Milk, Ice and Rock n Roll

For those of us who have lived in Latvia for a number of years, it has always been of passing interest to watch the progression of Prime Ministers over the last ten or so years. Since regaining its independence in the 90's there have been 12 Prime Ministers, up to and including the current minister - Mr Aigars Kalvitis. So on average each prime Minister has spent some 15 months in office - with the longest stay by Ivars Godmanis, who was in fact the first Prime Minister in 1990.

Now the reason that this has come to my notice is through the blog site of Mr Juris Kaza ( www.latviantelecoms.blogspot.com) - in which he keeps a watchful eye on all thing to do with Telecommunications.

It appears that the Latvian government, funded by EU regional funds, has created a web site www.latvia.lv site in order to provide access, by both Latvians and anyone else, to information in regards to Latvia, both social and economic.

It was whilst browsing through the website that I came across the statistics in regards to the Prime Ministers.

It was encouraging to note the career of the current incumbent, who started his working life as a milkman and tractor driver ( this at a time when he was studying for his bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics).

From beginnings ever so humble !

But with elections coming up in September, it will be interesting to see if he hangs onto the position. Given recent history probably not.

Now some possible sad news, again for those of us who have been here a while, one of the original, arguably the first, bars in Riga which we availed ourselves in the early days, was Sam's.

Well the car park in front of it is now being developed, and as a result access to it is now limited to a nearby passageway, so the possibility exists that it may close. Now whilst I cannot claim to have used it a great deal in recent times, it was I know a much used haunt for many of the village people, and also provided a cretin free zone.

The second sad bit of news concerns one of the longest ex-pats in Riga Mr M..... B..... ( loves banks and Irish pubs). M...... has been here since the early 90's, and has been President of Rietumu bank for the last few years. He will be keeping a watchful eye on the bank from his new base in Ireland, and will be visiting on regular basis in his new position as a board member.

M...... will be missed by many, but he leaves his mark in Riga, not only as a banker, but as one of the founders of our village hall - de Lacy's (see I can spell it right !!). For my part I will always be grateful for the assistance he gave to our Smiley Fund, both at a personal level and through his influence, Rietumu Bank.

So as ever the changes in Riga go on, and our village people continues to change - but I have one question where are our Australian duo ?? - V..... (Australian/Latvian - builds thingies) and J..... (Australian/Latvian - builds gates) - have they emigrated ?, been abducted by Aliens ? - Anyone who has knowledge as to there whereabouts should contact this blog with info.

Finally a word of congratulations to S....... ( Ukrainian bar person with seriously bad taste in music) - S..... has just, after much arduous training, hours of selfless dedication and practise, has joined the ranks of the leading top 1000 players of TABLE ICE HOCKEY, in fact he is 943 in the world !!!!.
Now for those of you not acquainted with this fast growing sport, then visit http://www.ithf

In closing let me update you all re Zvannieki, J.... (Irish building magnate) has advised me that the road work has started and should be finished this weekend. This going to make a serious difference this winter, and will hopefully mean that access will no longer be hazardous exercise. Many thanks to J.... and his team.

I plan to visit the home on Monday along with J.... (Irish toy gatherer) in order to deliver the toys that J.... and his friends have collected, but also to meet with the Canadian/Latvian gentleman who own the property. He is proving to a be a little difficult in regards to giving his approval to extend the property. Hopefully I can make him see reason, we will but see !

Without his approval we cannot go ahead with the extension.

For tonight I am "Rockin all over the World" courtesy of Status Quo, who on TV last night indicated that their fan base was from 10 - 65 years old, so I just make it in !!