'Owt else or Any Other Business

[Tripps]

Came across this whilst watching James and Helen from"by the curb" on youtube. Worth a look.

They are in Fredericksburg Texas. They seem to like it, but can't say I'm impressed.

Tires.png

[Stanley]

A cadet branch of the family?

[Gloria]

IMG_5523.jpeg

[Tripps]

Watch this - recorded in the last 24 Hours in the doorway of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

It has to be said that she is in this plight, whilst what seems to be an unlimited number of undocumented migrants invite themselves here, and are sent to warm hotels where they are accommodated, fed, and fully supported.

I know that is simplistic but it's still true. Surely we can do better than what you see. . . .

Video removed.

[Stanley]

You're quite right David. I'm not advocating migrants being put on the streets, what I want to see is some provision for those who are not sleeping rough through choice. I'm sure that organisations like the Sally Army and Shelter could work wonders very economically if they were funded. The cost would be peanuts compared with other demands on resources.-

[Tripps]

I thought this might be a bit heavy for a site such as this, and thought twice about posting . It seems I was right and I find the clip has only had three views. Had it been a clip of say a pizza - it would have had over twenty by now. I have removed it.

If anyone wants to even more depressed by modern life - look on Youtube, at the video logs from Piccadilly Manchester, which show dystopian scenes on a daily basis.
Stop the world - again. . .

[Tripps]

I post this as it confirms what I thought - there were no street sleeping people during Covid. It could be done again.

I love "varnished with the same brush". Tarred became tarnished, became varnished.

Watch if you wish - it's only three minutes. Manchester at -4 C.

[Stanley]

I watched both clips David and what a sensible lass in the second one. She is quite right and you'll notice that since the scare about no places in prison has abated there has been no more talk about reforming the sentencing regime. Is anyone in government listening to bright, intelligent young people like her who know exactly where investment, effort and reform are needed?
Thanks for raising the matter.

[Big Kev]

Middle offspring was interviewed on local radio 21st November, they played a few songs too. It's available here if anyone wants a listen. It's the second hour of the show https://drystoneradio.com/show/music/so ... he-weekend

[Gloria]

IMG_5549.jpeg

Just a bit of fun.
Meet Arfur, Arfur Tenner to use his full name, bought from Longridge Christmas market for a fiver.

[Stanley]

He matches the topiary balls outside Gloria...

[Gloria]

So he does, I hadn’t clocked that

[Tripps]

I see in the video that I linked above that it is now quite normal for there to be Police in pairs armed openly with automatic rifles on the streets of Manchester. This disturbs me.

I see the Assisted Dying Bill has passed second reading. I have some sympathy for some aspects it all, but the detail seems not to have been thought through. I read two doctors seven days apart have to agree, then fourteen days later, a High Court Judge must approve it.

If the Doctors agree - under what cirumstances can the Judge refuse it? Can any others seek representation at the hearing to oppose the action? Who will fund the costs of the doctors and the High Court? Will such cases be fast tracked through the court? Has the High Court got yhe capacity for the work?

The Ministers for Health (Wes Streeting) and the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Shabana Mahmood) voted against the measure, the latter on religious grounds, but must now implement it.

The patient must administer the "drink" themselves. This would surely mean that some of the most deserving *MND, Parkinsons etc ) would be unable to do that, and be denied the relief. Will a doctor have to be present at the death?

I hear that in Amsterdam where such a law has been in force for twenty years, that 20% of all deaths are now of this nature. Estimates of demand in UK have been made at about 1000. Will there be a "slippery slope"?

Who is funding the campaign for this law, and what is their motivation? There have been expensive adverts on the London Underground.

I think there is a long way to go with this yet.

PS The more thought I give this - the more problems emerge in my mind.
Who decides on the "capacity" of the applicant. Can this assessment be challenged - if so by whom? What of those who have no close relatives to champion their cause. They say the initiative for action must come from the applicant, and not those clinicians caring for them. How will this be decided? The capacity of someone gravely ill may be compromised temporarily. I also think any Cabinet Minister - and especially one who is Secretary of State, who is involved and who cannot supprt the Bill, should be resigning.

I think I've just talked myself into being against this Bill.

[Stanley]

I think those are all valid questions David. I don't know the answer and I'm glad I don't have to decide. I would be an abstainer I think.....

[Tripps]

My young lad has bought an original water colour painting of a Spanish Navy training ship, the "Juan Sebastian de Elcano." It's framed up with a gallery label from Lowestoft, where they know a thing or two about sailing ships.

He asked my opinion., and I think this is just a bit spooky. The picture is nothing special and the artist not well known, but the ship is interesting. In fact it visited London only last July and was parked up very near to where he works in Canary Wharf.

I've advised that since many hundreds of people have made training voyages - one of them might want a tangible souvenir of the experience. I suggested eBay at £20 - £30 and with most of the likely customers being in Spain, lots of patience. It stands him at only £2 - so not much downside.

Here's a video from a visit to Boston. There are many more on Youtube. Isn't the Interwebthingy interesting.

[Stanley]

Can you imagine the response in the higher echelons of the British Navy if someone suggested we had a four masted barque for sail training recruits?
Well done the Spanish Navy!

[Tripps]

My blue recycling bin disappeared overnight Monday/Tuesday.

We have an arrangement, that I put out both bins for me and next door on Monday evening, and Iain brings them in on Tuesday morning. It's about 100m to the main road collection point. I did so on Monday evening, but by Tuesday morning mine had gone leaving only next door's. We had a search up and down, but no sign of it. Strangely - it was misplaced a few weeks ago but we found it further down the main road and retrieved it. Even stranger - my black bin (general refuse) has also been stolen a couple of months ago. (Once is happenstance. . . ). Since I inherited two when I moved here, that wasn't a problem.

I phoned the Council and the lady said "how bizarre". She said it was not totally unknown for the whole bin to disappear into the lorry, and the staff were not allowed to retrieve them on H&S grounds. She said to wait a few days in case it turrned up, then if not, they would send me a replacement. They have discretion about cost but in the circumstances it would be free.

I'm looking into fitting an 'airtag' to the new one.

[Stanley]

The same thing happened to me David but with my waste paper box.... The bin men admitted that they had made a mistake and munched it but would provide me with another. It never happened. No problem because for some reason I never fathomed I had two. I have never chased the replacement because it would be a blue wheelie bin and I have no room for it.....

[Tripps]

If you have a moment - Google the recent successful state visit by the Emir of Quatar which was full on, with all the bells and whistles - then Google "Prince Charles cash carrier bags". The man is almost as corrupt as his brother, who is also in the news today .


.

[Stanley]

I don't need Google to remind me David, It all came flooding back when I saw the latest reports about Andy and his 'friends'. Further, I then remembered the 'Tampax Tapes' and the shameful way an adulterer became 'Queen'.... I have no desires to be accepted into that coterie! To my mind it is corrupt and high time it was reformed.
Brenda said that Andrew was going to be spoiled when he was born and sh made a good job of it......

[Cathy]

For a few weeks now I’ve been enjoying watching the events and build-up to Christmas in Barlick. There’s lots happening and it’s lovely to see the spirit of the local people at work.
But it’s sad to read what some of the youth get up to, causing problems with petty (?) crime and being general nuisances.

[Big Kev]

But it’s sad to read what some of the youth get up to, causing problems with petty (?) crime and being general nuisances.

There does seem to be a minority of young troublemakers, most have been publicly named. I suspect the police are gathering evidence.

[PanBiker]

Nearly totalled two lads both dressed in black on an electric scooter coming down Fernlea Ave as it was going dark. I had my lights on of course and as I came out of the Station Road junction I was checking the pelican crossing which is the first danger area excluding the other traffic of course which all had their lights on.

Totally illegal on many counts, not licensable on road or pavement, no insurance of course, no lights and two up on a scooter, no helmets so in any collision I know who would come of worst. Whose fault would it be though If I had killed the pair of them?

The town had more police officers than you could shake a stick at this morning for the military funeral to manage the traffic blocks. All retreated by 12.30 or so. A copper on the beat would catch some of these idiots I have no doubt. These scooters should be seized and crushed as a matter of course.

I have previously met similar joy riders going the wrong way on Station Road and Newtown both one way. Only a matter of time I reckon until someone gets really hurt.

[Big Kev]

Sadly they consider themselves invincible.

[Stanley]

I've been lucky and haven't come across them. Kev, your comment is true I fear. Truly, youth is often wasted on the young......