tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52270644961855473132024-03-19T09:50:39.432+00:00Magnon's MeanderingsA diverse offering twixt the interesting, the unusual, and the amusing.Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.comBlogger5321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-22250370839330701632024-03-19T05:36:00.000+00:002024-03-19T05:36:04.656+00:00DIY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a short flight of communal steps up to our row of four bijou town-houses, on either side of which are some metal rails. I've been threatening to tidy them up a bit over the past few years. I could wait no longer, they looked awful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were rusty, and really in need of a lick of paint, so I 'WhatsApp'ed' my neighbours and asked if they'd mind if I had a go at them. I don't know if you can see from my photo, but they really looked tired. Anyway, they were quite happy for me to do it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUO8m1P3uJA6J0fbIYl6rA23IloFO3mU3n0kkdh391jsg-GHR3BzJx-RfeR7w0-EWScoPr-WRV9cLQRP-3nb4MGzhXSdH1EmQ6HMjxdoHSH4gXpU8Yg1tVnFdq4dDo6Szt0khaGjbKbjVMZmRsF4pxJHJmY8oHBqgMT3fM5v1abkY_2HvbpdJ-zVpfTF9/s480/railings%20again.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUO8m1P3uJA6J0fbIYl6rA23IloFO3mU3n0kkdh391jsg-GHR3BzJx-RfeR7w0-EWScoPr-WRV9cLQRP-3nb4MGzhXSdH1EmQ6HMjxdoHSH4gXpU8Yg1tVnFdq4dDo6Szt0khaGjbKbjVMZmRsF4pxJHJmY8oHBqgMT3fM5v1abkY_2HvbpdJ-zVpfTF9/w395-h400/railings%20again.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, yesterday morning I was out in the sunshine with my wire brush, a serious 'scraper', some heavy grade sandpaper, some special black metal paint, and the job was done in no time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It may not be perfect, but it does look a lot better than before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOSQQweOPka7PXakrkMYuyOA6Se5FQAHj1e_YFMfKrzSz836ts9YqU_KWSmGuSSZw1_DydACyW6J2DxTA28Ga38c2xYaF8fJho-8uT9PqtYW7FVMLDOe05DPTMhrQ3rnDfNM83sUpu6aMHs2lpbIIszlaAtcirt9mHqBPe62oXM8wMzAhrrOxpTs99f-W/s581/painted%20rails%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOSQQweOPka7PXakrkMYuyOA6Se5FQAHj1e_YFMfKrzSz836ts9YqU_KWSmGuSSZw1_DydACyW6J2DxTA28Ga38c2xYaF8fJho-8uT9PqtYW7FVMLDOe05DPTMhrQ3rnDfNM83sUpu6aMHs2lpbIIszlaAtcirt9mHqBPe62oXM8wMzAhrrOxpTs99f-W/w303-h400/painted%20rails%202.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope everyone's happy with what I've done; I know I am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next job; remove all those weeds. Lady M is out there already, trowel in hand!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-64870083887521122342024-03-18T05:28:00.004+00:002024-03-18T07:32:16.117+00:00Stéphane Grappelli - Honeysuckle Rose - vers 1959<div><br /></div><div>Who doesn't love Stéphane Grappelli!</div><div><br /></div><div>Is that a young Sacha Distel playing guitar? It certainly looks like him. </div><div><br /></div><div>I always think of Grappelli playing with Django Reinhardt, but Distel (if it is him) does a reasonable job.</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/cpHhHS9o8_0?si=oGEj7xdmWDADHo2n" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cpHhHS9o8_0/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-75059299342037156252024-03-17T05:15:00.000+00:002024-03-17T05:15:33.431+00:00Seal of Approval.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's official, Brighton is the best place to live in the UK for 'wellbeing'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSfbqw4UeHHVTjj1t146z5c3Hw1f5QiC6r1dHLRsofawwLt7hgqWYLCJb335LvSXRs6QVTu9HiVxy2n8PMio5wHRj3cG6e7IAjZusZtxhYIXEAMh6WLuwC9bDXX3-HhjyXGlxhCqSGAKODqlGMFNfDvLR7O4tdkW7NvfTnwEq0SpYMl_4jXC6D3yfqc4v/s565/Free%20spirited%20Brighton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="565" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSfbqw4UeHHVTjj1t146z5c3Hw1f5QiC6r1dHLRsofawwLt7hgqWYLCJb335LvSXRs6QVTu9HiVxy2n8PMio5wHRj3cG6e7IAjZusZtxhYIXEAMh6WLuwC9bDXX3-HhjyXGlxhCqSGAKODqlGMFNfDvLR7O4tdkW7NvfTnwEq0SpYMl_4jXC6D3yfqc4v/w400-h279/Free%20spirited%20Brighton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't really know everything that 'wellbeing' involves, but I presume it's another word for 'quality of life'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's certainly pleasant to be by the sea, within 50 mins of London, to have good shops at hand, plenty of excellent restaurants, an artistic community, drugs available on every street corner, and some really superb entertainment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSJDaHXAgdcwpEpsotxSf2PVrVPGSQWReE85VK11ip0w-a2jiPIwyLLnWFnI8YMq6O1s4IQ2LQcAn7qqOXjZTDt2jnhaCZxdizMsXW3WEJ5mSInf2moc5gdQfF6LGZdc2EZa2sX6A7xH0RNSXyhipAuH0xU-67R6-b9OSvTRBrm0pwejKA25gisuY05Dj/s640/beach%20front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSJDaHXAgdcwpEpsotxSf2PVrVPGSQWReE85VK11ip0w-a2jiPIwyLLnWFnI8YMq6O1s4IQ2LQcAn7qqOXjZTDt2jnhaCZxdizMsXW3WEJ5mSInf2moc5gdQfF6LGZdc2EZa2sX6A7xH0RNSXyhipAuH0xU-67R6-b9OSvTRBrm0pwejKA25gisuY05Dj/w400-h300/beach%20front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have a good Football team, the County Cricket team plays here, and all water sports are catered for. And if you're a Petrol Head, the annual speed trials along Madeira Drive in September (?) is amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">France is nearby, Gatwick is handy, busses are plentiful, and the train to London runs several times an hour (I think).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brighton is very multi-cultural, accepts all-comers, and is student-friendly. Sadly I did once witness a few left-wing dungaree wearing young 'ladies' painting Stars of David on the windows of M & S; but I must presume they were either of low IQ, or were just plain Nazi supporters. That form of extreme racism is not welcome here. They have not reappeared since.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, yes. I have to agree with the article above, we are filled to the brim with 'wellbeing', and our 'free-spirit' is alive and well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-69637732185308040932024-03-16T06:04:00.000+00:002024-03-16T06:04:19.067+00:00Prince Buster, Enjoy Yourself<div><br /></div><div>I only saw the late Prince Buster once, he was a guest singer with Gino Washington's Ram Jam Band here in Brighton, at The Metropole Hotel. On the same bill was Roy Wood's band The Move; a strange combination of musical tastes. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you should go to a Jools Holland gig, he always ends his show with this song; so make sure you learn the words. Everyone has to sing along!</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ylXI0CW--R4?si=No5BU7XsSegDk67x" width="480"></iframe>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-88573773705792692152024-03-15T05:40:00.003+00:002024-03-15T08:04:49.389+00:00Guess the location.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kimbo and Suzie are on holiday; but where could they be?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's hot, there are camels, and there are big pointy things sticking out of the sand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhjnVXX_H7h3VKIVX4t7w97uuwCTIwrZTw_d6Kqyy2SABLBXAjQDVJD0_9vj8Cf6_NFxNSKPVJRiAPbymy8fIuR1OsYBUGFvbSnEm2IxRodF7yd1Mk84weWL0T7FfcdsWBjWiaFCVc_OOyiYo7DJz4wcPVI6eOfx5aMY9umyArQd4LUSZtxvrILfP7HVi/s1600/leaping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhjnVXX_H7h3VKIVX4t7w97uuwCTIwrZTw_d6Kqyy2SABLBXAjQDVJD0_9vj8Cf6_NFxNSKPVJRiAPbymy8fIuR1OsYBUGFvbSnEm2IxRodF7yd1Mk84weWL0T7FfcdsWBjWiaFCVc_OOyiYo7DJz4wcPVI6eOfx5aMY9umyArQd4LUSZtxvrILfP7HVi/w300-h400/leaping.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tourist shops sell Howard Carter's cast-offs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Bangles wanted us to walk like the natives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Sam the Sham had a line-up of ancient rulers as his backing band.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just so that you don't have a shock if you should visit here, Kimbo's taxi from the airport to their 'luxury' hotel cost £1,000. In fact this was just over £16 in UK money, but they still needed smelling salts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'll give you are clue; they're not in Cleethorpes.<br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-57764618894686066482024-03-14T05:44:00.004+00:002024-03-14T07:08:32.628+00:00Fashion.<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTFPFpvsdQ_41HOEVvqEceJ3DD_7F40VM9kixXu4J95cv60bcaqS3hWQTa8ZMylKzoyegU1V9tx8vd7un1lQzJx12Ng1AUVRapLMC85K92F6pwOB5KpcQ1jIVt-G2B5tGxwPnxI4lygN1mu8TloX2Vp1ms8NHSVyIgDtTbbgZrt7XdHhHk2eFWPOGpqB4/s973/jeans%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTFPFpvsdQ_41HOEVvqEceJ3DD_7F40VM9kixXu4J95cv60bcaqS3hWQTa8ZMylKzoyegU1V9tx8vd7un1lQzJx12Ng1AUVRapLMC85K92F6pwOB5KpcQ1jIVt-G2B5tGxwPnxI4lygN1mu8TloX2Vp1ms8NHSVyIgDtTbbgZrt7XdHhHk2eFWPOGpqB4/s320/jeans%202.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>If you tell them that oversized trousers are really chic, and they should buy all their clothes ten sizes too big; they will follow your every word.<p></p><p>If you tell them that covering your arms, legs, neck, and hands with tattoos, is really cool; they'll do it. </p><p>If you tell people that when they leave their house/flat they must have a rucksack, mobile phone, water bottle, cardboard cup of coffee, and earphones, they will do exactly as you say.</p><p>If your young son is told by his school mates that he has to wear £250 'trainers' or they'll never speak to him again, you buy them at once.</p><p>If you are told that puce is the new black, you wear puce.</p><p>Now this one will really make you laugh. Someone in Taiwan had this great idea. They will slash brand new jeans with a Stanley Knife, rough them up a bit in a concrete mixer filled with pebbles, and then charge you an extra £500 for the pleasure (as they now look like a tramp has been wearing them for a few years), someone, somewhere, will buy them and actually wear them outdoors in the open. Yes, there's one born every minute.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-85017805034720314582024-03-13T04:57:00.026+00:002024-03-13T07:18:31.027+00:00My 30 Greatest Pleasures (not in any order of preference).<div><br /></div><div>I'm re-posting this from 2013. Amazingly I wouldn't change anything on the list.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIfmg1p9jze_yGG3wxFoitatOOE5m-32pOShSSiTGKuOR59HOlY9GTq0HNXAcrVotgR_dw3gXuOT_e5gYUKGACrik3OGPzXbmX66vLTegA5q31czgKFBmvYuZ2FURKf5H8naTc_njJfJU3yHH8fKP25PfTSUlLvXod8RCTSqOnAuOW6RfIawcvDCw3qZ6/s400/DSCF6054.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="400" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIfmg1p9jze_yGG3wxFoitatOOE5m-32pOShSSiTGKuOR59HOlY9GTq0HNXAcrVotgR_dw3gXuOT_e5gYUKGACrik3OGPzXbmX66vLTegA5q31czgKFBmvYuZ2FURKf5H8naTc_njJfJU3yHH8fKP25PfTSUlLvXod8RCTSqOnAuOW6RfIawcvDCw3qZ6/s320/DSCF6054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
1. Chicken in all its forms.<br />
2. Unsophisticated local red wine (either Merlot or Cabernet).<br />
3. Paintings by Matisse, Derain, Kitaj, and Augustus John.<br />
4. Lady M's Tarte Tatin (above).<br />
5. My 3 gorgeous children, and my 6 gorgeous grandchildren.<br />
6. My house (as it was).<br />
7. My village (as it was).<br />
8. Instrumental Ska music.<br />
9. Meat.<br />
10. Haddock's (my old veg' garden).<br />
11. Christmas Day.<br />
12. Latin.<br />
13. Monty and Bok (our dogs), and Freddie the Cat (now all deceased). And, of course, now Billy too.<br />
14. Dark green glazed 'Biot' pottery.<br />
15. French 18th C country furniture.<br />
16. Fresh eggs from our hens.<br />
17. Sunshine.<br />
18. Patchouli.<br />
19. Beer accompanied by Pork scratchings.<br />
20. Pork pies.<br />
21. Log fires.<br />
22. Home made bread.<br />
23. Strong blue (and other) cheese.<br />
24. Writing.<br />
25. Driving.<br />
26. Kissing pretty girls.<br />
27. Eating out.<br />
28. Getting up in the morning without any aches or pains.<br />
29. Hearing our church bells.<br />
30. And finally;..... Swimming.<br />
<br />
I shall now be going around, for the rest of the week, thinking of all the things I've forgotten.<br />
<br />
<br />Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-1978476125870874662024-03-12T05:19:00.003+00:002024-03-12T07:20:15.808+00:00Missed Opportunity?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Readers of The Sunday Times may have read this article about my neighbour Michelle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She describes buying a painting at a 'small fair' for £1,000, which she sold back to the seller some time later for £10,000. A wise investment. She didn't say what it was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnwe9CZLN2syGEvwT5DVDeM2-tZ5_LyoluGkam4y_o_2g3VbrD75a14lgG6i5v0_DbXP8ShLqPtG0hbqxDTlj_KfKPVo9LkcttR15P1ADlANVY5ebjl11eM0TRfJwO4Hs3HEbyjb1SqQ_ltTphzq1N-Pc649sOAupP2Y0bqSl_akxYYikSELmDyBfp3Rn/s506/M%20O.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnwe9CZLN2syGEvwT5DVDeM2-tZ5_LyoluGkam4y_o_2g3VbrD75a14lgG6i5v0_DbXP8ShLqPtG0hbqxDTlj_KfKPVo9LkcttR15P1ADlANVY5ebjl11eM0TRfJwO4Hs3HEbyjb1SqQ_ltTphzq1N-Pc649sOAupP2Y0bqSl_akxYYikSELmDyBfp3Rn/s320/M%20O.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in the early 60's I was on my way to school with £100 in my pocket which I was to deposit in my school account and spend on some shares in a Company called Paringa Mining and Exploration. It was to be my first time dealing with a broker, and the first time I would have bought shares in my own name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Between leaving my train at Victoria, and before catching my other train at Liverpool Street, I made my way to Bond Street; the home of London's Art Gallery Scene. I stood outside the window of Gimpel Fils, admiring a small painting by Bernard Buffet, who just happened to be a favourite painter at the time (goodness knows why). It was priced at an affordable £90 (about £2,300 in today's money).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was so close to buying the painting, but risked the wrath of my Father; so I resisted. I have always wondered what the difference would have been between the profit from Paringa and the profit from Buffet. I suspect the Buffet would have proved a much better investment, and I would have enjoyed the picture over several years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Should I have bought the painting, and proved to Father that there were investments other than via the Stock Exchange? On reflection I think I should have. How long I would have kept the painting I don't know. How much it is worth today, I don't know either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, I've seen similar sized originals selling today for about £170,000. Hmmmm......</div><br /> p.s. I've just noticed that Michelle is on TV tonight; BBC1 8pm.<p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-13648498503507551202024-03-11T10:08:00.001+00:002024-03-11T10:08:49.161+00:00Admission of Guilt.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh dear. The Moaning Minnies have been complaining about Kate's Mother's Day picture of her with her three children. The Minnies say it's been doctored, or taken previously, or they used doubles. Whatever was wrong with it, they wish to complain with the strongest possible voice, and have it instantly removed from public view. How dare this family show a photo of themselves that has hidden some outbreak of acne, or removed an annoying Wasp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIuIrNBCI6qA0BulaofD-lno1InrRdh8uDwMPh57aO3te6FppModN3JwX7rt5J6EeWVXh-aSqL_0DFFpO2WiPXJ1pX8wHMjjsB_4p0tXX8n2HdhL_nM6YyLwIUPKO-PVs693nMhnMYlC1pN3YLU1o8KvWnZrUgW_izoSW-zMNLA9OomwqXHkebEAQ8Lkk/s401/Kate%20and%20Co.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIuIrNBCI6qA0BulaofD-lno1InrRdh8uDwMPh57aO3te6FppModN3JwX7rt5J6EeWVXh-aSqL_0DFFpO2WiPXJ1pX8wHMjjsB_4p0tXX8n2HdhL_nM6YyLwIUPKO-PVs693nMhnMYlC1pN3YLU1o8KvWnZrUgW_izoSW-zMNLA9OomwqXHkebEAQ8Lkk/s320/Kate%20and%20Co.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, before the world's paparazzi starts to complain about MY photos, I would like to make a public admission.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, I have in the past altered my own photos. I have altered their format, their brightness, and even occasionally changed them from colour to black-n-white. And I wish to now apologise before the press splashes a 'World Exclusive' across their front pages; and haul me off to Wormwood Scrubs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have not yet received any complaints about my alterations, so for the moment my pictures haven't been 'killed'. The Minnies have restrained themselves, and the Blog Standards Agency have not yet threatened to take away my camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, if you don't hear from me in the next few days, it could be that I'm rotting in the same cell as royal photographer Prince William.</div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-65341575749630228892024-03-11T05:28:00.001+00:002024-03-11T05:28:43.898+00:00Shoplifting.<div><br /></div><div>We've all seen similar videos to this one below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shoplifting has become endemic. Gangs of youths are rushing into shops, grabbing everything they can lay their hands on, then fleeing in all directions, causing chaos and making it almost impossible to catch them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Individual shoplifters treat their crime as a 'job'. They steal on a regular basis, and, if caught they simply hand-over the 'loot', and walk away. They refer to it amusingly as the 'five finger discount'.</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/HbasQEyXpRc?si=D6Pz0kEBsnr9i7Su" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>So, what to do?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I have a very simple solution. All shops should (by law) have a single exit with a double door self locking system, which would be triggered as soon as any shoplifter heads for the outer door. Once beyond the first door, and before passing through the second, both doors would lock, trapping the thief and his/her swag inside. They would then be arrested at once, and detained in a secure room before the Shoplifting Police arrive. Once detained they MUST be prosecuted, and heavily fined (minimum £5,000); however small an object they attempted to steal. They would then be either imprisoned, or (preferably) securely chained to a very large lump of concrete outside their own home, and not released until the fine was paid in full.</div><div><br /></div><div>This epidemic (for that is what it is) must be stamped out. Shops are closing by the dozen because of high overheads, and if shoplifting continues at its present rate, we'll end-up with very few High Street stores, and only huge out-of-town superstores with very rigorous security systems.</div><div><br /></div><div>It needs to be nipped in the bud, and 'shoplifting' made into a serious offence; which it once was.</div><div><br /></div>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-32259364292070563632024-03-10T05:27:00.001+00:002024-03-10T05:27:18.856+00:00English Wine.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was watching a TV programme called the 'Farmers' Country Showdown', about a small family owned vineyard. The programme was about them packing up their van, and selling at a Farmer's Market (somewhere in England).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it came to their selling, I was astounded to see that their bottles of both white and red wine cost around £15 per bottle. WHY ON EARTH does it cost so much? I would be wanting a good Chateau bottled Margaux at that price.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinhhAKat6Y5ChiLLwXfxZ0WgrStY5wmtQSR6jDK4jhref-fWnbPX3v9C5o39o4roSKwiFhxqwFIOAdGTkrKldmU7ReHHUqzSighC2k0a-GuCJPqsKJMadj2l-qX84iA_C1U50zoVWFJaIk4pIVRQKQDGhG3tmzYx9Dz9a60XPI1o_6ZVwhJqEGUs304_m/s260/wine%20boxes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="198" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinhhAKat6Y5ChiLLwXfxZ0WgrStY5wmtQSR6jDK4jhref-fWnbPX3v9C5o39o4roSKwiFhxqwFIOAdGTkrKldmU7ReHHUqzSighC2k0a-GuCJPqsKJMadj2l-qX84iA_C1U50zoVWFJaIk4pIVRQKQDGhG3tmzYx9Dz9a60XPI1o_6ZVwhJqEGUs304_m/s1600/wine%20boxes.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In France I tend to buy my everyday wine in boxes. The wine keeps well, I have no glass bottles to recycle, and the wine itself is excellent. The box above, which is my regular choice, costs just 10 Euros (£7.50) for FIVE LITRES. Compare that to an English wine which costs £15 for 75 cls. The difference is crazy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, I don't know if this has something to do with UK taxes on alcohol, or if those people were simply overpricing their wine, but something isn't right here. How can home produced wine cost about three times the amount of imported!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">England is a good country for wine growing, and if our prices came down a bit I'm sure more vines would be planted. As with all agricultural processes, the initial outlay for equipment is high but the returns are good. There is so much land lying fallow in the UK that this could easily become a major crop in the future. But only if the final result ended-up in our supermarkets at around £5 per bottle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday was my shopping day, and I made a point of looking for English wines. Sadly I didn't find one! There were wines from all around the world, but nothing from around the corner. Maybe Sainsbury's are simply being wise, and not stocking local wine that costs THREE TIMES the price of a good Aussie or Argentinian wine. It simply wouldn't sell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know what's going on here, but whatever it is it needs to change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-92144710320967904662024-03-09T05:23:00.001+00:002024-03-09T05:23:53.039+00:00Bill Haley, Rock Around The Clock 1956 <div><br /></div><div>This was the first record I ever bought. It was a 78, and it came from Woolworth's in East Grinstead. I can even still remember actually buying it. I must have been 10 years old.</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/VsAlSuEG26A?si=wgkE1qyiBdT8xuaE" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-61058164093990294942024-03-08T05:33:00.000+00:002024-03-08T05:33:02.395+00:00Motorised-bike.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take an old bike, an engine, a long rusty chain, and a petrol tank, and you have a motorbike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one was made by my grandson 'Suave Harve'. I can't see any controls (accelerator, etc), so I'm not quite sure how it operates. But it's the idea that counts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eEm1uEnIWk_FFr-_iJ1pMMcRfXiz4TTZolqwN81tMVA6r4ViIJbJO-SgQxW7D3u9AtcrNOHgxOoqeTq0LML86iI2ZIG1J1xt0BCEc6gs_twZYOgLJ-dbFYXWufOm1BzTox2C9yPGvaagn-pKu1GIf3LTBb3P1IAcm72ZNd9KhlAs2oyNceOCa8OUUmWM/s959/bike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eEm1uEnIWk_FFr-_iJ1pMMcRfXiz4TTZolqwN81tMVA6r4ViIJbJO-SgQxW7D3u9AtcrNOHgxOoqeTq0LML86iI2ZIG1J1xt0BCEc6gs_twZYOgLJ-dbFYXWufOm1BzTox2C9yPGvaagn-pKu1GIf3LTBb3P1IAcm72ZNd9KhlAs2oyNceOCa8OUUmWM/w400-h300/bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He's a bit of a whizz, our Harve', I imagine there will be more Heath Robinson machines to come.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one won't win any races!</div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-21546826061380136842024-03-07T05:28:00.002+00:002024-03-07T05:28:43.927+00:00Navalny<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoavE_E20rkU0s7f2JhLdqU26Y6E6RC6sFRIFSKrhdV59TJ5LZhi3kYRApadh_J1wehaXCzxDBwveYOpkjcUrN5ksQpv2MEWVI3sFlLb6Rzy6b5fAckLvrxMoa3whpq5EdWhzb7otr2NzN8oXANkEAYXBpyo7mKzNDvkCCdhIMVScmnjv2a_Jh3u5QCxR/s640/Navalny.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoavE_E20rkU0s7f2JhLdqU26Y6E6RC6sFRIFSKrhdV59TJ5LZhi3kYRApadh_J1wehaXCzxDBwveYOpkjcUrN5ksQpv2MEWVI3sFlLb6Rzy6b5fAckLvrxMoa3whpq5EdWhzb7otr2NzN8oXANkEAYXBpyo7mKzNDvkCCdhIMVScmnjv2a_Jh3u5QCxR/w400-h300/Navalny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was very moved yesterday morning to find this small tribute to Alexei Navalny in our churchyard.<p></p><p>Some kind and caring person had left his photo with a couple of bunches of flowers, another bunch joined them before I passed by again in the afternoon. Somehow I expect that before my tomorrow's early walk with Billy, more flowers will have joined them.</p><p>Navalny, as we all know, was a great opponent of Putin. He spoke-up against his corruption and mis-management. A sin that eventually cost him his life under a repressive regime that knows no bounds.</p><p>Locking-up opposition politicians is not something we do in the democratic West, although I can think of a few who probably merited being put out of harm's way. </p><p>We will probably never know the full facts of Navalny's death, but it is certainly suspicious. The authorities even arrested more than 130 people for simply attending his funeral.</p><p>We should be forever grateful that we were born in a democratic liberal country, and not in some repressive Marxist state, where those infamous Mind-Police are hiding around every corner.</p><p>RIP Alexei Navalny.</p><p><br /></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-45361914064739763352024-03-06T05:40:00.001+00:002024-03-06T05:40:23.499+00:00Stuff.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a small black zipped bag that supposedly contains all that I need to travel from country to country, it is by my side at all times. Yesterday I decided to see what's in it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mostly it appears to be nail clipping and filing kit (my nails grow very quickly), but there's also an Opinel, a small magnifying glass, a silent dog whistle, a thick marker pen, a large hypodermic syringe, scissors, and several ball-point pens. In fact there's a pretty eclectic mix of 'essentials' in there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-PCwJfHEjFt_aVgIDpdVLW1WmAZ3Z0fDvXvhHJRfTCa6BQtb6WjajIXtAk-U3BJ9LHffd9d4GQt5SbblcJ_Q6r58oVlHRH0rcbdmm4WglARXz4JPYm29jCFIbTNEXVg3leWx2QjygtdygyO_FSFYEZxIkJdmJUhoUnMGM0Na4x18Wrv42-WhGUl4S-wI/s539/bag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-PCwJfHEjFt_aVgIDpdVLW1WmAZ3Z0fDvXvhHJRfTCa6BQtb6WjajIXtAk-U3BJ9LHffd9d4GQt5SbblcJ_Q6r58oVlHRH0rcbdmm4WglARXz4JPYm29jCFIbTNEXVg3leWx2QjygtdygyO_FSFYEZxIkJdmJUhoUnMGM0Na4x18Wrv42-WhGUl4S-wI/s320/bag.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't yet used the whistle, or the syringe, or the magnifying glass, but I know that if required; they are there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also noticed that there is just one Indigestion Tablet, so I have now resolved to replace it with a full blister pack of 12.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all I think it's quite a sensible collection of 'essentials'. The only things that are missing are a Swiss Army Knife (but I have one of those in the car), a small .22 Derringer pistol (for obvious reasons), and a reliable lighter; which I have now added. </div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-36607384629229863102024-03-05T05:31:00.008+00:002024-03-05T10:34:52.688+00:00Burglary update.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lady Magnon and oldest son Kimbo flew out to Toulouse on Saturday morning; they were at the house by early afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had previously phoned the people who made all my doors on Thursday morning, and they were at the house that same afternoon to change all the locks, and to try to make the house as secure as possible. Our good friend Craig was there to hand over the new keys when Lady M and Kimbo arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The house was a total mess! Things everywhere, and there were glaringly open spaces where TV's, and HiFi equipment had been. There was no power, so Lady M was obliged to make her next morning's toast in front of the fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d24L1a8b4UfE73_B8keQ9zuJJo0HKxHo1I0leswCaawvmfr32CPZ5ygdiwAgFYZi7YOiSuP1IKEgnVLJdhz41TD-GSbrZvo2Rg-i1qa72VH26fcEfVfZoimTH0622DTGCSvJ8W3baa3gzT9lcy83IOJZ7Mp3xxFuVJ21Qj9Q_sIIr-4yodHtmyFrLI4E/s1185/toast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d24L1a8b4UfE73_B8keQ9zuJJo0HKxHo1I0leswCaawvmfr32CPZ5ygdiwAgFYZi7YOiSuP1IKEgnVLJdhz41TD-GSbrZvo2Rg-i1qa72VH26fcEfVfZoimTH0622DTGCSvJ8W3baa3gzT9lcy83IOJZ7Mp3xxFuVJ21Qj9Q_sIIr-4yodHtmyFrLI4E/w324-h400/toast.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They haven't really had time to assess exactly what has been taken, but all my antique pewter has gone as well as some personal things. The scumbag had let off a Fire Extinguisher inside the house which left everything covered with a white powder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next door neighbour's <i>gite</i> had also been broken into, but nothing taken. He had tried to unscrew a TV from the wall, but abandoned the idea. Luckily she had noticed a car parked by Haddock's, and recognised whose car it was. She informed the <i>Gendarmes </i>who soon appeared on the scene. They weren't too happy that Mrs Mop had been cleaning everywhere, but they did manage to get some good photos of footprints. Kimbo needed to visit the <i>Gendarmes </i>yesterday before leaving for home, to make a statement. Hercule Poirot is on the job! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They will visit the man whose car was seen, and hopefully apply some thumbscrews. The outcome remains to be seen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kimbo also managed to get the EDF (<i>Electricité de France) </i>to<i> </i>re-connect the power, and other than all that has been stolen we are now back to as near as normal as possible; but considerably out of pocket!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We believe that the burglar had stayed in the house; but for how many days we don't know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a horrible experience, and my proposed visit later in the year has been tainted. The house will NEVER seem totally secure ever again, even though we now have good surveillance, and security systems in place. Anyone trying to break in in the future will have a nasty surprise.</div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-87722812343966455502024-03-04T05:13:00.002+00:002024-03-04T05:13:41.233+00:00Wind and rain.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather has been 'on and off' recently, and trying to dodge the downpours has become a popular sport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just two years ago we passed our Autumn/Winter/Spring sojourn in Blighty almost rain-less. Not so this year. I don't wish to over exaggerate the amount of rain we're having but there's been enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The problem with coastal rain is that it tends to be accompanied by very strong wind, so a Brolly, or even a large mushroom, is pretty useless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity73kRsg00ZvxQdwZiX7Hv2MJC0smfIQ_-OJh6J_wTMhvyeOldWn3GV9pSHvHEb5dRfF0Tj7gsyIW_VKwOWzf31FXyc2QSXwPwbbPiJzTeZetWUSrnYLLjJjo_Og9rOEw5j3GN5KXmQbnxsQY32SL2KIFNFKDVkug1BSO9TwGZT61CZe3qJX1YBYeQtWh/s400/mushroom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity73kRsg00ZvxQdwZiX7Hv2MJC0smfIQ_-OJh6J_wTMhvyeOldWn3GV9pSHvHEb5dRfF0Tj7gsyIW_VKwOWzf31FXyc2QSXwPwbbPiJzTeZetWUSrnYLLjJjo_Og9rOEw5j3GN5KXmQbnxsQY32SL2KIFNFKDVkug1BSO9TwGZT61CZe3qJX1YBYeQtWh/w400-h300/mushroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even Kellogg (above with the Cherub) would find no protection from her Parasol Mushroom (one of our favourites). The only method of staying dry is by wearing a head-to-toe thick PVC coat; something akin to those worn by North Sea Trawlermen. Strong PVC waders would complete the job. I have just returned from walking with Billy, and I saw THREE wrecked Brollies on the roadside; all turned inside out, and torn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll leave you with my very favourite Brolly poem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rain it raineth on the just</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and also on the unjust fella</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but mostly on the just, because</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the unjust stole the just's umbrella.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-9456963913402184802024-03-03T05:16:00.000+00:002024-03-03T05:16:04.375+00:00How to vote. How not to vote!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6IDNpqxvJH80eNM_LJep2zV04y42gOMPJieY50pDj4MO2oEhyphenhyphen6AFtVHsQiQcD0sjZ7bR8cAgImN8OvnGQgcyYZJYnn8s2q-5z79ZlzC7p2ziNLMVKuoLbnv9SjLfKjz30PiRSA9ga-qLwHjyXzLzAe_BXroOA4dcxqOf5bQNjjk1EeqdXj-N2943r6wk/s720/galloway%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6IDNpqxvJH80eNM_LJep2zV04y42gOMPJieY50pDj4MO2oEhyphenhyphen6AFtVHsQiQcD0sjZ7bR8cAgImN8OvnGQgcyYZJYnn8s2q-5z79ZlzC7p2ziNLMVKuoLbnv9SjLfKjz30PiRSA9ga-qLwHjyXzLzAe_BXroOA4dcxqOf5bQNjjk1EeqdXj-N2943r6wk/w400-h266/galloway%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Voting in local or national elections should represent the free-will of individuals. There should be no coercion of any sort.</p><p>One likes to think that people of 'sound mind' will weigh-up all the pros and cons of each candidate, or the party they stand for, and vote accordingly. They should not be told how to vote, or who to vote for, by someone in authority; especially in religious authority. That decision must remain with the individual, otherwise the process becomes a farce. </p><p>Would I ever vote for someone that the Archbishop of Canterbury had told me to vote for? Of course I wouldn't.</p><p>People will always join political parties, and as a group attempt to influence others, but if there is religious coercion involved, it becomes pure sectarianism.</p><p>So, the UK was shocked, recently, to hear of an immigrant religious group who aim to openly influence the next UK General Election as well as any by-elections. Known as 'Muslim Vote', they plan to unseat a minimum of 55 Labour and Tory MP's in constituencies where there is a high population of Muslims. I've not heard by whom they wish to replace them, but probably by any Muslim-friendly candidate, regardless of what party he or she is standing for.</p><p>As the result of a Parliamentary vote last December, the group will advise (order) fellow Muslims to oust MP's who voted against, or abstained, on the question of a Gaza ceasefire. Friday Prayers will become political hustings.</p><p>Muslims, just like any other religious communities, should be allowed to think for themselves, and vote for whom they think will run the country the most efficiently. </p><p>As proof of what is happening, the good folk of Rochdale (a heavily Muslim northern town, famous for its 'grooming gangs') has just elected the Communist supporter of Hamas, and a huge fan of the late Saddam Hussein, George Galloway (photo above with supporters), to become their new MP. A vote that effectively punished the two main parties for their more mainstream beliefs. Galloway represents 'The Workers Party of Britain'. Good luck to the poor people of Rochdale; what a joke!</p><p>Rishi's Friday evening speech outside No 10 (do watch it) echoed what most fair thinking Englishmen have been saying for years. He's been a tad late in saying what he said, but well done to him for his clarity. We really cannot let extremism undermine everything that our country has achieved.</p><p><i>As-salamu alaikum.</i></p><div><br /></div>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-62879537476608406502024-03-02T03:49:00.002+00:002024-03-02T03:49:40.282+00:00Sweets.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I was a wee sprog, I had several favourite sweets. I loved Sherbet Fountains, Black Jacks, Flying Saucers, and those pink Shrimp shaped things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of all these, the most intriguing by far was the Sherbet Fountain. It looked like a Bonfire Night firework. It looked dangerous; and was extremely annoying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs_T5V6EqMCG6ejvHyuAhwRpMAuRshjET6iERYC7KXAVveIkn8drYsrkUcCD9DqW-L90_plPNjVUSwmMvqtzhDpo0r8SgGlpaTksdMr07IDZFF8RNrxZPYlwgwRzI5edVEHnpZusclwMhTQm-Oq4rOiqyEtiTvlyJd2s0BAAkLU-bns3rywXcj6_O9hem/s586/sherbet-fountain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="586" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs_T5V6EqMCG6ejvHyuAhwRpMAuRshjET6iERYC7KXAVveIkn8drYsrkUcCD9DqW-L90_plPNjVUSwmMvqtzhDpo0r8SgGlpaTksdMr07IDZFF8RNrxZPYlwgwRzI5edVEHnpZusclwMhTQm-Oq4rOiqyEtiTvlyJd2s0BAAkLU-bns3rywXcj6_O9hem/w400-h225/sherbet-fountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The idea was that you bit the end off the licorice straw, then sucked to enjoy the sherbet. But, of course, this never worked, and you ended-up eating the straw then emptying the sherbet onto your hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even so, there was a certain amount of fun involved. They looked so good in their yellow and red livery, and the flavour of the sherbet was wonderful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not really supposed to eat sweets these days, but I do have a penchant for Sainsbury's 'Fizzy Watermelon Slices'. One bag a week won't kill me; or maybe it will.</div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-60755068458560005242024-03-01T05:16:00.000+00:002024-03-01T05:16:57.693+00:00Jerusalem <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/9r81ZPHfKXU?si=eID_0w1Yd_Uo1QMa" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9r81ZPHfKXU/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-67123693695427196952024-02-29T05:39:00.001+00:002024-02-29T05:39:35.002+00:00Sick as a Parrot.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoADNSD-gNg2WUm_tNAK54jgTz4Yrtg8z6dV3KNZJkttQbTbY_KEx0mMoqhORljbLPlZpcfybbYJila_yeR3G__LAbD7esDZyJUUCTKDhk-z5IrnHFlnEV-9P1ujiZe16D0xLbGEp0ANxvpfso43nsPMVHF9-a-0syPo8KijDQyaWIJwaeiz7C3BY84-9e/s400/peyrot%20garden.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoADNSD-gNg2WUm_tNAK54jgTz4Yrtg8z6dV3KNZJkttQbTbY_KEx0mMoqhORljbLPlZpcfybbYJila_yeR3G__LAbD7esDZyJUUCTKDhk-z5IrnHFlnEV-9P1ujiZe16D0xLbGEp0ANxvpfso43nsPMVHF9-a-0syPo8KijDQyaWIJwaeiz7C3BY84-9e/w400-h300/peyrot%20garden.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>I suppose it's what we've always dreaded; we've been burgled.</p><p>Our home in France has been totally ransacked, and everything of value taken. The interior is a total mess. Doors have been smashed, drawers emptied on the floor, the keys taken, and the whole house desecrated.</p><p>I'm not posting the photos we've received of the devastation, as I'd prefer to think of the house as above and below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKhTqT8WxdKqBf-qs9DfFymKbDead21AatiSy5CbKqoBkoAGl6spPGQl4xQ7hQ4HQkR3iHDnaWb1MW9PF0sjIMsLxuR53T7ftN-bZXKyzHwbNI2ksVb_yYbmn1UcLPGmJZ2Qij5qN_YN5jxjsxJIyINFyMNBw0LAZ1Yf-Ss02JEDc-1CnKVWXJ58H9cw5/s400/DSCF7672%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="400" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKhTqT8WxdKqBf-qs9DfFymKbDead21AatiSy5CbKqoBkoAGl6spPGQl4xQ7hQ4HQkR3iHDnaWb1MW9PF0sjIMsLxuR53T7ftN-bZXKyzHwbNI2ksVb_yYbmn1UcLPGmJZ2Qij5qN_YN5jxjsxJIyINFyMNBw0LAZ1Yf-Ss02JEDc-1CnKVWXJ58H9cw5/w400-h293/DSCF7672%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>For the moment we are in total shock, and we're feeling very 'hurt'. I've always thought of myself as a 'local' in our tiny village, I've spent 50 years of my life there, and it was my 'home'. This has deprived us of the place we've loved so much, and we now dread going back. If only I could get my hands on the little scumbag (or probably scumbags); I'd tear his fucking tripes out.</p><p>It's true that our tiny hamlet has not been the same over the past few years. Certain newcomers have changed the atmosphere totally; but we hadn't really expected this!</p><p>I do know the French have had it in for us since Brexit, but this is too much.</p><p>If you own a home in France, I'd advise you to GET OUT NOW; spend your hard earned cash where it's appreciated, and live in peace! A friend of ours who owns a house near Dieppe was also burgled a couple of days ago.</p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com95tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-37457261025121300702024-02-28T05:25:00.001+00:002024-02-28T05:25:19.879+00:00My car.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Debi (my Compact Royce Mark 2) posing at the big Sainsbury's superstore in Hove.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I noticed yesterday that I have done 2,700 miles since I bought her a couple of years ago. And since our return to Brighton last September I have only (half) filled her with petrol once. In other words she isn't used a lot. She'd done just over 32,000 miles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She is the perfect car for me. She's French, and as I do most of my motoring in France she would be easily dealt with should she fall ill. I always drive her with the back seats down, making her into a very commodious two-seater Station Wagon. She is also what Jeremy Clarkson once called 'An OAP's shopping car'. I think he was trying to insult her, but for me that was a compliment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10scpyFwes8QPov-E1_nuYsB11IYEAYPb56grZQcauE8HcGs3BQGOGIKyY3dIkwcR-gzymBcsFkQI-EyFJw_b_PStju4-NXmVG1DKYyU6kuGLPUic14Kns9uFm5PDGPtfHTZ2m4KT0dgq2Fs-xircN6bR9R0KpQy2uY8x1qR64b1kckPqNRjBX6LE8be8/s640/car%20sains.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="640" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10scpyFwes8QPov-E1_nuYsB11IYEAYPb56grZQcauE8HcGs3BQGOGIKyY3dIkwcR-gzymBcsFkQI-EyFJw_b_PStju4-NXmVG1DKYyU6kuGLPUic14Kns9uFm5PDGPtfHTZ2m4KT0dgq2Fs-xircN6bR9R0KpQy2uY8x1qR64b1kckPqNRjBX6LE8be8/w400-h281/car%20sains.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She is well designed, other than the position of the two interior front door handles. Otherwise I see no design faults. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She is comfortable, fast enough for my requirements, has several electrical gadgets but not too many, and drives as well as any car I've owned. I do actually enjoy driving her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also happen to think she looks quite nice too. My previous car, an earlier model, was probably better designed, but this one will do. I'm not over keen on the silver roof rack bars, but I'll live with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think Debi enjoys her trip to Sainsbury's. She always has a spring in her step as we set off, and she purrs into her usual parking spot when we arrive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I first bought Debi, I'd thought she had a sun roof; she didn't. I also thought she had reversing bleeps; she doesn't. And I thought she could sing 'Jerusalem' whilst doing a pirouette on Tower Bridge; she can't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sincerely hoping that she'll be my last car. In fact I'm sure she has more life left in her than I do.</div><br /> <p></p>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-5821812097912262602024-02-27T05:31:00.000+00:002024-02-27T05:31:37.849+00:00RUSSIAN JUMPSTYLE (HARDJUMP)<div><br /></div><div><div>I'm not a 'dancer', not at all, but I do occasionally attempt a simple twirl at French country <i>fetes</i>; where no-one is expected to know any recognisable steps anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>In some ways I would liked to have learned a few classic dances, simply so I wouldn't have to be a wallflower, or disgrace myself. But it was not to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of all the modern dances, I have always disliked 'break-dancing' the most. I'm sure it's all very clever, and difficult, but it does nothing for me at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>However I do rather like this spin-off JumpStyle dancing (below). It is energetic, aesthetic, and exciting; even if I'm not over keen on the music. This example below is from Russia, and the business starts at about 35 secs. I don't think I'll be learning the moves, just give me a comfy seat and I'll watch from the sidelines.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tell me what you think.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/xQIGg9rXsb0?si=4Yvsto7H3P74phi6" width="480"></iframe>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-78552559248119430642024-02-25T08:07:00.000+00:002024-02-25T08:07:14.372+00:00Penny Mordaunt fires broadside<div><br /></div><div>I have no idea how parliaments in other countries operate, but here in the UK things are usually quite demure. There's occasional shouting and finger pointing, but rarely do things get out of hand. We like to think of ourselves as reasonably 'civilised'. We suffer very few 'uprisings', and it's rare that we can report on any hanky-panky.</div><div><br /></div><div>I won't bore you with details, but recently there has been some underhand dealings, after which we saw mass walkouts, and calls for resignations. What we cannot have in our parliament is a 'Party Affiliated Speaker' making dodgy-deals with the Parliamentary Leader of that same party. This is not Cricket; it's simply not done!</div><div><br /></div><div>Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House, commented on the situation in her inimitable way. Some may recall that I proposed her as Prime Minister after the fall of Boris. I still think she would make a very good PM. She doesn't mince her words! She's not someone you'd wish to oppose in a debate.</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/QJpviHCkZc0?si=YirnDHqgo1BgCt7O" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5227064496185547313.post-19285650331761530532024-02-25T05:36:00.002+00:002024-02-25T05:36:44.256+00:00Queen - Don't Stop Me Now<div><br /></div><div>I was never a big Queen fan, their music always seemed too dramatic, orchestral, and over produced. </div><div><br /></div><div>However I heard this track again recently, and had a look at the video. Freddie Mercury certainly had stage presence, and would have been an advantage to any band. Not someone one could ignore.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a tad raucous, but a bit of raucous occasionally is good for the soul. What a great performer he was.</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/NAMuiAYCRac?si=4vbQkZ_Ix9ljHiZV" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NAMuiAYCRac/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe>Cro Magnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.com4