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)