Modern day France.

 

Last year, after our burglary in France, Lady M and Kimbo went over to the house to change the locks, tidy-up the house, and try to make the place secure again.

After a few days work they returned home having turned everything off, locked-up, and mostly cleaned off a white sticky film that covered everything, after the idiots had let-off a couple of Fire Extinguishers all over the house.

Before they locked-up, they drained the water system (it was mid Winter, and there was a risk of pipes freezing), and turned off the main outside tap, leaving the kitchen tap open (as is recommended). 

(N.B. The above photo isn't our meter, but a stock photo as illustration only)

Little did they know, however, that the outside tap, on the far side of the meter, which belongs to the French water Co (SAUR), was broken and didn't close properly. When we returned in June, water was running from the kitchen tap.

We phoned SAUR, and they sent their plumber. He replaced their tap, and all was well. Before leaving he wrote on his report that the fault was with THEIR tap. I joked with him about not wanting to pay for all that lost water, as it was basically their fault; he assured me that we wouldn't.

About two weeks ago we received our water bill from SAUR. It was for £1,500.

Since then we have tried to reason with SAUR, but they will have none of it. The water came out of our tap, so we HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

You can't fight these people, they are typical effing French bureaucrats. When my son went to see them recently he was insulted and in effect told to 'eff off'. So we have decided to pay-up, try to forget about it, and look forwards.

Even so, it makes my blood boil knowing how they've actively cheated us. We did everything right, the broken tap was THEIRS, yet WE have to pay.

I can only imagine what would have happened to us if it had genuinely been our fault!!! The Guillotine?

I'm really beginning to dislike France; and it used to be such a lovely country (50 years ago).

Breakfast with Kimbo.

 

We've been doing this for quite a while. When work allows, Kimbo and I will have quite spectacular breakfasts together, at about 6 am, or before; usually on a Wednesday.

Before catching his early train to London, he will pop in for a 'Full English', and we sort-out the world's problems for 20 mins or so. It's become something of a tradition.

Kimbo's been down in S W France for a few days. He flew to Bordeaux, picked-up a hire car, spent a few days at the cottage, then returned to Bordeaux on Sunday evening. He was staying overnight in Bordeaux, so I suggested he visit Rick Stein's favourite restaurant La Tupina. Anyone who has seen his programme 'Long Weekends' will remember him visiting La Tupina. He ate Grattons with radishes, and their famous Côte de Boeuf. Kimbo sent me an amazing photo of their wine list which included two different vintages of Pétrus. I think he plumped for a good Péchamant instead. Here he is (below) at the restaurant chatting with the new lady chef.

It goes without saying that Kimbo is something of a 'foodie'. He takes after his father. There's nothing we enjoy more that sitting down at table together with plenty of good food and wine.

Our tete-a-tete breakfasts usually include Bacon, Black Pudding, Haggis, Beans, Mushrooms, and a fried Egg on toast. Nothing too fancy, but plenty of calories. The next meeting is destined for tomorrow.

Anyway, I was pleased to hear that we've had no more burglaries, the roof is still on, and everything was where it should be. It makes a change from last year!!!

The Perfect Breakfast.

Take four ingredients. A slice of wholemeal bread, some butter, an egg, and some Worcessscesstershire sauce (I'm not counting Salt-n-Pepper).

The wholemeal bread is a good source of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. It is nutrient rich, containing the bran and germ from the whole wheat kernel.

Eggs are also an important food. They contain protein, vitamins, mineral, healthy fats, and essential amino acids.

Butter is surprisingly good for you. It contains vitamins, calcium, and essential Omega 3 fatty acids.

As for the Worcessscesstershire sauce, it simply contains niceness.

There you are. The perfect breakfast. A fried egg on toast with LOTS of freshly ground pepper. Quick, easy, cheap, and most of all; it's GOOD FOR YOU and tastes nice.

 

Another week of wonderment and intrigue

 

We started the week with news that Boy George and his band Culture Club are £12 Million in debt. How on earth does that happen to one of the most iconic band's of their era? Boy George also risks losing the trademark on HIS OWN NAME. Oh dear!

We also hear that Scotland wishes to ban domestic Cats, or at least restrict them to indoors. They are not happy with the amount of wildlife that they kill (which is frighteningly high). Presumably they will also wish to ban Buzzards, Golden Eagles, Foxes, etc, who all live on caught wildlife. And whilst they're at it, why not ban cars which are responsible for the huge reduction in Hedgehog and Badger numbers.

It was Grammy Awards time in the USA, and the son of some well known person attended wearing a black cardboard 'Castle' on his head. Another person turned-up naked. It's quite pathetic what people will do to attract attention to themselves!!! Have they nothing else of interest to say about themselves?

It is estimated that 100's of farm shops will have to close in the UK; up to about 700. With the minimum wage up, raised employer's National Insurance payments, and the lowering of the threshold by which employers have to pay, has all made many Farm Shops unviable. The UK will soon be a very different place under Socialism. I preferred it before!

Trump is rarely out of the news, and, true to form. he's grabbing the headlines again. He's going to send some of the USA's worst criminals to be incarcerated in El Salvador's very tough jails. Now, why didn't the UK think of that? Our prisons are overflowing, and I'm sure the prisoners would enjoy some S American sunshine; even if they never got to see it.

Down in Bristol, The Green Party led Council has decided that they will only collect rubbish ONCE A MONTH. Critics have said it will only increase 'fly tipping'; personally I think it will only increase FLIES. Is this really what The Green Party stands for? Nothing surprises me!

I feel so sorry for Sweden, they are going through really rough times. Having always been a very liberal, and welcoming country, they are now reaping the rewards of their generosity. Sweden, who used to boast of having the lowest crime rate in Europe, is currently experiencing at least one BOMBING a day, a massive crime-wave, and immigrants making life very unpleasant for native Swedes. Also, a recent school shooting killed 11 children; the shooter killed himself. It seems as if the killer was a 'troubled loner'. Sweden has now become just another member of the European gun/knife crazy club.

The Lucy Letby case continues to grab the UK headlines. Letby was a nurse accused, and found guilty of, killing 7 newborn babies, and attempting to kill a further 6. She is currently in prison. However, there have always been those who claim that she is innocent (as she does herself), and with 'new evidence' it looks as if there might now be a future retrial.

Think what you will of Trump, but his idea of turning Gaza into a Middle Eastern Riviera is a good one. The only reasons why this has not been done before (they don't even have a port) is because Hamas spends all the money on arms, and the people themselves are not the most industrious. It could become a wonderful, peaceful, and wealthy country. The people of Gaza deserve so much better than Hamas, they deserve to live in peace, they deserve good jobs, and they deserve proper working infrastructure. The idea of creating a whole new country is interesting, but how it would work is anyone's guess. The Gazan population should surely be employed to rebuild, and must learn new skills. Everyone wants a peaceful Gaza; maybe this is the answer. It's certainly an interesting idea.

Just as a matter of interest, did you know that the word 'Bookkeeper' is the only word in the English language to have three pairs of double letters one after the other?

AND FINALLY. Yes, political correctness is still with us. Nasty, facially tattooed criminal, Daniel Reid from N Wales stole a phone. When he was finally caught he claimed that the phone was his and that it contained 'personal information'. The wonderful Welsh Police decided that it would be against his 'human rights' under the 'General Data Protection Regulations' to have to return the phone to its rightful owner. The Judge later told the Police what bloody idiots they were, and jailed Reid for 4 years.

People we should have thanked.

I'm sure we can all think of a number of people in our pasts that we should have thanked but failed to do so.

Most, I would imagine, date back to our school days. We spend years at school being taught all that we need to know for when we leave, then fail to thank those who taught us. I can think of many of my teachers who I would liked to have thanked, but didn't. I can also think of a few that I would like to have presented with a custard pie.

Strangely, I did bump into my old Art Teacher who had a great influence on me. I met him totally by chance whilst walking through a small Sussex village. He was with his wife/girlfriend, and didn't look in good health, either physically or mentally. I tried to explain that I'd ended up with a 1st Class Hons Degree in Fine Art, but I don't think he either remembered me or knew what I was talking about. What a shame. I expect he was suffering from extreme dementia.

In my teaching days I did forget to thank the two 'Heads' that I worked under. I really should have made a point of visiting them to thank them and say 'goodbye'. One sadly committed suicide just after I left.

I suppose most importantly I should have thanked my people for all they did for me. A comfortable home, a good education, and their constant support, was all that any son could have wished for.

And I shouldn't forget the senior lecturers at college who saw fit to offer me that good degree. What degree I would eventually end-up with had never crossed my mind, so it came as a big surprise.

Cosy, cosy, cosy.

She'd phoned to say that she'd landed at Gatwick, and I was expecting Lady M at any moment, so I lit a cosy fire.

Having been out in Thailand for 3 weeks, I presumed she was used to warmer weather than we're having here at the moment.

Welcome home Lady M; I'll make you a cup of Tea. I've missed you!

 

Generosity.

We often see perfectly usable objects (books, ironing boards, office chairs, etc) left by the side of the large municipal rubbish bins. It is a small form of recycling that works very well.

A few days ago someone left this pair of ladies bootees by our nearest bin. Whoever left them there placed them on a 'new-looking' folded green plastic Waitrose shopping bag.

I can now report that the Waitrose bag has gone, but not the bootees!

What a snobbish bunch they are here in Brighton. Too proud to take a pair of shoes, but very happy to have a free Waitrose bag! C'est la vie.

 

Oh, how I miss Haddock's.

I am suffering from potager deprivation.

Haddock's used to be a big part of my life. We bought very little fruit or vegetables throughout the year, and our annual preserves were more than adequate. Even with such a small actual growing plot, there was always far more produced than we required. We gave a lot away.

At this time of year I begin to get itchy spade, trowel, and dibber. My brain is telling me that I should be preparing for the year's crops, but I have nowhere to plant them. When you are used to having a productive vegetable and fruit garden, not planting anything is difficult to cope with.

At the moment there would still have been Kale, Cavelo Nero, and Chard from the previous year. I never took anything out until every last leaf had been eaten. 

I didn't bother to grow much from seed as we had a wonderful garden store nearby (Gamme Vert) that provided all the small plants I required. Now is the time I would start to visit, and buy the first seedlings that would cope with the cold weather. Other plants would be bought after the 11th 12th and 13th of May (The Ice Saints) after which one was guaranteed that nothing would die of frostbite. 

In the photo above, I can see my old white plastic chair beneath the Yellow Cherry tree. That's where I would sit and admire, and watch the world go by as my crops grew.

 

England my England.

England represents very different things to different people.

Many see her as 'El Dorado' where everything is free. Housing, money, health care, education, etc; all are handed to them on a plate, and they are prepared to take great risks to come here to get at it. As a result they mostly hate us.

Others see her as a place of opportunity. A place where if one works hard one is well rewarded.

Personally I see England as a place where freedom and liberalism are cherished, in a country of beautiful villages, country Pubs, and well-managed farming. My mental image of England is rural, even though I live at the very centre of a busy south coast city. 'Jerusalem' is the constant soundtrack accompanying my bucolic vision, and I travel around thanks to a Land Rover Series 3. Yes; I live in a dream-world.

Some sadly see our country as a battle ground where the past is despised and the future is uncertain. They have real difficulty with those who made our country great, and are unable to forgive whatever faults they may have possessed. They hate certain ethnic groups, and love no-one. They are a strange phenomenon of 21st Century Woke youth culture. 

Luckily England is still a country of great innovation. We led the Industrial Revolution, and are at present amongst the world leaders in AI. We also took civilisation to much of the world, along with France, Spain, and Holland; even though the Wokies detest all we achieved. We used to be a great manufacturing country but, alas, the Trades Unions put a halt to much of that. Sadly we no longer have the great Ship Builders and we no longer have any Coal to fire our metal-bashing industries. The Unions who were there to protect workers rights, actually ended-up causing their unemployment.

It is interesting to note here that the Trade's Unions in Russia are there to provide health and education facilities, as well as holiday destinations for their members. If they went on strike they'd probably all end-up in a gulag! Why on earth can't our Communist unions be more like their Russian cousins?

But, regardless of the enemies within, we are still a world leader on many fronts. Our financial institutions are still very powerful, we are world leaders in medical advancement, and we are still great innovators. Let's just hope that things aren't made too difficult for them. Many wealth makers are quitting England for more fiscally friendly climes, but they'll be back again when there's a new government in place. 

It might sound old-fashioned, but I still feel privileged to have been born English. It remains one of the greatest freedom-loving countries in the world. We are peace-loving, tolerant, and mostly friendly.

We are also known as being a tea-drinking and dog-loving country, and I think that says as much about us as anything.

 

Champers in the Church.

How many amongst you have drunk Champagne in a church?

Here are 'yours truly', Canadian friend Sami, and Kimbo, all enjoying a glass or two of Épernay's finest, in my local church on Sunday evening. It was the birthday of another friend, and the nearest place that would hold the large number of 'surprise' guests was the church. Thank you Father Dominic.

There were plenty of guests, plenty of nibbles (we took M & S mini pork pies), and plenty of good conversation.

I'm not a church-goer, other than for the annual Carol Service, but when there's a glass or two of Champagne on offer I make an exception. It was filled with friends, and I even had a long chat with Father Pete, who is Father Dominic's right hand man. Father D wasn't there.

Our friend was celebrating her 80th, and she was genuinely surprised when she came through the door exactly on time, and we all sang the obligatory 'Happy Birthday to you'.

A good time was had by all. Well, they would wouldn't they!

 

 

Pak Choi (or Bok Choi)

Since about a year ago, I have never been without some Pak Choi in the fridge. I did grow some once in France, but since then I'd almost forgotten about it.

It's a very versatile vegetable, that cooks quickly, and tastes wonderful. When in doubt, grab some Pak Choi.

I had some last night. In just one large pan I fried some sausages, Mushrooms, and Pak Choi, to make a really simple and delicious meal. The whole dish cooked in less than 10 mins, and there was just one frying pan to clean.

The Pak Choi was almost the best bit. It was well cooked at the leafy end, but still with a little bit of bite at the root end. Just perfect.

I can't think of a single thing that Bok Choi doesn't enhance. Steak, Pork chops, Lamb, and even Fish, it's the prefect accompaniment to just about everything. I also pop it into noodle soup, Chinese style.

Verdict. 10/10

Another week goes by (Don't buy a Sunday newspaper; just read this)

 

Well, the week started off almost as one expected, with Trump grabbing the headlines. After Columbia's President Gustavo Petro refused to accept the return of his Illegal emigrant criminals, Trump immediately threatened to slap a 25% tariff on all Columbian imports, and to refuse visas to all their government officials.

Of course Petro immediately did a U-Turn, and even sent one of his own planes to fetch the criminals. Trump said "America will no longer be lied to, or taken advantage of". 

He's also aiming to deport pro-Hamas students who have misbehaved during antisemitic demonstrations. Tough talk Donald!

Back in the UK, according to a Channel 4 documentary, it seems that half of Gen Z (13-27 year olds) want a dictator rather than a weak leader, or even to have the country run by The Army. What an appalling condemnation of our new lack-luster Socialist government. They want tough measures, not expensive namby-pamby woke nonsense. More Trump, less Starmer.

Hamas have revealed that 8 of the 33 hostages that they planned to release are, in fact, DEAD. And how many of the 'Palestinian' criminals have died in Israeli prisons? NOT ONE!

Over in the US again, the fragrant Selena Gomez has been making a fuss about the deportation of violent illegal foreign immigrant criminals (some of whom are shown below). It makes one wonder what sort of world she wishes to live in. Maybe she'd like to give a few criminals a home in one of her huge mansions. One needs to understand that both her Aunt and Grandmother were illegal immigrants back in the 1970's. They both arrived hidden in the back of a truck. That explains a lot.

I know it sounds like I'm repeating myself, but there have been yet more disastrous announcements this week of job losses in the UK. The latest to announce sackings (10,000) is fashion retailer 'Quiz'; they are to close 60 stores. They have now joined Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Tesco, W H Smith, and Lakeland (amongst others) who have all been hit by the UK government's retail bloodbath. Chancellor Reeves is a hooligan; she'll have to go. Reeves has also stopped Astra Zeneca building a huge new research complex. and Silly-Milliband has stopped Shell from drilling North Sea oil.  Soon there'll be nothing left!  The disability charity 'Scope' are also to close 77 out of their 138 High Street shops with the loss of 200 paid staff. And High Street banks Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland are to close 136 branches. Not good is it!

Meanwhile, here in Brighton we are not immune from excitement. Two small boys were playing with 'Nerf Guns' (they apparently fire foam bullets) in a local park when they were suddenly surrounded by 10 armed Police officers and 5 Police cars. "Get down on the ground" they shouted, as the poor boys quivered in fear for their lives. When the Police eventually realised that the highly coloured plastic toy guns were not dangerous, they allowed them to go. Just try getting 10 Cops to come to your house if you've been burgled; NO CHANCE!

It was very sad to hear of the crash between a helicopter and a plane in Washington DC, I believe that 67 people died in this totally avoidable collision. Questions must certainly be asked, and a few heads must roll. With all the flight technology that we possess, things like this should NEVER happen. And as if that wasn't enough, an Air Ambulance aircraft crashed in Philadelphia, two days later, killing all six on board, including the child patient.

And to finish with, 60's legend, and a personal acquaintance, Marianne Faithful has died. We were the same age, but sadly life finally caught-up with her after a turbulent singing and acting career. Her song 'as tears go by' launched her as a 'poster girl' for the Swinging Sixties. RIP.

Passing the Baton

I've always rather admired those long-haired, overweight, Germanic-looking conductors, who strut around in front of their orchestras, waving an oversized baton and wiping the sweat from their brows. Their excessive energy only adds to whatever is being played by the more hard-working musicians.

But I've always had one question at the back of my mind. Would the music be any different if he wasn't there, waving his stick?

It would be an interesting experiment to record two versions of a piece of music; one with a conductor, and another without. Then play them back to an audience to see if they could tell which was which.

The 'First Violin', sometimes known as the 'Concert master', could easily replace the role of the conductor, and as long as all the other musicians followed their scores to the semi-quaver, then all should go well. I have seen some conductors who seemed totally unaware of the music being played, and simply waved their arms about as some form of 'dramatic theatre'.

I don't wish to advocate conductor-less orchestras, as I think they add drama, but as far as the actual music is concerned I do have my doubts.