It was bound to happen.

I have no need for Ironing Boards, but I did need an Office Chair (or so I was told).

Lady M has been berating me for years about the chair I use for all my 'office' activities. She insisted that I needed better support for my back.

I have mentioned several times about the huge amount of Ironing Boards and Office Chairs that are thrown out here in Brighton. We see them all the time.

So, when Lady M and Susie saw this 'Free to Good Home' chair outside a neighbour's house, they captured it.

It is in perfect condition, it's comfortable, and supports my back as desired. AND, it was FREE.

A bloomin' bargain!

Is my back any better? Not yet!

 

Soap.

 

Life is filled with pleasant surprises, as well as many disappointments, and they can arrive in the most unusual of forms.

For example, I like 'good soap', and I can't stand poor quality soap; what's the point in making poor quality soap anyway?

I always buy my soap in liquid form, I never buy solid bars. But occasionally one variety disappoints so much that it makes me fume. On the other hand occasionally I buy some that is so good that handwashing becomes a true pleasure.

These two above illustrate my attitude perfectly. One is rubbish, and the other is excellent. They probably cost the same, and the presentations suggest that they are both of equally good quality.

The one on the right, with the faux-classy name of 'Baylis & Harding', contains all sorts of wondrous ingredients; Jojoba, Vanilla, and Almond Oil. Sounds good doesn't it. It's RUBBISH.

The one on the left is 'La Corvette' Savon de Marseille. As it says on the bottle, it is Nature. No gimmicks, no nonsense saying 'Contains Zuxillio D47-S non-fatty* dermo-acids' etc etc. Just plain soap. It is PERFECT.

I want 'soapy' soap, I want a pleasant lather that feels nice. I also want it to clean my hands.

The Baylis & Harding contents will be thrown away, and the container re-filled with yellow good quality Fairy Liquid washing-up soap. It will then be used for hand washing either in the kitchen, or the outside loo.

p.s. I should mention that Jean Shrimpton once told me that she always used Fairy Liquid for washing her hair. What better recommendation than that! I now learn that she also happened to attend the same Secretarial College as my sister. The Langham in Park Lane.

Our Canine friends.

I recently came across this; it purports to be a man writing about the passing of his Dog.

"Every morning I would walk to the fields, and my dog would come with me. Rain, snow, or shine, he was always at my side. As the years passed and he grew slower, he still came, limping behind but never once giving up. He was more than a dog, he was my shadow, my company, and my truest friend.

The day he passed I went to the fields alone for the first time in fourteen years. The silence felt heavier, and for the first time the path seemed longer. I realised then what he had given me all those years; loyalty without question, love without words. A man can lose many things in life, but losing a shadow like that leaves a mark that never fades".

Dog owners would all probably say the same thing; they prefer Dogs to most humans, and when a Dog dies it leaves a terrible wound that never heals.

During my life I've experienced lots of deaths, and of course one feels sadness. But when a Dog (or a Cat) dies, it stays with you for ever, and can bring tears to your eyes for years afterwards.

This is a Sunday morning 'Aaaah' moment.

Other than Border Collies, I have two favourite domestic animals; Golden Retriever dogs and Tabby cats. Here are a perfect pair behaving as they always do. You can't help but love them.

Happy Sunday.

Friday 7 am.

Kimbo always joins me for breakfast early on Friday mornings. It is slowly becoming a 'tradition'.

Usually it's Bacon, Haggis, Sausage of some sort, fried Eggs, and Toast. but occasionally I'm prepared to go a bit wild and present him with something different.

I haven't yet offered him Porridge or Rice Crispies, or even Scrambled Eggs, I remain within my realm of skill; frying, toasting, etc.

 

I didn't know quite how he would react to a couple of soft boiled Eggs, with Toast and Coopers Oxford Marmalade, but he was reasonably forgiving. I think he would have preferred his Full English, but we both have to watch our waistlines.

I suppose it's laziness, but I usually just fry my eggs. I hadn't had a boiled egg for ages. They could have benefitted from an extra 30 seconds boiling, but we both really enjoyed them.

 

Tomato crop.

Before we went away in early June, I planted two Tomato plants in front of the house; one was the classic Italian cooking Tomato called Roma, and the other was a big fat Marmande style Tomato. I can't remember its name.

The Roma Tomato has been producing fruit ever since we got back, even though they're a bit small, and the Marmande has produced about 6 nice big fruits that I took inside to ripen. Builders and slugs have no respect for other people's well-loved crops, so I thought it best to rescue them.

I really do think that anyone with the tiniest little garden (like us) should grow a few Tomatoes. There is not only the huge satisfaction of growing something yourself, but the Tomatoes themselves are so much better than anything you can buy at a supermarket. Your local Garden Center will certainly sell plants in Spring.

My plants have been in the sun, they have been rained-upon, and they have breathed fresh air. I would say that they compare extremely well with my friend José's Tomatoes that he gives me through the Summer months.

Next year I intend to extend my crop to at least four plants (a bold move!). What a lovely surprise it was to return home to a small crop of Toms. A few more next year will be even better.

 

Turkeys voting for Christmas?

People hardly speak of it any more, but the Birmingham bin-men's strike continues. However, I see that the good folk of Brum are taking to the streets IN SUPPORT OF their striking dustmen.

Personally, if my city was filled with litter, rats, rotting food, maggots, and general unmentionable waste, I certainly wouldn't be out on the street supporting the very people who refuse to clear it up. But up in the North, where Trade Union support is strong, they see things differently. 

Having already been on strike since January, the 'Unite' union is suggesting that it could continue until March 2026. I can't imagine people are happy; including their supporters!

I should add here that we have a large black bin, and a couple of slightly smaller recycling bins, hidden round behind our garages. They are emptied EVERY DAY, and I always offer a cheery 'Good Morning' to the men when I see them. They in turn always stroke Billy and continue on their round.

Would I move to Birmingham. Not bloody likely!

Labour led Birmingham Council declared themselves bankrupt in 2023. Just another mismanaged council.