Backside’s a shameless name-dropper, so when he saw today’s headline about Princess Margaret (a lunch companion many incarnations ago) he insisted I should mention that the good lady was famous for putting it about a bit (and not just the smoke from her ever-present cigarette holder). So maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that a chap in Jersey claims to be her secret son. Continue reading “That naughty little sister”
As we steadfastly march behind our Dear Leader towards the glorious dawn of Scottish Independence, fanned by the zephyr-like breath of the tens of millions of wind turbines crowding across every available inch of our mountains and glens and far too sober thanks to the extortionate amount of alcohol duty levied by the Health Fascists of the Scottish Parliament, it is time to reflect on one of the few good things which will come out of that Independence.
Continue reading “Haggis Go Home”
On paper the new head honcho at Lambeth Palace has nothing going for him: Eton and Cambridge, a number-crunching career in big biz, severe francophilia and by all accounts a thoroughly nice bloke. Hardly the qualities one expects of the Anglican Anachronism. He’s even talking about rethinking his own opinions on touchy topics! P-lease! To top it all, he’s only been in the first team at Durham for a year; hardly the practice ground for the Lords* work. But not being on the supernatural xmas card list, I don’t have a vote and can’t possibly comment – so this is Justin jest.
*select your own apostrophe, depending on your interpretation of my point.
The author of this book is a regular customer at a pal’s restaurant / bar. The book is described as “the world’s first cross-referenced international cookbook/encyclopedia. Passion of a FOODIE uses more than five languages to let you know what’s cooking from A to Z.” (link)
On Thursday the author approached our table and to the mirth and laughter of many recited her brief definition and description of Haggis.
I was left wondering what cherished colleagues would have thought, so with Heidemarie’s kind permission I repeat her entry here …
I realise that many cherished colleagues may be busy watching cricket or may not be interested in James Bond movies, but I have just returned from watching “Skyfall” and can definitely recommend it for good entertainment. We weren’t terribly impressed by “Quantum of Solace”, but the good reviews of this one persuaded us to give it a go – senior citizens’ afternoon price.
I think the theme music was meant to be something special, but it made little impact on us. The opening sequences on the other hand were OTT and very well done. Two scenes were somewhat derivative: one from the book “You only live twice” and the other from the film “The Deerhunter”, but then the action started. Not just the action but the interaction between M and 007, which was excellent. There was a very good balance between escapism and credibility throughout. A Common’s select committee with a Cherie Blair look-alike as chairman, lecturing M, gave Judi Dench the opportunity for some very good dialogue, not forgetting the other committee member who suggested the chairman ought to let M get a word in edgeways “just for variety”.
The finale takes place in the country of my birth, and Bond’s, with grey skies, low cloud and bleak moorland. Not a CIA agent – sorry, “operative” – in sight. Yanks – who needs ’em?
I love waking up to 179/2 🙂
The Proteas won the toss and despite all the hype preceding the game of the wicket being a ‘greentop’ and what appeared like a fair amount of cloudcover Graeme Smith elected to bat.
As is customary I awoke for the toss and first ball, (play starts at midnight GMT that’s 2am our time.)
I saw Smith go out early (LBW to Pattinson after an Oz DRS review) and then crashed! (Not my car…. to my bed ;))
Petersen (that’s Alvero not KP) our other opener was out for a fine 64 leaving Amla and Kallis to carry the innings. They’re both still in @ tea 🙂
Game on!
Picture ESPN cricinfo
Hours of play 00.00 – 07.00 gmt
Black Country joke to be articulated in your best brummie:
Aynuk drops in on Ayli. “Oim gonna paper owr frunt rowm. Ow many rowls did yo boy for yorn?” “Oi got foiv.”
Next day Aynuk returns. “Ere, owr Ayli! Oi had a roll left ower!” “So di Oi!”
(This was prompted by the news that B’ham Council’s voice recognition software can’t cope with locals.)
Diane Sawyer is a very fine lady
Reading out the newscasts on the ABC.
That ain’t working that’s the way to do it
Read the autocue and get your juice for free.
Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Lemme tell you that blonde ain’t dumb.
Maybe needs a little bit of help though
To stop her falling down on her bum.
Elections, even US elections, bring it all flooding back.
In my youth, I was a political animal, Neither ashamed nor defensive about that. It was just what I was. My first political memory is the 1959 election. Lying on the floor of the lounge in an Army house on the Bulbridge Estate in Wilton filling in the ‘Daily Telegraph’ constituency map of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in either blue or red (other colours were not really necessary) as the results poured in over the radio on the Friday afternoon and evening.
Continue reading “Another Time”
Boadicea's Chariot 
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