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.
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?
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
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!
Great Britain is a strange place to live these days. One might be forgiven for thinking that certain areas of the country have suddenly reverted to the 8th Century Middle East.
Not only do so many newcomers DRESS that way, but they also BEHAVE that way too. In fact, so much so, that the UK GOVERNMENT has now actually issued them with guidelines about how to behave themselves in a modern civilised Western Country.
Many of these people are so set in their primitive religious ways that they have to be told that rape, wife beating, paedophilia, under age marriage, etc, are all unacceptable in a modern society, and could result in a prison sentence. It seems that many are unaware that this is so, and see it as 'normal behaviour'!
The Koran tells its followers that a woman's worth is just a THIRD of a man's; well, they really must stop believing all this nonsense when they come to live in a more civilised country. It is in the mosques where all this rubbish is taught, and it is the duty of their Imams to correct it.
The 9 page booklet covers respect in public, gender equality, sexual behaviour, and many other subjects that all 'westerners' take for granted. WE don't need the government to tell us, and nor should they!
However, there are obviously droves of illegal immigrants who don't understand about civilised behaviour, and this booklet is for them (if, indeed, they can read).
Yesterday's news that The Dreadful Duo are to return to the UK took us all by surprise. Where they will park their caravan is anyone's guess. The Cotswold's maybe?
Their main problem is knowing that all the nasty things that they've both written and said, can never be erased or retracted. Their unpopularity can only increase by being back.
I would like to ask King Charles to remove the word 'SUSSEX' from their titles. I really cannot stand having my own county associated with them in any way whatsoever.
I would also suggest to King Charles that he demands a public apology from them both, before they are allowed back.
It is difficult to imagine what went on inside the Whinger's mind before she went off on her tantrum. One minute everyone loved her, the next she was saying how she hated everyone. All very strange. If she now thinks she can return with some massive charm offensive; she's living in a bloody dream world.
The Ginge has huge debts following his silly court cases. I believe he will hear TODAY how much he'll have to pay. He has no 'state provided security', and he has a wife who's made him look like a bloody fool. I think it would have been better for him to stay where he was; in The Jam Factory.
I think we have 6 Fig trees; two of which are in positions where they are not allowed to bear fruit.
Fig trees usually have huge amounts of fruit which, if not picked, drop to the ground making a mess. If they're away from the house in the garden it doesn't matter, but we have two trees where fruit dropping onto the ground would be very annoying. I'm talking of around the pool.
So, each year they are pruned back to nothing, assuring that next year's growth will not present a fruit problem.
Fig trees issue a nasty white sap when cut, which is irritable to human skin. So one has to take care.
Here I am, half way through pruning the tree by the pool entrance. It's work I do early in the morning, and I take my time. In fact I will take about 3 days; that's how things are aged 80! My relationship with ladders has recently taken a downward spiral.
And this (below) is what it looks like when it's all finished.
Next year it'll be back to it's lovely 'lollipop' shape again, but will NOT bear fruit, and I'll have to prune it back all over again.
Now all that remains is to prune the Wisteria, a Grape vine, and one Hibiscus. Then all will be Winter-Ready.
