Sunday SunDecisions decisionsNov 21 2010 by Ian Robson,
Sunday Sun
IT was great to see British yacht sailors Paul and Rachel Chandler back home after spending 388 days in the hands of Somali pirates.
It turned out to be an expensive trip - with £625,000 paid to the kidnappers on their behalf.
Some might say they were sailing close to the wind to make the decision to go on a trip anywhere near the Somali coast when it was well-known what was likely to happen. That said, they did try to avoid the danger zone before they were seized.
It seems they were treated abysmally but, let’s face it, piracy is the profession of choice on the Somali coast.
After a traumatic time, it’s good to see it’s all turned out fine.
Meanwhile another couple are still paying the price for a bad decision.
Kate and Gerry McCann have every sympathy over their daughter Madeleine’s disappearance in May 2007.
But it all started, don’t forget, when the three-year-old was left in her room with her younger siblings while her parents were elsewhere.
The McCanns must regret going to that tapas bar every moment of their lives.
Now the couple are writing a book to raise money for the Find Madeleine Fund. I hope the book does what the McCanns hope it will do – raise awareness of the campaign and keep the Fund going for longer – but, equally, it is to be hoped they address that fateful decision that left Madeleine alone.Why can’t I enjoy tourism incentive?
WORD reaches me of a great way to see some of Britain’s must-see buildings. For just £4 a day I can get a pass that allows free access to the best stately homes in the country.
The latest to join the scheme is Highclere Castle in Hampshire, which doubled as TV’s Downton Abbey, and which joins a long list of places signed up.
What’s the catch? I can’t get the deal – because I’m British! Neither could Dame Maggie Smith who starred in Downton Abbey.
Nor could British employers of sponsors British Airways (USA) and the British employers of VisitBritain who run the scheme or, indeed, anyone who is British.
The pass only applies to overseas visitors getting, in effect, an incentive. The pass is a nice idea but would be an even better one if home-grown tourists had the same support as foreign ones. Our money spends just as well as theirs.
Chop top cop’s pay
TOP cop Sue Sim is Temporary Chief Constable of Northumbria Police.
She was also awarded a bonus of £33,247 when she was assistant, and then deputy, chief cook and bottle washer of the boys in blue.
Bonuses? Hmm, bit of an indulgence in these financially-tight times, I think. I’d rather lose Sue’s inflated pay than a single officer on the beat.
