Thursday 29th November 2018

Another day working from home, and yet one of the last of such before Christmas, as I have a very busy calendar up to the 20th, as you shall see in due course.

The rain did fall in stair rods in the morning, meaning I had to get all dressed up in waterproofs just to put the bins out, but Mulder did not mind, as it seems the damp weather means more birds are searching for worms on such days and easier to catch.

He brought be a goldfinch, which I did rescue from his jaws, and to my surprise it was still alive, but injured, and when it flew from my hand, it could not get much higher, tried to land in the hedge, only for Mulder to leap in the air and catch it in his jaws. Mulder then ate the poor bird, all the while looking at me in disgust for not wanting to eat this dainty morsel.

Work was much the same, always some drama going on somewhere, which at least makes the days interesting.

At some point after lunch, the rain stops and even sun comes out. I can turn off the table lamp now.

And at three I can finish for the day, and go for a walk. Nothing exciting, just into the village to the doctor’s to puck up some pills. At least it gets me out of the house. And on the way I can look for more wild flowers…

Three and I step outside, and already the light is fading, just enough to be noticeable. Down the bottom of Station Road, people are trying to unblock the grains in the street so the new house doesn’t get flooded. The drain is full of soil from the run-off from fields, happens every time there is heavy rain. I would not have built a new house there, but then…..

Up the other side and into the village, cutting through the pond and then past the school where some of the elder children are being taken on a nature ramble looking at leaves and fungi.

I collect the medicine, and turn round to walk back home, the light now fading fast, but a fine sunset in the west lights everything in warm red light for a few minutes. Buses laden with schoolchildren drop off their charges, so they can get home to start on homework. And I walk down Station Road to the bottom of the Dip and up the other side, getting home at half four, just in time to feed the cats and tidy up the house.

Dinner is chorizo hash, and ready for when Jools comes in, something spicy and filling for a winter’s day, even if its not officially winter yet.

And that was it, listen to the radio, follow footy on Twitter, and to bed at nine.

End of another week in Brexitlalaland

When, in either weeks, month, years or decades time, people, maybe a commission looks back at the clusterfuck omnishambles that is Brexit, blame will start to be apportioned.

Let me say right here and now, the blame is with Parliament, in particular with the House of Commons, who, at every step were cowed into nodding along and blindly voting through the various parts of legislation that made Brexit inevitable.

In particular, the A50 notice, because at that point, Brexit became subject to EU and international law, and not UK domestic law. I pointed out at the time the stupidity of starting a process without knowing if or how it could be stopped. MPs cheers and waved papers as May made the statement that the notification was sent, where are those cheers now? Had they have done their job properly, they would have discovered there was no plan, no position on what, at the most basic of levels, Brexit was or what the Government thought it was.

Even to have that got, Gina Miller and through people like me who crowdfunded the people’s challenge, made sure MPs got a vote on A50, that they pissed it into the wind was their own fault, and we will suffer the consequences for decades.

To use the Titanic analogy, it would have bene better to change course when the Brexit iceberg was first sighted, not now that it is mere feet from HMS UK.

Through this time we have bene told that Labour under Corbyn has been playing the “long game”, however, sacking front line shadow ministers when they voted with their conscience on Brexit is not a good look, and even now Corbyn says Brexit cannot be stopped. |Or it can, but the vote has to be honoured.

So, the country is sleepwalking into a no deal Brexit, where if only a thing where trade is affected would be bad enough, but all areas of life in UK will be plunged into uncertainty. But, of course, as the Brexiteers bray, this is mere “project fear 2.0”, and there is nothing to fear. So say those who have houses in France, moved their investment funds to Ireland or obtained German passports for their children. Yes, I’m sure they’re right, nothing to worry about, we shall jolly well muddle through, have that wartime spirit, though after 20 years of eating rats and grass, I’m sure that will tire.

The BBC have take to getting, either by accident or design, actors to fill in as talking heads in supporting Brexit. I mean, I don’t care what a fake vicar says, what really matters is what experts tell us will happen. I wrote a blog many years ago “let idiot speak unto idiot” bemoaning the fact the BBC seems to do very little other than have the public speak about things they know nothing about.

I means that’s all very well, but where we’re talking about the economic future for the country for the next few decades, shouldn’t we be making these decisions via some fact based thinking?

I think, in the end, Brexit will happen, and we deserve it, as a country, to teach us a lesson not to be so insular, stupid, xenophobic, but it will be a very expensive lesson, one which future generations will be paying for, is that what we want to happen? Because we think we know best when it is clear we don’t? The rest of the world thinks we have gone mad, America dies, but then it voted for Trump. Albeit with some help from Russia, and it is clear now to thanks to the work of the Guardian and Observer that the same channels of money and disinformation that got Trump elected helped Brexit win too.

Wednesday 28th November 2018

Mid-week.

Another day working from home, and weather so foul outside that not even ducks would go out. But Mulder dies. In an out, in an out. Coning in each time to shake himself near me and then realises he might quite like to try some roast beef sandwiches.

Yes, rain day in St Maggies, and the rain did fall from the middle of the night, through dawn into the day, round midday and was still pouring as the sun gave up and sank below the horizon early.

In the meantime I worked.

All was going well until just before eleven, when out of the blue I get a migraine.

Not that bad, as I don't get headaches, just the flashing lights. But anyway, work was impossible. So I go to lay on the sofa with the curtains closed, and just want peace and quiet.

Meow?

Soaking wet Mulder came to check on me and suggest I might like to give him food. And once the lights fade, I do.

But if I wasn't careful, the migraine would come back, so once I had caught up with work at about two, I switch the computer off and stare at the walls, anything to avoid using me eyes.

I have the radio on quiet, and so the day slips through my fingers, and the long dark afternoon of the soul begins.

Just soup for dinner, with slices of home made garlic bread, and no booze. Quite right too. And after writing the blogs, I switch the computer off and go upstairs to lay in bed to listen to the football on the radio, where Scully joins me and lays beside, purring loudly.

Not a bad end to a crappy day, really.

Thursday Brexit news

Yesterday might not have ended Brexit, but it seems to me that something changed. Whether that has lasting change or not, we shall see. But when JRM calls the Governor of the Bank of England a “second class Canadian politician”, then to paraphrase Thatcher, when all they have got left is personal insults, they have lost the argument.

Turns out that the Treasury’s economic forecast was riddled with even more impossible assumptions than thought last night, and even then the report could not make any kind of Brexit an actual benefit to UK.

May and Corbyn have agreed to have a TV debate, which is not that interesting as they pretty much agree with each other, so will not discuss the possible alternatives. The million Brits who live and work in the EU, are mostly young and professional, has been largely ignored by the whole Brexit process, the opposite of what they were promised, when they were told that Brexit would not affect them at all. Now if they return to the UK if they were made redundant or no longer able to work in the EU, they would not be able to claim any benefits for at least three months and would have to prove they have no attachments to where they had been living.

Not only will Brexit make them lose their job, they won’t be able to live back home either as they won’t be able to claim any support.

At the moment the way forward is not clear, and like it or not, the most likely outcome is that the UK leaves the EU with no WA or TA, as that is the simplest and easiest way forward in that it requires no effort on the part of the Brexiteers, which is why we are where we are, no actual planning.

Other paths are available, but not the one Labour is proposing, in renegotiating the WA. There is no appetite to reopen Brexit, the WA is all there is. The framework trade agreement is all there is. The EU will not roll over and give more, in its view they have agreed something generous already.

There is not enough time for there to be a referendum, for there to be one A50 would have to be extended beyond May, in which case there would have to be EU elections in the UK. The EU will not agree to that, unless it is the only way forward and it believes the UK is acting in good faith. As Britain has not acted in good faith all through Brexit, this is also unlikely.

And as both leaders of the two main parties said this not going to happen, a no Brexit seems also unlikely. But then two years ago, Brexit seemed as unlikely.

So who know?

The other alternative is accepting the WA as it is, and I think that will happen, be rejected once, Parliament looks at the alternatives and goes back to it.

But the UK will re-join sooner or later, makes no sense to be out of the EU, might be in a couple of years or in a couple of decades. We shall see. But the lesson will have been leaned, but millions of lives will have been blighted

Even now, may cannot tell the truth on Brexit, saying an extension of A50 would mean the WA be renegotiated. This is not true, we might have to pay more, but for now the UK has agreed on a formula on what it needs to pay.

May lied to the Commons on Monday when she said the UK would be better off under Brexit. The Treasury and BoE reports show that all forms of Brexit will make the country poorer. In such circumstances when a minister misleads the House, they should offer their resignation.

Tuesday 27th November 2018

It gets darker every morning, making it feel very much like the end of November, and was darn chilly too. We get up and put the heating on, then go downstairs to make coffee and feed the cats. The cats won't let us forget them.

As it gets light outside, a mist rises in the dip, and turns into fog very quickly, making the day have a twilight feel until mid-morning when the sun burned off the clouds and the greyness was replaced by clear blue skies and vibrant colours with long dark shadows.

I know this as I went for a walk at lunchtime, mainly because I had not left the house since Saturday.

So, once I had reached the point of nirvana where I had caught up on my mails an actually felt in control of my spreadsheet, I thought it safe enough to go out for an hour.

I just walk over the fields to Fleet House and the Pig's Copse, no pigs there of course, they'rs probably sausages now. I went to see how many wildflowers I could see still in bloom, and to see if I could match the challenge from BSBI to find "the winter 10". I came close; two kinds of sow thistle, a dandelion, ivy, annual mercury as well as a host of seedheads and berries.

In the sunshine, the countryside looked full of life, but it is shutting down for a few months, and yet there are buds showing on branches, and the plants that put up wintergreen are showing. Including many orchid species, but none of those round here.

I walk home along Collingwood, getting the gran panoramic views down to the cliffedge and then round further east so glimpses of Pegwell Bay and Thanet could be seen.

Back home I send more mails out, but having caught up on things, it seems I might have a few quiet days before I get into a chaotically hectic travel period in the run up to Christmas.

But more of that another day.

It was now getting dark, the cats were getting hungry, and I needed to hear some music, so I put on the radio, pack the laptop away and tidy up.

Dinner is warmed up roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, along with fresh steamed veg, roast potatoes and a bottle of fizz. The reason for this was so not to let the leftover gravy go to waste. Oh no.

The evening was spent following another City game via Twitter and the radio. In dreadful conditions on Humberside, City labour against Hull in pouring rain, and the game ends goalless, but City stay top. Just.

The truth is out

Today, the Treasury released its impact assessment of the various flavours of Brexit, and as expected, te figures were as bad as had been previously leaked. Of course, this did not stop Brexiteer lining up to denounce "experts". But if we don't trust them, then what, all based on faith and worship the sun and rain gods?

"Official figures say the UK economy could be up to 3.9% smaller after 15 years under Theresa May's Brexit plan, compared with staying in the EU."

"But a no-deal Brexit could deliver a 9.3% hit, the new estimates say."

"The estimates do not put a cash figure on the potential impact on the economy, but independent experts have said that 3.9% of GDP would equate to about £100bn a year by the 2030s."

Who would have thought that putting barriers in the way of trade would be more expensive? Just about every trade expert and economist you might like to ask.

This is common sense, and something I have pointed out on these pages, that it is not tariffs to be worried about, it is non-tariff barriers; rules and regulations and standards. And these change. Or can change.

As I have also said.

It is like being stuck in some kind of Kafkaesque novel, where each path offers nothing but more pain and suffering.

There is a way out, only the leaders of the two main parties have both ruled a no brexit out. At least if they are in power.

And today, The Government reneged on its promise to publish its own sourced legal opinion on the A50 notification, increasing speculation that whatever promises the UK might make in the WA it is not going to honour.

How did this country get to be so crap and cruel so damned quickly? And this just in from the Bank of England, their forecast of the effects of a "disorderly Brexit"

• Britain's GDP drops 8%

• House prices plunge 30%

• Commercial property falls 48%

• Pound slides 25%, beneath $1

• Unemployment rises to 7.5%

• Inflation accelerates to 6.5%

Turns out the Government's own figures were massaged as to include the assumption that the UK would quickly sign 17 trade deals. Not if the UK is aligned with the EU it won't.

Monday 26th November 2918

Back to work.

Boo.

And the TV box failed to record the football on Sunday night.

Double boo.

Which means I have a spare half an hour in which to procrastinate in. Which is nice.

Once Jools left for work, I have breakfast, another coffee and get dressed and am ready for action.

Days when I work from home have a pattern; I check mails, answer those, then update spreadsheet and see what else I can do, and in this way the morning slips by.

Outside it is cold, grey and looking very much like November, and not really the weather for walking. Saying that I had three days mails to catch up on.

I take lunch at half ten, inbetween meetings, ham sandwich with salt and vinegar crisps, along with a brew. I know how to live like a king!

More work.

I have to say I was rather distracted through the day as the car crash that is Brexit is played out in real time, at least now I have the large screen of my home PC beside my work one, eyes flick between them through the afternoon.

Come four in the afternoon, I am done for the day, I think it is the lack of daylight to be honest, despite sleeping long enough, allergies allowing, and yet am almost falling asleep during the day sometimes.

Anyway, it is time to prepare dinner; caprese and garlic bread, which comes out very crunchy indeed. And there was wine. Always wine.

What it does mean is that we are a day closer to Christmas and the end of the year, and when we can switch off from this rock and roll lifestyle and decompress.

This evening we decompress with Only Connect.

Tuesday in Brexitlalaland

Each new day brings 29th March 2019 closer. Just so you don't forget.

Both leaders of the two main parties, today indicated they would like to have a TV debate, though Corbyn would use the debate to raise "other issues". Tis means the two leaders who had lukewarm support for remain but have turned into hard Brexiteers will debate each other. And both have said that no other leaders should take part, nor representatives of the one million UK citizens in Europe who have been abandoned.

Meanwhile in Luxembourg today, the UCJ heard arguments on the revocation of A50. There is no answer yet, but they have said it will be fast tracked.

But interesting to note that the UK Government could offer no legal reasons why the case should not proceed, other than as May is not going to want to withdraw, it is a purely hypothetical question. It seems more than likely that the Member State (MS) can withdraw the notification in the 2 year period, but must be seen to be done in "good faith", and not having been triggered to get more concessions. However, if bad faith is suspected, further action by other MS could be taken, and indeed it seems that judging by the EU's representatives that A50 will be amended in the near future to ensure good faith is considered, even if it means the EU27, or 26 might have to agree to have the errant MS back.

May has begin going round the country to drum up support for the WA, though this will not extend to allowing a second vote. yet. That decision might be taken out of her hand, as might the question of Brexit itself if, as the Government's own legal advice was that Parliament could instruct the Government to withdraw A50. But that is a matter of UK Constitutional law, whether it can be done is a matter of EU law, which is why the UCJ is dow looking at it.

The question we should be asking May is why after receiving the legal advice on whether A50 could be revoked by the UK, did she do everything she could to ensure this was not revealed to Parliament or the people.

The one mistake people make with Brexit is that they see it as an event. Its not, although Brexit day will be an event, but it is a process, and one that will drag on for years and years. In fact as EU rules and regulations change, Brexit will be never ending, always taking, negotiating, and all so pointless. Pointless, because at some point, the UK will rejoin, as it becomes clear how stupid the country has been. If you thing the negotiation on the WA and Framework Trade Deal dragged on, wait until the actual negotiations on trade actually begin.

Sunday 25th November 2018

Nine and a half hours sleep later, and the world seems a much better place.

Although saying that, having gone to bed at eight, i was awake at half five, but meant I could lay in bed listening to the wind and rain outside, bringing down the remaining leaves.

We have coffee and after checking on the interwebs, I put on the football to catch up on what happened the previous day. But in a major change, I watch the EFL on Quest first, as Norwich did so well, and why not. Though saying that, Norwich are bucking the trend and narrative that the big TV companies want to sell, either once giant Aston Villa, Frank Lampard's Derby County, or champions-in-waiting, Leeds. But we are top of the shop, with our free transfer Temi Pukki having scored 11 goals this season.

That watched and revelled in the glory of another four goal five star performance, I put on MOTD, pausing that halfway to make bacon butties.

Not much planned for the day, just some messing about in the garden, and maybe messing around with the sloe gin.

Outside it was cold. Not really cold, but, you know, cold to the touch. We put more soil down on the other beds, as Jools had spread a ton of manure round the beds earlier in the week. I cut the branches of the buddleia, bag those up. And we are pretty much done. I fill up the bird feeders, so we can spend the rest of the day watching charms of goldfinches coming in to feed.

After coffee, we bottle the sloe gin, then with the berries we fill the demijohns up with red wine and cognac, ready for some sloe port, ot sloe fortified wine as we have decided to call it, can mature. Half of it will be made with 2015 vintage home made hedgerow wine. It will be a beast for sure.

After that we decide to have an early dinner, or would be mid afternoon by the time it was ready, as I had got a joint of beef when we were out Sunday, so prepare it to be roasted, all coated with fresh ground salt and pepper. Would take 80 minutes to cook.

As I prepare the vegetables and Yorkshire puddings, Jools does more jobs around the house, as it fills with the smell of roasting meat.

We eat at about half two, middle of the afternoon, although outside the light was fading already. It is the time of year. We listen to Desert Island Discs as we eat and drink a bottle of red fizz. Even if I say so myself, its not a bad way to spend the afternoon, especially with ultra crispy roast potatoes that demand all to be eaten no matter how much you have already eaten. Think of it as Christmas training.

We play Cribbage in the evening, and that is it really, another weekend gone, and the working week creeping over our shoulder.

Reality closes in. Closer.

This morning the Government, under great pressure, released the text of their appeal last week in the Court of Session regarding their appeal in referring the question of whether A50 can be reversed unilaterally. Still with me? Well, the view of all 5 of the Government’s QCs was that Parliament could instruct the Government to do just that.

It is worth pointing out at this moment that this is the view of UK QCs, but tomorrow the view of the UCJ will be known. It is unlikely that it will be any different from the QCs.

The point to this, is that the Government has known this for the best part of a year, and has tried everything, spending huge amounts of money to prevent this legal point of view being made public, especially by Parliament.

The only reason for this was to ensure that the meaningful vote would be a take it or leave it on her WA reached with the EU last week.

All this flies in the face of the Brexiteers claim Brexit itself was about restoring sovereignty to Parliament from Brussels.

More impact assessments have been released today, this time showing the UK will be £90 to 100 billion poorer by 2030, and the Exchequer something like £40 short too. In response, May says that such forecasts have been wrong before. But with 95% of forecast suggesting much the same……

And in the Commons today, Corbyn still sticks to the line he would be able to negotiate a better deal if he were PM, and get it done before March 29th. For the avoidance of doubt, this is a lie. I have had enough of people telling us that complex things are simple. Its what got us into this mess.

Over an hour into cross-questioning of the PM in the Commons, and not one MP, of any party, is actually backing her “plan”. Jo Johnson asked her to name a part of the UK that will be better off than now under her deal. She could not answer. Remember she has to get the majority of the house to vote to ratify the WA. Not looking good.

Saturday 24th November 2018

I woke up at 02:00 with allergies raging, not being able to breathe through my nose, taking more drugs did not work.

I lay in bed listening to the wind and rain outside for a couple of hours. Scully sat at the end of the bed and stared at me. I could just make her silhouette out in the darkness. At half four I give up on bed, so go down downstairs and being chased down the stairs by both cats, I feed them and so I have peace and quiet.

I put the computer on and have the radio on quiet, Jools sleeps on upstairs, until at six she realised there's a light on downstairs, so comes to investigate. I had already been awake for four hours, and I think looked like it too.

Anyway, Saturday, should I sulk around the house feeling sorry for myself, or just make the best of it? I chose the latter.

What do you want to do today? Jools asked. Churches.

Which ones, she sighed.

The ones we didn't get round to last week.

OK, so I made a list, added a couple of others, and we were set. Though best not set out too early as the churches wouldn't be open.

We have breakfast, more coffee.

And at nine, we set out for Ashford, then out onto the Romney Marsh to Brenzett. We passed a church last week, which I had been to before, but thought I hadn't been there for a while, assumed it was Brenzett. It wasn't, it was Snargate. So we could do that as well.

Brenzett church is in the middle of the village, set back from the main road, and right away I remembered being here a few years back with John Vigar. Oh well, may as well take more shots.

I go in and thanks to the overcast day, it was so gloomy in the church, I looked for light switches, but can't find any, just managed to turn all the heaters on. Apparently, the church has no artificial lighting, so would have to make the best of it. Thankfully the cameras are cleverer than I am.

It is just a two mile drive to Snargate, just off the main road again, as I parked the rain began to fall, so I hurried into the building, turn all the lights on I can, and start snapping.

That done, I go back to the car so we can double back and go to Ruckinge. I thought I had been there before, but not sure. I failed to check my notebook with all the visited churches listed; that'll teach me.

As soon as we came into the village I knew I had been there, twice at least. So when I found the door locked I wasn't that bothered, especially as two small but interesting churches lie just a mile or so up the road.

Bilsington, like most Kent churches, is ancient, but this is more memorable than most as you have to either walk or drove through a farmyard to get there. I park on the road, Jools decides to stay in the car again, and I walk through the muddy farmyard, over uneven concrete blocks to the hedged path to the church.

Most memorable, for me, at the church is the two graves beside the path for Mr and Mrs Christmas. Yes, sad but true, Christmas is dead. Those and the church bell hanging in a little shelter by the south door. Inside the church is so small that its hard to think I missed anything last time I came, but redo the shots again, at least they'll be full frame now I suppose....

We were going to go to Bonnington next, but in a change of plan, I saw that Newchurch was down the road, and I was pretty darned sure I had only seen the outside of this, and that nearly a decade ago. So I said to Jools, Newchurch and home.

Newchurch is on the marsh, and a deep drainage ditch runs beside it, meaning you have to cross a bridge to get to the churchyard, not the only marsh church for this. And the tall stone tower is clearly leaning, quite alarming really.

I was greeted by a handsome cat sitting on the lychgate, who allowed me to stroke it. It purred its approval. And from there I saw a young woman come out of the church, it was open!

I go inside and see a number of trestle tables set out, turns out they were having an arts and crafts day for local children, but this did mean the church wa sopen, and I could get my shots, as I pretty sure I had not been in before.

I was as good as my word when I got back to the car, after stroking the kitty cat again, and said we are going home, even when I saw the door of Dymchurch slightly ajar, I was tempted to stop, but my word is my word.

We drive on to Hythe then back to Folkestone and home.

We had called at Sainsbury's in Hythe, and I bought a large pork pie which we had for lunch, went down a treat, though I did stay away from booze as I wanted to listen to the football in the afternoon.

Now, you know I am a Norwich fan, and through the years I have kinda accepted we're not as good as Barca or Citeh, and a good result is usually followed by a bad one. Or two Well, two four-one wins meant we much be overdue a thrashing, especially as we were away to improving Swansea. Indeed in the opening exchanges Swansea had the upper hand, then out of the blue one of their defenders deflected a cross into his own goal; one-nil to City. Then their keeper threw the ball to our midfielder, he slotted the ball in the corner of the net. Five minutes later we add a third.

This is incredible stuff.

Although Swansea pulled one back, Pukki scored a forth with a smart turn and shot to wrap up the points for City.

City had scored four goals in three successive matches for the first time in 85 and a half years. And were still top of the table.

Wow.

By eight I was done for, and just gave up and went to bed after downing the leftover beer from last weekend's Sunday lunch. Please let sleep come....

Post agreement disagreements

So, on Thursday the draft political framework agreement was signed up by both UK and EU.

But remember these are talks about talks, the real trade deal has yet to be agreed upon, but tis sets out the framework, a framework that excludes 80% of UK exports, services.

Just think of that for a moment.

I won't go into details about what it means, as it is likely that Parliament will reject it, at least at first. Today is the 25th November, meaning there is five months four days before the UK is to leave the EU. Rejecting the WA and political framework agreement leaves very bleak choices facing May, her Cabinet and Parliament.

First of all, as I have said Brexit is happening, unless something else happens, and there really is very little time or inclination of anything else happening. So, the choice is back to a Hobson's one, take it or leave it. If Parliament rejects it, it will almost certainly be "on the table" meaning that as time further runs out, Parliament might return to it and vote again. Neither May or Corbyn have shown any desire for any other course of action. May has said that as long as she is PM there will be no no deal, no no Brexit, no "people's vote". So, it Parliament decides otherwise it seems there will have to be a new leader of the Conservative Party, and so PM.

There is no time for these two choices:

Second, the people's vote. Not having the correct primary and secondary legislation in place, like in 2016, means getting a result that cannot be accepted by all sides. Such legislation takes several months to draft and get through Parliament, likely nearly a year at least. And then the Electoral Commission is said to only favour binary choices in referendums, so what would the two choices be out of: may's deal, no deal, no Brexit or any other course of action?

Thirdly, an election. No time for that at the moment with every day counting now. An election takes at least a month from calling it to the day itself, and there is the small matter of which sides the two main parties would go for, the Conservatives under May would be for leave with her deal at the heart of it, but under another leader, who knows? And if May were to go, who could lead the party to unify? It seems an impossible task, at least for Brexiteers who most know have lied to a greater or lesser amount. It would be impossible to see the party unifying behind Johnson (Boris), Gove, DD, Fox, etc. Labour under Corbyn, it would appear, have to go for remain, or at least a soft Brexit as that was the line that party members voted at conference, even if Corbyn seems to ignore that fact.

The last choice is no Brexit. The most common sense choice, so the least likely course to be taken, especially as both May and Corby have ruled it out. Next week's UCJ judgement on how and who can withdraw the A50 notification might mean that Parliament might vote for remain, but the numbers for a majority voting for that seems unlikely.

So, you ask, what is going to happen. I don't know, but with Brexit going to happen, most likely, it is May's deal or no deal.

Friday 23rd November 2018

Dr Who's 55th birthday.

Jools' 55th birthday too.

In fact the doctor's surgery rang this week as she can now get the flu vaccine.

But I was a couple of hundred miles away on the Isle of Wight, trying to get out of bed and be ready for breakfast at half seven.

I was booked on the half ten ferry, but I had a flexi ticket meaning, in theory, I could get on an earlier one. If I got my skates on. So, I skipped a shower, not because of time, but for allergy avoidance to be honest. Went down to the breakfast room and heard myself order a full English, I had a hard half day;s travelling I told myself to justify it. Neither Kate or Katharina were down by the time the half tin of beans that came with breakfast beat me.

I was now against the clock, so....

Up to my room to pack, throw everything in the case, switch off the laptop and pack that, then down to reception to check out, and almost foiled by a faulty printer. Still no sign of the others, so I leave the hotel, load the car and swing round to drive through the town centre to the floating bridge.

I still had 50 minutes.

But still had to wait 5 minutes.

We drive on, and after a slight delay the engine whines and we are dragged over the other side of the river.

I wait my turn to get off the chain ferry, drive round the black to get to the check in booth fr the ferry, only to find that the early sailing is full. I am on standby, and first in the standby queue. I should get on I was told.

Thing is, the allergies this week have meant I don't feel rested, and I feel an overwhelming need to be home as soon as possible, so really want to get on this sailing. I sit and watch as all the cars are loaded, then the trucks and buses, someone comes over to me to tell me to drive to lane 14.

More latecomers were allowed on.

I still wait.

There's room for three more the radio burbles. I was waved on, told to park so close to the truck on the freight deck, there was no room to walk between them. But I was on the early sailing.

I walk up four flights of stairs to get to the promenade deck, stand at the back of the ferry while it is made ready for sailing. Ramps lifted, engines stir into live making the water around the ferry, boil.

I take shots as the ferry moves into the centre of the river, then accelerates towards open water, allowing me a look along the shoreline towards the hotel I had just left.

It was a great and gloomy day, little breeze, but that did not stop a chorus of car alarms to go off, blaring away as we crossed towards the main land. I sit in the lea of the ship's superstructure reading another edition of Rail.

So I read the crossing through, not quite reaching the last page as the tannoy announces we should all return to our cars. I was resigned to being very last off, I mean the car was flat against the rear door of the freight deck, but mour lane was waved off first, so we file off, turn onto the main road, anf begin the long drive to the start of the motorway, threading our way through freight terminals and retail parks.

It was all going well, but to temper that, mist came down and the visibility was lass than 100m, but as traffic was light no really problems. But then some people were driving with no lights on, not quite sure how they thought other driver could see them.

I drive up the M3, through Winchester and on towards London. It was only when we got within ten miles of the M25 that traffic began to build, and soon slowed to a walk. And ten stopped. A simple shunt can do that. We sit for ages while the police and ambulance comes and attends to the injured and the wrecks moved off the road.

In time we are on the move again, nudging eastwards on the M25.

Once in Kent the mist lifted, and the further into the county I went, the better the weather got, until I reached Folkestone when the clouds cleared completely and late afternoon sun shone down.

I arrived home just before three, had a brew and once Jools came back from Tesco and we had put the shopping away, we both drive to the port to drop the car off, she then drives me home. And the weekend could start.

As it was Jools' birthday, she had arranged for a family meal at Jen's, we pick up a huge Chinese meal on the way up, and once inside, we fill the table with silver containers of food. All tastes the same really, especially as I smother mine with lots of sweet and sour sauce.

As we sat and talked after eating, and all was going well until my allergies go mad again. Not sure what set it off again, but there was no stopping it.

We do stay to half nine, but I could hardly breath, so we leave and drive home under the view of the full moon.

And so, once home, to bed and the struggle for sleep.

The Brexit no one wants

On Thursday, the UK and EU came to an agreement on the text of the framework political agreement.

This is not a or the trade deal, but an agreement to what form the talks take and the objective. Talks about talks then.

But even now, it is full of cake, as May cannot still come out and say what relationship the UK wants to have with the EU, its either aligned or moving away from alignment. When I say the UK cannot decide, I of course mean May and her cabinet cannot decide, bt it amounts to the same thing.

I won't go into details, but its not good for UK businesses or citizens, as there will be borders, maybe not in 2019, but in 202 or 2022 at the latest, and this means the cliff edge will just be delayed.

This is the Brexit no one wanted, as in trying to please everyone, she pleases no one. Makes everyone bloody angry. And when I say everyone, I mean Brexiteers and remainers.

But this is the Brexit the Brexiteers got because of their red lines, the same red lines that May adopted and ran with.

Not in the CU.

Not in the SM.

No jurisdiction by the UCJ.

No freedom of movement.

And it is this last thing that has survived Brexit, this was the whole point of Brexit, halting freedom of movement, not just for EU citizens to the UK, but to UK citizens to the EU, one of the things Brexiteers would not happen. Another lie.

It is likely that except for short holiday visits, visas will be needed for UK citizens who want to live or work in the EU, it will affect me as I would need work visas in each country I want to work in.

But this is not all, the UK is going to leave all the other EU institutions, including Galileo, willingly, meaning that UK will no longer be able to play a part in them, or IK scientists either.

It has no hope of being ratified in Parliament, at least the first time. May has ruled out a second referendum as long as she is PM, and reality rules out a no deal. So it will be this, or?

Or chaos. NO one really knows what will happen.

Either in 2019, 2020, or 2022, NI will effectively become a part of the EU, and Britain won't be, so Britain will have to take the decision on does it want trade deals with other countries, or keep the Union together.

Thursday 22nd November 2018

The reason we were on the Isle of Wight was for work.

And the middle day of the trip was work day, and would be a long and tiring one, one which could be problematic.

But first, breakfast.

I had taken a nasal spray before going to be the night before, so I did sleep OK< meaning I was ready for the day ahead. We all met up for breakfast at half seven, outside the lounge, the day has dawned and was a dull and bleak day, a cold wind was blowing. But we had little time to take in the view, as we had to get to the factory.

My employer has a factor making blades for our turbines. These blades are huge, 81m long, and at the root end as wide as Chez Jelltex is high. I don't talk much about work, but I wish you could see what I see sometimes, standing at the tip of a balde, and seeing it almost disappear into the distance at the end of the factory hall, it is truly awe inspiring.

Anyway, we had to get there, and I said we would leave early because of traffic, and of course we saw hardly any on the 15 minute drive to the factory, making me out to being over-dramatic. Out customer was heavul delayed, however, by traffic, so was vindicated.

Through the day I walked miles, round the factory and round the blades being made.

We wrap up at four, bid our hosts farewell, and the three of us get back in the car and drive back to the hotel.

Now I had done 7,000 steps already, but I needed to take some shots, and as darkness fell, I knew the town centre would be all lit up. I told the others I would look for a place to eat, so I set off along the promenade into the teeth of the cold wind.

It was well lit, but not much to take shots of, but that didn't stop me. Of course.

There was a guy flying a drone, and it seemed to follow me for a while, so I thought of making rude signs in its direct, but decide against it, and anyway, am soon out its range.

I come to a collection of fine art deco condos, so snap those too. I walk up the high street which was already decorated for Christmas, which made the cobbled street look even more attractive.

The street turned this way and that up the slight hill, then down towards the Fountain hotel where I stayed last time. I walked past that.

I ended up in a micropub, the Cowes Ale House, but disappointingly, only had two ales on, so I chose the stronger one, and soon got into conversation with the guy next to me about photography. I was so enjoying it, I had a second beer, then realised i had to get back to the hotel to meet the others.

So no sooner had I walked back to the hotel, made myself a brew and reflected on the day and the fact that when walking into the room I had passed the 10,000 step mark, that it was time to go out again, and despite me trying to get them to eat into the hotel, that wanted to walk into town, so off we went, back into the teeth of the cold wind, and to the bright lights of Cowes.

We decide on a contemporary place that did a selection of tacos as well as some other small plates. So we choose three each, and wait for them food to arrive, Kate and I si on Mango Daiquiris, which were wonderful tart. We were so sophisticated.

The food was good, if small portioned, but we had several, so we ate well, by which time it was nine in the evening, and getting well towards bedtime. At least walking back the wind was at our back, blowing us home.

And inside, we have a nightcap, a wee dram for me, and G&Ts for the ladies.

We toast our luck and our friendship.

Lies the Brexiteers have told

“There will be no downside to Brexit, only a considerable upside.”

David Davis
10 October 2016

“Getting out of the EU can be quick and easy – the UK holds most of the cards.”

John Redwood
July 17 2016

“The free trade agreement that we will have to do with the European Union should be one of the easiest in human history.”

Liam Fox
20 July 2017

“We're not really interested in a transition deal, but we'll consider one to be kind to the EU.”

David Davis
15 November 2016

“I believe that we can get a free trade and customs agreement concluded before March 2019.”

David Davis
18 January 2017

“Indeed, [a trade deal] would take significantly less than two years. We hold all the cards. We will offer them a deal in response to their pleas for help.”

Patrick Minford
14 June 2016

“I am not worried about transitional arrangements. I am prepared to take the economic hit to secure the economic benefits of not being inside the Single Market and being outside the Customs Union. I simply want... a quickie divorce.”

Michael Gove
17 November 2016

“We are going to get a deal which is of huge value and possibly of greater value.”

Boris Johnson
16 November 2016

“Within two years, before the negotiation with the EU is likely to be complete, we can negotiate a free trade area massively larger than the EU. The new trade agreements will come into force at the point of exit, but they will be fully negotiated.”

David Davis
14 July 2016

“Trade relations with the EU could be sorted out in an afternoon over a cup of coffee.”

Gerard Batten
17 February 2017

“Within minutes of a vote for Brexit, CEOs would be knocking down Chancellor Merkel’s door demanding access to the British market.”

David Davis
4 February 2016

“The cost of getting out would be virtually nil and the cost of staying in would be very high.”

Boris Johnson
6 March 2016

“I think we could very easily get a better trade deal than we have at the moment.”

Douglas Carswell
8 June 2016

“All David Davis needs to say to is: listen guys free trade or WTO?”

Tim Martin
2 January 2017

"It will be easy to negotiate a trade deal. It's in the EU's interests."

Paul Nutall
17 January 2017

"Nobody ever pretended this would be simple or easy."

David Davis
5 September 2017

“If we need to leave with no deal and negotiate a free trade agreement during the transition period, so be it.”

David Davis
November 2018

Wednesday 21st November 2018

I woke with a raging allergy attack going on. No reason why, but within minutes of getting up, I was struggling to breathe, sneezing loads and the rest.

I am now fed up with this, it is just two months into my allergy season, four to go, and No matter what I do seems to make no difference, after having such a good year last winter, now this.

Jools had the rest of the week of to do gardening, so once we have coffee she goes out to continue taking the stones up from the front garden and general weeding and dead plant clearance as she had a ton of manure being delivered later in the day.

I stay inside and start work, I was travelling later in the day so I wanted to be as up to date as possible.

At eleven, I stop work, pack so Jools and I could have lunch together. We feast on cheese and crackers, though I have a cuppa with them, as I had many miles to drive.

She takes me to the docks so I could collect my car, a Hyundai hybrid things, which looked OK, and the dash like something from Star Trek when I tried to start it. It was using the electric motor, so there was no noise. I put it into gear and tried to pull away. No luck.

I tried again, and again, but each time there seemed to be a handbrake on. I searched the dash and centre consul, but could find nothing that looked like a brake, nor labelled as such.

As I was about to get out, I see something in the footwell, a foot-operated handbrake, apparently. I release that and try to move off, which the car does smoothly.

I drive back home, and the car seems to have plenty of power, just gauges everywhere, four of them, showing what the hybrid was doing. What it all meant, I had no idea. One large dial marked "charge", seemed to be dropping in an alarming way; should i be worried? I knew not.

But it settled down, I had 6 Music on the radio, and all was well. The car ate up the miles, at least once we got through the Brexit roadworks where work continues to create the huge lorry park out of the main motorway to Europe, it must make sense to someone.

Onto the M25, traffic a bit manic, but the sun was out, so all was well with the world. I sang along to the radio and swore at the other drivers.

And then down the M3 to SOuthampton, driving into the setting sun, fact full of bright light. Always something to complain about, apparently.

I drive into the city, down a long busy road through leafy suburbs, all lanes that appeared and vanished with no real reason. Round roundabouts, though shopping areas to the docks area, then along the rover to the port and ferry terminal.

I had arrived safe and sound, and in time for the earlier ferry and with enough time for a brew too. So, I treat myself to a mince pie, although its still November.

Nom nom nom.

Time to board, and we have lots of places to park then up to the promenade deck to get some shots as darkness fell on the city and the near full moon rose.

We leave on time, and with darkness quickly fell, but was able to get lots of shots of the docks and shops, all lit my strong light. But it was chilly, chilly enough to drive me into the lounge to read Rail magazine, until the captain announced we were arriving in East Cowes, and time to get back to the car and see if I can remember how it started.

I do, so we are allowed to drive off, I drive round the block to wait to get onto another ferry, the chain ferry, or floating bridge as they like to call it, to Cowes where the hotel was. You could take the road, but it takes half an hour and the traffic in Newport would be awful.

It was just a ten minute wait, the ferry clunked over the river and allowed its load off, then we were allowed to board. It is £2.60 for the two minute crossing, which is pretty much a licence to print money I would think, but then its not rush hour all of the time.

The sat nav takes me round the maze of side streets, over a hill and down onto the promenade at genteel West Cowes, and the hotel was there, just over the road from the water's edge.

I check in and am given a room on the ground floor, it has one mean small window overlooking a small walled garden, in daylight I see its not grassed but covered by astroturf.

At seven I go down to dinner, against my better judgement, as there is something sady and travelling salesman about eating in a hotel dining room, and this was no different, but the food was passable, even if the panoramic view of the Solent were invisible, and we could just see our reflections staring back at us. I had garlic tiger prawns followed by lamb tagine which was served with propper boiled English vegetables that had been on simmer for months, apparently.

Only trouble was, was that my two colleagues were travelling in from Denmark on the late flight into LCY, then had to get across LOndon, catch a train to either Southampton or Portsmouth, then a ferry to the island where I would collect them. I said.

There are several ferry routes to the island, and each arrive at a different berth or town on the north coast. They ended up catching one to Ryde, where I had been on my last visit, and they would arrive at quarter past eleven, so I said I would be there, as promised.

Words cannot do Ryde pier justice, it is a ramshackle place in the day, all rusty beams and supports, with a wooden roadway on one side, and 1938 Tube stock trundling to the station on the other. At at eleven o'clock at night, with a keen breeze blowing, it is quite a grom place indeed.

I wait and take some shots, which come out even with the compact, which is amazing.

Katharina and Kate arrive, very tired from their trip from Aarhus, we get in the car, then drive back across the island, through Newport, where Katharine is mazed to see there was a Lidl on the island, as she thought it was a tiny place.

We arrive at the hotel at quarter to midnight, time enough for bed I think.

Wednesday Brexit news

So, today, Wednesday May and the EU could not finalise the outline trade agreement.

The proposed summit is now off until Sunday and Merkal will only travel if there is a deal to agree to, not to do more negotiations.

In Parliament today, May said it was either her deal or no Brexit, mainly for the ears of the ERG, but earlier in the week she had been threatening Leavers in her party with my deal of no deal. Playing against each other, which when they find out won’t end well.

The reality, and truth is that the no deal option has all but been ruled out as too damaging. The Government has said it will reveal its economic forecast for both no deal and May’s deal to Parliament. If they exist.

Corbyn is still under the illusion there is time to negotiate more, as he said if May can’t get a good deal stand aside and let him. Hmmmmmm

Thing is, the clock is ticking, and unless something happens, the UK will leave the EU by operation of international law in that the Articles of the European Union will no longer apply.

It really doesn’t matter what happens domestically, as long as a decision is made, if not we crash out with no deal. Chaos.

And Spain has said that they will not ratify if there isn’t something substantial about Gibraltar. Now, Merkal probably won’t stand for last minute additions, not just from the UK but from other EU members peddling their own desires. This is about group responsibility not individual member desires. Though, clearly the Irish border is, but that is a fundamental part of Brexit.

Tuesday 20th November.

Like Monday but with rain and sleet.

Yes, the wind blew dark clouds across the sky all day, and either rain or sleet fell. It didn't get quite fully light, I have the lamp switched on all day. And it was mighty chilly.

Such is the life of an international quality expert and playboy. Or is it the other way round?

I wish I could have worked out, but the house was too cold early on, then allergies kicked in, and I was struggling with keeping the worst of that at bay all day.

And there was work.

Always work.

Mails and spreadsheets all day long.

I try to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it just the light of an oncoming train.

Come five, I am worn out, and a bit fed up that my two main hobbies are also based on the computer; photography and blogging.

So after unhealthy burgers and beer for dinner, I write, I edit shots, I blog.

The radio plays in the background, which is pretty darn good, and outside the fox arrived early to eat the peanuts we put out.

From now on this week, Jools is on holiday, and I am on the road. Read all about it on Friday.

Monday 19th November 2018

The weekend was glorious, the sun shone and it was nearly downright warm. But come Monday, the wind swung round to the north east and a steady breeze nearly turned gale force. It was bright enough, but very chilly, as cold as it has been since last winter to be honest.

Early morning and the house was cold, so I put the heating on and wait for it to warm up some. I could have moved around a bit, but where's the fun in that?

Indeed.

Normally there would have been football to catch up on, no Premier League for sure, but I could have taped the England game, but the night before I found the highlights already posted on You Tube, so no need.

There is the usual dread when starting work as to what diasters had befallen me over the weekend, but it was quiet, at least at first.

I have got used to working from home, but this week includes the first of maybe a dozen trips to various factories here in the UK and in Denmark, means I will be getting the air miles again I suppose. So, for now, I enjoy commuting from one chiar to another at the table. In fact this is not true, since having the office chair, I just move that from one computer to another and start work.

So begins another marvelous day and week.

Breakfast at seven, lunch at half ten, and lots of cuppa inbetween.

Situation normal.

I had done some mild gardening the day before, well, picking up stones. By the way my back and legs were complaining, you would have thought I had picked up a mountain, rather than three buckets of stones. I am such a drama queen sometimes. I hobble around the house complaining to myself, as there is no one else to hear me. Well, the cats, but they were asleep.

The passes into afternoon, and my enthusiasm for work fades, leaving me with a dozen mails to send, half of which I get wrong, apparently. Corrective action planned for the morning.

It is dark, cold and wet outside, not very nice at all, and not good for a walk all day, not that I had time anyway.

And that was the working day, I do wonder if I make a difference you know, sometimes it seems I make little or no progress. Oh well, always tomorrow.

I cook dinner, simple pasta carbonara again, turning into a proper favourite. And such a fine meal demands wine. Red wine. One glass. Two glasses. Three glasses.

What was the problem again?

Radio, writing and editing were the order of the evening.

Brexit stuff

I am running out of things to call these Brexit blogs.

But here goes.

Again.

The ERG had a news conference today, and shows that there is very little actual research going on, with them getting many basic stuff very wrong.

Thing about the Irish Border and the GFA is that it brought about the impossible, peace on Ireland, both sides of the border, and a prolonged period of prosperity. Speaking as someone who was viewed as a legitimate target by Republican terrorists, this made it very real, and would not like to go back to where people had to check under their cars every morning, or vary their route to the shops each time just in case there was an ambush. This was the reality for me and thousands of service men and women.

It speaks volumes that the ERG and Brexiteers can just ignore or pretend that the border is an issue that needs settling to the satisfaction on both sides of the border, and not just dismissed by people in in the right wing Westminster bubble as being fabricated.

The so called technological solution has been rejected in all its formed, mainly because it will take a decade for it to be ready, and it will have to be up and running possibly in 5 months, never going to happen.

So, yet it has upset the little Brexit "project", but that what comes when you pretend something that is very complicated to be simple. Brexiteers have had over two years to fix it, or come up with a workable solution, and they haven't or can't. Brexiteers have both been Minister for Brexit, and they have failed; but as the were DD and Raab, we should not be surprised.

May today said she is looking again at the so called "max fax", or technological solution again. Good luck with that.

The DUP failed to vote with the Government last night, even voted against it a couple of times, but as Labour could not get all of its MPs in the chamber, the Government won by 5 votes, and 7 Labour MPs failed to make, one being only the bloody leader, Corbyn! Could an opposition be any more useless?

The WA is 585 pages long, written in dense legalese, and each part references or cross-references other parts, and so understanding the relationship and interactions takes a lot of time. I have done three lots of training to understand a slim volume called ISO 9001, ten chapters spread over about 26 pages, with clauses and subclauses that reference each other, and have to be read together to get full understanding. A simple document like this took 5 days to have the most basic understanding. Anyone who thinks they had a grasp of it in a few hours or days, is just lying and trying to score political or dogmatic points.

One of the things that isn't spoken about much is that the leave vote was largely carried by English voters. In Scotland and NI, the vote was heavily to remain, and despite May saying she would consult with the devolved institutions, she has really only spoken to the DUP as they, to this point, have propped up her Government. The SNP have made it clear they are not very happy with NI getting special status in the WA and there not being one mention of Scotland.

The snap election of last year was fought, in Scotland, on a single issue, and not Brexit. It was so called "Indy Ref 2", and it was clear that there was little appetite for a second independence referendum, but Brexit changes that. NO partly in both the SM and CU, and Scotland not, then NO might get investment that Scotland might have got otherwise. The Conservatives, or the Scottish COnservatives won a dozen seats, and so more than the DUP prop May up, and the Scottish Tory leader has some very different views from May.

But it was always assumed that a newly independent Scotland would be denied membership of the EU by Spain, who it was said would do so to deter Catalan independence. Today, however, Spain said it would support an independent Scotland becoming a member of the EU, so all bets could be off.

Interesting days and weeks ahead as things become clearer for Brexit. But it is clear that just saying something is simple does not make it so, or believing in something really hard doesn't make it happen either. And things we thought impossible, might just be.

And finally, The Government failed in its final attempt to block the reference of the question of whether the A50 can be unilaterally revoked by the UK or not was referred to the UCJ. The reason why the Government would want Parliament not know whether the notification could be withdrawn or not would limit what they could decide to do in the event, likely event, if there is still stalemate in domestic politics and so the WA could not be passed by Parliament. Almost if they did not want sovereignty being returned to Westminster, one of the pillars of Brexit.

And, one more thing: The Government conceded every amendment in the finance bill, including one from the SNP, to avoid defeat after the DUP voted with the opposition.

Sunday 18th November 2018

Somehow, with two gigs, 6 churches, a railtour and a pub lunch, the weekend seemed twice as long, and waking up on Sunday morning we realised there was another whole day of it left.

We slept until half seven, but there was no football to watch, meaning we lazed around, made bacon butties and ate them, before clearing up and beginning a start on the remaining work in the garden. In particular, the small rain forest on the side of the drive which was making it next to impossible to get the car down.

Clumping bamboo sounds fine, but it very much at home by the gateway, and shoots out in all directions. I start by pruning the main stems, then cutting with shears the fresh growth.

There was holly mixed in too, that was cut, as was the buddleia, which was more treelike.

But after an hour and a half, the majority of the work was done, leaving the stone garden to do in the afternoon.

I made insalata for lunch, then back outside to begin to collect the blue slate chips and put them into buckets, so we can take up the weed retarding membrane and put some manure down for the acers, before putting fresh membrane down and clean the chips before finishing.

Odd thing is, that was I began to collect up the slate chips, I found lots of soil too, which should have been impossible, but then years of birdseed, rotted down and consumed by worms makes nice composted soil. But will take twice as long to get the job done.

After 90 minutes I was out of buckets, and less than halfway through getting all the chips up. More to do next weekend.

That (half) done, there was football to listen to. Now, EUFA decided to come up some competition to replace half the friendly matches that take part, and have seedings and groups which meant similar standard teams played each other. And England were in one of the top groups, and needed a win against Croatia, who knocked them out of the world cup, to make it to the semi-finals next summer.

I can't claim to understand it, but it has meant lots of high status games the past two international windows, and England beating Spain. In Spain.

It was almost a full Wembley, and fans expecting. But despite creating lots of chances, England went behind just halfter the break, and things looked grim, but in the last ten minutes, England pulled level, then Kane scored what turned out to be the winner, so in a matter of minutes went for being relegated to the next group down to being in the showcase emsis next summer.

Wembley exploded with joy.

Yay.

Outside, darkness fell, and turned out we were not that hungry, so made do with cheese and crackers whilst listening to Tracy Thorn on Desert Island Discs, which was nice.

But the weekend was coming to an end, washing to be done, Jools did the ironing, and by nine we were pooped. Again.

Of Brexit idiots

A few times I have asked the rhetorical question as to whether DD learned much, if anything as Minister for Brexit, not thinking he would clear that up this weekend.

Turns out DD have been in Oklahoma, for some reason, on some kind of independent trade mission, for some other reason.

He is not a Government minister anymore, not since he resigned, so is not representing anyone official, lest it be the billionaire backers of Brexit, of course.

He then wrote an article on the ConservativeHome webpage saying that in the event on a no deal, the UK could negotiate a Canada plus, plus, pus deal during the Transition Agreement (TA), or something. Thing is, if there is no WA (the deal) then there can be no transition, no deals, no FTA.

And he waid the UK had until the end of January to decide on a new deal, because the EU like to do things at the last minute. Which is why, I suppose the EU put aside 6 months for the ratification process......

What was that about keeping one's mouth shut lest others think you a fool, rather than opening it and confirming.

Well, DD is stupid personified.

And then a spokesperson for Number 10 this afternoon said there would be an end to free movement of people resulting in EU citizens no longer being able to "jump to the front of the queue" in immigration. And that in the event of the WA or political framework being broken (by the EU) then the UK would retaliate.

The line about EU citizens jumping to the front of the queue as not gone down well in the EU, as you might expect. And lets not forget it was the UK that tried to renege on the December statement on sufficient progress, by that awfully dim DD again. And whatever the UK does to EU citizens will be done by the EU to UK citizens, so much then for the promises of the Brexiteers that for ex-pats, nothing would change.

It turns out that those nice but dim folk at the ERG cannot count to 42, meaning they have overplayed their hand in trying to oust the PM, as nowhere near enough letters have been submitted to the 1822 committee, meaning that that very nice but very dm, JRM, might not me in a position of power, other than head of the ERG, for some time. Shame.

Another Brexiteer complain that the WA meant that the UK would have no MEPs, no Commissioners, no representation in the EU, but then Brexit means Brexit, doesn't it , Nadinne.

It seems that a no deal option might be dead in the water with Parliament as they are realising the effect it would have, but that would leave MPs with the choice of May's plan or no Brexit at all.

Hear the Brexiteers wail.

And Spain has said it cannot ratify the current WA unless the status of Gibraltar wasn't clearer; you don't say?

Brexit chaos is well and truly upon us, and will get only worse.

Saturday 17th November 2018

A day full of promise. And photography.

We did all the shopping and stuff on Friday, as I would probably want to be out of the house with the first lark's call as there was so much to do. During the week I had drawn up a list of a dozen or so churches in the area I would like to visit whilst we were in Lydd to snap a railtour.

That was my plan.

I am now a decade through the Kent church project, something like 300 visited and photographed, most done inside and out. But some of the early ones I took just a few shots, so need to go back to snap the details that I now know and appreciate.

We have coffee, then croissants and another coffee, load up the car and zoom off into the early morning sunshine. Because it was a glorious day, endless and wall to wall sunshine, albeit for the ten hours or less that the sun was above the horizon.

We drive up to Ashford, then out the other side through Great Chart to Tenterden.

Tenterden is a fine, if uppity town on the Kent-Sussex border, and the end of the fine Kent and East Sussex railway. According to my memory banks we had never visited this church, St Mildreds, but turns out it was our third visit, the last one being only in January of last year.

Tenterden is laid out along the main street, white clapboard shops and eateries line the street, and parking is hard to come by, but up the lane beside the church there are a few spaces, and anyway, we were just here to see the church. Although Jools said she was going to do some hunter-gathering as she fancied a hot sausage roll for elevenses.

I go round getting shots, and I realise how recently we had been here, but still, photographing a church is a pleasant thing and I was having a great time.

When I go outside, Jools was there with a spicy lamb samosa each and half a sausage roll ro share. Not warmed, but sitting on a bench in the churchyard, facing south, it was as pleasant as I am making it sound. Though we did receive some disapproving glances as me munched our way through the snack.

We go back to the car, and drive back eastwards, hoping to find a small church I had been talking to the warden in St Mildreds about, but his directions left us in the middle of nowhere, but apparently, only 3 miles from Smallhythe.

Smallhythe is famous for being the home to famous singer, Ellen Terry, and is now a National Trust place. I guessed, correctly as it turned out, that the house would be closed, but the unusual and rare Tudor church next door might be open, at least on a Sunday morning.

The church was locked, and no details of a keyholder, but it is as I expected. And we had only spent half an hour getting here, we could now go to Appledore to visit another church.

Appledore sits on the edge of the Romney Marsh, about a dozen miles from Rye, and the old military canal runs between the two towns, which in the summer is pleasant to walk beside, and home to a rare butterfly or two I am told. Appledore is a pretty town, a broad high street lines with white clapboard shops and restaurants and cafes, all Kentish and picturesque.

The church is next to one of the town's pubs, as it should be, though we don't call in for a swifter, as I have plans to call in at one of our favourites next. Last time I was here, in 2010, I took a few general shots and left, now I know a bit more, and the roof and chancel arch blew me away. I say arch, it was just a square opening, with a large oak timber holding the rood rail up. And from the entrance through the west tower, you could we the timber frames holding up the northern transept. Lovely.

We were in this part of the county so I could see a railtour, so now we drove over the marshes to Brookland, to the Woolpack, a pub so old it seems it is in the process of falling down, but is just settling.

It is whitewashed walls, peg tiled roof, and no straight lines anywhere, doorways just five feet high, and a fireplace that is open to the sky with centuries of accumulated soot visible if you look up it.

We take a table and order, I have BBQ burger, which was just about passable, not as good as the place used to be, but the ambience makes it worth it.

There was just an hour now before the railtour was due, so we drove over the marsh then along the coast to the outskirts of Lydd, where the old line is still in occasional use for flask traffic to the nuclear power station, and sometimes a passenger railtour comes down it.

The location I chose was just before the old Lydd Town station, looking under the railway bridge up the two mile straight, along which the train would be visible long before it was due.

I wasn't the only one here, by the time the train hoved into view some two miles away, there was nearly a dozen of us, two of which had friends on the train so we knew it was coming. Four overdressed but safe members of staff from Railtrack were there to open the level crossing gates, and clamp the points.

Unlike before when the assistant driver had to open and close the gates himself.

This meant that due to health and safety we were chased off the crossing with ten minutes to spare, as the train trundled down the line at walking pace, only to stop under the bridge to get a briefing before being allowed to continue.

Engines roared, and the train inched forward, taking the new passing loop before carrying on towards the end of the line. I got my shots, and that was that.

It was now nearly three, and the light fading, and Jools had said she would like to go home for some snoozing before we went back out for another gig. So, no more churches, just back along the coast road through New Romney, Dymchurch and Hythe before getting onto the motorway to get home to Dover.

I had a stack of photos to download and sort through, blogposts to write, which was made easier by there being no footy games, or domestic ones anyway, so as I worked away, doing my hobbies, the day faded into night and the new half full moon shone brightly to the south.

At half seven we go back out for another gig, this time Blancmange.

Blancmange were a huge band in the 80s, part of the Some Bizzare scene, who went on to have several hits, including Living on the Ceiling. A few years ago we went to see the newly reformed band play a gig in Brighton. Blancmange is now really just Neil Arthur, the singer, and a rotating band of musicians who in the intervening period have released three or four new albums, and is more prolific than at the height of their fame.

They always were a great live act, I saw them twice in the 80s, the second time with a sitar player and backing singers, as well as being supported by The Housemartins, so as they were in town, why not go along?

Why not indeed. When we arrived, there was even a parking space next to the old station, so it was just a short walk to the door where we showed our tickets and went in. Inside it wasn't full, but was a good showing, and more people arrived as support act, Finlay Shakespeare did his thang, a full forty minute set done without pause and he doing the vocals and arranging the backing music, drum beats all thanks to some magical box of tricks. Just an incredible tour de force.

I was in the front row, at the edge of the stage when Neil and the others took to the stage, I was going to be there just for one song so I could get some shots, but in the end I stayed there the whole gig, and had the time of my life.

With the new material, it wasn't a greatest hits set, but halfway through the better known numbers appeared, and the crowd began to sing along. Penultimate number was Living on the Ceiling, with the audinence humming along to the instrumental parts, so loud that Neil stopped singing to listen, which made it louder.

Magical stuff, and Neil was taken aback by how a few hundred people could do this, without prompting. There was a damp eye or two.

They went off, and I helped bring them back for an encore by banging on the stage; they came back to do a superb rendition of Waves.

And leaving and getting home was so easy, just go outside, walk 10m down to road, get into the car and drive along Townwall Street and up the hill to St Maggies. A superb day all round, I would say.

Sunday Brexit.

UK will leave the EU on 29th March 2019, unless the PM of the day says otherwise.

Neither May nor Corbyn are saying that.

Both think they can deliver either a Brexit that lives up to the referendum (May) or improves on May's deal (Corbyn). Both are wrong. The best deal we can get is the one we have now.

The WA on the table is the only one the EU will offer us. It is better than it could have been.

It is 585 pages long, and is in legalese, no one four days later has read it all and understood it, let alone on the day it was published.

The WA is a result of the A50 notification letter and May's red lines, although some of those have either been broken or rubbed out, its what happens when Brexit meets reality.

No one could have negotiated a better "deal" with the EU, not Corbyn, not JRM.

Brexiteers have been put in charge of Brexit, either DD, Raab or Fox. Failure of Brexit is a failure of their actions and lack of preparation.

Being more aggressive in talks would not have resulted in a better "deal". These are our neighbours and trading partners, this is the easiest of trade negotiations, from now on things get really difficult.

The EU will not compromise on the four freedoms which are the foundations of the EU. They would not do it when we were a member of the EU, they certainly won't do it with us leaving or a 3rd country.

The Irish border was always going to be the most difficult issue to deal with. It was said two years or more ago. It is not some remainer or EU plot to thwart Brexit. Brexit will happen either with or without a solution found.

Technological solutions are, at best, a decade away, and would have to be agreed by both sides.

Ratification of the WA still has to be done. We are already nearly two months behind schedule, so has to start ASAP.

Failure to get ratification in Westminster, all of the EU27 Parliaments and the EU Parliament would result in there being no WA, no TA, and UK crashing out with no deal.

There is no "WTO deal". It is reverting to WTO schedules and tariffs. It would make entire industries instantly uncompetitive.

It can take many years for two countries to agree on a trade agreement to get off WTO schedules.

Last week's events mean that it is now agreed, except by the Brexiteer headbangers, that a bad deal is better than a no deal.

Which is true. Always was.

Making a bluff that your opponent knows is such weakens your position, and gives the impression you think they are stupid.

The only long term preparations visible in kent is the ones to turn motorways into lorry parks.

The health secretary could not guarantee that no one would die due to lack of medicine in the event of no deal.

Brexiteers seem to think that in the event of a no deal that somehow, side deals could still be done to mitigate the worst issues.

There are only 25 letters of no confidence submitted to the 1922 committee, some 20 or so short.

Leading Brexiteers have all run away when the going got tough, or the referendum was won, or in the case of Gove, babbles about plastic straws.

There isn't enough time for a 2nd (or 3rd) referendum, and extension, pause or cancelling A50 would be needed.

Pausing, extending or stopping Brexit, or any act which means the UK does not leave the EU by the end of May (the month), then there would have to be EU elections in the UK, with MEPs sitting in the EU Parliament for 5 years. Brexit would be delayed by the same time, in effect.

With the UK leaving the EU, the EU is duty bound to look after its interest and the interests of the 27 remaining states, not punishing the UK by not giving us what we want.

For what its worth, I think that in a month's time, the UK will accept the WA as there is no other choice.