Saturday Delight

 

 

Saturday, a day of rest for many, of shopping for others.  

I managed to avoid the crowds by joining the crowds yesterday when the bread ran out.  This was a mistake.  Still, it would be worse today.  I fail to comprehend people who always shop on a Saturday when it is busy.  Surely they can find another time?  These big stores are open till 8 in the evening, five days a week, sometimes they open till nine or later!  How come everyone arrives at the same time on Saturday?  

 

However, proper football begins tonight, in the meantime we have the Blue bigots playing Livingstone. This was a poor game, especially as the blue bigots won.

This will have to do until later, whem we begin against the Green bigots.  8 pm on a Saturday night?  What a strange time to play football, some of the younger players may enter the field holding their phones and Lager bottles by mistake.

That church in the picture has been there for at least 800 years, possibly longer.  The pub, or a pub, has stood on that spot since at least the Saxons I reckon.  A building nearby has a beam that was dated to 1392 I think the man said. This is because this was the road from London to Norwich, and at Bury St Edmunds lay St Edmunds, so a popular pilgrimage route began, and money was taken...

 

BBC

 

So, at the ridiculous time of 8 pm we 'entertained' Celtic in the opening game of the new league season.  While it is true they are not at their best, neither are we, indeed that showed in the first half.  However, after taking the lead, we allowed them back in.  Tsk!  Still, improving in the 2nd half and after losing an undeserved equaliser we changed the shape and finished them off with a great John Soutar header a minute from time.  Add to that two saves in the Jim Cruickshank mould in the last minute of added time from captain Craig Gordon and the job was complete.  Heart of Midlothian win by two goals to one and it ought to have been more.  Even the ref was quite good for a change!

 

The Chief Apologises | Scot Squad | BBC Scotland Comedy

First LIne of Defence

During 1941 Adolf Hitler considered crossing the channel and invading the UK.  Operation Sea Lion was prepared.  He had not succeeded with the Luftwaffe attacks in the 'Battle of Britain,' he was very wary of the Royal Navy that patrolled the coast, and was well aware of the defences onshore.  Pill boxes, barbed wire, anti-landing craft devices, and pools of oil deliberately set alight awaited his men.  However, on noticing a long line of desks spaced out along each beachead he understood that the landing could not go ahead.  On each desk was placed a formidable Doctor's Receptionist, and the head of Germany realised nothing he possessed could get past one of those!

Today, I attempted to get past one of those.

At the end of the queue, attended late morning when the crowd had dispersed.

I waited.  

One by one patients were slapped down into place.  

Eventually I got to the window.  

I say window because under Covid we stand outside in all weathers and talk though a window to the Stasi representitive inside.  No consideration given regarding the weather.  

I enquired about the 'Shingles Jab' on offer to those pver er, 32, and also regarding seeing the nurse.  I was given a time, exact time, that afternoon for the jab and my questions ignored.  Regarding the nurse I was told "Phone up at 8 am in the morning to book."  The fact that 50 others will be doing the same was not emphasised!  

So I may be back at the window tomorrow before I am awake.

Not long before ten minutes to three I was back at the window, waiting. 

Someone was taking a while, a woman looked at me and her eyes over her mask indicated a sense of despair, he was taking a long time at the window.  Eventually he went, the next woman wasted my time as we despaired on the queue.  

I was saved by the Stasi asking if anyone had an appointment.

"ME!" I almost cried, and I jumped the queue.

"Indoors, use hand stuff, Waiting Room 'B.'" ordered the Gauleiter.

Off I trot.  The locked door is unlocked and I enter sloshing my hands in the magic liquid.

I find 'waiting room 'B.'' and wait.

I wait.

I wait again.

A nurse looks out from a door and asks why I am there, she walks down corridor, returns, says nothing and goes away.

A nurse comes up said corridor and passes by.

Sounds from corridor of talking and laughter.

I wait.

Eventually a woman of certain age comes out, and leaves by the outside door, the nurse turns and looks through me.

I wait.

My options are considered, however, just then the screen on the wall demands that no violence if offered to clinical staff.  This, it claims, is not right.

I wait.

Another, different, nurse appears from the corridor and ignores me.

A man enters, sits himself down without noticing me.

Such attitudes are not uncommon here these days.  I blame the London overspill.

I wait.

I continue waiting muttering about how busy NHS staff are and being happy to take my place and wait while more important people go before me.

I wait.

Shortly afterwards the first nurse reappears, calls the new man and he enters her door.

I wait, muttering about being first.

I wait.

An er, chubby nurse appears, ignores me, goes to fridge and removes what to me looks like the injection I am awaiting.  

Hope is kindled.

She passes me by and says nothing.

I wait again.

I have been stood standing here, all this time.  I did not wish to sit and be forced up quickly.  Pah!

I wait.

Then, glory be!  Chubby calls my name indistinctly.  I rush to her room.

She is pleasant. competent, asks all the right questions, by reading them of the screen I noticed, and talks amiably.  She prepares the needle, injects cheerfully, and throws me out by another door, happily informing me that it is raining.

Take away the wait and we have a smart, efficient system.  A good practice, well run, with good staff.

Oh yes, and the Stasi at the desk!

I may be back tomorrow to see the nurse...

 

Technology Bah!

 

Another day of technology success.

While Google and I are struggling to fix 'robots' and 'validate' and 'crawl' the blog I have at least fixed (I think) the other little local difficulty.

My war memorial was not being found and I thought I had found a fix tonight, and indeed it has worked!  Learning Portugese swear words while working in the hospital years ago has paid off.  The trouble with such things is a failure to comprehend the language, American, in use, and those many little things not noticed or ignored which bring everything to a shuddering halt.  However, I think that is a job well completed.

The failure to search the blog properly is a worry.  Fix the 'robots' it said though I have no idea what they are, but when I tried nothing happened, why?  

Because their machine does not fix their blog!  I await the result of the present fix attempt.  Bah!

And, now I have altered the 'sounds' on my phone the annoying rasping call has been replaced with a gentle plop.  Very much healthier.

 

Sunday Blether

The Bees and the beasties have been making the most of the times.  The gardens are full of bright coloured flowers inviting them to feed and investigate.  They are also full of midge like flies and kids, I am not sure which is worse.  

 

 

In between the thunder, lightning and rain we see blue sky around here.  Up north they are melting in the heat, fires are seen in woodland areas, not helped by idiot campers and their fires, and firemen are busy everywhere.  

London meanwhile is again flooded, the thunder round here was the edge of the storm, we were lucky.  In the south east heavy rain filled rivers and streams, underground passages flooded, as indeed did railway stations and the Underground.  The heavy rain we saw passed away quickly enough.

 

Climate change is real, whatever people say, and worldwide we are facing heat, rain and conditions which we are unable to control.  Russia suffers forest fires and soaring heat, Germany endure heavy rain and floods, all unusual for the time.  Whatever the cause it is time we opened our eyes to the problem, but as usual money talks.

Heading home as rain began to fall these three RAF aircraft flew over in formation.  I think these are 'Chipmunk' aircraft, they used to be the first line in RAF training but things may have changed.  It is also possible these are overflying some event (can you under fly an event?) and may no longer be official RAF planes.  Nice to see however, though I noticed the passing women gave no thought to the craft above, tsk!

 

 

I have had problems with the Blogs.  Some of the War Memorials cannot be found, though I can reach them.  Google tells me this is a problem they can fix.  However, as it involved the mobile phone this meant I had to reset the thing.  This has been having problems recently, I lost all my numbers, and other things fell apart, so a reset was required.  Naturally, since getting the phone they have altered everything and it took ages to work out what I was doing, much still has to be done.  Tomorrow I need to investigate the 'robots' problem, whatever that is, which needs fixing also.  This would be easy if I knew what they were talking about!  I am in an area of which I know nothing.  With my technical ability I could lose everything, especially my mind, by nightfall.  

Signs of the Times

So many things about Boris Johnson remind me of Hitler.

Both had broken families, both had bad fathers, both Hitler and Boris put themselves before anything else.  Neither were as they appeared, both were actors for the crowd.  They both put themselves first, all else can be manipulated to their desire.

Add to this the influence of political shicanary from both the well known Dominic Cummings and the less well known Steve Bannon.  Dominic's approach has been one of both arrogance and efficiency, he got Boris elected.  Steve Bannon while unknown to many is far more dangerous.  His influence has aided Donald Trump to get into the White House, an influence which appeared to end when he disagreed with the bumbling president.  Who knows whether an influence remains.  Bannon however, has influence behind the scenes in many places, all following the Far-Right approach to life.  He attempted to establish a centre in Italy to propagate his opinions, this was refused, and now an appeal through the courts is under way.  The last thing Italians require is another Far-Right organisation.  Bannon has influenced Boris greatly.  Look at how Boris has used his power.

Boris used the queen to stop parliament debating his bills.  Boris, like Adolf, has the media on hs side, the BBC now controlled by his placements, other influential positions are being given to his donors, friends, supporters and those using him for their advancement, just like in 1930's Germany.  The media not asking questions in print or on TV means the vast majority do not understand what is being done to the nation.  One Bill going through parliament could lead to investigative reporters being jailed as spies for treason if they question government policy!  How fascist is this?  The courts which have ruled against many of his, or his cabals Bills, are threatened with losing the right to question.  Another Far-Right move, suggested by Bannon perhaps? 

The public, like the Germans in the 30's, supports moves to halt immigration and get out of the EU because they have been told lies about both for 30 years.  The constant repeat of the lies, blatant in places, leads to many more than willing to support Boris and his government.  A complaint majority, however slight, a 'culture war' that neither Boris or his followers understand, can easily go wrong.  There are many forces at work in the UK today, none of them pretty, and few comprehend how near to a fascist state we are becoming.

Royal Spam

If there is one thing the editors of the grubby press know it is that the Royal Family sell!

There is an unquenched desire to know the secret dealings within 'Buck House' and other royal accomodation, the nation wants to 'doff the cap' yet know how their 'betters' live.  This has always been true, loyalty to the throne lies deep in the mind of many in the UK, usually it is just a mythical view that is grasped.

Since Diana was stupidly married by Charles, he needed a son or two, rather than Camilla, a woman he liked and who liked and understood him.  Instead we have the pantomime of Diana, now continuing under her demented son (who is the father we ask?).  While Kate and William, a man with his mothers brain, follow a PR exercise appealing to the nation as kind, thoughtful people who cause no trouble, an ideal King some say, but in truth as false as all the rest.  Harry and his woman, clearly she is the brains in that outfit, continues to draw fire from all around by putting his foot in it rather than keeping his head down and seeking good PR.  Not for Harry common sense (too 'common' perhaps) and consideration, instead a book, his life's story, but who will write this, him or her?  

The 'Daily Star' famed for the less than considerate headlines, offers a glimpse into the book, and indeed a glimpse of the reviews still to come.  We wait and see.

This will all end in tears, and many sales for the dying gutter press.

 

 

I have been getting lots of spam recently, all identical, all informing me I can make various amounts, usually around $1300 montly.

It is the spelling of 'montly' that makes me wonder about these posts.

Each one from a different name, each offering such success, each offering success 'montly.'

Two or three come through each day and I am left wondering if anyone actually falls for such clear Spam?  I suppose someone with little English might fall for it, I wonder if it pays?

Maybe I ought to try this myself, maybe I ought to send out millions of Spam and get rich....! 

Freedom?

Stolen from HIGNFY

So True!

Panic!

Panic!

Fear and alarm spread through the town yesterday.

People stood around, pointing skywards.

"It's an alien," said one.

"It looks like a spaceship," cried another.

A man carrying a sign saying 'Repent! The end of the world is Nigh!' walked across the park, mumbling.

"Who is 'nigh?' asked one woman,"Isn't that a Welsh name?"

"Yeah," said her friend,"He was that Welsh bloke that made the NHS, remember?"

The police were out in droves, much use of radio, personal phones and waving truncheons to keep back the panic stricken mob.

Eventually, dressed in all his robes, the vicar appeared standing on a van roof.

"Worry not my children," he cried. "The bright shiny thing is the sun!"

"Wot?" cried one man, "the one Murdoch owns? It can't be, I got one in me pocket, it don't shine like that."

"No,not that one. Nothing shines in that one.  This is the real sun, the one that heats the earth."

"Ooooooh!"  Cried the gathered crowd by now full of wonderment. 

"Who pays for it?" asked one. This is a Tory area.

"Nobody pays for it,the Good Lord gave it to us to keep us warm."

"The who?" came a shout.

"No, not the 'Who,' the Good Lord!"

 "So why does it never show, why always behind clouds, rain, hail, and mist?"

"Because you are here in the UK and not in Africa," said the preacher.  By this time he was beginning to wonder why he had come here.  "I may pop down to Maldon Quay and see if there is a banana boat going somewhere," he thought.  

The congregation was beginning to disperse.  Fear was eased, the sunglasses and T-shirts emblazened with unfunny slogans and adverts appeared.  

Then the English did what they do best, they went to the pub and had drunken fights with one another.

 

Useless, Me?

At last!  A toy that speaks for me!

I've been looking for this for many years!  

All I need now is a 'Man at work' with him suitably not working in any manner.  That would sum up my long years of work.  

OK, I have no idea where this can be found, I came across it on Twitter.  

But it is realistic,innit?

 

 

Boris Johnson made an announcement regarding 'Leveling up,' I ignored it.  There would be lies, more lies, distortion and lots of balloons, but nothing actually making a difference.  He has however, forced the 'Second Reading' of the NHS Bill that would allow him to sell of the NHS to his privatising US friends.
Much anger, all ignored. 

The Nazi takeover of this country is well under way.  

 

 

Maggotts.

 

Disgusting!

I opened the bin this morning and found many of these inside!  

All those bluebottles that have plagued me recently have been laying their eggs and now attempting to take over.  

This is not what I wish to see early in the morning.

I had fish last week, this left a stink around the kitchen.  I cleaned up as you do, but the stink remained.

On Sunday morning I cleaned the bin as it still stank somewhat, unwillingly as I do not work at weekends to avoid irking neighbours.  The bin was fine, the new bag clean.

This morning I opened the bin and found dozens of beasties there!

So another bag required, maggotts, fine in hospitals where they still have a use, but not in my house, now flushed down the bath plughole.  The kitchen now cleansed again properly, new bag, clean smell, and awaiting sausage roll for lunch.

I could do without this in the mornings.

A walk up to the shops produced more cleaning stuff and a small bottle of Lavender pong.  This is supposed to drive flies and such like away.  So, now the place pongs indeed.  The window's have been dabbed, the lampshades, the kitchen areas and bins, all the places the beasties may like.  Hopefully that will put them off.  So far it appears to work, though whether that is coincidence I will soon find out.