"Call me Dave's" latest waffle

Just as I struggle to concentrate on the content of the Sun and Star newspapers I also struggle to concentrate on the content of Posh Dave's speeches (I'm rubbish at Etonese!).
 
I'm not at odds with his speech today (yet) but if he can drop everything for such as the Algerian 'crisis', (Another attempt at political brownie points) why can he not expedite an historic making decision such as "in/out" of Europe forthwith instead of waiting 5 years and on condition he is re-elected? 

As Jeremy Kyle would no doubt say, "Grow a pair, Posh Dave.", act now and stop pandering, send Cleggy back to the "LOTSW".

Friend of 'Dave' Intends To Impoverish Pensioners

So Nick Boles, Conservative MP, is a friend of Premier David Cameron. Whoopee for him! Or is he just a mouthpiece for 'Dave'?

Today Boles, (notice no title of 'Mr.', he still has not earned my respect, neither has 'Dave' really), announces he wants to means test the pensioner benefits. His reported tone seems to want us to believe these benefits are automatically heaped on pensioners as they reach qualifying ages. This is not true.

The benefits referred to are:
Winter Fuel Allowance;
Free Travel Pass;
Free TV Licence after 75.

As pensioners reach certain ages, they may apply for certain benefits, so it is up to each pensioner to ask himself/herself if they really need a particular benefit, then apply for it. Now, according to Bole, many finanancially well off Conservative supporters have been applying and receiving various benefits, notwithstanding their riches, and he wishes that to cease. Bully for Bole!

Let's hope he remembers to apply the cut off line at the right level and not include the not financially well off who need and deserve these benefits. We don't need ministerial policy statements saying, "The poor are protected."

It is particularly noticeable that 'Dave' does not want legislate on any of these benefits until 2015. Isn't that after the next election? Wouldn't want to lose the pensioner vote, would we, 'Dave'? 

'Dave' clue Bole in before he embarrasses you and forces another u-turn.

Who owns our politicians/MPs?

Tax Evasion or Tax Avoidance?

Hmmm! To me there is no difference, either of these are used for the same end product - to limit the amount of tax paid to the HMRC. Basically they don't want to pay their fair share of society's financial demands.

They appear to be all the high earners, especially footballers, entertainers, company fat cats etc. I feel they should be included in the PAYE system and treated by HMRC the same as the man in the street. As part of society no one section should be treated advantageously.

So why does the government try to score political points by denouncing some individuals e.g Jimmy Carr and hiding behind principles (sic) by refusing to comment on others, i.e Gary Barlow? Doesn't take much reading between the lines, does it?

The current government boasts of their legislation to close down the aggressive tax avoidance but in realty they are only applying band aids (plasters) to haemorrhaging avoidance. They say that as HMRC close down one scheme another is rolled out.

Put them all on PAYE even a modified form of PAYE so avoidance or evasion becomes irrelevant.

Sol y Sombra

One of the benefits of having a Spanish daughter-in-law, her mother taught me how to make the famous Spanish drink Sol y Sombra.

As you can see it is neither shaken or stirred and is made without ice. The classic Sun and Shade.

Mucho Gracias, Lolita.

Well everybody..........

As we approach Christmas once again,

May I wish all my readers and followers,

A Very Happy and Merry Christmas,

Followed By An Extremely Prosperous and Happy New Year, 2011.

Take care of yourself and one another.

Football team 2?

I don't think I have anything to say.

I said it all in my previous blog entry.

Hammered 4-1 and our goalkeeper was the team's best player. What an impossible combination - an extremely stubborn manager and Hollywood style players who think the football world should just hand over the Jules Rimet honour. Capello's squad selection seemed flawed and his team selections resulted in four very poor performances. In no way did the players reproduce their Premier League form, either through injury or mental trepidation.

I don't think there is anything we can take from this venture except to rebuild our team, force Blatter and his Luddite followers out of office and request a proper 'football', leaving the Jubilana to Cantona and his beach football variation of our game.

MPs Expenses

After today's Budget by George Osborne of The Coalition, I noticed this little gem by Anne Redstone, Professor of Law, Kings College, London.
"Among the Budget paperwork is a document reminding us that MPs receive their home-to-work travel tax free, unlike the rest of the population.

If a business pays for an employee's travel to the office, this reimbursement is taxable.
Salt is rubbed in the electorate's already raw wounds by the statement that the government will "continue to reimburse some spouse travel" - also on a tax-free basis.
This Budget would have been a good time to demonstrate that we are all in this together, and put our representatives in the same tax position as everyone else."

After last year's expenses exposure, shouldn't the MPs cease all these petty fiddles?

Football team, what football team?

I must say I admired the energy and athleticism of the Algerian team, especially in the midfield. England's performance was extremely woeful.

The game was lost in midfield. We have too many individuals and not enough team players in this area so we find it difficult to control and monopolise the hub of the game. Gerrard and Lampard may play superbly for their clubs but when brought to together in the national team they just duplicate each other. They huff and puff a lot but neither creates a lot for the attack or the team. One or both need to be dropped.

We do not need flying wingers who's first reaction on receiving the ball is to immediately cut inside every time. What's the point? They just choke up the midfield and the opposing fullback has a rest day.

Fast, raiding fullbacks? Again, what's the point if they are poor defensively, especially on both sides of the field. Leave the raids up the wing to our flying wingers. This does put stress on our central defenders who also look like they should use their bus passes to catch up with any normal paced attackers. Terry just does not adapt to the 'World' game, being so slow every tackle he makes concedes a foul. Goalkeepers, the less said the better. "Calamity" One and Two. Only Joe Hart comes out of this unscathed, yes I appreciate he hasn't been selected yet. I'm not going to bother with the striking duo.

Moving on to the manager/coach - Capello. What happened to his principles, they seem to fall by the wayside day by day. "If you can't prove your fitness you don't go to South Africa." What a load of rubbish that's turned out to be. Ferdinand, King, Barry, A. Cole.

Players who can't make their club's first team? Wright-Phillips chosen ahead of A Johnson who keeps him out of the Man City team. Choosing Heskey ahead of Agbonlahor who keeps him out of Villa's first team. Selecting Carrick who is second choice to reserve Darron Gibson and 'old man' Paul Scholes.

Moving on to the ball. Apparently our team have not practiced with the newly designed ball 'because the consignment went missing.' (Did anybody from the FA check eBay?) Seriously, why did they not order another batch? (They discovered they hadn't received their balls in January).

So it seems the problems are technical and adminstrative management.

Let's hope the lads can do the stuff against Slovenia notwithstanding the management and us armchair critics!

No Riding So Far This Year..........

Yes I have not done much riding this year, come to that I have not done much posting either.

Just before Christmas the mother-in-law died, two days short of her 91st birthday. After this sad time more bad news. The wife, Viv, was told she had breast cancer after her routine mammogram. Totally out of the blue. So more tests, an operation and now radiotherapy at Christies. (The famous cancer hospital in Manchester.) The radiotherapy lasts three weeks and presently we are half way through the timetable. A thirty four mile round trip for two minutes treatment every day. Can't complain though, the treatment is good and they don't run late too often. I have noticed, while waiting for Viv, that there is kindness and respect from the staff, and the patients and their friends seem to look on the bright side with smiles and laughter. It's amazing since they are suffering from various stages of cancer.

So you will appreciate I have had to help and support Viv. She appreciates this also and said as soon as her treatment ends I must ride again. So I am looking to be on the road again come July.

World Cup and all that.....

Well, the World Cup is off to a start in South Africa and it seems to be shown on all British TV channels.

Three matches per day and so far I've watched them all. There's not a lot to say about the matches, pretty dull and boring except for Germany who have come out of the traps firing on all cylinders. Most of the teams seem to be frightened to lose while the competion is in the league stages. Games will probably improve in the knock out stages when teams have to play to win to advance.

Everywhere here, Macclesfield, is decorated with the flag of St. George and with red and white bunting. The majority of cars are decorated with St. George mini flags on their windows. Why? Don't ask. Since 1966 the English players and management have not been up to standard. I suppose it is in the English nature to support lost causes and the World Cup gives us the opportunity to show this.

I do like the World Cup though as it gives me the opportunity to watch the best players, not all though, and the best teams in the world.

Aw well, suppose I had best give them a shout.

C'mon England!!

Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerlaaaaaand!!!

AA Insurance Services Problems

Last September 2009, I bought a small scooter to pootle around town. I insured it with AA Insurance Services, the insurance arm of the mighty Automobile Association. This is the first transaction of any kind I have done with the AA since the late seventies.

Well after a few months I decided the scooter wasn't suitable for me so I sold it and obviously cancelled the redundant insurance policy with the AA. They accepted the cancellation and levied a cancellation fee, a grand sum of £3.89. I paid this by cheque and returned the Certificate of Insurance as requested. The cheque cleared my bank account and I thought I could put the transaction to bed.

Oh no! Weeks after cashing my cheque the AA sent me a 'legal' letter -

"FINAL NOTICE BEFORE ISSUE OF COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS.

Further to our previous requests for settlement we regret to note that your account has still not been settled. Please be advised that Legal and Debt Recovery proceedings will be issued without further notice unless we receive full payment of the outstanding balance of £0.00 within the next ten days.

NO FURTHER REMINDERS WILL BE ISSUED.

Yours  sincerely,

Andrew Strong
Chief Executive
Automobile Association"

Yes, you read it correctly, your eyes are not playing tricks, the balance of my account is £0.00.

I should have let the issue unravel and let the AA take me to the County Court but hey I'm not that kind of guy. Instead I phoned the AA Insurance Services and spoke to a chap called Dave. (No relation to Cameron.)

After the usual name, rank and number security check he asked how he could help. (I so hoped they would record this conversation.)

"May I speak to Andrew Strong, please?" (A bit tongue in cheek)

"I don't think he works here," replied Dave.

"Well, he's your CEO!" I replied.

"Err, right but I don't think he'll talk to you."

"OK, Dave, could you refer to the recent threatening letter Andrew Strong has sent me."

"Yes, but it will take several minutes to print it off......"

"No problem, I can wait."

After listening to five minutes of dreary AA music back came an apologetic Dave.

"I am very sorry about this situation, it shouldn't have happened."

That seemed to be it. I was not too happy.

"Dave, I am a pensioner in my seventies and I am being treated for a heart condition so I don't need legal threats from mighty corporations CEO to pile on unnecessary stress."

Well that didn't have too much effect but I am to expect a letter of apology. Whoopee!

On reflection, I can now see why this is my first dealing with the AA for thirty odd years and it will certainly be last for the next thirty years!

Elections 2010

Just been watching George Osborne and Alistair Darling, darling, on lunchtime news.

What a pair of wafflers! Both of them trying to tell me, and every body else who will listen, how they can save billions of pounds if their party is elected. How can Wally 1, George, know how much he can save when he has yet to see the size of the deficit on Wally 2's, Alistair Darling's, darling, Balance Sheet? There again, if Alistair (forget the darlings reference) can save billions of pounds why has he waited to just before the new parliament to do it? Obviously Alistair or George will forget all about this problem once their party is comfortably ensconced in the House of Commons for another five years.

Whoever is elected will put on their tricorn hat and wave their pistols at the electorate crying, "Stand and deliver!" and we the poor defenceless public will surrender our hard earned cash.

Rant over and I will not listen to any news or political programme until the Seventh of May, when I will listen to the weak excuses of the losers and the smugness of the victors. Don't ask, I don't know why I bother.

Wonder if there are any job vacancies for a hermit on a desert island?

RBR 2010

That time of year again. Time for the Round Britain Rally.

A list of clues to solve the various historical, geographical or scientific locations of the season's motorbike rides around this beautiful country.

Then on the road again, north into Scotland, west into Wales, east into the flatlands and south to the Riviera of the south coast.

The unusal format of the RBR means lonely rides with the occasional meeting of a fellow participant at a landmark location. Proof of the visitations is in the form of a photograph of the landmark and your bike, wherever possible. Not always possible as sometimes the landmark is located a "short" walk off the rideable tracks/road.

A purpose, a reason, a direction, just good fun? Whatever, but great for bike riding.

Is the Coast Clear?

After his fairly mild grilling at the Chilcott enquiry and his immediate flight into Afghanistan excile, Flash Gordon is asking if the coast is clear so he can return to Blighty and save the world from uninsured canines.

What a hero, eh?

Regular day trips to Afghanistan, is he trying to earn a General Service Medal?

Not widely known, but I heard a rumour he wants to keep his armoured vest to wear in the House of Commons and at Cabinet Meetings.

Roll on the elctions! Will "Dave" be any better though?

Can't wait for the warmer weather so I can go biking.

Police Assault (Allegedly) Report

An abstract from a BBC news report today.

"Two policemen cleared of assaulting a man and blinding him in one eye during an arrest must undergo fresh training, the police watchdog has said.

A police sergeant and a police constable were charged with assault on a 43-year-old man in Wigan in 2007.

The CPS decided not to proceed with the case when it went to court last year.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said the pair must be retrained and pass exams before resuming operational duties.

The man suffered a broken leg, a fractured cheekbone and lost his right eye in the incident in Higher Ince.

The IPCC said its investigation highlighted "real concerns" about the force used by the officers."

Well, when I was a lad it wouldn't have taken two able bodied policemen to subdue a middle age man, noooo, (that's a long exagerated no) one policeman would take on a whole gang! Proper coppers then, none of your health & safety brigade. None of this re-training malarkey, "The arrested fell down the black maria steps, milud."

On another tack why break his leg, fracture his cheekbone and blind him in his right eye? What about all the sprays and tazers we now arm our policeman with? Strange our policemen nowadays. One minute they call the offenders 'mate' all the time, next minute they seem to gang kick seven bells out of someone for swearing whilst under the influence.

While I'm pondering, "Nurse, my tablets, please!"

A New Decade

I know it's well into the day but I wish everybody a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Start of a new decade too. Probably have to give Gordon Brown his P45 and give his job (?) to "Dave" and his "Blue Army". Goodbye 'frying pan', hello 'fire'. Suppose that will herald the demise of the 'return' of the misappropiated 'expenses'. They will adapt the war cry of the chav, using the excuse they are jobless!

I best not start my rants, after all it's only the first day of this decade.

As the man said, look after yourselves and one another!

Christmas Greetings

Hello to my reader (s), where ever you are.

I know I have not posted recently due to idleness, fed up with politicians, bankers and all the rest of society which thinks it knows what is best for me. Daily rules and regulations are churned out to make our lives crap!

So for a few days, let's forget the Scrooges of society.

I wish you (all) a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous Happy New Year.

Question Time

I watched "Question Time" on BBC last night.

I am quite a fan of the programme. Watching the main political parties scoring political marks off each other rather than answering the audiences specific questions. For instance, if they were asked the shortest way to a railway station they would reply how they are the best political party in the world and what a mess their opponents made of government thirty years ago. Yes, their answers are usually total irrelevant and they wouldn't know the shortest way to the railway station. Usually the best replies to audience questions are supplied by the invited panel guests who have no apparent political affiliation.

However, last night, the format of the programme seemed to change. Maybe because one of the panel guests was Nick Griffin of the BNP. It seem to become a bullying attack by the panel chairman, David Dimbleby, the rest of the panel and the audience.

I do not support Nick Griffin or his party or for that matter any political party. They all seem to be gangs of self interested, out for what they can grab opportunists. Notwithstanding, Nick Griffin's politics I felt it was a Star Chamber performance by all participants of the programme.

I hope "Question Time" will revert to its normal, well produced programme style. No more bullying, please! Let's discuss current situations of more importantance, Afghanistan - come on Brown get your finger out and shake up the USA president; expenses - let's get the robbing MPs behind bars! If Brown can't handle the situation, though he keeps telling us he can, call a general election!

My New Winter Hack

Not been on line much. Weather, off colour and other little things. What do you mean weather shouldn't keep me off line? Bad weather takes my mind off biking so I meander away to other subjects and other doings.



Thinking about weather conditions and following the way of others I decided to buy " a winter hack". Basically a cheap, easy to handle scooter to use during the winter, saving my main scoot for summer touring and long rides.



After looking around and checking eBay I decided to choose a cheap Chinese scooter from a trusted bike dealer I'd known for years. The scooter I bought was a Keeway 125. Never heard of it? Neither had I. Seemed ok though a bit of aged technology - hub rear brake, even has a carburettor! Just the kind of technology that can be sorted out if anything goes wrong. No need for computers or diagnostic machines to deal with this machine.




Here's a picture. Not the biggest of bikes,
easy to manhandle, a top box that will hold a tin of beans and underseat space that will hold a small set of spanners. The best techie bit is the metal inserts on the footboard.


On the way home with the bike I found I had a problem. Though my legs are long enough on the Burgman they weren't long enough for the Keeway. When I stopped at traffic lights or junctions I had a problem "touching down". I returned to the dealer and the mechanic adjusted the suspension to attempt lowering the seat. Seemed to gain a little bit but not enough. Taking my Burgman for its annual service and MOT, at my local bike shop, I told the shop owner of my problem with the Keeway. He suggested a little outfit called "Cutting Edge" owned by Phil Edge. He tailored car seats, bus seats, bike seats.


I tracked Cutting Edge down and Phil said he could help me. Several days later, Phil called me to say my seat was ready. He had managed to lower the seat by a full inch and narrowed the seat. He had made a beautiful job of it.


Fixed the seat back on the bike and now only need some "fair" weather for a road test.

Ride to Rutland Waters

Well John and I have finally fixed up our PMR radios.

This eliminates hand signals etc and having to stop to discuss our progress and next moves on our ride outs. We had both carried out home tests - wifey sat in an upstairs bedroom and John and I suited and helmeted at our bikes. Both tests were 100% successful, now for a test on the road.

So after much chunnering (chunnering is essential between two old farts) we arranged a meet at Rutland Waters, specifically Oakham. The plan was to meet, test the radios, a ride round the waters, lunch then we would go our seperate ways and do a bit of rellie visiting. John in Stamford and me in Kegworth.

The weather forecast, BBC, was for heavy rain. Checking the hourly forecast the rain was due at 19:00 hours. Setting off at 08:30, in fair but cloudy weather, it was nice riding conditions, dry, not too cold, really comfortabe. Up into Derbyshire, through Leek and Ashbourne through beautiful countryside spoiled by a proliferation of useless 'safety cameras'. Back to modern byepass ridng along the A50 with Audi drivers trying to prove their supremacy over Beemer drivers, who appear to be a threatened species, have you noticed how deserted the outside lanes are?

Passing through the quaint old village of Kegworth I remembered the crafty 30 mph 'safety camera' at the edge of the village I made progress and joined the A6006 which would lead me direct to Oakham. Passed through some picturesque villages, beautiful houses but obviously you had to be a big bonus banker to be able to afford them. Eventually reached Melton Mowbray, the self-styled food capital of England. Don't reckon much to their pies but I like Stilton. (Best pork pies are baked by a family called Tittertons in Stockport). I did notice the direction sign for 'Pork Pie Shoppe' riding round their unique one way system.

Well, on and onwards to Oakham. I thought I would enter over a railway crossing but obviously some planner decided otherwise and I was forced to ride round the usual lot of roundabouts (wonder what the collective name for roundabouts is?)

My satnav indicated I was under three miles from our rendezvous, time to call John on the PMR radio. Pressed the PTT button and I was greeted with an howling in my headphones.What the hell? I hadn't tested the radio, with engine running, at home. I heard a crackly John. I spotted a petrol station and pulled in, needle was a bit low. Lo and behold John was parked up in a corner.

"Been here long?" I asked, "Not long." replied John. I filled up and went to pay for my fuel. The counter jockey said to me, "That your mate, outside? He's been waiting over an hour." Well that's John for you. Never late, first to breakfast, first on the road. Me, I'm the exact opposite.

Well back on the road together we pootled around the Waters, occasionally trying out the radios but there was obviously something wrong with mine. John had his fitted professionally, mine was a home brew. Then things went from bad to worse, the stem on my satnav snapped and it ended in my lap, fortunately it didn't hit the road.

Time for lunch. We stopped at the "White Something or other". What a splendid menu board they displayed. I had my usual soup and sandwich and John had soup and a roll. The soup of the day was broccoli and stilton - watery, cold, and I didn't notice any flavour of stilton? The bread of the sandwich was thick sliced and none too fresh. Neither of us were impressed.

After lunch we parted, John to Stamford and me to Kegworth. John had a bit of a buffeting on the way home and appreciated the hot cup of tea waiting for him. Me, I met up with some rain, fifteen miles from home, arriving like a drowned rat. No tea for me but a steaming pint pot of Bovril to thaw out my insides. My kit's still drying off a day later.

Looking back, a thoroughly pleasant days ride. (200 miles roundtrip, 69 mpg), just a bad day for gadgets but they can be sorted.

Lesbians given equal birth rights.

That's it these days, isn't it? Everybody's is being given 'rights'.

Just read on the BBC site lesbians are to be given equal birth rights.

Well I research our family tree and we have Irish, Scots, Welsh, Italians, Spaniards, Aussies, Chinese and even a few scousers and tykes but we don't have any rellies from the isles of Lesbos so I don't think any of us will qualify for these rights.

On the road again..

Not written about my bike for some time. Not been the weather for it and the price of petrol (that's gas for my American readers) seems to go through the roof every time it is school holidays.

Well John and I, on our road trips, have had difficulty communicating with each other. This smoke or semaphore signalling doesn't really work on a bike. So we have bought ourselves PMR radios, probably the obvious choice, but John and I are not obvious people.

The upshot is we are going to have a ride out to test them out.Nothing but thorough John and I. So we have found a nice pub, in a nice village, out of wife shot where we can play to our hearts content.

I'll follow with a write up later.

Political Correctness and Afghanistan

Just a thought.

How many people with full on political correctness beliefs and practices are serving with our forces in Afghanistan?

None, or very few at all. in my reckoning. Probably too busy ensuring that the military use last seasons (WW2) kit!

If my memory serves me well, during WW2, people who were politically correct in their views were called conscientious objectors. That's another thought!

Stranger and Stranger.....

Yes, the strange ways of the political world. Read this morning that Berlusconi, the Italian PM, has unveiled a plaque opening a section of the 2,000 kilometre North African Coastal Highway. This has been paid for by taxing the Italian oil company drilling for oil off the north Libyan coast.

Italy is poised now to become the major beneficiary of future trade deals with Libya.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Brown releases the Lockerbie mass murderer, al-Magrehi, (he may say it was a Scottish decision, yeah) and Jack Straw is denying any trade deals were part of the deal to release the mass murderer. I can well believe that of our inept government.

So we are compassionate and get nothing while the tricky Berlusconi grabs all the goodies!

Suppose that's what political correctness is all about, getting shafted all the time.

Crime & Punishment

Whilst on his holidays our PM, Flash Gordon, intends to do a weeks community service. Yeah!

He should be given an ASBO too for all the mess he and his predecessor have made of this country. No wonder 'President Bliar is keeping a low profile.

Another report today, inmates at a young offenders' institution refused to leave their cells - even to eat - through fears for their safety, inspectors have found. Conditions were "seriously unsafe" at Cookham Wood, in Rochester, Kent, with bullying "rife".

The poor little 'darlings', they should remember the old adage, "If you can't do the time, Don't do the crime!"

The Euro creeping...

Today, there are quite a few reports on the number of places that are now accepting payment by € or the euro, even Marks & Spencers.

At a lunch for lobby journalists Lord Mandelson said, "The prospects and chances of us joining the single currency early on are not strong."

When the modern day Machiavelli makes a statement like this, sure as eggs are eggs we will be using the Euro here next year or very shortly as our official currency.

Go on now, tell me.......

Lord Malloch Brown, who is now resigning after being ennobled by his pal Gordon, is ordered by matey Gordon, (or is he relation?),

"Hey, you can't go around saying we haven't enough helicopters ( Civilian Rupert talk for choppers). Make a u-turn immediately."

His lordship dutifully obeyed.

Now whereas our boots on the ground have been suffering, in Afghanistan, from roadside bombs just look at what Gordon and his cronies have bought themselves (= taxpayers) to keep out of harms way in London. London?

"The main difference between the car that will hit showrooms in the New Year and those destined for the Prime Ministerial and Cabinet car fleets is that the latter will feature special bullet and bomb-proof security armour, run-flat tyres, bullet proof glass and even a self-contained oxygen supply.Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/motoring/article-1198675/Pictured-The-200-000-new-Jaguar-fit-Prime-Minister.html#ixzz0LzxD83Rl"

Again this morning Fat Gordon reassures us we have enough helicopters for this current operation. Strange all the top ruperts,in Afghanistan, reckon otherwise.

I ask you, who would you rather believe Gordon, who daily risks his political career or our lads in Afghanistan who everyday could make the ultimate sacrifice - their lives?

Robbing Peter to pay Paul.........

Let's start with Paul.

Bankers need money and Gordon the Gopher provides them with billions instantly!! Where did these funds come from? From you and me, the taxpayers.

Remember the government has no money of it's own in fact it's just another form of bank!!!!!! So they help out their brother bankers. Isn't "merchant banker" a euphemism for something?

Have the banks tried helping the tax payer since? Think about it.

So now to Peter.

Several years ago Tony Bliar and his "trusty" Chancellor promised the troops whatever they needed would be supplied to enable them to complete their tasks. That made me, a Veteran who served two terms of active service with experience of politicians promises, laugh.

Our lads are giving their all in Afghanistan and are getting knocked down like nine pins! The sympathies and condolences pour forth from the quivering lips of Gordon and his cronies. The dead soldiers families are to be given medals. Suppose that costs nowt and is cheaper than giving them the helicopters they so desperately need.

The Armed Forces Minister says he has extended the flying hours of the helicopters. Big deal. how long before this becomes an unnecessary danger to the flight crew?

He also stated he is sending 12 Merlin helicopters to Afghanistan, from Iraq, in 12 months time. I've heard of blokes riding their push bikes to Afghanistan in less time than that. (I think we will have an election before they receive these helicopters.)

The main point is if we, the taxpayers, can provide funds for the inefficient, cheating bankers and their ilk, why can't we, the taxpayers, provide the same funds for our kith and kin fighting and dying in a political war in an ungrateful country?

Are you listening Gordon?

Rideout to Wirksworth

My son, Daniel, not being able to make Father’s Day, suggested a bit of family history outing to Wirksworth, Derbyshire. This would give me an “excuse” for a ride out on my Burgman and Daniel could celebrate his Father’s Day and we could do some family “digging” into our relative Eliza Ann Moore (My great grandmother).

We arranged to meet up at the retail park at Ashbourne, roughly half way between Macclesfield and Kegworth on Tuesday, 23 June 2009. So at nine forty five, in fairly good weather I set out for Ashbourne. With not too much traffic on the road I made fair progress through Leek, Bradnop, Winkhill, and Waterhouses, on the A523 to Ashbourne. The road has rider problems with the so called “safety” cameras between Leek and Ashbourne. They seem to be sited in each village, safety or revenue raising?

Arrived in Ashbourne about 10:30. Daniel had already arrived, his trip included thirty odd miles along the A50, a two lane “motorway”.

After a brief “confab” we decided to head for Green Hill, Wirksworth, following the B5035, passing by Carsington Waters. Green Hill is one of the locations, we found out from the census information on the t’internet, where our ancestor had lived. Setting our satnavs off we went in sunny, warm weather. Glad I was on my bike, nice and cool. Shortly we arrived at Wirksworth and Green Hill. Riding along Green Hill was like riding to heaven, steep, oh so steep! Probably the steepest road I had ever ridden on. A single lane road with old cottages and new builds. After about half a mile we decided to turn round and return to more level country. Daniel performed twenty three-point turn, so tight and narrow. I climbed into someone’s drive, less steep and slowly paddled the bike round. Then a very slow descent into the middle of Wirksworth. Reminder: must check my brake pads. We managed to find parking spaces quite close to St. Mary the Virgin’s church.

Daniel at the remains of a medieval wall, Wirksworth.

By now the weather was really fine, bright sunshine and hot. We walked round to St. Mary’s. A very peaceful setting, with neat gardens surrounding the church. There is welcome to enter note on the church’s door. Inside the church it was cool but not too well lit – all the windows were leaded with coloured glass scenes, extremely clean, after the fashion of churches in France. We looked all over the church but didn’t find anything connected to our ancestors. The same result with the church graveyard but this was expected.

We returned to our vehicles and then to a the local Spencers cake shop and tea rooms. After a cup of tea and a snack, Daniel presented me with a Father’s Day card and present. A beautiful card and a mini vidcam/voice recorder. Much appreciated present from Daniel and his wife Sara.

St. Mary the Virgin Church, Wirksworth

Daniel outside St. Mary's Church, Wigglesworth

We returned to our vehicles and then to a the local Spencers cake shop and tea rooms. After a cup of tea and a snack, Daniel presented me with a Father’s Day card and present. A beautiful card and a mini vidcam/voice recorder. Much appreciated present from Daniel and his wife Sara.

Back on the street we decided to visit Gorsey Bank, another home site of our ancestors. Easy to find and we arrived at the end of the tarmac with a signpost informing us that the road/track was “Unsuitable for motor vehicles”. Just then a cross country motorcycle zoomed out of the brush up the gravel track.

Turning round we headed for the local cemetery. Quite close, about a five minute ride. A small but neat cemetery. We walked round looking for the headstones we had inscriptions for. Well, Daniel did most of the walking while recuperated on a park bench. We had reference numbers, from the parish records, but there were no references on the ground. We found some headstones with names we recognised from the parish records but were not too sure.

We then left Wirksworth, stopping at a pub in Knockersdown. Pub welcomes bikers by the way. Also has camping facilities. We had a little debrief and concluded maybe we needed a little more research, especially on the monumental inscriptions.

After spending a good day with Daniel, we went our separate ways. Mine a ride through the Peak District Park, along the A5012, A512 to Buxton then up to the Cat and Fiddle and down to Macclesfield on the A537.

Though not a great mileage – eighty miles, I arrived home at four o’clock.

A good day, good weather and good company.

Exactly.....

Lord Butler has today told it as it is......

A private enquiry is Gordon Brown's attempt to put his and Labour's political interest ahead of the national interest.

It is also a diversionary manoevre by Brown to cover his precarious, current, weak position in the Labour government. He'll jump on any bandwaggon at the moment.

Another Gordon Brown Smokescreen....

So Flash Gordon announces a private, independent enquiry into the Iraq "War".

Any British subject can be called to face the enquiry - cue Tony Bliar to become an American!

Any evidence the enquiry do not want to be revealed will be classified as 'secret' to protect our security. (Guffaw, guffaw!)

We already know the Government are responsible for this calamity - they had all the security information to make the decision to take us into this United States driven nightmare. (As Rafa Benitez would say, "It's a FACT.")

Apparently all Sadam Hussein had was a pair of slippers to throw at us. WMF indeed!!

And finally, a little touch of Mandelson - the 'enquiry' will take a year to complete. By that time Flash Gordon and Mandy will be o'er the hill and far away to the Job Centre presenting their P45s, grabbing more of our taxpayers money.

A Trip to Mont Blanc

Tuesday 12/05/09: Macclesfield – Calais Coquelles

Well the day for the start of our continental ride had arrived. As usual, John setting out from his home in Ipswich and me setting out from Macclesfield. I left Macclesfield at 09:00 in fair weather. So across to Leek and down to Ashbourne to the A50. Along the dual carriageway to Kegworth and the M1. A little way down the M1 I stopped at Northampton for fuel and sent a John a text message on my progress.

I continued on the M1 to Junction 6a to exit onto the M25. By now the weather had changed to become quite windy which gave me a few concerns about the Dartford Bridge crossing. Reaching the bridge I rode along lee side of an ‘artic’. On top of the bridge I could hardly feel the effects of the wind, plus the crossing is free to motorcyclists. Leaving the M25 for the M20 I felt the wind again. With time in hand I stopped at Maidstone services for fuel and a quick snack.

Back on the road I had a gentle ride down to Eurotunnel, arriving at 14:30 and logging in for the 15:20 train. Found John’s bike on the car park and John wandering around the Eurotunnel cafes and shops. After enquiries at the Eurotunnel Information desk we boarded the 14:50 train. We had a whole carriage to ourselves.

During the journey two Jewish gentlemen, from the next carriage passed through our carriage showing interest in our scooters, destination and our age. After a long chat they seemed quite impressed with our past and future rides.

On arrival at Coquelles we refuelled and checked into the Etap Hotel. After a short rest we had our evening meal at Le Dragon, Cite Europe.

During the day the weather was dry but cool.

Our Coquelles pit stop.

Daily Mileage 0 – 254 = 254 miles.

Wednesday 13/05/09: Coquelles – Troyes

As we departed, Calais was enveloped in very low, damp mist, it was quite cool. Soon it began to rain. I am sure John is a rain god, John put on his yellow waterproof suit, I had my waterproof trousers.

As noon approached the sun came out. John’s satnav was not working properly and then it fell off his screen mount. So the rain god is not the gadget god. We followed autoroutes: A26, A4, A26, A5. Part way through the morning my “Change Oil” light illuminated. At one of the many ‘aires’ we stopped to check my oil level. Oil check – OK.

We arrived at Troyes at 1230. Parking up on the roof, we found out there is only a part time reception at the Etap, Hotel, Troyes. Next door to the hotel there is a mini mall which has a café. After chatting to the café owner, in our best Franglais, John went off to find someone to check out his satnav power cable, I stayed at the café watching our coats and kit. Quite warm now. Sank quite a few cafés au lait!

About one hour later John returned. He had enquired at wind screen replacement shop about electric testing. A young man, having his windscreen repaired, offered to help John in his quest. He drove John all over Troyes searching for somebody to check John’s satnav power lead. This was decent of the chap, especially as John discovered he was unemployed. Eventually they found an electrician who tested the lead. Apparently a fuse in the plug had blown. Fuse replaced, lead tested ok and John was a happy chappy again. John suitably rewarded his new found friend and returned to the café.

Back to the hotel we tried to book in using the Etap automatic reservation machine. The machine displayed our reservations, accepted my card code but wouldn’t take payment. Five times we tried. Other potential hotel guests tried to register but failed. I would advise people who use Etap Hotels to check the reception times of the hotel. This is the second time we have had problems with a part time reception. The previous occasion was last year in Orleans. Eventually at 1700 we able to check in.

We ate at another Chinese meal, just along the street – “Palais”. John ruined his new shirt. I told him he needed a bib!

Daily Mileage 254 – 514 = 260 miles.

Thursday 14/05/09 Troyes – Archamps

Left Troyes in good weather conditions but at 1000 rain started. John’s satnav played up. He jury rigged the fuse with some copper wire. Later stopping at an “aire” to check with John, he braked at a roundabout and toppled off. Scratched his bike and banged his shoulder. Satnav sent us on the scenic route – lots of bends and hairpins.
Arrived at 1430. Tough day had a couple of beers. (Expensive €5.50 – 50cl)

Daily Mileage 514 – 755 = 241 miles.

Friday 15/05/09 Archamps

Me over the A40 with the hotel in the background.

No riding – no mileage.

Explored the Gaumont complex across the motorway, opposite Hotel Ibix.

Saturday 16/05/09. Chamonix Mont Blanc

Today rode along the A40 to Chamonix Mt Blanc.
Best weather of the day. Stopped at “aire” before Chamonix with a beautiful view of Mont Blanc which had a cloud covered summit. Here we both took pictures of all the nearby mountains and some Swiss/French type houses.

Me silhouetted against Mont Blanc

We moved on to Chamonix which was crowded with vehicles and people. It was the weekly market day. John wandered around taking photos while guarded the bikes. Without a real stop in the town we then made our way returning down the A40.

Still early we made our way to Annecy. The weather continued to be fine. We arrived in Annecy about 1300 and parked up, along with other bikers, outside the local town hall. Again another stroll around with more photo taking, especially of the old buildings and charming water feature outside the town hall.

After a while we made our way back to Archamps. We soon ran into trouble – road works and diversions. Not so easy. A new bridge was being constructed across a deep, wide valley. The diversion wasn’t well marked so we called in the local garage, re-fuelled and the owner gave John a tip. “Walk your bikes across the old bridge slowly.” I don’t know how old the bridge is but it is flanked at either end by two castle type features to give it a medieval look. And there must be a reason they are replacing it. John the Brave went first. Did we push our bikes across? Have you felt the weight of our bikes? Of course not! John rode straight across. Gingerly I followed. Looking down I saw a valley about two hundred feet below the decking of the bridge. Carefully I rode across, didn’t want the bridge disappearing from beneath my wheels. Slowly the far bank approached, safe at last.

OK bring on the next challenge! Yeah, as soon as I stopped quaking on we rode. After that a pretty tame ride back to the hotel.

Daily Mileage 755 – 896 = 141 miles

Sunday 17/05/09 Archamps - Troyes

Left Archamps at 09:00, a little later than usual as we didn’t want to arrive in Troyes too early. We shouldn’t have bothered – the road riding gods conspired against us. For some reason the A40 west had been closed for maintenance. No signs just cones. We saw a lorry receiving directions on the deviation from a workman. We followed the lorry for miles, he knew where he was going. After many miles he pulled over to let the build up of traffic to pass. Not long after we took a pit stop and reset our satnavs. Not long after, approximately 11:00, we connected with the A40 again. We made progress after taking two hours to ride 40+ miles. John has realised he has left his hip flask in the hotel at Archamps. Oh dear, a present from his wife, Marie. In fine weather, lots of sun, of course I was wearing my waterproofs, never rains when I wear them. We made good progress but with judicious managed to reach Etap Hotel Troyes bang on the evening opening time. John tried to make contact with Archamps but it sounded a bit garbled.

So off to the Chinese restaurant at the end of the street. A pleasant meal, a chat with a couple of expats returning to Leeds on a family visit. A free saki from the restaurant owner and a free souvenir of the saki cups, which when full a naked lady can be seen in the bottom of the cup.

Daily Mileage 896 – 1180 = 284 miles

Monday 18/05/09 Troyes – Coquelles, Calais

We left Troyes at 0815, a fairly bright day but very windy.

Poulet de Bresson

After a good ride arrived at Coquelles at 1230. No reception problems here, open all day.

After a quick shower we walked over to Cite Europe for a bit of shopping for SWMBO. A watch with an expanding bracelet. Now these aren’t the current vogue or fashion. There are about half a dozen watch/jewellery shops in the malls. Not one had this animal. However walking out of the last shop, John espied the exact thing in a showcase. This after being told by the shopkeeper he had sold his last one. I bought it immediately. John replaced his lost whisky at Tescos duty free store.

At 1530 we had an early dinner at the Le Dragon. Then a few preparations for the trip home on the morrow.

Daily Mileage 1180 – 1429 = 249 miles.

Tuesday 19/05/09 Coquelles, Calais – Macclesfield.

We left Coquelles on the 0820 train and arrived in Folkestone at 0720, all times local of course as we have not mastered time travelling yet.

As John had his satnav set-up, he led the way. Nearing the M25 John signalled me to lead. Navigating by overhead gantry motorway signs. I misread a sign for the M25 and ended on the A20. Unusual exit as it exited RIGHT. Probably I should have bared left to follow the M25 but the overhead sign confused me. John, satnav alive zoomed past following the correct route and that was the last I saw of him on the ride out.
I stopped at the first roundabout on the A20. Fortunately I was able to pull into a B&Q car park. Unpacking my rear bag and suit case I found my satnav buried under many layers of clothing. Repacking and finding my way back to the M25 took me twenty minutes, not bad considering it was rush hour.

Refuelled at Toddington on the M1. (Last refuel Coquelles.) I had a trouble free pootle up to Kegworth, to my son’s, Daniel, house in good weather, arriving at 11:15. Daniel had texted me for a pit stop for a brew and a buttie.

After leaving Kegworth ran into very heavy rain, which lasted until I reached Leek. Absolutely soaked I arrived home, Macclesfield at 13:15.

Daily Mileage 1429 – 1698 = 269 miles.

Total Mileage – 1698 miles.

Our bikes!

LIke Gordon Brown....

Lord Mandelson, like Gordon Brown, is unelected! In fact he was given a barony and appointed by Gordon Brown.


Yesterday he urged MPs to back Gordon Brown.

'Scratching', 'your' and 'backs' come to mind. As a previous Brown opponent the Machiavellian Mandelson is a political survivor.

The unelected support the unelected.

Update on D-Day.......

President Obama has found out the Queen has not been invited to the celebrations. So the Americans are taking the initiative and intend to invite her.

Sod Gordon Brown and his cronies - too busy thinking about their wallets and survival.

Gordon Brown to carry on.....

"Mr Brown rejected calls to quit, saying he was the man to tackle the recession and the expenses scandal."

I've heard it all now! He's the man to tackle the problems he helped create. What a load of twaddle. He's just trying to hang on to his job.

Is he he tackling the problem by giving bankers outrageous pensions when they should have been sacked and possibly imprisoned.

Is he tackling the problem by giving millions of the tax payers funds to failed business' - banks. Resurecting the companies and situations that landed us in the brown sticky stuff originally.

Reluctant to punish MPs for the disgraceful way they dipped their butties in the tax payers funds, allowing them to retire at the next election thus ripping off the taxpayers again by taking their "standing down allowances - sixty thou here, eighty thou there!!! And now he is supporting his Darling. The country's treasurer has ripped us off.

He is just buying support from the commercial sector and currently serving, thieving MPs.

Presidents and Prime Ministers....

The unelected and possibly the unelectable has spoken on the Andrew Marr Show.

The 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Flash Gordon, trying to show his new smiley self, stated this anniversary is for presidents and prime ministers. Monarchs? Especially monarchs who participated in WW2 are not wanted according to El Gordo. Then he states "if the Queen wants to attend, I will arrange it."

Where does this unelected and possibly unelectable egoist think he's coming from? (Repeated intentionally)

Born, in 1951, six years after the end of WW2 - jumped up fat sprog!! I'll be surprised if he wants WW2 veterans to attend!!!!!

Please Sir, may I have some more....

So the MPs who are being forced to stand down because effectively they have been caught with their fat, grubby fingers in the till are now asking to stand down at the next election.

This shows the weakness in our prime minister and his opposition leader. Flash Gordon Brown and Delboy Cameron should make these people go immediately and not receive the perks of an honourably retiring MP.

Not only have they stolen the tax payers money but now want rewarding after being caught. They should be stripped of their MP priviledges and their title "The Right Honourable...". What a joke that title is!

This option should be denied them, sack them now !

Europe......

Like I have said I am back, or to put it correctomundo, John and I are back after our short raid on Europe. Not much damage done and we maintained our usual relationsip with the continentals.

Details and photos to follow as soon as I am organised.

Some Good News....

....and a little bit of good news.

Well done to all the Gurkhas and their supporters who have succeeded in their fight against the parliamentary terrorists led by Flash Gordon and his fingers in the till cronies!

With a special thank you to Joanna Lumley, what a lady!

FACT, FACT, FACT.......

Well after a short break on holiday I am back on site.

While I have been away a new FACT has been established Senor Fat Waiter aka Rafa Benitez,

Manchester United have won the Premiership three times in a row for a second time!!

That time of Year Again

Just back from North Wales with SWMBO and Harvey (the dog) and time to prepare for our (John and me) trip to the continent.

After last year's trip to France, Spain and Gibraltar we are taking it a little easier this year and we are going to treat the Swiss Miss' to our company. A two day day pootle through France, ravage and rape Switzerland, then a pootle back home through France.

If we are lucky we will see the Swiss Navy, dying to get hold of one of their Swiss Navy knives then I'll have the full set. See one of the Gnomes of Switzerland and finish off with yodelling lessons!

"The Mad Mullah of the Traffic Talliband"

Is it true? Richard Brunstrom is to retire in July?

Has he been pushed or did he jump?

What a Sad day......

On the day that four of our servicemen have died in Afghanistan, our leaders, from the Prime Minister, Gordon the Dreadful Unelected, 'a son of the manse' (?), and his Cabinet members down to the run of the mill members of Parliament are screwing the "expenses system" for every penny its worth and stumbling around saying they are legitimate claims!

Where is the honour?

How can this pitiful government justify itself?

By denying true homage and support to the past (Gurkhas) and present serving soldiers while they line their own pockets with the tax payers hard earned funds.

Such a shameful group of grabbing Brits!

Turned out nice again...

Well, not really. Today is probably the worst day of the week so far. Extremely overcast and cold with strong winds. Earlier in the week we have had sunny spells, quite warm for this time of year.

So nice I exposed the scooter to its first outing of the year. I'm not exactly a fair weather rider but as a pensioner I can pick and chose when and why I venture out. I'll ride in the rain if it is necessary but I'll chose my riding weather whenever possible.

Well Monday was quite pleasant. Jumped on the scoot and blasted up the bye-pass then pootled down the country lanes to my son's. Not a long ride but a pleasant ride with the sun on my back.

Now all set for a week's riding in North Wales at the end of the month then a ride through France to Switzerland in May. As these dates are written in stone I just have to accept the weather of the day, hoping for a little bit of sunshine at least.

First of April........

Well, what a start to April!

Half past four on Wednesday morning I awoke with a terrific pain in my chest, pain in my right arm and jaw. Sitting up eased the pain slightly. Managed to take my tablets but still no relief. So apologising I woke up SWMBO. She clicked into action, phoning '999'. A paramedic turned up quickly followed by an ambulance and off I was packed to the local A&E to be diagnosed with a MI (Heart Attack to you and me). Transferred to a medical ward, given morphine, intravenous paracetamol, blood tests and a blood pressure dropping through the floor.

The medical staff gave me a 'thrombolisation' (think that's the right term) to flush out any clots in the heart. The doctor then asked me, "How long have you had an irregular heartbeat?" What a question to ask me I'm not very 'medical' inclined - just know when I have man-flu!

So when my BP started to rise and normalise I was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for five days. Tied down to bed and wired for 'sound', more ECGs and morphine, blood tests.

Halfway through the night I called the nurse for the commode as I was wired up, restricting me to my bed area, she brought me some brilliant news. "You can walk down to the ward toilets. Your blood test has returned 'negative', you haven't had an heart attack."

After morning rounds, on Thursday, the doctor discharged me with outpatient appointments and new and changed medicine.

So a whirlwind thirty six hours! I am now bruised and exhausted but at home with thanks to the medical staff at Macclesfield Hospital especially A&E, MCU and CCU.

Sorry.....

'Sorry', when and why has this poor overused phrase become the norm for taking responsibility?

Bankers are 'sorry' for negligently wasting our invested funds and then taking their begging bowls to the tax payers (not the 'Government' please note; that is just our agency for ruining this once great country.) to rescue the financial standing of the banks in order to award their most useless and senior staff pensions which can be compared to winning the national lottery.

Government ministers are 'sorry' for stretching the rules of allowances to the limit of law and not the spirit of law, again robbing the under pressure tax payers. Many of these tax payers are paying income tax on their meager pensions.

Why should these representative members of our society renege on taking proper responsibility? What has happened to honour, has it been rejected in favour of political correctness?

Today's News.....

Well it may be news depends on your view......

On the dark side of F1 news, Max Mosley, he of F1 racing car fame, says the News Of The World (UK newspaper) had taken his dignity and hurt his family by revealing his attendance at a sado-masochistic party. Apparently Mosley had been "doing this for forty five years and there had never been a hint and nobody knew."Apparently, Mosley, president of the International Automobile Federation, said he was ,"outraged." He added: "It's not even talked about outside the circle. Nobody knew. My closest friends didn't know. My wife didn't know.

"The fact that that had worked so well... made me feel confident."

Well, my take on this is that if he didn't want people to know, why did he attend this kind of party?

On the bright side of F1 news, Louis Hamilton, the youngest world champion driver, received his MBE, from Her Majesty The Queen. Louis said he was ,"humbled by the massive honour" .

What a difference in behaviour by two members of the racing fraternity.

Well done Louis!!

Another little job...

Had a look in my Givi top box. Amazing how much junk and bits of kit accumulate over the year.

Again, I have decided to down size and just carry the essential emergency stuff. First problem, what is 'essential'? And for that matter what is 'emergency' kit?

Who made life this complicated? Why can't I just go on my merry way making a pig's ear of the country's banking and have the country's leader, Flash Gordon, award me a 650k annual pension. No, I have to go and complicate life by having a Givi top box!

So I turf everything out of the box and divide my stuff into two piles. Guess what? Yeah, the keep pile is the largest and there are only two items in the disposal pile. Why do I bother?

So I reload my stuff into the top box, what a useless exercise though I must say I reloaded the box much more neatly. Well, until the next time I need something.

Those little jobs

With the temperature rising to ten C I stirred my old bones, stepped outside and whipped the cover off the Burgman.

The seat was full of cat hairs where a stray had made its winter home. Erm, I'll have to apply a bit of soap and water to the bike but first things first.

I had ordered some of those weird rubber nuts that attach the windscreen to the frame, the old ones had become a little chewed up through having to remove the windscreen to do various jobs, there must be a technique to undoing and re-fitting these fiddly bits.

Applied a little washing up liquid to lubricate the rubber and the first one slipped in like a charm. Had a devil of a job with the opposite side. Took near on an hour to get the holes of the windscreen, decorative tupperware and the frame to line up. Story of my life. Eventually seem to get the hang of it and managed to fix all six nuts before sunset.

Checked the oil levels, kicked over the engine and it fired up first time after being laid up outside for four months. Checked all the light, indicators and horn - all working ,no problem. The tyres too had held their pressures.

Ready for the road!

Just Like Watching Brazil....

A real treat tonight! Brazil v. Italy at the Arsenal ground.

A really good game with fast flowing football from both sides. Nice to see Guiseppe Rossi making progress with Italy, ex-Manchester United player who we nicknamed Joe Red.

Both of Brazil's goals scored by Manchester City players - Elano and Robinho.

Even the referee, Howard Webb, and his officials had a good game.

Sorry? Sorry......What do they mean bleedin' sorry?

Appearing before the Treasury Committee, today, the former bosses of the two biggest UK casualties of the banking crisis have apologised "profoundly and unreservedly" for their banks' failure.

Below is their earnings (???) for year 2007.

RBS

Sir Tom McKillop, Chairman, £750,000
Sir Fred Goodwin, Group chief executive, £4,190,000
Johnny Cameron. Chairman, global markets, £3,256,000

HBOS

Lord Stevenson, Chairman, £821,000
Andy Hornby, Chief executive, £1,926,000
Peter Cummings, Chief executive, corporate division, £2,606,000.

These are just two banks senior officials who were so overpaid, their salaries blinded them to the actions of their staffs that has almost brought this country to bankruptcy and all they can say is sorry. In my opinion these pathetic men are no better than Nick Leeson (who caused the collapse of Barings Bank).

Their negligence needs punishing and all forms of pay back should be instituted. "Sorry, my arse!" as Jim Royle would observe.

Further, investigation needs to be carried out to find out who appointed men of this calibre to these positions. Obviously, the headhunters, interviewers have serious problems with their remits and standards of selection and need to be replaced with men of integrity, honour and knowledge.

Selfish Adults 'Damage Childhood'

...so says a report on BBC.

Apparently a panel of 'experts' spent three years on this study. The panel of experts, consisted of eleven members, eight being universtity professors.

Family breakup, unprincipled advertising, too much competition in education, and income unequality.

On family breakup. On my return to the UK in the seventies, my father, who was an astute observer, told me about the growing number of young girls who couldn't face up to problems with their parents, purposely became pregnant, ran away from the family home and successfully obtained tenancy of council property becoming the youngest tenants. Here they tried to raise their children and obviously without any experience of employment became parasites on society, expecting the taxpayer to fund their lifestyle.

With the liberal life style of the time this situation was allowed to expand. Now these children are approaching adulthood with problems.

The report cites research suggesting that three times as many three year olds living with lone parents or a step-parent have behavioural problems compared with those living with married parents.

"Children with separate, single or step parents are 50% more likely to fail at school, have low esteem, be unpopular with other children and have behavioural difficulties, anxiety or depression."

Also, working mothers are establishing more economic independence causing family breakup.

**********************************

As a child of the Second World War, the majority of families were one parent families and working mothers. I experienced this as my father was abroad in the army, serving overseas. There were many other families who had lost their fathers in battle. The mothers had to go to work to replace the serving men to support the war effort.

Different times, same problems, but different outcomes!

Then, people lived up to and respected their responsibilities and commitment to their family.

Now, we have a liberal, selfish, individualistic society with these disfunctional single parent families assuming the State is responsible for their families.

The answer seems to be in the resurrection of the family.

More responsibility by the parents of teenagers who use the birth of babies to blackmail society into providing a parasitical lifestyle.

Encouragement, by the government, to re-establish the institution of marriage, by re-introducing marriage allowances in the taxation system at the expense of single parent benefits.

Young teenage girls should not be allowed to take priority of the housing authorities systems, they should be accommodated by their parents thus creating family support and responsibility.

It's Snowing

A shot from my toilet window.

Yes it's snowing big flakes.

I don't usually take my camera to the toilet but it's the easiest and most accessible view.

People from mainland Europe might wonder about the fuss but we don't usually experience snow of any significance. In fact the last heavy snows I remember were December 1978, 1963,
and the daddy of them all 1947.

The Royal Family

Where have they gone? They seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth.

Nothing from society, armed forces, charities, newspapers or the political correct, where are they?

On the road again.....

Ah, I am smelling it now. The open road, petrol fumes, and the noise, croissants and baguettes!

Already I have the route plotted, hotels and Euro Tunnel booked, ready to ride off into the wild blue yonder. After last year's trip through France and Spain down to Gibraltar, this year John and I are planning a shorter trip to Switzerland. To see the lakes and the Alps. Wonder if they still make cuckoo clocks and have gnomes in Zurich?

Let's check the bike!!!

Presidential Medal of Freedom

H'mm, just noticed George Dubyah has awarded Tony Bliar the highest US civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his support of the USA against terrorism. Yeah!

They didn't find the weapons of mass destruction, which could strike the UK inside forty five minutes, did they? How can Bliar accept this medal for lying to the UK electorate. I wonder what 'Flash' Gordon, our latest superhero, thinks of all this?

While on the subject of Bliar, where is he, the super Middle Eastern envoy, during the current Gaza troubles?