'Lost Edinburgh' by Hamish Coghill

Another excellent 2nd hand book, dated 2008, reprinted several times, lastly 2016.  Is there any other way to find such books?  Bookshops close, prices rise, and Amazon and World of Books (via Amazon) are the best at the moment.

In my mind Edinburgh has always been an ancient city going back a thousand years or so.  The buildings on the High Street were to me very old and well able to speak of Kings and Queens, rich and poor, famous men abounding and history likewise.  

I was wrong!

While many buildings do indeed go back into the distant past so many were rebuilt during the 17th and 18th centuries, often because of fire and slum clearance, that so many aged buildings are in fact mere Victorian rebuilds.  The older ones, often of wood, long gone. 

From the days of 8500 BC when man created settlements, possibly temporary, down at Cramond, the area has always been inhabited.  The hills, some formed from hopefully still dead volcanoes, provided excellent sites for fortifications when families became tribes and the resources were sought by others. 

The most famous and longest lasting being Edinburgh Castle, a very strong fortification but unlikely to hinder anyone today, not with all these tourists in the way.

Hamish Coghill, a very Scottish name, begins his work in the distant past and takes us through the many famous buildings, now often discovered in ancient literature, informs us of their loss and what may have replaced them.   

The city was of course altered occasionally by English thugs, sometimes burning it to the ground because that is what the followers of St George do, and continue to do these days as we saw recently.  However, most alterations came through the need for improvements, slum clearance, fire, and occasionally a building collapsing because it was not cared for.  

Paisley Close marks the spot when in September 1861 a seven story tenement, dating back around 300 years, suddenly collapsed.  On the ground floor as in normal practice there were several shops including a bakers and a grocers.  The grocer, one Mr Cairns had become concerned about the cracks appearing in his shop and the paint beginning to loosen.  A builder was called who claimed it was not too serious and promised to return on the Monday with his men to deal with this.  There was also a rumour, but no evidence, that the baker had removed a supporting wall to enlarge his business, and some complained about creaking and rumbles in the wall.  However, the owner does not appear to have been informed or concerned and late at night the building and the 77 people within collapsed.  

Through the night rescuers fought to save those inside the ruins.  Among them a voice crying "Heave awa men, I'm no deid yet."  It is possible, but not proven, that this was Joseph McIvor, a 12 year old who had fallen down four storeys and had the rest of the house land on him.  It took some time to retrieve him as he was trapped by a large beam, but it appears his demeanour never let him down.  

Advocates Close, before clearances

Joseph was of course lucky, 35 others did not survive.  This however, caused consternation and gave great support to those who were already agitating for reforms in housing and health.  The aged city centre was by the 18th century mostly housing the lower orders, those who could moved into the more airier parts of town.  This left the poor in slumland and Dr Henry Littlejohn was appointed as the cities first Medical Officer of Health, a role arriving slowly throughout the land, in 1862 and three years later issued a report on the conditions in the town centre.  This led to many buildings being removed, wooden or stone built so many were unhealthy and dangerous, thus giving Edinburgh a cleaner healthier city.  

This was helped by fire, a constant threat in a closely bound city, and on occasions sever buildings were destroyed in this way and the inhabitants, both private and commercial are out on the street.  One such in 1824 took several days to die out, leaving huge areas of the Lawnmarket  destroyed.  The rebuilding was quick, the losses massive.

The 1865 report led to changes and was mostly responsible for the centre having this appearance, however, the creation of the North and then South Bridge again caused demolition of famous buildings.  The city then prospered enough to move out wider and wider, offering healthier living and less fire danger.

This has not stopped.  Edinburgh is much greater since I lived there.  Old buildings have been removed, many benefiting the city, some not so much.  Large housing estates arrived before and after the war, some of these have been amended since to provide better living areas and hinder the ever rising drug crime.  

The book Hamish has given us is very readable, it took me a short time to finish this.  The book is full of information, many illustrations reveal what was lost and what preserved, and Edinburgh remains one of the greatest tourists attractions in the world.

Read this book!

Hot Stuff

 

I made a stew.  I added 'some' Madras Curry Powder, 'some' Chilli Powder, and 'some' Turmeric powder, and a bit of coriander.   Now, even with lots of yoghurt upon it I canny eat it, it's so hot!   I'm on fire here!

 

Art, one Great Con.

One of the great frauds in this world is art.  Loved by those who believe they belong to the 'educated intelligensia,' but too often appear only to appreciate what they are supposed to apppreciate, and denigrade that which is not popular with the chattering classes.  In the end money is what matters.  If a creation, for want of a better word, is considered by someone to be worth a few million then it will be considered 'Great Art,' even though a six year old could do better.  I could go over all the artworks displayed unknowlingly upside down, or the cleaner who swept away rubbish from the gallery floor only to discover this was a man's 'expression' re society!  But I will avoid all those.  

It's just that I discovered the 'Turner Prize' is upon us once again.  

The annual opportunity for some clever 'artist' to offer an 'artwork' that makes no sense, describes nothing, yet will be lauded all round and leave him with enhanced reputation and £25,000.  Yet another example of modern art reflecting a dead culture.'

Boarlane. Grimshaw

St George's fans in all their Glory

The 'Online Mail,' or someone unknown, are at it again.

The 'Mail' has amended the comments section.  A new system, just as inept as previously, has been introduced.  The same people, bots, activists and people like myself who like to wind up the far-right 'wild eyed loons,' still feature.  However, these days I notice an enormous number of names beginning with a colour.  For instance 'BlueMoon,' 'Purplethis' or 'Purplethat,' 'Orangethis' or 'Orangethat,' and many of these support my comments.  This is unusual on the 'Daily Mail.'  I am wondering what lies behind this?  Bots from those opposed to the paper, St Petersburg perhaps, North Korea, or maybe one of the Arab states known to have interfered with various MPs emails by sending them 'Dickpics?'  

Who would wish to increase the 'clickbait' on this grubby paper, why do so, what is in it for them?  

Do these names appear elsewhere I wonder?

SKY News

St George's Day today, a day once forgotten but now taken up by the far-right 'yob' element of England's lower orders.  Encouraging division re Scotland's independence debate has led to a backbench cry of 'English Parliament' like the Scots one.  Of course they already have one, it is at Westminster, and they sit there daily voting the way they are commanded.  

A parade past Downing Street up Whitehall was allowed by the Met Police.  Naturally some of Tommy's Boys have made an attempt to break into or out of the parade, I am still unsure what they were attempting, so once more the 'Boys in Blue' are dealing with loyal English men behaving like thugs.

This does not surprise me.

What did surprise me, and also he himself, was Tommy Robinson the Luton Boy, born of Irish parents and called Yaxley-Lennon in truth, was cleared of his last riot because the judge found the police officer responsible for the paperwork had entered the wrong date.  Something about the laptop battery fading, once repowered he entered the incorrect date.  Case thrown out!  What a chance missed.  However, the Met will not forget, I get the impression Tommy is not one of their favourites, and one day they will do him properly, and this to the advantage of us all.

Monday Maudling

For some reason this 'Earth Day' I am very tired.  The walking back and forth, even in the bright sun this morning to the store, revealed my tiredness.  Spring being Spring we saw a bright blue sky featuring an aircraft bound for Warsaw, Athens or Cyprus passing under the long white streaks from previous craft, this lifted the heart.  Bright sun, blue sky and fearful chill can be good for the soul early on.  Paying the young lass at the checkout is less enjoyable!  

Sadly this lack of interest in life meant I cared little for PM Sunak's speech re Rwanda.  We know what he is saying and we know it is all a lie, so why bother?  Instead I put my tuppence worth in the 'Daily Mail' comments re the Jewish activist attempting to blame the Met police for stopping him causing trouble at a Palestinian protest.  His edited highlights encouraged the 'Mail' and other right-wing press.  This was soon amended when the whole 15 minute picture was revealed and he was seen as an agitator.  Well done the officer involved.

The Gaza situation is difficult, this is not helped by media talking sides, antagonists from either side lying to the public, and politicians taking backhanders from one or the other.  More children died and some adults are enjoying this.

I have no answer.

 

Linton

I filled my day by staring at the screen, discovering that now I have only the mobile phone that this has run out of data until the new lot on the 29th.  I have no idea what this means, but every MB will cost be 10p a go until then.  I have switched it off.  I have however, increased the data a we bit before it clicks in so this does not happen again, until next time...  

I clambered up and down stairs to check the electric meter, misread my own scribble, and may now be charged a lot more from the EON gangsters this month.  To tired to write correctly.

Tomorrow however, all will be well.  Sleep and dinner will see me through and I do not have to visit the Kirk for a long Sunday service as I did yesterday.  A service, a Nigerian childs thanksgiving, and communion, all this followed by the AGM.  All this thinking wore me out I reckon.  In the end my contribution there was to hold my hand up and 'second' a motion.  I forget which!  At least history will record my name on a piece of paper at next years AGM.       

Lots of Nigerians there yesterday.  Who knows where they live, some have begun attending here.  The UK church is growing because of African Christians arriving and filling near empty churches.  This will be interesting.

 

Disgraceful!

 Go away!

 

Fibre Upgrade Fun

Between 8 am and 1 pm the disembodied voice on the phone stuttered yesterday.  We will be attending at this time.  Twice she called to confirm this.

So, at 6:30 I was up, washed, stale bread fed, and waiting.  

When they say 'Between 8 and 1' they mean 'On the dot of 8 am while you are not dressed yet.'

But I was ready!

Here I am, almost 11:30 and still no sign of them!

The place is clean, the space reserved for work, all is ready and nothing is happening.  I now go through all the 'They have forgotten me' worries,' while somewhere up a telegraph pole a man will soon finish his job and come to me... I think...

Of course I was never worried.  I knew he would come well within the time.

This Asian telecom man had the difficulty of understanding my accent, while i struggled at first with his.

He then had to work out how to do the job without upsetting the landlord or the Grade II people at the council.  This he did well.

This poor man did not just have to climb up the telegraph pole, clamber about on the ladder at the roof and my window, but also had to work under my dead among the dead spiders webs to install a wee box to make things work.  It took him just over an hour to do all this, and very efficiently he was too.  A good man indeed.  Now he is again up the ladder clambering about for the flat round the back where they use the same ISP and are claiming the same 'special price.'

My internet speeds had fallen to 17, instead of 55.  This I blame on the phone line which crackles, supposedly fixed a while ago it was the cause of many a rant!  Today, once I inserted that long password, my speeds reached 150!!!   Good grief I canny write fast enough to keep up with it!  

Now almost all has been returned to normal, the rest of the dead spiders webs I have found underneath can wait for now, I can return to some sort of normality.

I also noticed the Bluebells are looking good in the front.  Good also that they appear to be spreading, maybe many more in years to come.

Spring Leaking

Spring remains in the air.  Indeed the air was full of Spring much of the day.  The west wind, curling round from the north blew heavily across the park encouraging a drookitness unpopular with the dogwalkers and passers-by.   I was OK though.  

Usually we say 'The farmers will like it,' but as we know farmers are never happy whatever the weather, and many have seen far too much rain this year already and the crops are not happy about it.  Mr Tesco and Mr Sainsbury are already increasing their prices even though they are as yet unsure of the particular crops involved.  

Cocoa in warmer areas has increased three fold in price, Olive Oil also, both caused by the weather and corporate greed.  Other fruits imported from the EU are suffering also.  That did not stop me buying some tasteless Spanish strawberries, know doubt covered in various chemicals to aid growth, for tea.  My health being what it is these preservatives may aid me rather than hinder.  

Spring to Kirk

 

A delightful blue sky greeted me as I tumbled out this morning.  I was able to dump the big coat and wrap up in a jacket for a change, though I felt the chill at first.  

How delightful is Spring?  My favourite season. 

 

 

The blossum has appeared, this always makes the world a better place.  The trees abound with these bright white petals, red ones just a few trees down also, and a cheerier disposition is given to the dog walkers who would rather remain indoors asleep.

'S. C.'  Samuel Courtauld.

 

On the way down I pass several houses built in the 'Arts & Crafts style of the late Victorian age.  These were created by the Courtauld's for some of their work force.  The mills produced masses of Black Crepe which became popular with Queen Victoria when Albert died, so the fashionable types jumped on the bandwagon and gave Courtauld a massive profit.  Such black crepe controlled the Funeral fashion market for years, and dying was popular at that time.  

This was a company that spread their wealth among the town, building schools, houses, churches and providing doctors and eventually a hospital.  I suspect this house, built at the crossroads was given to a very senior man indeed.  Either that or one of the lesser Courtauld's themselves.

I was tired, the brain asleep, and I had the job of offering the intercessions this morning at Kirk, a short prayer time for whatever came to mind.  As I approached late in the service to the podium I was wishing I had stayed at home!  

However, by including prayer for all those involved in various jobs conected to the running of the church I found friends.  One good way to create friends is to mention them publicly and ensure all must realise that such people are important!  

They are not ignored.  

Everyone else ignored me.  

Next time I will mention the rest...

The King Above the Law

 

I have for a while wondered about the monarchy.  

We were all brought up to understand the monarch represented the nation, we stood to attention in the classroom in the morning, saluted the flag if I remember right.  At Cub Scouts we did the same, flag flown, 'dib dib dib' to you mate! The map showed all the bits 'we' owned, it was ours, and we were proud.

By the time we reached secondary school we cared a lot less for monarchs.  By 16 I was with the SNP pushing leaflets through doors, the monarch may have been a 'nice old lady' but was afar off.  

Today all has changed.

Since Charles was forced to marry a dim lassie to create an heir, and her friend Fergie hanging on to Andrew, both without respect for responsibilities or duty, the monarchy has seen much loss. 

Now I can understand the stifling rigidity of the lifestyle can be a killer if you are not bro.  Especially if you are harassed by the cretins of the press constantly, but it is clear the sense of duty, real or proclaimed, that arose before and during the war has been lost with the next generation. 

The old queen is dead, Harry has gone off, Willy has his mum's brain, and both have wives who run the show.  The list of other royal benefit scroungers is a long one.

In Scotland of course an increasing, but not always thinking, majority wish for a republic.  In England many still see the monarch as representing the dead empire and their only reason for pride, so they keep a hold on a flag waving mentality.  An even less 'thinking' response than in Scotland.  

Today I read of the monarchs intrusion into law making, and intrusion extended even into the Scots and Welsh parliaments.

There is a convention that allows the monarch to be informed of any law that affects them.  They can then refuse to sign any law they disagree with.  Now this does not concern things of great merit, this concerns laws which affect their estates.  For instance, a wildlife crime on a Balmoral estate cannot be investigated by the police without royal permission!  Laws concerning animal and workers rights have been amended to suit the monarch.  The beloved queen in her 70 year reign consulted 1000 bills before signing them, we do not know if any were amended to suit her.  Her sweet nature appearance hid a determined woman who sought to get her own way at all times.  Charles himself has already noted around 20 Laws that affect him and his estates.  What changes were made, how is the monarch protected from legal action, how come the King is above the Law?

In the USA a madman pretending to be president has led a coup against the state. The response, eventually, means he has been charged with many offences and the courts are taking action.  In the UK, a monarch breaking the Law can avoid police action, because he says so!  Clearly this is unacceptable, though it has been a continuous aspect of Law since way back when.  It is time for a change.

I disagree that anyone should be above the Law, King or commoner.  A king who demands more money during a cost of living crisis time is not being responsible for his people, his sense of duty has wavered.  With two dim sons (why has Harry got red hair?) an eejit brother, and many hangers on to care for I say it is time to dump the monarch, certainly in Scotland, and make them pay accordingly for the vast estates in the country they control.  

Referendum anyone?

I Hate Technology!

I hate tech!

I may not have mentioned this before, but I hate technology!  Especially today's modern technology.  You know, the stuff that makes life easier, quicker, and smarter, and doesn't!

The colour toner runs out, I insert a new troublingly expensive colour toner, reset everything, insert proper cables, click on the letter with colour pics I was scribbling for the niece, and start to print!

Nothing happened.

I reinsert the colour toner, it goes through the rigmarole again, and settles down.

Click to print.

Nothing happened.  

More fiddling, more clicking, more nothing happening.

Bah!

I walk off through to the west wing.

I fume, I cogitate, I mutter to myself.

Then I hear the printer printing!

Several items are printed, one after the other.

Hooray!

Hold on.  They only print, faintly in Black and White, where is the colour?

Now I also realise the Black is almost out.

A search has to be made 0 for B&W toner, and see what happens.

Ha!  Found one in the never used drawer.

Quick fight with the wrapper, clearly this one fell out of a 2-pack earlier, and ready to insert.

Hold on!

This is a colour one!

Fool!

So, it is reach for the 2-pack at the back of said drawer, open the plastic wrapping, using a rusty 'Stanley knife,' fight with the carboard box that does not wish to open, then struggle to open the wrapper around the B&W toner, well Black actually, and then prepare to insert.

Finally, after strong coffee, new rude words, and a minor migraine all is set.

Printer runs through proper sequence and all is ready.

Test print, set it up, click print and wait.

And wait, and wait, and hit 'resume' hopefully, and wait.

Switch printer off, resume rude words.

Switch back on, wait, press resume, and it works!

Fabulous, it prints in faint Black only!

Bah!

Now, urgently, and not too gently, remove colour toner recently inserted, insert, once it is out the wrappings, new colour toner, also dated May 2021, slam shut door, allow sequence to run, click print on test print, and , glory be, a colour printed sheet comes out!

Over an hour has been spent on this!  Is this old, new toner bust?  I know not, I dump it angrily, switch it all off and will search for reasons of failure later.  

Is it too early for a dram...?

Like me, you may not have bothered re the solar eclipse passing over us yesterday, but many people did.  Lots of space taken up with comment on this, possibly the media trying to avoid mentioning other proper news, yet lots of folks did want to see this rare event.

It did not pass over our territory, though I do remember a proper eclipse some 20 or so years ago being not as exciting as folks made out.  This time of course no-one here bothered.  

Such events are worth noting, especially if young, and the more the merrier I say, but there again, once you have seen one it is time to seek other pleasures. 

Transistor Radio

Wiki

 

Noting a transistor radio on here I was immediately transported back in time to listening to Radio Luxemburg on a Sunday night while bathing before the week ahead.  Listening also to one of these, usually someone else's, at the football trying to discover the results of other games that day.  What an invention, cheap, reliable, mostly, and enables the user to wander the streets annoying the public with loud music they hated.

My brother thought he was clever and bought a kit to make one for himself, I think the bits lay about for years.  Relatively cheap, they fitted into the pocket, offered a earphone to prevent others listening in, and abounded in time.

Radio's, with better quality, soon followed.  Everybody had one, all kids had one, on their beds usually, while searching out new radio stations, often situated on the seas nearby.  Eventually the BBC was modernised and Radio One came into being, playing better music than before.  I doubt it is better music now.  

The only downside was the ability of some to pay their battery powered music at high volume outside.

There were heard in parks, on beaches, and being thrown through windows by less than happy temporary neighbours.  Being trendy is not always popular.

I wonder how many of these things still lie about folks houses?

Hot Water Bottle

 

Love Hot Water Bottles

These chilly Spring days mean I have a choice at night to either put the heating on for a while and increase British Gas or Eon's profits, or place a hot water bottle in my bed.  I choose the latter.  For some years now I have realised that a hot water bottle, a rubber one obviously, behind your back is the quickest and easiest way to heat the body and save cash.   

When young, we used stoneware bottles like the one in the picture, there were two in the house, of different types, but both could be heard throughout the area when they accidentally fell onto the floor, which was common.  The rubber one, I have two though one is hiding somewhere, which are sufficient to keep me warm sitting in bed in the evening, unless the temperature drops too far.

The past couple of days have seen a strong, very strong, wind coming from the south.  This brings warm air and sand from the Sahara region, which I am grateful for, not all like the sad however.  The nights have been warmer indeed, and today heading for Kirk I was fair blown along by the storm force winds. No sand blown in my face though.  it's always good to remember, old fashioned technology still works, is cheap, and does not break down requiring a 14 year old geek to fix, at high price.   

Maybe I ought to write this with my fountain pen or pencil, while listening to my phonograph, and check the sundial to see what the time is, better than trusting Microsoft.... 

 

The Press

A quick glance at the 'Online Mail' this morning reveals the low state of the 'newspapers' in the UK.  Truly they are the least trusted outside of North Korea.

The story selected for the top spot features a 25 year old woman suffering a cancer.  The Prime Minister is trying to take us out of the ECHR to  concentrate on his farcical 'Rwanda' policy, yet the Mail places a sick woman as the top story?  This is accompanied by similar major events, 'Parking wars in Ipswich,' the trials of being married to a 'sex addict,' though I did not read on to see if it was a male or female one, several stories of celebs trials flash by while the next top story informs us it will rain a lot, in April!   

I could have investigated the 'Premier league love rat,' or the female train driver being 'forced to work Saturdays,' or Charles 'opening Balmoral to tourists,' but I have just had breakfast.  Putin thinks he is winning in Ukraine, UK aid workers are killed in Israel, the election is due soon, and the press fill the pages with pap like this?  

The 'serious press is little better.  The 'Telegraph,' which I had free for a short time before they demanded money, the 'Independent,' the best of a bad lot, and the 'Guardian,' once a newspaper, now a woman's grudge campaign, all pretend to be serious but follow the world view in different ways.  The 'Telegraph' having become a serious 'Daily Mail,' and never mentioning the ongoing fight to own the once Tory paper.  We cannot mention the BBC, this is because Boris killed the journalism there by installing Tory control, now independent journalism is rare there.

What a mess, I now find news via Twitter, even though Musk has killed much of it, and the porn on offer, alongside dubious ads can be annoying.  If you search here you can find reliable sources, as well as the many false leads.  However, the news from US channels is more informative than that in the UK. I suspect European news agencies are also more reliable than the English based press.  All Scots press is controlled by England, so that is of no worth.

Possibly North Koreans are better informed re the UK than the UK?

A Grumble re SKY Sports

 

I'm losing interest in 'SKY Sports.' 

I watch via a laptop, the cheapest option.  Once upon a time you could log on and choose 'sports' and be faced with what was on offer.  The live action was clear, on the top, and easy to find.  Upcoming items were below and easy avoided.

Now, you find the top row advertising items way ahead and the live action you wish for is not always clear.  On occasions I have had to search for a game advertised yet not to be found!

Even worse is the decision, by the woman who now runs this farce, to put women's football at the front, on an equal basis to real football.  This weekend the lunchtime Saturday game was a girlie offering.  I am left wondering what the numbers watching was?  No English Premier game on offer, no Scottish Premiership game, though two could have been used, instead a girlie game was shown.

As to the actual coverage of a game there are many faults still.

The number one is the use of too many cameras.  This means instead of watching the game we are forced to watch a goalie at one end while action occurs at the other.  Why?  He is not involved, his last action, good or bad, does not require us to look at his face long after this is over!  Just watch the game!

Last night, near the end of an interesting Portsmouth v Derby game,  the camera decided to show us the nervous fans, why?  Do we not understand how fans behave at a game?  Must we see the chairman shivering in the stand when the ball is in play?  Why can we not just have a couple of cameras, one for replays, and watch the match?  SKY are bad at this, but much better than BBC ALBA who's coverage of a game leaves much to be desired.  They copy the SKY system but without the number of cameras and without any knowledge of football whatsoever!  Send these men back to soap operas where they belong.

Anyway, enough is enough, I will dump SKY, I only got them so I could see the wonderful Costa Rican star player score goals for the Heart of Midlothian.  As they avoid offering Hearts game, preferring the sectarian bigots in Glasgow, I see no point in them any longer.  I might keep the bad camera angles on Premier when it takes over from Viaplay, but we will watch and see there.  

I watched one game on SKY recently, a supplementary one apparently, only the central camera, one feeble commentator, and no replays.  Apart from the lack of a replay this was much better coverage in that you could actually follow the game properly.  We need more of this!

I find today that I really enjoy BBC Scotland's 'Friday Night Football.'  This reminds me of places I have been, before the change of century (which century?-ed) and the football itself is always full of surprises. The team watching are good and sometimes the camera director does his job, sometimes.  I no longer need SKY, and the £40 or so saved each month will be useful.  I might wait until season ends mind.

Easter Sunday 2024

Christ has risen,

He has risen indeed!  

Considering how many have taken off for the holidays we had a reasonable turnout this morning.  Several new families are appearing, all black African types, with children, which is good indeed.  We need young folks arriving, so many are not as young as they are, and those who were once young are now adolescent and have run off to find themselves.

A visiting retired speaker, whom we know and like, though he is a 'liberal' regarding theology, which is why I will not refer to his sermon as it was somewhat 'loose.'  At times I wondered what he really believes.  The Anglican church in England is indeed a strange place.  

Whoever decided to lose an hours sleep on Easter Sunday requires to be shot in my experience.  I was half asleep all morning, and even though I snoozed once I got home, I am still weary.  Lose an hour next Sunday and it would be OK!  

The weather is grey, the people I passed did not reflect joy and gladness, though dogs heading for the park certainly did.  Traffic was slow, the holidays mean people are away, Easter means chocolate eggs fill the kids hearts, and folks are visiting family.

For the most part we were happy, the visiting vicar loud and cheery which left me exhausted, and people ran for home and a large family lunch.  

I cooked mine in the microwave...

Saturday Blether...

I was attempting a quiz in a national rag, these once a week quiz's used to be easy, and this time I found how little I know about things these papers consider important.  The quiz is intended for the readers, not people like me passing by, and it indicates how 'culture' today dominates the thoughts of the masses.  How do I know who married who?  How do I know which song this line came from if it appeared after 1974?  I did at least know what we called water that had frozen!  

I do like quizzing, especially on subjects that I know a little about.  It is amazing how much I learn from them.  However, when I used to watch things like 'Eggheads' with the insufferable Jeremy Vine as quizmaster, I found all too often the questions were on science or the like, which you will be surprised to know, left me dead.  We all enjoy quizzing, that is why so many appear on the telly, and it is great to be on the team that wins a quiz.  This I have been I must make clear, though this was back in 1967!  I have lost many since.  It's just a shame general knowledge questions these days all ask things that are not general knowledge to me!

I have this on my laptop, I hardly use the phone and find it easier to read on here, yet looking around so many people appear to consider this 'app' an urgent requirement.  I know not why.  Certainly it can be used to get in touch with people on the move, send pictures of places visited, or foodstuffs being scoffed, and also museums, companies and the like use it to advertise themselves.  But is it worth it?

For me, a couple of people I know who rarely offer pictures, several interesting museums and little else is worth looking at.  Using the search facility we see what others are offering, usually somewhat overdeveloped women exhibiting themselves, football players, young drugged up youths and an occasional picture worth seeing.  It is all very tiresome to me.

Contacting people is important, but there is 'WhatsApp,' 'messenger' and Texts, and speaking on the phone ignorantly and loudly on buses, so why bother?  Personally I prefer email, short and too the point, and long and explanatory if required.  Pictures and videos can also be added to your own pleasure, but maybe not the recipients. 

Still, it gave me something to moan about...

I've just dumped a bunch of dead and dying daffodils in the bin, and now I feel somewhat saddened by this  These delightful bright flowers have lasted about 10 days, which is not much for £1, but they have gladdened the heart.  Now, with all the care of a Tory cabinet minister I throw them out, their work completed, and it all feels like a real death.  There are others on the desk, two varieties, both doing their job for a week or so, then they too will go the way of all 'Lillie's of the field.'  We are surrounded by such a variety of flowers, some considered 'weeds,' yet they are so well designed and look so good.  Gentle, yet strong, colourful and varied in shape and usefulness.  These all come with a warning, 'Do Not Eat!' upon them, leading me to ask questions.  We need to consider the 'Lillie's of the field' more carefully I say.

Good Friday 2024

 

Good Friday:  Richards sermon on Palm Sunday appropriate for use here today. 

Old Groceries

I came across this picture of the groceries we knew way back in the 50s and early 6os.  Many have developed, others have disappeared altogether, or changed name to suit the customers.  I recall the soap powder, always powder then, 'OMO' in the shop round the corner and under the sink at home. What happened to that I know not, but I think it still goes by that name in the EU.  'Scott's Porridge Oats' still exists but has now been packed in plastic, while 'Force' wheat flakes I never knew until I lived in London where I took to them for a while in the 70s.  'Tizer' was a common drink then, it might still be in some areas, 'Lucozade' of course abounds though without that orange paper kids used to like around it.  

Notice how few exotic dishes appear?  This was the days when we 'never had it so good,' which followed on from the days when we 'never had it at all.'  So fancy stuff had not arrived, though the expensive shops used by the 'higher classes,' like Bank Mangers, Toffs and Spivs were doing OK.  Notice also that 'Own Brand' has not yet arrived in the supermarkets.  The supermarkets themselves only arrived in 1950 if I remember correctly, when Mr Sainsbury opened one somewhere in London.  We had a At Cuthbert's Co-op supermarket round the corner, built about 1952, which lasted 20 years.  I still remember the Dividend number, 47280, which was offered whenever we bought from there.

Today folks complain that supermarkets limit us to what they offer, this is true, and they whine that small shops have closed because of the Tesco's that arrived, which is also true, but they are they ones who stopped using the shops to go to the supermarkets because they were better!

We have so much more and still complain.  We have so much more yet more people are struggling to pay bills, and not all of these are wasting cash and failing to budget.  Still, the millionaires in the cabinet are doing OK, and they will not remember items we see in this picture, nor will any of them remember struggling with bills...

Albert Goodwin - Westminster

  

Saltire, Moscow and Tomb

I'm sitting here reading the online newspapers, though apart from a tragedy in Baltimore there is little actual news on offer, when I looked up for inspiration and found this!  Here above me was the Saltire!

Clearly this is a sign, of what I am unsure.  Possibly this indicates Scotland will defeat Northern Ireland in tonight's friendly match, possibly it indicates independence is round the corner, possibly it indicate two aircraft coming and going from Stansted almost hit one another!

I do not know.

Sadly, the air stream has moved the Saltire on elsewhere.  No doubt Sunak passing by in one of his £600,000 helicopters saw this and destroyed it in a piece of tetchiness for which he is well known.  

Englishmen have made use of such attitudes for a thousand years, but we are still here!

South China Morning Post

The tragedy in Baltimore has removed the Moscow outrage from the front page.  Questions regarding why that occurred are ongoing.  ISIS-K, the ISIS working in Russia, hates Christians, and believes all Russians, and indeed all Westerners are Christians.  Of course ISIS hates everybody who is not ISIS, Muslims, Hindu's, Indonesian, Taliban, Iran, Shia's etc, almost the whole world, so it is easy for them to find a target.  The Chechen war some years ago heightened their disgust at Moscow and this is not the first outrage that has occurred there.

Questions arise however, as to how four men got into the theatre with automatic weapons, dressed in fatigues and opened fire.  The FSB, the Russian security service is very efficient, the US, among others had warned of an attack, and yet this was allowed to happen.

Some imply Putin was involved himself allowing the attack to take place to turn attention away from both the death of the opposition leader in the gulag, and the losses in the Ukraine war.  Indeed one report speaks of men dressed in similar outfits, blue jerseys, blue jeans, with guns, hindering people attempting to escape.  These may be conspiracy theorists but many questions have not been answered. Add to this the housing block demolished by bombs some years ago which was blamed on Chechens if I remember correctly, conspiracy theorists again wondered if the Stalin impersonator was responsible, it is like him, and human beings are worth little to Putin.  

We await answers, though we may wait some time.

As it is Easter Time here is a quick look at the Holy Sepulchre, the place most likely to have been where Jesus was crucified and the tomb in which he may well have been laid.  Constantine's mother led the way in identifying the places, and he built this structure over it, but a historical perspective is somewhat ruined by that.  Worth a look however.