Mystic Jelltex rides again

Back in the days when we used to work, there was an almighty rush to get work done before Christmas. And when I was a Project Quality Manager, most years I would have to travel right up to the 22nd or 23rd of the month. Meaning that by the time we stopped working for the festive period, we were shattered.

And by the time New Year’s Day came round, we would be dreading the 2nd when we would return to work, and the madness would begin again.

But not this year.

We still were not ready. Better than in previous years, but Christmas still crept up on us, and it was a rush to get stuff done.

Today is January 1st, and tomorrow we do not return to work. There is no more returning to work, we just do what we want to. And with the meeting with the financial advisor before Christmas, we don’t really worry about money any more.

The plan is, that when the last one of us dies, there is no money, so no regrets, left.

I like a challenge.

We accept this, and will go forward accordingly.

So, what is planned for the New Year?

On the 28th February, we fly out with Jen for ten days on Cyprus, with seven of those days being an orchid tour. Some late winter sunshine is going to be very welcome. I will go out during the day with the group, orchiding, while Jools and Jen will go out in the hire car.

In July we will travel to the foothills of the Alps, driving down through France taking two or three days to meet up with another group for more orchiding. And seven days later, we will drive down through southern France, across the Pyrenees into Spain to witness the total solar eclipse, before driving back up through France.

At the end of the year, maybe go to Mexico for two weeks of culture and beaches. That is not yet booked, so we shall see.

As for 2026, for Norwich City.

The club has made a series of poor decisions on coaches and players, Johannes Hoff Thorup was sacked towards the end of last season, and then the club appointed Liam Manning, who was a very similar coach in terms of tactics, for the start of this season.

He was dismissed with the club next to bottom, and seven points from safety a couple of months back, and former Rangers manager, Philippe Clement, was appointed.

It might be the best appointment in two decades.

Or not.

The only issue is whether City will survive the relegation battle or not. We hope they will. One defeat in seven suggests some kind of recovery is under way. But these are very early days.

In the Premier League, it seems this might be Arsenal’s season. But we’re only at the halfway point, more than enough time to do a Devon Loch and fail on the home straight. They also head the league phase of The Champions League, but again, all bets are off once it gets to the knockout phase.

At the bottom, Wolves are doomed.

Doomed.

Burnley are also in deep trouble. And West Ham are too. I said at the start of the season, that the seventeen teams that survived last season, had at least three years of stability and Premier League prize money, and only gross incompetence would change the idea that all three promoted teams would go down. Sunderland have 28 points, and seem safe, meaning at least one established club will go down.

Come in Wolves, your time is up.

In the Championship, anything could happen. Coventry are top, but in a slump, and no team is promoted in January. If they start winning again, they should go up, as champions. But all to play for.

Are Norwich too good to go down?

Probably, yes. But that hasn’t stopped other teams from being relegated after being declared too good to go down. More wins, by any means, so we reach the 60 point safety line. Fifty might be enough, or might not. Ipswich are currently second, but lack consistency to made the second automatic play off spot theirs.

Other than that, who knows?

It is a World Cup year, but with tickets for the later games in the competition starting at three grand a pop, you’d have to be made to go.

As for Brexit: I won’t comment unless there is a move to more sensible policy, which is likely, but in small increments. Meanwhile, Farage stands on the sidelines, yelling comments that its all a betrayal, and only offering untested harder line policies. The press still laud him, and he is backed by the same billionaires who backed and profited from Trump.

The COVID inquiry continues, reveally what already knew, but with documented evidence, and yet those who caused tens of thousands of additional deaths or saw that Tory party friends benefited from the VIP lanes are unpresecuted, and the money that Michelle Mone, £144 million, was to pay back, has not, and her company has been liquidated. She is still a member of the House of Lords.

Not much will change in 2026. Sadly.