Space Filling

I have been trapped indoors for the past wee while by my knees, housework and laziness.  So I have dug out old photos as I have only been as far as Tesco's so far.  The gray skies have also been a hindrance, it is summer after all, and I have therefore sat here staring at the wall.  It is not a great view.

Like you I have been much impressed with the English cricket teams ability to be totally outplayed yet come through and win, this, some claim, was aided by the umpires incorrectly giving them a run they ought not to have had, gosh, that has not happened before has it?  Today the media was splashing their faces across the screen and front page behind the word 'England!'  The Irish captain took it in good stride and the chief batsman, born in New Zealand, attempted to work out what the word 'traitor' meant.  Tonight the players are invited to Ten Downing Street, I know they will be pleased...  Some claimed this was a result of being outside the EU, though all of them now live within the EU, and James Rees-Mogg (born 1672) claimed this is what England can do after Brexit, forgetting the many foreigners in the team.  The captain indicated the side were 'diverse,' and 'Multi-cultural,' while saying Allah was with them.  
Brexiteers everywhere are now confused.
Have England won anything with home grown players?

Talking of racism how come the US president can racially abuse several members of Congress and get away with it?  His order for the four women to 'Go back to their own country,' would lead to prosecution even for a Tory member in this country why not in the USA?   It is clear he will use a great deal more such language in the next year appeasing the Rednecks to get votes.  

This dangerous clown leads us to Boris.  The affair of the US ambassador looks each day like a stitch up worked out between Boris, Farage, Trump and all the other Blackshirt leaders.  I really hope the Met Police do investigate properly and someone is brought to justice for this.  Such secret info should never leave the building and action must be taken.  The reaction tends to leave the impression that this was a step too far so maybe someone will be called to account.

At least the Tennis is off the screen now and with golf hard to find, cricket over, netball ignored and only the Tour de France left, I tend to watch it for the views these days rather than the race itself, we now await the return of proper football.  This has started in Scotland and soon the moneybags English will throw vast amounts of cash at the game to see their side struggle.  I long for the day the bubble bursts and football returns to normal. 

I see Alan Turing will be the new face on the English £50 note.  This man, a scientist of high achievement and ability, was of course gay during the days it was rightly illegal.  Because he was, the gay lobby say, 'hounded to death,' he has become some sort of super hero.  Certainly the secret services of the day did not trust anyone who was gay, the five middle class Communists, some of whom made it to Russia, were gay and MI6 were keen not to be caught out again.  But does anyone care about that?  Does anyone really care about his success at Bletchley Park?  No they don't, they just wish to use him to propagate the gay life.  The Bank of England has gone along with this.  
How far have we fallen?

Thursday Politics

BBC

Good old Yaxley-Lennon, not one to let an opportunity to show how crass he is pass by.  The good news is he has been imprisoned and off the streets for a while.  I suspect he will not be placed alongside the Muslim terrorist type but rather fond many shaven headed like minded 'Essex Boys' type who will regard him as a hero of sorts.  
It's all very sad.
What was funny however was him demanding asylum in the USA as going to jail could see him killed inside!  There must be many US rednecks who would sympathise.  For some reason Trump did not respond to his plea, he must have been on Twitter or the golf course.  
What does he get out of this?  Fame?  Self importance?  Money?  We all need a purpose but shit stirring as a purpose?  I wonder if he really has a 'intellectual' belief in anything, I cannot see him working things out from a particular opinion.  It appears that he just requires to be seen as a leader of something, anything, and this is all he is good for.  What a waste.

Gemma White QC has produced a cheery report, avoiding adding names, informing the world of the bullying, abuse and mistreatment of the staff by MPs and noble Lords.  How nice to see our leaders behaving in such a manner.  
Clearly many treat staff reasonably well but others hide behind position, power and fear of job losses and avoid criticism.  I would guess that unless you are 100% committed you cannot work in such an atmosphere.  MPs jobs, in spite of their weak heads, demand total commitment and as a researcher you will need that attitude.  It is no surprise to find some of them demanding, parliament is no place for the weak-kneed, but it is clear many take advantage of their help, others like some noble Lords consider themselves better than others and abuse staff because of this attitude.  It is a pity no names or political parties were mentioned here...  The Speaker has denounced this behaviour, he has of course been criticised for bullying his staff, and indicated some of the points mentioned in this report ought to be handed to the police.  I hope they are, that would be fun!

Depressing

Apparently this diagram was posted in the 'Times' today.  (I cannot see it as it costs money) This links all the Brexiteers together with Trump and Putin all working through their friends in the right wing press to weaken democracy and bring in Brexit.  Putin wants this as it separates the UK from Europe, weakening both, Trump wants it as not only is he inept, shambolic and unfit for office he is also greedy and thinks he (not the US) will make money.  Poor man, making deals is all he has left in his empty life.  The rest are pretty clear, Farage men on the make.  I am just surprised how the ERG mob have kept away from this, possibly they know how corrupt this can be.  So we ask, why have the Metropolitan Police not investigated?  Who is stopping them?

Boris has got his man out, not that I am saying he was in any way connected to the leak of Sir Kims top secret report,and has already lined up his replacement so to edge him out Theresa Must put another senior man in place within the week to defeat Boris and his friends. (see above)

The worrying trend continued yesterday when parliament decided to force upon Northern Ireland both abortion and gay sex marriages against the will of the people.  It is interesting to note the result of the vote.   332 v 99 for abortion, that is killing children before they are born, and 383 v 73 to force a false marriage upon the people.  Also 190 abstained!  How disgraceful so many 'abstained from such a free vote.  This means that the decision of the Northern Ireland government, when indeed it met, is being set aside by those outside the province.  Now understandably with the Stormont government not meeting because of childish Ulster attitudes it is clear something must be done but this vote opens the way for Westminster to ride roughshod over all devolved assemblies when it chooses.  
It is also interesting how many are willing to vote for killing children.  Few note the effects on the women involved, they certainly ignore the effect on the child, yet they vote this way because that is what society demands!  The same for gay marriage, few have any morals in the House, many are happily amoral and their education in subjects such as philosophy or just straight forward selfishness encourages this.  Concern for the sick, the old, the needy those using foodbanks is rarely seen on the Conservative side of the house, it is all too often spoken off but no change of policy to aid from the other side.  How many used the 'free vote' to vote the way the whips encouraged?  There is a callousness at the heart of this government, indeed this is normally the case, it has always been that way, people mean less than money, however the vote yesterday was very depressing and speaks of worse to come.  The unthinking following unknowingly the spirit of the air. 

Nothing Monday

Wimbledon's second week underway.
I ignore this as I ignored the first week.
Hurry up with the football...

Metro

Sir Kim Darroch has behaved impeccably as UK ambassador to the US.  This man has studied his subject, the President of the United States and his government, and reported back in a clear, unambiguous manner to his masters as he ought.  How interesting therefore that some unscrupulous individual has allowed this information to be handed over to the public domain.
Who could do this?  Civil Servants, Politicians, and who else receives this info?   
Some say civil servants would never dare to release such info to anyone, not even each other.  Others claim a Brexit politician has done so to remove this 'Remain' ambassador and replace him with a 'Leave' one more suited to Boris.  Still others claim the civil service is so ruined by Theresa and her government they are willing to bring down anyone they fear.  
Now the ambassador has done nothing wrong, even so there may have to be changes.  While the whole world agrees with his comments, all heard before from many others, Trump will have a sulk and never speak to him again.  Lucky ambassador!  He will retire happily, his life work ruined by political chicanery elsewhere that is not his fault, and live happily in Surrey or the Cayman Islands on his large pension.
The fall out may go further of course.

 
Looking through a selection of recommended books I was struck by how many were either yukky wimmens romances or murder books.  Now I understand women's desire fro romance, especially when there is so little at home, but in my little mind I find the desire for books, films and TV murder stories a bit strange.
So far we have had almost 90 people killed in London this year, mostly I suspect young black men involved stupidly in drug dealing.  Now there will always be murders, especially in big cities and when aided by the loss of 20,000 police it is to be expected crime will rise.  Yet while people are knifed within easy reach so many people will sit watching or reading murder stories.  Whether Agatha Christie or modern day crime people are fascinated with the horror while ignoring it outside. 
So many TV programmes are detective tales, masses of books are similar, why?  If murder happened next door you might get worried but it appears people prefer the false murder on screen or in print to the reality.  Actually that is not quite true, people have always, since papers came into existence, wished to read the gripping tales of murder and the police chasing the criminals.  The Victorians loved a good murder, the horror led to many papers, booklets, books appearing on the market, often with helpful illustrations, the more gruesome the better.  There was and remains a market for this. 
What is it we seek?

Gloria

Indoors!

The idea of running about all over the country via the bus pass has led to an unfortunate situation. My knees ache!  Sadly I did too much too soon and have spent this week lying about the house, not unusual that, awaiting my body recovering.  Naturally the sun has been shining all this time, buses pass my house indicating the place to put the bus ass and running off into places far away.
I remain indoors.
This morning I ventured out to Tesco as the food stocks were somewhat low.  I considered using this as a chance to diet but failed to make the most of that and by 8 am I was shopping.  My diet has been blown again and must be restarted today.  The stomach sticking out makes it difficult to see the keyboard on this laptop which hinders me somewhat.
This also means exercising again as that lowers the bump apparently though I have yet to see a difference.  That is one thing that saves me money however, I save £50 by not buying a Heart of Midlothian football strip because it looks daft with a big bump at the front.  Many do buy these and waddle around but this does not present a decent sight in my view, or indeed anyone else's.  
Clouds tomorrow, I will probably be fit enough to go out...

I sometimes sit here amazed at my stupidity and ability to misunderstand facts, however having listened to parts of Donald Trumps 4th of July speech, in heavy rain, I feel considerably better about things.  He waxed lyrical about the war of independence (in 1775 was it?) pointing out how Washington's army defeated the British forces including "Taking over the airports," as they did so. Now this is a slip of the tongue surely and we all make such mistakes, although not as a President of the United States desperately trying to remember the words he has been rehearsing all morning.  
I note he also forgot to thanks the French for their part in the independence struggle, the ships blocking the harbour, the men on the ground replacing the home forces who had deserted, the vast amount of cash given to the new US government, so much cash some say it led to the French revolution, and yet none of this was mentioned, just the airports...
Of course in recent days Theresa May, Jeremy Hunt and Boris the oaf have all revealed a similar lack of historical knowledge of their own country, this when parading themselves in Scotland!  The members of the Scottish National Party are well pleased with the results there.
The Tory infighting, like the Labour infighting and the almost completely ignored Lib-Dem infighting continues apace.  We all wish it would stop!

 
The advantage of sitting at home is that I do not get caught up in transport difficulties.  My real sympathies go out to the early commuters who fled London early to begin their weekend and are now facing a bus trip home. Damage to the overhead wires on the lunchtime service has blocked the line which means from Witham buses must be used to get people home.  
The weather is hot, the people tired, drinks running out, buses slow as it is rush hour, and the happy citizen concentration on his mobile phone or his crossword in the free paper will be considering some of the words he has heard from his boss concerning the failure of his work.  He will be reusing them tonight.  I once got the commuter special, never again!  Either in morning or evening the experience is not good.  Crowded, impatient, and tedious when things go wrong.  Train journeys are great when quiet...

The Sun Turns, or is it Me?

Another revolution round the sun has occurred.  For another 365 days I have been swinging the lead journeying round the sun enjoying life.  Tonight I eat whisky cake 'sweet and mellow' like me, she said with a hint of sarcasm. 
The church found out and sang 'Happy Birthday' as they do.  How embarrassing!  I keep it quiet but someone shouted out my name.  She will hear about this.
Nothing else to report.
Another year older again, cards, well wishers, facebook posts, but no book vouchers!  Tsk!
A quiet museum day, exhibition ended, new one begins to emerge, will take three weeks to erect mind.  Few visitors, nothing much to do, home to sleep....

I believe these are the two new neighbours.
Up above, in the loft, I hear noises and coo-ing.  I think these two have moved in.  I tried to get up there but my steps are two small, I need a proper stepladder.  I was thinking of borrowing the museum one but that of course is now in constant use.  Maybe I will try again and risk my neck by clambering...?

Heat

Outside the sun shines brightly, a cool wind blows, I remain indoors.
I have done too much this week, I sit here sipping tea while outside people burn.
A quick walk to Sainsburys early this morning showed how high the heat will go!
I am happy indoors...

Charity Shopping Fail

The temptation to grasp the Free Bus Pass for Old people and head out took hold of me on Thursday and saw me carried up to Halstead to search the Six charity shops that lie on the main street.  About 12,000 quite wealthy people and six charity shops?  Sadly the High Street is high featuring a hill that rises steeply up into the sky above where the town first appeared.  Prehistoric man had an small input here, the river at the bottom of the hill helps, who however would wish to walk up and down carrying water I ask?  On the hilltop, the Romans had a villa or two and Saxons settled in well until the Normans took over.  Maybe knowing this causes the people to withhold their smiles while running charity shops?  Maybe it is the rumoured inbreeding on the Suffolk border, I cannot say.

During the year 1818 Samuel Courtauld built himself a Mill at Bocking, he also added this one at top at Halstead.  Worked mostly by women, the men did the engineering bit, the women worked the looms, the mill lasted for years.  Courtauld's went into decline after the war some two hundred years later so the town got quite a bit out of the Mill.  Courtauld's were good employers.  Many women, young ladies, with little hope of a life in London were brought, often from orphanages, into Essex and found themselves a better life.  At least this kept them off the streets!  Over the years Doctors, hospitals, schools and housing were among the benefits this employer gave his workers, these houses here were built for them by Courtauld and other aid when required.
If only more businesses did likewise today?

Abraham Rayne must have been someone important to have such a monument erected above his head.  I failed to find him on Ancestry though I only searched quickly.  I wonder how he made his money, what his work was, where he lived and what people thought of him at the time?  I may never know.
My knees were feeling the strain as I sat on a bus full of 'Downs' kids heading home after a day out.  
I was disappointed with the shopping, there was little on offer, and with nothing else to be seen all I got from the day was aches and vies of crops beginning to edge nearer to ripeness.  That was good.

This morning I stupidly wended my slow way into Camulodunum in spite of the need for sleep and pretty nurses to massage my knees.  I found neither there and a search of the charity shops, some of which have closed down or been turned into profit making enterprises, disappointed also.  However a delightful lady at 'Waterstones' was very helpful as I used up my last book voucher there.  Three more books I do not need, have not got time to read and could live without happened to fall into my hand as I wandered about so I had no choice but to bring them home.  It would be terrible if any more such vouchers turned up would it not?  I would have to go back again!  

One good aspect about the town is the narrow side streets, one of which is full of small shops, a wide variety of items on sale, and some wonder why this town can do this while we back home cannot!  The council backs the small trader here, ours does not, that gives us eight charity shops!  Lower the rates and we will find more small shops arising I say.
Empty handed back on the bus now rather than later to avoid the students from the college.  
It was full of students from the college.
Nothing more interesting than the conversation of 16 year olds!
Knackered and bereft I will spend tomorrow asleep!

Slack Wednesday

Reading the bleating press as they grumble about Harry and Meghan spending over £2:5 million on renovating the house caused many thoughts to pass though my little head.
For a start the media that whine about Meghan are delighted they have a 'Bad Person' in the Royals soap opera, every soap opera requires one.  Since this American 'actress' with a dubious family background who happily take large amounts of green dollar bills to 'reveal' stories while living in 'White Trash Land' first cottoned on to Harry the media have known there were pages and pages of empty space she would fill.  The media just had to decide if she was good or bad, that came easily enough.
Secondly she has, it would appear, caused friction within the royals, separating Harry from his brother and his wife, upsetting back room staff left right and centre, supporting strange policies and making it easy for the royal chattering classes to chatter classlessly.
Spending money on such a home to keep her and him apart from him and her and the rest fills pages in tabloids easily and the royal sap licks it up.
Of course William and his bint have a £5 million pound in Wales they never use, one in Eats Anglia somewhere also unused as  far as I can see, and their London home in the royal complex.  No tabloid has mentioned this or indicated a problem.  We need not mention the vast amounts being spent on Buck House either.
This crossed my mind on Saturday as I burnt myself in the hot sun while awaiting the bus.  Here ahead of me a not unusual sight around these parts.  One long expensive home, possibly divided into two semi-detached properties, but once either two, or four, or six, possibly even eight properties made use of by the many farm labourers who once toiled all day in the sunshine in the fields around. Now one or possibly two families live there. 
The moneyed classes can make use of old houses and renovate them as they please, those in the public eye have however to ensure they keep their fan base happy while the private classes need not worry.  I am beginning to ask myself, not that I really care, when will Harry take his woman to France, as 'Duke of Windsor' to hide behind French privacy laws and keep her out of trouble?

I had a lot more to say, very important and relevant stuff at that however I also had a pile of shirts to iron, there is a selfie of me above doing the work.  This meant my day was ruined as after that tedious and hot effort I sat in a daze for a while before sinking into a bath, and it's not even Sunday!
No head left to think with after that...ironing is what women were made for!

Colne Valley Railway Day Out.

Having lived after climbing Castle Hedingham the other day I considered it was worth while exercising my bulk once again by going half a mile further up the road to the Colne Valley Railway.
The line opened in 1861 and passenger services pasted for a hundred years before ending in 1961.  The line was closed to goods in 1965 and the tracks lifted.  It lay dead until 1973 where for two years work began recreating one mile of line.  There was no infrastructure so the original 'Sible and Castle Hedingham' station buildings were taken down and rebuilt here and the disused wooden top half of the signal box at Cressing was transferred here also.  Today, after much work and a recent attempt to throw them off the land, the railway still runs.  The line is short, just over a half mile in either direction, with plans to go further if they can and when money is provided, but in spite of the short line I found two hours worth of enjoyment wandering around the collection there.

The value of heritage railways is the way they bring back memories to the mind.  This first sight, the gate, the old signal box, signals, water tower, all the way I remember them from days of yore.  Not that I was ever down here of course but the similarities with the many rail trips, hauled by steam, are numerous.  They also educate the young not only in local history but national history also, so many great events had at least a side show on such rail lines.

Not a special picture but it evokes memories of such scenes throughout the country in days of British Rail.  British Rail?  Bring it back!

The original Colne Valley and Halstead Railway (CVHR) remained independent until 1923 when it was merged into the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER).  Some names changed but the oil lamps and heavy trolleys remained the same!  The railway evokes memories well with the objects left lying about, such as the passengers box, the Avery weighing scales and other items we find.

With so much reconstruction occurring it is no surprise to see rougher areas.  These were however covered in an abundance of Poppies, these were all round the site and this chap picking hos way through them was only a few feet away from me and quite used to people.  He did not however pose properly and soon disappeared. 

I made my way there by using the bus pass and a Hedingham Omnibus, No 89.  I mentioned the railway to the driver and was told he would not drop me there, instead he would take me further on into Great Yeldham, turn around and drop me in the way back.  This because there is as yet no bus top at the museum.  This would be fine I thought but as it happened the road being quiet on a  Saturday he dropped me opposite the Railway and I crossed over in between speeding automobiles.
Hedingham Bus drivers are usually good.

The gates had just opened as I arrived and one other man was before me.  Of the two women on the till one was clearly efficient and experienced at her work, all volunteers of course, and the other tried to charge me full price, considering I "Did not look old enough," which I understand.  I did pay the £6 and not the£8 she demanded however.  The staff I spoke to appeared competent, friendly and knowledgeable concerning the questions asked.  However chatting up the friendly young women in the Buffet did not get me anywhere, £2:50 for coffee, not bad.  

In the days of proper railways, British Rail and Steam, passing trains were either completely maroon or this half and half style.  The coaches were never better dressed and never looked as good as all maroon did.  How lovely to see all these names on coaches everywhere.

The waiting room was equipped with all mod cons, including a vast radio, so passengers could enjoy 'Workers Playtime,' 'Listen with Mother,' or 'Housewife's Choice.'  It was off today.  An atmospheric waiting room, table and chairs and a phone for those who need to inform someone the train is late.  No private calls here as it is placed by the door.  

I liked the way the wall was decorated with pictures of various railway types.  Also several rail employees who died during the Great War were remembered by these print outs on the wall.  A very good way to connect with the railwaymen of the past.  Father and son often worked all their lives on the railway, many companies treating the staff as well as they could, not all did of course and strikes in some places occurred before the Great War.  Whether it affected this region I do not know.

  

While there was still few around it was time to get on the train.  With so many volunteers not on duty there was a problem with this.  As we went in the first northerly direction the driver has to get off and open the gates, nobody else around to do this job.  He also had to fix things when we did stop.  However the guard, a friendly helpful woman, kept us informed and no-one appeared bothered much, it was bringing a real life situation into the line I suppose.  

At the buffers the driver came through to the other end of the 'Bubble Coach' and, once he and the lass had worked out how to open the door, he took his place assisted by two young trainee drivers.  This I thought marvellous.  This is what such railways are for, to teach kids what it was like in the past and to give them a thrill of pushing buttons to make horns work and standing at the front of an engine giving the H&S man a heart attack.  We went straight through the station, worrying the family waiting for us, and down to the far end, half a mile away in a southerly direction.  As we had been kept waiting the driver took us back, not stopping at the station causing panic for the family awaiting, and back down to the far end.  Then we returned to the beginning and alighted.  Not far, and we could keep going back and forward if we wished, but it gave an inkling of times past and a railway network long gone.

As is normal in such places every time you turn a corner, in every nook and cranny, there are things either lying about or placed to be seen.  No corner is allowed to be empty unless something is planned for it.  I like that.  Many items are bought or donated or work their way into the heritage railway and may not be used for many a day, that however is not a reason to hide them let them lie in public view and one day they will be restored.

 

Talking about something lying about!  Merchant Navy Class, No. 35010 Blue Star, built 1942 is no longer heading out of Waterloo towards Bournemouth or Salisbury but resting here awaiting renovation.  What a powerful looking loco she is, especially compared to the smaller 'pugs' around her.  The 0-4-0 has had an outer restoration, clearly no chance she will run again but it was fun trying to board as my stomach did not wish to go between the gates!  

These places always have a Royal Mail coach, these services have long since disappeared.  I avoided the temptation to follow the command, "Have a go at sorting letters," which hung above, enough of that!  The stretcher is from the Great War and maybe one day there will be a hospital train coach here also.

The line has several sub lines containing a variety of coaches, some look as if they could be used while other require more than just a lick of paint.  Some huts appear from other railways and one day will find a home on the line.  

The coal, or is that coke, for the steam engine which will run on Sunday.  I am not sure if it runs on coke these days, many are now oil fired.  I would think these chaps would prefer coal myself rather than oil.  The model rail layout did not run today however in a hut at the back a tremendous model railway can be found.  The young lad running it had several trains moving in different directions.  The model was made by one man over 30 years and when he passed away the layout was donated to the museum, an ideal choice.  The two lads running it knew what they were talking about and enjoyed it immensely.  One mum told me they were having trouble getting one son out of there.  I forgot the picture but it was an immense layout, worth looking at.  

  
Everybody has to have a 'Barclay' also!  The 'Pug' reminds me of the Cowdenbeath one that pulled coal wagons across the High Street to the marshalling yards.  These little engines, and others like them, were found in all major factories, dockyards, industrial areas almost all gone and replaced with gentrification or nihilism.  

 Some messages never change.

The old wooden coaches are hard to find now, being made of wood they were easy to break up when no longer required.  When we went to fife we often saw aged truck bodies in allotments and gardens where they were used as huts while they and their owners rusted away.  Not so many seen these days.  

The abundance of Poppies was joined by other flowers, clearly someone takes good care of these just as station staff did in times gone by.  The purple thing I think is the one that came from the Himalayas and 'escaped' via little birds and winds onto the nearby rail lines and was swept throughout the land leaving people to consider it a 'British' plant.  A gardener will correct me soon.
I had a great day out in the sunshine.  The Colne Valley Railway is small and desperate to grow bigger.  The staff were friendly and knew their business, the short train ride can be taken several times, occasionally by steam, the buffet and other services were good and the buffet staff friendly.  
The kids there, few today it must be said, were clearly enjoying themselves, especially 'driving' the train!  Soon they will have a proper museum built to tell the history of the line and the area around and in years to come the big engines will also run along the small line, well worth seeing.