Category: General

Mrs FEEG and I have just returned from a short sojourn in Madeira, where we consumed much good food and wine. Amongst the fun things we did there was to have a toboggan ride from the village of Monte, down the hill to Funchal. The toboggans are made of wood and wickerwork, and are steered by two fit young lads, pulling on ropes and steering by dragging their feet. It was great fun! I had to pinch a video from You Tube as I did not have my video camera with me!

There is currently a dispute going on in France about a young lad, age 14, from Cameroon who is already in his first year of medical school because he is very bright – surdoué.  His father is on the verge of being thrown out of France and of course the boy would have to leave too.  Now, leaving his immigrant status aside, I consider that it is absolutely ludicrous for someone of that age to have started a medical degree in any country.  He will be with students at least four years older than he is, who will necessarily have more experience of life and dealing with other human beings.  However bright he is, he will be lacking in savoir vivre.  I know that British medical schools stopped accepting very bright students without an interview some years ago, having discovered that great intelligence did not necessarily produce well-rounded human beings who could empathise with patients.  I have no idea whether French medical schools also insist on an interview for would-be medics.  Many older patients are convinced that young doctors are “too young” anyway.  Imagine their feelings if a teenager turned up at their bedside.  And a teenager is what this lad is going to be for the next six years.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2012/09/24/01016-20120924ARTFIG00641-mobilisation-autour-d-un-jeune-surdoue-menace-d-expulsion.php

I have no idea how long it is since I had an actual holiday, as opposed to breaks between contracts where the time was filled with visiting relations, or spent in Cyprus with the grandchildren when their wishes needs must take precedence over Granddad’s – not that I begrudge them the time, of course – but I’ve just managed a short break in Istanbul.

My ex, being the good little Greek Orthodox person that she is, has always wished  to see the cathedral of Ayia Sofia.  She arranged two trips last year, and both were cancelled by the operator, one because of a bomb in Istanbul, and the other because of an earthquake hundreds of miles away, so, when I said I was coming to Cyprus, she asked me to take her and I agreed.   pictures

Right then. Mrs M is gallivanting around Dorset and I have been left in sole charge of Chez Mackie. Not a problem. House-sitting wise, I have always been able to nearly muddle through in a semi-convincing way.I really thought that I was getting away with it this weekend even with the added pressure of the hound.
Continue reading “It’s a Worry (Part the Second)”

Another invitation – lovely.  For lunch this time.  But the venue?  Jamie’s Italian in Covent Garden. Ssshh, don’t say anything!

Since nobody else seems to be drawing it to our collective attention, I would like to point out that the Chariot is about to roll by  300,000 ‘hits’ on its well-oiled wheels of enjoyable communal blogging.

Congratulations and thanks as always to Boadicea and Bearsy for providing the vehicle and, in harness with Soutie, steering it so well. Continue reading “Excelsior”

It happened when I had the heritage place in upper Carmarthenshire.

There was a strange face in the bar one night, but with a bunch of farmers , I was busy and never got to speak to him except a quick hello. He looked pretty unkempt, but then they all do if they come straight from work so thought nothing of it.  When they had all gone I noticed a wallet under the table, on examination belonging to none of my regulars and assumed it belonged to the new face.  I decided to return it myself as I had friends that way, or so I thought.

Continue reading “A Horrible Tea Tale for Sheona.”