Meghan Markle blasted by Donald Trump over treatment of Queen Elizabeth ...

Regardless of what you think of either Trump or Farage, I think they both speak a lot of common sense here.

And poor old Harry. He was ignored by almost everyone at The Coronation except for his cousin's husband, who unfortunately was seated next to him.

As for Biden not being here, he was happier with his chum Gerry Adams over in Ireland, than he would have been in more law-abiding society here in England. He wasn't missed.

Food for the big Day.

With the UK being obsessed with all things culinary, there simply had to be an official dish for King Charles's Coronation; and this was it.

Lady Magnon made her version for the big day. This will be consumed (part of) as a light Lunch whilst we watch the ceremony. We shall celebrate more seriously later on with a Dickensian feast (with guests) for Supper.

The 'Coronation Quiche' (as it is called) is a veggie dish. It's a standard quiche made with Broad Beans, Spinach, Tarragon, and Cheddar cheese.

I don't think Charles had any say in choosing this dish as such, but I have a feeling that he thoroughly approves of its choice. The Quiche was developed by Royal Chef Mark Flanagan who says that cheese and eggs are very much amongst Charles's favourites. Charles isn't a Veggie, but I know he likes Vegetarian food. It's all part of his 'eco' persona.

So, well done Lady M. She's now promising to make another one for next week. Yay!

Did anyone else out there make one?

 

Dame Edna in the royal box

The inimitable Barry Humphries. Greatly missed.

Lost and then Found.

I'd been looking everywhere. In the teapot, under my laptop, and in Billy's bed; I couldn't find my wretched invitation anywhere.

I knew I'd put it in a safe place, but old-age forgetfulness had deprived me of exactly where.

Eventually I had an idea; perhaps I'd put it in some object with a 'Royal' connection. I checked the 'Corgi Teacup' from the late Queen's Jubilee, my musical Charles and Camilla cake tin, and my old Prince Charles mug with the large protruding ear for a handle. But still no luck!

I gave-up hunting, then whilst making myself a cup of coffee, I suddenly remembered where it was. I  recalled that, rather than putting it in the open for all to see (very non-U), I'd folded it up, and placed it inside my treasured Harry and Thingy commemorative tin Tea Caddy.

I'm not sure if they'll want me to show it in order to get to our Westminster Abbey seats on Saturday, but I'd better take it with me anyway.

Thank goodness I found it. I might have missed the season's big bash!

 

 

Local Elections. Who shall we Vote For.

 

Our local elections will be held on May 4th; tomorrow. So who will we vote for?

The only local window-posters I've seen so far have been for The Green Party; which seems more like 'virtue signalling' than political adherence. Our City Council is Green Party run, albeit with a minority administration. I don't know what they do for us other than allow weeds to grow everywhere. They hate cars, and do their best to deter anyone from owning one. We now hear that they wish to imitate London's Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and introduce an 'Ultra Low Emission Zone' (ULEZ) here in central Brighton. This would mean having to pay about £15 a day to use my car. People imagine they are being 'do-gooders' by voting Green; they're not; they're just living in some non-existent fantasy Beatrix Potter world. The Greens have JUST ONE MP at Westminster (unfortunately ours; Ms Lucas); is anyone surprised?

The only political 'flyers' we've received have been from The Green Party.

The Liberal Democrats (Lib-Dems) are something of an enigma. No-one really knows what they stand for, or even why they exist. They are the 'I Don't Know Who To Vote For' party of the UK. They know no-one will vote for them so they can promise the earth, which we all take cum grano salis.

Labour usually spends far too much of other people's money on 'political' policies. But no-one really cares, they simply put our 'rates' up.

So, that just leaves The Conservatives. They like to balance the books whilst maintaining a reasonable standard of service, but this isn't always the case. They're bound to lose lots of seats tomorrow; they always do in mid-term local elections.

I expect there are a few 'loony' party candidates who will be standing for election, but the two serious parties above (Lab and Con) are the main contenders.

I know who I shall be voting for, as they command about 51% of my trust. I reckon that's about as good as it gets. 

Restoration.

This is my son's house. He is mid restoration. 

It's a lovely classic Victorian house on four floors with a very pretty terrace garden behind. The road is very centrally situated. The beach is a 10 min leisurely walk away, and the trains to Victoria just 5 mins away. 

It's one of the few roads around where most houses are still lived-in as 'family homes'. It's not too small, making it only fit for a couple (like our house), nor is it too big making it more suitable to be split into flats, as are so many of the bigger houses in the area. It's a four bedroom, four floor house, making it perfect for the average 2.2 children families.

Kimbo has been working on the house for several years, and has installed some truly wonderful features. The new main bathroom is spectacular, and the bespoke fittings he's installed are all top notch.

BUT (and if I had a bigger font, it would be an even bigger BUT), the house has had one enduring problem; a water leak. I cannot tell you how many tradesmen have tried to find, and fix, the leak. He recently had a highly trusted local roofer to do some extensive work. There was scaffolding to reach to the top, and he'd imagined all was now water-tight.

BUT yesterday he told me that there is still some water coming-in from somewhere, and he'll have to have the workers back again, although now there is no longer any scaffolding in place they'll have to scramble through that small window in the roof. Finding the exact spot is a nightmare. 

Water is funny stuff. It'll find its way into your home through the tiniest hidden crack. 

Finding that crack is akin to needles in haystacks.

 

Cars, cars, cars.

My street comprises of four separate groups of either four or five houses, with 17 houses in all.  Some have 'out front' parking, and others (like us) have a single separate garage.

The two groups of houses that have 'out front' parking all have spaces for two cars; one even has three spaces, and all did originally have integral garages that have now been converted into additional rooms.

Three of the houses to the front of ours, other than the nearest one with the white car, have two cars each, and they are literally stuffed into their parking spaces. These are small houses, originally designed for one car plus maybe a space for a visitor or tradesman.

The rest of the access space is very small, and a tradesman's van or delivery van soon blocks any residual space. If anyone wants to leave whilst a builders' vehicle is there, then a whole lengthy procedure has to take place. It may seem quite comical watching from up here, but for those involved it isn't!

Houses No's 1 to 5 all have double parking spaces in front, and as they all have just one car each they often let their free space for a very healthy sum to day visitors. We also have one private 'communal' space that is used on a 'first come first served' basis for friends or visitors.

Basically there are too many cars in our tiny street. Of course I can't really complain because we do need a car ourselves. But at least we only have one. We've had a recent influx of 'newcomers' who all seem to have several cars, and have visitors who all arrive in their own cars. Occasionally it's like one huge car park.