Oh dear, oh dear...

The UK media seem to be obsessed with two people at the moment; Brand and Markle.

I don't wish to pour more petrol on the Markle fire, but what a bloody mess Harry has got himself into.

Out of all the girls in the world, he managed to allow this one to entrap him. He must now wonder why on earth he was so gullible.

Because of her, he has been alienated from his family, lost the support of almost all the UK's population, and now finds himself 'wandering aimlessly' around the world looking for somewhere that will accept, and admire, him. He has also recently lost a very expensive court case, and finds himself lumbered with huge lawyers bills. His life really is in a bit of a mess, and we all know why!

I don't know the exact figures, but a long line of MM's employees have quit saying that she's 'difficult to work with'. Just looking at her, I can understand that.

Now, of course, she has even more problems with her estranged father who is currently 'in custody' on account of his predilection for very young flesh. His collection of 'dirty pictures' seems to have been spread between several lock-ups at various international locations. What a charming man. I can hardly imagine what 'Ginge & Winge' think about the situation.

Rather than desperately seeking the limelight, if I was them I would be trying to make myself as invisible as possible; as they should have done when they moved to the USA. But, that's not the Markle way. She needs to be on the front pages every day, and SHE IS; but for all the wrong reasons.

So, they've now made their own uncomfortable bed, and they must lie in it!

p.s. May I make yet another plea to King Charles. Please, please, take away their 'Sussex' titles. It is an insult to those of us who live in this beautiful county. I do understand that the name is a huge privilege for them, which they would hate to lose, but there are plenty of other counties elsewhere, who might even enjoy their association.
 

I am partly to blame....

 

When I was younger I bought my shoes from Freeman Hardy Willis, and my books from W H Smith. I bought various things from Woolworth's, and most of my clothes came from either Selfridge's or M & S.

But today there is nothing I CAN'T BUY through Amazon, and, as I'm slightly immobile, it is very convenient for me to do so.

In recent years I've bought haggis, reading glasses, kimchi, trousers, shoes, an electric kettle, a pvc table-cloth, and an office chair (amongst many other things).

In fact I use Amazon for almost everything, other than what I can find at either Sainsbury's or Waitrose (UK supermarkets).

OK, it's all very convenient and efficient, but I have one major concern. As I am always rightly defensive of the UK economy, I want to know where my money is going!

If I buy on the High Street from an English based company, I know that my few £'s will go into company accounts, and that taxes will go to pay for all our schools, hospitals, etc. 

With Amazon I have no idea where my money ends-up, but I'm in no doubt that someone somewhere is becoming extremely rich (probably with no taxes being paid), whilst our UK High Street shops are closing down; and I'm all too aware that I'm partly to blame.

This won't stop me from using Amazon because I find their service extremely efficient. But I do think the government should do something about it. They must be missing-out on a fortune.

More Marmalade

She's been at it again. Another load of her delicious Marmalade is now languishing in our outdoor 'Larder'.

The last lot was a great success and disappeared very quickly, so we naturally asked for more. This time, however, there was the welcome addition of some Cognac. I haven't tasted it yet, but I'm sure it'll be even more delicious than the previous lot.

There are three kitchen aromas that deserve regular 5 Stars. Freshly made Coffee, the baking of Bread, and Lady M's preparation of 'Mumsy's Marmalade'. The aroma throughout the house was gorgeous.

My labels may not be very professional, but the words 'Mumsy's Marmalade' brings a smile of expectation to all our faces.

I'm forbidden from tasting it as yet, but it won't be long. I can hardly wait.... seriously!

 

Lest we Forget. 11. 11. 1918.

 

Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918.

Under the agreement signed in Compiegne, Germany was to surrender weapons, artillery, tanks, trains, and trucks, amongst other things. All prisoners were to be released, and property to be left intact. The defeat of Germany was total. The death toll had been around 20 Million.

So, who would then have imagined that Germany would begin ANOTHER world war just 20 years later, in which over 80 Million people were killed. Again they were defeated.

Included in the number of the dead were the 6 Million innocent Jews who were shamelessly murdered by the Nazis.

So, what have we learned from those TWO German Wars? Not a lot it seems.

We still have uneducated groups screaming for Jews to be eliminated, and we still have other forms of ethnic and religious slaughter continuing throughout the world.

It seems that certain 'World Leaders' are incapable of living peacefully, and/or concentrating on the welfare of their own citizens.

I suppose we simply have to accept that we humans are a bunch of gullible, bloody-thirsty, louts, and that some amongst us will always hate some groups, or want certain nationalities to be annihilated.

Of course, conflict is essential in certain extreme cases, but open hostility towards peaceful neighbours IS NOT.

My title says 'Lest we Forget', but sadly many young left-wing Pro-Hamas supporters MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN. and a new wave of Hitler/Nazi style aggression towards the Jewish community is once again prevalent. 

I find that incomprehensible, and extremely sad.

p.s. Above is Alphonse. He's the doll I've had since I was born, and every year he wears his Poppy with pride; in remembrance of all those who died.

Somebody called Brand. Remember him?

He tried being an extreme left wing Communist, he tried becoming a Christian, he even tried cosying-up to Blair, Bear Grylls, Andy Burnham, and even Trump. And just recently (when he was really in deep deep poo) he tried becoming a Muslim; even if it was just for a photo (he looks genuine, don't you think?).

He also tried to convince a Judge that he was a nice, innocent, misunderstood, boy; and he will soon, no doubt, be trying to convince his fellow convicts that he has come amongst them as their messiah.

Well, Russell, I'm afraid that no-one believes a single bloody word you say. Comeuppance sometimes takes a long time to come; but come it will.

You'd better start REALLY praying; life will now become very tough and rough.

My continuing disbelief concerning this odious man, has to be how so many TV and Radio bosses thought it wise to employ him. 

If he'd ever come to me for employment, even as a cess-pit cleaner, my answer would have been a decisive NO! 

Just in case you hadn't heard, Brand received a prison sentence of 10½ YEARS (stop laughing). I hear that he was welcomed to Wandsworth (above) by all the inmates repeatedly shouting 'There's a BRAND new nonce on the wing'. Apparently he was petrified.

N.B. the word 'nonce' (in prison) refers to a sex-offender, or paedophile, who is earmarked as a target for violence.

 

Perfect every time!

There is one important gadget missing from the chic 21st C 'Cotswold Kitchen'. 

We have Air Fryers, Microwaves, Knife Sharpeners, Exploding Egg Poachers, and every other Electric Gadget imaginable, but no 'Boiled Egg Machines'. 

Yesterday I had an exceptional start to my day. My two Boiled Eggs were PERFECT. Something that is almost impossible to guarantee 'manually'. 

What I really need (and what every chic Cotswold Kitchen needs) is a machine that prepares a perfect Boiled Egg EVERY TIME..... Automatically.

It would have two settings; Soft Boiled Egg, and Hard Boiled Egg. It would be 'compact', as to take-up little space, and should prepare up to 4 eggs at each usage. It would 'ping' when done, and the eggs would roll-out onto a ready-to-serve Laura Ashley print Egg Basket.

This wouldn't be difficult to manufacture. A water holder/bath, a thermostat, and a timer, wrapped in an attractive Burberry-style exterior shell, it would become the essential A-Lister addition to that Cotswold Kitchen (that little room where Cooky does things).

I want one. It's on my list of 2026 Christmas essentials.

I have to admit; my yesterday's PERFECT eggs arrived more by luck than judgement; such a machine would bring more precision in my life.

 

Useful trivia

I came across this recently, and thought how very useful it could be; as long as one can remember it all.

I have tried it, and it is pretty accurate. The only one which was a bit off (for me) was the distance between little finger and thumb (bottom Left). Mine measured 20 cms, not 23; but maybe I've shrunk a bit.

Copy, print, and keep in your inside pocket/handbag. It's bound to come in useful, and you can thank me for it later.