Starmer on Tour.

Sir Kreepy Starmer is in China, his sidekick Rachel from Accounts was supposed to be accompanying him, but she's been misbehaving and has been left at home. Starmer is visiting his paymasters chums.

So, what further deals can they clinch? China have already flooded our market with their EV's. We've finally given-in to their plans for a MEGA-Embassy-Spy-Centre. They will soon be in control of our massive new home solar-heating drive. They have considerable control over our Nuclear power, Gas and Electricity provision, Heathrow airport, our Greatest Universities, Real Estate, and Telecoms.

In fact, just about everything that keeps the UK running seems to be part, or fully, owned by Beijing.

They're no fools the Chinese; however, they always presume that others are!

So what, we ask, can Starmer be trying to achieve by his visit (which was only sanctioned after the Mega embassy deal was approved). Sell them a few pots of Colman's Mustard, or maybe a few bottles of Vimto? Or just sign off a few more deals allowing yet more massive Chinese 'investment'.

Watch The News; the UK's humiliation will possibly be revealed in the next few days!

 

Carry on De-Camping

 

When my late Father-in-Law finally quit his life travelling the world as a diplomat, he settled in Crowborough in Sussex.

You may have seen Crowborough on The News, every day for the past month. It is a genteel, small town, typical of many such East Sussex locations. Not much happens, there is little crime, and it has an aura of well-heeled respectability.

Outside of the town, on the road to Uckfield, is a large Army Training Camp, which was used to train Army Cadets. This has now been closed, the Cadets removed, and an exciting new use has been found by the government's Woke-Folk.

The camp is to hold 600 charming illegal immigrants, and the entire population of Crowborough is UP IN ARMS. They DON'T WANT 600 young swarthy foreigners, of whom they know absolutely nothing, roaming the streets of their small town. They are frightened that what has happened so often elsewhere, will now happen on their own doorsteps. They are locking-up their wives and daughters, reinforcing their home security systems, putting locks on their outdoor buildings, and installing CCTV cameras wherever they can.

But most of all, they simply want them to GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! 

Preparing for War

It is so reassuring to know that we have a government that cares for our health and safety; especially in preparation for nuclear war.

The UK government has now advised all UK citizens to make certain provisions in case of being attacked by Putin (I imagine).

According to the government's 'UK Prepare' website, we should keep five particular things in the boots of our cars, just in case we happen to be driving along to Sainsbury's when the bomb drops! A First Aid Kit, A Fire Extinguisher, A Warning Triangle, A Reflective Vest, and A Tow Rope. This (below) is their official picture.

These five things, we are assured, will protect us from any WW3 attack.

Well, I would like to thank our government for their advice; I feel much safer now. 

In case of a nuclear blast here in Brighton I will try to put-out any fire with the extinguisher, offer the wounded a sticking plaster, wear my Hi-Viz jacket just for fun, and erect the warning triangle in case no-one has noticed that we've been attacked. I'm still trying to think of a use for the tow rope.

As well as the above we are also encouraged to keep a good supply of the items below inside our own homes. 

Bottled water, tinned foods, torch and batteries, matches, warm clothes, Swiss army knife, radio, passport or ID, money, and a compass and maps. I think I have all of those, as well as the car stuff.

Well, I don't know about you, but if WW3 is declared, and Putin starts throwing Nuclear weapons at us, I shall open my best bottle of Champagne and sit outside until the blast hits me.

A post-Nuclear world wouldn't be worth living in.

Exercise

At the moment, the only exercise I get is a couple of half-hour walks a day with Billy. By the time each half-hour is up, I am usually hardly able to walk. The strength in my hips and legs has gone. It is worrying.

The best exercise for me, and the one I enjoy the most, is swimming. That DOESN'T mean going down to the sea, or a local pool, but swimming at home in France.

Our pool isn't big, it's 9 metres long by 4 metres wide. Big enough for us, but not for Olympic competitions.

Every time I enter the pool (usually 3 or 4 times a day), I do 10 or more lengths. I'm sure that it does me good. Swimming exercises all parts of the body, and is (mostly) painless.

I'm sure it helps with my mobility, and is preferable to 'going to the gym'. 

My only problem is that I'm in England, and it'd be too cold to swim anyway! But I can dream.

 

I gave it to the cat!

It's an old favourite, but I still love it.

The legend of Gelert

It's Wales's most famous legend. The story of Gelert the Dog.

I was reminded of the story just recently, and will relate it here for the benefit of those who may not know of it.

In the 13th C, Prince Llewelyn the Great, of Caernarvonshire, was renowned as a great hunter, he would go hunting daily.

On one such occasion he called for his dogs, but his favourite 'Gelert' did not appear. Llewelyn went off hunting regardless.

When he returned to his castle, Gelert came bounding over to greet him, but Llewelyn saw that he was covered in blood. Fearing the worst he rushed to his one-year-old son's bedroom and found the walls dripping in blood, with no sign of his son.

He at once came to the conclusion that Gelert had savaged and killed the small boy, and immediately drew his sword and killed his beloved dog with a single strike through his heart.

It was when the dog was making his final pained death howls that Llewelyn heard the faint cry of a child. He found his son lying under his upturned cot, and lying by his side was a giant dead Wolf.

It soon became obvious that Gelert had killed the Wolf who had been trying to savage the small boy. Gelert had bravely saved his young son's life.

The distraught Llewelyn was so upset that he buried his beloved Gelert outside his castle walls, and raised a large cairn over the dog's grave so that the people of the village could see what a brave dog he had been, and also to express his own remorse.

That's it; the legend of Gelert!

 

Complete bloody madness

 

I mentioned yet again, recently, about our Chagos Islands, after President Tru*p pointed out how stupid Starmer is being.

The UK owns some strategically important islands in the British Indian Ocean, which the Socialists want to give to Mauritius, along with a golden handshake of £35 Billion. Yes, you DID read that correctly, but do feel free to read it again if incredulous.

Mauritius is well known to be a China friendly country; and the Chinese are obviously very happy.

It has also been revealed that Starmer has given the go-ahead to Communist China to build a HUGE MEGA-Embassy in the heart of London's financial district (below). They already have an enormous embassy in Portland Place, London W1, so why do they need another even bigger one? For heaven's sake; just look at the bloody size of it. It's the size of a small town!

We hear that there are to be all sorts of 'secret underground rooms'. When the plans were submitted along with the planning application, did no-one ask what these secret rooms were for?

Foreign embassies serve several purposes. They look after the interests of their own nationals, they hope to improve trading links, and they gather information. Foreign diplomats are also afforded special dispensations.

Now that this dreadful decision has been made, it only remains to be seen who will be building this vast edifice (if, in fact, it does go ahead). Will they bring over their own builders and do everything in secret, or will British builders be involved?

China has already 'bought' much of Africa, and it won't be too long before they are doing the same in the UK. Does it come as any surprise that Starmer is wanting to end the production of Petrol/Diesel cars, and is encouraging us to buy EV's instead; knowing that by far the majority of these cars come from China!

As with the Chagos Islands saga, the British people are HORRIFIED at this extremely dangerous decision. I, along with so many others, have serious doubts about Starmer's loyalties.

Tru*p may be wrong about many things, but on the subject of The Chagos Islands and the new Chinese Embassy, he is absolutely RIGHT. Even MI5 agrees with him!

Starmer will visit China at the end of the month! Hmmm.

Spirits

When I left school, I was summoned to The Headmaster's study, and, along with a few fellow leavers, was given a short lecture on 'life after school', etc.

He gave us two particular pieces of advice, the second (I won't mention the first) of which was NOT to drink spirits, as they should be regarded as 'medicine', and should be reserved for later in life when such things might be needed!

Well, I have followed his advice (plus the one I won't mention), and have restricted my alcohol intake to moderate amounts of Beer and Wine.

However, these days I have found myself drinking tiny amounts of either Single Malt Whiskey, or more often Rum. Just a thimble-full before bed.

We do also have quite a collection of Gins in the house. Not my tipple at all, but I'm pleased to see that there's a bottle of Brighton Gin amongst them. These are mostly reserved for Lady M's Friday Night Girl's Club Gin Parties.

I think most of the spirits in this house, are used for culinary purposes. I don't think anyone actually drinks either Cognac or Armagnac, but the bottles seem to empty quickly enough; especially around Christmas.

In France I have several bottles of 'Eau de Vie'. People make far too much (illicitly) and give it to friends, who tuck it away at the back of cupboards, waiting for the day when they need to clean some old tarnished brass. It's lethal stuff, and comes either made from Grapes, Plums, or Pears. It's best use is (diluted) for preserving Prunes or Greengages. Otherwise.... DANGER!

It's a bit dark and miserable at the moment, so I might well have a tiny tot of Captain Morgan tonight..... CHEERS.

 

Water water everywhere, nor any drop...

The Waitrose Supermarket that I visit is positioned very close to the Hove Greyhound Stadium, in fact I have to go past the stadium on my way out.

For the past year or so, this big blue 'SpotlessWater' container/dispenser has been positioned outside the stadium, but I have yet to see anyone use it.

You may have heard about the trouble they've had in Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead, with their water having been turned off for weeks. South East Water have messed up the system, and residents have been given bottled water instead. If you have no way of collecting rain water, or have no access to a stream, then bottled water would have been your only way to flush the loo, as well everything else. Luckily here in Brighton we have Southern Water, and are not affected.

So, what is this SpotlessWater that one can buy for between 4.3p and 6.3p per litre?

Well, the answer has to be; I have no idea. Yes, it's probably been filtered or zapped with UV light, but what is the point. A few impurities in the water probably does us more good than harm (as long as they're not Russian impurities).

Personally I want my water to be 'drinkable', with no taste of wet dog, or showing the colour of mud. It should be transparent, and tasteless, with (hopefully) all serious impurities removed.

In France we have Spring Water, and we are issued with a Water Purity certificate, so that we know that it's as pure as possible, yet we still see lots of people buying masses of very expensive bottled water (which are probably filled from a tap elsewhere). 

As long as it still flows from the tap, I shall keep drinking the water I pay for. I certainly won't be buying SpotlessWater, or those expensive plastic bottles at Sainsbury's or Leclerc.

 

Where your money goes!

                        "I know, let's give £18 Billion to Mauritius".

It wouldn't be quite so funny if it wasn't true! This is £257 per man, woman, and child UK resident that we're giving to Mauritius. And, of course, we're throwing-in our sovereign Chagos Islands as well.

We all know how stupid this gift to Mauritius is; other, of course, that the Socialists.

Even Tru*p knows how stupid it is, and has made his feelings known. Maybe Starmer will now see the light, and scrap this very very very silly idea.

Tru*p may be wrong about many things, but he's right about this!

 

Men in Tights

I have said it many times; I am a very liberal thinking person, and have nothing against men dressing as women, or women dressing as men. Here in Brighton such things are a part of everyday life.

I'm not familiar with the magazine 'Glamour UK', but I imagine it's a fashion mag' similar to many others. This front cover popped-up on my news-feed, and celebrated their 'Women of the Year'.

The only thing they failed to mention on the cover, was that none of the 'Dolls' is a woman.

It might seem a trivial thing to many, but I'm not sure what message this gives to genuine 'biological women', who have recently seen their gender being debased at the toss of a coin.

Teenage girls and young women are much more aware of their gender and attractiveness than their male counterparts. They are body conscious in a way that males aren't. To be female is actually 'important', whereas to be male is just 'blokey'.

So why would a fashion magazine, who's readership I imagine is 99% female, put a bunch of cross-dressers on their front page cover, and refer to them as 'Women of the Year'? It doesn't make sense, and at worst it is insulting.

Gender has been under attack from the dungaree-wearing, do-gooder, snowflake, wokey-folk for some while. They really don't like the idea of distinct genders. In fact I imagine that 'Chromosomes' are viewed as the enemy.

I now see that the all female Newnham College in Cambridge has fallen prey to the wokey-folk, and are allowing cross-dressers to enter their once sacred single-gender halls. At the same time I hear that nurses at a Darlington hospital have won their case about having to share 'changing facilities' with a cross-dresser. Just occasionally the cause fails, then in return it occasionally advances.

I don't wish to enter the ins and outs of very rare hermaphroditic genders, but why can't we return to the days when cross-dressers didn't claim to have genuinely changed sex (which is impossible anyway). They just enjoyed their preferences, wore women's clothes, and we all accepted it.

 

More unfinished work.

I've just been up in the loft; or, I tried to get up into the loft!

There are things I need to find, but it was impossible for me to get further than the top step of the ladder.

However, I did find this unfinished portrait of my daughter Tenpin. So many of my family portraits are unfinished; presumably because the sitters were too impatient.

I also found a painting of Lady M, which contained 'sections' that I really liked. The hands were particularly nice, as well as some of the overall painting. I hadn't seen the picture for years, and had forgotten how 'satisfactory' it was. I might bring it down, and photograph some of the best bits.

I am trying to devise a plan for the loft, using the rafters on either side to create shelves, which would house all the junk, and leave an empty aisle down the middle. It's do-able, but not (I fear) by me.

Something MUST be done, it's a nightmare up there; and it's filled with stuff that I value!

The Exceptional Cepe

One of delights of living where we do in France is the availability of wild mushrooms. Our village has a well-deserved reputation.

The King of Mushrooms (other than Truffles) is the Cepe (Boletus Edulis). Its taste is such that mushroom hunters become obsessed. Locations are carefully guarded, and competition is fierce.

Exceptional harvests can always be preserved. They freeze well, and can be bottled in either oil or water; I prefer 'water', as in a recipe given to me by my Vigneronne.

As such I have never had to actually BUY Cepes, either fresh or preserved. But this Christmas I was given a tin of Cepes in oil (above); something I had never tried before.

Well, I was very pleasantly surprised. The texture was certainly different, but the full flavour was still there.

After this upcoming Summer, one of the things on my 'To Bring Back' list will certainly be a few of these tins.

Kimbo also gave me a jar of Girolles (Chanterelles), but I'm not expecting them to be quite as good. There is no question that the taste will be there, but I've always found that preserving Girolles never really works.

Watch this space... I shall report back!

NB. The Co that cans these mushrooms is called Laguilhon, and their products are always sold in their distinctive yellow packs/tins/etc. They are makers of all of the local specialities, and if you are in the S W France, area and thinking of taking back a few treats, I can recommend everything they produce. I have never been disappointed!

                                 

Yet another bin

I must say that our bin men are very good here in Brighton. They collect rubbish every day, and things are kept very clean.

However, at each point where the bins are situated, there are several containers for very specific different materials. Cardboard, Glass, Tins, Garden waste, old Clothes, Wood, Feathers, Building detritus, Used plasters, Dead flowers, Plastic, etc.

To add to those, we now have a new one. Cooked and un-Cooked food. So now we know what to do with those few Leftover Chips, Chicken bones, and Apple cores that we've been fretting about for years.

It has always been a worry, where to put those few Peas, Bacon rinds, or Fish bones that we left on the side of the plate. Even that blob of uneaten Mustard has caused hours of panic.

Now all our previous problems have been solved. We can take our plates down to the bins, and scrape off those few bits of leftovers into the new shiny bin. 

I hope they do something creative with all this food waste. Feed it to the Seagulls perhaps?

Will we now no longer see half-eaten McBuns on the pavements? Somehow I doubt it.

BUT....... Observant readers will have noticed; the bin is taped closed. Collections will only begin in March, and will take place ONCE A WEEK. I predict a nasty WHIFF.

 

Alcohol, drugs, and Sam the Sham.

Let your hair down, have some fun, and dance like no-one's watching.

There's a one-hit-wonder Wooly Bully about!

Feed the Birds

It hasn't yet been very cold here this winter, but I'm sure it will be in time, and our garden birds will need extra food.

Last year I bought some of those fat/seed balls that one hangs in trees; I had NO TAKERS, and after they had sprouted and gone moldy, I had to throw them away.

This year I have bought something a bit more purpose-built; a standard seed feeder with the contents being kept dry, away from the cold and wet.

I have hung it in the Apple tree in front of the house, but as yet I haven't seen a single bird coming to feed. Where are they all?

We have plenty of Seagulls, Pigeons, Magpies, and Blackbirds; but hardly any small garden birds. It remains to be seen if any turn up.

The RSBP is carrying out it's annual garden bird count at the moment (The Big Garden Birdwatch). People are asked to count all the different birds they see in their garden, and send-in the results. Well, there's not much point my taking part in the survey, as there aren't any. I have a feeling that my neighbour's two cats might have something to do with it.

I'm just hoping that my feeder (being reasonably high up) will remedy that! 

 

Evolution.

When I built our 'tower', I was determined that it should remain as primitive as possible. No water, no electricity, and no mod-cons of any sort. Simply a bed, a cupboard, and a few candles for light.

It remained like that for several years, but last year I did run an electricity cable to the interior for the convenience of a couple of bedside lamps.

Lady M has now been suggesting that we install a basic bathroom onto the side of the tower. This would involve taking water to it, installing a new fosse septique, and destroying the new garage that I recently built for the mower.

So, will I be giving-in to her wishes? Not bloody likely! I might do a more professional job on the electrical installation, but nothing else.

I like it as it is!

 

Stone.

I suppose my love-affair with Stone dates back to when I was billeted right next to a huge towering medieval Cathedral for several years.

The Cathedral, which took hundreds of years to complete, is entirely constructed of Stone. Every single piece of Stone being hand hewn from a quarry 42 miles away in Northampton-shire, transported, then hand carved in situ. A massive undertaking.

I used to wander around in awe, admiring the details of the tiniest bits of carving, that most people never saw. It was, and is, a miracle of human endeavor.

Later, in France, I worked with a Stone Cutter, carving medieval style  'openings' for domestic buildings (windows, doorways, fireplaces, etc). I had been taught Stone Carving at my first Art College, by a man who had worked for Eric Gill.

These days I walk past my local church twice every day. It is built of Flint, with Stone detailing.

This beautiful, but simple, corner masonry (above) is a good example of the basic work involved. Most would walk past it without paying any attention to the workmanship, but it is a lovely piece of work. It was built when all that a Stone Mason possessed was Hammer and Chisel. Every piece of stone had to be firstly shaped into a flat sided block before the actual carving began.

Stone Cutting is very satisfying, but is also back-breaking. Once the lumps of stone are cut, they need to be lifted into position, and that can be 'painful'. I'm sure that my Sciatica is partly caused by lifting crazy weights into place. We always worked in the same way as those medieval Stone Masons had worked centuries ago. No machines or hoists.

Persia/Iran

 

I first became aware of Iran (Persia as it was then) through a school-friend, who's father was posted there as a senior UK Air Force Officer. The Shah was still 'on the Peacock throne' at the time, and it was a friendly country. They still had some strange ways (public hangings, etc), but the The Shah himself was a great social reformer, and changed the country into a serious, and respected, international competitor.

Sadly in 1979, after the Iranian Revolution, the country fell under the control of religious leaders, and general repression returned. Women's rights were eroded, and again they were made to cover themselves with the Hijab. The equal rights established by The Shah were abolished, and women once again became invisible, gays were thrown off rooftops, and any opposition was seriously punished.

Now, after more than 45 years of social decline and oppression, the country has once again revolted, and it seems that they want a return to the more liberal 'good old days' of The Shah. His son, who has been in exile, is ready to return, and it is already rumoured that The Ayatollah is preparing to escape to his beloved Russia (like Assad before him).

One can but hope that the Iranians themselves take charge of any change, and that very basic human rights are returned to ALL their citizens.

I wish them 'Good Luck'.

Please don't call me 'Mate'.

 

Much like in the US, where people seem to constantly refer to each other either as 'Bro' or 'Dude', here in the UK it isn't uncommon for people to refer to each other as 'Mate'.

To say I dislike this is an understatement; I find it unnecessary and rude. Recently someone asked if I was "oar-rite mate"; of course I didn't reply. The least I expect of people is reasonably correct use of the language, and some respect. A simple "Good morning" is all that's required.

Correct use of 'English' is slowly eroding. It is not uncommon to hear people saying things like "Yeah like, y'knowatameen like". Dreadful. What sort of language is that!

It really makes one wonder what ENGLISH TEACHERS are doing in our schools! I quite understand that children no longer read books, and that 'public speaking' and 'debating societies' are seen as elitist; but could children not be taught how to speak 'reasonably' correctly? When they write essays, do they sprinkle their work with 'yeah, like, I mean, yeah like....'? And if so, is it ever corrected by their teacher?

How to speak, Basic maths, English history, and The preparation and cooking of Chicken, should be the basis of the 21st C school curriculum.

And no more of this "Oy, mate" business. 

Before you ask, yes I AM suffering from a severe bout of perfectly understandable intolerance this morning!

 

By gum, it's Begum again.

This woman's face is infamous throughout Britain; and she's back in the news!

She is Shamima Begum, the silly London schoolgirl who ran away to Syria to become an 'ISIS Bride', and support the Islamic terrorists.

She left the UK in 2015. Just 10 days later she was given to, and married, Dutch Terrorist Yago Riedijk. 

Begum worked for ISIS as an 'Enforcer' in the Morality Police. She caried an AK47, and made sure that all women were correctly dressed/covered; or else! A really charming young lady!

She allegedly had several children, all of who seem to have mysteriously died. Having eventually been interned in a Syrian detention camp in 2019, her UK Citizenship was revoked, and she adopted her husband's Dutch Citizenship.

However she is now (understandably) desperate to return to England, and has tried to do so for the past few years; to no avail.

Currently the ECHR (the EU's Court of Human Rights) is trying to enforce her return to Britain. However, foreign courts have no jurisdiction over the UK's courts, so she stays where she is!

Begum now says that she regrets her support of ISIS (surprise surprise); it has brought her nothing but trouble, and of course she would love to be back in freedom-loving, democratic, Britain. But, as everyone knows, she made her choice, and must live by it (as do we all). 

She can say how terribly sorry she is for all her past actions till the Cows come home, but it's action that counts; not idle words. No-one believes that she could have supported terrorism one minute, and not the next.

Here she is now, dressed like the people she previously assaulted, as a charming 'Enforcer'.

Known terrorists, and their sympathisers, should NEVER be allowed into the UK. Could someone make sure that our government understands that!

I would love to describe what I think of people such as Begum; but libel-laws prevent me!

 

Favourite Present.

I bought Billy just two Christmas presents this year. A bag of 'Beefy' treats, and this rubber Lamb.

What more could a Border Collie desire than his very own Sheep to round-up, and control. He loved it at once, and they became inseparable. 

The toy is made of soft rubber, and had a very annoying squeak.  

The fact that it was so popular also made it an easy target for destruction, and it is already in bits.

The squeak has been silenced, and the legs have already been mauled. I've noticed that the inside is filled with wool (very apt), and, frankly, it has become a 'hazard'.

So, I'm sorry to say that it has been binned! Billy has been looking everywhere for it, but to no avail.

Will I buy him a replacement? No, I think not. Too noisy, and too flimsy.

 

Kimbo's Kippers.

It's been a while since I've eaten any Kippers. 

I used to buy those supermarket vacuum packs, with the integral pat of butter, which, for a while, was the only way of buying them.

The last one I had was awful. It tasted totally artificial, and put me off for years.

Then, a couple of days ago, Kimbo arrived with these.

We were supposed to enjoy them together as a very early breakfast, but something 'cropped-up' and I ended up eating them both by myself.

They are 'Artisan Kippers', and came (like the others) in a convenient boil-in-the-bag vacuum pack. 

Compared to the commercial supermarket variety, they are chalk and cheese. These one's had a genuine flavour of natural smoke, and were totally delicious. I don't know where he bought them, but I hope he goes back for more.

The only down-side I can think of, is the lingering smell that always accompanies Kippers. One really needs an outdoor, dedicated, Kipper Kitchen!

Kimbo is in Budapest.

 

England, my England.

I came across this photo recently, and it took me right back to my childhood. This is exactly what England looked like when I was a wee whipper-snapper.

There were no E-bikes on the pavements, no-one carried phones in front of them, no-one wore rucksacks (unless they were off on a hiking holiday), no-one wore earphones all day long, and mass immigration had yet to commence. Most families were yet to own a TV; my own family certainly didn't.

Men wore shirts and ties and took pride in looking smart, Woolworths, Timothy Whites, and Mac Fisheries were still on every High Street, small children wore Chilprufe coats, and pukka 'Prams' were still common. No-one ate or drank in the street, and no-one dropped litter. Burger-joints were still unknown, and Supermarkets were still a rarity.

There was no Graffiti.

People aimed high. They wanted to be the best dressed, the highest paid, and the most successful and respected person in their community. Dumbing down had yet to be invented.

'Grooming Gangs' had also yet to be invented, as had 'Yardie' gangs. Hoodies didn't exist, nor did all-over body tattoos. Those with 'Mental Health' were looked after in special homes. 

No-one outside of a Football stadium would have been seen dead wearing training shoes or a sports track suit. And women didn't walk around half-naked.

Nor did people openly take drugs in the street, or walk around with open beer cans in their hands.

WW2 was not long over, and people wanted a better life. Everything was simpler. You went to school, got a job, married, bought a house, and lived happily ever after.

Sadly all that has changed over the ensuing years. I wonder why? Whether it's better or worse these days is another question!

Drawing Monty

Monty was a classic Labrador. He had that haughty look of indifference towards humans. They are possibly the most difficult dogs to understand. They are very self-centred, and only rely on humans for food and lodging. Drawing his first portrait was a daunting prospect.

I had to put some food on the edge of a table for him to sit still for a few minutes. Drawing dogs isn't easy, but Monty was quite good. He sat quietly enough for me to draw the basics, then fill in over the next few days, whenever I could get him to sit still again. Not unlike drawing/painting children.

I think the drawing must have been made in November 2011. He was just 11 months old.

I framed the original as a Christmas gift for Lady M; he was her baby! Unfortunately it was left somewhere damp over Winter, and was ruined. Luckily I'd previously taken a couple of photo-copies, so I still have the image. 

Jeremy Corbyn praises Chavez, and Socialism in Venezuela

The UK Socialists have had a long term love-in with the corrupt Venezuelan regime. Above is the fragrant Jeremy Corbyn singing the praises of Chavez. Today he is refusing to criticise Maduro. These people are his political heroes. 

The UK's Labour MP's have been long-term admirers of the crazy Communist/Marxist/Leninist regime, and many amongst them are not happy that Tru*p has now 'illegally' abducted Maduro, and they want Starmer to make a statement saying so!

Starmer & Co are naturally embarrassed that Maduro has been arrested. Everyone knew about the killings, corruption, and drug involvement, but many chose to ignore it. Venezuelans themselves have been desperate for a change of regime, whilst Labour have continued to heap their praises on both Chavez and Maduro. 

I've mentioned this before, but when my late Father-in-Law was 'Our man in Venezuela', Lady M spent a few years living in Caracas. On one occasion, after they had been burgled, the Police were called. After the Police had gone, there was far more missing than before they'd come to inspect. Such is life under corrupt governments.

Starmer has been skirting around the subject of Maduro's removal, and talking about 'International Law' instead. It's been a tricky situation for him, having continued to ignore all the corruption in favour of Maduro's Communist ideals.

Now, his 'backbenchers', and Corbyn supporters, are up in arms because Starmer hasn't spoken out about the illegality of Tru*p's abduction and nasty treatment of their beloved hero. Poor Starmer doesn't know which way to turn.

It's a shame that what happened recently in Venezuela couldn't have been organised from within. 

Maduro wasn't only loved by the UK's Labour Party, he was also the love-child of China, Russia, and Cuba (amongst others). His capture by Tru*p isn't going to help relations with our enemies.

It's actions like this that could lead to a full-blown WW3.

Christmas TV

 

How many times are we expected to watch Mrs bloody Doubtfire, or Crocodile bloody Dundee, or even The bloody Sound of bloody Music?

One has to presume that all TV Co's close down over Christmas, as they head-off for their villas in The Socialist Republic of Tuscany until the New Year. And no doubt, before they leave they press some Christmas button that replays all the films we've been made to endure over the decades. 

In some ways I'd almost prefer that they closed down all programming, and just left a camera pointing at Oxford Circus for the duration. It'd be more entertaining than watching some of the tripe they leave us; especially all those 'Celebrity' shows!

Of course, I could always ignore the TV, and play Scribble or Monotony, but there are times at Christmas when a really good film, or play, would be welcomed. I'm not saying that all of the films they show are rubbish, but they are usually one's we've all seen over and over.

I think the only thing we watched over the whole Christmas period (that we really enjoyed) was the Amandaland Christmas Special; and even that we watched on iPlayer!

Darling, you were wonderful!

One of the real surprises, and treats, of the Christmas period, was Kimbo's showing of an old film that I was in. He has a full-size (well almost) cinema screen, and it's just like being at The Odeon.

I must admit, my film career was short and rather insignificant; Hollywood never called!

We watched a bit of 'The Duallists' on Christmas Eve, and managed to grab this 'still' from the moving picture (hence the poor quality).

On the far left is Keith Carradine, bottom left with Champagne is Lady Magnon, peering out from behind the portly singer in the centre of the picture is the dashing officer Cro, and on the far right is Harvey Keitel. There are a few other worthies in the picture, but I can't remember their names. I had completely forgotten that Lady M and I were in this one scene together. Luckily young Kimbo has a copy of the film..... WE don't.

The Director was Ridley Scott and the Producer David Puttnam. 

I can't say it was all fun. We were filming late into the night, and early in the morning. The catering was very poor, and we spent hours in 'make-up' every day.

Would I recommend that you watch the finished product? Well, if you really have nothing better to do, and nothing else to watch, then you might enjoy it. The film is very 'brooding' in its appearance; influenced, they said, by Stanley Kubrick's film 'Barry Lynden'.

I know, I know; I haven't aged a bit darling.

OK, the story-line is a bit thin, but the superb acting (ahem) makes up for it!!!

Verdict: 4/10 (except for my scenes of course) 

 

The poor dear. Just look at that sweet face!

Here we are, just into 2026, and I already have a wonderful story for you.

Just so you know what a totally bonkers country we're living in; I offer this simple (and not uncommon) tale.

This much misunderstood 'Islamist Double Murderer', Fuad Awale, was serving a minimum of 38 years in prison, having shot and killed a couple of fellow drug dealers. Then, along with another misunderstood Islamist prisoner, he held a Prison Officer hostage and threatened to kill him unless some silly demand was met. 

As a result, Awale and his chum were then sent to a special secure unit for extra dangerous prisoners, and he was kept in Solitary Confinement.

This, of course, caused 'severe depression' to Awale, so he sued the government, claiming that his (EU) Human Rights had been compromised. Well, you would wouldn't you! 

Now, here comes the interesting bit. David Lammy, our fabulous Deputy Prime Minister, has agreed that it was horrid of those nasty prison people to separate him from his terrorist chums, and the generous Lammy has awarded him a total of £240,000 in award and costs.

The MORAL of this story must be: kill a few drug dealers, go to prison, threaten to kill a guard, then make lots of money because you're depressed...... It really makes you wonder why all those foreign criminals are so keen to get here!

 

Colour Prejudice.

The only change to my Christmas fare this year was the glaze I brushed onto the Turkey towards the end of roasting.

It may not seem particularly evident in the photo, but the bird had a lovely rich, chestnut colour finish to it, and looked very inviting.

The culinary tip appeared in a recent Sunday Times food section, and advised to brush the bird all over with Pomegranate Molasses about 15 minutes before its roasting time was over.

The result was a really inviting, rich finish to its appearance. It also gave a slight hint of sweetness to the exterior.

In future when roasting a Chicken, Duck, Turkey, or Goose, I shall do the same. It takes just a few seconds, but makes all the difference.

This may be like teaching Grandmothers to suck eggs for many, but not only was this the first time I'd bought Pomegranate Molasses, but it was also the first time I'd 'glazed' a Turkey.

You're never too old to learn. 

I rest my case Your Honour!

 

The year ahead

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Have you made yourself any promises for 2026? I can't remember those I made for 2025, but I probably failed to keep any.

As usual I've decided to try to lose a few pounds. Any loss of weight must be a relief for my painful back and hips.

Other than that I haven't really made any drastic resolutions. I was not as generous in 2025 as I would liked to have been, and I intend to be more so in 2026. My main charity is Médecins sans Frontières, but other things do crop up occasionally that need a bit of help; my beautiful old church in France was one such example last year.

Lady M intends to eat less meat, so I see that being a major change this year. I will, of course, need to follow her example, as I tend to be the cook. No; we are NOT becoming veggies!

In France I intend to return to vegetable growing in a very minor way. Kimbo goes more often than us, so I will get him to plant some Tomatoes in May maybe. Then in Summer, as soon as we arrive, I shall sow some Bok Choi. I believe they grow quite quickly so we should get an edible crop within our three months stay.

Otherwise, I suppose I'm too set in my ways for too much change. I can't think of much I'd like to change anyway! By my advanced age, if I haven't sorted out my priorities; I never will, and I'll stick to my old ways.

I WILL try not to get too upset by the Woke Folk, by Socialist policies, and all that is totally bonkers in our 21st C Britain. However, I see this aim failing!

Most importantly, I have several small jobs that I've been putting-off for years in France. They're nothing important, but they need to be finished, and I'm determined that they will be in 2026.