Saturday

 

This has been me the past few days.  

Sitting puffed up by the heater, trying to catch the sun.

Nothing much else happened.

However, that Costa Rica superstar headed our first goal today and overall played well.

Ah well, back to the single malt...

 

A Wander

Yesterday morning, enticed out by a bright sun and deep blue sky, and also reduced prices for old men on Tuesdays, I wandered around to the 'Esquire Barber Shop' for a haircut.  A short prayer to ensure there were no queues succeeded, and one of the three busy lassies were soon tidying up the mess above my head. 

Leaving behind enough gray hair to make a 'Dulux Dog' I wandered about our ancient city contemplating the history, the coffee bars and the women.  The history we know, the coffee bars too dear, the women ignored me.  I wondered how many knew that on that side of the road a Roman complex of some sort once existed.  Could they imagine the Saxon Roundhouses down near the traffic lights?  Did the realise that the High Street did not exist until probably the late 1200s when it was erected to ease the Bishop of London and his men on the way to their chapel along the road?   I suspect few contemplated such things.  

St Michaels has  stood here in one form or another for well over 800 years.  Possibly a Saxon church was built before that, certainly Roman graves have been discovered near the spot.  The Romans were dead by the way.  At the rear is an alcove, if that's the word, where pilgrims passing by on their way to Bury St Edmunds to visit the dead saint would stop to worship.  Quite what stood there I know not, possibly a priest would allow them to congregate at certain times.  This ended with the Reformation, it was in a all the papers, and the pilgrims ceased passing by.

A gargoyle to remove excess water?  I wonder if he was modelled on one of the main men of the time?

There are a few werewolves around here I can tell you.

Some towns do not appear to have much history in themselves but the people who have lived there often do.  Notley Road, which leads you may guess to Notley, saw many men go off into the Great War, not all returned.  Percy Lanham from No 29 died of wounds at St Omer, way behind the lines, and was buried there.  His service was with the Army Service Corps, the people taking horse and cart full to ammunition and other supplies to the front.  It is likely a shell brought him down, though in war anything can happen.

Just a wee but further down the road, passed what once was the 'Angel' Pub on the other side of the street once stood a house of a famous name.  A man named Martin Kellogg lived there on Godlings Farm until he took off for the USA in the 1600s.  Possibly they were non-conformists and thought New England would be a free place to live.  Among the descendants of the Kellogg's 8 or 9 generations down, we find John Wayne and Clint Eastwood have connections.  Whoever they are.  The one we all know however, is William Keith Kellogg, a Seventh Day Adventist, like his family at the time.  He joined his brother John at his sanitorium, run on healthy vegetarian lines, until, after some problems, beginning what we now know as 'Kellogg's Corn Flakes.'  

This cereal was supposed to trap the sun in the corn and pass on the health benefits to the people.  You may question this, I find the packet tastes better myself.  Still, William was born in 1860 and died in 1951, so his health was good for a long time.

All this beginning, amongst much else, in Braintree!

One item noticed most days and not completely taken in is the pillar box.  A system for collecting stamped mail designed by William Trollope the novelist.  He was in charge of the Post Office in Ireland.  He did not get on with Rowland Hill, the top man who had developed the 'Penny Post,' but top men do not get on with one another often, do they?  Trollope travelled constantly and wrote many of his books while on the train.  As even today writing is not always easy on a moving train I wonder how he managed so well?  His books are very thick, this is because the 'Lending Library' charged money on each lend, and two volumes were not advantages to the shop.  Books to be used by the library, the best Victorian way to be seen, had therefore to come in three volumes or were rejected.  Trollope was not the only writer to grumble at this.

The box bears the letter 'GR,' indicating the box was built in the reign of King George.  He reigned from 1910 - 1936, and is not to be confused with King George VI who reigned from 1936-1952.  His stylised GR includes a VI above the letters.   We await the introduction of  King Charlies Post boxes.  I wonder what they will do re the ones in Scotland?    

In Scotland boxes did not have 'EiiR' as Scotland did not have a 'Queen Elizabeth' before 1952.  The Crown was used instead.  This is because many complained, and Westminster ignored them, until a box in Craigmillar was removed by a wee stick of Gelignite.  The PM at the time, Churchill, decided 'something must be done.' 

The Park and Happy Dog

I took my cheery personality for a walk this afternoon.  The bread and milk had run out, and so I sauntered via Sainsburys across the park.  It was a cold but bright day, the lowering sun blinding as I moved across the car park, yet the chill was without wind and bearable.

Carrying my overpriced goodies in my 'Tesco' bag I limped my way towards the park, cheerfully avoiding the hundreds on parent escorted children heading home.  I note the kids have to walk to school, a good mile or more for many, and car use is discouraged here.  

The morning had been a slow one, tiredness from the walking yesterday hitting home so a wander across the green acre, blue sky, occasional aircraft passing by, was refreshing.

 

The best part of the day was the man walking his wee Bulldog. I have met him before with his previous Bulldog, and he clearly likes them.  As we passed close I mentioned that he could not be in a hurry, the dog searching through every second blade of grass.  The dog then chose to sniff me, quickly losing interest and returning to check the path nearby.  They say having a dog makes life better, cleary it makes this man's life better, and clearly the dog is well fed, out for a walk as soon as the man gets home from work, and happy as can be.

I suggest I will never be as happy as a dog taken for a walk across a park used by many other dogs.

Boring

 

On a somewhat boring Sunday nothing new or interesting occurred.

Politicians lying low, rather than just lying, except Cameron who was on tv lying.

Sunak hiding Boris like in Ukraine, or somewhere.

Football boring.

Everything boring.

At least I have kept my cheery disposition...

 

Railway Station

The picture posted the other day came from this short film taken in Victoria Station sometime during the 1930s.  They say it is Victoria Station however I am convinced this is Waterloo Station at the time.  I could be wrong, this has been known before... 

The historical aspect is interesting, the outfits, the uniforms, the sailors piling of the train obviously from Portsmouth (I say), and the porters rushing to, I assume, the 1st class coaches for the tips on offer. 

Otherwise has there been much change?  

Obviously electric trains abound today, only one is noted on this film, the platform area has been renovated, signalling and information boards modernised, but overall the people, the attitudes, the waiting to go or for someone to arrive remains the same.  Few men are without hats, most have waistcoats, jackets and ties, more ladies have chosen not to wear hats than the men.  Do most appear middle class?  Many rush to the 'Third Class coach,'  It is remarkable that so few are seen smoking, few are eating anything, is this because only seated cafes were available then?  It certainly appears to be holiday season, and if going on holiday the sun ought to be shining, and so it is!  

Lovely to see the engines that arrive, they are used to push the outgoing service on its way.  I was not aware of any steep gradient on those lines, but I suppose we wouldn't notice with the trains today. 

The impression is not of a dirty, grime covered station of our memories however.  Liverpool Street always looked as if it was recently covered in grime, now much improved, Victoria I only saw when renovated, as with Waterloo.  Others may have differing memories.  

 

The film has been 'colourised' by 'Upscaled History,' which boasts a number of ages films they have treated.  Well worth a look.

WikiMedia

Snow

A short blast of snow falling at a slant threatens to bring the nation to its knees again.  A short while ago large noticeable snowflakes fell slowly, then the wind heightened, hats blew off, coats were tightened, and misery shone on the faces.  

I watched from the window.

That picture was taken 10 minutes ago, and already all has cleared.  I suspect several accidents have occurred in the region, but so far no sirens have sounded.  Quite how this lot would cope with the A9 in January I know not.

I still remain indoors hugging the heater drying the washing.

I am very glad it was not similar to this yesterday when I hobbled down the highway.  Kirk was quiet, as it is at this time of year, he traffic today is back to normal and Kirk will be similar next week.  It was good to see the faces, be surrounded by all the women, one at a time again, and speak to those who mattered.

However, I left early as my mind was clogged up.   It has been this way for a while, a remnant from the Covid of a month or two ago.  In November I usually have Xmas sown up, but this year it was slow, thinking apathetic, and it was finished by desperation, not thought.  Apathy remains.  Reading is hard, concentration often lost, and I followed nothing during the service.  This was awkward as I was reading the OT passage!  Gen 1:1-5.  I noticed I was losing concentration as I read this short passage!  I am amazed I did not fall asleep!  I ran off home soon after closing and limped through the rest off the day.

Some things held an interest but concentration soon lapsed.  

Maybe I should hire a nurse...?

 

Much later, Tsk!  Forgot to finish this...

 

Drink and Babylon!

 

I spent an enjoyable hour listening to a podcast from the 'National Archives.' 

I knew about these but only recently began to listen to them.  Today I listened to one from 2006.

Phillipa Glanville, from the V&A museum, discussing 'The Dichotomies of Drink.'  Very interesting this was too.  A clever woman, well researched, and clearly spoken, discussing drink from the late 1600s up until recent times.  The development of whisky taught me much I did not know, the growth of beer in its many forms, wine, political intrusion and responses to European wars, and the public response during difficult times.

Water being rough if not impure led to much beer drinking, of a  weak kind.  War in Europe led to sales of whisky and rum growing.  Drunkenness also grew alongside the increase in alcohol sales.  Who would have thought...?

A good Podcast, and well worth a listen and I suspect many more also.

This is a good book!

Good that is if you like reading about ancient Mesopotamia!

I do.

Paul Kriwaczek, a Viennese, was head of Central Asian Affairs at the BBC World Service for 25 years.  His wide knowledge of many languages no doubt aided his studies.  This book was published in 2010, a year before he died.

Beginning by comparing Saddam Hussein with the great leaders who had gone before him millennia ago helps us understand, he says, how life in the region continues in similar fashion since settlement began.  Human nature after all, does not change.

From Eridu in the south, where incoming peoples gathered around 5000 BC, through until the fall of Babylon to the Persians and the end of what the author calls the 'first stage' in civilisation, we follow the development of the various societies and indeed Pauls interesting, but not always correct thoughts on the matter.  

Paul was an intelligent and thoughtful man, however, some of his opinions were lacking in my view, indeed, somewhat idiosyncratic I would say.  His view on what was the 'Flood,' is worth reading, but somehow lacks substance to me.  

We hear of the rise of the Sumer super states, Ur and Uruk, the opposition from Elam, and the constant flow of peoples throughout time who eventually take over and, according to the author, continue the culture that they find.  

We read of Gilgamesh, and the various people who brought the rise and fall, and rise again, of Babylon and then Assyria.  Famous names such as Hammurabi pass by, less famous names come and go, leaving a mark in their day and going the way of all flesh into obscurity.  

Of course the rise of both Babylon and Assyria, and her fall, takes up some room.  Both, thanks to scripture, are renown in the west, though not accurately I suggest.  Paul describes the situation at various times attempting to enliven the image, he makes a story of the situation, often I found quite well, and throughout the book he remains easily readable, even I could understand the big words.

The study of those clay tablets covered in 'cuneiform' have offered us much detail on the life of people in the area.  This includes letters from a wife to her far off husband complaining about what he has taken with him on business, or detailing her efforts to sell the goods he has sent back from far off.  

It amazes me how much detail can be found, and it is exciting to consider how many thousands of these tablets have still to be translated.

We see the rise and fall of Assyria, her determination never to be put down again, resulting in her harsh treatment of those who resist.  Our author details also Assyria's harsh treatment of women, so harsh that it is possible to see how Islam can regard their treatment of women as protective!   

States cannot exist for ever under violence, eventually people rebel.  Babylon took over for a period, then the Persians ended this period of life.  Things were never the same again.

Ancient Sumer, and those that came after, developed the sciences as far as possible in their day.  Much of the maths known to the Greeks was already found in Ur and Uruk.  Architecture and art developed quickly, agriculture, in spite of mistakes, fed the people well, and life developed from Temple led authority governing an organised society, to a more 'free enterprise' world under the Kings.  The rich got richer and the poor remained poor as in all societies, but differing times had different responses to human need.

I liked this book, I disagreed with much of Pauls understanding of the situation, but I would wouldn't I?

This book is an easy read, full of information, offers a large reading list at the end, and is well worth spending time on.  Such a shame the author has passed on.

Quiet Day

Another day of joy and laughter.

A trip for bread, and a day watching a video of a train from Kings Cross to Hull.  What more could you wish for?  

The sun shone, on the video also, I fell asleep, and ate.

A busy day for me.

A quick look around revealed no news. 

However, that nice Man Vargas did score again the other night, that's two goals in two games, as he begins to adapt to Scottish football.  I told you he would be popular.

New Year Dawns ....

The new year dawned with bright sunshine and an early opened 'Ladbrokes.'  'Iceland' and one or two lesser shops were about but most remained indoors, sensibly.  It remains quiet today, though storm force rain helps to keep people inside.  Dogwalkers apart, only the brave wander in this rain.

Nothing else happened, though the Tories keep lying, storing cash and inventing excuses.  Starmer keeps well away from Socialists, just in case they give him an idea.  The Lib-Dems have appeared on Twitter again, but few will notice.  An aircraft crash in Japan, Russia killing Ukrainians, troop movements elsewhere, trouble in the Red Sea, and most coverage is of celebs!    

Life has not improved in 2024, so far...

 

Happy New Year 2024

A Happy New Year to all my friends, readers and bots.

May it be a good one!

Hogmanay

Hobbling down to the Kirk this morning I was impressed by the bright sun dazzling me.  Had it not been for the cold air I would have thought it summer brightness, however, wrapped up in my big coat, flat cap on flat head, I knew it was December.  

No fox running across me this morning at this spot, one or two dogs grinning as they headed towards the parks, a few miserable faces passed by, almost forcing me to say 'Happy new Year,' just for spite.

However, I refrained.  We ought not to say this until the stroke of the midnight bells, though the English adoption of Hogmanay has brought changes here.

The Kirk was quiet today.  No kids at all, few adults, possibly they are all preparing for midnight, possibly they have indulged, possibly the last week has just worn them out.  My attention was poor, I forgot to eat before going out, and the man rambled a wee bit.  However, the talk is on video tonight, hopefully, and I will hear it again.  I may wait until tomorrow.  No lift home, a stroll through the sun, now hiding behind clouds, and noticed how quiet the streets still are.  Just wait until Tuesday when they all return.  

Bright news from the Netherlands where an enterprising young man obtained 75kg of fireworks.  Great fun for all!  Unfortunately he smokes.  On his way home he smoked a cigarette and at the end threw this out the window.  However, the wind brought it back into the car, started a fire, and within seconds fireworks were going off everywhere!  His Volvo is I suspect a right off.

The last sundown of the year, seen through my grubby window, was a good one.  2023 has not been the best year, but not the worst either.  Years come and years go but if we keep in with Jesus all will be well.  

Books!

 

The problem I have now, with the year ebbing away, is which book do I read first?  Considering there are several already open and at varying degrees of accomplishment it is trying attempting to work out how to read them all at once.

This however, is a common occurrence.   There does tend to be books lying around in all corners, on the couch, in the Loo, through in the bedroom, and all around the desk.  Some are short, one of  chapters such as books re travel reports, others feature a policeman's life tales, or history reports from various periods, not books that need to be finished, rather books to dive into when the desire rises.  Others are a bit more reference like and can be read regarding certain periods or events.  Some, like my favourite at the moment, must be read through because I am captured by it.  Next week something else will take its place, hopefully.

That means I must add these two the piles.  This is 'First World Problems,' and not something that will worry those seeking fresh water to drink, and end to the bombing, or shelter for the night will worry about.  Should I complain?  No., I have it so easy really.

Especially with the single malt around...

 

Out of the Frying Pan...

The constant scraping on the frying pan has led to the purchase of a new one.  This, somewhat larger pan, remains clear of the ingrained muck spoiling the older, and so far successful, pan.  However, the old required changing, and this has appeared.  

The impressive looking picture does not take away from the fact that this 'Extra Lean Beef Medallion Steak' can taste just like any other kind of slop I cook, no matter how many spices are added.  Still, it is healthy which is something.

Tesco is quite useful at times.  It seems to me they have taken the place once owned by 'Woolworths,' no long departed.  Not quite the same approach but the sort of place almost everything for the house can be found, usually.  

Looking around in the gloom of the afternoon I can see many items that originated in Tesco.  Of course, while the shop is useful it is also limiting in that only items that sell will be found there.  Those that sell slowly or feebly will never return.  I noticed |Sainsburys has the 'Byline times' the other week, but so far no sign of the latest edition.  Possibly it has not arrived, possibly not enough copies sold last time.  Too many Tories here to even have heard of that magazine.  Possibly 'W. H. Smiths' will have it, they will sell anything, even if they are calling themselves 'WHS,' these days.

Fattening Christmas

Thursday and I am wishing the week was over!

All this single malt drinking, all this Christmas cake eating, all this 'eat it before the sell by date,' and all the odd bits of chocolate that are killing what is left of my teeth being used up is wearing me out.  

I can cope with the sleeping bit, easily done after lunch, but then there is the clearing up, washing dishes, putting out rubbish and used Christmas wrappers, and having to iron a shirt for Sunday as there are none left in the cupboard.

It's all very tiring.  

Tomorrow, if the rain allows, I will make the last Sainsburys visit of the year.  Though I suspect it unlikely that they will close on New Years Day, but they might.  And then next week, having checked the accounts, noted the gas and electric meter readings for the latest price increase, searched around the house for loose change, I will ensure that for a month or so it will be mince and chips for lunch, with occasional egg and chips to ensure variety!  

Next week, or is that next year, there will be a time of non buying as I attempt to budget properly and also lose weight.  I had lost a few pounds by last week, that situation may surely have changed since.   

The Day Following Boxing Day

Having had several packets arrive, all in good time at that, it is depressing to sit here and listen for the ringing doorbell or knock on the door and nothing happens.  No postman arrived, no post van was noted passing the door.  Even 'White Van Man,' has deserted us.  If it carries on like this I may have to spend my own money on things just to have parcels to wait for.

However, while I wait, I do have several new books to read, they are in the queue like so many others, and a book voucher to squander on Amazon's cheap books also.  It would be terrible not to have books awaiting study would it not?  

 Another marvellous piece of sham PR today.  Having discovered that 95% of people do not wish to return to 'Imperial Weights' and are fine with 'Metric,' the Brexit promise to return to 'imperial' has been dropped.  On the same day they announce, with a smug grin, that from today you can buy wine in pint bottles!  Brilliant!

Of course there is one or two problems here.  For one, no-one bottles wine in pint bottles, and no-one intends to start.  The other unfortunate fact is that no wine dealer, producer, buyer, wants pint bottles of wine.  It appears Churchill asked for this many years ago, but since then not one soul has done this.

Another step towards destruction at Tory House.

 

Boxing Day 2023

Christmas Day offered a nice wee service in the morning.  Many missing though the other church did attend as they were closed.  Few children arrived, and those that did were noisy!  At one and the same time we wanted them quiet and enjoyed their laughter!  We wanted to join in!

A lift home to a special dinner from Sainsburys, it was rubbish!  I ought to have cooked my own.

Today, I cooked my own, it was rubbish!

Tired from all the activity I moved to the bed at 5 pm, spending much time watching little exciting on various YouTube posts and draining some Single Malt.  Someone had too.

Today, much time has been spent arguing with lonely people on Twitter.  We know they are lonely as they argue, people with friends do not waste time.

I watched poor football, searched for news, there is none, just a war or two, the end of the world preparing in the middle east, and Rishi Sunak failing in the PR department.  The 'Daily Mail' filled space with the Royals on holiday.  How interesting...

For some reason that single malt returned.  

Anyway, I howled at the moon for a while, then altered the setting on the camera to where it ought to have been anyway, and got a couple of not quite right pictures.  This tells me the chill will come tonight as we can see the moon, the rain comes tomorrow.  Still remarkably warm for December.

The single malt, 'Jura' by name, is calling me to bed....

Christmas Day

 A Merry Christmas to all  my friends.

Messy Christmas

 

 

There was not one child in the premisis when I arrived this morning.  I dumped my Christmas Puddings (small balls of chocolate ones) among the food offerings being prepared.  I spoke to several people, gave out a card or two and took  my seat.  As always many a young lass came to speak to me, it happens regularly, and one the crowd dispersed I looked around and found the place full of kids!

Being a special kids oriented service the rear of the building was laid with tables of activities, all beyond me, and the kids were cutting, colouring, glueing, and so on happily.   

This went on for some time and then we were called to attention for the nativity part.

Naturally this followed the traditional manner, in spite of the readings we have done recently, and Mary and Joseph, two sisters, happily took their place, while a donkey, wise men, angels and one or two spare beings attended.  

All in all it went better than I expected and all appeared happy with the result.  Some men of note did agree that theological facts were taking a beating mind.  But a chocolate Christmas Pudding soon shut them up.

 

 

 

I was much taken by the obvious delight in this dad's face as he cuddled his new daughter.  Here was one happy man!  In spite of the noise around the babe never responded and concentrated on sleeping.  Mum was a happy competent lass also.  A jolly good Christmas Eve I say.

 

Shopping Over...

Trumpton

 

At last the shopping is done, the guilt about those missed begins to hit home, and I am left looking forward to the bottle of 'Jura' sitting awaiting opening on Christmas Day.  Tesco was so packed this morning, even at 8:30, and I am glad I was not one of those who came later.  

Now I look forward to what they call 'Messy Church' tomorrow, a thing aimed at kids, so I have no idea what is going on.  I wish I could miss it but was persuaded by one of the young women with learning difficulties to go.  If I don't she may remember!  

That sums up Saturday when avoiding crowds and remembering things I forgot to buy.  

Friday Frills...

                                                    Ship-on-stormy-seas-ivan-konstantinovich-aivazovsky

This ship sums up the past few days!  At least I have caught up, almost got all things ready, and have found all parcels arrive at their destinations, even if she is out at one of them.  

The weekend approaches, checkout lassies everywhere look forward to Sunday just so they no longer have to listen to Xmas music all day long.  There is only so much of that slop that one can take.  That said I will visit the girls in the morning, obtain enough to last for three days, though I have most stuff in already, and be back before the desparate crush through the store all day.  

Later, I will walk around laughing at those men attempting to buy for her indoors.  There are usually a few, easily recognised and their eyes look blankly into every shop window.  It is possible some stalls will be out tomorrow, they are often off before Xmas, so a trinket or two might be found there.  I will distainfully pass by before remembering someone I forgot!  Dearie me...

 

 

 

I like this cartoon, but notice how he follows the 'traditional' tale.  Joseph with an old man's beard, and a donkey, which looks more like a horse.  If these two were as I have proposed before do you think they could afford a donkey?  This is unlikely, and even if they had one the image on many cards at this time of year would be wrong anyway.  If there was a donkey involved it would be Jpseph sitting on it, not the wife!  

The 'Star' may well have been a conjunction of three planets, I forget which, Mars Venus and Saturn I think, which occurred twice.  'Magi,' in Babylon recorded this sighting, as did stargazing men in China.

The first appearance was 7 BC, and it returned in 5 BC, therefore, add in the historical fact that Herod died in 4 BC we can jump to a conclusion Jesus was born around this time.  The exact time is hard to define, but I rush to 5 BC, but with no other evidence.  Travel from Babylon would take time after working out the meaning of the sight.  Gather your men together, collect the sandwiches required, and trot off slowly joining in a vast caravan for safety.  It would take a while to reach Jerusalem.