Howard Hughes the American entrepreneur who alledgedly went a bit of the rails later in his life, invented a plane which was nicknamed ” The Spruce Goose”. It was apparently huge, made of wood, and did fly now and again. I wonder if Hughes was inspired by the pigeons on an allotment plot. The beasts that frequent my allotment are more than well fed. Only American Style Federal Penitentiary style protection will save crop from decimation. These pigeons are so big they can barely take off, and it looks like quite a lot of effort goes into getting them up … Continue reading The biggest beast on the plot

You’ve heard the excuses and you just know it does not ring true. In the case of Dominic Cummings here in the UK, he broke the lockdown that he himself had advised on. He came up with the very feeblest of excuses which included testing his eyesight by driving to Barnard Castle. It was even worse than the dog ate my homework as in his case he cannot find the word sorry in his dictionary. So we are adding a new word to the dictionary. The word: a noun, is Barnard Castle, and I’m sorry for anyone living there that … Continue reading “The dog ate my homework”

A day out by the River Severn at a social distance from my good friend and melodeon player Robin Burton. We had a programme, song first, then a circular walk from the Old Passage Inn on the banks of the Severn. A light lunch on the banks of the river, complete with a small glass of Stroud Brewery Tom Long Bitter beer, before turning back to the village of Arlingham, and then back to the cars at the Inn. Another great day out and a fine rendition of what sounds a tad like a sea shanty but isn’t, and is … Continue reading “Keep Hauling” played and sung on the banks of the Severn.

In these times of lockdown, now being relaxed, so a sort of parole where the parole board are a bunch of people who should really be locked up, I’ve taken to fish. I was used to buying fish from the supermarket, but as I’m not visiting these places any more and will try not to for many months now, I had to look for another fish source. Fish sauce? No stop it. Some of the country’s best fish comes from Cornwall and I found a supplier who said they would send me a box of fresh fish and would deliver … Continue reading Far Fetched Fish

Continue reading Has he been inside?

Out and about on a socially distanced walk in the vivid green British countryside with my good friend Robin, the best of company, with a picnic and a beer brought along named after the inventor of the lawn mower: Edwin Budding. I can’t recall a much better day in many respects, except when we last did it, without distancing and when the pubs were open. It was so green I thought my camera, locked down for weeks, might have a bit of a ‘turn’. Continue reading Green relief

My mother’s sister Alice, her husband Stan and their son Peter, my cousin. This photograph was probably taken by one of those beach photographers that one used to find in British seaside resorts in the 1950s. I can see that Alice is not too enamoured by the prospect of having it taken, she never really liked having her picture taken much. She and my mum were so close that she would lick the chocolate off my mum’s caramels as she did n’t like it. She did like the caramel which Alice left for her. In many ways they were alike … Continue reading A bastion of family.

In these times when you think it might be a good idea to at least listen to some books, if not read some, you might consider downloading an audible book or three. I thought it a good idea, and steeled myself to buy something from Amazon. I could at least congratulate myself that no poor person was being forced to pack this item as it all came to me through the ether, or to be more exact, it was supposed to. But it did n’t. Now I am a big fan of tech. I decided years ago that I would … Continue reading Have you got a “Cheesed off by date”?

Came across this the other day on our official walk exercise for the day. Looks to me like an Anderson Shelter, these were made by the Government and were intended to protect the population of London from the Nazi Bombs that rained down during the Blitz. They were not altogether that effective, were easily flooded, damp and very uncomfortable I have read recently. They did help lift morale as they gave the impression that the Government was doing useful things to help its people. Where have I heard that recently. This model now sits in a field not far away … Continue reading Anderson Shelter

Here’s a drawing for a change. This is from Glossary: my guide to Gloucestershire Place names and I’m dropping this in to celebrate the launch of my new website, which is over here. The new site is not yet finished, I’ve been busy isolating myself. Filkins: Bits found in your pocket after they’ve been put on a hot wash by your nearest and dearest. Tiny white dots are now evenly distributed like super glued dots all over the garment, and are as permanent as any printed pattern. Framilode: Very heavy shopping, that clinks. France Lynch: Meaning neither here nor there, … Continue reading Filkins