Monday 31 January 2022
Seen on Sunday.
Sunday 30 January 2022
Not everything goes well in Shangri-La.
Suddenly I heard terrific growling and barking as the brown dog attacked the black one. The owner of the black dog kicked out at the brown one, whose owner rushed towards where they were fighting, and prized them apart.
Owner of brown dog then started shouting and swearing at the owner of the black dog for having kicked his dog. Owner of black dog shouted back 'your effing dog was attacking mine, what do you effing expect me to do'; etc, etc. I'll spare you the worst of it.
The argument escalated to where fists were proffered, and pugilistic stances adopted. Luckily a lady dog-walker stepped in, and the two men parted whilst still effing and blinding at each other as they walked away. For a moment I thought they were going to begin throwing punches; it was quite dramatic.
I witnessed all this from a distance of about 30 metres. Never a dull moment, eh?
Saturday 29 January 2022
The work continues.
Friday 28 January 2022
This must never be forgotten.
Thursday 27 January 2022
What is Brighton?
Wednesday 26 January 2022
Here they go again. The Lower IVth Form on manoeuvres
Tuesday 25 January 2022
City 'Pocket Gardens'.
Monday 24 January 2022
I am speechless.
Sunday 23 January 2022
Saturday 22 January 2022
Very Disappointed!
A Question of Mud.
Friday 21 January 2022
From Rock or Doc to Rev.
Thursday 20 January 2022
Wykeham Terrace
Wednesday 19 January 2022
Product Test... POT NOODLES.
Pot noodles are a thing of legend, not unlike Turkey Twizzlers, or deep-fried Mars bars. I had never eaten one, and I must say, this was not something I was particularly looking forward to.
However, I do buy those packets of Chinese Ramon noodles which come with flavourings etc, so I imagined this wouldn't be too different. But, with the one's I buy I never follow the instructions; I always use a good chicken stock, and use my own spices, etc. I only use the noodles; in France they cost about €1.50 for five packs. Very cheap.
With this product, I decided to follow the instructions to the letter; and I did. Pull-back the foil top, remove the 'flavour sachet' (Soy), fill with boiling water, replace lid, and wait for 2 mins before adding the contents of the sachet. I was then told to wait another 2 mins before enjoying 'my wildest dreams' Chicken and Mushroom flavoured noodles.
Verdict: Totally INEDIBLE. 100% nauseating. Unpleasant in all respects. Only fit for the dustbin. My 'wildest nightmare' came true.
If students really do survive on eating these things almost exclusively, it doesn't say much for the gastronomical taste of our current stock of 'bright young things'.
Tuesday 18 January 2022
Do I really need a Car?
Whilst we still have the luxury (burden) of homes in two different countries (one friendly; one antagonistic), I suppose the realistic answer to my question is 'yes'.
However, if my gallivanting days were to be over, and I was restricted to life only in the UK, I think that answer would be very different.
One of the first 'administrative' things I did on my return to England last October, was to apply for a Bus Pass. I had to wait for several weeks before it came through, but arrive it did. I also registered to vote.
Since receiving my card, I have only used it twice (which surprises me), but I certainly intend to use it a lot more. Free travel is a real bonus for those who wish to spread their wings; especially with my dodgy legs!
Realistically I have no need for a car. Everything I need here is either within easy walking distance, or a free bus ride away. When I wish to spend time in France I can fly from Gatwick to Bergerac, pick-up a hire car, and have no need for a car of my own. It would save a lot of time and money, and be one less thing to worry about.
I had my first car (white VW Beetle EBP323) when I was a student, and have not been without a car since. It would be a new experience not to have one; and to know that the garage was empty.
Actually, I find the idea rather appealing.
Monday 17 January 2022
It was worth the wait.
Sunday 16 January 2022
Round and About Yesterday Morning.
Saturday 15 January 2022
Petrol.
I've been back in England since mid-October, and yesterday was the first time I'd put petrol in the car since my return.
Back in France I suppose I put-in about €50 every two weeks; and it seemed as if I hardly drove anywhere. Here I have just put-in £20 after THREE MONTHS, which means that my inner-city life style has saved me about £280 so far; equivalent to roughly the cost of three weeks shopping.
My wine bill has gone up, but the cost of bringing it home has reduced dramatically. Otherwise I haven't really noticed much difference in the cost of living between the two countries. If anything it's a little cheaper here, but that has nothing to do with petrol.
Friday 14 January 2022
Muesli for Breakfast.
I'm really a fried egg and bacon sort of guy, but when I'm feeling virtuous I always revert to Muesli. That virtuosity has now returned, as a few extra post-Christmas pounds have recently been discovered.
When my first son was born we bought Dr Max Bircher-Benner's small book on child nutrition, and discovered the wonders of Oats; and of course his famous Muesli.
Look-up almost any grain, fruit, or vegetable, and you will find fanciful lists of health benefits; 'Helps prevent Heart problems and/or Cancer, reduces Cholesterol, and prevents Diabetes' being some of the most popular. Maybe they all do, but having read more about Oats than I care to admit, I am convinced that they are the world's No 1 healing food. It isn't for nothing that folk in the Scottish highlands survive almost exclusively on them (ahem).
Personally I like 'traditional' Muesli. I like to see what I'm eating, and I don't want anything to be messed with or made into clusters, and I certainly don't want added sugar. I buy the best supermarket Muesli I can find, then mix it 50/50 with extra plain rolled Oats (as above).
I can't claim that Muesli is as satisfying as a good fry-up, but it does make me feel virtuous. I'm convinced that, after a bowl-full, I can hear my body saying "Thank You".
With so many New Year resolutions about, I can see Muesli becoming my regular breakfast. I can almost feel those pounds falling off!
Thursday 13 January 2022
A Nice Plate.
I was driving past a Sussex country Antique Shop near Pulborough, back in the late 1960's, and noticed that the forecourt was empty; so I stopped the car and went inside.
The first thing to catch my eye was this turquoise glazed platter. It looked back at me and said "Buy me, buy me". I did as ordered.
Wednesday 12 January 2022
Tales from The Crypt.
Tuesday 11 January 2022
Tony Benn’s 1998 speech on Iraq
Monday 10 January 2022
Trying to decide.
Sunday 9 January 2022
Kimchi
Saturday 8 January 2022
What? Did I hear that correctly?
I love my native country, and like most born and bred Englishmen I am proud to call myself 'English'. But the poor old UK does have its really crazy moments.
I find life here very frustrating on occasions. Her widely-admired liberalism often goes beyond even what the most liberal of liberals would expect. We have witnessed three such examples this past week.
The outrage expressed on the news that Tony Blair is to receive a knighthood has been overwhelming; I myself could hardly believe it. I have no idea who recommended this odious man for such an honour, but they should be ashamed of themselves. He should be facing a war crimes tribunal, not being dubbed by Her Majesty. A Total disgrace. I have a feeling that he may decline the honour!
Others who did actually have their time in court this week were those who were caught and filmed tearing down a statue in Bristol. A group of four 'activists' were accused of criminal damage (which we all witnessed), yet were found to be not guilty. If this isn't a charter for criminal behaviour; I don't know what is! Had the judge found them 'guilty', given them a £1 fine, and told them to behave themselves in future, everyone would have been happy; but a 'not guilty' verdict was just plain wrong.
There is no question that these four 'activists' were guilty of pulling down a public statue, and ditching it in the sea. I don't think that any of them would deny that guilt. So, how the hell are they found not guilty? Occasionally the law really is an super-ass. Maybe the DPP will review matters, and we'll see them back in court; we cannot have one rule for the Woke Snowflakes, and another for the rest of us.
And, as if that wasn't enough, we hear that the government is to follow the disastrous agricultural policy of the EU, and pay farmers to do nothing. They are to be offered nearly a £Billion to 're-wild' productive land, so that even more poor quality fruit and veg' can be imported from abroad.
What the government SHOULD be doing, is to pay farmers a premium for producing more good quality home-grown food, in order to reduce unnecessary imports.
Let me explain a few things. Firstly the British public know what sort a man Blair is; and they don't want him knighted. The people also know when they see the law acting as a complete ass. They prefer to see the obviously guilty found 'guilty'. And lastly, urban Westminster bureaucrats should keep their grubby noses out of rural affairs; farmers know best about what to grow, how to grow it, and how to preserve good wildlife and reduce quantities of the bad.
Back in France, right in front of our house, is a roughly two hectare, previously very productive, field that now grows nothing but Brambles for which the owner is handsomely paid. If that's what they really want over here, and to have to pay for it, then bloody good luck to them.
I'm well known for my occasional desperation. I despair yet again!