Sunday Watching

Daniel 12;1-3

‘At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the book – will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.'

Daniel, living and working for the regime in Babylon at the time, continued to stand for his God Yahweh.  He had faced opposition yet continued in faith in the living God.  At time the Lord himself gave him messages, prophecies, for the people around him and for the world in general, that is you and I.  This is one such.

One day the life around us will end, Jesus will appear, and our world will be seen to belong to the creator Yahweh after all.  Our conception of life will end and he will be seen to be Lord of all.

Mark 13:1-8

'As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’ ‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ 

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’ Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no-one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth-pains.'

Jesus himself made clear the biblical story.  God created the earth and the heavens, through him, and one day will reclaim ownership.  Not only has he used a nation, the Hebrews, to teach the word about himself, though they failed, the Son of God, fully God and fully man, arrived on earth to take the wrath for our sinful natures on the cross, so opening a way to reconcile us to him who has no sin.  

We tend to see Jesus as weak and 'nice,' while he is in fact none of that.  Much of what he said was in anger against wrongdoing because he is Holy.  His Love shows in that he is patient and forgiving, but still will judge us one day for all our actions.  

The only way to safety is via the Cross of Christ, yet we look elsewhere.  Those who's names are found in the 'Book of Life' will be those who turn to Jesus now.  The end will come so we may as well be ready.  Life is for living and Jesus came to bring abundant life.  Let's take it now.

 

 

I made use of the day by watching as many football matches as possible.  All were dreich!  None worth the money I did not pay for them.  However, by using Viaplay International all watched so far had no commentator to babble nonsense all the way through.  This is good!  It is time all games had a switch to prevent us hearing these talkatike indivisuals and allow us to see the game properly I say.

Saturday: A Wasted Life

I've just been watching Burnley v Preston, it was the best sleep I have had for some time!  What a waste of grass this was.   Preston falling down to waste time from the start, Burnley too keen to help them fall down.  A stramash here, a stramash there, little football.  Only one goal I noticed and that was declared wrongly as 'offside.'  You tend not to expect the linesman to know the offside law.

Now I am watching the results appear on the screen, every so often they change, 1-0becomes 2-0 or 1-1, and what we see on the screen does not match the emotions being expressed in countless football grounds around the world today.  Especially those grounds where wind and rain may be 'aiding' the flow of the game.  

Kicks and bumps abound, men rolling around on the ground holding their bits, some frantically running, other swaggering about, an occasional goalkeeper looking to the skies wondering how that happened, and the fans, how the fans enjoy the game!  Several thousand wondering why that dumb Hibernian player dived in the box when he was already on a yellow?  Off he goes as the ref waves a red card at him, swiftly followed by their opponents scoring a second goal!  The crowd roar, some in anguish.  Fingers are pointed at one end while arms are raised high at the other.  It was ever thus.

Soon there will be handshakes and a degree of professional forgiveness.  Players will warm down, fans will warm up in the local pubs, others head for home whether near or far.  

Others sit at home watching on the screen, like me.

I began the day slowly, not wishing to visit Tesco again I wandered through the not very busy marketplace.  Nothing much to report and then I accidentally fell into Tesco itself.  Thus I obtained the things I forgot or could not carry yesterday, and hobbled home for lunch.   

The sun shone, the air remained chilled, I was glad to be indoors until this afternoon when I realised it was warmer outside than in!  I opened the windows to warm up and found that chilly air waiting for me.  How come?  

Nothing for it but football and early bed, to watch more football or fall asleep again.  

My taxi is booked for tomorrow, this lift is becoming a habit and making me feel guilty.  Soon, but not yet, I will have to stop this, or pay the fares!

Blackfriars Bridge by Henry Cundell 1844

  

Nothing! I have Nothing to Say

 

Normally, having nothing to say has not meant I did not go forward and say it.  The effort required to speak when no words are available to appear can be demanding.  I don't do demanding so a mind strained as bad as my arm results.  This having nothing to say in public, or indeed on Twitter or Blogger or anywhere else online, has not actually been recorded as a 'bad thing.'  Indeed, the opposite view has been proffered.   

I considered my day for inspiration, that failed.  I considered my life experience and burst into tears again.  I made my way through the depressing online papers and began to feel seriously unwell.  Can there be any hope in this new government, will they inspire?  Not yet.  And what a government says it will do may not be what it actually does.  How about the radio?  Well Rory Stewart is making the case 'for ignorance.'  Well, Rory I am well ahead of you there.  How about 'Is Psychiatry Working?'  Well let's just look at all those men pretending to be women and say no, it has failed greatly.   Mark Steel in East Grinstead might be worth a listen, but this programme is not what it was, I know not why, but recent progs have not be that good in my opinion.  

I am of course, working my way through several books at one time.  Always a fast moving one, always an interesting one, and always several either to heavy, too slow or of lesser interest in the rear.  A new book arrived for my birthday, a second on the way, I get excited awaiting unknow books, yet wary in case they are not up to it.  I have baited breath for this one however.

We await with baited breath also for 8 pm on Sunday evening when Spain slaughter the colonial imperialists Engerland, hopefully by at least 5 clear goals.  A quick glance at the world and we see which nation is supporting which nation during this game.  It ought to come as no surprise really.

It must be said this was not one of the greatest tournaments ever.  Feeble sides like England won through but never deserved victory.  Netherlands, Germany, Scotland all failed to produce, and France fell asleep before the kick off.  Many players did not end the tournament with much hope of future 'caps.'  Germany and Netherlands will however, be stronger in two years time, but will Scotland?

Saturday Sun and Football

 There was a pale sun shining through the thin cloud as I hobbled round to market this morning.  I went to obtain Thick Brown Tape for the pacjage I must send up north.  Luckily the cards I bought online from 'Etsy' arrived today, this means I can sort them out, send them off and finish others cards.  Only the one or two online shop left after this.  I boast to others about my good work, they are all very rude about it!  Apparently, though they have time, and have been aware Christmas is coming, they are not yet ready, many have not begun the task.  Naturally I rub it in, somewhat exaggerating my worth.  This does not win me friends.  

I had almost finished the bread I bought yesterday, this meant wandering into Tesco for a loaf, and only a loaf, but I accidentally bought other things, much needed, along with a, reduced price, bottle of Courvoisier Brandy.  I am not sure how that happened.  

When I got home I found I had forgotten the Brown Tape!

Fool!

 

Even I am wearying with all this non-stop football.  At the last World Cup I believe we only had three games a day at this stage, just like the Africa Cup of Nations also had.  Now we have four games daily until the knockout stage, and it takes a toll.  The routine has gone, things are rushed to fit in, and then the game is often ignored as other duties arrive.  I would love this if I were 15!  

However, one aspect is the chance to get involved with a stramash on Twitter about English football hooligans.  Naturally I trolled a wee bit, but the English are so imperialist, it comes out when you correct the media in that they are 'English fans, not 'British!'  Lots of laughs here!  The lack of knowledge about Scotland and the United Kingdom is apparent and all too easily brought forth.  Still, now I have several English enemies I did not have before, and one or two new friends.  It's all a laugh really.

 

Viva Italia! We Hope...

 

Season's Greetings...

The proper football season did indeed begin last night, and it was quite good, as indeed expected.  Today, a stuttering first half was improved by the second and victory won, also as expected.  So the season is under way, football shorts are being bought, beer-belly or not, and money spent on PPV live coverage of the game, £10 today for Peterhead.  

However, the media ignored this for the most part and concentrated on the nonsense game at Wembley tomorrow night.  Twitter 'Trending' reflects the English nations desires well, they list 'Wimbledon,' 'Nazi Germany,' and 'Bobby Charlton,' as the top three!  A genuine, honest insight into the English mentality!  "We are superior, we won the war, we beat the Nazi's!"  

All this of course from people born after 1945.  Still, their History was taught to them by the 'Daily Mail,' 'Sun,' and 'Daily Express,' so you cannot expect them to understand what actually happened.

It is to be hoped, according to the Twitter discussions I have had in the last 24 hours, that Italia win by a vastly superior margin than usual.  Only that way will common decency return to the media, Twitter, and English life, once they have been released from prison that is.

 

 

Football, Harrassment, Funeral

 

I woke this morning to find the Twitter feed stuffed full of 'England expects' jingoism.  The media full of this imperialist pomp.  England, inadequate at heart and desperate for a role now the UK has been destroyed by Brexit, has the Brexit generation seeking an enemy, and Germany, a footballing nation they cannot defeat, are the main enemy.  Desperate for a purpose they are reduced to crowing about 'Two world wars, and one world cup.'  Such sentiments ignore the role the French, Australians, Canadians, Indians, Russians and many other played in the Great War.  It emphasises the role of 'standing alone,' though Canada, Australian, India and others stood with us, and ignore the role of the Soviet Union in carrying the bulk of the fighting on land until 1944.  As for a 'World Cup,' we can merely state 'The ball did not cross the line,' and let them bleat.
The crowds will return to Wembley tonight to worship England.  Hopefully England will be thrashed causing many of us to sleep well tonight.  The flags adorning so many cars today will be piled up in the bins by morning, pub windows broken, police assaulted, and the usual peaceful England gatherings noted.   Oh, and the indian variant found wandering through the crowds also.

However, the usual suspects, putting English football to the back page, lie about Sajid Javid bringing lockdown to an end in July.  It must be said that the 'Daily Mail' is hammering the need for an end to the lockdown for a reason.  The reason being their boss, one Lord living as a tax exile in France, also owns the 'Metro.'  The 'Metro' is the free paper found in railways stations and on buses, this means that lockdown has removed his audience and the 'Metro' sales are now down by 80%.  No sales, no advertisers, no advertisers no money for the absent Lord.  Hence the 'Mail's' coverage.  The 'Daily Express' also offers such hope, more for themselves than their owner.  This while the majority of their staff, at least those not yet made redundant, work from home.   

Will Lockdown end?  The Indian variant is rampant in the nation, it must not end yet.  Will rising sickness numbers and a higher death count force a continuation? It ought to, but the Tories worship cash, not people.  

 

Chris Whitty, the somewhat sombre government health advisor, was once again harrassed by yobs yesterday.  This is not the first time he has been attacked this way, though the last time was by an adolescent who suffered his mother wrath for his rudeness.  It has become the thing these days to harrass those you disagree with.  Kim Leadbeater, the sister of the MP Jo Cox who was murdered by a right wing looney, was harrassed by a group of Muslims the other day.  These came  from outside of Batley, the town where a by-election is under way.  These are well known Muslim activists and were freinds of George Galloway, a wayward attention seeking failed MP, once tipped as leader of the Labour Party, now a mere 'dog-whistle' at every by-election.  His chance of succes is nil,  Kim Leadbeater has a good chance of taking the seat, and the outsiders harrassing her may well have helped, not hindered.  Whether she would be any good as an MP is irrelevant these days, back benchers just do what they are told.  The need to hassle and mob those you dislike will continue under this government, Boris himself always under a mob abusing him whenever he appears, not the sign of a successful PM.   It must be remembered that Chris Whitty's father was dragged out of a car in Athens while working for the British Council and murdered by Abu Nidal terrorists in 1984.  It is no wonder Chris comes over as he does.  Such experiences will not help a man such as he.

A very interesting experience yesterday, I watched a funeral in London from home via 'Zoom.'  'Zoom,' is proving its worth these days.  With people spread out across the world 'Zoom' is a real benefit.  The deceased had been laid to rest in the family grave and then there gathered here many to pay respects and hear those, often untold, stories regarding her life.  Memories come rushing back when  people speak as do memories of those spoken about.  Situations that arose and their results, family history and background.  All good and proper.  Beginning at 3 pm, well usual church time of thirty minutes late, it was clear, as the son spoke of his mother, that we would not see the 5 pm kick off at the Euro's.  As the preacher spoke, recounting her early life and his experience of her when taking charge of the church 50 years previously, we realised we might not see the 8 pm kick off!  

However, all went well, the zoom camera worked, the sound was obtained, and occasional people were recognised at a distance.  Zoom put to good use, but hopefully not being used in this way again for some time.     

Bank Hol, Henry Jackson and Ted.

May Bank Holiday Monday, a day to celebrate the united workers of the world, if any are left, naturally it is freezing.  Very high winds from the southwest bring rain clouds, people huddle together in the park pretending they are enjoying the day off, the early tree leaves hang on grimly as the branches are tossed about, pigeons wonder what has happened to Spring sunshine?  Nothing has happened, this is normal!

I cling to the radiator, spending time annoying people on Twitter who tell me there is no Coronovirus, that mask wearing is wrong, and do not wish to listen to the African doctor who opposed mask wearing and did not beleive in the virus from which he died.  

Some of the beliefs spouted online amaze me!  The confusion in the minds of many also amazes me.  It is as if there is an attack on the nation by a secret government organisation, or Bill Gates or Communists, or 'leftists,' a new term for anyone you disagree with, or someone out there.  This reminds me of the old 'Avengers' series of the 60's when John Steed and his woman in black found underground armies and power mad scientists.  

In truth it is more simple than that.  This is just very rich people confusing the issue through many and varied means to ensure they hold the levers of power and make money.  Something Bill Gates does not need to do.

In days of yore we did not know what these many and varied people thought, but the internet allows them space to speak.  What was once a bore in a bar or a strange workmate now appears daily on Twitter!

Funnily enough I am on there daily...

 

Interesting this tale of Iran interfering in Scots politics.  Interesting, not because it may be true but because the 'Henry Jackson Society' have made a report on it.  'Henry Jackson Society,' is a US paid for right-wing organisation with very right-wing tendencies.  A powerhouse of neoconservative opinion in the UK and not known for their care for Scotland.  They have not mentioned the interference in Scots politics by fake internet accounts generated by No 10.

 

Also mentioned in the unfortunate invasion of Old Traffford last night which led to the postponement of the game between Manchester United and Liverpool.  These two teams were of course leaders in the 'European Super League' which fell to earth at the response of the fans and jealous clubs not invited to join.  I think the intention was to highlight fan disaproval of both clubs abuse of the fans with this idea, and wandering about the pitch as they did this certainly made everyone aware of what the fans opinion of the greedy club owners.  

Of course other clubs would join if invited, but only if they had enough fans!

 

 

I spent some time this morning attempting to online shop.  I have used the Nat Galleries Scot  before but as always the internet caused me headaches.  Possibly it was too early for me, it may be I am just stupid, what?  However, it took four attempts before I worked it out.  So, being a Holiday Monday in Edinburgh as elsewhere I sat back and waited for confimation tomorrow that the order was being processed.  This afternoon I got a reply saying the order had been posted and it was too late to change!  Posted, on a Holiday?  

This email is now standard in so many companies, taking from you the chance to change your mind.  I am sure it is illegal, and while this order needs to go ahead it bothers me that one day it will cause bother.

 

 

Wednesday Warbling

 

Well that did not last much longer than one of Boris Johnson's great ideas'  Bad publicity and fan pressure forced the English clubs involved in the ''Euro Super League" to change their minds and remove themselves from this disaster.  The whole idea collapses, until the next time.  

So, the English clubs, nearly a Billion in debt, must do something else to fix their books.  Instead of running away to a 'closed shop' they must remain in the over hyped English 'Premier' division that lines their pockets well enough as it is.  Possibly they will now be considering whether paying a 'top' player £600,000 a week is a good idea, with smaller clubs in the 'Premier' paying a mere £20,000 average weekly to their men in the top division.  Maybe there is a better way after all than following several US club owners with no understanding of how the real world works?  Spend less on players and their wages!

 

 

On this day in 1918 Manfred von Richthofen was shot down and killed near Morlancourt, France.  Many have attempted to say this or that man brought him down, such a confusing situation that we need not join in here.  However, a combination of attacking fighter and ground fire could do him no good.  Never fly low, never over the enemy trenches.

The Royal Flying Corps were part of the Army until April 1st 1918 and as such no 'Flying Aces' were given publicity in similar manner to the Germans, or French.  It was considered 'Bad show' if flyers were seen as 'heroes' while the men on the ground were not given such a crown.  In fact Victoria Cross winners were considered 'special' so why not flyers I wonder?

Richthofen became the most famous of all the war flyers, few wished to know that his place was taken by Herman Goering after he fell, but not all flyers respected Manfred in the way the public did.  Some felt annoyed that they had better scores than his 'Jasta 11,' the 'Flying Circus.'  In the documentary from 1987, 'Cavalry of the Clouds,' we find Wing Commander Gwilym Lewis DFC offering his thoughts that Manfred was a 'Bullshitter.'   Richthofen would attack the last aircraft, the slow one, often a 'New Boy' lacking experience.  Attacking from a position high above, in the sun, and protected by one or many more aircraft behind him he picked an easy target, usually a single reconnaissance aircraft.  In this way his number of 'victories' would soar.  His aircraft, the Fokker Triplane, was not popular either.  A copy of the Sopwith Triplane it was dropped by the Jasta as soon as Richthofen departed.

 

 

This woman, who you may recognise from postage stamps, celebrates her 95th birthday today.  Now this may be a hard time for her, her 'Beloved Husband' (a phrase much used by press insiders who know the truth) has passed away.  Even worse, the family is now surrounding her with 'love and care,' so you can imagine how hard this will be for her to take.  

Her favourite son, Andrew, has given her, they say, two Corgie puppies' to 'comfort her' in her loss.  Great!  Just what a 95 year old requires, two puppies to housetrain, walk three times daily, and clean up after.  Possibly Andrew's mind was on other things?  For some reason the family think a woman who has endured life with Phillip, umpteen Prime Ministers, and now Boris Johnson, a world war, thousands of foot licking acolytes, a press that sentimentalises her one day and stabs her in the back the next, and the press royal correspondents themselves somehow canny cope?  Do you think she canny cope?  Tsk!

 

Greedy Footy

 

Much grumbling as a small group of rich clubs threaten to walk away from a larger group of not as rich clubs to make themselves even richer than the everybody.  

In fact, none of them are rich, all are very much into huge debt!  Barcelona are a Billion euros in debt, all the others not far short of this, no wonder they wish a new system and stuff what you think!  This is not helped by clubs now being owned by very rich men, Billionaires all, who have little sense of football history, and see football as a business rather than a game.

Of course it has all happened before.  In the past the Scots clubs formed the 'Top Ten' in an effort to enrich the top five clubs.  This 'Premiership' became the SPL, now the SPFL, and these clubs are happy to serve themselves no matter who else gets hurt. (@Heart of Midlothian fc.)  England soon copied this with their 'Premier League' again to aid the rich clubs.  However, in both cases promotion and relegation continued, and smaller clubs, and once great clubs, could again acheive the heights.  This is not so in the proposed European Super League.  One or two might be invited, otherwise 'it is for us only!'

Some leading English clubs are howing in anger, not from morality, from not being asked to join!

Is this good for the game?  No!  Will it happen?  If the leagues involved ban these teams from domestic competition it may not happen.  This may be unlikely however, most suits have not got the guts for that.  We await the behind the scenes bribery that will now be conducted throughout Europe.

 

 

Football Day!

 

It must be Saturday.  I know this as I have been watching football again.  This is one of the ways I find out what day this is.  Once again I spent much of Wednesday thinking it was Tuesday, this is becoming a habit, I may have to start drawing marks on the wall and checking them off daily to keep up to date.

This afternoon, for the price of £12 I watched the hazy pictures of Arbroath playing the great Heart of Midlothian.  This went as expected.  A 0-0 draw, several bruises, and anither point as we head towards promotion.  Dogged defence, dangerous on attack, and determined under our 'surge' late in the second half Arbroath deserved the point.  Some of our midfield did not.  So, another game passes, another Saturday is almost over (after I have watched the 6 'O' Clock game on BBC Alba) and then I snore into the night.

 

I've had a look around and nothing else has happened.  I suppose everyone is watching football on TV?

Saturday Delicacies

As I sit here, chomping on a 'Murdoch's Macaroni & Cheese Pie,' I contemplate the day before me.

I should be fussing with the water in the washing machine but instead I had to dismember the chicken from last night and boil the bones for stock.  It is now almost noon which shows how slow the day has been.

  

I suspect I will begin with Morecombe v Solihull Moors in the English Cup, or if they insist on the useless female commentator I will revert to Sky for Reading v Bristol City.   

After this comes the big game of the day, I have booked my ticket (£12) on the Alloa website and will enjoy the Alloa v Heart of Midlothian game in what is now called the 'Betfred Cup.'  How these names annoy!

This finishes on time for me making use of the chicken, now in the fridge, for tea and being prepared for the other 'Betfred Cup' match between St Mirren and Aberdeen.  

If my eyes still focus I may watch Atalanta v Verona or West Brom v Sheffield United.  Of course I may just be asleep by then, or if the Heart of Midlothian loose I may be round the corner sitting in the local Police cells being asked about things flung from windows in an aggressive manner.  

"Not me guv."

While quite used to being alone I have noticed how I have become more aggressive and indeed angry at things in recent months.  Whether this is 'Lock Down' or my tiring mind I cannot say but clearly both are having an effect.  The numpties on Twitter were getting to me so I avoid it now for the most part, but on Facebook similar people arrive and wind me up.  Good job we do not carry guns these days.  Imagine if Donald Trump was to shoot those who opposed him?  Count the bodies...

I looked into those I encounter and find how mixed up many people are.  Confused about life, their place in it, sexually confused, not sure if they are male or female, gay or normal, some politically motivated but appear confused re what their aim is or where they are headed.  A sensible answer to one upsets others, answer them and the first is offended.  

Talking of offended I see one football pundit has been suspended by the BBC for using the term 'Handbags' during a game.  Several people, probably girlies, objected, and the man dumped.  How silly the BBC has become.

 

 

 

Haircut and Football

At last I had a haircut!
I was about to get one when Lock Down began so it brought back memories of losing the Hippy hair many years again when the Barber chopped all those lumps of grey hair from my head. Waking up with hair not indeed unlike a bad tempered used mop was becoming a bit wearing.  Now I no longer feel my hair growing into my shirt and can happily move my head almost all the way round now.  Not quite Owl like mind.
It was a while before I could find a free Barber.  All the shops I passed had people waiting or several being dealt with as I looked in.  The sight of Barbers wearing those face masks, those with glasses loose out as they steam up so wearing them appears difficult.  I was interested to hear the Barber had not been paid for 4 months.  I thought there was some money made available for businesses, though I suspect these guys work independently so miss out any cash, the boss may do well mind.
He was efficient and friendly enough, the result OK, not that I am one to fuss, and at least the hair is cut.  I need to go again, just before the next Lock Down begins in 6 months time!

Back home I have invested in NOW TV for Sky Sports once again.  I have done this a bit early, Scots football does not arrive for a few weeks yet, but already I have watched several not very good football games.  I also watched the English tedium called Cricket!  This was a bit tedium as not much happened when I watched and the 14 year old director spent far too much time making use of a moving drone and short 5 second pictures of individual players interspersed with each ball or repeats, and several of them, of incidents that for the most part need not be replayed.  Rather typical TV these days.  Then it got dark they went home, and I went back to football.

Slow Sabbath...

Been a slow day.  Made slower by having to drop everything and watch Newcastle United beating Sheffield United by 3 - 0 this afternoon.  Other things had to be put aside while I gaped at the Newcastle side in a vast empty stadium.  This did not spoil the game however, I enjoyed it and was pleased at the result.  Last night the BBC gave us Bournemouth v Crystal Palace just to indicate that Bournemouth are finished and will go down.  The only hope they have is that West Ham are also chronic and may fare even worse!  

This means I have wasted no time in seeking parades or protests to pretend I care about.  In Glasgow and Edinburgh (pronounced 'Edinburra') Rangers fans act out 'British Loyalism,' which in Glasgow means attacking peaceful asylum seekers meetings and of course the police.  'Unionists' are always violent, it i the English part of their imperialistic make up.  The Glasgow police (pronounced 'Polis') often appear somewhat right wing and 'loyalist also, at least those visiting Ibrox Park, Rangers home, often find.  This time however too many punches have been thrown, too many assaults have strained the officers and I think there will be many doors 'knocked on' at 6 am soon in various 'Loyal' districts.

I did notice the weather man claiming hot weather was in the offing.  It is summer I suppose, and this means the numpties will be racing to the beaches to collect virii from close packed sun lovers. I have watched them well behaved and well spaced out on Bournemouth's well cared for beaches but others may be less disciplined.  The NHS will be looking forward to the week...

Well he tried his best but failed to rouse much in Tulsa.  He managed to enable Nigel Farage, the attention seeking Hedge Fund chancer to visit him to swell the crowds.  Nigel was barred but allowed into the US as because of 'National Interest!'  Possibly he was interested in a 19,000 seater arena in which only 6200 bothered to come and listen to Trumps lies?  

In major news it appears the Heart of Midlothian have ended their time with Daniel Stendal and replaced him with ex-manager Robbie Neilson.  I wonder if Craig offered any advice here?  With court cases ongoing, league placing uncertain, this is a bright move that will please many and annoy others.  We await with interest further developments.

Sunday Wander...

Church today was enjoyable, other than falling over young Alfie and almost breaking both our necks. The young ladies rushed to save me, an action which upset the 9 year old as they ignored him while ensuring I was still active.  Quite right too! 
Having made the decision to walk, either walk or fix the bike first, I hobbled down the road in a bright warm sun.  This brought out the motorbikes and Sunday drivers off for a drive, enabled those of us with a warm coat to wear  over our jackets, and the footballers to break sweat, and very occasionally, bones!

  
The under 16's here are pursuing their football dream of glory, even if they only make it to the smaller leagues, and if not enjoying themselves as they labour on the sloping pitch.  How I wished to change places with the goalkeeper!  Alas I merely wandered home and watched the professionals fail to play any better than these lads were doing this afternoon.  

Boris is quiet this weekend, he must be up to something!

Books!

Amazon

The first thing to note about this book is the lack of personal info re the author.  A Google check gives little away.  He is 'controversial,' writes occasionally for the 'Scotsman,' the right wing unionist paper, and has failed to be elected to either Holyrood or Westminster.  He writes lots of books on Scotland but only arrived in Edinburgh in 1975, when I left.  Why so little info?
Usually people criticise a writer, I found only one woman doing so, no info on him, his lifestyle, the company he keeps, this is surprising.  Or should we read between the lines?
The book itself, some 388 pages of small font, begins in the distant past when earth movements left volcano's and passing ice flows shaping the city.  From either of the two towering rocks, 'Castle Rock' or 'Arthur's Seat' we can see two more in the distance, one above North Berwick and the other across the Forth near Leven.  Redundant volcano's later used as fortifications by passing generations with 'Castle Rock becoming the home of Scotlnd's greatest city.
The sloping ledge which runs from the castle down to Holyrood Palace enabled a city to arise but the slope on either side also led to towering 'skyscrapers' long before New York thought of them.
Fry leads us through the growth of the city, ensuring his views are made clear each time, from the struggle of the Scots Kings to own the Lothian's and create a border, through the growth of the Canongate, the 1707 riots when England usurped Scots freedom, the '75 rebellion and the changes that followed as the new town arrived and up unto recent times.
It would be interesting to compare his book with that of other authors.  There is much interesting detail within but is his interpretation correct.  A second view would be good.  That said it is worth a read, he has clearly spent much time in the Central Library studying his subject and deserves to be read.  I must look for another viewpoint however.

 Amazon

Another Edinburgh book but slightly different.  This one concerns a Lawyer studying in Edinburgh who formed the First Foot-ball Club in 1824.  A lot of research has gone into discovering the author, not a man I would wish to associate with I must say, those he played with and their life afterwards.
Football of one sort or another has been played everywhere since man first kicked a ball.  Present day football was famously organised by the Hooray Henry's at Cambridge when they finally agreed on a form of rules they mostly accepted.  The arrogance of the English leads them to claim they began football while we all know the truth.
Forms of football were apparently played in Edinburgh schools.  That is middle class and 'toffs' schools as the majority of kids were working from the day they were born and schooling, let alone time to play football, was a pipe-dream.  While at university John Hope began to play in the fields around foot-ball with his mates, all from university.  John was meant to be a lawyer, his notes which are the foundation of the book detail every penny spent over the years.  Names of all, subs paid, and costs of ball and hire of field are all noted with precision, as a lawyer would do!
However John became one of those Christian types and a middle class Victorian one at that!  This did not stop the games, indeed he went on throughout his life to encourage people, especially the young and poor, to play all sorts of games and spent much money in helping them.  His personality meant that he was kind but a bit of a bore also and he never married.  With his money and legal position he would be attractive to some but romance never blossomed.
The 'foot-ball club' died in time but not before many men had passed through John's notebooks.  At the end of this book details of the men who joined are added and it is interesting to note that while almost all are middle class, wealthy, in professional jobs, many were medical men, the majority died in their 50's and a few long before this.  Only three or four made it to 90.  Even the healthiest smoked too much, suffered frequent illness which could not then be cured and the hazards of missionary or serving the Raj in far off places ended many a life at that time.
1824 is 50 years before the Heart of Midlothian and many other football teams as we know them today came into being.  This book reveals the desire for sch games long before their birth.  Indeed it was increasing wealth, shorter hours and half day Saturday after the 1860's that led to an expanse of all sorts of sporting endeavours for all classes.  John Hope would be glad he enabled many to participate long before this even if it cost him much money.