Time flies

 

My goodness, it's really gone so quickly. Our Summer is already slowly winding down. Kimbo and Susie have been gone for a while, one grandson has been driven to the airport and is already back in London (or Oxford), and my youngest (with Boo Boo and The Cherub and another grandson) are in Switzerland. My daughter, Tenpin, and another grandson, are spending some time on The Amalfi Coast before returning to Oz. Now we are all by ourselves again, and it feels very strange.

Having 11 people in the house was too much, and some eventually followed my original advice, and rented a nearby Gite. 

Luckily they were not here for the big storm of July 16th. It was frightening and destructive, and I'm sure the two smallest boys would have been petrified. However, they were all here for the huge forest fires near Bordeaux, the smoke even this far East was dreadful.

My 80th birthday went well. Kimbo made a superb film of my life with some wonderful surprises, and we ate at a favourite restaurant that night. A LOT of Champagne was consumed, including one bottle of Dom Pérignon 2017 (my first taste, and probably last, of DP ever).

I managed to catch a real stinker of a cold just before my birthday, but even though it was, and still remains, quite unpleasant, it didn't mar my enjoyment. I haven't been ill for years, then just when you really don't want, etc .......

I'm very lucky. I have a wonderful family, and it was a real pleasure having them all here (just one grandson was unable to come, he was working in Oz); we now have about a month before we head back to Blighty for Autumn/Winter. 

It was interesting how everyone seemed to go shopping without ever consulting each other. We ended-up with dozens of Eggs, all sorts of Yogs, packs of strange Milks, Melons, unknown cheeses, and of course piles of half-eaten Baguettes. I'm going to have fun sorting through the various fridges.

The Cherub learned to ride a bike. We've had no Crickets or Cicadas. And all the grass is crisp and beige. 

Summer 2026 was certainly a great vintage; and it ain't over yet.

Happy Birthday, and RIP

 

Today is my Father's birthday, he was born on August 5th 1905.

He wasn't a Cricket on the Lawn, Camping in the Woods, or Swimming in Lake, type of father; he was more a solid, old-style, presence.

I have so much to thank him for. He gave us lovely homes to live in, the best schools to attend, and a good solid home life. We never lacked anything; but we were never demanding. We grew-up with high standards of behaviour, honesty, and the respect for others.

He was always involved in local politics, and was well-loved as an employer. He was both a 'generous and a good' person.

So, Father, thank you again for everything. All that you did for me is still highly appreciated, and I continue to tell your great grandchildren what a kind person you were. Your picture (above) hangs in pride of place, in our Sitting Room in France; in the house you so aptly named 'The Nut House' (on account of the nearby Walnut trees!).

Below is my father as a boy, with his older brother, my Uncle Reginald.

What a Mug!

We used to be able to buy a really effective Weed Killer based on Glyphosate. It did everything that it claimed to do; and quickly.

However, those bloody busybodies in Brussels decided that it was far too effective, and that we should now be forced to have some less effective product in it's place. I went looking.

I do like to keep my garden, and pool area, looking as neat as possible. I like a combination of 'Jungle' and 'tidy'. Certain paved areas really do require the regular services of a good weed killer.

I came across this one above. The container was pleasantly colourful, it promised that it was 'Bio', and clamed to kill 99.999% of known weeds (don't they all).

I followed the instructions, diluting by 50% with water, and set to work; it promised to show results within ONE HOUR (Action Express). I waited a few days, but nothing seemed to have wilted; let alone died. I made a second batch using a higher concentration, and was very surprised to see that yet again everything resisted; if anything they seemed to enjoy it.

I began to wonder if I'd bought the wrong product; but no, it was what I'd wanted.

Then I decided to have a look at the label to see what this stuff contained. I was shocked to find that it was no more than WHITE VINEGAR; pure and simple. The same clear vinegar that we keep in the house for various other household purposes. I have a couple of litres of the stuff; it costs peanuts.

I now feel like a right mug. This stuff cost me about £5, and I already had plenty. I hear that Glyphosate can still be bought on the 'Dark Web'. I shall have a discreet look.

Les Bons Vivants in Corsica (Part 2).

If you are either a Vegetarian, a teetotaller, or a killjoy, then turn away now; or you will be horrified!

Here are Arthur and Vincent still in Corsica, eating their way through various herds of Lambs, Pigs, and Cows; all washed down with local wines and alcohols, with a bit of singing.

Here in my village we also have a big tradition of hunting. The chasseurs have a clubhouse in the woods where activities similar to the video happen every Autumn/Winter. I expect their wives and girlfriends are glad to be rid of them!

 

What did she just say ???

 

I have just been listening to an American 'Democrat' talking about their policies. In my wildest dreams, I had never imagined that the USA could espouse policies that are even crazier than those of the UK's Polanski or Corbyn.

In a question/answer interview, Megan Romer, a senior representative of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America), gave a fascinating insight into her view of a future US. Frankly I was shocked; I wasn't sure if I was listening to a comedy show, or the world's worst political nightmare. This was pure lunacy.

I didn't have time to note all her ideas, but she kept a straight-face as she declared how the DSA would 'Save America'.

She would abolish The Senate, which she described as being based on the UK's upper 'House of Lords'. The Upper House may at times be a thorn in the side of government, but that is why it is there. It is designed to 'filter' anything too crazy from becoming law.

She also wants to do away with all national borders; to allow any Tom Dick or Pedro in and out of the USA at will. WOW!!! Fellow Democrat Barack Obama managed to boot-out 5.3 Million undesirables; this loony wants to let them all in again!

She wants to abolish all PRISONS. I can't even imagine what was going through her mind with this one. Criminals would presumably be allowed to ply their trade without the fear of ever being punished. It's an interesting idea (totally bonkers of course), which no doubt would appeal to the criminal fraternity!

She also wants to 'Defund the Police'. I'm not quite sure what she means by this, but it seems to go along with her lets-all-be-nice-to-criminals stance.

And lastly, and possibly most dangerously, she wants to abolish the US department of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). A drug dealer's, and people smuggler's dream. Along with banning prisons, and doing away with the Police, this must be the greatest charter for a lawless USA ever proposed.

 p.s. There is a short video circulating (top of page) of this woman and her ideas. Anyone thinking of voting in her direction would be wise to have a look!

Jeans; the story continues.

It was back in August of 2016, ten years ago, when I bought a couple of pairs of Jeans here in France.

I hadn't worn Jeans for years, and I was tempted by seeing these (below) on offer at my local Leclerc supermarket, for the ridiculous sum of just 6.35 Euros per pair. About £5.

Since then I've worn them a lot. The are quite heavy so they are more Winter wear rather than for Summer. They are still in perfect condition.

They are 'old codger' Jeans; no tears in the knees, no skin tight legs, and no artificial bleaching. Just good old solid and comfortable Jeans that are made to last. They are tough Cowboy Jeans. Jeans for Horse riding.

So, this is what I used to look like whilst out walking with Billy. I even still wear the same scarf, and hobble along with the same silver topped cane. Billy is still with me too.

In a perfect world I would like to be buried in my Jeans; they would make a perfect 'shroud'. And I would definitely be wearing my beige Desert Boots. 

I haven't worn them for a couple of months; it's been too hot. But they are in waiting, and I look forward to wearing them again.

 

How to become an INFLUENCER.

 

I've been wondering about this for a few years now, and I think I may have found the answer.

Originally I'd imagined that you simply had to be a bikini clad bimbo from somewhere East of London, where you were either a model, or a barmaid, or even both. You took some 'selfies', showing your 'Stunning Curves', and sent them to The Daily Mail, along with a CV stating that you were an 'Influencer'. It all sounded very simple; anyone could do it.

But it seems that it's not quite so easy. I looked on WIKI, and the rules are quite specific. There are various CATEGORIES of Influencer, and they are rigorously controlled. They are.....

A Nano Influencer has between 1,000 and 10,000 'followers'

A Micro Influencer has between 10,000 and 100,000 'followers'

A Macro Influencer has between 100,000 and A Million 'followers'

And a Celebrity Influencer has anything over A Million 'followers'.

I know what you're thinking; who or what are all these 'followers'? Well, once you have told The Daily Mail that you are an Influencer, you then establish Social Media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, etc, and wait for 'fans' to express their love for you, and promise to 'follow' your every word. Hey Presto... you have become an official Influencer, blessed by Queen Katie of Price herself.

Next, how to earn your first million. This might take a few weeks, but when you advance from Nano to Micro, a small-time manufacturer of some Teenage 'Make-up' (it might be called 'Pretty Pink Lipsticks') might approach you, and offer a deal to promote their sickly Pink Lipstick.

Now advertised as 'Miss Bimbo's range of Fabulous Friday Nite Cozmetix', you will earn 0.02p on every product sold. 

It will take at least a week before you become a Millionaire, buy your first pink Range Rover, and put a deposit on that Apartment (overlooking the sea) you've always dreamed of in Torremolinos.

The second Million arrives by magic whilst you're taking more 'selfies' on some Spanish beach. It's as easy as that!