THE MAYORS OF NY, LONDON, and BRIGHTON.

Many of the good people of New York are apparently in fear of their new Muslim Mayor Mr Zohran Mamdami. His socialist, woke, policies are making many flee for their lives.

In London we've had a Muslim Mayor for many years, and (it has to be said) he's made a bit of a mess of things, and isn't too popular. He's made life a misery for car owners, violent crime is up by 40%, and the amount of 'stabbings' has become a nightmare.

Since May of this year we have a new Lady Mayor here in Brighton. She replaces our previous Mayor Mohammed Asaduzzaman (below), who I believe was also a Muslim. They seem to be everywhere. We are expecting some improvement. 

So, I say to all you New Yorkers; nothing lasts forever, have no fear, all will soon be over!

Wooden spoons

They might seem like mundane little throw-away objects, but a good wooden spoon is one of the most important tools in the kitchen. It is a natural product, it uses no electricity or batteries, and is easily stored.

The well used spoon in the bottom right of my photo, was without doubt my favourite spoon; hence it looking so well-used. Sadly it broke a couple of years ago (probably through old-age), and I have not yet found the perfect replacement. The picture shows just a selection of my collection in France.

I've been in desperate need of a new wooden spoon, and in recent months I've bought TWO new spoons (below), but neither hits the spot. The bowl is too big, the handle too short, or just the feel of the thing isn't right. My search continues.

I like wooden spoons. I expect most are made by robots these days, but I have several that were hand-carved. The manufacturing process doesn't make one better than another, but it's always good to see 'skill'.

These are the two I bought recently. The top one has a slightly over-sized bowl and a short handle, and the bottom one is made of very poor quality wood and needs sanding; it's unpleasant to use.

I do know of a nearby shop where my quest may be fulfilled. I shall let you know. I know you'll be anxious on my behalf.

Why do we work?

 

The obvious answer to this simple question is 'to earn money'.

We all want a roof over our heads, to be able to pay our bills, put food on the table, clothes on our backs, and hopefully to afford a little warmth during the winter months. If there's anything left over, maybe buy a car, an annual holiday, and a few pints at the weekend. Most of us don't ask for a lot more than that.

So, how are the government helping us with our aspirations! They promised 'CHANGE'.

They raise house taxes (plus the cost of buying that house). They put-up the prices of our everyday food purchases. They take away Winter fuel payments from the elderly. They close-down Pubs and High Street shops. They punish the hard-working. Cause panic amongst our Farmers. And possibly worst of all, they create mass UNEMPLOYMENT (as they always do). Yet people still vote for these clowns; probably including most of those who are now suffering as a result of their folly.

If possible, I want my taxes to be spent wisely. I would occasionally like to see a 'Bobby on the Beat'. I want my exorbitant local taxes to be used for street lighting, pot-hole-filling, and street cleaning. I would also like a bit to be left-over for my NHS health care (if I need it), so that I don't have to sit for several days in a cold and damp corridor, waiting for my in-growing-toenail to be looked-at. 

I should add here that we have a lovely brand new replacement modern street-lamp outside our house. It was installed whilst we were away in Summer. Sadly, it has never had a lightbulb fitted, or been connected to the power supply. When I recently made enquiries I was told that we might have some actual light again before Christmas. The old one (next to it) has been chopped in half, but remains there in situ.

Pot holes are still everywhere, and if I do ever see a Street Cleaner, he's usually sitting down in a dark corner, lighting a spliff. 

As for that Bobby.... no bloody chance!

p.s. On the political front, I see that both Labour and The Tories have been overtaken by The Green Party in the popularity polls. People are becoming DESPERATE.

Nureyev.

I was listening to a BBC radio play recently where the hero visited Covent Garden to see Nureyey and Fonteyn, and it reminded me of a chance encounter.

In around 1966-67 I was dealing in antiques in London's Chelsea. In those days, and in that location, you really never knew who you would meet next. 'Celebs' were thick on the ground.

So I wasn't really surprised when one morning in walked Rudolf Nureyev.

He was a stunning sight. Exceptionally handsome in his very camp style, and dressed almost from head to foot in fur. The photo above was NOT his outfit at the time, but it was the only one I could find of anything similar. The hat looks the same.

Knowing our local Fox population as I do, I would suggest that his hat and coat were of Fox fur; they were certainly of that type and colour. He also wore soft pale leather, knee high, boots that were trimmed with the same fur around the tops. He stood out from the crowd like a sore thumb.

He looked around my offerings (mostly early European polychromed wood carving), and handled a few appreciatively. We didn't speak, other than a polite 'good morning'. Then he was gone. He was by himself, and in those days no-one pestered for autographs, etc.  

I have never been to the Ballet, and I regret this. Some of the world's better Ballet companies do visit Brighton, so there's still time. I can, of course, no longer see Nureyev, but there are plenty of others who possibly come close to his genius.

In the mid-to-late 60's in central London, you could stand still for ten minutes and see dozens of well-known faces. You probably couldn't do that today!

 

Almost next door.

You might be forgiven for thinking that I've moved to Jerusalem.

This sign is just around the corner from where I live, and is the remnants of a street that was demolished, back in the 1960's, to make way for a Primary School.

There is now only ONE HOUSE in the non-existent road, and that is No 2 (previously owned by a TV Celeb friend). The remainder of what was Mount Zion Place is now a twitten that runs behind my garage. An area much loved by those who enjoy illegal substances.

I've tried to discover why it was named after Mount Zion, but no official reason is given. One person suggested that there might have been a Pub' called The Mount Zion, but even that has not been confirmed.

A further 100 yards away is Zion Gardens. Again I have no idea why it is called as such.

The only thing I know about Mount Zion (the original one), is that it's the home of The Cenacle; which is described as the location of The Last Supper. All very exotic.

As you can probably see, like most street signs it attracts the attention of the 'Squiggle Merchants' who find it impossible to pass-by any white surface without leaving evidence of their stupidity. Such is life!

 

Less than two months to go.

I feel as if we're rushing towards Christmas, and that the next two months are simply annoying barriers in the way. 

Christmas has become a focal point, and Mince Pies, Plum puddings, and glitzy decorations are already on sale in the shops. It feels as if people are trying to get it all over and done with as soon as possible, so that they can look forward to Easter.

The 'commercial' year, in the UK, is divided into 4 distinct parts. New year, Easter, Summer holidays, and Christmas. And we now have a month of Black Friday to come (whatever that is). We close our eyes whilst rushing from one to the other.

I, like so many others, get caught-up in all this nonsense, and I'm already planning what gifts I will buy, what we'll eat on the big day (THAT never changes), and even when we'll leave for France in 2026.  

With no more 'goals to achieve', one year is now much like another. There are no highs or lows. No targets to aim for. Our only concern is to end each year 'alive and solvent'.

My Supermarket 'Loyalty Card' has only accumulated £12 since last Christmas (the bloody skinflints), so it won't pay for this year's Turkey. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it all. For me, it's still be best day of the year, but PLEASE, can we not mention it for another 6 weeks!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Another scandal.

 

Amazingly I was on the side of Rachel Reeves after the recent revelations about her house letting. It seemed to me that the fault lay entirely with the letting agents who should have informed her that a 'licence' was necessary. Now, we know that the truth is far more complicated, and damning.

I'm not at all a believer that all politicians should resign over tiny peccadillos. We'd probably have none left!

However, we cannot have one rule for one side of the house, and a more blinkered one for the other. 

We can all remember Boris being hounded out of office for the silliest of reasons, yet Starmer who visited Durham (under the same lockdown rules) for a Curry and Beer party, faced no retribution whatsoever. 

We also need to remember that Reeves herself had previously been involved in instigating a similar 'Landlord Licence' scheme in her own constituency of Leeds West, which makes matters even worse. 

So far 7 Labour Ministers have gone since they gained power a year ago; 6 women and 1 man. Rayner had to go, Tulip had to go, Ali had to go, Foxcroft had to go, Dodds had to go, Gwynne had to go, and Haigh had to go. I'm now wondering if the fragrant Reeves will also have to go, and make it 8!

There is no question that she has been a destructive Chancellor, but who would replace her? They have no-one with any business experience whatsoever. It's all well and good following Socialist doctrine, but not when it comes to ruining the country's economy.

It's not the oversight that condemns Ms Reeves. Rather like with Andrew Windsor, it's the lying about it that is the real problem. We don't need dishonest people in government.

Do I think she should go? Probably NOT. As much as we'd all like to see the back of her, I think her appalling legacy will condemn her enough.