As reality surrounds the covered wagons of Brexit, there are some, amazing Boris and Nigel, who see that Brexit is getting unsustainable, and say they can see the need for a second referendum to legitimise the whole darn thing. And there are those who will defend precious Brexit with the last breath in their bodies, but mostly by signing a letting saying the PM must honour the referendum and not stay in the SM. Ting is, of course, SM wasn't mentioned. So, round and round we go, and all the time the sands of time are slipping through our fingers.
M. Macron yesterday mooted the idea of a special deal for UK, but this was jumped upon with great joy by the right leaning press, only for his to say that there can be no cherry picking to have a defacto SM membership but without the paying and responsibility, just like the EU has always said. Not to say there is room for tinkering round the edges, but for the most part, and we can be sure of this, the four freedoms are red ines that will nver be crossed or compromised.
And then there is the fact that every time May speaks about the case for strengthening the bonds between the EU and UK post Brexit, all she does is make the case for remaining. Whic is what she campaigned for the in the first place.
And meanwhile at Labour HQ, the Shadow Chancellor is still dealing in semantics saying not member of, but access to and a SM not the SM, as it means anything other than delaying the time when Labour has to decide whether is is going to honour it's 2015 manifesto pledge to remain, or push for some ill-defined people-first Brexit bollocks he and Jezza have been saying for months now.
Make no mistake, time is sort, and getting shorter. Britain has to decide what it wants to transit to, and at the same time think about what kind of deal it is going to be able to sell to the Cabinet, Government and Parliament before then trying to stand up to the owners and editors of the papers and explain to the people Brexit was always just the promise of unicorns. And it now seems likely that the papers owners love of Brecit coincided with the EU ant0-tax evasion laws that were introduced in 2015. All this so a few billionaires could avoid some tax? Wars have been fought on less.
Sunday, 21 January 2018
Saturday, 20 January 2018
Friday 19th January 2018
At last the final working day of the week, and I had set myself a list of jobs to do, in ascending scale of difficulty.
This would take some doing.
And to help my tired legs, it was a rest day, or a day off from the cross trainer. I could do it, but in truth the day would be busy enough without phy.
Jools leaves me, and I sip my coffee watching the sun rise the other side of the dip. It takes its time to make its way from the horizon to clear the roofline of the houses on the other side, but just after eight a pinprick of bright light shone between the corner of a roof and chimney, and in seconds, a quarter of the sun was visible, already too bright to look at directly.
So, lets get it on! I switch the laptop on, and work my way down the list, and come midday, I have done it, meetings attended, mails sent and calls made.
I have a ham sandwich for lunch and survey my work, and I saw that it was good. To round the day off there was the monthly department meeting, then followed by two very pleasant social Skype calls, where I caught up with two friends. So good to have time to speak to people, and listen to their, and my, issues/worries.
Jools comes home and then takes Molly to the vet; not much to add, Moll was having another B12 jab, but Jools got to speak to Chris who did her operation, so got lots of background information, and ask better questions than I could. So, cautiously optimistic, and with care, Molly might be back to her bouncing self by the summer. She is a bit more chirpy, and is jumping up to drink from the bathroom sink. If the weather is inclement, she also uses the litter tray so not to get wet. So, she's not stupid either.
Many months ago we planned to go out for a meal with our good friends, Gary and Julie, but the day of the meal, Julie fell and broke her foot, and since then there was the time away with Mum for us. And then when we were free, they were going out the same night. But, with Christmas over and everywhere quieter, we arranged to meet at The Plough, a Beefeater Inn, but OK, right by where Jools and I tied the knot nearly ten years ago.
We all arrive at the same time, Gary gets the first (and only) round in and we take to our table to look at the menu and talk more.
The food is not sensational, but the ribs I had were pretty good, nearly Bones good, which is fine. We have coffee and a small piece of cake, and that is it. Time to go home, and with me having had just the one pint, able to drive us back.
And that was Friday, and now the weekend.
This would take some doing.
And to help my tired legs, it was a rest day, or a day off from the cross trainer. I could do it, but in truth the day would be busy enough without phy.
Jools leaves me, and I sip my coffee watching the sun rise the other side of the dip. It takes its time to make its way from the horizon to clear the roofline of the houses on the other side, but just after eight a pinprick of bright light shone between the corner of a roof and chimney, and in seconds, a quarter of the sun was visible, already too bright to look at directly.So, lets get it on! I switch the laptop on, and work my way down the list, and come midday, I have done it, meetings attended, mails sent and calls made.
I have a ham sandwich for lunch and survey my work, and I saw that it was good. To round the day off there was the monthly department meeting, then followed by two very pleasant social Skype calls, where I caught up with two friends. So good to have time to speak to people, and listen to their, and my, issues/worries.
Jools comes home and then takes Molly to the vet; not much to add, Moll was having another B12 jab, but Jools got to speak to Chris who did her operation, so got lots of background information, and ask better questions than I could. So, cautiously optimistic, and with care, Molly might be back to her bouncing self by the summer. She is a bit more chirpy, and is jumping up to drink from the bathroom sink. If the weather is inclement, she also uses the litter tray so not to get wet. So, she's not stupid either.
Many months ago we planned to go out for a meal with our good friends, Gary and Julie, but the day of the meal, Julie fell and broke her foot, and since then there was the time away with Mum for us. And then when we were free, they were going out the same night. But, with Christmas over and everywhere quieter, we arranged to meet at The Plough, a Beefeater Inn, but OK, right by where Jools and I tied the knot nearly ten years ago.We all arrive at the same time, Gary gets the first (and only) round in and we take to our table to look at the menu and talk more.
The food is not sensational, but the ribs I had were pretty good, nearly Bones good, which is fine. We have coffee and a small piece of cake, and that is it. Time to go home, and with me having had just the one pint, able to drive us back.
And that was Friday, and now the weekend.
Building a bridge to your Brexit
Just remember, that with each passing day, Brexit Day, 29th March 2019, gets closer and the time to arrange something, anything, gets ever tighter, and with each passing day the EUs already strong hand gets stronger. The PM looks at her two of clubs, Master Bun the Bakers Son, A Skoda Estelle Top Trump car and "The Fool", and realises she is not going to win another hand, in the way that all movement over the past ten months has all been on the UK side, whilst all the EU has to do is say "Non" or "Nein".
And always remember that the negotiations being conducted are not between the UK and EU, but between May and her spit cabinet and the editors and owners of most of the right wing press, moving slightly each time in order to minimise the adverse headlines and editorials. The agreement reached between the EU and UK before Christmas needs to be legally formalised, and the grey areas will have to be clarified, and when it becomes clear what the EU thinks and will insist it means will come as a shock to the brave Brexiteers, as it is them who will have to explain to the public why they can't have cake and eat it, in fact the only cake they can have to eat will be soap.
The root of the problem is the term "most favoured nation" status, which under WTO rules allows bespoke deals to be struck. Only under the same rules, if you offer a better deal to one country under this term, then you must apply this to all who were covered by previous deal. So there is no chance of a bespoke deal, better than what Canada and Japan has, or the EU will have to grant them the same deal.
And A50 politically be extended, as there are due to be EU elections in May 2019, so the possibility that a member in the process of leaving be able to vote in the elections is unthinkable to both the EU and UK. And yet other than stopping Brexit totally, it is the only thing that makes sense.
And then there is the transition deal, which should be the next thing to be discussed, as long as part 1 is legally formalised, is this deal. But, in order to negotiate a transition deal, the UK will have to decide what it wants a transition too. In other words, the disparate parts of the Cabinet, Government and Conservative Party will have to all agree on something, and something that the EU will also have to, unanimously, agree to. A deal that is good for the Tory Party will not be good for the EU and so will not pass the ratification process, in fact it is hard to see almost any deal pass the EU ratification process of all 27 member states and up to 11 regional Parliaments.
And the best bit, is the fall back position of in the case of a no deal, that NO and the whole of UK will have regulatory alignment with the EU, ensuring no divergence so to allow "frictionless" trade; EU approved paperwork, inspections, standards and mediation, whilst the UK will be a rule taker and not a rule maker. Or not allowed to have an input in new or updating the rules.
In order to divert attention from the visit by the French President, the sometime Foreign Secretary was interviewed in the Torygraph where he suggested that a Bridge be built over the Channel to facilitate trade. Let that sink in, as he pushes for severing trade ties to Europe, he suggests spunking tens of billions on an unworkable bridge. Some said that he was kept in post to stop him causing chaos on the back benches, instead causing chaos on the front benches.
M. Macron confirmed that financial services could not be included in a trade deal, unless UK was part of the SM< and that meant accepting the four freedoms. I seem to remember this being something the EU says quite often, so one wonders when the message will get through the thick skulls of the Brexiteers and PM.
Thing about the EU is that is, and always was, first and foremost a bloc of nations sharing common ideals to prevent European conflict. Any country that tries to step outside the rule, and yes I'm talking to you Poland and Hungary, you will be threatened with being kicked out. And if they do not change their path, then the EU27 will be the EU25, trade or not, this matter more. So, Britain leaving the EU is seen forst and foremost, Britain rejecting the shared values and being part of a united Europe, and that is the cause of most pain for them. Threatening to leave the ECHR just doubles this down, on institutions set up in the wake of WWII to ensure that war and hate do not sweep through the continent. And that the ECHR was an idea of one Winston Churchill, and for trade, the SM was the idea of one Margaret Thatcher, the great Tory heroine, who one thing we could be sure of, would be hard against Brexit.
But as ever, Brexiteers, the PM, Cabinet, Government, Owners and editors of the fearless free press struggle with the demands of reality, and up to this point, try to ignore them. Kicking difficult issues intot eh long grass to fix later in the 2 year A50 process will make it more likely they can't be solved, or solved by UK giving in.
Reality is a hard mistress.
Imagine this scenario: come 29th March 2019, France has to ratify the deal between the EU and UK, if t fails to do so, UK leaves the EU as a consequence of the A50 timetable, and as a result of the phase 1 agreement settled before Christmas, the UK would have to have complete regulatory alignment as detailed above; meaning UK leaves the EU, but trade is unaffected, and EU intituations, banks, far eastern car manufacturers relocate to mainland Europe. Now tell me that's not having cake and eating it, and taking back control!?!?
And always remember that the negotiations being conducted are not between the UK and EU, but between May and her spit cabinet and the editors and owners of most of the right wing press, moving slightly each time in order to minimise the adverse headlines and editorials. The agreement reached between the EU and UK before Christmas needs to be legally formalised, and the grey areas will have to be clarified, and when it becomes clear what the EU thinks and will insist it means will come as a shock to the brave Brexiteers, as it is them who will have to explain to the public why they can't have cake and eat it, in fact the only cake they can have to eat will be soap.
The root of the problem is the term "most favoured nation" status, which under WTO rules allows bespoke deals to be struck. Only under the same rules, if you offer a better deal to one country under this term, then you must apply this to all who were covered by previous deal. So there is no chance of a bespoke deal, better than what Canada and Japan has, or the EU will have to grant them the same deal.
And A50 politically be extended, as there are due to be EU elections in May 2019, so the possibility that a member in the process of leaving be able to vote in the elections is unthinkable to both the EU and UK. And yet other than stopping Brexit totally, it is the only thing that makes sense.
And then there is the transition deal, which should be the next thing to be discussed, as long as part 1 is legally formalised, is this deal. But, in order to negotiate a transition deal, the UK will have to decide what it wants a transition too. In other words, the disparate parts of the Cabinet, Government and Conservative Party will have to all agree on something, and something that the EU will also have to, unanimously, agree to. A deal that is good for the Tory Party will not be good for the EU and so will not pass the ratification process, in fact it is hard to see almost any deal pass the EU ratification process of all 27 member states and up to 11 regional Parliaments.
And the best bit, is the fall back position of in the case of a no deal, that NO and the whole of UK will have regulatory alignment with the EU, ensuring no divergence so to allow "frictionless" trade; EU approved paperwork, inspections, standards and mediation, whilst the UK will be a rule taker and not a rule maker. Or not allowed to have an input in new or updating the rules.
In order to divert attention from the visit by the French President, the sometime Foreign Secretary was interviewed in the Torygraph where he suggested that a Bridge be built over the Channel to facilitate trade. Let that sink in, as he pushes for severing trade ties to Europe, he suggests spunking tens of billions on an unworkable bridge. Some said that he was kept in post to stop him causing chaos on the back benches, instead causing chaos on the front benches.
M. Macron confirmed that financial services could not be included in a trade deal, unless UK was part of the SM< and that meant accepting the four freedoms. I seem to remember this being something the EU says quite often, so one wonders when the message will get through the thick skulls of the Brexiteers and PM.
Thing about the EU is that is, and always was, first and foremost a bloc of nations sharing common ideals to prevent European conflict. Any country that tries to step outside the rule, and yes I'm talking to you Poland and Hungary, you will be threatened with being kicked out. And if they do not change their path, then the EU27 will be the EU25, trade or not, this matter more. So, Britain leaving the EU is seen forst and foremost, Britain rejecting the shared values and being part of a united Europe, and that is the cause of most pain for them. Threatening to leave the ECHR just doubles this down, on institutions set up in the wake of WWII to ensure that war and hate do not sweep through the continent. And that the ECHR was an idea of one Winston Churchill, and for trade, the SM was the idea of one Margaret Thatcher, the great Tory heroine, who one thing we could be sure of, would be hard against Brexit.
But as ever, Brexiteers, the PM, Cabinet, Government, Owners and editors of the fearless free press struggle with the demands of reality, and up to this point, try to ignore them. Kicking difficult issues intot eh long grass to fix later in the 2 year A50 process will make it more likely they can't be solved, or solved by UK giving in.
Reality is a hard mistress.
Imagine this scenario: come 29th March 2019, France has to ratify the deal between the EU and UK, if t fails to do so, UK leaves the EU as a consequence of the A50 timetable, and as a result of the phase 1 agreement settled before Christmas, the UK would have to have complete regulatory alignment as detailed above; meaning UK leaves the EU, but trade is unaffected, and EU intituations, banks, far eastern car manufacturers relocate to mainland Europe. Now tell me that's not having cake and eating it, and taking back control!?!?
Friday, 19 January 2018
Thursday 18th January 2018
This will be a Brexit free day in The Outside of the Asylum, you'll be glad to know.
Another day working from home, and a grand day outside.
Oh well. And there would no football to divert me in the evening, just as well really, as I had a dreadful night's sleep and woke up feeling like I barely slept. Outside a gale was blowing, roads in town were blocked, but it seemed fine for Jools to get to work. For me the commute from one chair to another seemed to be trouble-free. The gale did mean putting out the bins was an adventure, especially putting the paper out, but I sorted that out, so could go back inside for more coffee and breakfast.
Meetings, phone calls and more meetings. As usual, each day is pretty much the same as the previous, many times with the same issues. Which is not nice.
Outside clouds rushed from the west, being blown along by the storm, but it blew itself out by lunchtime, meaning I could go to the shop. Again. I decided to make the baked pasta pie thing from the Rick Stein book, and really needed carrots and some hard cheese; the latter a long shot in the village shop, but I live in hope.
Just a quick walk down Station Road, past the new house and up the other side. My back was complaining, as is usual this week, so bad I could hardly walk by the time I got to the top, but I made it. They had carrots, and some grated cheese, so that was good.
No trouble going down the hill, but a struggle up the other side back to the end of our road. I check the spring flowers at the end, still none out, but won't be long mind.
And I manage to get a session in on the cross trainer now that the ip pod is recharged. And I almost enjoy it, my legs pumping in time with the beat of Shoot to Thrill.
Inside, between work, I make a batch of tomato sauce, brown the meat and add the vegetables, then simmer for an hour with the sauce, red wine and seasoning added. Then an hour before Jools was due back, I cook the pasta, mix it with the ragu, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and the cheese. And let it cook.
And it was fabulous I have to say. And it made enough to have it again over the weekend, and another pie put in the freezer uncooked to have another time.
But we are both pooped, so after a quiet evening with the radio on, we go to bed before 9 and I am gone to the land of nod.
Another day working from home, and a grand day outside.
Oh well. And there would no football to divert me in the evening, just as well really, as I had a dreadful night's sleep and woke up feeling like I barely slept. Outside a gale was blowing, roads in town were blocked, but it seemed fine for Jools to get to work. For me the commute from one chair to another seemed to be trouble-free. The gale did mean putting out the bins was an adventure, especially putting the paper out, but I sorted that out, so could go back inside for more coffee and breakfast.
Meetings, phone calls and more meetings. As usual, each day is pretty much the same as the previous, many times with the same issues. Which is not nice.
Outside clouds rushed from the west, being blown along by the storm, but it blew itself out by lunchtime, meaning I could go to the shop. Again. I decided to make the baked pasta pie thing from the Rick Stein book, and really needed carrots and some hard cheese; the latter a long shot in the village shop, but I live in hope.Just a quick walk down Station Road, past the new house and up the other side. My back was complaining, as is usual this week, so bad I could hardly walk by the time I got to the top, but I made it. They had carrots, and some grated cheese, so that was good.
No trouble going down the hill, but a struggle up the other side back to the end of our road. I check the spring flowers at the end, still none out, but won't be long mind.And I manage to get a session in on the cross trainer now that the ip pod is recharged. And I almost enjoy it, my legs pumping in time with the beat of Shoot to Thrill.
Inside, between work, I make a batch of tomato sauce, brown the meat and add the vegetables, then simmer for an hour with the sauce, red wine and seasoning added. Then an hour before Jools was due back, I cook the pasta, mix it with the ragu, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and the cheese. And let it cook.
And it was fabulous I have to say. And it made enough to have it again over the weekend, and another pie put in the freezer uncooked to have another time.But we are both pooped, so after a quiet evening with the radio on, we go to bed before 9 and I am gone to the land of nod.
Thursday, 18 January 2018
Wednesday 17th January 2017
You will be thankful that this is a short post.
Sometimes, there is only so much you can write about being at home, working from home, sharing the day with three sleepy cats. Even with the sun shining, there was little time to go out to enjoy it, anyway, it was windy enough to be cold, cold enough to need a jacket and be thinking about a woolly hat hand gloves too.
The usual stuff, up, coffee, Jools gets ready, goes to work, I have breakfast, another coffee and begin working.
Only I lost my mojo again, and sit there unable to find any enthusiasm for the task in hand. I stare out of the window looking at birds, have lunch at ten, make some toast at lunch, and more coffee, and tea through the afternoon.
Man this is tough stuff.
I have the radio on, but that is just a distraction A good one though.
Come half three in the afternoon, and I have a meeting via Skype with people in four different countries. It is a nightmare, as one of the others is sitting in an office and every 30 seconds a truck goes by the window and drowns out everyone's words. And this lasts an hour. And is important.
I switch the computer off, go upstairs and put on my trainers for some phys; and all is going well as I power through towards 20 minutes, when the i pod loses power, meaning I have 30 seconds to go to 20 minutes, but no music to last until 30. So, and I hate to admit this, I stop. But I had done some, and was huffing and puffing, even if I hadn't heard the whole of Prick up Your Ears by Yeah Yeah Noh.
Jools came back with fish and chips, I made brews and had the bread buttered for chip butties, which it is impossible to have fish and chips without. Oh yes, it is true.
The whole evening was given over to football; Norwich playing at Chelsea in the cup, and live on TV. Kick off was at eight, and Norwich looked nervous, but grew into the game. It was nervous stuff, if you're a Norwich fan, and I am you know. Well, Chelsea scored on about the hour and that looked like that, only for Norwich to rustle up an equaliser with the very last kick of the game to take it to 30 minutes extra time.
They had two players sent off and three penalties denied, and we could have snatched it right at the end, but the header went wide. And to penalties, Norwich missed their first one, or it was saved. And that was that, out, but in glory. One year we'll get to Wembley. One year, but not this one.
Sometimes, there is only so much you can write about being at home, working from home, sharing the day with three sleepy cats. Even with the sun shining, there was little time to go out to enjoy it, anyway, it was windy enough to be cold, cold enough to need a jacket and be thinking about a woolly hat hand gloves too.
The usual stuff, up, coffee, Jools gets ready, goes to work, I have breakfast, another coffee and begin working.
Only I lost my mojo again, and sit there unable to find any enthusiasm for the task in hand. I stare out of the window looking at birds, have lunch at ten, make some toast at lunch, and more coffee, and tea through the afternoon.
Man this is tough stuff.
I have the radio on, but that is just a distraction A good one though.
Come half three in the afternoon, and I have a meeting via Skype with people in four different countries. It is a nightmare, as one of the others is sitting in an office and every 30 seconds a truck goes by the window and drowns out everyone's words. And this lasts an hour. And is important.
I switch the computer off, go upstairs and put on my trainers for some phys; and all is going well as I power through towards 20 minutes, when the i pod loses power, meaning I have 30 seconds to go to 20 minutes, but no music to last until 30. So, and I hate to admit this, I stop. But I had done some, and was huffing and puffing, even if I hadn't heard the whole of Prick up Your Ears by Yeah Yeah Noh.
Jools came back with fish and chips, I made brews and had the bread buttered for chip butties, which it is impossible to have fish and chips without. Oh yes, it is true.
The whole evening was given over to football; Norwich playing at Chelsea in the cup, and live on TV. Kick off was at eight, and Norwich looked nervous, but grew into the game. It was nervous stuff, if you're a Norwich fan, and I am you know. Well, Chelsea scored on about the hour and that looked like that, only for Norwich to rustle up an equaliser with the very last kick of the game to take it to 30 minutes extra time.They had two players sent off and three penalties denied, and we could have snatched it right at the end, but the header went wide. And to penalties, Norwich missed their first one, or it was saved. And that was that, out, but in glory. One year we'll get to Wembley. One year, but not this one.
A small domestic Brexit matter
Before I write any further, just a reminder to you all that what we call Brexit, the UK leaving the European Union is going to happen unless the UK Government either tried to revoke that A50 notification, or the EU stops it, or tries to. Brexit under A50 will happen automatically after 2 years from the day of notification in accordance with the clauses within it. Therefore, for a member of the Cabinet, Government Parliament, etc, accuses someone in their party, another party, or other individuals that they are derailing, or trying to derail Brexit, remember that no one, other than the PM can stop it. It is possible, that at some point, Parliament might try to instruct the PM to stop Brexit, or try to stop it, pause it, whatever. It is unclear whether she would or would have to. Or that Britain on its own could stop it.
The EU and member politicians have said many times in recent months that the UK can change its mind, and it seems to make sense that it could, but the final say on that comes down to our friends in the UCJ.
I say all this as yesterday, the once Great Repeal Bill cleared the COmmons and has been sent to the Lords for their consideration. In the last day of debate and voting on amendments, the Government won every one, in fact it won 45 out of 46 amendment votes in total. The ones last night were regarding releasing the legal opinion on whether Brexit can be stopped, whether rights can be stuck down without Parliamentary review, and so on. A bonfire of rights, with the way paved for Britain to offer lower worker, human, environmental rights that the EU and other countries. And without the approval of Parliament.
Almost all COnservative MPs voted with the whip, even the vocal opponents, and the Tory's nice friends at the DUP voted with them to ensure a Government victory.
Some highlights:
Shadow Brexit Minister Pennycook says Govt going to be in “ludicrous position” of having to amend Withdrawal Bill with Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill... ie temporarily repealing the Repeal of European Communities Act for transition
Grieve intervenes: “Virtual certainty”
Pennycook: “its ironic that Tory MPs who voted for Amendment 7 are viewed as having betrayed the Government, while those who actively undermine Government policy get promoted in quick succession”
“Govt cant agree what transition means; can be no clearer evidence than recent appointment of [Suella Fernandes] to Dexeu team, given her past form in seeking to actively undermine Florence policy position by encouraging colleagues to sign ERG letter objecting to crucial aspects”
Closest vote so far on a Lib Dem #Brexit amendment. Just 19 votes behind the Govt. Great to have Labour support on a New Clause which would require Govt to extend or cancel Article 50 if Parliament rejects either the Govt agreement with the EU or No Deal.
On hard Brexiteers wanting to leave EU with no deal: "The most catastrophic act perpetrated by a government in modern history"
On gov's red lines: "currently, and I fear forever, incompatible with that [EU] legal order"
The EU and member politicians have said many times in recent months that the UK can change its mind, and it seems to make sense that it could, but the final say on that comes down to our friends in the UCJ.
I say all this as yesterday, the once Great Repeal Bill cleared the COmmons and has been sent to the Lords for their consideration. In the last day of debate and voting on amendments, the Government won every one, in fact it won 45 out of 46 amendment votes in total. The ones last night were regarding releasing the legal opinion on whether Brexit can be stopped, whether rights can be stuck down without Parliamentary review, and so on. A bonfire of rights, with the way paved for Britain to offer lower worker, human, environmental rights that the EU and other countries. And without the approval of Parliament.
Almost all COnservative MPs voted with the whip, even the vocal opponents, and the Tory's nice friends at the DUP voted with them to ensure a Government victory.
Some highlights:
Shadow Brexit Minister Pennycook says Govt going to be in “ludicrous position” of having to amend Withdrawal Bill with Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill... ie temporarily repealing the Repeal of European Communities Act for transition
Grieve intervenes: “Virtual certainty”
Pennycook: “its ironic that Tory MPs who voted for Amendment 7 are viewed as having betrayed the Government, while those who actively undermine Government policy get promoted in quick succession”
“Govt cant agree what transition means; can be no clearer evidence than recent appointment of [Suella Fernandes] to Dexeu team, given her past form in seeking to actively undermine Florence policy position by encouraging colleagues to sign ERG letter objecting to crucial aspects”
Closest vote so far on a Lib Dem #Brexit amendment. Just 19 votes behind the Govt. Great to have Labour support on a New Clause which would require Govt to extend or cancel Article 50 if Parliament rejects either the Govt agreement with the EU or No Deal.
On hard Brexiteers wanting to leave EU with no deal: "The most catastrophic act perpetrated by a government in modern history"
On gov's red lines: "currently, and I fear forever, incompatible with that [EU] legal order"
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Tuesday 16th January 2017
It is a sad fact that after several weeks of exercise, your mind is telling you that you should now be a racing snake, all fit as a fiddle, able to blow bubbles for half an hour or more, several days a week. It is something of a shock then when you catch a side reflection of yourself and are deflated at the lack of progress and how on earth you got into this shape. But we press on, trying to do our best. But then, rest days are as important as ones on which we phys, and Tuesday was a rest day. It is somewhat optimistic to think I would be motivated enough to do a session when I get up and before work. Might happen. Might not, though.
I am so tired these days, its the hedgehog in me that wants to hibernate, it can't be the amount of phys I do. But I sleep well, and sometimes fail to hear the alarm.
Like on Tuesday.
I hear Jools making her snap and boiling the kettle, so I get up and go down.
It is going to be a fine day, looking out back the sky is so dark blue it is nearly black, but there is a light strip along the horizon that turns orange and the sky begins to light up. I put out some food in the back garden, as the crows and magpies come to feed. It don't last long once they see it, but I can stand by the sink drinking my tea watching up to a dozen magpies. And what they miss and leave behind, the blackbirds and robins peck over during the day. All free entertainment, if I had time to watch. But there is just time to make breakfast before it is time to go and start work.
There is the list of things to do, which I intended to get working on, but as ever there is something else that seems to be more important, and the list remains undone. I decide that on Wednesday, I would set Skype to "do not disturb", no open Outlook until I had cracked the back of the most important.
A plan. At last.
We had run out of milk, so I had to walk to the shop before lunch, and with it being a rest day, I thought I would go the long way round to Fleet House, down the Dip, and back into the village along Kingsdown Road. A good plan. And I knew it would be muddy due the rain on Monday, but I went anyway, with my walking boots on, two cameras and an extra layer of clothes as the wind was set in the south west.
It was easy going out over the fields, what vegetation beside the path had either been cleared or the wind had blown to smithereens, so there was just a muddy smear to follow between the tussock grass. There were still no pigs in the copse, nor sheep in the lower paddock.
The bottom of the Dip was very wet and muddy, and the path around it was partially blocked by an ivy bush that had been blown over, but I get through and begin the climb up the other side. I would have been OK if my back wasn't painful, not so out of breath, not needing so many breaks, but my back let me know its thoughts on the matter.
At the top I looked for any flowers, I found no primroses, but there were a few leaf rosettes; not long now. Not long now until Spring and the return of the orchids.
The walk along the lane was long, into the wind, though not that strong, it was cool and made me glad of the work jumper I had put on. Here and there were a few Red Valarian, still in bloom, but no moths or butterflies about to feast upon their nectar.
Into the shop to get a pint of milk, and some crisps. And that is all, no ice cream. Not today.
And then down the hill, past the new house and up the otherside to home, where I find I had been gone over an hour. I check mails, and nothing much, so I make lunch, ham sandwiches with crisps and a good strong brew.
Lovely
. And back to work, with the cats being quiet and sleepy, I can get on doing whatever it was I did yesterday. Heck, can't remember what I did this afternoon, but whatever it was, kept me at it until four.
No phys to do, so I write, edit some shots and then begin to prepare dinner; steak and ale pie with the remaining veg from Sunday. Almost like a midweek roast, and all them vegetables. Jools was delayed by traffic, for no reason there were four mile queues to get into town, and no way of turning round, so she sat listening to the radio, but called to let me know.
Dinner eaten, we have a coffee, and I listen to some footy, going to lay on and then in the bed for the second half. I fall asleep and wake up with the game into extra time. Jools was already snoring, so I get up, brush my teeth and am back in bed, the radio off without me knowing who won.
I am so tired these days, its the hedgehog in me that wants to hibernate, it can't be the amount of phys I do. But I sleep well, and sometimes fail to hear the alarm.
Like on Tuesday.
I hear Jools making her snap and boiling the kettle, so I get up and go down.
It is going to be a fine day, looking out back the sky is so dark blue it is nearly black, but there is a light strip along the horizon that turns orange and the sky begins to light up. I put out some food in the back garden, as the crows and magpies come to feed. It don't last long once they see it, but I can stand by the sink drinking my tea watching up to a dozen magpies. And what they miss and leave behind, the blackbirds and robins peck over during the day. All free entertainment, if I had time to watch. But there is just time to make breakfast before it is time to go and start work.
There is the list of things to do, which I intended to get working on, but as ever there is something else that seems to be more important, and the list remains undone. I decide that on Wednesday, I would set Skype to "do not disturb", no open Outlook until I had cracked the back of the most important.
A plan. At last.
We had run out of milk, so I had to walk to the shop before lunch, and with it being a rest day, I thought I would go the long way round to Fleet House, down the Dip, and back into the village along Kingsdown Road. A good plan. And I knew it would be muddy due the rain on Monday, but I went anyway, with my walking boots on, two cameras and an extra layer of clothes as the wind was set in the south west.
It was easy going out over the fields, what vegetation beside the path had either been cleared or the wind had blown to smithereens, so there was just a muddy smear to follow between the tussock grass. There were still no pigs in the copse, nor sheep in the lower paddock.
The bottom of the Dip was very wet and muddy, and the path around it was partially blocked by an ivy bush that had been blown over, but I get through and begin the climb up the other side. I would have been OK if my back wasn't painful, not so out of breath, not needing so many breaks, but my back let me know its thoughts on the matter.At the top I looked for any flowers, I found no primroses, but there were a few leaf rosettes; not long now. Not long now until Spring and the return of the orchids.
The walk along the lane was long, into the wind, though not that strong, it was cool and made me glad of the work jumper I had put on. Here and there were a few Red Valarian, still in bloom, but no moths or butterflies about to feast upon their nectar.
Into the shop to get a pint of milk, and some crisps. And that is all, no ice cream. Not today.
And then down the hill, past the new house and up the otherside to home, where I find I had been gone over an hour. I check mails, and nothing much, so I make lunch, ham sandwiches with crisps and a good strong brew.
Lovely
. And back to work, with the cats being quiet and sleepy, I can get on doing whatever it was I did yesterday. Heck, can't remember what I did this afternoon, but whatever it was, kept me at it until four.
No phys to do, so I write, edit some shots and then begin to prepare dinner; steak and ale pie with the remaining veg from Sunday. Almost like a midweek roast, and all them vegetables. Jools was delayed by traffic, for no reason there were four mile queues to get into town, and no way of turning round, so she sat listening to the radio, but called to let me know.
Dinner eaten, we have a coffee, and I listen to some footy, going to lay on and then in the bed for the second half. I fall asleep and wake up with the game into extra time. Jools was already snoring, so I get up, brush my teeth and am back in bed, the radio off without me knowing who won.
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