Warning. Bad times ahead!

We are being told that Nasty Weather, and/or Putin, could reek havoc in the UK this Winter. We should stockpile bottled water, baked beans, tinned food of all sorts, and maybe even buy a camping gas stove, in case all the utilities disappear.

Frankly, if water, gas, petrol, and electricity, were all cut-off I think we'd find it quite difficult to survive, even if we did possess an industrial pack of bog paper, and a year's supply of wholemeal flour.  

We do have a BBQ, so a stock of charcoal might be a good idea. But with no power for the freezer, where would we store our chops, burgers, or snags.

Humans can live for quite a while without food, but we can't live without water. So a huge stash of bottled water would probably be advisable. Have you see the price of bottled water??? 

In the UK I live by the sea; but why is there no desalination plant nearby? Surely this can't be difficult, and they'd have the salt to sell as a by-product. There used to be a pool along the coast somewhere that used sea water that had been through a desalination plant; so these things can be done.

So, will we be stocking-up on baked beans and spaghetti hoops? I don't think so. I might buy a few multi-packs of bottled water, but otherwise I'll cross my fingers, and throw caution to the winds! 

Let El Nino do his worst!

Feral youth.

 

It's a tragedy that shocked the nation. Two serving Police Officers, PC Tom Clough, and PC Matt Blades (above), were killed by a bunch of five feral youths, speeding in the wrong direction on a motorway, in a stolen car. The five youths also died in the head-on crash, but that doesn't concern me.

The youths all had criminal records, and by all accounts were completely 'out of control'.

As if this wasn't bad enough, local masked hooligans later got together in memory of their mates, tearing about on E Bikes and taunting the police, whilst letting-off flares and shouting obscenities. 

This took place in N Yorkshire/Teesside, but it could have been anywhere. Sadly the government has made it too difficult to employ such people, so just over a million of them now live on the dole, ride around terrorising their local communities, and creating havoc. They have nothing better to do.

So, what is the solution to this ever increasing problem? Well, the easiest course of action would be to return to the days when young people could get employment on leaving school or college. Politicians created the problem; they can un-create it. When I left school in the mid 60's, there was no question that I wouldn't have been offered whatever job I applied for. We must return to those days!

The other solution might be to re-introduce some form of National Service. Not necessarily 100% military training, but maybe 50/50 social work as well. There are acres of graffiti that needs removing, vast amounts of potholes that need filling, and countless other national, and international, projects that would improve people's lives. At the same time, these people might learn some discipline. And, don't forget, in our dangerous times, conscription might not be a bad idea

Maybe, then, they wouldn't go around stealing cars, making idiotic Tik Tok videos, and needlessly taking the lives of innocent people.

BIZARRE.

 

One hears of strange projects around the world. Roads that lead nowhere, bridges that end mid-air, and even a huge estate of 732 mini castles that remain unfinished and unoccupied.

One might be forgiven thinking that Turkey's 'Burg Al Babas' is an AI fabrication; but no. It's real OK.

What is unbelievable, is how, or why some entrepreneur imagined that this was a good idea. Who in their right mind would want to live in a development of hundreds of small Disney-Style 'castles', crammed together over several acres. You'd have to be bonkers! Having said that; about half of them were sold in the early stages of development.

When we look at the above photo, we can hardly believe that someone didn't have a word with the Construction/Development Co, and attempt to stop them. They went bankrupt of course.

One can but wonder what will happen to all these houses. Most are only half built; just exterior shells.

Handy Hints

My French supermarket (Leclerc) could never be accused of not giving good advice to its customers; including me.

You can imagine how pleased I was to see these handy hints printed on the side of a paper bag in the fruit/veg section. It probably doesn't need translating, but I will anyway.

                                   

1. Take the bag

2. Open the bag

3. Place hand beneath the bag to avoid tearing

4. Put food in bag

I really don't know what I would have done without these tips, along with the handy illustrations. I would have been all of a dither, confused, and panicking.

So, thank you M Leclerc; you saved my day.

The Chinese

There's just one important country in the world that sits back, educates it's people properly, exports its products to every corner of the earth, and simply watches as most other 'world powers' rush around threatening each other, and occasionally throwing bombs.

Nothing exemplifies this better than watching all these track-side, black clothed, young men and their athletic robots. One of which even beat Usain Bolt's previous 100 meter record.

Whilst Russia, the USA, Iran, Israel, half of Africa, and various other Middle Eastern countries, continue to attack each other, CHINA simply sits back, observes, and slowly takes-over the world through sound economics, hard work, and an exemplary education system. Their President Xi Jinping is the epitome of a calm and thoughtful politician, who knows exactly what he's doing.

I recently bought a simple kit to change a Champagne bottle (Dom Perignon) into a lamp. Where was it made? In CHINA of course. It really is amazing how so much of what we buy now comes from CHINA; even the new lampshade was made in CHINA.

These marching robots are an analogy of CHINA'S relentless advance. Whilst other major countries concentrate their efforts on destruction, CHINA does the opposite and creates world-beating products, from the tiniest nuts-n-bolts, to all our solar and wind farm equipment. They take-over control of major foreign companies, they invest huge amounts in foreign infrastructure and technology, and they even seduce us with their cuisine.

I've not visited CHINA, nor do I have any intention of doing so, but I'm given the impression of a highly disciplined and productive country that sees itself running the whole world before too long.

In the UK the CHINESE already have a massive Embassy in London, but the Socialists have now approved an even bigger Mega-Embassy right in central London. One really has to ask the question; WHY; and WHAT will they be doing there?

I think we all know.

 

RIP Margaret Barwick.

Our oldest friend here has just died; she was 92. She was a wonderful person.

We had just bought our first home in the area, and kept seeing a GB registered car parked outside a house in our nearby small town. The English were very thin on the ground back in 1972, so I was intrigued.

In fact Margaret turned-out to be a Kiwi, who just happened to have bought her car in Blighty. We instantly became very good friends. 

Margaret was a woman of so many talents. I was trying to think how I would illustrate this page, then it seemed obvious to show just one of her paintings; as her photo would mean nothing. I think the painting is in The National Gallery of Cayman.

She was also an internationally sought-after Garden Designer, and has written major works on tropical plants, botanical gardens, and trees. Her book 'Tropical and Subtropical Trees' is to this day the seminal work on the subject. 

But mostly she was just a huge pleasure to be with, we've had so much fun together over the past 50 years. For me, her passing heralds the end of a fabulous era. Such people are exceptional, and we were very lucky to have encountered one amongst them. Her name will certainly live-on, she was loved by everyone who knew her.

Goodbye old friend. It was wonderful knowing you. And it was wonderful having you as a major part of our lives. RIP xx

 

A slight moan!

 

I don't consider myself to be a particularly generous person, but, like a lot of people, I do put-aside a respectable 'four-figure-sum' for my annual charity donations.

My regular charity is Medecins sans Frontieres who do wonderful work wherever they are in the world. I have supported them for many years. They regularly receive a full half of my donations, and are always extremely grateful.

It is just after 8 am as I write, and I have been listening to the Angelus ringing from our village church (above) just 2 Kms East of my house. It has rung morning and evening every day since I first settled in my village back in 1972. The sound of that bell has been an essential part of my life for all that time. From where I'm sitting, I can see the church spire poking up on the horizon.

However, a few years ago, it was noticed that the wooden structure holding the massive bell was in need of replacement, and a fund was launched.

I may not be a church-goer, but I do love old buildings; especially medieval churches. So I responded to the appeal, and donated the other half of my donation fund to the restoration project. I was happy with both of my donations, and really thought no more about it.

However, and I don't wish to sound too churlish, but after quite a long period I realised that I'd heard nothing from anyone confirming my gift, and I suddenly felt rudely ignored. I am not a wealthy person, and for me, my donation was 'substantial'. I hadn't expected any gratitude, but at the same time, not to have any acknowledgement at all felt ungrateful. Neither the Mayor's office nor the Church itself had bothered to say a simple 'Thanks'.

It still irks me, and if they ask for more money, the answer will be a very polite NO!