After one day of sun yesterday (and it was glorious – actually properly hot) it’s raining again today. The cat has given up his spot at the bottom of the garden, watching the wildlife scuttle about, and installed himself at an upstairs window where he can keep them in check remotely.

I wouldn’t have the patience to do it myself, but a polished bonnet does look good.

I’ve long been very pro Europe and would love to see greater integration and cooperation across all member states. Unfortunately, if that required any national referenda, though, I can’t see it ever happening, as the governments have spent so long using the institutions of the EU as a whipping boy and handy destination of oh-so-frequently passed bucks.

So, it’s interesting to say what Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission says here in response to a question about further requests for EU funds.

Funny how we usually only get half the story – about how Europe is always asking, but we’re never receiving. Except, of course, we are.

Journalist: How do you explain to taxpayers in a country like Britain that, because of this [EU] budget increase, the British treasury will have to find over a billion euros extra next year to give to you [while] it is cutting back on public services in Britain?

Barroso: First of all, I cannot agree with the assumption in your question. You say "given to us", "given to me". It is not to me. It is to Europe, to the regions of Europe, to the workers of Europe, to the United Kingdom.

The example that President Schulz brought today about ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is quite impressive. Do you know who is asking the increase of expenditure in ITER? Namely the net contributors, namely the United Kingdom. The question I put to you, if I may, is does the public in the UK know that the British government is arguing for the increase in expenditure like ITER? Do you believe this project is the first priority for the poorest regions of Europe? So, the point is very important to make, because there is sometimes a complete contradiction between the positions that the governments take publicly, some governments saying "we want to reduce the budget", and afterwards they are the first to ask for increase of the budget in the projects that are of course for their direct interest.

(Source: Europa Press Releases.)