Online Forms

 

I have just sweated blood filling out a 15-page application form.  

Page after page of questions, some repeated, and at the end an opportunity to upload stuff.

Great, but what stuff, where do I find it, will this do?  And so on.

The national insurance number ought to be easy, but it could not be found!  It turned up, by accident, in a form in a box.  It was not where it ought to be on other forms.  The ones I looked through first!

Then the continual 'You missed that bit,' when I had not missed it.  I fill it ought and am sent back because other thing inserted have disappeared.  

Page after page this goes on.

Some questions take a while to understand what they are talking about.  Some goon in an office comes up with these questions which are great, in his little office world, but mean nothing in the real world.

At the end, they suddenly demand copies of things, some of which make no sense to me.  I send what I think ought to cover it, but if I get a reply within the next 28 days, I am sure questions will be asked by some young goon using her phone.  

That joins on to the wander to Sainsburys this morning.  

All straight forward and shocked at how much I was paying, especially as I forgot some things.

Hobbling to the shop, I met my neighbour.

They have been given 2 months to leave!  Why?  Something about fixing rot under the floor.  I suspect this is because she wants to increase the rent to £900 a month.  Now I am expecting her to turn on me soon, possibly a letter at the start of the month.  I know she is desperate to do up this flat.

What will I do?  I have no idea.  We wait and see.

Outages

So, AWS, Amazon Web Services, went down early this morning leaving vast numbers of large organisations with no internet service.  This did not affect me, I never noticed anything until the media started weeping about it, but the machine is a bit slower, possibly because some are affected.  

Twice in recent days the ISP has gone down, no reason stated.  Once for a few minutes, the second time for almost an hour.  An hour!  An hour without life!  I began to think I might have to start speaking to people, outside!  Luckily this did not result.  I breathed easier.

Once again we see how easily society can be halted.  All the best security services cannot stop a hacker destroying the system if he decides to.  Mistakes and accident may be responsible for these outages but one day it will be an enemy closing society down for a long time, with hopefully only the defence systems still working.  Maybe...

I always thought cutting of electricity will kill a city, all will grind to a halt, and today so many have ability to cope with this.  We struggled with Covid, how will we deal with no electricity or internet?

Dearie me, if it comes to a halt we might just have to read a book...

Rick Steves,' Luther and the Reformation

Starmer and his Israeli Government

Maccabi Tel Aviv football Club have a problem with their fans.  The problem is their unfortunate habit of going abroad to watch European games and fighting with anyone and everyone who they come across.  In Amsterdam recently they were filmed attacking strangers in the street, just for the fun off it.

SKY TV offered the report of this film and then withdrew and amended it as the report indicated the Israeli fans were responsible.  The woman reporter was forced to amend her report to avoid upsetting the Israeli's.  

The correct decision to refuse Maccabi fans permission to attend Villa Park Birmingham, where their team play Aston Villa, has brought accusations from the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.  He claims this is anti-Semitic!   Clearly this comes from Morgan McSweeney and his Israeli backers.  They refuse to allow any honest reporting on this club, and indeed any other Israeli action, if it does not suit them.  So today we see the bought English press inform us that this is anti-Semitism, a 'disgrace,' and a 'shame on Britain.'  All from papers and journalists bought and paid for by Israel.  The BBC, once a trustworthy organisation, has long been in the pocket of Israel.

So, we find the government, the media, and both major political parties bought and controlled by Israel.  What chance to we have of proper journalism today?  Very little.

Now the attack on the Birmingham Police who decided to stop Maccabi fans arriving is continuing.  I expect if the decision is not change action will be brought against the Birmingham police.  The police who do not wish to have people chanting 'Death to Arabs,' and the like in their city.  A deliberate provocation the police wish to avoid.

We await to see what our Israeli government decides to do, and we watch the muppet PM obey quietly.

The Old Tolbooth, 'The Heart of Midlothian.'

On Edinburgh's historic 'Royal Mile,' outside St Giles Kirk there lies a pattern of setts, in coloured stone, commemorating the 'Heart of Midlothian,' a building that once stood right here.

After more English attacks which led to the the burning of Edinburgh by various Edwards, all that family were thugs as you know, major work was required.  King Robert II granted the right to build a suitable building quite close to the corner of St Giles.  The area was used as a market place then, and was a replacement for a previous building destroyed by brute force.

Thus the 'Tolbooth' came into being around 1386.

The Tolbooth was used by the town council for many years, it was not until 1811 they moved across the road into the city Chambers.  The building included a prison, and was surrounded by shops on all sides.  This was after all the centre of the city, and the capital of Scotland at that.

The prison was not a great place to be.  Some had metal collars around the neck which were chained to the wall.  Others wore boots that crippled the feet, or possibly thumbscrews were employed to torture the prisoner.  Not all prisoners were confined, some were imprisoned for debt, others for petty theft, and some could walk about working in the prison rooms.  The drains were blocked, the stench, even for Edinburgh, unbearable, and many prisoners were no more than adolescent boys, some who were to hang. 

After 1795 executions, once held at the 'Mercat Cross' were held on an extension on the west side of the Tolbooth, thus enabling the public to enjoy the spectacle at the gallows there.  Rebellious individuals such as Montrose, James Graham who supported Charles I during the English Civil War,  were decapitated and their heads placed on spikes facing the High Street.  Not that they would see much I suggest.

Another who was hanged was Deacon Brodie.  A man of good character and well known amongst the rich and powerful of the day.  As a cabinet maker his work also involved fixing locks on doors and enabling the great and good to rest in their beds peacefully.  However, gambling debts and two secret mistresses and five children to support tempted him into misusing his knowledge of the security and enabled him, and accomplices, to rob the rich.  He was eventually found out and hanged at the tolbooth to much cheering from the rich I imagine.  'Deacon Brodie's Tavern,' stands at the corner of the Lawnmarket and Bank Street today, though it was 1974 when I last entered the building, Brodie himself may not have done so.  

John Porteous was also hanged there.  He became Captain of the Guard and was responsible for among other things controlling the 'town mob.'  The mob became angry after the execution of one Andrew Wilson, so angry that the town guard was called out and armed with gunpowder and shot.  Now Captain Porteous was not a popular figure, possibly because of his job, but in controlling the mob he ordered his men to fire above their heads.  Good thinking, except that people in the tenements above were hit, further angering the mob.  Thus it is said the Captain ordered his men to fire on the mob itself killing 6 and wounding others.  

The Captain was tried for murder, and jailed in the Tolbooth.  The English government under Sir Robert Walpole attempted to defer sentence thus once again showing their ignorance of Scotland.  As a result, several thousand joined together, attacked the Tolbooth, removed Porteous and dragged him down the street where he was hanged, not once but four times before he expired.

The Town Mob was a fearful force.  Despite much talk in London no individual was brought to trial for this riot.  Sir Walter Scott, in his book 'The Heart of Midlothian,' set the scene with his version of the events of this event.  He would have been very aware of the situation in Edinburgh and it may be well worth reading the book for more details, however, they will have an romantic twist to them!

1784

The 'Luckenbooths' that is shops, can be clearly seen in this 1784 map.  The position of the aged tolbooth may once have been tolerable in the town but as can be seen it blocked the 'Royal Mile.'  It is noticeable how many buildings surround the Kirk, with only space for the parliament , now long defunct after the 1707 Lords criminal sell out to English bribes.   

The Old Tollbooth

Alexander Naysmith's portrayal of the building shows us the two story erection at the western end where hangings took place.  The four story building looks magnificent here, with St Giles to the right of the picture, but of course we cannot smell it, notice the bits falling off, or the state of the insides of the building.  The building was removed in 1817 enabling easier passage on the road.  A mosaic was placed in the road to commemorate the 'heart of Midlothian,' as it was named by the public, and they say passers-by today spit on the setts in memory of the town people's hatred of the old prison.  This of course is middle class nonsense. 

In 1874 s football team, one of the first in the world, was begun in Edinburgh by the lads who attended a pub, or dance hall, they were probably one and the same thing, named the 'Heart of Midlothian,' nearby.   This team is one of the great Scottish sides having one all that is to be won, and at the time of writing about to gather more glory in the near future.  

However, the residue of the mob remain in Edinburgh, usually following the smaller, less efficient sides like Hibernian.  These rough, uneducated types will not be aware that a notorious building stood upon this spot, they will just reveal their low life attitudes by spitting the what became the crest of the Heart of Midlothian Football Club.  Jealousy and inferiority lies behind such actions.

It has been made clear by one researcher that of all the guide books to Edinburgh that he looked at only two mentioned the Heart of Midlothian football clubs or indeed Hibernian for that matter.  All did mention the Murrayfield Rugby ground however, once again revealing the middle class divide that endures in the city.  

Rowies and Fish

I blame the advertising!

If this butcher in Dundee did not insist on sending emails offering 20% off, or a pack of square sausage with every order FREE, then I would not have been tempted.  I confess that I gave in quickly and obtained Rowies and Scotch pies, with FREE square sausage, just to keep the freezer filled, that's all.

Anyway, the cost works out reasonable considering the meals this provides.  So I ordered and here they are today.  

Rowies are a type of bread roll, invented they say, for the fishermen who might be way for a week or two, and this bread would keep well.  They would not require a freezer in the North Sea so the temperature would hold up for the rolls.  Also a colossal amount of lard goes into them, though they call it Palm Oil today, and this was good for the energy requirements aboard. 

Whether this is true, or just a story invented by the Aberdeen fishwives i know not, but what I do know is that these are good and worth risking another day lost to life after eating them.  The pies will await me in the freezer.

These boats are found off Peterhead, in Rowie country.  They appear to be leaving en masse which might make fishing easier.  Somewhere aboard, in one of those boxes, are rowies awaiting lunchtime.  The ide of sailing out on a light tide appears to me to be delightful, however, once far from shore and the waves trying to get above your head my opinion might change somewhat.  A few days out there, cold winds, ice on the water, snow, hail, freezing rain, and winter meant it got worse, would not be for me a pleasing day out.  

These men however, did this for years and years.  Their life was spent chasing the Herring down the North Sea, reaching Yarmouth and the likes before heading back home again.  The women would go with them, filleting fish and filling barrels with them.  

I suspect these women would be somewhat noticeable in the streets.

All gone now.  Factory ships, probably Russian, steal everything from the seas.  Vast numbers to feed, vast ships scraping the bottom to get them, and of course anything else lying about.  

Are you hungry for fish and rowies yet? 

Peace?

HM Gov

 

Another peace treaty has been signed in the Middle East.  Just like all the others some reason to break this one will be found by one side or another.  The media, taking the side of those who pay them most, will support/oppose/be cynical/accept this peace.  The 40,000 dead may have differing ideas.

Will Bibi be able to accept this?  What was in it for Trump?   You can bet it will not last.

Humanitarian aid, supported by Turkish, Egyptian and UAE forces will be sent into Gaza.  Israel forces will withdraw, yet retain 53% of the area, And Bibi and Trump will boast of success while Bibi finds other ways to avoid facing that corruption charge in court.  Possible attack on Iran again maybe?

Hostages are to be exchanged, vast numbers remain in Israeli prisons, yet only a couple of thousand will be released.  20 or so living Israeli hostages and as many dead as possible will be returned, including those killed by over eager Israeli's.  Will settler violence in the West Bank end?  Of course not.  

God is still working his purposes out, even in this disputed land.  However, a quick look at the OT indicates that while the Hebrews often fought Philistines they never took their land.  Bibi has overstepped the mark again I say.  Maybe one day he will understand he will stand before the Messiah to face judgement like the rest of us, there will be no escape from that court.

Kemi, Ash and Steve.

ITV

Like me you probably did not bother to listen or watch the Leaders speech at the Conservative Party conference today.  I forgot, so I missed deliberately not watching it.  I hear there were the usual inept promises, cutting Private schools bills, abolishing stamp duty, attacking benefits rather than tax her wealthy donors, scrapping net-zero policies, all the usual Tory nonsense.

What was more bizarre was her claim that her party was the only one to put 'Broken Britain' right.  Though on their free chocolate they did spell 'Britain,' as 'Britian!'  The fact that she indicated 15 years ago Poland was worse of than the UK, now it blossoms she failed to understand that 15 years of her party in charge, a party she was part off, is the reason the UK is broken.  Her answer, to continue the same policies.  

We are watching the death of the Conservative Party here.  Nigel, hiding like his money, will be happy.

Ash Regan has put a bill through Holyrood to deal with men buying sex.  Some think this a good idea, some think she is just using this for her own publicity.  Either way it is bonkers.

The idea is that women who sell their bodies for cash, prostitutes now falsely referred to as 'sex workers, will be decriminalised but men paying for them will be charged for a crime.  So prostitutes are OK, customers are not?  This is women's logic at best.  

If it is a crime to buy it must be a crime to sell.

This plan, designed to aid the girls, has no merit.  The cause of prostitution is not dealt with.  Trafficking is passed over, and there are laws against that, and the girls, not just those 'forced' into it will continue to sell themselves for money.  They will not be charged but their customers will?  Therefore there will be no customers.

Another half truth law, more for Ash to keep herself in the front with an election coming next year rather than deal with the causes and abuses of prostitution. And I note nobody has asked about the women living close to those who sell themselves and are often challenged by potential customers, their opinion has not been sought.

The Rangers are looking for their 12th manager in 10 years after another hit the ground running and fell apart.  Scotland shows no sympathy here.  Many names have been mentioned, Steve Gerard, Derick McInnes and the laughable Sean Dyche!  However Gerard is the fans favourite, he won the league once after 4 years of failure, simply because Celtic were bad.  Now Stevie is seen as the saviour.  I hope he is chosen, he is not a good manager, failed at Aston Villa, failed in Saudi, and will fail again in Glasgow, so, let him come.

Epping Justice, Gary Neville and Lest we Forget...

Essex News

Justice can be slow, but successful.  

The thugs that rioted outside the 'Bell Hotel' in Epping earlier this year faced justice for their crimes.  Three men, so far, have been arrested and charged with violent disorder, this at a 'peaceful demonstration.'  

Asylum seekers have been housed on hotels or suitable accommodation throughout the land, and this hotel in quiet, middle class Epping was one of them.  However, an Ethiopian man sexually assaulted a 14 year girl and the mobsters took this as an excuse to create a riot.  The asylum seeker has since been jailed for his crime.  However, the 'Tommy Robinson' set began to encourage protests outside the hotel, causing much stress to those living there.  The usual flag waving, chanting and no little attack on the building by one or two showed the intellectual level and understanding of those attending.  Care for the girl was less than the chance to riot, attack police, damage local housing, and pee all around the area, like dogs leaving their mark.  Three men have been given sentences of just over one year to just over two years for their violence.  It is to be hoped that more will come soon.

Gary Neville, one time footballer now mediocre football pundit, has stated that the divided society which has led to the events at Manchester was caused by white middle aged men.  Naturally, white middle aged men attending events such as Epping have decried this while waving England and Union flags and asking, "What's wrong with white, middle aged men."

Attending the protests and waving flags ought to have made that clear to them.

The society s divided, this has been coming since Brexit was used to divide and economically destroy the UK.  Encouraged by Farage, Boris Johnson and other Tories who did not understand what Farage was up to, or who was paying him, his money coming from abroad naturally, they pointed to the Migrants arriving dangerously by small boats, which cannot be returned because of Brexit, and claim that is the problem.

Lies such as these have affected the usually thinking Englishman.  Led by the nose however, the Sun, Mail, Telegraph and the BBC have made clear the boats are the problem and 'Reform UK' are the answer.  Who is paying them to say this?  Russia certainly, Israel, and Robert Mercer and other US far right politicians, the ones behind Trump.  

The man in the street doe snot understand this, and like Germans in the 1930s falls for an easy answer, waves flags he does not understand, supports an English history that is incorrect, and votes 'Reform UK,' to solve the problem. 

One problem 'Reform UK' would solve was council tax.  By cutting spending ruthlessly they would save tax payers money.  Now, in both Kent and Durham they have realised there is nothing to cut, and all their talk was vacuous.  Since Osborne's disastrous austerity there has been 14 years of cuts and there is nothing left to cut, so they are putting up the taxes they said they would reduce.

I bet their wages will increase also...

Edinburgh Derby and Twitter Junk

Since 1875 the Heart of Midlothian have been careful to maintain a domination over the Hibernian from Leith, and Saturday night was no exception.  In spite of the usual Hibernian tactics which include Humping the ball upfield carelessly, falling down when tackled, and bringing their own referee as always, the Heart of Midlothian took care to secure the victory with a last minute winner.  The late goal is encouraged as it allows the 'wee team' to think they had a chance when in fact they had none.  So the late goal does enable them to remember the game for a very long time.  

Funny innit?

I see twitter, that's 'X' to those who follow Musk, have been desperate to increase the number of new posts to reach me.  This can be interesting however, I have little interest in Ugandan politics, dodgy porn, or US female Netball, nor any of the other rather strange US sites that appear daily.  I suppose a nation that arose by the gun and spread out by the use of the gun will not understand democracy properly, but I have no desire to listen to far right gun toting 'Christians' who never read the bible nor attend church.  This however, is growing among the far right, white, US, gun toting, unthinking mid west population.  Many are joining organisations to 'defend' 'Christendom,' a word few would understand.  Trumps backers, mostly in the Kremlin, are looking forward to the civil war they have designed.  It will not happen in the UK however, stealthy takeover of the government is more effective here.  Just ask Morgan McSweeney.

Agnus Dei - Samuel Barber LIVE

Police, Palestine, and fake followers.

 

Last night BBC showed a report from a London police station.  As I do not watch TV I did not see this programme, however, Twitter was awash with the righteous informing us off their opinions thereupon.

A reporter, who gladly reveals himself here, worked in a central London police station as a civil (not uniformed policemen) officer, while secretly filming the men around him.  He engaged them in conversation, especially in the pub, and offered a selection of their opinions on some of the people brought into the station each day.

The resulting programme centred on the foul language used on some individuals, racist talk, misogyny, and general nasty things that were said or done.  These do not put the men involved in a good light.

Naturally condemnation arose and swift action from senior officers and many words from politicians, especially the usual crew.  

However, I am no aware if any attempt was made to explain why men come to the conclusions and expressions offered in the programme.  Why do police speak crudely of Muslims?  Could it be the ones they arrest are indeed bad men, violent and not living out the 'religion of peace?'  Could it be these men, and it is usually men, have not been educated in the ways of the UK?  Could it be these officers have years of experience of being punched, kicked and assaulted, threatened with guns and knives, and have had cars driven wildly towards them?  Could there be reasons for their attitudes?

Women who claim rape abound in this world, the courts always take their view, men are named and left stranded, especially if declared not guilty.  The accuser is not named.  

Women bite police, drive cars at them, hit them with broken bottles, if an officer finds a new word for them would we agree with this or not?  

I have met the London policeman several times, and found them worthy of respect, yet carrying the daily prejudices of London life just as we all do.  For the most part I trust them.

Police work will always produce gentlemen who like to misuse their strength, I suppose it is better they use it against criminals than use it as a criminal?  Indeed, some of the people they meet will not answer to anyone unless they are stronger than they themselves, therefore such men have a place.  

As I said, I did not watch this programme and do not know all the details, and  social media and the BBC and Main stream news outlets are not always accurate.  That said, I think more respect for the police is required before we throw them out.  

By the way, in a Scottish court recently a man was charged with violent assault.  This left an officer with a broken wrist, he is still not at work.  The criminal was fined and placed on a community work programme rather than jailed, why?

While people respond to the needless atrocity in Manchester this morning, others will still be showing Palestinian flags in the windows, or on their Twitter feeds, blogs and social media.  This always makes me wonder if anyone doing this really understands the situation or actually cares for the people involved?

Certainly we read of 40 -60,000 deaths, 20,000 of them children and feel anger rightly.  Putting aside questions regarding numbers, and the destruction seen on TV and press indicates many dead and wounded, I find myself asking, "Why do these concerned people not care about the Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Congo, or Benin?"  "Why is there no outcry re the thousands killed for being Christians in Benin or Northern Nigeria?"   "Why do we only care for the cause that is on TV, and ignore all the rest found in the press, if we look for them?"

Most will forget Palestinians tomorrow, most have little understanding or care for them now or later.  If they really cared they would try to do something, and I am not talking about cheap stunts using boats on the Med.  People follow a cause, but do not really get involved, deep down.  Soon, it will be forgotten.

Stockton & Darlington railway 200th and Mince Stew

 

 

I make no excuses for another trip along the original railway journey.  All my life I have heard about this, and even on occasion been along part of the route that is still operational.  The creation of the railways in 1825 was the most powerful movement of the 19th century in my eyes.  A century of innovation indeed, but without a railway to carry it all from one place to another quickly it would not have succeeded and certainly would have been hindered for many years.  

The sight of a replica 'Locomotion' trundling along is gives a wee bit of understanding as to how it must have appeared to the people at the time.  Engineering in the north-east of England had been going on for many years, so many would understand that one day something big would arrive.  However, with the majority still employed on the land, and that would continue for many years, the sight of this great moving black machine must have been something of a wonder.  Just remember your thoughts when you sighted an engineering feat, or a view or the latest technological wizardry that left you wondering, the people around must have felt similarly.

Many of those who watched quickly understood that here was an opportunity to save energy by climbing aboard the coal wagons and getting a free hurl to their destination. So successful was this that soon such 'passengers' had to pay for the privilege!  Within five years, 'The Rocket' was hurtling paid passengers between Manchester and Liverpool at 30 miles per hour, as long as you bought a ticket!

What I liked about this report was the 'ownership' of the railway.  The news reporters and the people involved are proud that this came from the north-east, not some fop down south.  This was 'their' railway, and it belonged to them!   Typical 'Geordies!'  George Stephenson, and his son Robert, were typical 'Geordies,' George in particular.  He was happy to be called 'the father of the railway,' though others had produced engines of various types before this.  George's railway actually worked successfully, which made a big difference.  These two men did lay out many railways in the UK and abroad, both in Europe and South America.  That is one reason why so many South Americans have Scots, Welsh, Irish or English names.  The navvies who went with them to build the railways often remained behind, or at least had a wife while there, for the use off!  

George used the term 'Railroad,' at first, but when his suggested route for one was considered too expensive his amended plan used the term 'Railway,' and it has remained such ever since.  Note in the USA they call it 'railroad,' possibly elsewhere also. 

Within five years of the 'Locomotion' taking coals to Stockton passenger services had arrived.  By 1851 it was possible to travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross, London within 12 hours.  With occasional stops on the way.  Before this a stage coach could take two weeks, depending on the weather.  Such a transformation of society, such a transformation for iundustry, supplies to factory soon became goods on offer worldwide.  A nation transformed, not so much by the industrial revolution but by the railways that made that industry operate.  

We owe a great deal to this 1825 event.

Low Carb Diabetic 

   

This caught my eye.  This is the type of grub I have been forced by poverty to turn to more and more.  Though my last effort, which may remain with me always, was based on chicken, not mince, this because mince was so much more expensive than chicken today!  

The recipe here differs somewhat from my own in that it produces acceptable flavour, my recipe varies between aged cardboard and aged dishwater.  At one point I took to calling mine 'Flanders Stew' as it tasted similar to the mud found there during the Great War.  And one young lass who ate at my abode shut down my kitchen, it turned out she worked for the environment people.  

My recipe is simple, meat, beans, more beans, sauces (anything), salt and whatever is lying around.  Then I have to force myself to finish 5 or 6 of the things stored in the freezer.  And the freezer, filled with such items, is the way forward in this wealthy man's parliament. 

I recommend this site.

The Labour Conference is on!

No, I have not bothered either...

Hobbling Saturday

 

I shuffled the long way round to Tesco's this morning.  The fancy monthly market was well into its setting up period and once again I wondered, not at the goods on display, but at the time taken to set up, and later dismantle such stalls.  What is the point?  Hours of slog setting up, not much money taken, though enough to make them return again, and then the hard work dismantling and trundling back home. 

The fish man and the locksmith do it properly, they come in a van, open the side, and await your cash, that's the way to do it I say.

On the way, I had to make a detour, passing behind the man in the Salvation Army uniform carrying a collecting can.  He usually stands on the other side and was blocking my way.  Thinking quickly, I evaded him by pretending to study the butchers window. Then it was totter down to Tesco, wander around collecting a few bits, pay at the cash desk where a friendly woman was operating the till, and make for home.  However, I found myself once again meeting the 'Sally Anne' so there was nothing for it but to go into the butchers, obtain sausages, and make for home.

 

 

The rest of Saturday has been spent concentrating on football.  This was successful, the Heart of Midlothian defeating Falkirk by 3 goals to nil, and the nearest challenger, Celtic, stumbling to a 0-0 draw with the 'wee team' Hibernian.  This leaves us once again in our rightful position, top!

A good way to end a Saturday.

 

The 'Locomotion' & the 'Rocket'

 

As you know, it was 200 years ago that the first real railway service came into being.  The line from Stockton to Darlington was created to shift coal from the pit to the docks.  It was a success, such a success that people jumped upon the coal wagons for a free trip to the terminus.  Soon however, they were being charged money for the privilege.  

The engine, seen here in a 1925 celebration run, was the 'Locomotion.'  This engine was in use until 1850, not counting the time the boiler exploded in 1828, killing the driver, one John Cree.  Of course, within 10 years this engine was obsolete, and while George Stephenson had designed the 'Locomotion,' his son Robert, produced the 'Rocket,' which in 1830 opened the first real passenger service between Manchester and Liverpool.  That line is still in operation today for the most part, you can see on 'Cab Ride' video just how straight the line is.  Little to interfere with the line at that time, bar a Moss or two.  

Much of the Stockton to Darlington line is still in use, though as you would guess both lines are much improved from their beginnings.  Engine drivers from the past would still recognise some of the line, though the surroundings would be very different indeed.

I mention this as I read today that the replica 'Locomotion,' built as near as possible to the original, will be used sometime soon on a run along the Darlington to Stockton line.  This will ensure problems for the authorities involved, not least the safety aspect.  The train will manage to make it along the chosen course however, the rail followers who rush to observe the run of this train will no doubt trample across the lines, interfere with the daily run of local services, and probably end up under a train at some point.  This indeed happened in 1930 when William Huskisson got down off the train to speak to the Duke of Wellington and got himself run over by the 'Rocket' on the other track.  The train had stopped for water, and it was normal stage coach experience for passengers to wander about until the stage coach was ready.  Unfortunately, the speed of the approaching train was something they were all unaccustomed to.  William's leg was broken and he died on the way to the hospital.  It is to be feared that 'enthusiasts' will endanger themselves also in an attempt to see and photograph this event.

I will not be there, just saying.

The 'Locomotion' was used as a stationary engine for a while, then, because of it's importance it was preserved for the nation.  I can remember it standing in Doncaster station for some years, and after some travels it now resides at the Locomotion Museum in Shildon.

Trump's Reichstag?

On February 27th 1933 Van der Lubbe set fire to the Reichstag Parliament building in Germany.  This action, coming only four weeks after Adolf Hitler had  been sworn in as chancellor, opened the door for Hitler to take sweeping action to stabilise his position.

Van der Lubbe was born in the Netherlands, his parents divorced, his mother died when he was an adolescent and he moved in with his half sister.  A few years later the teenager being naturally very strong found work on a building site.  While there he became interested in the Labour movement and became involved in Communism.  An accident with lime almost blinded him and he found work difficult, though his interest in communism did not ease.  He worked among the unemployed to support the movement. 

For reasons unclear Van der Lubbe, who had been involved in other minor arson attacks, found himself in the Reichstag late one night setting it ablaze.  The blaze spread quickly and totally destroyed the building.  The police soon found the culprit who had not escaped and took him to court.

Adolf Hitler was delighted.

With Lubbe's admission of being communist Hitler arrested the leading Communists at the time, and thousands of others, real and imaginary possibly, were also taken in by the police.  Thus at the next elections soon to follow a vast number were unable to vote or put forward their case.  In this manner the Nazi stronghold was created and after announcing an emergency order, civil liberties were removed.  Hitler had complete power as dictator from this moment on.

Van der Lubbe was tried, found guilty, and executed.  

Whether he was working alone, whether others were behind him, or indeed whether Hitler himself had found a way to put the arsonist up to this cannot be proved today.  However, this action led to Adolf Hitler's complete control of Germany.

Many are asking, is the death of Charlie Kirk Trump's Reichstag moment?

His dementia led statements are often senseless, but he is asking his justice secretary to arrest people who speak against him.  The democratic niceties of the USA are now being pushed aside for a mentally ill, spoilt brat, seeking vengeance on any who speak the truth.  The Reichstag fire destroyed Germany, will Kirk's death lead to the destruction of the USA as we know it?

Tents

The park has quite a few who sleep in tents each night, this has been going on for a while, and yesterday I noticed this large tent, with at least two sharing, in a corner.  With the council offices across the road from them it is clear they are known and not removed, and once again I asked myself as to how do we handle such situations?  I know not who they are, from what I have seen in the past they are a mixed bunch, and arise from a variety of reasons.  

There are several groups, mostly Christian, who offer help here, the Salvation Army is big on care here, but nationally we find many on the streets who ought not to be homeless.

On one hand many with jobs and oncome cannot find a house, the removal by Thatcher of council houses by selling cheaply to anyone began the rout.  We need an immediate creation of a million council houses, but this government will not produce them.  Housebuilders have a say here as they  bride donate to MPs.  Rents are high and many who rent cannot then afford a mortgage, indeed, some paying high rents find they are refused cheaper mortgages by banks and lenders!

Many I have met living in parks have mental problems.  Quite a few live in the centre of London by jumping over the fence and sleeping under hedges.  Some cannot come inside, often soldiers with PTSD, mentally ill, drug confused people, usually men, and those with a variety of emotional problems.

There are no easy answers, just as there is little governments are willing to do while 'donations' are coming their way.

More Flags

Heading to Tesco I noticed the kiddies had been out and about with their flags.  Here are two union (Butcher's Apron's) and one English (Genoa) flag tied up, half mast, on poles.  It is noticeable that few are high up, it must be the little people responsible for this nonsense.

The fever that has induced people to paint roundabouts, houses, noticeboards, and even it is said, the White horse at Westbury with the red cross of St George.  The red cross on a white background, now regarded as an English flag, was donated to England by the people of Genoa way back when, after the English ships had protected their ships.  English men in fake armour, pretending to be crusading knights, decorate themselves with a flag that did not represent them during the crusades.  I doubt any of these men either studied or understand their own history even now.  

While attempting in this manner to support 'their side,' all they do is make the place look a mess, and lessen the house prices all around.  And where do all these flags come from?  Someone connected to 'the usual suspects,' who's name I forget, is responsible for pushing these  and the 'Unite the Kingdom' nonsense.  Of course 'Tommy' is involved, and 'of course,' he is not around while it is happening.  Even at his last parade he appeared at the front and then scarpered as always.  Some patriot Yaxley-Lennon.  Isn't that an Irish name...?

Pill Box for Sale.

You will recall some time back I wandered about Chelmsford.  Returning homewards, I took the opportunity to visit this Pills Box erected during the Second World War.   Thousands of these were erected in various places in fear of German invasion.  Most of them it appears were positioned in the wrong place, they required to be built on the coast, the idea being to halt an enemy landing rather than deal with one that had occurred.  In the course of time no invasion came, indeed it was never planned.  In fact, when the allies, led by General Montgomery, did invade Normandy the vast coastal defences did not hinder the allied landing.  Considering the vast amount of concrete utilised by the German defenders in comparison to these wee 'pill boxes' situated by streams, railways and major roads, it indicates how difficult it would have been for the poorly armed defenders to halt a well trained attack.

This 'pill box,' is situated on the lower slope of the field.  Before harvest time it would be nearly hidden by crops and a difficult object to oppose, especially when covered by the second one, seen in the distance, and even lower down and therefore hidden from the road.  The lower 'pill box,' covers the river and the far bank.  I doubt a boat would be sailing up this river in 1940 but it could be used by troops to make their way forward.  

The purpose of all this does not concern the war, nor defensive strategy, it concerns money!  

You see the owner has put this up for sale, the idea is for someone to turn this WW2 'pill box,' into a house!  Not the one in this picture, the first one, though this one by the river might be a better one to convert into a home.  The details are all on Right Move everybody's favourite way of inspecting their neighbour's home when they put it up for sale.

The claim this comes under 'Castle,' and the blurb says "Second World War bunker. Available for residential conversion under 81 E of the National Planning Policy Framework."  'Bunker,' is I suppose a correct word, though I only hear them called 'Pill Boxes,' because that is what they look like.  This one, like all the others, were never put to the test, except for 'Dad's Army' exercises I suppose.  Since 1945 they have lain untouched in many places, remarkable how often they appear in people's back gardens, farms, factories, and the like.  Many have of course been removed, however, solid concrete is not that easy to pull apart.  Many like them remaining as a curio in a house, often with a covered hole which once was an 'Anderson' type air raid shelter.  

For a mere £80,000 a builder could redevelop this, plans are included, however, I feel they are not what I would create on this spot, or on the lower box either.  I can dream about this, even if I only have 47 pence to my name and cannot possibly buy this WW2 memento.