As of midnight today, all domestic energy tariffs went up by about 50%, the reality of this has yet to hit. But it is going to be very bad for millions of households across the country.
If that wasn't bad enough, energy for industry and business is also going to go up, with price rises passed onto the consumer, and with inflation already at a 25 year high, its only going to get worse.
Pensioners are not getting their index linked rise this year, the COnservatve Government broke the triple lock and thei manifesto promise to do that, though they say it will be back next year. So, for the elderly, with inflation already at 7%, their income will rise by about 3%, a net loss for them.
National Insirance will go up by 10% for almost all workers too, and there is increases in Council Tax. Meanwhile the 5p reduction in fuel duty isn'y noticeable, as prices at the pumps have gone up nearly 30p in less than a month.
All this is coming together at the same time to hit families, and almost all of which are UK Government policy decisions, no matter how they try to spin otherwise.
Fuel companies have reaped record profits, and passed this onto their shareholders, while customers must pay higher prices.
Not in France where a windfall tax was imposed and that used to peg increases at 4%, of course France couldn't do that if it were a member of the EU.
Oh.
So, all that is coming is a choice by the PM and Chancellor, and all of which made worse by Brexit.
Welcome to Global Britain.
Thursday 31 March 2022
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Hump day.
And with my week off fast approaching, I'm even more laid back than normal.
Saying that, I was told something on Tuesday that had ben laid in bed at four in the morning thinking how best to deal with it, but I came with a way and dropped off to sleep again.
The weather was to be a little improved, and having stayed inside since Sunday lunchtime, except to go to the bins, I thought I had better get some steps in during the day. Especially as Jools was to bring fish and chips home for dinner, so there would be no chance of a walk after eating that.
Even more good news is that Donna was due back at work, so she nad Jools could deal with the backlog of work.
Even then she left for work at six, I put on a podcast and made a fresh coffee and some toast.
Back in the groove again.
Outside work, main task was to get my travel insurance documents printed, as they had failed to send the ones I paid for them to print and send. So got the PDFs, sent to Jools and she printed them out.
And then the ones from Aviva arrived anyway.
I mean, it has been two weeks since I arranged it, thought the docs would come quicker than that.
And then checked in online, picked a seat and had to pay yet another extra as my carry on back carried more than a small chocolate bar.
But with that done, I really think I am all ready to go.
After work I did go for a walk, I put on a jumper and coat, but stop short of the woolly hat, and head up along the road, then up Station Rad to the second track.
Even after some recent rain, the ground is not quite bone dry, but not muddy, so happy with just having my walking shoes on. Lots of Alexanders about, and a few stalks of Cow Parsely in flower, and along well kept verges, plenty of dandelions.
On the way back, two frisky horses were running round their paddocks, making a heck of a noise, then one broke through the fence and the two of them ran side by side, kicking and jumping in time like equine ballet dancers.
Excitement over, I waslk home and pack away the office, do the washing up and get ready for when Jools returns, laden with fresh fried food.
It was good, not quite as good when fresh out of the fryer, but good nonetheless. And so little washing up to do afterwards.
No football to watch, so we have the radio on, then go to bed at half eight, with the wind whiistling round the house, coming in from the steppes.
And with my week off fast approaching, I'm even more laid back than normal.
Saying that, I was told something on Tuesday that had ben laid in bed at four in the morning thinking how best to deal with it, but I came with a way and dropped off to sleep again.
The weather was to be a little improved, and having stayed inside since Sunday lunchtime, except to go to the bins, I thought I had better get some steps in during the day. Especially as Jools was to bring fish and chips home for dinner, so there would be no chance of a walk after eating that.Even more good news is that Donna was due back at work, so she nad Jools could deal with the backlog of work.
Even then she left for work at six, I put on a podcast and made a fresh coffee and some toast.
Back in the groove again.
Outside work, main task was to get my travel insurance documents printed, as they had failed to send the ones I paid for them to print and send. So got the PDFs, sent to Jools and she printed them out.
And then the ones from Aviva arrived anyway.I mean, it has been two weeks since I arranged it, thought the docs would come quicker than that.
And then checked in online, picked a seat and had to pay yet another extra as my carry on back carried more than a small chocolate bar.But with that done, I really think I am all ready to go.
After work I did go for a walk, I put on a jumper and coat, but stop short of the woolly hat, and head up along the road, then up Station Rad to the second track.
Even after some recent rain, the ground is not quite bone dry, but not muddy, so happy with just having my walking shoes on. Lots of Alexanders about, and a few stalks of Cow Parsely in flower, and along well kept verges, plenty of dandelions.
On the way back, two frisky horses were running round their paddocks, making a heck of a noise, then one broke through the fence and the two of them ran side by side, kicking and jumping in time like equine ballet dancers.Excitement over, I waslk home and pack away the office, do the washing up and get ready for when Jools returns, laden with fresh fried food.
It was good, not quite as good when fresh out of the fryer, but good nonetheless. And so little washing up to do afterwards.
No football to watch, so we have the radio on, then go to bed at half eight, with the wind whiistling round the house, coming in from the steppes.
One year on
During the evening og March 31st 2021, I had an attack of gout. A flare to use the medical term.
It would be two weeks before I was able to really leave the house.
But thanks to drugs and moderating my consumption of booze, it faded away.
I had two more minor flares, one at the beginning of June that lasted a few days, and then another in the middle of July that lasted just two.
Since then I have had the odd twinge, and nothing more.
But I do know that I still have it: my big toe joint on my left foot is slightly red, and if I drink more than a glass or two of wine or beer, crystals gather and my body sends white blood cells to combat them, and my foot swells. So, the swelling is the guage I use to moderate my behaviour and drinking.
Its not a bad thing.
Cutting down on the booze.
Mostly I drink only at weekends, or just one evening during the week, and I am fine with that. In the end I prefer being able to go out and walk, take photographs and all the other thngs than have a glass of plonk with my chips.
Sensible, really.
It would be two weeks before I was able to really leave the house.
But thanks to drugs and moderating my consumption of booze, it faded away.
I had two more minor flares, one at the beginning of June that lasted a few days, and then another in the middle of July that lasted just two.
Since then I have had the odd twinge, and nothing more.
But I do know that I still have it: my big toe joint on my left foot is slightly red, and if I drink more than a glass or two of wine or beer, crystals gather and my body sends white blood cells to combat them, and my foot swells. So, the swelling is the guage I use to moderate my behaviour and drinking.
Its not a bad thing.
Cutting down on the booze.
Mostly I drink only at weekends, or just one evening during the week, and I am fine with that. In the end I prefer being able to go out and walk, take photographs and all the other thngs than have a glass of plonk with my chips.
Sensible, really.
Grifters gotta grift
In general, in capatalism, losses are nationalised and profits are privatised.
As soon as an industry starts to pay its way, sell it off so some capatalist can reap the rewards rather than the taxpayers who had kept it afloat.
It was the Thatcher and Major way, and now with COVID and Brexit to pay for, more grifting is going on.
Yesterday, under the radar, the Government sold National Grid, the organisation responsible for getting electricity from where it is generated to our homes, to an Australian company for £9.6 billion.
We can see with water how well selling off utilities has been, with tens of billions paid to shareholders while our rivers and seas are sewers. This was not how it was supposed to be, but the Environmental Agency was underfunded and has few actual powers, so water companies pump shit into our rivers, undoing decades of work to get wildlife back.
Our rivers are dying.
In the US we see how unregulated power distribution has gone, and that is how it will be here.
As soon as an industry starts to pay its way, sell it off so some capatalist can reap the rewards rather than the taxpayers who had kept it afloat.
It was the Thatcher and Major way, and now with COVID and Brexit to pay for, more grifting is going on.
Yesterday, under the radar, the Government sold National Grid, the organisation responsible for getting electricity from where it is generated to our homes, to an Australian company for £9.6 billion.
We can see with water how well selling off utilities has been, with tens of billions paid to shareholders while our rivers and seas are sewers. This was not how it was supposed to be, but the Environmental Agency was underfunded and has few actual powers, so water companies pump shit into our rivers, undoing decades of work to get wildlife back.
Our rivers are dying.
In the US we see how unregulated power distribution has gone, and that is how it will be here.
Wednesday 30 March 2022
Tuesday 29th March 2022
I am minded each morning that I am on holiday in an ever-decreasing number of days. And now that I have the paperwork under control, I have stopped fretting. THere really should be a lesson in that, really. The one thing left to do was to download my travel insurance documents, and then, finally do an online check in. Those two things I did Wednesday.
And then put each document in its own polypocket.
How organised!
Anyway, the weather continued to be not very nice, but then not as bad as was expected. We were supposed to have over 12 hours of light rain, but in the end had just low, dark cloud. It didn't look like much like walking weather, and as I didn't go out for a walk, that was correct.
Work is just a bag of grief right now. Grief isn't the right word, but its not fun. Endless meetings, more agreed outcomes and then more meetings. Just going round and round in circles.
But I have to say that although it sounds bad when written like that, I was kept busy all day, barely having time to make brews or listen to all of the Gideon Coe show on the i player.
The cats now go to bed before Jools goes to work, and sleep until they remember its dinner time. On Tuesday it was half five before they thought it might be tea time.
Apart from Cleo.
Cleo is a ball of furry perpetual energy, who likes to sit and watch me in the mornings, then lay on the floor just out of reach, doing rollovers while meowing. Yes, very cute and adorable. Now please come here so I can give you a cuddle.
NO.
She runs away.
So it goes, so it goes.
At the bottom of the garden, the new house is nearly completed, with the flat roofers putting the finishing touches to the, er, roof. And the house itself is lower than the fence surrounding their garden, which is pretty much what we were promised. Work is carried out the soundtrack of some classic pop station on the radio, and its tunes floated across the garden sometimes clear enough to identify the tune, but mostly not.
And that is it, really. I find some video to watch, have a coffee and think about putting the office away, but leave it to the last minute as usual.
Dinner was fishcakes and stir fry. And noodles.
And good.
After coffee, just enough time to write the daily blog before England played on the telly box, v Ivory Coast, and coasted to a 3-0 win without breaking sweat, in no small part helped by one of the other team;s players getting sent off.
And then put each document in its own polypocket.
How organised!
Anyway, the weather continued to be not very nice, but then not as bad as was expected. We were supposed to have over 12 hours of light rain, but in the end had just low, dark cloud. It didn't look like much like walking weather, and as I didn't go out for a walk, that was correct.
Work is just a bag of grief right now. Grief isn't the right word, but its not fun. Endless meetings, more agreed outcomes and then more meetings. Just going round and round in circles.
But I have to say that although it sounds bad when written like that, I was kept busy all day, barely having time to make brews or listen to all of the Gideon Coe show on the i player.
The cats now go to bed before Jools goes to work, and sleep until they remember its dinner time. On Tuesday it was half five before they thought it might be tea time. Apart from Cleo.
Cleo is a ball of furry perpetual energy, who likes to sit and watch me in the mornings, then lay on the floor just out of reach, doing rollovers while meowing. Yes, very cute and adorable. Now please come here so I can give you a cuddle.
NO.
She runs away.
So it goes, so it goes.
At the bottom of the garden, the new house is nearly completed, with the flat roofers putting the finishing touches to the, er, roof. And the house itself is lower than the fence surrounding their garden, which is pretty much what we were promised. Work is carried out the soundtrack of some classic pop station on the radio, and its tunes floated across the garden sometimes clear enough to identify the tune, but mostly not.
And that is it, really. I find some video to watch, have a coffee and think about putting the office away, but leave it to the last minute as usual.Dinner was fishcakes and stir fry. And noodles.
And good.
After coffee, just enough time to write the daily blog before England played on the telly box, v Ivory Coast, and coasted to a 3-0 win without breaking sweat, in no small part helped by one of the other team;s players getting sent off.
In denial
Today, Johnson refused to accept that those receiving FPN had, in fact had broken the law. Depsite having passed the threshold for the issuing of the notices.
It is possible this is in preparation for Johnson's defence should he get a, or more, FPN.
Sadly, the sent Raab out to do media this morning, and he said that those who receoved FPNs had broke the law and should face the consequences.
We can always rely on DimDom to come to the rescue, or whatever the opposite of rescue is.
In maintaing this lie, he was able to fend off demands he either correct the record or resign. There is a line that is in 1984 about the greatest trick the Party pulled was not beleiving your own senses. Or words to that effect.
Yesterday, the Conservative Parliamentary Party had an actual party on the day the Partygate FPMs were sent out.
It takes a proper posh education to have a "fuck you" attitude to do that.
As ever, he is hoping to ride out the storm of today into the calmer waters of tomorrow, hoping the electorate won't remember.
Sadly, he may be right.
It is possible this is in preparation for Johnson's defence should he get a, or more, FPN.
Sadly, the sent Raab out to do media this morning, and he said that those who receoved FPNs had broke the law and should face the consequences.
We can always rely on DimDom to come to the rescue, or whatever the opposite of rescue is.
In maintaing this lie, he was able to fend off demands he either correct the record or resign. There is a line that is in 1984 about the greatest trick the Party pulled was not beleiving your own senses. Or words to that effect.
Yesterday, the Conservative Parliamentary Party had an actual party on the day the Partygate FPMs were sent out.
It takes a proper posh education to have a "fuck you" attitude to do that.
As ever, he is hoping to ride out the storm of today into the calmer waters of tomorrow, hoping the electorate won't remember.
Sadly, he may be right.
Delayed for the fourth time
It was reported last night that the enhanced checks on EU goods coming into the UK on JUly 1st is to be delayed a 4th time.
I mean, to do it once is bad enough, but a second is just careless, and a 4th underlines something more serious.
It was the UK that voted to leave the EU, not the EU kicked us out, and so should have realised the preparations needed once the definition was to leave the SM and CU.
That May and then Johnson lived in denial, and as each baby step of Brexit made things worse, we see the final steps just being kicked down the road again and again.
I saw a Tweet from one of Nigel's former "advisros" that Brexit needs 60 years for assessment before there is another vote, or at least the 45 between joining and leaving. But that ignores the referendum that took place a meer 3 years after joining, and that confirmed the decision to join. So, with his logic, maybe we should have a confirmation vote next year, based on the promises made and realities delivered.
But I guess they don't want that, because we need to move on.
But while the Government tries to renegotiate what has already been agreed, as they can't move on and accept what they won, why should those who warned of the mess they would create?
Meanwhile the economy goes down the toilet, and we should celebrate as "only" 7,000 jobs have been lost in The City.
So much winning.
I mean, to do it once is bad enough, but a second is just careless, and a 4th underlines something more serious.
It was the UK that voted to leave the EU, not the EU kicked us out, and so should have realised the preparations needed once the definition was to leave the SM and CU.
That May and then Johnson lived in denial, and as each baby step of Brexit made things worse, we see the final steps just being kicked down the road again and again.
I saw a Tweet from one of Nigel's former "advisros" that Brexit needs 60 years for assessment before there is another vote, or at least the 45 between joining and leaving. But that ignores the referendum that took place a meer 3 years after joining, and that confirmed the decision to join. So, with his logic, maybe we should have a confirmation vote next year, based on the promises made and realities delivered.
But I guess they don't want that, because we need to move on.
But while the Government tries to renegotiate what has already been agreed, as they can't move on and accept what they won, why should those who warned of the mess they would create?
Meanwhile the economy goes down the toilet, and we should celebrate as "only" 7,000 jobs have been lost in The City.
So much winning.
Tuesday 29 March 2022
Monday 28th March 2022
In case you've missed the news, I'm going away on Saturday.
Getting quite excited this time, believing I'm really going.
Ryanair have been good in sending me mails letting me know the stuff I had to do.
But me being me, I procrastinated, and left it for "tomorrow".
Well, Monday was tomorrow, or I knew I had to get it sorted.
So, first I filled int he passenger locator form for Greece, not mandatory now, but should smooth my entry onto the island.
Then I had to get a COVID passport from the Government webisite.
Although it took an hour, it was pretty painless and have both a digital and paper copy of the passport and PLF.
All should now be set for the weekend. And the week away.
But it was Monday, and there was work to do. Of course.
Spring has ended, and temperatures are getting lower with each passing day, and by Thursday there's a chance we could see sleet or even snow. Just as well I'm going away, then.
But with Donna still off with COVID, Jools leaves for work early to try to catch up, meaning I am left alone with podcasts and the task of making some bread to last me through the week. So, I make a 1lb 4oz loaf, and like last week put it on a tray to rise rather than in a tin, and if anything, its bigger than last week's.
I make a fresh coffee, take a deep breath and log into work.
It's still there, and to make the day perfect, I have meetings through the day, and through the week. So, no escape into the countryside, even if it was warm enough
I put the bread in the oven at nine, and it is done just after half past, in time for another meeting, but by the time that was finished, the bread would be cool enough to eat. I cut a crust and put on a spoon of the new low fat/extra fruit jam, and it was almost as good as the apricot spread Andrea's Mama used to make. Almost.
There was frost first thing, but it did warm up. A little.
Lots of birds in the garden, and I try to take time to watch the action.
I have regular tea and bread breaks.
Which is nice.
I should have gone for a walk either at the end of the working day, or when Jools came back, but my back said it wasn't really keen. And when Jools did get home through the traffic she said she didn't feel like going either. Which was fine.
We had steak and ale pie, roast potatoes, steamed veggies and the leftover gravy from Sunday.
And I finished one of the new bottles of red wine I got.
It was very, very nice.
I struggled to stay awake.
But did.
Getting quite excited this time, believing I'm really going.
Ryanair have been good in sending me mails letting me know the stuff I had to do.
But me being me, I procrastinated, and left it for "tomorrow".
Well, Monday was tomorrow, or I knew I had to get it sorted.
So, first I filled int he passenger locator form for Greece, not mandatory now, but should smooth my entry onto the island.
Then I had to get a COVID passport from the Government webisite.
Although it took an hour, it was pretty painless and have both a digital and paper copy of the passport and PLF.
All should now be set for the weekend. And the week away.
But it was Monday, and there was work to do. Of course.
Spring has ended, and temperatures are getting lower with each passing day, and by Thursday there's a chance we could see sleet or even snow. Just as well I'm going away, then.
But with Donna still off with COVID, Jools leaves for work early to try to catch up, meaning I am left alone with podcasts and the task of making some bread to last me through the week. So, I make a 1lb 4oz loaf, and like last week put it on a tray to rise rather than in a tin, and if anything, its bigger than last week's.I make a fresh coffee, take a deep breath and log into work.
It's still there, and to make the day perfect, I have meetings through the day, and through the week. So, no escape into the countryside, even if it was warm enough
I put the bread in the oven at nine, and it is done just after half past, in time for another meeting, but by the time that was finished, the bread would be cool enough to eat. I cut a crust and put on a spoon of the new low fat/extra fruit jam, and it was almost as good as the apricot spread Andrea's Mama used to make. Almost.
There was frost first thing, but it did warm up. A little. Lots of birds in the garden, and I try to take time to watch the action.
I have regular tea and bread breaks.
Which is nice.
I should have gone for a walk either at the end of the working day, or when Jools came back, but my back said it wasn't really keen. And when Jools did get home through the traffic she said she didn't feel like going either. Which was fine.
We had steak and ale pie, roast potatoes, steamed veggies and the leftover gravy from Sunday.
And I finished one of the new bottles of red wine I got.
It was very, very nice.
I struggled to stay awake.
But did.
Hard to explain
Rishi Sunak asked why UK trade has slumped compared to the rest of the world, since Brexit.
Sunak says it’s “quite hard to disentangle” why it has happened.
He added to the told Treasury select committee that change in trading relationship "was always going to have negative impact". Not sure that was part of the Brexit sales pitch.
"You've chosen to put another half million children into immediate poverty"
And his response?
"I'm comfortable with the decisions I have made"
So, there we have it.
Everyone of you who are working class and voted Conservative, you did this, you brought this on the country. 1.500,000 more people in absolute poverty, and a Chancellor that puts the profits of energy companies ahead of you being able to heat your home and feed your children.
He is putting the money away he could ease your poverty away so he can bring tax cuts before the next election, so to buy your votes.
Remember this when they ask for you to support them, they don't give a fuck.
Sunak says it’s “quite hard to disentangle” why it has happened.
He added to the told Treasury select committee that change in trading relationship "was always going to have negative impact". Not sure that was part of the Brexit sales pitch.
"You've chosen to put another half million children into immediate poverty"
And his response?
"I'm comfortable with the decisions I have made"
So, there we have it.
Everyone of you who are working class and voted Conservative, you did this, you brought this on the country. 1.500,000 more people in absolute poverty, and a Chancellor that puts the profits of energy companies ahead of you being able to heat your home and feed your children.
He is putting the money away he could ease your poverty away so he can bring tax cuts before the next election, so to buy your votes.
Remember this when they ask for you to support them, they don't give a fuck.
Penalty decision.
Last night it emerged that the Metropolitan Police were going to issue the first tranche of 20 Fixed Penalty Notices for the events called "partygate".
These are not fines.
These are penalty notices where the threshold for the POlice believing the law was broken has been met.
20 people, inside Downing Street broke the law and will be punished according the the laws and tier guidance at the time of the offence(s).
The fine(s) could be from £100 to £10000, with multiple breached doubling from £100 to £6400.
Oddly, the Police will not release the name of those issued with the FPN, unlike for other members of the public and some media figures who were named.
This means that inside Downing Street, parties took place, against the laws and regulations those taking part had written.
So, Mr Johnson, we have gone from all guidance was followed to FPNs issued, in three months.
He mislead Parliament, lied to the public, he oversaw lawbreaking in the very seat of Government. Tell me why he should not resign, now?
Meanwhile.
Council for the Home Office, in the High Court yesterday, made the following statement:
"My instructions are that the SSHD has received no paperwork in this case since October 2021. I know that this is incorrect because I have evidence from after that date [provided by the SSHD] but those are my instructions."
In other words, The HOme Office instructed its lawyers to say something, in court, that was untrue. The council, erring to the higher standards that their profession requires, made the statement instead.
This, without doubt, should be a resignation matter for Ms Patel, but it barely gets a mention in the media.
The Government is broken.
The country is broken.
These are not fines.
These are penalty notices where the threshold for the POlice believing the law was broken has been met.
20 people, inside Downing Street broke the law and will be punished according the the laws and tier guidance at the time of the offence(s).
The fine(s) could be from £100 to £10000, with multiple breached doubling from £100 to £6400.
Oddly, the Police will not release the name of those issued with the FPN, unlike for other members of the public and some media figures who were named.
This means that inside Downing Street, parties took place, against the laws and regulations those taking part had written.
So, Mr Johnson, we have gone from all guidance was followed to FPNs issued, in three months.
He mislead Parliament, lied to the public, he oversaw lawbreaking in the very seat of Government. Tell me why he should not resign, now?
Meanwhile.
Council for the Home Office, in the High Court yesterday, made the following statement:
"My instructions are that the SSHD has received no paperwork in this case since October 2021. I know that this is incorrect because I have evidence from after that date [provided by the SSHD] but those are my instructions."
In other words, The HOme Office instructed its lawyers to say something, in court, that was untrue. The council, erring to the higher standards that their profession requires, made the statement instead.
This, without doubt, should be a resignation matter for Ms Patel, but it barely gets a mention in the media.
The Government is broken.
The country is broken.
Monday 28 March 2022
Sunday 27th March 2022
Part 2 of the weekend.
It would be nice to laze in bed, but as I am off on my travels next week, this requires a haircut, and so a trip to Folkestone.
Normally this would have been combined to a flying visit to Samphire Hoe, but due to the start of BST, we lost an hour, so even getting up at six, meant it was seven, and we had to leave for Folkestone by nine. In short, we never made it.
But I am pretty sure we wouldn't have found a spike in flower.
So, instead we had a lazy start, have a coffee, fruit and another coffee, before we set off for funky Folkestone.
We went via the Alkham Valley, turning up then down into the town, beside the old Harbour Branch, going along the Leas to the old Leas Cliff Lift to grab a shot, before driving up via Tontine Street to the usual car park.
It was already half nine, so after paying for our parking, we walked up the top of the Old High Street, to the old Town Hall, and me along to the barbers, me being first in the queue to get the first seat in a chair.
Ten minutes later the front door was unlocked, I was shown into the first chair and away the guy went. Half an hour later, I was feeling much cooler as my furry had was now much shorter.
I pay and go to find Jools who was having a coffee with our friend, Mary, who lived in the town.
They were in Steep Hill Cafe, just finishing their drinks, so we pay and leave.
Walking across to the car park so I could have a snort of allergy spray, then down the hill to Tontine Street, round the Harbour past the Grand Burstin Hotel, and back along the old Harbour Branch, down the steps and up the Old High Street.
It felt normal, though we have all been robbed of two years of our lives, and as Mary pointed out, those nearer the end of that felt that loss more than anyone. We make arrangements to meet again when I come back, Jools and I walked back to the car and drove home.
I had invited Jen for lunch, and I was cooking roast beef and all the trimmings, but just a small joint that would take about an hour to cook.
Back home I season the meat, put that in the seal, and boil potatoes, peel and prepare the vegetables and mix the batter for Yorkshire puddings.
And it was all done by one.
Jen arrived, I dished up and Jools opened the wine.
Cheers.
Dinner was spendid, as roast beef is, and smothered with gravy made with the cote de beuf stock I made last week.
Lovely.
Once cleared up, we played cards, and Jen won both hands. No surprise there.
And despite being summer time, the weekend was running out. Jen went home, we had supper and I uploaded shots for #wildflowerhour.
And just liek that, the weekend was gone.
It would be nice to laze in bed, but as I am off on my travels next week, this requires a haircut, and so a trip to Folkestone.
Normally this would have been combined to a flying visit to Samphire Hoe, but due to the start of BST, we lost an hour, so even getting up at six, meant it was seven, and we had to leave for Folkestone by nine. In short, we never made it.
But I am pretty sure we wouldn't have found a spike in flower.So, instead we had a lazy start, have a coffee, fruit and another coffee, before we set off for funky Folkestone.
We went via the Alkham Valley, turning up then down into the town, beside the old Harbour Branch, going along the Leas to the old Leas Cliff Lift to grab a shot, before driving up via Tontine Street to the usual car park.
It was already half nine, so after paying for our parking, we walked up the top of the Old High Street, to the old Town Hall, and me along to the barbers, me being first in the queue to get the first seat in a chair.
Ten minutes later the front door was unlocked, I was shown into the first chair and away the guy went. Half an hour later, I was feeling much cooler as my furry had was now much shorter.
I pay and go to find Jools who was having a coffee with our friend, Mary, who lived in the town.
They were in Steep Hill Cafe, just finishing their drinks, so we pay and leave.Walking across to the car park so I could have a snort of allergy spray, then down the hill to Tontine Street, round the Harbour past the Grand Burstin Hotel, and back along the old Harbour Branch, down the steps and up the Old High Street.
It felt normal, though we have all been robbed of two years of our lives, and as Mary pointed out, those nearer the end of that felt that loss more than anyone. We make arrangements to meet again when I come back, Jools and I walked back to the car and drove home.
I had invited Jen for lunch, and I was cooking roast beef and all the trimmings, but just a small joint that would take about an hour to cook.
Back home I season the meat, put that in the seal, and boil potatoes, peel and prepare the vegetables and mix the batter for Yorkshire puddings.
And it was all done by one.Jen arrived, I dished up and Jools opened the wine.
Cheers.Dinner was spendid, as roast beef is, and smothered with gravy made with the cote de beuf stock I made last week.
Lovely.Once cleared up, we played cards, and Jen won both hands. No surprise there.
And despite being summer time, the weekend was running out. Jen went home, we had supper and I uploaded shots for #wildflowerhour.
And just liek that, the weekend was gone.
A giant among orchids
[You}] were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. So said the character Ian Malcolm in Jurrasic Park.
The world is changing.
Whether you believe in global warming or not, it is clear that extreme weather events are becomming more regular, and there is a spread of plants ever northwards.
For centuries, British plant hunters have searched the globe for botanic wonders to bring back to these shores, not pndering if this is the best course of action of the bottany we already have.
Several species, Winter Heliotrope and Japanese Knotgrass have been introduced and caused havoc, swamping our native plants and wildlife.
So the accidental on purpose of a new orchid species to the UK in the shape of the Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum) discovered on a bird reserve in the Home Counties raises more questions.
The Giant is a very adaptable species, once established will grow in a wde range of conditions. Rumour is of a sigle spike planted, which died, but did vreate several offspring, which were rediscovered a week ago. Or so.
This comes after three Serapias species found in the last five years, maybe showing how the climate here is changing.
Indeed, Himantoglossum robertianum was one of two species predicted to arrive on these shores, if they were not here already, as they had spread from the Med up along the Channel and North Sea coast.
The discovery of this colony, like that of the three Tongue orchids has been celebrated, and yet, should it?
It seems probably that at least one of the Serapias was ntroduced via soil with other plants that had the orchid seed present. Which means that other species, not just orchids, but other plants could come over in a similar way.
But maybe worse than this is that our native species are being overshadowed by these incomers.
We can see how this happens at Hartlock Reserve, where two species, Lady and Monkey have produced a hybrid swarm, and people (including me) visit to see the statuesque hybrids, almost forgetting the two parent plants, rare enough in Kent, and almost unknown outside this county. We should celebrate and strive to protect the few parent plants over the hybrid swarm, but we don't.
People are circumventing regulations in order to reintroduce species of plants, insects and even mammals that have been extinct here for centuries. Because we can do this, doesn't mean we should.
I will leave the secrecy the find has been shrouded in, only for its discovery to be blurted out after all.
Either something's secret or it isn't.
The world is changing.
Whether you believe in global warming or not, it is clear that extreme weather events are becomming more regular, and there is a spread of plants ever northwards.
For centuries, British plant hunters have searched the globe for botanic wonders to bring back to these shores, not pndering if this is the best course of action of the bottany we already have.
Several species, Winter Heliotrope and Japanese Knotgrass have been introduced and caused havoc, swamping our native plants and wildlife.
So the accidental on purpose of a new orchid species to the UK in the shape of the Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum) discovered on a bird reserve in the Home Counties raises more questions.
The Giant is a very adaptable species, once established will grow in a wde range of conditions. Rumour is of a sigle spike planted, which died, but did vreate several offspring, which were rediscovered a week ago. Or so.
This comes after three Serapias species found in the last five years, maybe showing how the climate here is changing.
Indeed, Himantoglossum robertianum was one of two species predicted to arrive on these shores, if they were not here already, as they had spread from the Med up along the Channel and North Sea coast.
The discovery of this colony, like that of the three Tongue orchids has been celebrated, and yet, should it?
It seems probably that at least one of the Serapias was ntroduced via soil with other plants that had the orchid seed present. Which means that other species, not just orchids, but other plants could come over in a similar way.
But maybe worse than this is that our native species are being overshadowed by these incomers.
We can see how this happens at Hartlock Reserve, where two species, Lady and Monkey have produced a hybrid swarm, and people (including me) visit to see the statuesque hybrids, almost forgetting the two parent plants, rare enough in Kent, and almost unknown outside this county. We should celebrate and strive to protect the few parent plants over the hybrid swarm, but we don't.
People are circumventing regulations in order to reintroduce species of plants, insects and even mammals that have been extinct here for centuries. Because we can do this, doesn't mean we should.
I will leave the secrecy the find has been shrouded in, only for its discovery to be blurted out after all.
Either something's secret or it isn't.
Sunday 27 March 2022
Saturday 26th March 2022
A few years back, orchids were discovered in Dorset in March.
March sounds and mostly feels like winter, but some years it can be warm.
Last week, a friend found a single open flower at Ranscombe Farm in north Kent. And I wanted to find one open this weekend in east Kent, just to say I have seen an orchid in flower in March. As next week I fly out on Saturday, time is almost up.
Even still, there are only so many sites you can get round in a day. We did Earley Wood on Friday, and with some of the spikes at Yocklett's looking plump and juicy, I thought that would be good, and maybe one of the quieter corners of Denge Wood might be good.
I meaaged the to moderators of the orchid group, Terry said he'd come along, and as that was the case, Jools said she would stay home to do some gardening.
We had to do shopping of course, and this is the last day before BST starts, so in a way, the final day of winter time.
Would I find an orchid?
Tesco was very quiet, and there was many gaps on the shelves this week. Yogurts seemed hard hit, and in other aisles, just enough goods to have one row making the shelves look fuller than they are. But we were able to get what we wanted, although it is getting really quite expensive. Five bags of shopping, we pay and load the car before driving home.
Back here we have fruit, nuts and ygurt and another brew. I don't have to be out before nine, so half an hour before I go we have second breakfasts of bacon butties and mugs of hot tea sitting on the pation in the warm sunshine.
Time to go out.
I take a camera, a water bottle and myself, load the car and set off to Yocklett's, taking the back road alng the Alkham Valley to Folkestone, then joining the motorway there.
The sun is high in a cloudless sky, there are orchid sites to explore, it was the start of a fine day out.
I take the narrow lane down through the reserve, and at the bottom Terry had just arrived. We shake hands, as we can now, and set off along the lane, me pointing out some of the flowers that we see on the chalk bank: Greater Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel, Hedge Garlic and Green Alkanet to start with.
Its a climb up the hill, but we do fine, then into the reserve and up the track looking for orchid rosettes. We easily find Lady and Greater Butterfly rosettes, but no Herb Paris to be seen yet, they must be close. I also find a Lords and Lady about to open its unusual flower.
I snap that too.
At the top meadow there's a lady with two collies, God knows why people feel the need to exercise their dogs in a nature reserve. But she was nice enough, asking lots of questions about orchids, and me giving her the answers.
We walk on, looking for Fly Orchid rosettes to show the lady, but I find none, so Terry and I walk on into the wood, and there in front of us was a single Early Purple with two flowers open.
It looked perfect.
It was.
So, here it was, the March Orchid.
We took shots, before walking on, finding dozens more rosettes, though no others were in flower.
At the bottom of the hill, lots of Lady rosettes, and on the other side of the road, Fly Orchids pretty close to flowering. Terry asked shen I thought they might open. I mean, how long's a piece of string? It could be this week, could be in a month, depends on the weather, of course.
We walk to the lower meadow, check the three sheets of metal to see of adders or sloe worms were under them. We found just two startled mice, who scuttled off.
So, we walked back to the car, and drive in convoy along the valley to Petham, then up through the trees to the parking area in Denge Wood.
It was gone midday, and mighty war, even in March, so we hoisted our cameras and set off down the logging track to Bonsai where I hope to find more orchids in flower.
Which in the end, we didn't, and areas of the site are almost orchid-free, but then is still early in the season.
We do see many butterflies, the last Comma I do manage to get close enough to get a shot.
Close, but no orchids.
We had already done 12,000 steps, and we had the long walk back to the car, so set off into the afternoon sunshine.
We arrived back at the car, 15k steps done, and all hot and bothered. I drink the bottle of water I have with me, say goodbye to Terry who has to head back to north Kent and hs family. And for me, the drive back to Dover, back through Bridge onto the A2.
I had an idea to stop at Coldred for a pint in the Carpenter's Arms, but I found out it opened at five, so drove on to Eyethorne and via the back lanes through West and East Langdon back home.
It was half four.
Phew.
After a strong brew, I made dinner: chorizo hash, which I munch through with the help of a small bottle of La Chouffe.
That was one of them good days. And there was Craig on te wireless playing funk and soul, and England v Switzerland on the tellybox.
A fine evening.
March sounds and mostly feels like winter, but some years it can be warm.
Last week, a friend found a single open flower at Ranscombe Farm in north Kent. And I wanted to find one open this weekend in east Kent, just to say I have seen an orchid in flower in March. As next week I fly out on Saturday, time is almost up.
Even still, there are only so many sites you can get round in a day. We did Earley Wood on Friday, and with some of the spikes at Yocklett's looking plump and juicy, I thought that would be good, and maybe one of the quieter corners of Denge Wood might be good.
I meaaged the to moderators of the orchid group, Terry said he'd come along, and as that was the case, Jools said she would stay home to do some gardening.
We had to do shopping of course, and this is the last day before BST starts, so in a way, the final day of winter time.
Would I find an orchid?
Tesco was very quiet, and there was many gaps on the shelves this week. Yogurts seemed hard hit, and in other aisles, just enough goods to have one row making the shelves look fuller than they are. But we were able to get what we wanted, although it is getting really quite expensive. Five bags of shopping, we pay and load the car before driving home.
Back here we have fruit, nuts and ygurt and another brew. I don't have to be out before nine, so half an hour before I go we have second breakfasts of bacon butties and mugs of hot tea sitting on the pation in the warm sunshine.
Time to go out.
I take a camera, a water bottle and myself, load the car and set off to Yocklett's, taking the back road alng the Alkham Valley to Folkestone, then joining the motorway there.
The sun is high in a cloudless sky, there are orchid sites to explore, it was the start of a fine day out.
I take the narrow lane down through the reserve, and at the bottom Terry had just arrived. We shake hands, as we can now, and set off along the lane, me pointing out some of the flowers that we see on the chalk bank: Greater Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel, Hedge Garlic and Green Alkanet to start with.
Its a climb up the hill, but we do fine, then into the reserve and up the track looking for orchid rosettes. We easily find Lady and Greater Butterfly rosettes, but no Herb Paris to be seen yet, they must be close. I also find a Lords and Lady about to open its unusual flower.
I snap that too.
At the top meadow there's a lady with two collies, God knows why people feel the need to exercise their dogs in a nature reserve. But she was nice enough, asking lots of questions about orchids, and me giving her the answers.
We walk on, looking for Fly Orchid rosettes to show the lady, but I find none, so Terry and I walk on into the wood, and there in front of us was a single Early Purple with two flowers open.
It looked perfect.It was.
So, here it was, the March Orchid.
We took shots, before walking on, finding dozens more rosettes, though no others were in flower.
At the bottom of the hill, lots of Lady rosettes, and on the other side of the road, Fly Orchids pretty close to flowering. Terry asked shen I thought they might open. I mean, how long's a piece of string? It could be this week, could be in a month, depends on the weather, of course.
We walk to the lower meadow, check the three sheets of metal to see of adders or sloe worms were under them. We found just two startled mice, who scuttled off.
So, we walked back to the car, and drive in convoy along the valley to Petham, then up through the trees to the parking area in Denge Wood.
It was gone midday, and mighty war, even in March, so we hoisted our cameras and set off down the logging track to Bonsai where I hope to find more orchids in flower.
Which in the end, we didn't, and areas of the site are almost orchid-free, but then is still early in the season.We do see many butterflies, the last Comma I do manage to get close enough to get a shot.
Close, but no orchids.
We had already done 12,000 steps, and we had the long walk back to the car, so set off into the afternoon sunshine.
We arrived back at the car, 15k steps done, and all hot and bothered. I drink the bottle of water I have with me, say goodbye to Terry who has to head back to north Kent and hs family. And for me, the drive back to Dover, back through Bridge onto the A2.
I had an idea to stop at Coldred for a pint in the Carpenter's Arms, but I found out it opened at five, so drove on to Eyethorne and via the back lanes through West and East Langdon back home.
It was half four.
Phew.
After a strong brew, I made dinner: chorizo hash, which I munch through with the help of a small bottle of La Chouffe.
That was one of them good days. And there was Craig on te wireless playing funk and soul, and England v Switzerland on the tellybox.
A fine evening.
Going as warned, not as planned.
Brexit is not going well.
Of course.
And when the only defence left is that its not as bad a Remoaners warned, it ways they failed, when you look at what was promised.
Here is a graph from the FT which shows how badly UK trade is going.
Its just case of how long can we bear the pain, or the Government blame anyone else.
Of course it is someone else's fault: The EU's, with the NIP and WA. Which Johnson and Frost negotiated, Johnson won an election on implementing, and his new Government passed.
We can move on from Brexit, those of us who wanted to remain, but those who won, don't like what they won. As Chris Grey says, they are the dogs that caught the car, now they don't know what to do.
It was always thus.
Brexit is over, cannot be reversed, the worse can be mitigated against, but all we're told is that its not hard enough, there must be no deal
They lied last time, why trust them again?
Of course.
And when the only defence left is that its not as bad a Remoaners warned, it ways they failed, when you look at what was promised.
Here is a graph from the FT which shows how badly UK trade is going.
Of course it is someone else's fault: The EU's, with the NIP and WA. Which Johnson and Frost negotiated, Johnson won an election on implementing, and his new Government passed.
We can move on from Brexit, those of us who wanted to remain, but those who won, don't like what they won. As Chris Grey says, they are the dogs that caught the car, now they don't know what to do.
It was always thus.
Brexit is over, cannot be reversed, the worse can be mitigated against, but all we're told is that its not hard enough, there must be no deal
They lied last time, why trust them again?
Saturday 26 March 2022
Friday 25th March 2022
Is it really still March? It feels like the end of April, and that spring has been here for weeks.
In fact the endless glorious weather has been here for over a week and is set fair to last through the weekend.
We woke on Friday to mist, and the run rose like a Turner painting, all red and ill-defined, but soon the mist burned off, and the clouds cleared.
Situation normal.
I woke to the sound of the shower running, having slept through the aparm again, and Jools had to be out just after six for yoga. There was a coffee waiting downstairs, so get dressed and go down.
Wish a flourish, she leaves and I can then take the three bins to the top of the drive for collection later in the day. Back inside for a slice of toast, another coffee and be ready for whatever Friday would throw at me.
And what kept me going was the knowledge that come two when Jools came back home, we were off out on a short orchid hunt, at one, maybe two places. I had hopes we would find at least one species in flower.
The morning crawls into the afternoon. I have one more meeting, which everyone agrees on the proposal and so ends ten minutes early.
Enjoy the weekend I was told by my boss.
I'm sure I will, boss, sure I will.
Jools comes home, I had packed away the office already. We had a brew sitting on the patio, then grabbing my camera we drove along Reach Road to the National Trust place overlooking the harbour.
I was here to look for orchids, of course, but drama down below as truck driver queued for hours to wait to cross the Channel for the weekend. The port was rammed, as was the waiting area directly below, and I know more traffic waited to enter the town on the A20 and further way on the motorway, where Operation Brock was under way.
Jools stayed in the car to finish her book, I walked to the path to the cliff road to the spike that was most advanced on Sunday, and found it had hardly changed.
But I checked the others and found some growth, but not much.
I quickly walked back to the car, drove us out through the town and up the A20 towards Hythe, then up Stone Street to Earley Wood, where I had higher hopes that the Early Purples would be out.
We were the only ones there, with the sun low in the west, casting long shadows over the carpet of ameonies. We walked slow, looking hard for the green spotted leaves among the other woodland plants. But here again, rosettes wit spikes, but no flowers.
And no butterflies either.
But more and more bluebells out, their stems bent over by the weight of the flowers.
We were done for the day, time to get home for a brew, feed the cats and take part in the music quiz, before heading to Jen's for cards.
I came 9th in the quiz, which I am happy about, but should have won as I knew one of the early clues, but decided to wait.
Oh well.
It was still light when we drove to Whitfield, where pizza and wine was waiting for us, and the pizza home made, with lots of spicy beef.
Yummy.
And in a turn up, I had a good night winning the pot for Meld,a nd then scooping the kitty in Queenie for a run of three cards.
He's laughing now, said John.
He was right, but then it was about time we won.
I drive us home where it was bedtime, apparently.
In fact the endless glorious weather has been here for over a week and is set fair to last through the weekend.
We woke on Friday to mist, and the run rose like a Turner painting, all red and ill-defined, but soon the mist burned off, and the clouds cleared.
Situation normal.I woke to the sound of the shower running, having slept through the aparm again, and Jools had to be out just after six for yoga. There was a coffee waiting downstairs, so get dressed and go down.
Wish a flourish, she leaves and I can then take the three bins to the top of the drive for collection later in the day. Back inside for a slice of toast, another coffee and be ready for whatever Friday would throw at me.
And what kept me going was the knowledge that come two when Jools came back home, we were off out on a short orchid hunt, at one, maybe two places. I had hopes we would find at least one species in flower.
The morning crawls into the afternoon. I have one more meeting, which everyone agrees on the proposal and so ends ten minutes early.
Enjoy the weekend I was told by my boss.I'm sure I will, boss, sure I will.
Jools comes home, I had packed away the office already. We had a brew sitting on the patio, then grabbing my camera we drove along Reach Road to the National Trust place overlooking the harbour.
I was here to look for orchids, of course, but drama down below as truck driver queued for hours to wait to cross the Channel for the weekend. The port was rammed, as was the waiting area directly below, and I know more traffic waited to enter the town on the A20 and further way on the motorway, where Operation Brock was under way.
Jools stayed in the car to finish her book, I walked to the path to the cliff road to the spike that was most advanced on Sunday, and found it had hardly changed.
But I checked the others and found some growth, but not much.I quickly walked back to the car, drove us out through the town and up the A20 towards Hythe, then up Stone Street to Earley Wood, where I had higher hopes that the Early Purples would be out.
We were the only ones there, with the sun low in the west, casting long shadows over the carpet of ameonies. We walked slow, looking hard for the green spotted leaves among the other woodland plants. But here again, rosettes wit spikes, but no flowers.
And no butterflies either.But more and more bluebells out, their stems bent over by the weight of the flowers.
We were done for the day, time to get home for a brew, feed the cats and take part in the music quiz, before heading to Jen's for cards.
I came 9th in the quiz, which I am happy about, but should have won as I knew one of the early clues, but decided to wait.Oh well.
It was still light when we drove to Whitfield, where pizza and wine was waiting for us, and the pizza home made, with lots of spicy beef.
Yummy.
And in a turn up, I had a good night winning the pot for Meld,a nd then scooping the kitty in Queenie for a run of three cards.
He's laughing now, said John.
He was right, but then it was about time we won.
I drive us home where it was bedtime, apparently.
Friday 25 March 2022
Thursday 24th March 2022
Some 37 years ago I was at Wembley watching Norwich win something. 37 years before that was 1948. Sometimes I feel old. I can remember Granddad talking about Norwich's cup run in 1959, pictures in books and magazines made that seem like it took place in a different cuntury, instead it was less than 25 years before. Now, I am older than my Grandfather was then.
I am old.
And yet, young enough to get out and about, and laugh with deligt when I see the year's first Orange Tip butterfly, which I did this day.
Anyway, onwards and upwards.
Thursday: a day nearer the weekend and no work.
Jools is still being pushed to the limit by work, and I have stuff to do, but its mainly thinking for me. Which I do while staring out the window, which is just as well.
The day begins with me sleeping through the alarm and waking up only when Jools came back to have a shower. Even then it took 15 minutes to wake up.
She left for work, and I had some toast and a coffee before thinking about work for the day.
Each day is a step forward with a step backwards, sometimes on the same day. I am tld things will get better. In truth that has been said for a year now, it might actually happen this time.
THe cats are generally happy, and when I take time to sit on the bench underneath the kitchen window, I am joined by Mulder and Scully who seem very happy to have me out there. And for a short time, get what it is like to have them dote on her for 23 hours a day.
I was sitting outside having a coffee and telling Scully how fine she looked stretched out in the sunshine, when Bev next door told me to look at the tree at the end of their garden to see an owl.
An owl.
But not just any owl, this was a Barn Owl. I had my camera just behind e, I went to get it, but before I could raise it to my eye, the owl flew off.
Still, a freaking owl in our garden. Or in the garden next to it.
I look at the tree each time I go back out, but the owl doesn't return, sadly.
My back was giving me gip, so I have a break from walking, and instead pick up the edges cut from beside the path, put them in the bag of garden waste, and sweep the dust off.
Nearly as good as new.
The other task was to make chilli.
I haven't made chilli for years, but I had found some ancient mince in the freezer in the shed, so last week got some kidney beans and all was set I also have a huge range of hot spices and sauces.
I brown onions, then the mince.
Add the beans to the pan, a pint of stock too.
Then have to transfer it to the huge pan before adding the tinned tomatoes.
Finally add spices and splashes of sauces. Brought to the boil, then simmered for five hours until it had boiled down to a sludge. With beans.
It was most fine.
I boiled some rice, so when Jools came home after battling traffic to the port, I was dishing up.
And it was good, even on a warm evening. Spicy enough to tickly my nose and cause sneezes, but not too hot to be torture.
For the evening there was international football: Wales v Austria, for a play off final place, and Wales won, just. But just was enough.
I am old.
And yet, young enough to get out and about, and laugh with deligt when I see the year's first Orange Tip butterfly, which I did this day.
Anyway, onwards and upwards.
Thursday: a day nearer the weekend and no work.
Jools is still being pushed to the limit by work, and I have stuff to do, but its mainly thinking for me. Which I do while staring out the window, which is just as well.
The day begins with me sleeping through the alarm and waking up only when Jools came back to have a shower. Even then it took 15 minutes to wake up.
She left for work, and I had some toast and a coffee before thinking about work for the day.
Each day is a step forward with a step backwards, sometimes on the same day. I am tld things will get better. In truth that has been said for a year now, it might actually happen this time.
THe cats are generally happy, and when I take time to sit on the bench underneath the kitchen window, I am joined by Mulder and Scully who seem very happy to have me out there. And for a short time, get what it is like to have them dote on her for 23 hours a day.
I was sitting outside having a coffee and telling Scully how fine she looked stretched out in the sunshine, when Bev next door told me to look at the tree at the end of their garden to see an owl.
An owl.
But not just any owl, this was a Barn Owl. I had my camera just behind e, I went to get it, but before I could raise it to my eye, the owl flew off.
Still, a freaking owl in our garden. Or in the garden next to it.
I look at the tree each time I go back out, but the owl doesn't return, sadly.
My back was giving me gip, so I have a break from walking, and instead pick up the edges cut from beside the path, put them in the bag of garden waste, and sweep the dust off.
Nearly as good as new.
The other task was to make chilli.
I haven't made chilli for years, but I had found some ancient mince in the freezer in the shed, so last week got some kidney beans and all was set I also have a huge range of hot spices and sauces.
I brown onions, then the mince.Add the beans to the pan, a pint of stock too.
Then have to transfer it to the huge pan before adding the tinned tomatoes.
Finally add spices and splashes of sauces. Brought to the boil, then simmered for five hours until it had boiled down to a sludge. With beans.
It was most fine.
I boiled some rice, so when Jools came home after battling traffic to the port, I was dishing up.
And it was good, even on a warm evening. Spicy enough to tickly my nose and cause sneezes, but not too hot to be torture.
For the evening there was international football: Wales v Austria, for a play off final place, and Wales won, just. But just was enough.
P&O sackings and Brexit
It is important for us to call out lies and misperceptions whether they come out out of the mouths of Brexiteers or Remainers.
The truth is, in short, the 800 P&O workers were sacked because of UK employment laws.
French and Dutch workers kept their jobs, not because of EU laws, but because of domestic employment laws.
Last weekend, Dover MP, Natalie Elphick, met with the sacked workers and was shouted down. She did say she would fight for them and their jobs. On Monday, Labour reintroduced an early day motion which would have been the pathways to stop fire and hire. Elphick did not vote.
Yesterday, in a Common's committee, P&O admitted it broke union law by not consulting, but did it anyway. Nothing said about employment laws.
This is important, because leaving the EU was supposed to stop this kind of thing happening, even though it wasn't an EU law, but a domestic law issue. Always was and still is. EU Law and regulations are for minimums, it is up to each sovereign Member State to decide whether to increase those provisions.
For the UK membership of the EU was more about securing op-outs rather than op-ins, and when things went wrong, just blaming the EU for failure or gaps in domestic legslation. They're still doing it two years after we left.
The Government said the law is going to be changed, but that could have been done at any time. As well as on Monday, they talked the early days motion down in Novemeber, saying "it wasn't good for business".
So, failure in legislation, failure in Government and failure to tell the truth. Brexit in a nutshell.
The truth is, in short, the 800 P&O workers were sacked because of UK employment laws.
French and Dutch workers kept their jobs, not because of EU laws, but because of domestic employment laws.
Last weekend, Dover MP, Natalie Elphick, met with the sacked workers and was shouted down. She did say she would fight for them and their jobs. On Monday, Labour reintroduced an early day motion which would have been the pathways to stop fire and hire. Elphick did not vote.
Yesterday, in a Common's committee, P&O admitted it broke union law by not consulting, but did it anyway. Nothing said about employment laws.
This is important, because leaving the EU was supposed to stop this kind of thing happening, even though it wasn't an EU law, but a domestic law issue. Always was and still is. EU Law and regulations are for minimums, it is up to each sovereign Member State to decide whether to increase those provisions.
For the UK membership of the EU was more about securing op-outs rather than op-ins, and when things went wrong, just blaming the EU for failure or gaps in domestic legslation. They're still doing it two years after we left.
The Government said the law is going to be changed, but that could have been done at any time. As well as on Monday, they talked the early days motion down in Novemeber, saying "it wasn't good for business".
So, failure in legislation, failure in Government and failure to tell the truth. Brexit in a nutshell.
Thursday 24 March 2022
6,000
I thought that by time I reached sixty, I would have worked, saved and be ready for a long and quiet retirement, helped by the nest eggs we had saved for.
That might still happen, there is two years to go. But two years of pandemic, Brexit and now war in Europe, the chance of a long an peaceful decent into dotage seems remote at the moment.
I began to write this blog in August 2008, nearly 14 years ago. 6,000 posts in which I have desribed our life and later documented Brexit and COVID.
We got married.
We bought this house.
I changed jobs.
THe company went bankrupt two months after we signed the mortgate.
We survived.
I got a job in the wind industry. And still here 12 years later.
I "got" into orchids and churches and butterflies and whatever else I see.
Despite a global pandemic, Brexit and the cruelst Government since the last Conservative one, we're doing well. Happy, content with our four cats.
Though we did say goodbye to Sulu, Little Girl and the fairest princess of them all, Molly.
I lost Mum, Jools lost her Dad, and we all lost Meg.
Life goes on.
Amazingly.
And I met several of you, dear readers. And hope to meet again.
Stay safe, enjoy life.
That might still happen, there is two years to go. But two years of pandemic, Brexit and now war in Europe, the chance of a long an peaceful decent into dotage seems remote at the moment.
I began to write this blog in August 2008, nearly 14 years ago. 6,000 posts in which I have desribed our life and later documented Brexit and COVID.
We got married.
We bought this house.
I changed jobs.
THe company went bankrupt two months after we signed the mortgate.
We survived.
I got a job in the wind industry. And still here 12 years later.
I "got" into orchids and churches and butterflies and whatever else I see.
Despite a global pandemic, Brexit and the cruelst Government since the last Conservative one, we're doing well. Happy, content with our four cats.
Though we did say goodbye to Sulu, Little Girl and the fairest princess of them all, Molly.
I lost Mum, Jools lost her Dad, and we all lost Meg.
Life goes on.
Amazingly.
And I met several of you, dear readers. And hope to meet again.
Stay safe, enjoy life.
Wednesday 23rd March 2022
I can't say too much, but there might be some big news coming up.
I'll leave that hanging in mid air, there.
But Wednesday, and nearly halfway through the week, and I can feel the weekend coming. In fact, this is my last weekend before I go away, and I have some stuff to get.
Ohh, look at her with the fancy holidays and walking pole!
Wednesday dawned clear and bright, the sun rose red and angry, so far to the east now, we can only just see it rise above the horizon above Kingsdown Road.
I took a shot, just in case there was no other shots taken that day.
Jools is ready to go to work, leaving me alone with just the cats and some toast to keep me company. I make a slice and coat it with nutella and eat that with a fresh cup of coffee.
I know how to live.
We have the department meeting, coming after yet more significant news, of which our manager can't tell if or how that will effect us. I give a presentation on the state of my project, hammering home the madness of it all. I think I get through.
I have breakfast and another coffee. That's three for the day, and I'm vibrating.
The day passes, and in a good way, though there is chaos.
So at three I am off on another walk, hoping to snap some butterflies.
I walk along the road, across the field, past Fleet House before going down past the farm, but turning off along the lower lane to come back.
I do see some butterflies, including a tatty Small Tortoiseshell that posed for long enough for me to get a shot or twenty.
I get home, have a iced squash before getting down to make fritters for dinner. Every time they come out different, this time the mis was thick so they come out very crispy, and due to the curry powder added, spicy.
I even have wine with dinner. First time in mid-week for a while. It goes down well.
There is no football again, though internationals will start on Thursday, so we have the radio on so I can write and edit pictures.
In bed at half eight to read another chapter of the book I'm rereading.
I'll leave that hanging in mid air, there.
But Wednesday, and nearly halfway through the week, and I can feel the weekend coming. In fact, this is my last weekend before I go away, and I have some stuff to get.
Ohh, look at her with the fancy holidays and walking pole!
Wednesday dawned clear and bright, the sun rose red and angry, so far to the east now, we can only just see it rise above the horizon above Kingsdown Road.
I took a shot, just in case there was no other shots taken that day.Jools is ready to go to work, leaving me alone with just the cats and some toast to keep me company. I make a slice and coat it with nutella and eat that with a fresh cup of coffee.
I know how to live.We have the department meeting, coming after yet more significant news, of which our manager can't tell if or how that will effect us. I give a presentation on the state of my project, hammering home the madness of it all. I think I get through.
I have breakfast and another coffee. That's three for the day, and I'm vibrating.The day passes, and in a good way, though there is chaos.
So at three I am off on another walk, hoping to snap some butterflies.
I walk along the road, across the field, past Fleet House before going down past the farm, but turning off along the lower lane to come back.
I do see some butterflies, including a tatty Small Tortoiseshell that posed for long enough for me to get a shot or twenty.
I get home, have a iced squash before getting down to make fritters for dinner. Every time they come out different, this time the mis was thick so they come out very crispy, and due to the curry powder added, spicy.I even have wine with dinner. First time in mid-week for a while. It goes down well.
There is no football again, though internationals will start on Thursday, so we have the radio on so I can write and edit pictures.
In bed at half eight to read another chapter of the book I'm rereading.
We're all in the poor house now
Yesterday, the Chancellor ensured that 1,500,000 adults and 500,000 children would sink into absolute poverty in not changing most parts of his budget.
The only people who would be better off were upper/middle income families who use a lot of fuel in their cats. Everyone ese would be worse off, and the very poorest, the very worst off.
The Chancellor tried to butter the largest tax burden outside wartime imposed on the nation by reducing fuel duty by 5p per litre, therefore reducing still further the amount the treasury takes in, meaning less to spend.
Given the choice to tax big petrochecmical companies or the poorest in our society, the Chancellor chose to tax the poor.
Meanwhile, his wife and her family ar emajor stakeholders in businesses inside and with Russia. She is a billionaire, and yet the Chancellor said all companies must sever relations with Russia, but when pressed about his wife's connections, he got rather angry.
So, one more rule for them to ignore.
I suspect there will be changes very soon, either in the office of Chancellor or in his policies. Reaction in the press and media has not, rightly, been kind.
The only people who would be better off were upper/middle income families who use a lot of fuel in their cats. Everyone ese would be worse off, and the very poorest, the very worst off.
The Chancellor tried to butter the largest tax burden outside wartime imposed on the nation by reducing fuel duty by 5p per litre, therefore reducing still further the amount the treasury takes in, meaning less to spend.
Given the choice to tax big petrochecmical companies or the poorest in our society, the Chancellor chose to tax the poor.
Meanwhile, his wife and her family ar emajor stakeholders in businesses inside and with Russia. She is a billionaire, and yet the Chancellor said all companies must sever relations with Russia, but when pressed about his wife's connections, he got rather angry.
So, one more rule for them to ignore.
I suspect there will be changes very soon, either in the office of Chancellor or in his policies. Reaction in the press and media has not, rightly, been kind.
Wednesday 23 March 2022
Tuesday 22nd March 2022
Tuesday was a tough day, ended with a crushing meeting, that I can barely remember. But I carried that pain into the evening, and decided to do something about it. SOmething I can reverse, if needed.
Tuesday, I suppose I had given long thought to the situation, came with a way of getting out of it, and forged a way through the chaos. Bad thoughs of just 12 hours before were forgotten.
And why not? When the sun rises in a clear blue sky, the promise of a wonderful warm spring day in the offing, who could not feel optomistic on such mornings?
I made some bread, then hunted for the small 1lb loaf tin. I couldn't find it anywhere, I turned the kitchen upsdide down.
Twice.
Then I rememvered it was in the freezer with a shepherd's pie in it.
Oh yes.
So, I put the loaf onto a baking tray, and left it for two hours. It was a monster, and rose twice as much as when in a tin. I might never use a tin again.
I put the loaf in to bake, and was rewarded with a cottage loaf with an X cit in the top, all crusty and crunchy. I tested with with lots of butter and apricot jam.
Yummy.
Jools had to leave at six to get to work, do some walking and try to get work done. So, I put some music on and fill the hour before work.
Work is, meh, work, so lets skip over that.
I went out at three, taking my camera for a long walk to get some air and blow the cobwebs away. I walked to Station Road, then up it to the first track, along that then up to Windy Ridge and along Green Lane to the very end.
I stop at the secret bench, and sit for ten minutes, it faces east, so is in deep shade, so wasn't warm.
I carry down the hill, past the farm and up the slope to Fleet House and across the fields.
Dinner is to be fishcakes with stir fry and noodles.
It turned out spicy, seems we bought "medium" sweet chilli sauce, and was indeed warmer.
But good.
There was no football to watch, as its international break, so I listen to the wireless, mess about online and went to bed at nine to read.
Tuesday, I suppose I had given long thought to the situation, came with a way of getting out of it, and forged a way through the chaos. Bad thoughs of just 12 hours before were forgotten.
And why not? When the sun rises in a clear blue sky, the promise of a wonderful warm spring day in the offing, who could not feel optomistic on such mornings?
I made some bread, then hunted for the small 1lb loaf tin. I couldn't find it anywhere, I turned the kitchen upsdide down.Twice.
Then I rememvered it was in the freezer with a shepherd's pie in it.
Oh yes.
So, I put the loaf onto a baking tray, and left it for two hours. It was a monster, and rose twice as much as when in a tin. I might never use a tin again.
I put the loaf in to bake, and was rewarded with a cottage loaf with an X cit in the top, all crusty and crunchy. I tested with with lots of butter and apricot jam.
Yummy.Jools had to leave at six to get to work, do some walking and try to get work done. So, I put some music on and fill the hour before work.
Work is, meh, work, so lets skip over that.I went out at three, taking my camera for a long walk to get some air and blow the cobwebs away. I walked to Station Road, then up it to the first track, along that then up to Windy Ridge and along Green Lane to the very end.
I stop at the secret bench, and sit for ten minutes, it faces east, so is in deep shade, so wasn't warm.I carry down the hill, past the farm and up the slope to Fleet House and across the fields.
Dinner is to be fishcakes with stir fry and noodles.
It turned out spicy, seems we bought "medium" sweet chilli sauce, and was indeed warmer.
But good.
There was no football to watch, as its international break, so I listen to the wireless, mess about online and went to bed at nine to read.
Two years
At 20:00 on 22nd March, the PM announced the first national lockdown. So, at midnight pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants, as well as gyms, theatres and cinemas, all closed initially for three weeks.
I had been following the spread of COVID for weeks, this is what I wrote on 23rd March 2020:
I mean I could have written this as part of the usually daily blog, but I thought its not often an entire country gets shut down.
Mind you, we're not the only ones doing this, but it is worth pointing out that other countries, like Denmark, have not gone down the lockdown route because they were better prepared, there has been less panic buying.
So, when news came just before five that the dail "presser" was being delayed until half eight when a national broadcast would be made, it was obvious what was coming.
Even still, to see it written down in black and white, or in Tweets, seeing the reality of it, that for three weeks there will be no non-urgent travel, meetings of more than two people, all non key work to stop and people to stay at home.
These are days we thought we would never see, and yet it was clear that they would come, one day.
Pandemics happen, and have been known before. A virus jumps from one species to human and for us there is no immunity, and it rips around the world thanks to global travel through hub airports in a matter of hours.
It seems only politicans, those tasked with ensuring protection and preparedness were caught sleeping, and our brave leader, Alexander Boris de Piffel Johnson has been behind the curve from the start. And has gone from joking about shaking everyone's hand in a hospital with those infected to locking down the country in 14 days. Not bad.
And make no mistake, the lockdown isn't just because people ignored advice, but it because that advice was fudged and not clear, and for a week the Government prepared the country for the wrong virus.
But yes, Boris is doing a grand job.
It will take ten days to see if the lockdown works, and in those ten days death rates will double about every two days, and our health service will buckle under the strain, but they will do their best.
The plice can arrest those of breaking the lockdown, but the Tories spent a decade cutting numbers and morale as they did with nurses, doctors, teachers and fire service. All cut down to bare bones with no flexibility when the shit hits the fan.
But I'm sure it's not the Tories fault, it must be Labour's, or the EU's or the union's fault.
Then in my dairy entry for the same day: In the mid-80s, there was a book published, something like The Encyclopedia of the 20th century, a day by day history of what happened between 1900 and the current day. 1985 was an odd year to chose to publish, as this required annual update to bring it up to date. I read the first ten years, and learned about the opium wars, the Boxer Rebellion among other things.
Big stories happened, which we have largely forgotten about. A decade later the Spanish Flue pandemic happened, killing maybe hundreds of millions of people.
I wondered what it would be like to live through such tumultuous times. I read that upon seeing the City of London ablaze in 1666, Samuel Pepys buried a whole cheese in his back garden for safe keeping. He had just lived through an outbreak of the Black Death so he knew bad shit when he saw it.
So, we will all know what it is like to live through a pandemic, the sheer panic of not knowing how to deal with an unseen foe, not knowing who is and who isn't infected, trusting no one. Each night the infection rate and fatalities climb ever upwards, in an ever steepening slope, proving in real time that the policies our politicians have followed were the wrong ones and have signed death warrants. And there is no outsider or exterior organisation to blame, the buck stops with them. Teough Johnson and Trump will claim otherwise, they fiddled whilst the virus strengthened, infected and spread.
The next ten days will get grimmer, as numbers rise and rise. Only in ten days will we know if the lockdown, as it is, has worked.
So, to Monday. And at first it seemed a normal kind of day. For a Monday.
Up just after dawn now, as the year gets older. Sit with Jools to drink coffee, then once she left, go to do a session on the cross trainer.
We now have an early morning meeting on new MS Teams to catch up on news and for each to give a health update. We are jolly, but there is fear too. One of my colleagues has her partner work in the ICU at Aarhus hospital, she is pregnant and from Tuesday he is going on shift and they will not be able to meet again until, well, who knows when? So her unborn child is not affected.
We are cheery, but also know that for others it is serious. They are all missing not being in the office seeing each other, as we all are now working from our homes. I always work from home, so am unique in the team that the crisis hasn't really changed my life that much.
It will stop the church crawling and orchid hunting for sure, but otherwise, being an only child, I am comfortable with my own company. I do miss the footy though, that goes with out saying. But I'll say it anyway.
And outside it is a glorious day. Tough very cold. Or colder than it looks. I turn the heating down and am soon cold. But if I have it too warm, then the afternoon session on the cross trainer would be unbearable. It could be that I am just running hot so would get all hot and bothered no matter how cold it was.
I had been following the spread of COVID for weeks, this is what I wrote on 23rd March 2020:
I mean I could have written this as part of the usually daily blog, but I thought its not often an entire country gets shut down.
Mind you, we're not the only ones doing this, but it is worth pointing out that other countries, like Denmark, have not gone down the lockdown route because they were better prepared, there has been less panic buying.
So, when news came just before five that the dail "presser" was being delayed until half eight when a national broadcast would be made, it was obvious what was coming.
Even still, to see it written down in black and white, or in Tweets, seeing the reality of it, that for three weeks there will be no non-urgent travel, meetings of more than two people, all non key work to stop and people to stay at home.
These are days we thought we would never see, and yet it was clear that they would come, one day.
Pandemics happen, and have been known before. A virus jumps from one species to human and for us there is no immunity, and it rips around the world thanks to global travel through hub airports in a matter of hours.
It seems only politicans, those tasked with ensuring protection and preparedness were caught sleeping, and our brave leader, Alexander Boris de Piffel Johnson has been behind the curve from the start. And has gone from joking about shaking everyone's hand in a hospital with those infected to locking down the country in 14 days. Not bad.
And make no mistake, the lockdown isn't just because people ignored advice, but it because that advice was fudged and not clear, and for a week the Government prepared the country for the wrong virus.
But yes, Boris is doing a grand job.
It will take ten days to see if the lockdown works, and in those ten days death rates will double about every two days, and our health service will buckle under the strain, but they will do their best.
The plice can arrest those of breaking the lockdown, but the Tories spent a decade cutting numbers and morale as they did with nurses, doctors, teachers and fire service. All cut down to bare bones with no flexibility when the shit hits the fan.
But I'm sure it's not the Tories fault, it must be Labour's, or the EU's or the union's fault.
Then in my dairy entry for the same day: In the mid-80s, there was a book published, something like The Encyclopedia of the 20th century, a day by day history of what happened between 1900 and the current day. 1985 was an odd year to chose to publish, as this required annual update to bring it up to date. I read the first ten years, and learned about the opium wars, the Boxer Rebellion among other things.
Big stories happened, which we have largely forgotten about. A decade later the Spanish Flue pandemic happened, killing maybe hundreds of millions of people.
I wondered what it would be like to live through such tumultuous times. I read that upon seeing the City of London ablaze in 1666, Samuel Pepys buried a whole cheese in his back garden for safe keeping. He had just lived through an outbreak of the Black Death so he knew bad shit when he saw it.
So, we will all know what it is like to live through a pandemic, the sheer panic of not knowing how to deal with an unseen foe, not knowing who is and who isn't infected, trusting no one. Each night the infection rate and fatalities climb ever upwards, in an ever steepening slope, proving in real time that the policies our politicians have followed were the wrong ones and have signed death warrants. And there is no outsider or exterior organisation to blame, the buck stops with them. Teough Johnson and Trump will claim otherwise, they fiddled whilst the virus strengthened, infected and spread.
The next ten days will get grimmer, as numbers rise and rise. Only in ten days will we know if the lockdown, as it is, has worked.
So, to Monday. And at first it seemed a normal kind of day. For a Monday.
Up just after dawn now, as the year gets older. Sit with Jools to drink coffee, then once she left, go to do a session on the cross trainer.
We now have an early morning meeting on new MS Teams to catch up on news and for each to give a health update. We are jolly, but there is fear too. One of my colleagues has her partner work in the ICU at Aarhus hospital, she is pregnant and from Tuesday he is going on shift and they will not be able to meet again until, well, who knows when? So her unborn child is not affected.
We are cheery, but also know that for others it is serious. They are all missing not being in the office seeing each other, as we all are now working from our homes. I always work from home, so am unique in the team that the crisis hasn't really changed my life that much.
It will stop the church crawling and orchid hunting for sure, but otherwise, being an only child, I am comfortable with my own company. I do miss the footy though, that goes with out saying. But I'll say it anyway.
And outside it is a glorious day. Tough very cold. Or colder than it looks. I turn the heating down and am soon cold. But if I have it too warm, then the afternoon session on the cross trainer would be unbearable. It could be that I am just running hot so would get all hot and bothered no matter how cold it was.
Sunlit uplands
The Office for Budget Responsibility, (OBR) released a review after the budget today, in which it stated that their forecast continues to be that the UK imports will continue to be 15% (fifteen percent) smaller after Brexit than if we had remained a memver of the EU. And none of the trade deals made so far have made any material difference to their forecast.
But apparently Truss is brilliant.
A nation sighed.
Brexit, the only time a nation imposed economic sanctions on itself.
But apparently Truss is brilliant.
A nation sighed.
Brexit, the only time a nation imposed economic sanctions on itself.
Dover and Brexit: update
Work has restarted at the White CLiffs Business Park on the new freight facility. This is after nearly a year of no work, but progress is picking up. This is supposed to be the new vetenary check facility, something which furture alignment could make obsolete overnight. So the fact it is going ahead now means there is little intention of common sense getting involved any time soon.
The P&O issue didn't create many issues last week, other than confusion in the first few hours, but queues have been worse on Tuesday and today, with solid queues now on and up Jubilee Way. It seems that the ferry company reregistered its fleet to Cyprus as it wanted to use the EU for tax reasons, and notice for suc firings only apply to the country where the vessels were registered.
This is a legal grey area, but has made the Government and Brexit foolish, even if Brexit wasn't directly to blame.
Through the year, more checks are due on goods entering the country, making shortages ever more likely, and also more expensive. On top of this there is the National Insurance tax rise from the beginning of April, and at the same time the ending of the energy price cap which will see prices nearly double. Many families will not be able to cope. Today a food bank charity stated that it no longer could accept potatoes or other root vegetables, as people coupld no longer afford the energy to cook them.
There is a mini-budget today, in which a windfall tax on energy companies could be announced, like in France. But won't be. More likely a freeze in tax on fuel again, which is a drop in the ocean. France indeed has introduced a windfall tax on fuel companies and used that to keep energy proces low, with increases just at 4%, but because France is in the EU it can't do that, apparently, but did.
Yes, we did not have to leave the EU for policies like that, but kidded ourselves we did. And then the Government decided to prop up the energy companies while driving millions more families into poverty.
The P&O issue didn't create many issues last week, other than confusion in the first few hours, but queues have been worse on Tuesday and today, with solid queues now on and up Jubilee Way. It seems that the ferry company reregistered its fleet to Cyprus as it wanted to use the EU for tax reasons, and notice for suc firings only apply to the country where the vessels were registered.
This is a legal grey area, but has made the Government and Brexit foolish, even if Brexit wasn't directly to blame.
Through the year, more checks are due on goods entering the country, making shortages ever more likely, and also more expensive. On top of this there is the National Insurance tax rise from the beginning of April, and at the same time the ending of the energy price cap which will see prices nearly double. Many families will not be able to cope. Today a food bank charity stated that it no longer could accept potatoes or other root vegetables, as people coupld no longer afford the energy to cook them.
There is a mini-budget today, in which a windfall tax on energy companies could be announced, like in France. But won't be. More likely a freeze in tax on fuel again, which is a drop in the ocean. France indeed has introduced a windfall tax on fuel companies and used that to keep energy proces low, with increases just at 4%, but because France is in the EU it can't do that, apparently, but did.
Yes, we did not have to leave the EU for policies like that, but kidded ourselves we did. And then the Government decided to prop up the energy companies while driving millions more families into poverty.
Tuesday 22 March 2022
Partygate
The Government and right wing media would like us all to move on from the lawbreaking oversaw by Boris Johnson during the various lockdowns. as there's a war on now, don't you know?
Johnson, apparently, is very keen to be seen visiting Ukraine, to be some kind of tinpot Churchill, pretending to lead the free world in resistance to Russian aggression.
But actions speak louder than photo ops. On Monday the Government benches voted to put any Ukrainian refugees in prison for up to four years if they try to enter the country without the right papers.
Yes, apparently, escaping from a war in Europe is not enough to break down the doors of political dogma.
We have gone from "leading the world" in reaction to the war, to passing laws to place refugees in prison of they try to enter the country.
World leading indeed.
Partygate has moved on the the police interview stage. Reviewing the questionaires submitted.
IN the meantime it appears the PM had been conductiong Government business on his mobile phone, a phone whose number was leaked to the media over a decade ago, and all his whatsapp data up to just after the partygate time period the ppolice are investigating ends. Funny that.
Conducting Government business on an unsecured device is a clear security risk. Conducting business that circumvented laws and processes, and then deleting it is another criminal offence. Yesterday such deletions was revealed in a court case brought by the Good Law Project.
We are governed by grifters, backed up by the media.
But there's a war on dontcha know.
Johnson, apparently, is very keen to be seen visiting Ukraine, to be some kind of tinpot Churchill, pretending to lead the free world in resistance to Russian aggression.
But actions speak louder than photo ops. On Monday the Government benches voted to put any Ukrainian refugees in prison for up to four years if they try to enter the country without the right papers.
Yes, apparently, escaping from a war in Europe is not enough to break down the doors of political dogma.
We have gone from "leading the world" in reaction to the war, to passing laws to place refugees in prison of they try to enter the country.
World leading indeed.
Partygate has moved on the the police interview stage. Reviewing the questionaires submitted.
IN the meantime it appears the PM had been conductiong Government business on his mobile phone, a phone whose number was leaked to the media over a decade ago, and all his whatsapp data up to just after the partygate time period the ppolice are investigating ends. Funny that.
Conducting Government business on an unsecured device is a clear security risk. Conducting business that circumvented laws and processes, and then deleting it is another criminal offence. Yesterday such deletions was revealed in a court case brought by the Good Law Project.
We are governed by grifters, backed up by the media.
But there's a war on dontcha know.
Monday 21st March 2022
The thing about moth traps is that they require light.
Black light.
But it's very bright.
I had hoped to use the sockets built into the beds that use to power the footballer's wives fountain, but neither would work. So, I had to plug it in using the sockets in the shed, trail the lead out meaning the trap was in full view of the house.
In full view of our house and next door's too.
Of course, I did not realise this until it was dark and going to bed, and the light coming in from the trap was almost bright enough not to have the bathroom light on.
Hmmmm.
The next morning, first task was to turn the trap off at dawn, then an hour later check for moths. There were six, though only found three of them, hiding under the eggbox.
I snapped two of the species, identified one straight away, and the other I posted to the Kent moth group on FB.
Here is the little blighter: an Early Grey.
Anyway, to work.
Jools went to work after her morning walk, but Donna had caught COVID over the weekend, so Jools was back on her own. The finance lady also caught it, so Jools had a long, hard day. I meanwhile, had to make progress on my project. And not easy when so many people have their own views. Its all a bit mad. A lot mad.
Meeting after meeting with people making sure I understood their views were most important. It all gets a bit tiring after a while.
I should have gone for a walk in the afternoon, but instead get the edging spade out and finish the job on the twisty path that Jools had started. The plan had been to go out for a walk when she came home, but my heart wasn't in it.
Some days work is so wearing, you wonder if its worth all the stress when it seems you're not appreciated, and the feeling kills the evening.
I'm OK today, but down last night.
Sigh.
For a chenge, we share a tin of rice pudding then have the last two of the monster saffron buns with a huge brew.
No starter, no main, but two desserts.
Great.
There is music in the evening. And blog writing.
Not much else, I don't watch the Div 4 game on the telly box.
Black light.
But it's very bright.
I had hoped to use the sockets built into the beds that use to power the footballer's wives fountain, but neither would work. So, I had to plug it in using the sockets in the shed, trail the lead out meaning the trap was in full view of the house.
In full view of our house and next door's too.
Of course, I did not realise this until it was dark and going to bed, and the light coming in from the trap was almost bright enough not to have the bathroom light on.
Hmmmm.
The next morning, first task was to turn the trap off at dawn, then an hour later check for moths. There were six, though only found three of them, hiding under the eggbox.
I snapped two of the species, identified one straight away, and the other I posted to the Kent moth group on FB.
Here is the little blighter: an Early Grey.Anyway, to work.
Jools went to work after her morning walk, but Donna had caught COVID over the weekend, so Jools was back on her own. The finance lady also caught it, so Jools had a long, hard day. I meanwhile, had to make progress on my project. And not easy when so many people have their own views. Its all a bit mad. A lot mad.
Meeting after meeting with people making sure I understood their views were most important. It all gets a bit tiring after a while.
I should have gone for a walk in the afternoon, but instead get the edging spade out and finish the job on the twisty path that Jools had started. The plan had been to go out for a walk when she came home, but my heart wasn't in it.
Some days work is so wearing, you wonder if its worth all the stress when it seems you're not appreciated, and the feeling kills the evening.
I'm OK today, but down last night.
Sigh.
For a chenge, we share a tin of rice pudding then have the last two of the monster saffron buns with a huge brew.
No starter, no main, but two desserts.
Great.
There is music in the evening. And blog writing.
Not much else, I don't watch the Div 4 game on the telly box.
New week, new wave
So, it's Tuesday, just after 16:00 and the latest COVID data has been released:
592,000 positive cases this week, up 20.4%
13,700 hospitalisations, up 21.7%
836 deaths, up 17.1%.
COVID is not over.
I know more people with COVID now than I know caught it in the past two years. And there is less testing, less tracking as the Government has given up.
Jools's assistant, Donna, caught it on Sunday, and is trying to work from home, but can't really speak. My botanist friend, Richard is recovering. He was laid low for two weeks and is only just fit to leave the house.
Young, fit, healthy, vaccinated people. Not very ill, but ill enough not to be able to work.
And there is no legal requirement now to isolate.
COVID is not over, just when the next variant appears.
592,000 positive cases this week, up 20.4%
13,700 hospitalisations, up 21.7%
836 deaths, up 17.1%.
COVID is not over.
I know more people with COVID now than I know caught it in the past two years. And there is less testing, less tracking as the Government has given up.
Jools's assistant, Donna, caught it on Sunday, and is trying to work from home, but can't really speak. My botanist friend, Richard is recovering. He was laid low for two weeks and is only just fit to leave the house.
Young, fit, healthy, vaccinated people. Not very ill, but ill enough not to be able to work.
And there is no legal requirement now to isolate.
COVID is not over, just when the next variant appears.
Monday 21 March 2022
Sunday 20th March 2022
Part two of the weekend.
And spring equinox. Light has triumphed once again.
The question was what to do with the day.
Well, Jools was going to go swimming and so I would get Jools to drop me off at the National Trust place and then walk back, hopefully geeting back at the same time. But instead, Jools said she would stay home and work in the garden. But would drop me off, and pick me up along the route if my fat little legs needed a rest.
We had a coffee, then she took me along Reach Road, dropping me off at the hairpin bend overlooking the habour, where the three P&O ferries were still tied up.
I had two tasks: First of all, looking at any queues or delays at the port and along Townwall Street, and then to check for orchid rosettes.
What I can say is that the port was very quiet. Almost Christmas Day quiet, though two ferries were in; one unloading and one loading. The one loading wasn't full, though the one unloading had lorries filling the open upper deck.
But the part was mostly like a ghost town, with berths empty and hardly any traffic waiting. Those that was unloaded only took ten minutes to empty, the port roads being busy for a short time then going quiet again.
I looked for rosettes, and found three close to the entrance, with three more further along, but none on the Cliff Road, which was a disappointment, as last year I found some very nice plants there. But not this time.
But one did have a spike forming, so maybe before the end of the month?
I hope so.
I walk along the lower path from the entrance, right on the edge of the cliff, but it was safe enough. From there, down the path to the Cliff Road, and from there, up and up, along the former inclined plane railway leading to the top of Langdon Hole. I could have taken the path down and then up along the cliff edge, but my knees said maybe not today.
I hear ya, knees.
There were a few couple out walking their dogs, some on leads, but other loose, and causing noise, so I was happy to leave them behind as I walked on and up.
I had the choice at the top of either taking the track back to the cliffs edge, or I could walk along the road to the lighthouse. I chose the latter so I could look at plants growing in the field margins, though I saw nothing really unusual, it was pleasant enough with the air filled with the song of skylarks.
I reached the lighthouse, and my back now had joined my knees in complaining. I tried to call Jools but got no answer, so walked on across the large field towards the village. When I reached the houses, Jools called telling me she would come to the car park near the church, I was just fine minutes away.
And as I reached the road to the car park, Jools came the other way, stopping so I could get in.
Back home we had a brew, and crossaints for a late breakfast. But soon thoughts turned to lunch.
Steak.
Not just steak, but cote de boeuf.
So large I got Mark to cut one in half, kinda. I had seasoned the meat before leaving, and now it was at room temperature and ready for cooking. I zap some spuds, chop them up for crunch chips, do some garlic mushrooms and boil some frozen corn. Finally cooking the steaks on the griddle pan. Jools uncorked the fizz, and I dished up.
Needless to say, the steak was glorious. And filling. We listen to the radio a while before clearing up, then struggle to stay awake through the afternoon.
There was football. There always is. I watched it, or my eyes did, it didn't sink in, but thinking hard, I watched Citeh thrash Southampton, the Spurs ease past West Ham. Both games were pretty good.
We had toasted saffron buns for supper with a brew, and with just #wildflowerhour to do before bed, the weekend had gone.
And spring equinox. Light has triumphed once again.
The question was what to do with the day.Well, Jools was going to go swimming and so I would get Jools to drop me off at the National Trust place and then walk back, hopefully geeting back at the same time. But instead, Jools said she would stay home and work in the garden. But would drop me off, and pick me up along the route if my fat little legs needed a rest.
We had a coffee, then she took me along Reach Road, dropping me off at the hairpin bend overlooking the habour, where the three P&O ferries were still tied up.
I had two tasks: First of all, looking at any queues or delays at the port and along Townwall Street, and then to check for orchid rosettes.
What I can say is that the port was very quiet. Almost Christmas Day quiet, though two ferries were in; one unloading and one loading. The one loading wasn't full, though the one unloading had lorries filling the open upper deck.
But the part was mostly like a ghost town, with berths empty and hardly any traffic waiting. Those that was unloaded only took ten minutes to empty, the port roads being busy for a short time then going quiet again.
I looked for rosettes, and found three close to the entrance, with three more further along, but none on the Cliff Road, which was a disappointment, as last year I found some very nice plants there. But not this time.
But one did have a spike forming, so maybe before the end of the month?I hope so.
I walk along the lower path from the entrance, right on the edge of the cliff, but it was safe enough. From there, down the path to the Cliff Road, and from there, up and up, along the former inclined plane railway leading to the top of Langdon Hole. I could have taken the path down and then up along the cliff edge, but my knees said maybe not today.
I hear ya, knees.There were a few couple out walking their dogs, some on leads, but other loose, and causing noise, so I was happy to leave them behind as I walked on and up.
I had the choice at the top of either taking the track back to the cliffs edge, or I could walk along the road to the lighthouse. I chose the latter so I could look at plants growing in the field margins, though I saw nothing really unusual, it was pleasant enough with the air filled with the song of skylarks.
I reached the lighthouse, and my back now had joined my knees in complaining. I tried to call Jools but got no answer, so walked on across the large field towards the village. When I reached the houses, Jools called telling me she would come to the car park near the church, I was just fine minutes away.
And as I reached the road to the car park, Jools came the other way, stopping so I could get in.
Back home we had a brew, and crossaints for a late breakfast. But soon thoughts turned to lunch.Steak.
Not just steak, but cote de boeuf.
So large I got Mark to cut one in half, kinda. I had seasoned the meat before leaving, and now it was at room temperature and ready for cooking. I zap some spuds, chop them up for crunch chips, do some garlic mushrooms and boil some frozen corn. Finally cooking the steaks on the griddle pan. Jools uncorked the fizz, and I dished up.
Needless to say, the steak was glorious. And filling. We listen to the radio a while before clearing up, then struggle to stay awake through the afternoon.There was football. There always is. I watched it, or my eyes did, it didn't sink in, but thinking hard, I watched Citeh thrash Southampton, the Spurs ease past West Ham. Both games were pretty good.
We had toasted saffron buns for supper with a brew, and with just #wildflowerhour to do before bed, the weekend had gone.
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