Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Bee keeping autrefois, and other matters.
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Hard boiled eggs
I'm beginning to get really frustrated. I've been having a real problem with hard boiled eggs for our lunch salads recently. I find that the shells refuse to come-away from the eggs cleanly, leaving a rather pitted and bedraggled looking egg, that is most un-appealing (unna-peel-ing, geddit?).
I've been told that the eggs shouldn't be too fresh, or that one should plunge them into ice-cold water when cooked, or even to put baking soda in the water. Whatever method I use there are always one or more of the little bast*rds that refuses to peel properly.
Actually I've just cooked a couple and they were fine, but generally this isn't the case.
If anyone has a foolproof method, I would love to hear it. Maybe I should ask someone who works in a pickled egg factory; theirs always seem to be perfect.
I usually serve ours cut in half, with a squirt of Mayo and a tiny sprinkling of curry powder (as above). Looking nice is as important as tasting nice, and some of mine recently have looked almost scrambled. A dreadful mess.
Monday, 7 July 2025
Flower gardening
Sunday, 6 July 2025
Reform UK, the manifesto.
When I read that Nigel Farage's new political party, Reform UK, were doing so well in the polls, I genuinely wondered why and how!
At present they are allegedly more popular than both Labour and The Tories. The reason for this must be their proposed manifesto; it can't be for any other reason. They are a brand-new party, they only have 5 MP's, and no track record.
I don't have time, or interest, in showing you their complete manifesto, but here are just a few of the more 'catchy' proposals.
No-one will begin to pay Income Tax on a salary/wage below £20,000.
They wish to scrap Stamp Duty on house purchases below £750,000.
They will abolish Inheritance Tax on all legacies under £2 Million.
They will reduce Fuel Tax by 20p per Litre.
They wish to cut Foreign Aid by 50%
They will ditch all attempts at Net Zero.
And, of course, they will stop illegal immigrants, and deport all foreign criminals.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised if people voted for them if all this was achievable. But somehow it all seems too good to be true. Where is the money coming from to pay for essentials such as Defence, Education, and Health? I failed to see any policies that would raise enough money to pay for all the promises.
However, voters don't really care about practicalities. Just a year ago the country voted for a party that promised 'change'; now they've seen what that 'change' actually looks like, they're all jumping ship and looking for someone else to vote for next time. That person seems to be Nigel Farage.
So, who is Farage? He was educated at Dulwich, after which he worked in The City for various firms of Commodity Traders. He later became an EU-sceptic MEP, often making controversial speeches in Brussels. He led the UK Independence Party from 2006 to 2016, and was elected MP for Clacton in 2024, when he founded his Reform UK party. He's also a friend of Tr*mp.
Now he wants to become the British Prime Minister. It might well happen! PMQ's would certainly be more entertaining.
p.s. I now see that Reform UK are being predicted to win 290 seats at the next election. THAT remains to be seen.
Saturday, 5 July 2025
Single Mom DEMANDS Disabled Spot
Friday, 4 July 2025
One year already; how's he doing?
It is generally understood that Labour always 'rob Peter to pay Paul', but now those Peters are quitting the UK in their droves, and taking their £Billions with them. The wealth creators are leaving the sinking ship; and who could blame them. Shipping tycoon John Fredriksen being the latest to make his intentions known
Starmer recently tried to take-away certain benefits from the disabled, as he had with the OAP's. His aim was to deprive scroungers of welfare money, saving around £4.25Billion. His backbenchers saw things differently and he was forced to back-down (these people are their constituents). Now those £Billions will need to be found elsewhere by Rachel (from Accounts) Reeves. Their answer....Yet another Wealth Tax, which means more wealth-creators leaving for more tax-friendly climes.
In fact, the abuse of the 'disabled benefits' system is infamous, and Starmer was right to try to filter out the crooks. Scroungers are everywhere, and the bill is HUGE. Almost anybody seems to be able to claim incapacity or disability benefits without any questions being asked. After his U-Turn, we can now expect that number of claimants to rise even more.
In yet another U-Turn, even the OAP's are to have their 'Winter Fuel Payment' reinstated this year. It should NEVER have been taken away.
And while I think of it, we've seen a record 20,000 new illegal immigrants crossing the channel already this year. Worthy of The Guinness Book of Records methinks!
You can't keep-on bashing the elderly and vulnerable, raising taxes, filling the country with illegal immigrants, closing down schools and businesses, and making the rich leave the country, if you want the economy to thrive.
The Office of National Statistics tells us that unemployment in Britain is the highest it's been for four years; since the Covid crisis. Those figures will only rise further with this group of amateurs in charge. Student style economics are all well and good in a College Common Room, but not in Downing Street.
Historically, unemployment has ALWAYS increased after a period of Labour government. It's what they do best!
A recent LBC poll says 30% regret voting Labour, and 61% think Starmer should go, leaving Angela Rayner to occupy No 10. She could even bring back Corbyn. What an absolutely HORRENDOUS thought.
I put 50p on Starmer having been ousted by the end of last year; I lost my 50p. However, I'll place another 50p on his being ousted by the end of this one! He's simply not up to the job.
Labour needs another (more honest) Tony Blair; but I don't see one anywhere!
Thursday, 3 July 2025
White skies.
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
Typical!
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
A Grand Day.
Monday, 30 June 2025
Jam Campaign 2025.
With the excessive heat we're experiencing, there isn't much we can do outdoors, so I started this year's Jam Making with a couple of pots of Plum Jam.
A huge branch had broken off one of our wild 'Bird Plum' trees in the recent storm, the weight of all the fruit was too much for it. So, I collected about a kilo in a bucket, and made some pip-less jam. I had enough to fill two pots, with about half a pot remaining to be consumed whilst we're here. Not much, but it's a start.
I shall, of course, be making more later; or Lady M will. We also intend to make Blackberry Jam, Greengage Jam, Fig Jam, and most importantly Apricot Jam. The tasks will be equally divided.
As I write, Lady M is making some Strawberry Jam. The urge is all invasive. (I've just tasted her Strawberry Jam for my breakfast this morning; superb. Her best ever)
Lady M often makes her infamous Plum Pip Jam with these wild plums. It gives the children, and me, the chance to play Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, or Rich man, Poor man, Beggar man, Thief. However, these days, like me, she prefers to take the pips out.
In case you're interested, I used 600 gms of cooked Plum 'pulp', 400 gms of Jam Sugar, and the juice of about half a Lemon.
Verdict: Superb flavour, but a little runny.
Sunday, 29 June 2025
Chavissimo Central.
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Phew, what a scorcher!
Little known cheese and sausage
Friday, 27 June 2025
A-Ha - Take On Me. 1984
Thursday, 26 June 2025
Heaven then Hell.
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
The view from the terrace.
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
The Death of two Apple Trees.
I don't like to see productive Apple trees die.
In recent years we have lost TWO remarkable trees; possibly even RARE trees.
The first to go was plain and simple vandalism. I had gone to take a cutting in order to preserve the variety, and, lo, it had gone! The owner, who suddenly developed a hatred for trees, had cut it down. Sadly I have no photo.
So, why, you might ask was this tree so special? It wasn't a particularly wonderful tasting Apple, but its exceptional attributes lay elsewhere. You could hold it in the palm of your hand and squeeze all the juice from it without hardly exerting any pressure. I have never come across another Apple like it, and no reference to such an Apple could be found online. It could well have been the last of its type.
The second tree (above) has just died. It lived in a hedge just down at the bottom of the field in front of our house. Sadly it became smothered with Ivy, and could no longer breathe!
It was exceptional in as much as it could cope with extremely low temperatures. The fruit would fall in Autumn, just like any other tree, but would remain edible on the ground almost into Spring. The photo below was taken around March after a particularly bitter Winter, and the majority of the fruits were still perfectly OK.
As you can see, it was a yellow Apple with small red spots, and a lovely flavour. I shall miss the tree, even though I'm no longer here during the Winter months. I think I was the only person to gather them. The Deer ate most of them.
Monday, 23 June 2025
The World's Silliest Vegetable.
Sunday, 22 June 2025
Heatwave
Most of us look forward to Summer weather; hot sunshine, cloudless skies, and some refreshing foreign Sea or Pool to plunge into.
Generally it does tend to be a bit like that, but occasionally things get out of hand, and the temperature rises to 'uncomfortable'.
Yesterday our 'in the shade' temperature rose to 36 C, and all we wanted to do was avoid it. For most of Summer I wear just a pair of shorts; no shoes, no T shirt, and only occasionally a hat. Perfect for 25 C, but not for 36 C.
The pool water has risen to 28 C, our open concrete terrace burns my feet, and poor Billy (in his fur coat) is feeling lethargic. Our sitting room is traditionally dark and cool, so that's where we spend most of our afternoons. The weather we've been anticipating through Winter, is now being avoided.
We drink litres of cold water, eat plenty of Magnums, and dine on Salads. Any outdoor work, pool cleaning etc, is done as early as possible; at the latest before about 10 am.
I have only just opened-up our outdoor covered terrace. It had been used as storage space over Winter, and needed some re-organisation. The outdoor Fridge is working, and is filled with Beers Tonics and Fizz. The table and chairs have all been cleaned, and comfy cushions distributed. And the big 'fire pit' BBQ has been removed and taken to its Summer location.
The heat also brings out 'bugs'. We have an excess of Bees, Wasps, Flying Ants, Horseflies, Hornets, and other general buzzing and stinging nasties. And our army of small Wall Lizards are holding their annual Olympics.
Yes Folks; it's our wonderful SUMMER.
Saturday, 21 June 2025
Pesci Friday.
Friday, 20 June 2025
Bananarama - Cruel Summer
Thursday, 19 June 2025
Spot the Difference
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Things I've missed.
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Bloody Nutters.
The world's population is estimated to be around 8.2 Billion, out of which just a small handful of men cannot behave themselves. They are a bunch of total idiots and warmongers.
Putin, general secretary Xi, some Ayatollah or other, and Kim ' baby face' Jong Un (plus a few irrational terrorist group leaders), seem to think they have the right to involve the rest of us in their (mostly Communist) expansionist policies by killing people they don't like.
Monday, 16 June 2025
Sandy Powell
Sunday, 15 June 2025
The shocking reality
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Back to the old routine.
Friday, 13 June 2025
Journey completed.
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Preparations
I've made a list of things to take to France; and also of a few things to bring back.
On the 'take' list are just a few food items. Essential Indian curry pastes, spices, and pickles have become harder to find since Brexit, so it's safer for me to take my own 'just in case'. Most other European foods are readily available, but it's the Indian ones I would miss.
On the 'bring back' list there are also a few food items. My favourite Spaghetti (Panzani) is top of the list and I shall return with at least 3 kilos. Otherwise a few favourite 'small' antiques, photos, books, and a few tins of Paté, Squid, and Octopus that I can't buy here. I shall also return with some DIY things; drill bits, a glue gun, and my soldering iron, that occasionally I need.
We try to travel as light as possible, but somehow it never happens. It always becomes a matter of reducing the excess weight to the minimum. That 'minimum' invariably remains too much.
At least we don't go, and return, with suitcases filled with clothes; we both run two sets of wardrobes; one for the UK and another for France, which makes life easier.
The Compact Royce (Debi) has now had her Service and MOT, so she's all ready to go. My service garage also cleaned her inside and out, so she is spotless. The ferry and our 'half-way' hotel are both booked; we can hardly wait!!!
I probably won't be around for a day or two, but I'll be back. Toodle pip!