What a complete and utter mess.

                            

I live in a quiet, green, and peaceful part of the world, and I keep myself to myself. I try to be a decent citizen, yet moan when a neighbour builds an unpleasantly coloured wall. That is the extent of my woes.

But the more I see and read about the human race elsewhere, the more it disgusts me. We are a bunch of murderous, blood-thirsty, greedy, self-centred, and misguided psychopaths.

I do accept that this description of my fellow man, is exactly that; fellow MAN. But the foulness of humanity is not exclusively male; women can be just as bad, albeit usually on a much smaller scale.

When I look at Syria, North Africa, Central Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Ukraine, and countless other countries, all I see is constant blood-letting and self destruction.

I wonder if this is not Mother Nature's way of saying 'to hell with the whole bloody lot of you'?

I risk being branded an 'ageing hippy', but for goodness sake; am I just one lone voice who believes in PEACE, LOVE, and HARMONY?

MATRON!!!!

Woodland Warmth.

I burn about a wheelbarrow-full of oak and chestnut every day.

Those who heat themselves, and cook, with wood will know that one gets through a helluva lot of it.

I don't have the cooker fired-up every day; I keep that for really cold weather, baking, or for when I fancy a slow-cooked stew. But our sitting room wood-burner is alight every day in winter. Sometimes all day and night, on other days (like today) just in the late afternoon/evening.

Chestnut renews itself in about 15-20 years, but fell-able oak takes maybe 40-50 years. There's no shortage of woodland in France, but even our small household gets through a fair bit.

Cutting, and bringing in, the wood takes just a few minutes each day (thanks to Husqvarna), and I enjoy the discipline of 'having' to do it. I do keep a little pile in reserve, but that's for emergencies only.

Now all I need is a splash of white spirit, a match, and we're in business!

OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!

It is almost impossible to escape from SMUT these days; even in my own puritan kitchen.

Frankly I blame Nigella Lawson.

Please note that the above soup has NOT been consumed.

Boys Toys.

I have two air pistols in the house. The top one above, a beautiful old Webley, is rarely used; the one below, a cheap German job, is used by my grandchildren in the summer for shooting at tin cans.

The old Webley is almost an antique. It dates from the late 50's/early 60's, and came into my possession in about 1980. I bought it at an isolated petrol station in Wales, from the owner who seemed to specialise in selling such things (other than petrol). It shoots .22 slugs, is very heavy, and extremely accurate. 

The German job is total rubbish. I bought it new in about 1990 as a diversion for our summer visitors. It fires .177 slugs which can be seen exiting the barrel before falling onto the ground a few feet off. Even if clamped to a vice its bullet will not follow the same trajectory more than once in every 100 shots. It's perfect for a bit of fun persecuting tin cans, whilst, at the same time, teaching the users the essentials of gun safety. 

Yes, they are definitely 'boys toys', and we have a lot of fun with them. Otherwise they just sit at the back of a drawer waiting for certain boys I know to come visit their Grumpy.

Splish, splosh.

OK, we haven't suffered anything like the Thames valley, or the flood plains of Somerset, but we have had our fair share of rain. The above was yesterday's early morning dog walk (notice, no dogs to be seen anywhere!)

Luckily this rainy period seems to have passed, and we shall now have 'some' sunshine till the end of the month; even though the temps will not exceed 13 C.

I trust this will be reflected in the UK having better weather too. Time to dry-out.

Scottish Independence (just 7 months away).

                                     

I like Alex Salmond. He has the right ideas, but I do need to be assured on these few important post-independence points.

1. Scotland would no longer be allowed to use the Pound Sterling.
2. Scotland would have to re-apply to join the EC, and (if accepted) adopt the Euro.
3. All Scottish nationals would be obliged to surrender their old (treasured) UK passports.
4. All roads out of Scotland would be manned by burly English Customs officials.
5. All Scots would be subject to strict passport controls and body searches, and all Scots nationals MUST be in possession of a valid entry visa (£50 fee) and a new Scottish passport, before entering, or staying on, in England.
6. This No 6 might be a bit far-fetched, but I would also like an assurance that all Scottish actors, union leaders, football managers, students, and general trouble-makers, would be encouraged to return to their belovéd country.
7. Likewise, all English owned businesses would be made to return to England.
8. (And most importantly) All 59 Scottish MP's would no longer sit at Westminster.

Providing that Alex (above) can guarantee these 8 basic points; then I'm with him all the way.

Don't listen to Chancellor George Osborne, he's far too analytical and intelligent. Vote WITH Alex on Thursday 18th Sept 2014. Long live an Independent Scotland!

You know it's best (for England).

Waiting for Spring.

                             

This year, more than any other I can remember, I feel as if I'm just hanging-around waiting for April/May to arrive so that I can continue with life's normal activities. I suspect that countless others feel the same. I suppose it all comes down to what gives us 'purpose' in life; and frankly I'm not too sure at the moment. 

I've had enough of these cold, damp, or even frosty, mornings; the photo above was taken yesterday at 8.30am. I want to put-away my thermal vest, my Barbour, and my gum boots. I'm desperate to feel NATURAL warmth on my face again. 

When Spring does arrive, and if my ever-troublesome back allows, I shall happily return to Haddock's; digging, rotovating, sowing, planting, swearing, etc. And around the house I shall begin mowing, trimming, cleaning, tidying, and, in general, making my little corner of the planet as well organised and productive as I can. Without all this to occupy my days to the fullest, I feel as if life is simply PASSING ME BY. 

At present, all I seem to do is shop, cook, eat, sleep, cut wood, and try to keep warm (interspersed with a bit of dog walking, painting, and everyday DIY stuff).

Of course, I shouldn't really be complaining; compared to parts of the UK, we're having it pretty easy. Even so, I think this bloody Winter lark should be limited to one month only. I'm thoroughly, thoroughly, fed-up with it!