Knives are out at No 10.

Luckily, or maybe unluckily, I can still watch PMQ's live on my laptop, through 'Parliament TV'.

This last week Freebie Starmer was away on a Freebie, so I didn't bother. I had better things to do than watch Dave Lammy, and there were more important things to worry about.

                               

Liverpudlian bruiser Andy Burnham (above) who is known as 'The King of the North', has just won a Parliamentary seat, and is once again Andy Burnham MP. 

We are told that he will lead an aggressive coup against Starmer, and will probably replace him as Prime Minister within the next few weeks (I don't know how long such things take). He represents the far left of Labour politics, which might be OK for a rabble-rouser Union Shop Steward, but it takes a lot more subtilty and diplomacy to be a respected UK Prime Minister.

Burnham is a life-long politician, and like most Labour's MP's, has never run, or established, a business. So, what can we expect of him?

He'll probably introduce even more classic Socialist 'Tax-n-Spend' policies, meaning higher taxes for the wealth-creators, and more hand-outs for those on benefits. 'Re-Distribution of Wealth' is being mentioned in the more extreme left-wing corners; and we all know what that means; higher unemployment, more businesses going bust, more wealth-creators moving abroad, and little growth. He's also talking about serious 'Nationalisation'. Classic destructive Left-Wing policies. 

On the plus side he has promised to ensure that Public Procurement always prioritises British industry. Well, that's something we can all support.

Being a Northerner, we also hear that he wants to shift the emphasis away from the S E and London, to Up-North. But he would, wouldn't he.

Thin gruel anyone?

Aristocratic garden plants (weeds).

 

Cro, Cro, all aglow

How does your garden grow?

With Champagne corks 

and knives and forks

and 'Lords and Ladies' all in a row!

'Lords and Ladies' seem to crop-up almost anywhere; where one least expects them. In this case (above) in the old fish pond beneath the fountain.

But beware; they are toxic. Best left to certain birds that are immune, and who distribute their seeds at will.

They never fail to surprise me; especially when they appear in a row of SEVEN.

Les Bons Vivants in Corsica (Part 1)

It's a long time since I've posted one of these videos of the Bons Vivants doing what they do best; eating, drinking, and having fun.

Here they are in Corsica, waving guns around like a bunch of junior Mafioso (firearms etiquette is not their forté), and enjoying the best that the island can offer. 

Their accents are very strong; very similar to where I live, so not easy for everyone to understand. However, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

These boys don't hold back, they search out the very best of each region of France. The cheeses, the charcuterie, the wines, the alcohols. And at the same time they have a lot of fun with their palls.

It's why we love France (and Corsica) so much. 

They're basically a pair of Foodie-Hooligans.

 

Should we 'Ban the Burka' ?

No, not Brighton beach, but probably somewhere in 'Arabia'.

Many burka-wearing women say that they like to be totally covered, but one wonders what their husbands would say/do if they said otherwise. How can this poor woman in the photo not be desperate to join her family in the water?

Humans are humans wherever they live, and women want the same freedoms and opportunities as their sisters elsewhere. To be educated, to find a nice husband, to make her own decisions, to be her own person. These are basic desires, and rights.

I do have sympathy with these oppressed women, but if it's what they REALLY want, then OK. However, I don't believe a word of it. I mean; just look at this poor woman; obeying the wishes of her husband (I presume the photo is genuine). I can just see her thinking how nice it would be to wear a bikini, let her skin feel the sunshine, and throw herself into the cooling water.

Is there a woman in the world who really wants to be covered from head to toe in a black shroud for the whole of their lives..... and for what?

Several major EU countries are now banning the wearing of such clothes. With 'facial recognition' cameras being installed everywhere, they NEED to be outlawed. 

On a personal note, I must say that I do find them quite amusing. I suppose I shouldn't laugh at them, but they do look quite comical.

Could there possibly be a sillier form of dress ???

This should do the job.

 

Mouches et Moustiques.

One of the most noticeable differences between the UK and France, are the Flying Insects.

We are sleeping in our 'Tower'; an outside room with a very comfortable bed. But somehow the Flies and Mozzies have already discovered that we're there.

I've given it a good spraying, I've installed a plug-in-insect-scarer, and I'm even wearing a yellow plastic anti-Mozzie bracelet, but still they come. 

I remember many years ago talking to our local Chatelaine about the problem, and she very indignantly asked me "So, you don't have Flies in England?".

"Of course we do", I replied, "but as soon as one is spotted inside a house, everyone rolls-up a newspaper, and we hunt him down". A very different attitude to here in France.

Like most people, I really hate hearing a Mozzie at night. It can completely spoil one's pattern of sleep.

If anyone knows of a foolproof system to keep the wretched things away, please let me (and the rest of the world) know.

A new member of staff.

 

Yes, we have a new member of staff here at the 'homestead'. He is amusingly known as 'Creepy Crawley', and is mostly found either beside, or in, the pool.

He's a hard-worker, and his demands are few. He works for just a few hours every other day; and does a grand job. 

Seeing as my poor old back hardly functions any more, we decided that we needed extra help with certain outdoor cleaning jobs. Then Kimbo found 'Creepy', who was desperately looking for work.

He takes life quite leisurely, mooching about and climbing up walls and steps. He does a bit of sweeping, then when he's tired he simply goes to sleep and I rescue him from the depths.

It's a bit like having a tame Turtle in the pool.