Brighton Wildlife.

As far as wildlife is concerned, Brighton is probably best known for its Starling murmuration. Usually seen around the Palace Pier, they do also perform further inland. I've even seen them flying low over my Dog Park. An amazing sight.

I don't suppose we're that much different to other towns and cities. Our wildlife is quite 'bog standard'.

Other than the Starlings we have huge amounts of both Seagulls and Pigeons; who doesn't!

Of course we also now have a large obligatory Fox population who seem to have little fear of humans (or of Billy). I recently saw a family of five adults. We also have plenty of Grey Squirrels who run around from branch to branch in all wooded areas.

As far as small birds are concerned, I regularly see Blackbirds, Magpies, Rooks/Crows (?), Robins, Great Tits, Wrens, and Wagtails.

I did also recently see a small Mouse heading home through a tiny crack in a mausoleum, but it was the only one I've ever seen here. I've not seen Rats, Snakes, Lizards, or Badgers; they must all live in Eastbourne. 

We are also remarkably free from insects. We have no Cockroaches, very few Wasps, no Ants, and as far as I know, no Ticks. Nothing stings us, bites us, or tries to eat/kill us. 

In fact I would say that our wildlife is generally well behaved, attractive, and very welcome to live amongst us.

 

Bread

My son Kimbo is a man of many talents, and this last weekend he aimed that talent towards bread-making.

Personally I've not had much success with bread baking (other than Soda Bread), mine tends to come-out a bit 'cakey'. I don't think I have enough patience.

Kimbo's was an International co-operation. The wholemeal flour he bought recently in France, and the yeast in England. It seems as if the union was a perfect one. Entente cordiale.

I tested his skills as Toast and Marmalade; in this case with Rose's 'Lemon and Lime'.

Well, his bread-making skills are far superior to mine. It was really very good. As good as any Bio Wholemeal Bread I've ever bought.

                                                   

If he's thinking of changing profession, I would suggest that baking could be a good option.

The state of the nation.

Convicted terrorist, Farishta Jami 36, said she was extremely distressed by having her mug-shot showing her hair so, the woke-brigade came to her aid, and her photo was changed. 

This (below) is now her official mug-shot, showing no hair; and no face (don't laugh).

Sadly this is just one more example of how the Muslim world is influencing the British legal system.

Surely, the whole point of a mug-shot is so that we know, and can recognise, what people look like. Am I wrong?

Would Ms Jami be able to pass through Passport Control completely covered? Does her Passport Photo show her completely covered?

Personally I think that people should be recognisable AT ALL TIMES. There are too many people walking around with hoodies and face masks, looking like Hamas terrorists. Shoplifters cover their faces. Phone grabbers cover their faces. It has almost become a sign that the wearers are about to commit a crime (in Ms Jami's case, she was!)

Ms Jami pledged allegiance to ISIS, and was caught preparing acts of terrorism, including her children, between 2022 and 2024. She is now in prison, but whether she is allowed to wear a full face covering or not whilst there; I do not know.

Take a good look at Photo No 1. That is what she actually looks like. She'll be back on the streets again in a year's time!

The week's news you may have missed.

 

Andrew Gwynne MP (Socialist) has been given the boot. When asked by a constituent about the poor standard of rubbish collection, this non-Labour voter was told "Dear Resident. Fuck your bins. I'm re-elected and without your vote. Screw you", he then continued by saying he hoped his 'constituent' would die. Another (Socialist) MP, Oliver Ryan was his sidekick in a series of horrible antisemitic, sexist, and homophobic exchanges on WhatsApp. No doubt Ryan will have his bottom smacked too. What a disgusting couple of charmers. Labour's sobriquet of 'The Nasty Party' is certainly warranted.  Gwynne was part of Corbyn's short-lived shadow cabinet; which explains a lot. The BBC tells us that both men have now apologised. Well, like everyone else, I find that a tad too late. When asked about the scandal, Angela Eagle (Socialist) MP (yes, her) said "Anyone can make a mistake". Further investigations have continued into those nasty WhatsApp messages, and another 11 Socialist councilors have now been suspended from the party.

Harry and Meghan (remember them?) have been called many things since her tantrum caused their exile; most of which are unrepeatable. One of the earliest favourites was 'Ginge and Whinge'. Then came 'The Kardashians of Windsor', and  'Wonderboy and Wondergirl'. Meghan herself has been called 'Me-Gain', 'Duchess Difficult', and 'MeMeMeghan'. Whilst Harry was named after the TV comedy character 'Tim nice but dim'. I believe that the fragrant Meghan has recently been referred-to as 'Terrible' by a well-known US politician. Any further suggestions would be welcome.

Another mixture of politics and rubbish collection has also recently surfaced. In many Socialist run cities, the lack of rubbish collection is causing huge infestations of RATS. I hear that in Birmingham (below) and Southampton people are afraid to open their doors in case rats should run in and take-over. A tad exaggerated methinks, but rats are never pleasant; even of the animal kind.

The UK courts made two interesting decisions this week. Firstly an Albanian criminal escaped deportation because of his son's love of English 'Chicken Nuggets', and a Pakistani paedophile also escaped deportation because it might 'upset his children'. Well done those Judges; I hope they pay you well. 

The latest 'country folk' to be harassed are Shotgun owners. They really don't like the 'Huntin' and Shootin' fraternity (Fishin' is OK, as it's a lower class sport), and they wish to reduce shotgun ownership. That weekend shooting party on Lord Snooty's Cotswold estate may well soon become a thing of the past, with another few thousands unemployed.

This may well be the most important news of the century; but don't hold your breath. Boffins in Oxford have just achieved a basic form of teleportation. We're on the way to instant travel. Press a button and you could be in New York, Sydney, or Paris in an instant. (I'll believe that when I experience it)

Some good news you may have missed. The UK government has stated that any immigrant arriving illegally will NEVER be allowed citizenship. Well said!!! I didn't think I'd ever support anything from this government, but at last some real common sense!

And finally, the fragrant Rachel Reeves is under investigation again. Previously it was her CV, this time it's her expenses whilst working for HBOS. I never thought I'd be on the side of Ms Reeves, but in this case I am. It's a load of nonsensical muck-raking that serves absolutely no purpose.

2060 ?

I am assured that the English polymath Sir Isaac Newton was a genius of exceptional rarity.

We tend to associate him with the science of gravity, but a letter of his (above) has recently come to light where he predicts the date of the End of the World.

In just 35 years (2060) all will end. He predicts that a war between God and the Kings of the earth, will reek total destruction.

My basic maths tells me that I should reach the age of 113 in 2060, so not much chance of my witnessing the event, however I can almost believe Newton's prediction which doesn't seem too outrageous or far-fetched.

We have so many loonies who can't wait to press the nuclear button that a disaster is bound to happen at some time or other. If indeed it does happen in 2060, I'm just pleased I won't be here to witness it.

 

St Jock's Day

Today, as well as being St Valentine's Day, is also St Jock's Day.

My old friend, the infamous Jock Veitch was born on February 14th, so I am never able to forget it. It's a bit like being born on Christmas Day.

Here we were (below) together at our favourite restaurant in France. We went as often as possible. The photo was taken when I still wore a watch, and smoked Gauloises.

So, Happy birthday Jock (in absentia). Gone but not forgotten. RIP. Unfortunately his obit is no longer available without a subscription to The Sydney Morning Herald. 

May I also be so bold as to wish a very Happy St Valentine's Day to Lady M, and all the lovely ladies out there in Blogland who read this page. xx

 

Cephalopods

I'm a big fan of both Squid and Octopus. Sadly such things are only rarely available fresh here in England; unlike in France where they are commonly sold everywhere. I wonder why this should be? Fish needs a regular and quick turnover, so if there is no market for it, it would soon be curling at the edges. I presume that's the explanation.

However, I do often buy jars of mixed Octopus/Squid in oil (below), but frankly it's not that wonderful.

I think the English have a problem eating anything that doesn't look like a maiden's buttocks. Anything fishy that has tentacles, eyes, or looks as if it was once alive, is a no-no. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard people saying "Oh, I couldn't eat that!" whilst looking at something that isn't perfectly round and beige. Hide it under batter or breadcrumbs and it's OK, but people are reluctant to eat it if it looks like what it actually is.

It's a well known saying that people first eat with their eyes, but this is nonsense. It's taste/flavour that counts. Personally I couldn't care less what something looks like as long as it tastes good, and Octopus certainly passes that test.

Just ask any Greek person.