Spring is in the Air

 

Yes indeed!  It's that time of year again!  The time of year when Dafooldils fill the page as they are the only bright things within miles!  The ones opposite me have been pushing through since December, today these ones at the far side of the park are almost completely out and brightening the world around them.

Mind you as the world around is dominated by the rather boring Town Council offices it does not take much to brighten things up.  I had to get out, with Spring jacket on no less, and walk across the park to enjoy the day.  What always comes to mind on such days is a remembrance of one Spring day in Kensington Gardens years ago.  A great many people were out, many walking dogs, rich and poor, old and young, and the first real day of Spring caused even Londoners to smile at one another.  For thousands of years the Spring awakens us to life once again, we know snow wind and rain, mist and fog will come again before long but we also realise that the warmth is with us now and good days lie ahead, even if locked indoors.

 

However, I could not wait here, I had to approach the butcher for minted lamb chops and huge chicken bits.  These were available so I added a huge pack of bacon just in case Brexit stops it coming over from er, somewhere in England it turns out.  Anyway, once home I chopped all up, packed the freezer and realised there is no more room!  This means I canny order that nice man's pies this week!  Tsk!  It also indicates I have nothing for lunch, some fool forgot to buy what he needed again!

 

Last night we had a Zoom operation.  A church gathering comprising people with the technical ability of those over 50 years of age.  Only one entered in without trouble, she is in her early 20's.  It was noticeable that everyone had a clean house, at least in the bits showing, although until she disappeared one woman only had feet to show.  Knowing which way to point a laptop is difficult isn't it?

It was also noticeable just how many men got on reasonably quickly by ensuring the wife logged on for him.  Zoom, while not perfect, is at least a way to meet those who we have not seen for a while.  It does make proper discussion difficult, in my case partly because the neighbours were in downstairs and I was trying not to talk loudly.  They think I am mad as it is just because I talk back to the TV, football, politicians and most other things I log onto, tsk!  Only hearing one side of the debate mwy fox them somewhat.  If they want madness I can show them that also if required.  Tee Hee!

 

I for one canny wait for the charity shops to reopen.  I expect it will be a few weeks before they sort out the vast quantity of goods that will be dumped on their doorstep when they do open.  I, however, will be awaiting the chance to check out the many jackets dumped by those who have found them shrink hanging in the cupboard while on lockdown.  That said I have a bag that is already overflowing with rotten stuff goods I wish to donate. Some charity shops, like Oxfam, have been working online like everybody else. 

Fish and Dust

 

 

I took this down near Bournemouth some time ago, I suspect that after Brexit it is now our entire fishing fleet on the south coast of England!  I suspect he hunts for 'Pilchards,' a type of fish that was so common during the hungry war years that nobody wished to see any more.  So, to sell it afterwards they had to change the name to 'Sardines!'  Funnily enough the 'Sardines' I remember from my childhood were much smaller, more like 'Anchovies,' but maybe Scots fishermen found the fish they were catching were not as well fed as those in the rich south?

  

The day was slow, I was dog-tired today for no good reason, I will blame the 'Jab' because I see no other cause.  I did wake up enough in the afternoon to tidy my desk, it has clearly been a long time since I did that, polished it, and then sorted the books on the other 'sideboard.'  Dust everywhere, mostly on me, but now all is tidy, in order and the smell of polish fills the room.

That's enough work for today...

 

Healthy Eating with Alec

 

I came across this on Facebook this morning and identified with it immediately.  I suspect none of my readers will share my reaction, all of you being so young that is.  However, I understood all of this.  What memories returned, childhood, games played, fears, the wireless and malnutrition.  All the good things we remember from the 'good old days' when everything was better!

Pasta we never had, though we might have occasionally had spaghetti, not something parents enjoyed dealing with when kids are around, and curry was something dad talked of connected to his two years service in Poona in the days of long ago.  Pizza was of course unknown.

'Smiths Crisps,' sometimes a whole big box full of them, came supplied with wee blue bags of salt, to sprinkle among the contents, several wee blue bags in the big box.   

Indeed, rice pudding and hardly ever real white rice.  Not that this would feed us mind.  Potato soup, bread to dunk, and spam fritters or fish and home cooked chips were mainstays.

'Camp Coffee,' I always liked that.  It was the only coffee we had, very pricey, and unusual but kept for company when they arrived.  There used to be an army officer with bright tartan braid on the front being served by an Indian servant.  This was changed and the servant became an Indian Officer about 30 years ago!  Never see it now.

'Heinz Beans,' though I remember 'Crosse & Blackwell' also existed.  Yoghurt however did not until I was well into secondry school, so about 1965 I would say.  I had one, rotten it was, and never had another for 25 years.

I do not know who wrote that but I understand it well.  They missed out gray ex-army blankets stamped WD, on the bed with your overcoat on top to help the warmth.  Jack Frost on the windows and pound, shilling and pence in your pocket.  Too many and you leant to one side.

 

Daily Record

   

The SNP struggle continues.  Having established his right to use information at his hearing Alec Salmond has now learned the Crown Office (friends with whom?) wishes some evidence to be withheld.  This is intriguing as this has already been published somewhere.  The games people play.  Who is behind this move, who benefits, who wins?  Find out in next weeks (or days) exciting chapter...

Drizzly Spring Musings

 

The hazy bright morning sun promised Spring warmth, as I write the drizzle is busy trying to rear Daffoldills which cower under the bare branches of the trees.  Tsk!  At least the gas is not on, the heaters are off and I no longer need to wear my coat indoors. 

As Spring deepens, it is claimed fewer people will be rushed into hospital with Covid, therefore Westminster will rush children back to school, pubs opened, shops, barbers and sundry businesses urged to return and by the end off July we shall see the hospitals full once again!  Of course it may be true that the vaccinations are having an effect, but there again it may just be those 'unnamed' people pushing in the press and on social media for a return that are behind this 'confidence.'

Nothing however, will take the smug grin of Hancocks face, as long as he is making money he cares not about the rest.  That is a sure sign of this bad government.

I believe we have an opposition but I have no idea where it is.

 

'Worcester II' by Charles William Wyllie (1853-1923).  'Worcester II' was a redundant R oyal Naval shipthat moved into the Thames in 1862 and took its place as a RN training ship.  She remained there until 1945 when replaced and moved by the navy to moorings elsewhere.  Unfortunately she was not used and slowly rotted away, capsizing and being slowly eaten by the tides.  Such a shame for a ship, but there again it saves cash in dismantling her.  

I have a penchant (whatever that is) for pictures of the sea.  Charles William Wyllie and his more famous brother, William Lionel Wyllie, both painted such works. Charles sadly moved into more mythalogical fantasies, usually featuring bare breasted women, I know not why.

It may well be more such pictures fill the empty spaces of this blog until I get out and about a bit more. Not that we can go far anyway these days...

 

Mirror

 

News is hard to come by these days.  The papers will fill space with everything and anything.  Here we see an item taken from the web, that appears to be where the press get their news these days, the item is all about a woman who saves money by searching the shops for reduced items.

Gosh!  Who would have thought that by seeking out the 'yellow stickers' you could save money?  

What surprised me is that she saves (she said) £50 a week on her total shop!  £50?  Maybe you were buying things you did not require, using expensive brands rather than 'shops own' and squandering money in a flagrant manner?  Just saying like.

The disabled, the unemployed (some 850,000 it appears), the poorest using food banks, and pensioners have been doing this for years.  But hey, anything to fill space in the media.

 

Jabbed

The story of my life summed up there.  A lack of brains.

Today however was a success.  I hobbled up the road to the local hospital, joined the queue well marshalled by efficient stewards, took my identity slip of paper, and soon was handing it over to be given the 'Jab' that all are seeking.  I think this is the one which links me to Microsoft or to Bill gates wallet or something, so I am now hoping for a generous response from Bill.  It was indeed well organised and friendly while I was there, though one marshall mentioned a struggle earlier when a man tried to jump the queue!  Working with the public is so gratifying!

Back home, having shopped on the way, I found I had done all required by just after ten in the morning.  I did not know what to do after that, it was something unusual.  

It is interesting the list of things that 'may' occur after the 'Jab' sounded much like the normal daily exoerience in this house.  How will I tell if I am suffering a reaction if I do not notice any difference?  It is all to confusing to me, people complain of 'Long Covid,' and I tell them I have had that since 1987 and they just look blankly at me.  I wonder why?  I may never know if I suffer a reaction.

Football was dire, dinner was excellent, and there is nothing left to do but write a dozen emails.  However, that is beyond my tired mind so I will find some excuse to avoid this.

The best window seat around!

 

 

This short film comes from part of a Fife Circle that runs from Glenrothes via Cowdenbeath to Edinburgh Waverley.  Lots more such films around, sadly all running silently for some reason.  One, from the rear cab, has sound but is only off use if you like travelling all the way backwards.  Here we cross the Forth Bridge heading south towards Dalmeny Station.

  

 

If you prefer you can journey across the River Tay into Dundee.  This film is a wee bit older mind!

Spotting from Home, or Bored!

 

Bored with rubbish football last night I tried my hand at 'Spotting from Home.'  This is something usually done by those railfans who cannot get out and about these days so instead take pictures from their laptops.  Sitting in bed, bored with Luton Town last night, I picked up my cheap mobile phone and snapped favourite places.  

I decided to do this when watching far off Deshler, Ohio, somewhere in the United States.  Here is one of my favourite views, though usually it is not covered in snow.  The US is under a freak downwards curve of cold air and while Ohio may be used to such scenes further along in Texas, and even New Mexico, they suffered a blanket of thick snow.  A slight dusting they can cope with, several inches brought anguish.  

The engine in this picture is awaiting the passing of a train heading East which crosses just behind the camera view.  This has not yet arrived so our man just sits there and cogitates.  This is a not unusual sight at this point.  These frieght trains have to be well planned before they leave, a train 150 trucks long takes up a lot of space on the railway!

 

Unlike the engineer, that's 'driver' to you and me, I got fed up waiting so I moved to  Waupaca, Wisconsin, no, I have no idea where that is either, and discovered the foundry there was still working, possibly because this engine had just moved some of the trailers, filled with Coke standing in the background, into the furnace area.  This looks to me like one of those little 'wild west' towns that has little to build on but the foundry.  Quite why this town exists is not made clear but it appears to prosper.  Small town America lies before us here.

 

 

This, somewhat darker than it is in real life, seaside image, makes a change for those who do not appreciate the joys of railways.  Videos, sometimes live, of beaches wordlwide are very relaxing I find.  Here we can enjoy the birds gobbling up wee beasties we cannot see, but they know are there hidden beneath the sand.  There is something relaxing about the sea, the light reflecting of the water, the bird life, the air, all gives a relaxing feel to the mind.  I miss it.  

 

 

I used to see this view, from the side, regularly.  Crossing the Forth Bridge heading home with North Queensferry beneath us (give Gordon Brown a wave as we pass) the two road bridges to the right, and a few ships loading content to or from various refining plants.

In the past the Royal Navy at Rosyth, to the right, had half the fleet stationed here.  Vast numbers of ships, including BattleCruisers, were docked all around the area.  In the 50's when I passed a great many ships were still to be seen and Battleship gray covered the area.  Today these have gone, moved by John Major to who tried unsuccessfully to win a seat in Plymouth, thus leading to the loss of thousands of Fife jobs.  Who said the Union was a good idea?  

 

 

Not everyboby gets to see this view.

 

 

What?  Fed up with railways?  Heartless people!

OK, here are some Black Swans, somewhere in I suppose Australia, swanning about in a quiet, gentle, long video, one I often have on in the background.  Lovely to see and enjoy.  The colour obviously is better in real life.

I do like a lot of the old silent movies, hand cranked in the streets, while modern life, before 1914 that is, moved about for our entertainment.  This looks like France, a train arrives and all make a dash for it, the hopeful passengers, the men jumping off as the train slows, a great number of porters and station staff, and overdressed women, must be ones with money, pushing the men aside to get the best seat.

Fashion, you will note, doth make fools of us all!

 

 

Isolate, Press, Jab.

 

I have been isolating for several days.  By 'isolating' I mean, 'too lazy to go out.'  There is no need to venture downstairs, the neighbour has left the mail at my door, well, two grubby adverts for takeaways that is, there is milk in the fridge, bread in the bin, and meat in the freezer, so no need to spend money.

Weather dreich again, the icy sunshine replaced by rain which removed the last vestiges of snow and saturated those dogwalkers in the park.  The dogs did not notice either the rain or the saturated walkers.  I watched from the window, giggling.

I have, like so many others, ceased watching or reading the news.  On Twitter, when not banned for no good reason, I find headlines worth reading, from several media, few are worth following up.  The main press online appears to fill the page with half naked ageing celebrities, women showing their scars for no good reason, occasional murder, robbery, shock-horror or sentimental slush stories, no real in depth news or comment.  Why do people buy them as their is nothing inside?  'Bread & Circus's for the people I suspect.

The vaccine of course fills the spaces, either millions have been given, or not enough, depending on who you read.  My first 'jab' is scheduled for Saturday, if I can walk that far to the hospital and then stand for hours in the queue!  We wait to see how it goes.  Already talk is of ending lockdown and back to normal.  No chance for a long time in my view.  Sudden ending and soon another lockdown.

Back bench Tories with their eyes on the cash box will disagree.

 

 

Blue Sky & Vapour Trails

 

In my keep-fit shuffle across the park I noticed a strange thing up above.  An aircraft was leaving a vapour trail across the sky!  As I looked about there were several, in various stages of development, streaking the sky.  I was surprised as so many flights from Stansted have been dropped, 'EasyJet' have ceased use of said airport because of Covid, and usually only 'Fed-EX,' and 'UPS,' can be found beside one or two other parcel carries at the runways.  Is there a special free trip weekend on?  'Ryanair,' are found overcharging passengers at least three times a day, only one or two private operators appear regularly now.

Will the passengers be tested for Covid at home or abroad I wonder?

Ah yes, testing!  It appears that one year after 'Sage' the medical people suggested it, Boris has brought in 'Testing,' and 'Quarantine Hotels,' for visitors.  As far as I know only one such Hotel exists, and airports have had no information on what to do!  How many died after the various virus types flew in on foreign tripping passengers  over the past year?

I had to cross the park as I wanted to walk in the sunshine and take everybody's advice re exercise.  So I avoided the icy patches still lying there, it was minus 3 with wind chill added in spite of the sun, and the friendly local people were also avoiding, both individuals and even eye contact, with one and all.  That is indeed something new around here.  Twenty years ago almost everyone would acknowledge you were alive, very few do this now.  I blame incomers from London.  They buy the new expensive houses and bring London attitudes with them.

I hope these two planes passed at different heights!

 

The Magazine Contents

 

The post thudded onto the dingy mat late this morning. I raced downstairs to collect whatever vitaly important epistles were awaiting me.  Instead there was a single plastic bag containing a magazine, or so I thought.  Upstairs in my high quality shanty I opened the plastic, piled it onto the recycle pile and began to sort the mass of adverts accompanying the magazine.  

All wanted money.

Most were charities.

All get dumped.

 

"Do I think Leprosy is a thing of the past?"  No! It is regretable, recycled.

'Dignity in Dying.'  'Please donate so we can arrange to remove that aged relative from you.  They will be pleased, their pain ended, their cash in your account.  We supply our own pillows.' 

'Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability.'  "Please support..."  If you are a 'Royal Hospital,' can I suggest you ask Her Majesty to stick her hand in her fat purse and provide a few million to keep her citizens well looked after?  She can take it from one of her slobby sons.

"Doctors Without Borders."  Indeed a trusted, well respected charity.  The middle classes can pay.

'Womankind Worldwide.'  Again, ask the women middle classes that are always shouting about what they want to decide to make a donation!

'Emmaus UK.'  Too late, I help my friend who works amongst such homeless.

'Rotary International.'  Ask your friend of business, Rees-Mogg for help.

 

All these in one mag?  How much do they think people can afford?  Seven charitable adverts, though 'Dignity' is no charity, and how can anyone caring enough to care choose which to help?  I am more choosy where I put money these days, and would check out each one, especially the 'Royal Hospital,' with no Royal cash.

However, it does not stop there, I am offered "One of the best hearing aids in the world." Very tempted as my hearing has endured too much AC/DC for its  own good.  However, with gay abandon it goes on the recycle pile also.  

"The Lady."  Not sure this is aimed at myself.

Also a Private Health plan is offered.  Not suitable for one who worked in the NHS when it was a proper NHS!  It still continues.

A thin glossy magazine falls out offering a huge range of expensive but Historical items. "Museum Selection."  Expensive tat with a Historical edge.  Binned.

'PostScript,'  The thinner still glossy magazine offering second-hand books at cheap (they say) prices.

 

By the time I have sorted out the charity drops, the sales bumf and scanned the two skinny selling magazines I have no time to read the actual Magazine!  Ah well, it sits in the loo usually anyway.  I will get round to it soon.  

OOPS!  I almost forgot, an offer for a cheap magazine "The Week."  Which, if memory serves me right, and I may be wrong here, is a right-wing mag which offers independent and unbiased information.

Hmmm...  

The Oldie Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

Slithering Pavements

 

Early today, as the snow was fading, I slithered, skated and stumbled my way to Tesco.  How nice to be outside as a scattering of snowflakes fluttered to the ground.  How not so nice to be in Tesco in the middle of the day when others are also there!  Who let them in? 

The walking on icy pavements which lay under a thin blanket of new snow, was hard work.  Walking on the clear damp road was easier, apart from being near all the busses who thought the road was theirs of course, and by the time I got home I was knackered.  This lockdown has affected my fitness, not enough exercising outside in the cold.  As I approached home the snow came down with great intensity, yet as I looked out an hour or so later the pavements were begining to turn to slush!  Make up your mind!  The weather men are offering snow tonight, but from tomorrow it is very cold with sunshine, I am glad!   So tommorrow I will wander abroad risking wet streets and even worse, meeting people!  Maybe I ought to stay in and do the ironing?

Snow Bound

 

 

Snow bound all day, such a shame.  Have to remain indoors while others struggle outside in the freezing world.  They have my sympathy, I have my heaters.  

 

 

There may be more tonight, maybe I shuld turn the bedroom heater on now...?

 

Spring Snow...

The weatherman warned of snow, naturally it did not arrive.  Instead it rained, and it rained a lot!

All night it rained and while the snow kept away by 9:30 it was beginning to showitself.  Bravely I moved my feet close to the heater, where they have remained all day, and watched the slight scattering of white lying across the world.

By the time Hamilton Academicals had dropped two points at home tothe Blue Bigots proper snow had appeared.  This however, did not deter those who thought they could, or needed, to drive around in it as it appears many cars are still out there in spite of it all.  Had I not been wrongly banned from Twitter I could find out how many accidents are occurring in this region because of the snow!  Bah!

So instead of wandering across the world I have watched football, stuffed my face, fallen asleep again, and spent much time looking for a small piece of paper.  As you may understand, there are lots of those lying around this house, we are not all computerised as yet...

 

Nothing

 

It's a Disgrace!

 

It's a disgrace!

For no reason at all, well, for a small reason, Twitter have banned me!

They use the word 'Suspend' but I know what they mean.

I logged in this morning and found a complaint, whether from a real person or from Twitters automatic responses I know not, but I think the latter, re a gentle suggestion I made to a woman having problems with her 15 year old son.  

"Give him a slap!" 

I suggested.  

However Twitter thinks this advocates violence and not required discipline.

Tsk!

Had she used such sensible options previously it is likely the brat would have behaved himself innit?

Twitter is however, to 'woke' for that sort of thing.

I tried to get back in, followed the order on the email that I eventually found, but could not get a response while following orders.  I went to query this and found I must enter my mobile number, but I have no wish to do so, I returned to email and found instructions to ...enter mobile number.

Modern technology has its limits.

So, I logged in a new Twitter site.  This meant a different email, a search for important contacts and long minutes waiting for little response.  

Eventually I was sort of happy, ready to explain the new name etc.

However, in playing about with this I logged out of the new Twitter and when I try to get back in the blasted thing will only go to the one I am suspended from!

Ah well, maybe someone is telling me something...

 

Truth

Today I enlivened my trapped indoors life by indulging in Twitter fighting.  This is great fun, especially if I am the one who is the Troll.  However, today was simply speaking truth into a sad, female dominated society, that is females worldwide who have never done a day's work in their lives and wish to tell the rest of us how to live.  

A Japanese individual, I canny be bothered looking up the story and his name now, commentated correctly that women in meetings 'Talk too much.'  "One speaks and the others decide they must also speak and meetings drag on." 

For reasons difficult to comprehend many women have objected to this and demanded his resignation.  

My comment was simple, "He is right!"

It is fair to say many women also commented in similar fashion and I was reminded of the BT advert in 1995 where it was said men stand while on the phone to get the business done, while women sit cause they will talk longer.  All the women in the ASA, where I then worked in between chasing off said women, agreed with this, none felt it wrong.  Todays women however wish to change reality, they want it to be said this is not true and men talk just as much.  While this may be true of football commentators it certainly is not true in the every day world.

Much time was filled here today, indicating truth to the world and getting a long list of more enemies worldwide.  Political Correctness, worldwide, has blinded so many to reality.  In the UK the 'Woke' live in such a world, a world far different from reality and one that while working in real businesses will cause them much harm.  Too many appear to think they can replace gravity by just stating 'It will be different.'  Gravity, like other realities, will disagree.

 

 

Gormless Shopper...

This miserable repast is what counts for lunch today.  There have been many mistakes made in recent days, the major one being daft enough to stand on the weighing machine early in the morning, screaming "It's broken, I need a new one!" and discovering it was not broken after all.  The lack of exercise is taking it's toll.

Therefore, action was instigated, less fattening stuff eaten, fruit much used, and no difference recorded.  There are other problems however, as this eating regime does not supply sufficient nutrition to the brain and therefore results in strange effects.  

Here is an example of this.  Today, as the sun was waning at lunchtime, I crossed the park seeking exercise and whisky.  Our curate has at last found a church (five actually, all under him!) to accept him as Vicar, and we are all pleased about this.  Crossing the park, avoiding others, I made my way to Tesco and acquired a special whisky and a bottle of sherry.  I thought if he is a Vicar soon he will need to have a bottle on the table so he can offer this to those who do not drink, charity and thrift you see, all in one.  The queue was long at each checkout, so I headed to the self-service machines, which we love!  Now whisky in boxes (even if on offer as here) means you collect an empty box, thus detering thieves and making you wait while someone gets a box with a real bottle inside for you.  I got to the machine, it spat at me, I think I must have used this one before, and began the long operation of filling a bag.  First I gave the young chap the box to fill, then put the sherry through the machine and into the bag along with all the other stuff.  When he returned I thanked him, added the whisky and pressed 'Pay.'  Naturally it all went wrong.  Eventually, with a young lassies help, I paid, left and headed out.  As I left the shop the magic alarm bells rang for theft as I wandered through the door!  I carried on, all things being well and nobody responded.  Glad my fight with the self-service machine over I headed home for what you see was a substantial lunch.  

It was later that I realised a problem.  Around the sherry bottle was a large tag!  It appears that being concerned with the whisky, being malnourished, and being gormless, all at the same time, I had not noticed the electronic tag on the bottle, one which a checkout girl would have removed.  That explained the alarm bells when I left!  

What an idiot!

Back home I tried to undo the tag, this is not possible, and after several poor attempts I decided to leave it, drink the blasted stuff myself and get the man a bottle via the checkout later.  

Anyone for nutritious sherry....?        

Sunday Sunshine

 

After days of gloom people came out to see the sunshine today, dog walkers, joggers, old folks, couples and those with children.  I avoided them all!  

 

These Daffodills have been coming through since December, the rain, and now sunshine might tempt them to show themselves in the chill northern wind.  End of January, Spring getting closer, clouds getting thinner (Ha! fat chance) and the days getting longer!

The socially distant were enjoying the day.  I was just glad to get outside, the first time since Friday, and walk around.  The clever people tell us it may be two or three years before enough people have been properly vaccinated and the threat dealt with.  Many are unhappy with that.  Hmmm...some places in Africa and elsewhere they are in danger of all sorts of disease, they appear to cope better than we do.

The pandemic has shown how wealth has eroded our ability to cope with stress.  The nation does not knwo how to suffer, therefore nonsense about the virus not existing, or being dangerous continue, crowds form, partygoers party en masse, and the virus spreads.  We have been knocked out of our routine and do not like it.  Maybe the routine was wrong anyway?

These guys were knocked out fo their routine, their ambitions altered, their hopes dashed also.  We call them 'Heroes,' and wonder why we are different.  We are no different, they just had to get on with life as it is, so do we.

Anyway, when I go out, I dress like this, just in case...