Shakespeare Café, Braintree

Shakespeare Café

Having risen at the usual time, even though it is a Monday Bank Holiday, I sat lamenting my life for a while at the laptop, including lamenting the fact that the spare laptop would not switch on last night, and downed coffee in a vain attempt to waken up.

By 9:30 I decided to venture out into the chilly sunshine and cross the greenery in the park.  The need for a small bit of green is within us all, though not if it is growing on the wall.  So, off I trotted, passing only a couple of dog walkers, and a young dad proving eh is a 'modern man' by walking the two Labradors along with a pram.  The dogs were too much under control, but dad will think he is 'strong.'

I wonder what my nieces would say to him?

Slowly hobbling up the hill I decided to breakfast in the 'Shakespeare Café.'  You will note the spellchecker ensures 'café' is always spelt correctly!  This was indeed a good idea.  Not long after 10 ish I was served by one of the two friendly staff.  These places make it easy today, the menu has set breakfasts etc, and all you do is choose one and ask for 'Set 2 please.'  This gave me a decent sausage, two eggs, on fried bread, two bacon, two hash browns, a wee bowl of beans, tea and two thick slices of bread, all for £9 plus small tip.

As I ordered it did not sound much, but in time a large plate appeared and I realised just how much there was here.  By the time I looked at the two toasts I thought I might not finish it all!  But I did!

A very good clean café, with friendly staff, usually lots of customers, today I arrived when it was quiet, and I certainly intend to make use of this place again.  Neatly laid out, tidy, well cared for and I suspect a great many regular customers.  I recommend this place!

Of course, now I am stuffed I can hardly move.

After this, I carried my increased bulk into Sainsburys, chatting to a Labrador pup guarding the owner at the door, and picking up a bag of wee orange things without a label thus holding up the ever growing queue at the other end.  I blethered my way out of their unspoken fuming, and ran for the door.

Altogether it has been a good morning, now to see what can go wrong with the day.

As I left the Kirk yesterday I sauntered along a road I have not walked for years.  The long way home took me past things often noticed but never pictured before.  The old museum habit of taking shots of anything remotely of historical interest has not died.  So, the school sign, declaring it was Essex built in 1929 somewhat boastfully is taken.  Not a school anymore, but still used for kids in some way. 

At the bottom of the hill stands the 1930s pub 'The Oak.'  Now long changed use it stands on the busy  corner.  This picture shows how much things have changed in just over 100 or so years.  

The 1930s building stands slightly to the right of this ancient one.   Judging by the motorbikes and the fashions in the picture this may be around 1914 time.  The distant houses have gone, industrial use now, but at first sight, apart from the rickets, 60 hour weeks, and low pay, life appears more leisurely. 

Only those who know their history would realise this lonely, and probably unused light appears to be part of the original 'Lake & Elliot' factory.  Most buildings remain, all in some sort of use, but only one such as I would jump to a conclusion, probably wrong, that this is ancient.

I limped home, getting slower as I moved, wondering if anyone tends these plants that appear to grow wild at the side of the road?  Possibly the council tend them, but I have never seen any action here.  Still, this is better than another fence, however well painted.

Beasties

Todays boring post concerns Bluebottles.  Yes those nasty large flys that usually come in one window, 

flutter around and depart by the way they entered.  This week life has been different.  All week such beasties have entered by the back window, moved to the main window, and remained there.

Now this happens often with worker Bees, and as far as I can make out a hive has found a home in our attic, thus Bees are coming in regularly.  These beasts need help escaping, bluebottles usually just wish to run away.  This is not happening now.  Every time I look up there are three or four wandering across the glass, none appear capable of returning or seeking to return by the way they entered.  This I keep having to rise, open the window, let in the draught, it is chilly today, and force them out.

I wonder why they are doing this, instead of escaping?

Is it the weather?  Do they think it is Spring?  Are they Donald Trump supporters?  I am bemused, this has not occurred before.  What is more bemusing is the removal of anything they could eat.  All rubbish has been dumped, what is bringing them in?  

It is all very confusing for a Saturday.

Through in the west wing I found this wee boy hanging about the window.  I am actually happy to see him, whatever kind or size of spider he may be, as this is a better way to curtain the other less welcome beasties that can be found at this time of year.  

I cleared away some old webs the other day, clearly there are areas that see few unwelcome guests, and am happy to allow such as he where he can settle in for a while.  One or two webs have been found in the same spot for years, clearing the enemy from the house and keeping a 'Boris the Spider' quite happy.  My only other worry about these creatures is finding a quite large spider, then not knowing where it went!  

St Petersburg

Busy Friday

Last night, while slugging my Greek wine from Patra, I watched the Heart of Midlothian slug it out with PAOK from Greece.  Jolly good it was too!  Especially this little man here, Kenneth Vargas, a wee ball of fire who enlisted with us after Leaving Herediano in Costa Rica.  While he has a lot of adaption to the Scottish game to go through it is clear he has the correct drive and intention from what we witnessed last night.  The first game may have been lost, the second will be a hard game next Thursday, but we are positive and looking forward to the game.  Whatever happens, this is where we must be aiming for!

After another busy Friday, Hoovering, ironing, shopping among crowds, and even exercising I find no energy to eat.  I instead of food have one of these, as they are supposed to be full of Vitamin 'C.'  The feeble, skin covered chips, I found to go with it do not appear to possess any vitamins of any kind.

The day tomorrow is now free, nothing to do but eat, sleep, pray and ache all over.  I'm looking forward to it.

Thursday Mumble

Another summers day in Essex.

I have been half asleep all day.  I woke early, half asleep, had breakfast half asleep, and scribbled a couple of emails before 8 am, half asleep.

I may not get a response!

There has been a lot of scribbling, but not much progress.   The hoovering, like the exercising, has not got itself done.  There again neither has the ironing.

However, the last washing has been attended to.  

A blanket required a scrub, this was done.  After a long wash, like they all are these days, 2 hours and 6 minutes!  The blanket came out.  Though after it finished I forgot to remove it for two hours again.

Unfortunately the rim of the blanket has problems.   This I discovered when a cloud of white specks formed around me and remain, even now, on the filthy floor.  A white carpet of woollen bits that is getting everywhere!  

They can wait until tomorrow and the hoovering will finally get done...

The football at least returns tonight.  We play the Greek side PAOK hoping to do better than Hibernian did last night, losing 5-0 against Aston Villa.  Whatever happens, I just hope we make a game of it.

Again I am amazed by the wonder of it all.  I can sit here watching on a laptop a football match taking place 400 miles away.  A short time lag, sometimes as much as a minute, may occur, but it is amazing that I can see this game live.  In days of yore we relied on the wireless to hear a commentator at a game.  Before that we could only read newspaper reports, never trustworthy at that.  Now I can watch the game almost live.

During the period from the mid 70s until the late 80s I saw little football, and what was available was always English.  It was as though I was living in a foreign country, not a United Kingdom.  Newspapers were rare then, radio and TV information almost unheard off, and nobody in this nation cared.  There is no United Kingdom, Scotland is just a colony of an imperialist England.  Without Scotland England would die, and they know it.  It is time to ensure this happens.

Cafe

 My exciting life reached new heights this morning when I strolled out, slowly, through town and into the 'Café CM7.'  Brunch was required, and after consultation with my wallet I decided paying for food in a café was equal to what has to be paid for foodstuffs cooked at home, minus the electric charge.  So it was a happy me that discovered this place very quiet at the time I thought would be busy, especially as it is Market Day and people flock into town to complain about the people flocking into town. 

As it was quiet I entered, sat at the back where I could watch everyone else, ordered two sausage, two eggs, two bacon, two tomatoes, beans and mushrooms and tea.  The usual 'Greasy Spoon' type stuff.  The young girl was polite, friendly, helpful and the Brunch was served at a reasonable speed.  While the sausages were not quite my type, the tomatoes two large Plum Toms, and the plate large enough to feed such as me, I was very happy with a cooked meal, cooked that is by someone else!  What a delight!  This meal cost £8.  I left the change from my tenner in the tip plate, and moved off happily with my day. 

Considering most meals I buy will cost about £5 by the time I have bought them, cooked them, and added other bits, I am happy with the price.  My choices of individual items may be different, but the costs run out similar, and the electric is switched off.  It also saves time.  So I am happy.

What excitement!  I really must get out more.

A Pigeon Post

The trouble with not feeling to good is that things do not get done.  This week I am feeling OK, so I have piles of washing, and piles of ironing to do.  The last shirt has been used, those lying there since last summer muct now be ironed!  This could wear me out again!

Sunday I felt terrific.  I ate well, drank sweet coffee and wandered down to the Kirk quite well, for me.  I felt good, confident and ready.  I had to be, I was doing the intercessions.  That is, at one point I rose above the mob and prayed (from my well prepared sheet).  This went down well with the vicar and wife, mostly because I prayed for them!  Mentioning her as a grannie, 'and so young' went down well with her.  Nobody among the congregation mentioned anything other than they.  

But as I came home I realised how much the churches prayers had lifted me and prepared me for my short slot.  The people's prayers make such a difference.  

I felt it on Sunday. 

I ought to have prayed for a woman to come and do my ironing!  Not that this would work with that lot!

'The Battle of the Beams'

When I received this birthday gift I did not expect to enjoy it.  Science has its uses but my little mind does not comprehend the terminology, or the many mathematical examples offered.  However, this book is written for those dim people among us, which pleased me greatly.

The point of the book concerns Radar, that wonderful the British invented to spot German aircraft attacking these shores.

One problem with that was an unfortunate fact, Germany already had Radar, and it was better than ours!  

One man, R.V. Jones, was given the task of dealing with Radar.  Actually while he spent much time alone fighting German devices, he worked alongside many others experts in this field.  

The main problem concerned Bombers.  Tracking their when they came here, and protecting ours when they crossed the Channel.  Both were difficult tasks.  The enemy were found to be using a Beam along which the Luftwaffe would fly, and a cross beam would meet this, indicating when to drop their bombs.  In theory this enabled the German bomber to always hit the target, human nature however, and the wind factor, often led to problems.  

It was Jones task to understand how this beam operated, work out an antidote and deal with it.  In time his work was successful.  However, as is always he case, the Germans were already working on a more advance system which he then had to defeat.  

Jones had messages coming from agents on the ground, who often died unknown to London, and aerial photographs to try and identify Beams based on the ground.  The majority of the work opposing their beams was however done in his head.  Mathematics, intelligence, luck, and a wide physics knowledge, enabled the British scientists, in time, to overcome their opponents.

One intriguing aspect was the refusal often, from higher authority to accept the enemy had better equipment, or scientists working ahead of the British!  Such Bull-headed approaches are not uncommon in the military world.  I suggest it remains the case today also.

During 1943 the cause changed, defence was less required, now it was attack.   

Radar was fitted to night fighters and bombers.  The Germans also fitted radar to their nightfighters, and while the war raged all around the wireless world hummed constantly to the sound of dots and ashes, bleeps and any noise that would confuse the enemy radar.  The British took to German speakers interfering in radio messages between German ground radar and the nightfighters, often arguing about who was the genuine article demanding the plane followed orders.  Confusion reigned and as time passed the German war machine crumbled.

The ability to spot a blip on a screen, indicating a plane in the sky some miles away, had by 1945, become a massive technological operation involving men and women on the ground throughout Europe and in the UK.  Those in Europe often dying when exposed by false friend or mistake.

R.V. Jones became professor in Physics at Aberdeen Uni after the war, on the recommendation of Winston Churchill himself.  He had won the 'Battle of the Beams,' and in secret at that.  Few working in these circumstances could make anything of their work, they were not supposed to speak of it for many years, so secret was the job.  

A different book regarding the war, but an interesting one just the same, on a subject I knew nothing about.  Education is a wonderful thing.  This book is worth a read, if science interests you. 

    

Serving the Colours

@RHerriott

I was interested in Jenny's forefathers, at least the ones who served in the British Army.  Until well after the second world war there was often no other opportunity for an unemployed young man than enlisting as a 'sodger!'  Of course many joined the Royal Navy or Merchant Navy in similar circumstances, but reliable long term work was not always easy to obtain, nor to keep.  So, for many soldiering was a choice.  It gave a regular wage (10 shillings a week or so in 1914), a uniform as clothes were expensive, and the opportunity to see the world, a world that would remain unseen otherwise.

Those in work could count on a day or so holiday in some jobs, a weeks leave was possible but usually unpaid, unless you were in a clerical role, and wandering around the world was only for the wealthy.

So, in 1925, unable to find work, my father and his mate next door wandered up to the recruiting office.  

'How old are you?' asked the sergeant.

'18,' They replied.

'Go for a walk around the block, and come back when you are 19,' suggested the sergeant.

A short while later the pair returned.

'How old are you,' gruffed the sergeant.

'19,' they replied.

'Sign here.'

And they were in.

Well not exactly.  The MO, the doctor, decided my dad's mate had flat feet and rejected him, so my dad found himself alone in the 2nd Battalion the Kings Own Scottish Borderers,' for 7 years and 3 in reserve.

Within a year he was sending postcards from Egypt, where he climbed the pyramids, then Hong Kong where hew as to lodge for 5 years.  A young man of his time would have been lucky to get a train to North Berwick or Glasgow for a holiday.  Railways enabled many to get out and about, but if paid 10-15 shillings a week then a 3'6d rail fair was a lot.  There again, where would the money for the day off come from?  

I suspect there was also the Imperialist propaganda at the back of his mind.  The UK had an Empire, we ruled the world, and he would see no problem at the time with dominating either the Chinese or the Indians he would meet much later.  He probably considered he was doing them good!  How times and ideas change in a hundred years.  

@RHerriott

Was it 1961 my brother enlisted?  A very different time, a very differing mental outlook among the people.  The Empire remained, though it was breaking up fast.  People rejoiced in a time when 'they never had it so good,' and yet the draw of a service life, this time as a photographer in the RAF was tempting for many.   There was no 'walking round the block,' here, you enlisted at 19 or went away for a year.   National Service had ended, no conscription, so all this was voluntary, and my brother had no intention of slugging it out under bullying corporals in the army, so he joined the RAF.  Here, he found bullying corporals, but once passed the test he found intelligent men who were willing to work for the cause and have fun at the same time.  The RAF has always drawn in a more relaxed crowd, mostly middle class, and often technically minded.  This is something soldiering had little need for until the last 30 or so years.  Many young soldiers now have learned their job through online games rather than pub brawls.  Many enjoy both of course.

While dad kicked around the Chinese for a while and then tended to the hospital patients in India where he chose to be an orderly, Rob had a much more civilised time in Germany, Cyprus and what is now Dubai!  He also endured after 102% in the Gulf the pleasure of RAF Kinloss, where 102% only existed in your oven.  Whether he owned or stole the Royal Enfield bike I know not, but we never saw it. He did have a habit of acquiring shoddy vehicles.

The point that got my attention with Jenny's family is how so many were forced into the armed forces.  It was a take it or starve policy that many benefited from.  But how did this affect the children?  Some I know had family in RAF or diplomatic service and travelled across the world.  Some were dumped in Boarding schools, others on family members, or trudged around the world grabbing education here and there.  Was this good for them?  

I have to say it would have suited me in some ways,  constant change would enable me to leave behind things I did not like, as well as things I did like.  The experience of foreign places early in life, the warmth instead of the sold, different exotic foods, and possibly a less disciplined regime?  A Boarding School would have been awful, not that this would have been considered by our family, only the middle classes went there.  The main loss of constant moving would be the effect on the family.  If the family was good and able to keep together it could be a great time.  If it was troublesome or partings were forced this could be difficult for many.  Families are meant to be together.

I never enlisted, though my father often suggested I joined the Soviet Union army, for the sake of the country...

Flight!

                                                 Benoy

To fill the quiet moments in my exciting life I have been watching Heathrow Airport Live on YouTube. With a bright setting sun, dawdling on its way down, brightening the area and enhancing the view, I sit while various aircraft head up yonder.  Large ones, small propellor driven ones, and double deck bus sized aircraft are brought into view.  All the time someone is leaving or arriving, a very busy scene.

I am once again amazed that a 'Turkish Airlines' plane weighing hundreds of tons, and carrying over 200 passengers with luggage, can leave the ground and fly for a couple of thousand miles with no problem.  Sometimes we take for granted the amazing world we have.  The fact that I can sit here, a hundred and so many miles away and watch this happening is another wonder.  Another wonder we take for granted.

There are so many wonders around us, so many we take for granted.

However, I wonder why aircraft and photography, computers and medical science, were not 'discovered,' and put into production thousands of years ago?

Ah you say, we did not know the science, the chemicals, etc, so many discoveries came later.  But why did they come later?  Early man built huge Henges, Pyramids, Temples.  Greeks developed the Antikythera Mechanism about a hundred years BC, why did they not go further, the brain power was there?  Strange that so many things were discovered only in the last 300 years or so.

I watch as a double deck 'British Airways' aircraft lumbers along the runway.  He appears to be doing no more than 50 mph, yet keeps coming.  Slowly, so slowly, this lumbering creature runs along the runway that I begin to imagine him not getting off the ground.  Suddenly the nose rises sharply, and the beast takes ungracefully to the air.  It still appears to me to be doing no more than 50 mph as it reaches a thousand feet are turns away.  At such speeds he will take an age to reach the USA or China, but reach it he will.

People will murmer about pollution, while driving their cars, yet little is done about it anywhere.  Cars cause more pollution, there is more of them, and some nations, like India and China, still rely on coal fired power.  A few aircraft cannot be any worse.  

Heathrow is now concentrating on watching a Boeing 777 of 'Korean Airlines' take to the sky. This is no passenger flight, this is a bundle of parcels making their way back and forth across the world.  More needless glittering items that someone 'must have,' yet will have forgotten by the end of the year.

A bit like me I suppose...

Night Out

To bring some life into my life I sauntered slowly down to the Geriatric Men's Club meeting last night.  A grumble of old men if you like.

A gorgeous evening, the bright sun setting behind the trees across the park.  A handful of people dog walking, chatting, and child avoiding in the late sun.  How much better life is when bright sunshine, at any time of day, fills the air with some warmth and brightens the skies?

I entered the club, filled with men in bright team coloured shirts.  They had gathered at the side hall, pints aplenty, talking and laughing, and disappearing occasionally through to the games room.  This was a visiting Darts Team, come to throw darts and drink beer.  As far as we could see more beer was being drunk than darts thrown.  The noise was tremendous, quite unlike our usual Monday gatherings.

The fire door was open to let in air, as the poor barmaid was feeling the heat, it also let in the smoke from wandering smokers who paraded outside from time to time.  How much better life is with a smoke free zone!  How did we cope with this constantly in days past?  Poor barmaid was overworked all evening, but not by me obviously.  £3:15 for a pint here, club prices as opposed to Public House prices are much cheaper, no wonder the Darts Team were drinking happily.  

We spent our time in the same boring conversations as always, nothing changes there.  Nothing much came out of it, only a new grumble or two.  Talk of grumbling, I noted one or two regulars were far from chuffed at the noise and crowd.  They came for a quiet night and could not move.  What with the Darts Team and ourselves, they glared a lot.  

I found it unfortunate that I arrived a wee bit after the others.  This meant I had to buy my own, and as they all had been served there was no requirement to by for them.  This I found unfortunate.  However, I manged to survive this and accept a drink when offered.

Very tired this morning, grumpy and tense.  No idea why.

William Dyce - Pegwell Bay, Kent - a Recollection of October 5th 1858

Boring Sunday

It's one of those weeks.  Nothing is happening, nothing excites.  

I sit here, staring out the window, seeking inspiration.  All that comes to me is a desire to go to sleep.

The world is silent, even for a Sunday evening.  What the weatherman calls a 'breeze' is shaking the trees opposite, while clouds, often grey, scud across the sky, occasional, blue peeking out.  Dogs are not barking, children are not shouting, and I suppose this is caused by feeding time at the individuals home zoo.

Football is boring.  Church was boring, walking there tiring.  Food unappetising.

It's all joy and happiness this week!

I think it's time for sleep...

Witch-Hunt

 

This short, and very acceptable story of one female witch and her trial, is well worth a view.

Research by the University of Edinburgh claims that some 4000 people, mostly female, were tried for witchcraft.  Witchcraft was between 1563 - 1736 a capital offence in Scotland.  'Scots Law' is of course very different from the 'Law of England & Wales.'  At least 1500 were executed, strangled then burnt, and the conditions in prison were toxic, brutality and disease widespread.   

At first glance it is tempting to regard this as the beliefs of an ignorant people.  However, King James VI & I also took to investigating such activities.  It is said that he was on a ship that encountered a storm, this, for reasons unknown, he put down to a 'witches curse.'  Personally I reckon a storm of the coast of Scotland is something to expect, rather than blame on witches, by that is only my thought.  James took this so seriously he produced a book on the subject and participated in witch trials at one point himself. It took a while before he lost interest in the subject.

But James was an educated man, he considered himself an academic.  At one point he had begun to translate the Bible into Scots, and later forced a full translation once based in London.  This was not an ignorant man from the backwoods, yet he took this 'witches' thing seriously.

A glance at a bible concordance will show the number of mentions regarding 'witches' as no more than a handful.  Various translations of course may vary, but 'witches,' 'mediums,' and 'spiritists,' are often lumped together in one section.  All are condemned, the reader is informed to beware of them and avoid them at all costs.  Once in the 'Promised Land,' the people of Israel were told to evict such as they, and if found later to destroy them.  

The New Testament merely informs the saints to avoid contact with such people.  This, in a superstitious Roman society that contained many, of various kinds, that were very popular and found on many a street corner.  

The reason is clear, both then and now, either these people are frauds lying to their hearers, or possess a supernatural power of demonic origin.  Jesus finished work on the cross defeated Satan and his demons, however, he still has space on this earth to manifest his work both quietly, like an angel of light, or publicly through witches and mediums.  The purpose is clear, these are all meant to turn the hearer away from the cross of Christ and salvation, which is found nowhere else.  

The society around us today contains many who are more than willing to follow such offers, most who have little bible understanding, or indeed concern for bible understanding, are well open to manifestations of supernatural power.  

Imagine Scotland in the 1600s.  The reformation had encouraged reading, so individuals could understand the 'Word of God,' yet, when someone falls into a coma, or an unexpected illness arrives the cry 'witch' appears, and people in village and town go looking for a suitable candidate.

It appears women, young and old, were usually designated 'witch,' because they were different from the crowd.  This could be their age, their chosen way of life, a blemish, or if they had some hindrance such a mental 'slowness' or epilepsy.  Possibly mere jealousy from those around them could single them out.  We know how 'catty' women can be to one another.  The economic conditions, or the plague passing through, long lasting bad weather, all could contribute to a desire for an easy fix to the world around people, so a witch has to be found.

It is of course also possible some of these women were indeed working with evil arts, but few wish to accept this today.   

How did an educated people, well versed in scripture accept such a widespread belief in witches?  As stated scripture mentions them, mostly in passing as it were.  The real message is for people, individually and together, to worship the Living God, Jesus, who died for your sins, and avoid all that hinders knowing him.  That I can tell you is life indeed!  

We in the UK have a society that has lost its centre.  Liberal thinking has continued into the absurd, where men can call themselves women because they say so, perversion of all sorts is regarded as normal, when it clearly is not, and a lack of central authority that seeks what is right for the nation has ended.  Boris, under Farage tuition, has created a divide, removed the lax boundaries that until recently held firm, and allowed concern for doing what is right to end, so some can get wealthy.  

"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction." Pr 29:18.

It took until 1736 for the law to change banning witch-hunts, and only then when the needless Union of Parliaments had occurred, though the scare had fallen away quite a bit by this time.  Today society pretends witches do not exist, or are harmless, how wrong they are, while with-hunts of various kinds arise and fall constantly, among a people with no vision, no solid place on which to stand.  

I stand of Jesus and his work, there is no solid base elsewhere.  

Wiki

Lazy Post

                                                           Crossing the Forth. Terence Cuneo

 

Sunday Thoughts

It has been a tiring week.  My sullen hulk refused to go out yesterday leaving me with no option but to watch football all day.  This was tiring, especially as the football was mediocre English stuff.  I struggled through two games and gave up halfway through the third.  However, I did have the joy of watching Kilmarnock beat Rangers the evening before, and that cheered me greatly.  Always good to see the Old Firm struggle.  

One noticeable change in recent days is the Conservative Party candidates refusing to mention that they belong to the Conservative Party.  Here is my own MP, and Foreign Secretary at that, not only dropping the word 'Conservative,' from his poster, he, like the rest, have changed the Conservative Blue to a peely-wally green.  Possibly this is to convince people that the ones who have given licences for hundreds of oil and gas rigs to appear in the North Sea are doing so for 'Green Environmental' reasons.  The water companies pumping sewage into the sea with no punishment possibly don't count here.

A simple con, which will fool many let's be honest, but not all.  Whatever this crowd of gangsters get up to a third of the English population will vote Conservative.  Why?  Habit, fear of 'socialism, because the 'Daily Mail,' 'Daily Express,' 'The Telegraph,' or the 'Sun,' tell them the Conservatives will stop foreigners coming here on wee boats.  They believe taxes will be lower, and they will benefit.  The majority are no longer fooled, but many will still support this gangster party.

Wiki

Daniel 7:9

‘As I looked, 

‘thrones were set in place,

and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His clothing was as white as snow;

the hair of his head was white like wool.

His throne was flaming with fire,

and its wheels were all ablaze.

 10.  A river of fire was flowing,

coming out from before him.

Thousands upon thousands attended him;

ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

13 ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

**************

This Sunday the church I didn't attend, was considering the transfiguration of Jesus.  The time he took three disciples up a mountain alone, and was suddenly transfigured, Moses and Elijah appearing beside him.  This, strangely enough, is a moment I and others I think often ignore.  We read it and move on.  However, if we read the powerful description in Daniel we see where Jesus came from, thus we can no longer imagine him to be merely a 'good man,' but we are forced to accept him as God on earth.

The supernatural is missing from many churches these days.  Those who accept and believe it often forget it during the working day, yet it remains the real world, and this earth a mere copy.  

Jesus transfiguration frightened the disciples, how much more we when God moves in our lives.  When God interferes with our lives on earth it can be frightening, we cannot control him, the supernatural is above and beyond what we know.  Yet, the image of God seen on his throne, pure and Holy, surrounded by myriads of angels, yet offering his Son, the one to be worshiped, simply to save individual people here on earth.  The Love that is revealed as this Holy God reaches down to me and you, dies as a substitute for my sin and yours, and knows all the corruption inside, and there is plenty in me, is quite astounding.  To think that this Holy God wants someone like you and me to be with him, enjoying him for ever is a thought worth considering.

Albert Goodwin - The Rain From Heaven, All Souls, Oxford

 

Edinburgh

 

The rain hammering past the window, reminded me that this is the start of the 'Edinburgh Fringe Festival,' something I never attended.  Edinburgh's changeable weather will not stop a billion people descend on the city, obstructing the streets, hindering people going about their business, and scaring the locals into taking a holiday in far away places, like Berwick on Tweed or Peebles.  Indeed, the locals always make for the hills rather than endure the crush of southern softies blethering about their pitiful 'art.'  

In my say, when colour had not yet been introduced to the city, the Festival proper got under way and we all ignored it.  This was because it was too highbrow for many, or just too expensive.  Today, I might be tempted by some of what is pon offer there.  The 'Fringe' grew up later, London actors, theatre companies, comedians, perverts and hangers on, all came to Edinburgh and tried to become an overmnight success.  Some did.  Others failed, some failed yet became a success.  Paul Merton is one, he is renown for his TV and radio appearances and happy to admit that in Edinburgh he was fired twice in one night, his act being so poor. 

I wonder if I would bother about the 'Fringe' now?  I almost went back in the day, but somehow it just did not happen.  Did I miss anything?  I had other things on my mind then, but maybe I ought to have looked in anyway.  Today, I just could not be bothered.

Anyway, I am glad I do not need to fight the crowds there, tourists are bad enough.

 

Proper football begins tomorrow, well one begins tonight actually.  The league business begins, anger, bad referees, bad tackles, managers sacked, venom, shooting, crossing, rain, wind and fire, all in every game, big or small.  I canny wait!

By the time last season eventually ended I was sick of football.  Far too many games, and the play-offs just went on too long.  This season ends and a competition of some sort begins, world cup or Euro's, I know not which.  There are so many competitions these days I don't know what half of them are now.

But tnight, an exciting Arbroath v Dundee United will grip the nation!  Especially as the wind and rain are gtting up and the North Sea is a mere ten yards form the pitch!  It will be grand.

Day Off

This ancient picture sums up my day.  Still, misty, calm, quiet.  Nothing moving, except to eat.  Now, as the gentle monsoon rain teems down I eat and relax and enjoy the sounds it generates.  

I suspect those outside feel differently about this.

There has been some time spent on Twitter, much less than usual.  Up till now by using the laptop I have avoided the adverts that appear every three posts, and sometimes more.  Financial, wellbeing, betting and other cobblers constantly reflecting Musk's desperation to make money.  Well, as Twitter under him is a shambles, and no longer any fun I like so many others are leaving it, these adverts are the end.  Bad enough when occasionally using the mobile, but not acceptable now.  Clearly he has worked out how to block AdblockerPlus, which was great up till now, but by doing this he has finished me.  

I have much else to waste time on, many books to read, and I accidentally ordered another today by mistake.  Which reminds me, I have an Amazon card to use also, I must investigate if there is anything worth reading on Amazon books...

Atkinson Grimshaw - Reekie, Glasgow

Happy Baby.

 

The latest Great Niece.

I have so many!

The other day, my nephew, he of startling intellect, his spelling is less than that of a 'Sun' writer, informed me he was coming on Sunday.  Now, Sunday I was taking off as I intended to go to Muswell Hill for a funeral.  However, as I have not seen him for five years, and he was bringing his baby I had to say yes!

So for two days I swept, scrubbed, dusted, moved things, and improved the look of the place.  I then attempted to buy things that may suit them.  Money flowed, and I was tired!  

Anyway, he came on Saturday night to the hotel round the corner, but I was not sure if he was there or elsewhere.  Anyway, I was knackered so ignored him.  Come Sunday I realise where he is and go get him.

There followed a day of delight with a cheerful 7 month old baby, a less cheerful mum, whom I have not met, and who looked bored all day.  There was little to connect us, and I did not meet her expectations I think.  Oh well, most people find this.  

However, I was tired, and walking towards the park, down the slope, I found carrying the babe, which I was determined to do, just too much for my old age.  My wizened fat body cannot deal with things like it used to.   Eventually they left, I scrubbed the pawmarks off the phone, the laptop, the everything else, returned the place to the usual mess, and sat eating all the fancy cakes I bought and they rejected.  

While it was not the happy time I hoped for it got one family visit for mum out of the way.  It enabled me to get my hands on a baby that looked cheerful and full of life and indeed was such.  She was determined to stand, refused to crawl, and is into everything.  In a few months time she will be uncontrollable!  Good job they live in Burnley.  He only came this way as he was dropping her brother off, in Kings Lynn!  Driving is no problem for him, he is used to it, and he thought this would be the only time I might see Nina as a babe, he is right, I could not get to Burnley at the moment.  Good on him!  

I loved having her around, took some poor pictures, fed her, bounced her around, stopped her flinging everything of the desk, and had a great time.  Next time I see her she will be at least a toddler of not more.  

So, that's four Nieces, all good looking and highly intelligent.  Two grown up Great Nieces, beautiful and intelligent, and one new highly active Great Niece.   One Nephew, one grown up Great Nephew, and one Toddler Great Nephew.  I think, there may be one or two more somewhere I missed.  Now I have met the youngest I am happy.  I have dandled them all, spent money on them, and now can die happy - but not yet, not yet!

I ought to have been in Muswell Hill today for the funeral of a long time friend.  This was to be an awkward journey.  I eventually worked out how to do this, Liverpool St to Kings Cross, Northern Line to East Finchley, or train to Alexander Palace, then a bus 134?, onwards.  Already you see I have made it more complicated.  All this to be there by 2:30 pm.

As I searched this out, spending a lot of cash on an 'Oyster Card,' not yet working out if my 'Pay as you go card' will allow me to cover as far as Zone 3, something at the back of my mind grew all the time that I would not be there.  It was a constant thought as I prepared, especially as this was one of my three closest friends.  

Then on the Friday my nephew's call made me realise why this was bouncing around my head.  The Good Lord knew this was going to happen, and after the exertions of the weekend I am glad to sit around at home, rather than struggle there and back for a 30 minute service.  However, I feel so guilty at letting her down.  This was a close friend, a real one.  I am not there, just sitting here acknowledging how I failed her, and I did that often.  I am glad however that her God has been looking after her, is at this moment listening to her only musical outlet, Bob Dylan, and seeking how to meet her demands for chocolate!  Her going might save me around a hundred pounds a year on that alone I say!  But my guilt remains, though if I had forced myself there I may as well have gone on to the crematorium, family only or not, and waited there anyway.  

There are less rude emails about now...

At Prayer (no details)