Month: July 2013

So It’s A Boy – Now Please Shut Up


First of all let me say ….

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the birth of their son.

I am really pleased for you.

But will the media please shut up.

The airwaves have been dominated with the build up to this moment. Trying to guess its name, weight, booty size etc. etc. Each and every night the evening news has made a story out of telling us that there is no news on the birth. They have even made news stories out of telling us about the media coverage and how long some of the news crews have been waiting.

This is boring. This isn’t news. Not everyone is that interested but still you, the media, ram it down our throats every chance you get. Now the great day has arrived.

But you’re not done yet. Now you broadcast your “birth-day” specials, disrupt the airwaves telling us that the baby has been born, mum is doing fine, what the family must be feeling blah blah blah ….!!

How long does that take ? Two, maybe three minutes.

Nope, this momentous event requires the running of special shows, the disruption of long-planned programs. Every news program is dominated by guessing when we will get our first viewing of the newborn. Guessing what the names the child will be saddled with. Breakfast TV programs are even, so I am told, running book on the chosen names.

Please, will you just shut up and leave the happy couple and their family in peace.

More to the point leave us, the public, in peace. You have already spent more time theorising about this poor child than you have informing us about the really important issues that are blighting this world of ours.

WE ARE SUFFERING MEDIA OVER-KILL

We Have Lost A Very Funny Man – RIP Mel Smith


Mel SmithSad to say I have only just discovered that Mel Smith has passed away. He died of a heart attack on Friday 19th July.

Although probably best known for his partnering with Griff Rhys Jones, in “Alas Smith And Jones”, he was so much more than just part of a double act.
Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones
Smith was a founder member of “Not The Nine O’Clock News” along with Griff Rhys Jones, Rowan Atkinson and Pamela Stephenson. Smith and friends became a staple of British television. The humour in the TV shows, a product of the Thatcher era, became unmissable viewing. Comparisons have been made, likening the Smith and Jones partnership to that of a modern-day Abbott and Costello.

Smith, a successful actor appearing on both TV and the big screen, also directed films such as “Bean”, “The Tall Guy”, Radioland Murders and “High Heels and Low Lifes”. He also contributed his writing skills to many TV and live shows.

I have fond memories of those TV shows, especially “Alas Smith & Jones” of which they made 10 series.

Mel, you left us a wonderful legacy and you will be sorely missed.

Heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.

Phew !!


Temp in the conservatory has passed the 40 degC mark.

Temp outside is supposed to be 26 degC right now.
Either is too hot for me

View From The Conservatory


Couple of snaps of this seasons squirrels who, once again, have proven themselves adept at getting past any obstacles that I put in their path in my failed attempts to stop them from stealing the bird feed.

Forward Observation
Forward Observation

Thieving Squirrel
Thieving Squirrel

Fill in the blank–what happens next?


Three people walk into a bar. They all sustain superficial injuries but decide to sue the person who left the bar where people could hurt themselves.

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Sweet Mama Dog Interacting with a Beautiful Child with Down Syndrome …


If this doesn’t move you, you have no soul.