Hard Work and Tory Sleaze

 

The sun shone this morning, I did not see it, my was head down on the floor fixing the loo into something of a serviceable workplace.  Now it gleams, sort off, smells of disinfectant, and can be used buy non choosy members of the public.  I also dumped the rubbish, then the recycling, exercised and by the time I sat down to watch the cricket I was knackered.  The cricket of course had started early, not at 3 pm as I expected, and I only saw Scotland's vain but glorious effort to catch the enemies total.  They can come home with heads held high and with much hope for the next tournament. 

The work took a while today, what took ten minutes in the past took ages today, however, I needed to work, the execise was good for me, the job is done, nothing else went wrong, and a sense of achievement warmed me.  Nothing else bar the blanket around me was warm today.  In fact I even put the heating on at one point the temperature had fallen so low.  Rain clouds warmed the air later to a pitch of 'just freezing.'

 

Owen Paterson

 

Owen Paterson MP was caught by the Parliamentary Standards Commission fiddling things.  He took money, twice his salary it appears, to lobby on behalf of certain companies.  This breaks the rules!  The Commission banned him from the House for 30 days, very lenient in the circumstances, and today Boris led a rebellion against this finding.  A vote for an amendment opposing the ban was annpunced, the Tories put a 3 line whip on this, meaning all Tory MPs must support the vote as told, and in the end the vote was won by 250 votes to 232.  The 'Ayes' had it.  

There is more to this than meets the eye.  For a start 6 Tory MPs who supported the motion have been disciplined in the past, many others may be earning cash for similar law breaking, and if Paterson was banned he could suffer what is called a 'Recall.'  This may lead to a By-election in his seat that he could lose.  Indeed, under the Recall he might have to walk away.   So many actions of this government are corrupt Boris fears such Commissions will render his will unlawful.  Therefore he has a bright idea, he will amend the Commission and insert his pown peoiple into it.  The problem there is both the Labour Party and the SNP, meaning most of the opposition, will not join this Commission, and a Tory only Commission has no meaning.  Maybe Boris wanted this?  Certainly he has much to hide so he will not allow questioning of his illegal tactics and dubious behaviour.

The country is run by corruption and so many do not perceive this or do not care.

 

Work Finished

 

Naturally, when I attempted to finish sealing the bath as planned it all goes wrong.  As I fought to remove the old seal from the aged gun I found the gun was dying, bits kept falling off, the paint flaking and nothing, in spite of liberal use of WD40 made a difference.  Now this gun has been around for some time.  In fact I canny mind where it came from, just that I was given this old gun a good few years ago.  Now, the rusting, aged hulk (the gun not me) was at an end.  Just what were those things living off it I wondered?  

Anyway, this led to an outing to the shops.  Out into the chilly sunshine, ensuring I had my mask, plastic bag, wallet and keys, the 4 items that must be carried when entering shops or leaving the house.  I had planned to reach B&M all the way up the road and was not keen as my knees have been poor for a few weeks now.  However, the Good Lord brought to mind the ironmongers and the bit I usually ignore, the wall at the back full of Chinese made tools.  I rushed there slowly, stared at a wall of red coloured metal tools, ideal for the DIY enthusiast or the man henpecked into doing that job he meant to do all those months ago.  Eventually, after much staring I found what I wanted, right in front of me!  £3:99 and a tin of WD40 also, and off I trailed.  

Eventually, the job was sort of done.  It was harder than I thought, my fitness is less than I realised, the work was more difficult, the new gun being stronger than his predecessor and the gap being bigger than I thought.  Of course, too late, I remembered half way through that I ought to have 'bodged' it by filling newspaper in the gap, still it is done now, though addition work may be required to finish it.  I am much impressed by the professionals doing such work, they would have done this in 5 minutes and left a near perfect finish.  I, you will be surrised to hear, am not a professional...

 

A huge bright sun, ludicrously low in the sky today, tempted me to return via the short wander across the park.  November already, low bright sun, very low temperature, cold nights, leaving the windows damp with condensation again this morning, something we will get used to over the next couple of months.  

Wrapped now in a blanket I sit here avoiding using the heating while watching Pakistan wallop Namibia at the cricket.  I may do some ironing later, that will keep the place warm.

 

 

Monday Moaning

Another day of joy and happiness.

I collected the new sealant from the ironmongers early today and have still not got the job done!  A new problem arose in the loo: this entailed pulling things up, cleaning and fiddling about which led to me putting the sealing off until later.  Then there was the emails to deal with, and the Covid Test run by some university that came through the door (old people get lots of these things) and that took longer to understand and pack than anything else.  

With that sent off I turned to the laptop.  I attempted to renew a Xmas gift subscription, it did not work, then it did, but at all times I was confused and slow.  Being Xmas I sought other gifts; after a while I gave up as they were hurting my eyes and all looking either the same or too expensive.  There was also a lot of 'tat' with high prices available.  The 'tat' I want has to be cheap.  

Oh yes, I did manage to buy something for myself...

After lunch, which has left the place stinking of fish, I failed to get motivated to seal the end of the bath.  I still have also to finish the new work there I notice, more to be done...tomorrow.

 

 

 

The great event began with Joe Biden arriving in Edinburgh and chugging his way 40 miles to Glasgow. This way he avoided all the private aircraft carrying those attending the gathering.  Boris, keen to appear 'Green,' has warned the 'end is nigh,' and 'something must be done,' all the while allowing a new coal mine to be dug, another oil field to begin and shit to spew out across England and Wales rivers and coasts.  Jolly good these men were not planning to swim here...

Will anything happen?  China and Russia are not sending their President, and this broken world will still be broken later, especially after the hundred million dollars promised the last time have not been paid to the small nations to aid their environmental work.

 

It's Poppy time again.  This means I will buy one, find it missing, buy another, wonder where it went, and find a third, which I will hang onto with both hands!   That's the usual situation.  

Also we now find the chancers getting aboard the money bus.  All sort of poppy merchandise will appear that does not offer cash to the Legion.  Goalkeepers gloves are available, covered in poppies, but I doubt the Legion thought that one up, nor will they benefit.  Some dubious items will pass on some cash, most will just line their pockets with poppy items that ought not to be seen in public.

 

 

Dreich Market

Another glorious Satuday Market build up, another glorious wash out in the rain.  Tee Hee.  I just glanced at the prices as I passed, ignoring those that did not show prices, and went to the Museum where I found similar items reduced.  That is much more my cup of tea.

I only went out as the sun began to appear, soon to be drenched as it hid itself once again.  I had to visit the smiling staff at Tesco to fill a space or two, they smiled at me, grimmaced at the customers, as I foolishly jumped in behind two women and a man with a kid not used to shopping.  I could have walked home and had another breakfast in the time I waited, too late to move elsehwere.  

There again I was given a discount in the museum, but do not let the boss know. 

 

Pizza in the rain anyone?  

I made it home, missed the postman, redirected the parcel I missed, and ate the wrong things for lunch.

After that I went to finish sealing the bath.  I had scraped it out the other day, left it to dry, was unable to return to the job until today because of sloth other engagements and when I made use of the seal gun I found it was dead!  Too late in the day to go up the road and buy new seal, another job for Monday.  And I discovered my spare Laptop does not have the TPM required being 9 years old!

Rather typical of life innit?

So, it's back to watching T20 cricket until England appear to be winning against Australia.  So I turn it off and watch poor English football instead...  

Victorian Budget and Win 11

Windows 11 is sitting on my 'Upgrade' awaiting introduction.  I am not sure if I ought to go ahead with this, I am awaiting news of those who have downloaded it already and review their problems, and there will certainly be problems here.  

TechRadar has already offered help for those who have found difficulties.  It looks a good site for such problems.  There are many other similar sites out there, some however have too many adverts, some seek money, some are dodgy.  

My intention is to wait a bit, see how many folk suffer, and then install.  I suspect this will take all day to finish and then another day restore the lost items and working out what has gone missing.  Normal Microsoft work then? 

I had a bath the other day, and this was a mistake.  You see I normally shower but sitting in the bath I was able to scan around and in this manner noticed all the dirt that has accumulated since I last had a proper clean of this place.  It was not attractive.  So Monday saw me scrub the er, scum, from all around, and then plan to replace the filthy seal which has become somewhat degraded (somewhat!).

However, luck was with me and my dinner made me nauseous so I was forced to stop work.

Overcoming this took until the next day when I went over to the Garden Cafe to meet an old friend, I only have 'old friends' these days, for coffee.  There we did the honourable thing and took all the people we know apart, put the world to rights, and risked frostbite sitting in the gardens.  

To warm up we wandered and we cheerily greeted a volunteer gardener inside a large bush of some sort as we passed, his muffled answer was not quite so cheery, and wandered about the gardens enjoying the fruits of their labours.  We have rarely met, she has been making use of the new freedoms, in spite of Covid still existing, to meet all her old friends, and she has many!  When we worked at the museum have the day was taken up by visits of her old boyfriends!   It was nice to get out for a while.

 

Sunak

     

This Billionaire Sunak was informing the House of how to increase the nations wealth today.  I did not look in.  Too much, far too much, has already been leaked to his friendly media, and they will always make it look good so I have a good idea of what would be said.  Tomorrow, once the clever people have looked it over, we will find out exactly how Sunak has avoided once again taxing his wife's £1.3 Billion company in which he has a share, yet increased charges for everybody else, especially the poorest.  I have realised I no longer require to seek information on Victorian life by researching the books on my shelf, I just need to look at what Boris and his cabal are saying and there it is right in front of me.

 

 

The City of Abraham by Edward Platt

                                               Waterstones

 

At last, I have finished a book!  

Through no fault of my own books are piling up on the 'To Read' shelf.  I do not know where they have come from!  Some of them have been lying about for years it appears.  Others have bookmarks in them from long ago so they will have to be restatred, from the beginning I suspect, at some time in the future.  

However, I have finished this one.

Hebron is a very contested city in Israel held territory, taken during one of the wars.  To Jews it is the city in which David first ruled as King over the southern part of the land, then called Judah.  David reigned there after the fall of Saul and seven years later he became king over all of Israel both the northern kingdom, later called 'Israel,' and Judah.  The united kingdom settled and happy under King David, a time of joy and certainty under his rule.  This became divided after his sone Solomon died, the wealthy kingdom soon split into two once again.  

Hebron is important to Jews and Muslims as Abraham himself was buried in the cave nearby where a huge building now stands over the place considered to be the cave in which he was buried. Abraham as you know not only had Issac as a son, his grandson Jacob became the name from which Israel is known throughout the Old Testament, he also had Ishmael via Hagar and he is seen as the father of the Arabs. No Muslims in those far off days as you know.   

Today many Jewish settlers have moved in and built their Settlements over many parts of the city, including the highest point considered to be the centre of old Hebron, a city dating back eons into the past.

The writer, the typical English middle class trendy, goes to Hebron with the intention to avoid taking sides, as if!  Folk like him already have a leaning towards the Arabs however little they know or understand the middle east.  There again, reading the book it becomes very easy to take sides with the Arabs, the Settlers, protected by Border Guards, Soldiers and Police, do not make themselves attractive, and as I found myself in Israel eons ago, Israeli Jews are not that welcoming to tourists even though they depend on their money.  

The land some say is divided between Jews and Arabs, it is however divided much more than that.  The Israeli population are themselves divided into many factions, many on the right, many on the left, also there are religious Jews divided into similar factions. Add to that the division between those that came from Spain with those arriving from Russia, and then there are holocaust survivors, or indeed those who feel shame at avoiding capture.  

Likewise the Arabs have divisions, Fatah and Hamas, tribal divisions, those in Hebron from those in the North, all making the simple choice of who to support difficult.  All however, are trapped in a war zone featuring occasional outbursts of serious violence and constant daily stone throwing from one side or another, and always the others fault!  

Simple people claim there is a simple answer to the division in the land, reading this book I found a constant depression returning as there is no obvious answer to the mix.  Everybody has a claim, everybody is right, and everybody goes back deep into History for their claim.

Palestinians claim to have been there since time began, I am sure some DNA tests would reveal many indeed have history going back thousands of years.  However, so many have moved through this very small space, many remaining when the invaders moved on, it would reveal also a mixture of middle east heritage from many sides.  I wonder if such a test has been conducted?  Maybe the results were to inflamable to reveal?

The Hebrews certainly possessed the land from the time of Joshua, around 1200 BC possibly, until driven out by the Romansd after the war of 70 AD and the revolt of 135 AD?  Some Jews might well have remained though most were exiled.  

For well over a hundred years possession has belonged to the Jews, they clearly are in control, and yet it is possible for Jew and Arab to live together quite happily, there is a desire for this amongst many in Hebron and elsewhere.  However, on both sides others disagree, and all are armed.

The settlers are another thing altogether.  I had the idea settlers were mostly American Jews who considered themselves John Wayne fighting the Indians, and in Hebron this can be seen amomg many there.  The settlers do not come across as open-minded, considerate or lovable.  Indeed, their violent and aggressive behaviour would easily temp us to join with the Palestinians locals in throwing stones.  When one video was revealed though Israel TV indicating settlers behaviour in Hebron many Israeli's turned against them.  It also shocked the settlers to realise they did not represent all Jewish people.  

I naturally wanted to know more about the ancient Historical sites, however, the settlers have erected their homes above the main 'dig,' the part of Hebron David walked and many have ruled from.  There will be no 'digs' for many years.  

The Tomb of Abraham also turns out to be somewhat disappointing.  Although illegal to dig down underneath some have in the past gone down through tunnels and found ancient caves with bones and fragments, but sadly no proper modern archaeology can be conducted.  It will be obvious that with all the passing armies since Abraham was buried some 4000 years ago these caves, if indeed these are the correct places, will have been ransacked many times by the curious seeking riches.  So, another Historical site turns out to be not what it might be after all.  

I am just glad Hebron is Hebron, and this may well be the place David ruled but no work to prove this can occur these days.

The author attempts to talk to all people in the city, Arabs, Jews, even an occasional settler, and we see the human cost of what they call the 'occupation.'  We find soldiers, young, badly trained conscripts, bored, frightened by both sides, confused and angry, all hoping to go somewhere better than this.  The Police limited by the army, the army limited by settlers, the courts decisions often ignored, and the rule of law changing according to someones whim.

And yet we see people on both sides happy to trade with one another, to use the markets, even to meet and discuss on occasions.  As always the majority just wish to get on with their lives and ignore the troubles around them.  It must be remembered that many Jews and Christians lived reasonably happy lives for generations amongst the Arabs, rare was the conflict.  So we must question why, since the end of the 19th century, has such a situation arisen?  Jews were found across the middle east, now none are found in Iraq, and others flee to Israel or the US!  

I think it would help if the author, Edward Platt, knew and understood the biblical  background better.  Another ignorant of Christianity, he quotes from the Authorised Version of the Bible (he calls it the KJV) even though venacular bibles have been around for 70 years, indicating his desire to put the bible down rather than learn from it, and his knowledge of Islam is similarly short.  Clearly he has made an effort to read what a Sunday School could have taught him but this however, has not opened his understanding of the people, the background nor the future of this land, which is a serious failing in this book.  

The book being published in 2012 is slightly out of date, nevertheless it gives an insight into the people of the land today, some idea of the Historical background, and, for me, a depressing knowledge that no easy answer can be found.  The book however, is worth a read, just to get one man's insight into the people living in this mix.  

God remains in control of this land, however, it is clear the people living there have not sought, or if they have sought, have not found his answer, to the situation.  If the Good Lord has indeed put the Hebrews back in his land we cannot remove them.  But are these his Hebrews?  Are they living his way?  Jesus is their Messiah and until they know him they will not find his answer for the land.  Until his Spirit moves there life will continue like this.  However, God is there, and when we see Hebrews turn to his Messiah Jesus en masse we will know that soon his Son will return.

 

MPs Dump Sewage

 

Brexit strikes again!

Last night a majority of MPs voted against an amendment to the environmental bill attempting to stop water companies dumping sewage into the sea or rivers.  That bill would allow water companies to pollute the waters around England and Wales, Scotland's water companies work in a different fashion and this would not occur there.  

The problem, not admitted  by the government nor their MPs, is Brexit!  The water companies are struggling to find the chemicals required to clean the sludge we produce, therefore this is building up and cannot be dealt with.  Investment may help, but one water company is paying the CEO over half a million pounds plus payments to shareholders, and cannot spare any more, and to help the companies the government has allowed them to dump waste into the rivers and the sea.

MP's from seaside constituencies have voted according to government orders, thus are now unable to paddle in their own area as the brown stuff is spreading in their waters.  It has to be said the Corona Virus lasts 33 days at least in such waste, and now is flooding into the seas, also the such polluted rivers may lead to Cholera if it gets into the water supply.  

The 'Great Stink' of Victorian times may be returning under the freedom Brexit brings!  What's not to like?

 

I notice the BBC, SKY News and ITV do not mention this on their websites.  It did not appear on the front pages of any newspaper either, could it be a conspiracy is afoot to hide this from the people?

Just imagine, a free press that follows the government line rather than speak the truth!  'It could never happen here,' could it?

Anyway, people are noticing on Twitter, but the ones who will fall foul of this (if that is the right word) will know nothing unless the local council spend cash they do not have warning people not to play among the waters.  If heavy rain falls there will be fun for everyone! 

Disappointment at Football and Cricket

 

The great day has come!

Today I was going to beat UEFA and their absurd rules to watch the Hearts play Dundee by the magic of VPN!

Opera was switched on, VPN selected, switched on, set to 'Americas,' and the Hearts PPV site found.

All good.

I 'clicked' the usual places, went through the process and ....hold on, why ask for money again?  Normally I click the right spot, the cash goes through, and we are in.  Today they wanted the details and an address!  ooer misus!  I do not have an address in the 'Americas.'

I had no choice but to use my address, the one that fits the card.

No go!  'Card not valid.'

Twice!

Not the VPN fault, but the magic payment card!

I expect to be questioned now by Lloyds Bank!

So, instead of the proper game I found myself watching cricket again.

How disappointing!

 

 

Dissapointing is the word.

Unfortunately, I found myself watching the end of the West Indies feeble stand against England.  Feeble is not the word.  They left England with a need to find 56 runs to win!  56!  I found myself asking "When did the West Indies turn into Scotland?"

Now I suspect money is at the root of this.  Not money in cricket, but money in football!  In times past West Indians were all for cricket, however, the number of Jamaicans, Trinidadians and others who have made it to play in Europe at the top level, earning vast sums while doing so, has turned attention away from cricket to football.  Thus the once mighty West Indies are crumblng on the cricket pitch.  

It did not take England long to win, though they lost three good wickets to excellent catches and fielding, but soon went over to the stand and swanked to their mates about how good they are.

O course England are good, their team is full of West Indians, Pakistanies, Indians and the occasional Australian, New Zealander or South African, not many Brexiteer classed English however...  

 

 

History - Design Behind the Bike (1/5)

 

 

Something to get you all moving...for a bus!   

Successful Scottish Cricket!

 

 

Scotland have won at cricket!

Now there is a headline you don't see often!  

Scotland has of course played cricket since the game began way back when, however, once football was organised, by Scotland first in spite of English Toffs claims, cricket took a back seat.  It was never considered important to most Scots and while the 'Better schools' attempted to turn young Scots into Englishmen by force feeding them cricket and rugby, normal schools, the 'ragged schools' of my youth ignored the game.

So cricket was not important to the majority though various places have had clubs dating back hundreds of years, and therefore Scotland, a nation of 5 million, never produced a top level cricket side.  Now however, having worked their way through the lower orders similar to themselves they have qualified for what is considered the 'Top 12.' 

The will be 'dancing in the streets of Raith tonight,' because of this. Though it may be drink the mor likely cause.

For the cricket lover this is a good thing.  Scotland has, not that long ago, beaten England at the one day game, the first time ever, and now finding themselves for the first time ever at the top table the players and backroom people can be proud of their achievment.

What happens now?

Now Scotland enter another group phase.  This however includes three of the top sides in the world, India, Pakistan and New Zealand!  Afghanistan has also qualified, with one other as yet to be decided to join also.  It matters not, holding their heads high whatever matters is all that they are required to do now.  Qualifying for the first time was important, whatever the results against the top sides they matter not, just follow the Scotland attitude and 'have a go!'

Cricket on TV

 

I note the rising numbers falling sick from the virus has caused worries in No 10.  Javid, the millionaire Health Secretary, will bring a number of concerned people together and try to work out how to allow as many as possible die without admitting blame on his or Boris's governments part.

That should be easy.

Schools are easily and deliberately being allowed to spread the virus, 'Herd Immunity,' even though this causes much pain and possible deaths.  I am not sure I can remember a government so happy to allow UK people to die for an ideology.  Previous governments may have been happy if people died abroad, but rarely did they encourage killing your own!  

I note Brazil has decided to take action against their president on grounds of failing to protect the people.  Soon I hope, the same will occur in the UK.

 

 

I have been watching a bot of the Ireland cricket match, it does not last long.  Several Irish players look ideal for the rugby union side, I am not sure they fit in with cricket, except afterwards at the bar!

As I watch another leaves with a score of 1 run, the Sri Lankans are having fun here today.  

Thus I have been occupied, ignoring the 'To do' list...

 

Brilliant!

 

Grumbling...

 

Saturday afternoons are baneful.  Last season I could enjoy watching the Heart of Midlothian via PPV TV, but not now.  UEFA ban Scottish football being shown this way in England, why?  Who wishes to watch meaningless English games?  Overpaid, over publicised, over important, they are not worth the huge wages on offer.  Anyway, I want to see my team!  If I was in Scotland or Ireland I could see it, but not in England, why?  This is a disgrace!

This means while football is on I see nothing.  No games from anywhere in the world.  Not even Japan!  Tsk!  

Now, with a full game being shown later, at 6 pm, on BBC ALBA, I cannot even look at Twitter in case the score of that game, St Johnstone v Livingston, is revealed.  This is all very annoying, especially as we saw all the games last season. Bah!

 

Nothing happening today.  News is quiet being the weekend with only the death of Amess yesterday filling space.  Even Boris gave up his holiday for that, this did surprise me.  The leaders laid flowers today in ceremony.  I would not lay flowers, this appears to me to be a catholic thing, certainly an English thing which now has spread into Scotland.  People lay flowers and tributes to a dead person, usually one they do not know, often one who they may dislike in real life!  I can understand the emotions of the moment but laying such tributes is not my way.  Of course with Diana this became nonsensical, the nation ran out of flowers and a huge pile 20 feet high rotted away in Kensington Gardens.  A nation without God seeks something to follow, even something as shallow as Diana.

I suspect Monday will see statements in the House and tributes brought.  I hope Boris and the rest behave themselves.  I doubt however, that this will bring an increase in cash for Police, though better protection for MPs might be found.

 

 

A Nothing Day but then a Murder.

For several days now an idleness has awoken in me.  To be honest this began not long after I was born, about five minutes after I would suggest, however, it keeps returning and now, just a few years on, I have been besieged by it.  For three days I have fought this, I have attempted exercise and found this did not relieve it, I walked to the shops and back, this did not relieve it, and wandered slowly around town breathing deeply of the late Autumn air and a great deal of stour from the building site round the corner.  This did not bring freshness to me.  They are building a council white elephant costing millions!  

Today I filled the washing machine again, just how many times do I use it, just to keep my world turning, however, that wore me out so I have avoided strain elsewhere by returning to stare out of the window.

There was no football two nights running!  Shocking!  This was so bad I almost went out to the Club and spent money.  However, when the time came I just could not be bothered... I just sat here and moped, this was cheaper.

 

 

Sir David Amess, not an MP who appeared much on TV or in the media, was stabbed to death while condcuting a surgery in his constituency today.  A 25 year old gentleman rushed in, stabbed him repeatedly and was caught by the police a short while later.  So far no motive has been mentioned.

Amess (69) was a Conservative, a Brexiteer, a Catholic, and an anti-hunt animal lover.  He opposed abortion and same-sex marriage but supported most Tory policies.  It does seem strange that he would be attacked at this time, he would not be an obvious target. There may be a personal motive, terrorism, or a far left loon, but so far we do not know who or why.

Five years ago Jo Cox, a female Labour MP was killed by a Right-Wing mental case, much hand wringing but little action.  To be fair spending on MPs security did rise, from £170,000 to £4.5 million, but one-off attacks do happen and little can be done, especially when MPs have to meet their people.  What could be the cause?

One cause is the deliberate encouragement of a 'Divide'a 'Them and Us' mentality, sponsored mostly by this PM and his media.  Encouraging cries of 'Unpatriotic' upon anyone who disagreed with them, encouraging Brexiteers lies, and lying about the EU, especially France.  And now the attack is on the overstretched NHS, overstretched as it has lost 125 A&E departments, 22,000 beds, 1500 GPs, and has 86,000 vacancies, since 2010 yet the media blame the GPs and the staff!  This has led to many atacks on staff and some serious injuries.  

The government is entirely to blame.  

Regarding Jo Cox's death, I just saw a clip of how Boris answered those female MPs at the time who informed him his attitudes were to blame for her death.  "Humbug," he called it, and went on to say the best answer was "To get Brexit done."  That reveals much about the man and his cabal's attitudes.

Maybe now his people are dying might bring it home to him, although I expect he will remain on holiday to avoid any stress...

 

Spam Aftermath

 

The theological discussions, the debates, the libations over and the money running out, I headed off home.  Considering there was only 5 of us we covered a lot of ground.  I confess the ground covered was mostly by walking back and forth to the bar as the barmaid somewhat rudley refused to run after us as we considered she ought to.

Women have their uses but when stubborn they are difficult to manoeuvre.

Monday night is the clubs lowest attendance, that is why we were allowed in.  A handful of regulars, mostly lonely old men with no-one at home, seeking company with those they know, even if they rarely speak to one another.  Every bar has them, at the same spot each day, rather like Norm from 'Cheers,' that once famous Boston Bar now sadly missed.  One woman, of unknown age, was in attendance, a regular, and as is always common in public houses, a gentleman with a beer barrel of Hogshead proportions also took his regular spot.  Quite how he has not died by now I cannot understand, surely if I am overweight and upsetting a nurse he must be.  Being in his 50's may help, but he is one who may be taller lying down than standing up.  He remained for a while, welcome among friends, occasionally wasting money on one of the brightly lit colouful machines that promise much and deliver little.  I wonder about the lonely men who are found in such places.  Did they once have families, were there wives, have they mental problems?  How one or two of them survived Lockdown I do not know, they were always propping up the bar, how did they survive without this place?  Indeed, why did they not find a life when they had a chance?  

 

I showed such men how to have a life today.  

I lay in bed, walked round Tesco (not at the same time), and sat staring into the abyss for the rest off the day.  I watched a bit of football, await the Scotland game tonight, and ate fish and a few chips, the first time in months.  I am also eating dark chocolate, 90% cocoa, as they say this is good for the brain.   I may need to eat several bars a day...

 

Monday Mope

An early morning visit from the air ambulance, an orange one instead of the usual red one, as someone somewhere was clearly in trouble.  Not the best thing to hear before 8 in the morning, especially as he hovered above me waiting for the dog owners to clear the way so he could land in the park.  Deperately nosey, I wanted to know what this was all about, however, being desperately lazy I finished breakfast instead of enquiring.

 

Nothing else happened.

I ventured out only to visit the surgery for the anti-cholesterol prescription where a busy woman with a short queue awaiting service aided me, and naturally had no note of my prescription.  Soon, she had remedied this and I was on emy way to the pharmacy across the way where a sour young thing served me efficiently though with all the joy of a depressive.   I reckon it's my bright shining personality that brings out the worst in women...

 

 

Tonight however, is SPAM night!

Soon, the men of the Kirk will gather to put the world to right, discuss matters women do not understand, enjoy one anothers company, and be bullied by the barmaid!
Theological subjects are never raised, as the vicar may feel left out.

 

 

CAUGHT ON VIRTUAL RAILFAN CAMERAS, SHOOTING AT THE TUCSON, AZ. AMTRAK.

A Wander in the Sunshine

In a vain effort to find life again I took off quite early for Tesco.  Saturday morning among the masses is often invigorating.  It was however, like the misty glinting sunshine, quite peaceful and the healthy ingredients sought were soon found.  Healthy, that is those rumoured to stimulate the brain, Bluberries and very dark chocolate for instance, were joined by Flax, Chia seeds and Hemp, the latter for one of my nieces husband's Christmas's, he will probably think it will get him high.  He is one of those convinced cannabis is the answer to all problems, from cancer to covid.  This, he attempts to prove but he so far has not been successful.

The rest is for my latest health trend, and having paid through the nose for these goods, along with my other calorie controlled foodstuffs, I should look like Charles Atlas by Christmas.

This may not however, be the case.

 

I had to look twice at these balls hanging on the trees.  These trees were only planted a few years ago, 10 maybe, and I do not remember any fruit on them last year, though I could be mistaken.  'Conkers,' all around, at least the outer shells, as it appears some kids have been having a go at them already.  The more mature trees all around have certainly passed their fruit onto the public as the mess around their feet reveals.  Many a child, and not a few adults, will now be enjoying themselves with such on pieces of string.  Entertainment is easy, computers or no.

 

 

Having walked home from Tesco carrying a heavy but healthy bag it is almost a delight to walk without any weight attached.  Having lost a stone and a half I rather hoped walking would ease, it looks like another stone must go.  At least once that stone has gone my old shirts may fit once again.  

A sun drenched public garden, with a bit of early haze, is a delightful thing.  All were happy apart from at least once screaming child, the fruit of the children's play area at the top end.   
 

The last of the roses blossomed happily in the sun.  A large bush, almost a tree, once full now with only this lot left in any decent condition.  The volunteers who help the gardners do a great job of keeping these plants going.  

 

The idea was to walk round and energise the bulk, instead I felt my knees objecting.  Naturally, this park is on a slope, and to go homewards meant going uphill.  I await my lottery win so I can employ a servant to drive me uphill when my knees tire.  This however, may be an unfulfilled dream.

I wandered about, as always getting strange looks from women with kids, clearly women who read 'those stories' and listen to 'old women's tales,' and most of them appear neurotic as a result.  Even young dad's look sheepish, though that might be because they are not used to doing such work as watching kids.  

 

As I headed towards the gate I saw this man stiing low down and apparently unaware I was approaching.  Moving slowly along the path I got two decent shots of him before he felt he had posed enough and disappeared under the bush.   Usually Robins are very wary, quickly flitting out of distance and hiding in the tree.  This one may have been asking himself what life was all about, or where has the wife gone, or wondering what football was on today.  He appeared preoccupied but once he moved he did not show up again to ponder.

I don't think much of this fountain myself, it's all a bit weird I say.  There is a rumour it represents a kid who drowned in the river.  I don't blame him if he thought they would do this to him!

I kept going when common snense told me to return home, eat and sleep.  Common sense is as you know in short supply these days and it failed to appear with me also.  Instead I continued up the slope, across the town, passed all the workers still attempting to finish refurbishing the High Street, and noticed the old church had a door open.  I peeked in, something was going on, so I entered and enquired off the two young ladies on guard what was amiss?  "It's a Ladies Day," they said grinning.

I made my excuses and left!

I wandered into 'Clintons' Card shop and glanced at the horrendous Christmas stock on display, almost none of which was suitable for my needs.  However, I purchased three £25 Amazon cards towards the Christmas present stock and was picked up off the floor by the helpful young woman working the till after I fainted when I realised just how much I was paying for this.  She grinned as I explained the vast number of women I had to serve in the family and how I was failing to remember the pin number I have used for almost 30 years.  A very helpful young woman, not unsual around here I must say.

Heading home I met a young man from the Kirk and we put the church world to rights, OK I mean we grumbled a lot, and then were joined in our grumbling by one of his old workmates, so our grumbling widened to include much of the local world.  In all, this was a very enjoyable imitation of a group of gossipping old women.  I then headed home much to my knees relief and now await the Scotland football team playing Israel for the (I think) ninth time in 3 years!  The draw for competitions must be changed I say.