The Bandwagon Rolls On.

David Hume (1711 - 1776) was famous as what they call a Philosopher, a man who 'thought, spouted his opinions, and appealed to the chattering classes.  One good thing about him was his love of books.  From them he gathered his ideas, annoyed the Kirk of the day, and from his base working in the library poured forth his own books.  He rose in prominence, restricted by his 'atheistic' views from many appointments but remains to this day a favourite among philosophy seeking thinkers.
Naturally all this has been put aside by the mob!
The mob has discovered he thought 'Negroes' to be 'naturally inferior,' an opinion shared by many at the time.  Especially by those who never met any or of they did came across only those native tribes round the coast of Africa.  His morals did not extend to Black men it appears.  This, to the youthful Edinburgh citizen, or student from outside, is anathema!  (If they know what 'anathema' means that is.)
Another who has had his Edinburgh statue graffitied (Is that a word?) is Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount Melville. (1742 - 1811)  Dundas made use of his Lawyer training by becoming an MP in 1774, like so many of the others.  Climbing high he became Home Secretary, a position he made use of to oppose the end of the slave trade.  He served in several positions, some claimed he was 'King Henry the 9th of Scotland,' and was the last man to be impeached in the UK after money scandals in the Admiralty.  This led to acquittal but the end of his career.
The mob now wish his statue, 150 feet above the square, to be removed!  They can climb up and knock him down if they wish. 
Neither of these men appeal to me.  Their opinions, some forget, were forged in a different age, their attitudes shared by the vast majority.  The majority that bothered that is, like today.
We see now all sorts of men, ignored by most, their stories unknown also, being harangued because of an attitude from the past.  Statues will fall, reputations ruined, today's 'morality' (often unbalanced) imposed on the past.
If we seek out all who have had opinions we dislike, if we remove their statues, their pictures, their offerings and name from the towns, we may find we have nothing left!  Opposing abuse brings home to us how many benefactors were not always nice men.  Their wealth often provided by the work of another, the conditions of work terrible.  But will removing statues change things?
Indeed the danger is twofold.  On the one hand we forget the History of their deeds, that is, those who know their History, it was never taught in my school!  We also become Nazis burning books we do not like.  How far do we go with that?
Debate, certainly, discuss, teach, but let us avoid Mob Rule Bandwagons, there will always be another along in a minute, and we may be under that one.   

Boring Day...

The media being full of nothing but repeats of previous half truths, TV and Radio being full of nothing, my brain being full of less than usual I set out to wander the highways for exercise.
However it quickly became obvious my attempts at previous exercise did not encourage me in going far.  This meant a wander through the town by the back roads, luckily, my dishevelled appearance, my several weeks of beard, my untidy ragged hairstyle all combined to encourage people to put 50p or a £1 coin in my hand, "For a cup of tea," so all was not lost.
I passed the usual spaced queues at the few open shops, spoke in friendly terms while passing grans and granddads making the most of a brief time with the grandchildren, very useful the shops being shut, and met one couple from St Ps so we could gossip awhile. 
We agreed that the excitement of our locked down lives may tell on us one day!
Nice to see other men who desperately need the Barbers back.  
I scraped away the seal from the kitchen once again, that did not last long, and when dry tomorrow will make a mess of replacing it with better stuff.  Then the bath needs redone also, same cheap material, so that is something to look forward to.  So many little jobs to be done, then cupboards to clean out...again.
I suppose everyone had an exciting time out there?

I Wonder...

I was wondering, as I listened to Alistair Begg chat this morning, about the the 'Black Lives Matter' protests.  I mean, protesting a police officer killing someone is fair enough, there are few who would disagree outside f the 'Daily Mail' readership.  There again protests such as this raise the polarisation Trump and his cronies wish to use to get votes.  His voting public mainly still want him to remain.  There again how many parading vociferously in the streets are merely jumping on a bandwagon, this weeks 'cause' and next week back to XR environmentally blocking the streets.  We all like a good cause we can join, this is indeed a good one, but are we now over doing it?
Certainly the wee boys who want to throw things at policemen, loot and destroy will always join one, we saw that yesterday in London,certainly the Right Wing trolls will point the finger everywhere but at the guilty, certainly the media will offer a one-sided untrue story of the proceedings.  
However what is really going on here?
For one thing I have not noticed any remarks re the dead man's life. What was he like?  Had he a record?  Was he decent?  This is important as having seen two men in wheelchairs shot, one shot dead the other by a 'rubber bullet' to the head from close range, we know the police in the US are often thugs.  So what sort of man was George Boyd? I have no idea, and I guess most parading have no idea either.
Brutality from the US cops against a black man is not unusual, why?  Is this because the US culture is 'Shoot first and ask questions later?'  That is a culture many UK servicemen have recognised in times past, it has not changed.  Cops shot at and abused by black men, and women, often involved in drug or other crimes can easily become tempted to consider all blacks the same.  Just as blacks then consider all police the same.  It happens here in the UK just as it has always done.  Bad men have never appreciated the role of the constabulary.
Notice this only concerns Black men and women, Latino's are next when it comes to police abuse in the US, yet they are not mentioned at all, could Blacks be discriminatory?  Or do we not talk about that, and indeed the black on black murders?  No-one among the white chattering class mentions this or the possible causes.  Why?
So we have peaceful protests, a scared desperate President, Brutal police, especially those unidentified, and angst among the caring and the bandwagon jumping set.  
Do 'Back lives Matter?'  Indeed!  'All Lives Matter!'
I put that up on Twitter several times and when I do the white enforcers call me racist!
You see it is one important item that matters, the 'soup of the day' if you like.
The fact is all lives do matter, but Trump has divided the nation, indeed the west, forcing us to take sides,if we don't we are 'racist,' 'wrong,' or at best 'do not understand.'  Poppycock!
We are all human, we all matter, the inept situation in the US should not divide us, instead we ought to recognise what we are.
(Here's the Jesus bit, you can go now)

There was division in the bible.  Jesus made it clear that in following him we could divide our family, lose friends and jobs, become considered enemies of the state, all because we stand up for him. That is the price truth costs.
Paul emphasised the need to stick with those who followed Jesus, not those who followed a differing God.  The OT is full of the people of Israel going their own way and following the world, no good it did them too.
So there is a division in this world, those who follow Jesus and those who do not, there is no other division.  All, whatever colour or lifestyle and called to 'repent' and find forgiveness and new life, no matter the past.  
Indeed 'Black Lives matter' Jesus died for them all, so let them come to him and find real life.  
Indeed 'All Lives Matter' because God loves us all, he died for all, no matter what some evangelicals in the USA Midwest think.  All matter, all require salvation through Jesus cross.

One other thing.  Covid 19, how many will be found to have contacted this horrid virus after parading in the streets?  How many cops will find guns no use against a virus?  Many are annoyed that having remained indoors for the most part others have joined together to spread the virus amongst one another.  I hope they survive.

Fret Not!

A Psalm of David.

Psalm 37

 Fret not yourself because of the wicked,
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
2
For they will soon fade like the grass,
    and wither like the green herb.
3
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.
4
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5
Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
6
He will bring forth your vindication as the light,
    and your right as the noonday.
7
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!
8
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9
For the wicked shall be cut off;
    but those who wait for the Lord shall possess the land.
10
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look well at his place, he will not be there.
11
But the meek shall possess the land,
    and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
12
The wicked plots against the righteous,
    and gnashes his teeth at him;
13
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
    for he sees that his day is coming.
14
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows,
    to bring down the poor and needy,
    to slay those who walk uprightly;
15
their sword shall enter their own heart,
    and their bows shall be broken.
16
Better is a little that the righteous has
    than the abundance of many wicked.
17
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken;
    but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18
The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
    and their heritage will abide for ever;
19
they are not put to shame in evil times,
    in the days of famine they have abundance.
20
But the wicked perish;
    the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures,
    they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
21
The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back,
    but the righteous is generous and gives;
22
for those blessed by the Lord shall possess the land,
    but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
23
The steps of a man are from the Lord,
    and he establishes him in whose way he delights;
24
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the Lord is the stay of his hand.
25
I have been young, and now am old;
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
    or his children begging bread.
26
He is ever giving liberally and lending,
    and his children become a blessing.
27
Depart from evil, and do good;
    so shall you abide for ever.
28
For the Lord loves justice;
    he will not forsake his saints.
The righteous shall be preserved for ever,
    but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29
The righteous shall possess the land,
    and dwell upon it for ever.
30
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
    and his tongue speaks justice.
31
The law of his God is in his heart;
    his steps do not slip.
32
The wicked watches the righteous,
    and seeks to slay him.
33
The Lord will not abandon him to his power,
    or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34
Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way,
    and he will exalt you to possess the land;
    you will look on the destruction of the wicked.
35
I have seen a wicked man overbearing,
    and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
36
Again I passed by, and lo, he was no more;
    though I sought him, he could not be found.
37
Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright,
    for there is posterity for the man of peace.
38
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
    the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.
39
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
    he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
    he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them,
    because they take refuge in him.

Bible Gateway

 

A Walk in the Park

 

A brief meander through the town today just as big black clouds gathered.  The sun was shining as I walked out and would do again after the clouds had found where I was hiding.  This I suppose was better than watching all those Twitter pictures of US cops beating strangers for no good reason.  Stick waving thugs in uniform, not all identified, appear to take delight in assaulting passers-by.  Age was no hindrance, young and old 'copped it,' see what I did there?  Even one man lying in a hospital bed was smacked a couple of time by cops FILMING THEMSELVES DOING THIS!  Now we all understand when cops get annoyed with a struggling opponent but this is and can only be called thuggery.  Few cops will be held to account, some police chiefs encourage this, yet in other States, Florida for instance, cops get along well with the crowds mostly.  Proper policing saves riots!

This was followed by 'Hancock's Half Hour' as the health minister lied in his teeth about the Coronovirus problem.  I ignored this.  

I tried but failed to ignore the next Tommy Robinson story.  Mr Yaxley-Lennon, for that is his real name, not the improvised English alias, was in court for punching someone, how unusual.  The scent of Muslims in Barrow-in-Furness had him up there looking fro trouble, pretending he was a 'journalist.'  He ought to try covering one of those US peaceful marches and chat to the cops there I say.  I suspect he will be back inside soon.

I was finding it difficult not to be sick when I read Rees-Mogg claiming he may have to ask Nanny to cut his hair.  I am not sure whether he was joking or not, I suspect not.  Humour is sadly lacking there.

  

Stress!

I am feeling the stress today.  The more I read about the government, or indeed the Matthew Sweets and others behind the scene controlling the government the more I worry.  Ree-Mogg and his links to far right moneybags who employ such people, all influencing Boris and his mob, appear to have completed their take over, and nothing it seems can be done about this.
The Covid 19 deaths keep rising, the next wave will be along in a minute, and people have been thronging the streets today, at least the traffic appears normal at times.  However tonight I noticed the men were mostly keeping six feet away as I went round Sainsburys.  Crowds gathering at the protests in various places do not keep far apart, this will rebound on them.  Another victory for Trump!  
I have been realising that stress is building within.  Mostly because there is nothing new to take my mind of this.  Routine is good but it has become dull and this makes me wish to rush out and go to Maldon and see the tug by the quayside again.  Indeed I want to go anywhere outside that is different!  
Ah well, tomorrow I may do the washing, I must seal the kitchen sink again, and try and get the bike semi fit and possibly use it if the streets are quiet, knees allowing.  The weather of course has brought rain!  

Today, I just cann...

Hypocrisy, Books and Parliament.

Axios

Donald Trump last night insulted insulted Christians everywhere by making use, without informing the church authorities, of St Johns Church for a photo opportunity.  Not only did he not inform the church authorities his police fired tear gas at them as they provided refreshments to the peaceful demonstrators. 
For a cheap election stunt he abused the church itself, physically assaulted the clergy and then had the audacity to stand with a bible in his hand in front of the building!  What hypocrisy! 
For myself I doubt there has been a 'regeneration' within him since his many 'prayer meetings.'  I am not keen on his 'spiritual advisor's as the main woman appears to be more concerned with raising money than Jesus.  It appears Trump merely wishes the 'evangelicals in the Mid West' to come out and vote for him, he is unafraid to make use of the church building or the good book itself in and effort to obtain votes.  You have to wonder what goes through his mind sometimes, he appears to have so little understanding of the real world.    

No-one who has read the bible can ever vote for this man.
Trump has taken advantage of the natural response to an 'out of order' police force running amok not to bring order but to create a divide, a 'them and us' situation, so he can pretend to be on the  side of right, whether it is 'right' or not does not matter as long as he gets votes.  His voters sadly will understand and follow his lead.
Adolf Hitler used similar tactics.  Pointing the finger to the Jews and anyone else believed to be responsible for Germany's failure he obtained success.  This is an old rabble-rousing trick, Boris Johnson was also doing the same thing with his absurd 'Get Brexit Done' call recently, we now know he was not capable of getting anything done bar creating children for others to rear for him.
St Johns Clergy have immediately indicated their disgust at this man's cheek.  None wished Trump to make use off and abuse their building, it is clear no Christian can support such a man walking far from God yet here we see him abusing the Bible for his own ends.
What a disgrace.

************

An interesting note regarding the past.
1968, LBJ, besieged in the White House by over 100,000 peaceful protestors objecting to the Vietnam War.
1969. Nixon, besieged in the White House by more than 500,000 peaceful protestors similarly.
2020.  The man claiming, "I am your President of Law and Order." Encourages the use of tear gas on peaceful protesters, threatens to bring in the Military to clear the streets, and suggests shooting protestors.
Some 'President for Law and Order,' the previous two, professional politicians of course, did not call on the guard to use tear gas on ether occasion.
  

The difficulty discovered after finishing a good book is finding one, on a differing subject, that will take a similar hold.  This is not easy.  Several books which have been opened are full of words, words that require to be read slowly.  Others are somewhat slow in themselves and picking up the book is not easy.   Some find time to waste during Lock Down to tidy up their bookcases.  The media is full of those arguing whether books ought to be in alphabetical order, subject order, authors name and such like.  The really stupid file all their books in colour order greens, blues, reds...I am left wondering if any have actually been read?  However while adjusting the space for the Great War books I did wonder if I need a new house, one with a library possibly?  
Now, how to get rich quick...?

Guardian

At first sight Rees-Moggs idea that all MPs must attend parliament in person to ensure proper voting appears somewhat foolish.  Indeed as many MPs will be unable to attend due to Lock Down keeping them in because they or a relative has the symptoms or have been advised, by this government, to remain indoors due to a disability, it certainly appears stupid.  Long queues nearly a mile long, waiting to vote, all 6 ft apart, will certainly induce ridicule from the public.
Hold on though, Rees-Mogg does not have 'ideas.'  Rees-Mogg did not come up with this, so who did?  I venture to suggest that the famous bald man who, 'for the sake of his children,' spends time driving them up and down the nation is responsible.  Not only will this ensure Boris has support at PMQs and therefore appear less foolish, but parliament itself will be made to look stupid, turning the attention off Boris and elsewhere.
Brilliant!  Now when the Leader of the Opposition tears Boris apart the sheep behind him will be able to drown out his embarrassment by whooping and cheering as if they meant it.  Boris will still look unfit for the job however, but at least he can try and hide by appealing to his sheep.  

1914, Lyn Macdonald

This book wore me out!
I was there at Mons, having travelled all the way from Le Harve, fought a battle with a huge German army outnumbering us by 6 or 7 to one.  We shot them down at 6 or 7 to one in response.  The British soldier in 1914 could manage 15 rounds a minute, he needed that talent at Mons.  I then participated in the military withdrawal from Mons to Le Cateau.  Here with the guns, I fought all day once again against overwhelming odds.  All around bodies lay, some dead, some groaning, all the while shells exploded over us and bullets buzzed through the air.  
Again we took to marching, though 'marching' is the wrong word.  
Back we went, mixed in with refugees pushing prams and carts, encouraging sheep or cattle before them, weary soldiers, hungry and desperately thirsty under the blazing sun.  All the while the enemy followed, rest was impossible, an hour here, a two hour stop there, then kicked back to feet and slog on.  The quartermaster had wisely dumped tins of 'Bully Beef' and Biscuits along the road.  The Corned beef, if you could get the 7lb tins open, swam under the hot sun.  The biscuits, hard for dogs to eat had no liquid to aid them.
The withdrawal continued, occasional fights with enemy forces, sometimes shooting at enemy planes dropping coloured markers for the artillery, often just slogging along, too weary to grumble, boots causing blisters, blood seeping through many, some foolishly removing boots and unable to replace them afterwards.  
The British withdrawal, one of the most successful military withdrawals in history, saved the remnant of the British Regular Army.  All the while informed they were drawing the enemy into a trap, all the while more willing to fight than walk, all the while the discipline almost continued.  Rare to find officers receiving back chat, though officers were also in the march and shared the problems, only at St Quentin did a problem arise, and wise leadership took the reluctant tired soldiers, bleeding feet and all, back to their destination at the Marne.
The troops had retreated reluctantly, this was not in their nature, but sheer overwhelming numbers beat them.  I slept soundly after reaching the Marne, 'Bully' never tasted so good.
Soon however, a good feed, but little in the way of new items of clothing, we returned from whence we had come.  Though weary the idea of chasing Germans appeared to increase the troops morale.  As they marched towards the Aisne the supplies and equipment dropped by the men on the retreat was found dumped by the enemy also.  Many foodstuffs were made use of and much encouragement found in watching German equipment dumped by the enemy as they ran.  However they stopped high above the River Aisne and dug in.  With too little in the way of guns or indeed shells for the guns, it was impossible for the weakened tired force to deal with them.  The enemy remained there in that position until 1918.
By now, I am sick of corned beef and dry biscuit, even though occasional locals offer bottles of wine, and the weight of this book is making my arms ache,  it is only a paperback!  Luck then enables us to travel to the north west!
Once fed and watered, equipment mostly replaced, travelling slowly to deceive the enemy, the French relieve us as we move to prevent the enemy taking the channel ports.  The handful of men in the are have careered about in cobbled together machine gun carriers, giving the impression of a large force in the region.  In fact there was only a handful of vehicles and 300 men!  Eventually a Yeomanry Cavalry arrived to join in and the 7th Division, full of well dressed 'spick and span' Territorial's arrived to fill the gap.   
By the time we had made our way to the north the war was in full swing.  Once again the German tactics were to send large numbers of men, fronted by massive bombardment of shrapnel and heavy artillery, to attack the small number of defenders.  Once again they were pushed back, this time stopping at a Flanders town called Ypres.  Unable to pronounce the name the troops quickly referred to this place as 'Wipers' and thus it has remained ever since.  
The 1st Battle of Ypres caused terrific damage to the remnants of the British Army.  Once again they fought doggedly against the enemy, often pushed back but never giving up.  This time retreat meant defeat, the town must be held.
Various things appear here.  The first German army comprised the volunteer students who, full of patriotism, linked arms and sang their patriotic song as they advance.       
The British soldier looked at them aghast, then shot them down.
A whole generation of highly intelligent young men, the intellectual future of Germany, fell foolishly and for nothing at this point.  Few survived, those who did would never forget this ordeal.  Shell and bullet left heaps of dead, so many that occasionally a cry would rise as a sentry mistook the pile of grey clad for an advancing army.  If ever war is called a waste it can be seen here.  This act damaged the future of Germany in so many ways.
No matter how out numbered, no matter the cost, the British tenaciously endured, not just taking the attacks but counter attacking when possible.  Eventually, after the Germans had replaced the students with higher class soldiers, and saw most of them treated with the same disdain by the defenders, the Kaisers Guard were sent in.  The battle drew to a close soon after they entered Non Bossen Wood and were met by a string of soldiers, gunners, the remnants of the Ox & Bucks, stragglers and men from the rear who fought them off with rifle fire and then charged into the woods bayonet first.  Outnumbered again by 5 to one by the 6 foot tall Guards the handful of  determined men sent the Kaisers men home again.  After 23 long days of non stop action the dwindling numbers, regiments of a  thousand men now numbered around 70 or 80 men, officers mostly dead or wounded, even the Divisional Commander had died when a shell landed on his HQ taking several top staff men with him. 
The French had arrived with their guns to the south, ensuring no more attacks would be considered. 
New men arrived from home, the wounded were collected if possible, firing continued all winter, and the British army, with about 120,000 men had suffered 90% losses.  Numbers always vary in the Great War but the Germans possibly lost 300,000 men in 1914, dead, wounded and missing.  
Many, from all sides remain lost to this day.

Men of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry sheltering from shrapnel behind the Headquarters of 20 Brigade, Ypres, 1914. IWM (Q 57205)

This is a great book.
Lyn Macdonald spent time interviewing these men for the BBC many years ago.  Since then she has produced many books on the Great War, each full of the words of the men themselves.  Lyn adds to this a great narrative that combines the facts with the experience of the individual men, their battalions and their guns.  The fast moving action takes you right into the war, I kept ducking as I passed the window, and found it hard to return to the real world as bullets kept flying around my head.  
It is no wonder this books, which first appeared in 1987, still sells today.  Lyn Macdonald's books are all 'must reads' for those studying the war and wanting to know more about the men who served.

Some things come to mind.  The first is the soldier I met in 1974 in the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.  He had been to the X-ray department and I had to escort him back.  He had been found living rather rough in a caravan in a field at the edge of the city and we were giving him a check over.  He must have been around 80 years of age and his memory of the retreat from Mons was clear even 60 years on!  He began talking about the war I have no idea why old men do this and claimed "We said we'll make the Germans run" as we marched up to Mons "And we did - after us!"  The he mentioned the retreat he groaned a long heartfelt groan, that remains with me still, and then spoke of the heat and weariness the details I can no longer remember.  However 60 years on he remembered that retreat well!   
Another point is the way men were so keen to participate in the army and happy to kill people.  No moral doubt as to whether this was right or wrong though army propaganda obviously told you the army fought for the 'right!'  When we were kids we played soldiers games and we killed one another day after day noisily and with no rebuke from politically correct mothers.  Watching me die on TV films or programmes it was always 'us and them' with little appreciation of the cost.  Now it is clear 1914 soldiers had been reared in a climate of military passion, jingoism had arisen long before and was to continue for some time, though abated after the Great War.  That said there was little revulsion at killing Germans.  Of course once the battle began and your men suffered revenge and many other emotions and reactions take over.  At one point at Ypres it was seen the Germans were killing wounded men, it was not recorded if 'our boys' did similar.  On occasion mercy is seen, water given to the wounded enemy and always stretcher bearers would collect wounded, ours first then theirs, both sides usually doing this, and acts of mercy were seen often throughout the war, just as often as barbarism occurred.  
Many criticise the British Generals for the losses to their men, few contemplate losses elsewhere.  Throughout 1914 it was clear German strategy included launching vast numbers of soldiers at the enemy.  After 1914 similar attacks abounded, usually counter attacks wasting lives retaking positions lost.  The French inept attack in the east cost more lives than the British lost in the second world war, yet no-one challenges their handling of the war.  The grumbles re Haig and his generals all come from Lloyd George, Haig's enemy, and Haig's greatest mistake, Passchendaele.  1914 reveals how the generals did well, some dying and others coming close to death, General Munro for one.  The quality of the British Army in 1914 was great, much improved since the Boer War, it was that dogged determination, that musketry ability, the leadership and the discipline of the Regular army that saved the war from being lost in 1914.  They paid a heavy price for their courage.

Parkside Church Morning Service

A Walk in the Park...

The promise of another hot day made me leave the condominium before 10 this morning.  I wandered across the green of the park, avoided by several gents keen on a 6ft distance, glad to be outside before the park fill with dafties seeking sunshine and virus exchanges.  
Slowly I passed the long queues at the supermarkets, all well distanced, and the market, each stall with distant keen customers, was remarkably quiet.  I did wonder if the Tesco queue could be longer, I suspect they could wait nearly an hour today.  At Sainsburys at least he sun shines on you, not at Tesco. 
On the one had I noted how efficient people were regarding 'social distancing' yet also the great fear that was among them all.  Elsewhere long queues of traffic were piling up as people headed into the sun, here the locals, most of whom voted for Boris, were wary of an early lock down ending.  This makes me wonder how many will send their kids to school on Monday?
In an attempt to divert attention from Dominic's wrong doing Boris has forced the schools back and offered a 'Test and Track' device.  Many will not attend school and the Test App has already been found to be full of holes.  One QC has indicated the language used is US legal terminology, make of that what you will. 
Dominic, I must say, is guilty and must go!

Since returning from my waddle around town I have done nothing but read my book.  The intention was to finish it today, but there is yet another chapter appeared!  The book has me in its grasp, I must stop and eat but I must pick it up and read also.  I am worn out!  
As such I have little idea what is going on today.
A quick glance at the news shows a surprise, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam says we are ending Lock Down too early, as do two other 'top scientists.'  This is not Dominic speaking!
Near naked women will dominate tomorrows pages as the media report on crowded beaches and parks.  The one opposite me has not in the end been crowded.
Another attempt to bring back English football and finish season is planned.  How will they cope if a player goes down?  What about black players susceptible to this virus?  Money is what matters here!
Scottish football may restart. or may not, Hearts may go down, or they may not, reconstruction may happen or it may not...normal service via the SFA/SPFL.
Meanwhile in Minnesota in the 'Land of the Free' it is common for Police to kill Black men because they are back, then the 3 year old in the White House refuses to condemn the killer and grumbles about the resulting riots.  'Shoot them' He says!  The bumbling idiot clearly has no idea what leadership is about, I suspect he thinks the cops will vote for him.

Now, having scanned the press I am left wishing I had not bothered.  I do note Boris is hiding, would he be caring for his child perhaps...?

Witless Wednesday

This sums up my day.
Doing nothing but drinking coffee and reading things.
The hardest work was getting this laptop to work, thanks to another Microsoft download it has since been giving trouble.  Isn't it always the way?  At least it works, even if it requires restarting, indeed Blogger requires restarting also, several times, as this is hindered by the updated software.  While it works now it was slow and unwilling to start, Blogger also, and I look forward to tomorrows beginning struggle.
However that apart, I read Twitter for news, books for knowledge, and did little else.  I was going to watch Boris meeting the House Committee this afternoon but could not face the lies.  Since then I have learned there were lots of lies.  Cummings is still around and I await the Durham Police next step.  Take your time lads, get it right.
Of course, after all this coffee I cannot sleep...

Parliament...

BBC

Is it over yet?
Have they sacked him?
Has he resigned?
Can I come out now...?

Sunday Blether

I didn't bother to watch the historical sight of Boris attending a press conference, even one in which I am told all the questions were pre-prepared.  It was however no surprise to see on Twitter the news that Boris backed his man Dominic Cummings.  The anger that has resulted will be treated with contempt by Cummings and his paymasters behind the scenes.  We must ask who is paying who here.  The Koch Brothers?  US hedge funds?  Who pays Matthew Elliott and his crowd?  Who is buying all the data Dominic is selling to the USA?   Why do the media keep quiet?  
What more is to come out of this corrupt government?

Unusually quiet around here these days.  Most folks outside of government advisor's have been following the rules, only occasionally someone will be caught trading drugs in the park or like here be chatted up by a policewoman with paperwork.  No idea what was going on, he was sitting on our step when they arrived.  I was woken from my siesta by the van door slamming, this causes me to reach for the window in case it is a parcel for one of us.  There was even one delivered today!  However, this was just a drunk I think, someone must have called for the police, or possibly he has been annoying folks in town.  As always no more has been heard.  Possibly they drove him to the border and dumped him on Suffolk, always a good idea!

Looking through the old pics I came across this one.  I always liked this, but it may be a while before I take it again.  The strong winds the past few days have put cyclists off, not many pass by, and while the old railway line is quite sheltered the wind would be against you going up hill.  Not a pleasant time.  Great coming home however.

Friday, End of Week Rummage.

Another week of joy and happiness is over. The early weeding this week, the Tesco and Sainsbury shopping all wore me out, not helped by having to hoover, change bed, laundry, and cook also all week.  Al these girl jobs and only I to do them.  It is so wearing...

So I spent time looking through old, very old, pictures you may have seen before.  Some were taken on the old Minolta B.D. that's Before Digital.  Playing around with them can be beneficial to them, but not always.  This one of St Giles Kirk must have been taken from Calton Hill, two or three others were, and I actually like it.  Calton Hill has been a playground for Edinburgh folk for many a day, and today it continues the dubious honour of having many a strange occurrence occur there.  This did not happen on the day I ventured up the hill, too cold that day.  Kings of old allowed sport, archery and such like, the people preferred open-air theatre and debauchery.  The imitation Parthenon still stands, well around ten pillars at least.  This is the 'National Monument' designed to commemorate the Scottish servicemen who died during the Napoleonic Wars.  It ran out of money in 1829 and work has as yet not restarted.     

Advocates Close in the high Street is a favourite place to picture.  Work has meant such a pic may no longer be possible, however, this is one of a great many closes that go from the 'Royal Mile' down the High Street to Holyrood.  Old Edinburgh being built on a thin stretch of land the buildings tended to rise up higher and higher, ten stories not being unusual.  We can see the slope away to the north from this angle.  The memorial to Sir Walter Scott stands in the distance.  Scott invented the modern 'traditional Scot.'  Tartan and romantic Highlanders and all the half truths and lies that accompany his determined effort to make Scotland well known, but part of Greater England!  He sold us out and still did not make enough money from his books to pay his debts.  Advocates Close was named for the Lord Advocate, James Stewart, a fine residence in his day, later a slum and now renovated, and expensive I bet.

  
Abraham Lincoln stands atop this memorial to the Scottish American Soldiers who fought in the US Civil War.  Erected in 1893 with several of these men buried underneath or nearby, it shows Lincoln at the top, a freed Black slave with a book, revealing he is now educated at the base.  It is the only such memorial outside of the US. 

 
How did I climb hills?  This was taken ten years ago when my mother died.  One day my brother drove us around to get a feel for the place as it had become.  We stopped here, Salisbury Crags to the right, castle and all in front.  A popular view for those with expensive cameras!

Edinburgh Zoo is famous for the Penguin enclosure.  I took this 'Rockhopper Penguin' pic at the time they were renovating the place.  I can assure you penguins smell a great deal when up close.  One of my nieces did a year at the zoo when 16, this included 6 weeks with penguins.  As she got on the bus going home the drivers would say "You, upstairs!"  No-one sat near her.

Courageous or Daft...?

ITV

The temperature is high, around 75 at times, and here at Southend Beach we see thousands of people, 'social isolating' themselves together!  This is being repeated all over the country, parks are full of such sights.  Crowds gather forgetting the virus and glad to be out in the much needed sunshine.  Is it safe?
NO!
Of course it is not safe!
While it is safer to be outside than indoors with others where virus and germs can be transferred it is not possible to accept that such crowds can be safe, especially from such a virus as Covid 19.  The men in the Labs do not understand the make up of this virus as yet, how can they deal with it?  Yet the Brexit voting Essex individual decides they are 'safe' in this crowd.
Shops opening will make things worse, today MacDonald's in Chelmsford opened for 'Drive Thru' orders and Spelling lessons.  Several Twitter posts from those who control the traffic in the county mentioned this as the cause of tail backs!  I believe it was 'Costa Coffee' yesterday blocking streets in similar fashion also.  

Here we see three waves of Spanish Flu from the pandemic of 1918/19.  The first wave was small but deadly, as the third was small, but larger than the first.  However it was the second wave that killed the majority.  Men in war are forced to move around, workers also, little chance of proper 'Lock Down' then.  However, there is control now, it has been allowed to slip and soon we will face a depressing return to numbers being spouted, lying numbers at that, regarding the latest victims of this virus and government incompetence.   How many on the beaches or in the parks will catch this virus?  One in ten will not survive.
Possibly they might wish to consider the idea of gargling with salt water as a cure.  Like me you will wonder if this is from the 'Donald Trump Health Society' but in fact it comes from a study by clever clogs at Edinburgh University, so it must be good.  I have heard many times that such gargling can aid cold cures, but never tried it as I thought it 'old wifey' to be honest.  I may change my mind as they claim some folks had an improvement in their symptoms when gargling.  More research required.

Gardening and Shopping

Wearily to Tesco late at night for the odd things like milk and bread that we cannot live without.  Weary as I had foolishly considered myself 25 again and sauntered downstairs and weeded the front. While this was good, it requires doing and only I bother these days, it meant a lot of effort, effort being something I have not used in a while.  So by evening the walk to Tesco found new undisturbed muscular activity.  I feel it yet!  This was not helped by Tesco being busy.  It is usually quiet at that time but lots were around wandering hither and thither instead of following the one way system.  There was a queue and while the staff were excellent it took time to get through.  A lovely evening but some questioned what the steam engine noises were, it was me puffing up the road.  

   
I got a note from the neighbour, we all have them, in the house next door, worried re her Ivy plant that was reaching up to the first floor window.  This is round the back of the house and not a problem.  However having contacted the disinterested landlady I told her to cut the base and it will soon die, easy to remove then.  I offered to help her cut this, clever move it turns out, as she,a lady of many years reacted as my mother would do,she cut it herself, saw and all, because she, in her pride, does not need a man to things for her, she is not old!  Tee Hee!  She is fitter than me and I am glad.  A bit paint no loss on this house of course however today I looked again round the back and it is a bigger job than I thought.  I may have more weeding to do there.  Good exercise...maybe she will help?

Today I had to visit the ironmongers shop and came back via the park.  Several groups of two and threes were dotted around in the sun.  An occasional dad being bullied by a three year old, a couple canoodling in the shade, near naked fat girls reflected an awful lot of sunshine, and a dog walker or two could be seen.  In one part of town people sit together, in the town itself people were making great efforts to avoid going near one another.  Some are really scared of this virus and the ironmonger was wearing a large face mask, the lass at the till the usual type.  Good for them, meeting so many people today they need it.  It was very quiet in town, not helped by road works to pavements that is noisily ongoing, and most appeared to remain indoors.  The sun tempts people into the park, shops may have run out of Vitamin 'D' tablets so they undress in public and very white knees seek the sun.  Mine came home...