Tuesday 30 November 2021
A Load of Rubbish.
Monday 29 November 2021
What's in The Sunday Times?
Sunday 28 November 2021
The Life of Boo Boo.
Saturday 27 November 2021
Japan Packaging
Friday 26 November 2021
Growing old.
I suppose I must now accept that I'm growing 'old'; I'm even beginning to resemble photographs of my Great Grandfather.
I have a bad back, a dodgy right knee, and hips that are beginning to complain about Arthritis. I am Type 2 diabetic, and I unashamedly enjoy good food and wine; which probably doesn't help.
So, what can I do to return myself to days gone by, when I could still run uphill, party all night long, and play serious Rugby.
Well, the obvious answer is that nothing can reverse the ageing process, regardless of a million adverts that tell us otherwise (mostly aimed at women). All we can do is to preserve what flexibility, brain-power, and general health, that we now possess; and pray that it doesn't all go downhill too quickly.
I'm not one for doctors (or surgeons), and I refuse to eat Tofu or 3D printed Meat-ex. I'm too far gone for Yoga, my skateboard has been put away, and even gentle jogging is now beyond the capability of my knees.
So, what to do? Well, I enjoy life too much to let any of my minor 'ailments' hold me back. I shall drink plenty of Beer and Wine (they kill microbes), I shall Dad-Dance to raucous Ska music, and I shall allow some of the finest chefs in England to sculpt my svelte-like figure. I ain't giving up just yet!
Thursday 25 November 2021
Moussaka.
Wednesday 24 November 2021
Thinking Laterally.
Tuesday 23 November 2021
Gravestones.
Monday 22 November 2021
Billy's Nose.
Sunday 21 November 2021
Sunday Special: Cute polar bear cubs
Saturday 20 November 2021
Shock Horror!!!
Friday 19 November 2021
Shepherd & Dog. Fulking.
Thursday 18 November 2021
Walkies, Downs, and the Sea.
Wednesday 17 November 2021
Mrs Pins.
Tuesday 16 November 2021
Urban Foxes.
Monday 15 November 2021
DANGER!
Sunday 14 November 2021
Spot the Difference
Saturday 13 November 2021
Whatever happened to Boo Boo?
Friday 12 November 2021
21st Century Weddings.
Katie Price (a.k.a. Jordan) has just flown off to Las Vegas, allegedly to get married for the fourth time. The bankrupt, car-crashing, ex glamour model seems to like married life, and is having yet another go at it.
Meanwhile, I hear that Paris Hilton has also just got married, but for her it's the first time. Her new hubby is Carter Reum, a wealthy 40 year old heir to a fortune.
Hilton had decided that her wedding would be 'classic, tasteful, and beautiful' (I believe that Kim Kardashian was a guest). She was said to be wearing ten different dresses over the 3 days of festivities. The ceremony took place at her late grandfather's Bel Air home, and, of course; was filmed for a TV Special. We are still anxiously waiting to hear a public announcement (from The White House) of how many tens of millions it will all have cost, and how it might affect the US Public Purse.
Her beau, Mr Reum, proposed to her on the beach of a private island (above), giving her a £1.5 Million diamond ring. The happy couple dressed specially in matching white outfits for the 'surprise event', and even had time to pose for a professional photographer (probably watched by a few journalists, lawyers, armed guards, etc).
We also hear that Ms Hilton has allegedly had IVF treatment to ensure the immaculate conception, and birth, of twins in the near future (is Reum firing blanks?). This 'biblical style' event will no doubt be the subject of Part 2 of the TV Special.
How people spend their (or their father's) money is entirely up to them; I am in no position to comment or criticise!
Personally, I was married in Gibraltar. It cost about £10, and Lady Magnon and I are still talking to each other after more than 50 years.
Will either Katie Price or Paris Hilton be able to say the same? I'll bet another £10 that they won't.
Malena - Ennio Morricone
Thursday 11 November 2021
Daily Diet for a healthy Life.
As we all know, what we eat has a great influence on our health. Follow this diet and your life will improve, both physically and mentally.
BREAKFAST: Grass Smoothie (above). A small bowl of Oats. Grapes or Kiwi fruit (optional).
LUNCH: A bowl of Vegetable (or Grass) Soup. ½ slice Wholemeal Bread with reduced-fat vegan Cheese. Half an Apple or Banana (optional).
DINNER: Large Steak. Extra large serving of Chips. Left-over Pizza. A small amount of something green. A bottle of Red Wine (maybe 2). Cognac. A large whole Cheesecake. Chocolates in front of TV. 2 slices of Peanut Butter on Toast before bed. And, if you should feel hungry during the night, make sure you have plenty of Cake, Tart, Pizza, or Pork Pie in the Fridge.
Wednesday 10 November 2021
Doctor by Phone.
Tuesday 9 November 2021
Things from Home.
I'm sure all ex-Pats have cravings for things from 'back home'. My list wasn't too long.
Classics such as Marmite, Worcestershire Sauce, and even PG Tips Tea bags were all available at my local Leclerc supermarket; however, certain foods weren't, and I'd been having nostalgic yearnings.
English Sausages: Awful. Why I ever missed them I have no idea!
Battenberg Cake: Nice, but far too sweet for me.
Bread: I used to be a great exponent of artisan French Sourdough; but M & S thick sliced Farmhouse is wonderful, especially for my morning toast, or a Bacon sarnie.
Scotch Eggs: A really good quality Scotch Egg is a delight (just ask John).
McVities Biscuits: We could buy the milk chocolate biscuits in France, but not the dark chocolate ones. That has now been rectified.
Pork Pies: One of the real treats of being in England. Mine come hand-made from a small nearby shop, but I'm not against the better commercial ones.
Vacuum packed Kippers, with the little butter pat: I had difficulty finding these, but I now have, and I can hardly wait to broach them. Today maybe?
Gammon Joints: Gammon is unheard of in France, so I bought a big lump for this last weekend. It was gently simmered (in the old-fashioned way) with carrots, spuds, butter beans, and small onions. Lovely. The remaining soup will last for a few days.
Ready Meals from M & S: Their curries are very good; they need a little 'titivating', but excellent. Also their Lasagne is as good as home-made. Viva M & S Food dep't.
Bacon: Proper English smoked bacon is the best there is. I'm never without some in the fridge.
Black Pudding: France does produce some excellent Boudin, but I love the English version too.
Monday 8 November 2021
Restoration of Carry On Camping
Sunday 7 November 2021
Things to do in Brighton. Day Trip from London
Saturday 6 November 2021
November 5th
Friday 5 November 2021
Billy.
Thursday 4 November 2021
Meet Alphonse.
Wednesday 3 November 2021
Public Painting.
There are two distinct types of 'Graffiti'. One might be better described as 'Street Art', and the other as 'Scrawl'. I am a big fan of good examples of the former, but I cannot stand the pointless 'tags' that now sully walls almost everywhere the world over.
There are some very good public paintings around us here; including Banksy's famous kissing policemen. This one below is very nearby, and is beautifully painted.
Also nearby is this perfect example of 'scrawl' (below) which is found in a back ally behind a row of shops. I presume it is designed to make an area look run-down and derelict. As soon as they are painted over, they reappear.
I do remember being in Aix en Provence back in the late 70's when graffiti was still in its infancy; we had gone to collect some rather special stone from a nearby quarry, and passed an hour or two walking around the town and having something to eat. Aix is a beautiful town (one of the most beautiful in Southern France) and is built from a pale honey coloured, hard, stone. I was horrified to see that some idiots had begun spraying their 'tags' over the facades of very chic shops, restaurants, etc. It was a shock, and had already begun to make the place look shabby. It was a terrible shame.
There are some superb examples of 'Street Art' around Brighton, some quite exceptional. I may show a few other at a later date; but for the moment enjoy the doggy!
p.s. The first graffiti I remember seeing was in London's Underground (The Tube) in the mid 60's. The single word 'Toots' appeared on walls all over the place. I soon learnt that this referred to 'Toots and the Maytals'; a Reggae band. Some serious fan had been at work!