sign on the wall of the shop as I did the mental preparation. On that sign, bottom right, was a Collect+ logo. So I wouldn’t feel totally stupid trying to explain what I wanted. At least I could respond with, “Well, there’s a Collect+ logo on the sign outside” when challenged by the fictional shop assistant.

I did feel rather strange walking into the shop with a package. It’s not the standard user experience, you see. One or two other shoppers stared as I waited to be served at the… well… the payment concession bit. I didn’t see any Collect+ branding but I did see the PayPoint machine which, I began to understand, seemed to be the glue that underpins everything.

It was my turn shortly.

“Hi, I’d like to drop this off,” I said, nodding to the package.

“Oh sure,” said the shop assistant chap, “Just bring it round here.”

He took the package from me and then explained he just needed to scan the barcode and give me a tracking number.

I was thinking of some handwritten scrawl on a used Bounty wrapper — that was the model in my mind — but no, the shop had a proper machine. And everything 😉

He scanned the barcode and the machine duly printed out a receipt with the tracking ID.

“Thanks very much,” the chap said, handing me the receipt.

I thanked the guy and walked away, wondering why I had ever doubted Amazon’s smart thinking executives.

It was utterly simple.

I’ve got my proof of delivery. As far as I’m concerned, job done. The shop assistant explained that apparently a Collect+ truck will arrive tomorrow morning and pick up the package.

I’m delighted.

I’m impressed with the Collect+ service. I might even give it a shot with some deliveries. You can opt to have items delivered to your local corner shop rather than your home address which makes a TON of sense if you’re out all day or if you can’t stand getting one of those notes through the door from the postman.

The place I selected today is open from 730am until 8pm daily, however the nearest Collect+ place to me is actually a service station… which is open 24-hours a day. Absolute genius. I doubt very much that you can actually walk into the store with a package to return (or pick up) at 4am in the morning as service station places usually swap to doing business through “the window”, don’t they? I’ll need to check.

Thank you Amazon. Thank you also to Collect+ team for creating such a seamless service.

Categories
Cars Observations

The All New Range Rover: Redefining quality and luxury; I think I need one!

My first car was a Range Rover.

For most of my early twenties I was too busy messing around with dotcoms in central London to bother with cars. I then borrowed my brother’s Ford Ka now and again when I needed to get around… until I got a very rude awakening. As CEO of a pretty successful interactive services firm, some of my clients were incredibly confused as to why I would turn up to meetings in a Ford Ka. I realised rather quickly that my vehicle choice didn’t match their expectations. I thought this was ridiculous. Indeed I spent a lot of time ruminating over the need to simply get from A to B.

But image and perception is important. I’d mismanaged it with these chaps. They actually began to question the success and validity of doing business with me. I know that might sound rather shallow — I certainly thought it was a bit silly — however I was so pleased they actually voiced their concerns and connected them to the car. These executives were in positions of influence and control. It was business critical for me to fix, especially given the contract with them was worth hundreds of thousands. They couldn’t understand how they were paying my company something like £300 per hour for my services yet I was driving what they considered to be a “rubbish” car. They were all driving an assortment of Mercedes, Porsches and so on.

I resolved to fix the issue.

I thought carefully.

I tried “Porsche” on as a brand. I tested an Audi TT. For a while I was seriously considering getting a Mercedes SL55 or similar. I thought about an Aston Martin until I saw similar parts had been used in the Ford Focus. I swear the window buttons were the exact same ones in each car.

Eventually I settled on the Range Rover.

There are many, many reasons to love and appreciate the Range Rover. Perhaps the most important to me — at this point, in this situation — was that there is no other car that beats a Range Rover in the standard masculinity brand line up.

Nothing.

Oh there’s plenty of possibilities for faster cars. But in terms of refinement, reputation, quality — you can happily park a Range Rover next to a Ferrari or a Bentley Continental GT and not feel inconsequential. It’s just a different choice. Invariably the Ferrari chap will nod with respect. It’s a different choice, but not a sub-calibre one.

You might argue all you want about whether an SL55 tops a Bentley, but you can’t quite compare a Range Rover. They fit nicely into any situation, whether in the country or the city.

I bought the Range Rover. The original, not the Sport. I certainly appreciate the Sport, but I like the extra headspace and the size and presence of the original Range Rover.

The Evoque is a handsome car — as are the Land Rover and the Freelander. However I prefer the original.

The driving position is the best I’ve ever experienced.

It’s road presence is second to none. People seriously do defer to you. Even London Taxis and that’s saying something.

I’ve had someone ram me as I was stationary in the Range Rover at 30mph+. His van was a virtual write-off. I got a bit of a bump and there was some minor paintwork damage on the rear bumper. (More about that here).

I was almost in a crazily serious accident, driving along at 29mph when a BMW 3-Series came out of nowhere doing about 70mph swerving around a corner — if I’d been in a Mini, I think he wouldn’t have seen me. He’d have hit me square on. He couldn’t help but notice (and then panic) at the hulking Range Rover coming into view. The panic, I think, caused him to swerve into a tree instead. That was when my wife turned to me and said, “Right, yes, I get the Range Rover thing now.”

Since then we’ve been a Range Rover family. At one point we had two of them. One for me for the occasional commute and one for her to cart the children around in.

Our last Range Rover went the way of the dodo — after about 10 years of service it required a substantial amount of work to recondition, so we let the local garage take care of that. We needed a car so I quickly snapped up a top-of-the-range “pre owned” Volvo V70. It’s a nice car, I’m delighted with it, but it’s not the Range Rover. There wasn’t time to think though. I gave some thought to hunting for a second hand Range Rover — but with a young family, a car was much needed and I didn’t have time to go around the garages. Instead I asked my brothers to find a quick fix. That was the Volvo.

Meantime I had heard that the original Range Rover was due a refresh.

It turns out that refresh was yesterday. Well, at least a slight reveal. The full reveal is due in September — so not long.

But what a refresh! Have a look…

That is looking simply gorgeous.

Here’s the summary overview from Land Rover:

· World’s first 4X4 with a lightweight all-aluminium monocoque* body structure
· Created in Britain; designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK; lighter, stronger and more refined, the world’s finest luxury 4X4
· The pinnacle of Land Rover refinement, with a more spacious and luxurious interior and a truly composed driving experience
· Enhanced all-terrain performance with introduction of Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 Auto®
· State-of-the-art exclusive Meridian audio technology
· Unparalleled levels of craftsmanship and impeccable material quality
· An evolution of the iconic Range Rover design first launched over 40 years ago
· An unrivalled breadth of capability with transformed handling and agility
· 420kg weight saving over previous model delivering improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions

Oh yes please.

In case you were wondering about that asterisk by the word monocoque, here’s what it denotes: A single unit formed from the body and chassis. Like a unibody MacBook laptop!

Here’s the full release from Land Rover:

With ‘Best of British’ being celebrated by nations across the globe, Land Rover, one of the world’s most iconic British brands, offers a first look at the all-new Range Rover, a modern interpretation of a classic design icon. A handful of first images have been released ahead of its global reveal in September.

The world’s first 4X4 with a revolutionary lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model enabling total vehicle weight savings of up to 420kg.

The all-new Range Rover is the most luxurious and capable Land Rover yet. Lighter, stronger and with new levels of design and technology refinement, the Range Rover reinforces its position as the world’s finest luxury 4X4.

Designed and engineered at Land Rover’s development centres in the UK, the all-new Range Rover will be produced in a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Solihull, UK.

John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, said: “The new Range Rover preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle – that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability. However, its clean sheet design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling to create the most capable Range Rover ever built.”

The fourth generation of the unique Range Rover line, the all-new model has been developed from the ground up, capturing the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which changed the world of motoring when it was launched over 40 years ago.

The sumptuous interior incorporates distinctive Range Rover design cues, but executed with a very contemporary treatment, and clean, elegant surfaces which are flawlessly presented using the finest leathers and veneers, all sourced from the UK. With over 120mm more legroom, the rear passengers benefit from increased space and comfort, with the option of a new two-seat Executive Class seating package for the ultimate in rear-seat luxury.

The all-new Range Rover has been engineered with the latest developments in vehicle technologies:

· Exclusive Meridian surround sound music systems
· Power upper and lower tailgates
· Industry-leading new Auto Terrain Response system, which analyses the current driving conditions and automatically selects the most suitable vehicle settings for the terrain
· World’s first 4X4 with revolutionary lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure

The all-new Range Rover has a clean and elegant shape, derived from a fresh new interpretation of Range Rover design cues. While instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, the new vehicle takes a significant step forward with a bold evolution of the model’s iconic design language.

The lightweight aluminium body is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the previous model enabling total vehicle weight savings of up to 420kg. This delivers significant enhancements in performance and agility, along with a transformation in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

In addition to the strong and rigid lightweight body, an all-new aluminium front and rear chassis architecture has been developed with completely re-engineered four-corner air suspension. While the luxurious ride has been retained, the vehicle’s handling and agility have been significantly improved. The new suspension architecture delivers flatter, more confident cornering, with natural and intuitive steering feel.

Available in over 160 markets worldwide, pre-orders open from September 2012 [market dependent] with customer deliveries scheduled to start from early 2013.

Well count me in as a fan already.

I have to say I do like the idea of the two-tone (shown in the above picture). The black roof, the silver body. Inside is looking familiarly sumptuous as well.

I’ll need to give some serious thought to which one I should be buying. What colour? What configuration? Bring it on.

Good work Land Rover. I look forward to the official launch!

Categories
Observations

The 2012 Olympics has made the Union Jack acceptable again — about time!

I used to wave the British flag — the Union Jack — a lot when I was a child. I grew up in Linlithgow, a little town about 9 miles west of Edinburgh. Every year, Linlithgow celebrates “the Marches”. These are an internationally known thing. They’re mentioned in the town’s Wikipedia page. There’s even a dedicated website. Like all of these sort of events, there’s a good bit of history that is, from the point of view of the town’s children, totally irrelevant.

For me as a 7 year old, The Marches meant floats — lorries dressed up to look like the Loch Ness Monster — driving down the High Street. Indeed, one of the most memorable parts for me is the chap walking in front of all the floats yelling (in a highly theatrical manner), STAND WELL BACK. At which point, the town’s children would squeal with excitement as the monsters-on-truck-wheels approached. Folk would wave from the floats. Some would throw sweets. Bands would march by. And we waved flags.

We were proud of our Britishness. We were Scottish, too. But the flags being waved were invariably of the Union Jack variety.

Every year mum would buy some Union Jack flags from the local shop and we’d take great delight waving them at everyone who marched up the High Street on the appointed day.

More recently — indeed for much of my adult life in particular — the Union Jack flag has been an object of negativity.

It’s been something that I’ve been highly disappointed with. At some point or other, the flag was co-opted (or became associated with) highly the wrong sort of people.

It got so bad that many newspapers couldn’t get through an average week without running a story about how some councillor has demanded some guy remove the Union Jack from his house because it might offend folk.

I’m not kidding. Here’s a BBC news video story from *LAST YEAR* in which some members of a English village are clearly shown objecting to the local council flying the flag repeatedly.

I can understand the perspective that finds — or found — the Union Jack offensive in the context of it promoting rather right-wing viewpoints.

I was disappointed it had come to that, though.

The last two week’s of Olympic glory has, I hope, completely reversed the fortunes of the good old Union Jack in the United Kingdom. I’m sure quite a few of us watching our athletes drape themselves in the flag for the first time might have involuntarily thought, “Uh oh, that’s, er, a bit inappropriate…” but it didn’t take long for that view to be overturned.

Seeing the Olympic stadium and other stands crammed full of folk dressed in Union Jacks and waving Union Jacks.. that made a big impression for me. And I’m sure, for the rest of the country.

Is it safe to assume the Union Jack’s reputation has been rescued and rehabilitated by the likes of Jessica Ennis and Co?

I think so. I hope so.

I think it’s gone better than that. I reckon it might have become fashionable! Last week I kept on having to get out of the way of crowds in Richmond all clad in Union Jacks — I was rather impressed to see a very well-heeled lady actually wearing a Union Jack shawl. Or throw. Or whatever you call it. It wasn’t a flag. She’d actually gone out and bought a piece of clothing!

Welcome back to the Union Jack!

[And in case you were wondering, I found that rather fetching Union Jack chair in a photo of some rather swish Moghul Interiors Union Jack curtains.]

Categories
Furniture

Feeling patriotic? You need one of these £695 Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs

I came across this one whilst I was hunting for Union Jack imagery for my upcoming opinion piece. I was rather taken with the bold design and, although I’ve not physically tried one of these chairs, it does look like it could be rather comfortable.

If you look closely you’ll see the photo actually shows the ottoman (also included). Here’s a view from the side:

It gives you a good view of the washed-out leather covering on the back. Funky.

Sadly I am not sure how it would cope with one of my toddlers wiping all manner of foodstuffs over it. I’d like to add it to the study. I haven’t checked with my wife, though. She’ll either love it or hate it, I think.

This Union Jack Jacobsen Style Egg Chair was £795 but is now reduced to £695. There are currently 3 available from Beautiful Modern Thing.

Here’s the blurb:

Taking inspiration from the famous Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, this chair upholstered in a stone wash jeans fabric with Union Jack flag will bring patriotic charm to your home! Its curved lines and fluid form combined with the bold, vibrant fabric will make this chair the focal point of your living area or office. Also comes with matching ottoman.

Categories
Cufflinks

Impress the literary set with Scrabble Cufflinks

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I am taken with these Scrabble-piece Cufflinks from The Literary Gift Company. You can choose your own letters — initials perhaps, or you could get imaginative (FO? GO? TO? YN? NO? TY? BK?). Indeed the more I think about it, the more fun it might be to get quite a few letters to mix and match depending on mood…

These are a highly reasonable £12.99 (plus delivery).

Categories
Observations

HBO’s The Newsroom: I’ve added this one to my must-see list

I really, really enjoyed The West Wing by Aaron Sorkin. The fast-paced (positive, idealogical) dialogue together with the legendary “walk-with-me” one-shot scenes were simply fantastic to behold.

When I heard Sorkin was back with another show — this time based around a news room — I thought, “Brilliant”.

I’ve been scouring the internet for trailers and snippets in the run up to the airing of the first episode of The Newsroom here in the UK. When I was in the States, I turned to HBO and found it showing wall-to-wall trailers and background videos one evening. I devoured each one. Genius.

I couldn’t wait.

Then I watched it live on Tuesday.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Indeed I think I’ll need to go back and watch it again, just to make sure I get all the references. The dialogue really is fast-paced.

There was a brief moment when some of the staffers were (rather randomly) screaming and shouting at each other when I thought, “Errr, what is this? What am I seeing?” but I was patient. For just a moment the image shattered. But it healed itself swiftly and I have to say, the buzz of watching the team deliver a live show around a breaking issue (that we, the audience, all knew about) — well, that was great. I even took a deep breath when the team went off air. Heh.

If you haven’t checked it out, then I think you should — especially if you enjoyed The West Wing.

Here in the UK it looks to be airing every Tuesday at 10pm on Sky Atlantic.

And now, here’s the trailer from HBO:

Categories
Observations

G4S unveiled as official whipping boy of The 2012 Olympic Games

That’s a tongue in cheek headline, I should point out, for any of the Olympic or G4S legal teams reading.

I had to shake my head this afternoon when I flipped my iPhone over to The Telegraph and saw the lead headline: “I don’t know if [our] guards [will] speak English”, says G4S Chief Executive.

It’s laughable, it really is.

Have you been following this story across the week?

It’s been reading like a carefully orchestrated series of PR leaks intended to make everyone feel fantastic about the upcoming Olympics. Fantastic, because, frankly, if this is the only problem we’re having with The Olympics then I think we’re in a pretty good position — because this one is swiftly fixable.

There’s nothing the British public likes better than a highly paid CEO and reasonably profitable big company getting raked across the coals.

G4S — formally known as Group 4 — is a private security contractor. They’ve got a very big contract managing portions of the Olympic games security. This week, newspapers reported that the company hadn’t managed to hire it’s full quota of staff. All sorts of catastrophically embarrassing stories subsequently emerged. Silly ones, but nothing too drastic. The press reckoned that the British Army would have to step in to fill the 3,000 short-fall of guards required because of the G4S blunder.

Meanwhile, in glorious style, the British press pointed out that instead of being paid less, G4S was apparently upping its fees.

Yup: Time to bring in the crisis PR team.

Here’s what G4S says, right now, on it’s website:

We have recently encountered significant difficulties in processing applicants in sufficient numbers through the necessary training, vetting and accreditation procedures. As a result, we will be unable to deliver all of the necessary workforce numbers.

We have worked very closely with LOCOG throughout the build up. At the point we felt that we could no longer assure the scale of the security workforce we had committed to, we advised them of the situation. The Government has therefore decided to increase the number of military personnel who will work at the Games.

That’s not ideal.

The statement goes on to point out that the screw-up is going to cost G4S about £35-50 million pounds. Not ideal that. But. And there is a but: Somebody at G4S signed the contract saying they could deliver this. So it’s right and proper that they take responsibility for fixing it as best they can.

One of the key issues raised this week as the shock and horror expressed that our good old chaps and ladies from the Army were going to have to be drafted in to do menial security work — some of whom will have recently returned from tours in Afghanistan.

I can imagine that standing searching bags is probably the last thing that you’d want to be doing when, 3 weeks prior, you were literally dodging snipers thousands of miles away.

There is another viewpoint here though and I think it’s a valid one. Given there’s been a screw up by the private contractor and given that a solution is needed — I can’t think of a better fix. If I were heading off to see some of The Games, I’d feel a heck of a lot safer knowing I was being protected by the finest. Indeed, it would give me an opportunity to wait patiently whilst the chap or lady searched my bag, before thanking them warmly.

Surely an extra 3,000 troops on hand would help encourage any idiots thinking of disrupting The Games to think twice as well?

I also react positively to ensuring that every soldier’s family and friends are allocated with plenty of Games tickets. G4S should also do something for each of the 3,000 soliders.

Fundamentally I think the only answer for G4S is to dig deep. Get stuck into their wallets and flash the cash. Answer every question raised with authority and confidence. Setup a microsite with a frequently asked questions page. Over communicate. Over deliver. Make it clear you’re fixing it — and, er, obviously — actually fix it. But demonstrate what you’re doing openly and as comprehensively as possible. Anything else will enable the UK media to continue to dig the already massive hole for them. Where the media treads, the politicians follow — so it looks like  many MPs will spend the next week kicking G4S.

Which as I said before, highlights that everything is alright really.

Yes this is a bit of a dropped ball by G4S. We’re lucky to have the ability to call upon the Army (and/or the Police as necessary). We’re further lucky that these 3,000 serving men and women don’t effectively have a choice. And we’re further lucky that since they’re serving in one of the best Armed Forces on the planet, they’re actually rather good. Professionals. We’re lucky to be able to call upon professionals to plug the gap.

But actually, this isn’t a big problem in the scheme of things.

It’s not like that other Olympics — was it the one in Greece, where the living quarters weren’t actually finished days before the Games were due to begin?

If this is the only ‘big thing’ that’s concerning folk in regard to The Olympics (the security issue being the exception) then I think we should be thankful.

One final point: In this hyper-connected world it’s surprising to see that G4S, a company that employs well over 600,000 folk worldwide, hasn’t got social media yet. They’re being absolutely pummelled on Twitter by the look of it. Witness this tweet from trade union Unite:

 If ‪#G4S‬ can cut corners with the ‪#Olympics‬ then it doesn’t bear thinking about what they’ll do to essential police services like 999 calls

That’s been written by a social media (or PR) team who know precisely what they’re doing. I couldn’t find anything official from G4S. You’d think they would be all over this sort of thing given the amount of damage their image is taking at the moment. I’m sure I’m not the only one who looked at their website today (or this week) to get their side of the story — what a fantastic missed opportunity.