View From The Conservatory


squirrels_cropped

These are just two of the four squirrels that were tearing around in our garden.

Sadly, the one on the left has lost most of the skin and fur from the top of his head. It was looking very sore from the nose up to between the ears. Possibly had an encounter with next doors cats.

Apologies for the poor quality of the photo, I did try to clean it up a bit. This was taken on my phone, from about fifteen feet away and through the double glazing, hence the reflections.

Oval Room – Blaze Foley


I was just listening to a Tidal playlist, and heard the song Oval Room, being performed by John Craigie. My immediate thought was that this was aimed a Donald Trump.

After a little research I discovered that the song was written over 30 years ago and released as the B-side of a single in 1984. The original inspiration for the song was Ronald Reagan.

The lyrics of this song can be applied, in some ways, to almost any of the US presidents who have been in office since that time.

However, I believe this song resonates most closely with recently departed Donald Trump.

I tried to find this song on YouTube. However, the examples that I found, featuring Blaze Foley are pretty poor sound quality.

Congratulations Joe Biden


Welcome to the 46th President of the United States of America.

Joe Biden, you have a huge task ahead of you.

Good Luck

Quick, Change The Locks


BBC News – Trump leaves White House for final time ahead of Biden inauguration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55728852

Finally, he’s out ….. Hooray !

One thing to note, the guns for the 21 Gun Salute were pointing the wrong way. They all missed.

Cretins, Morons, Imbeciles


A nurse, who works at Queen Alexandra Hospital, has suffered a panic attack, following an attack against the hospital bus on which she was riding.

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/queen-alexandra-hospital-nurse-suffers-panic-attack-after-hospital-bus-attacked-youths-portsmouth-3106179

The bus was attacked by youths throwing stones. One of the windows alongside the nurse shattered, bringing about the panic attack.

One can only imagine the thought processes going on inside the heads of these morons. They certainly have no concerns about the potential consequences of their actions.

This is yet another example of the same moronic behaviour that sees youths attacking all of our emergency service workers.

Who on earth thinks its a good idea to attack our firemen while they are trying to save lives at risk in fires and road accidents. And who thinks its a good idea to attack our ambulance crews and paramedics while they are attending those same incidents.

And then we have the police having to stoically endure interference on a daily basis, whilst putting their own lives at risk, going about their business, to protect us from these same idiotic morons.

Presumably, these are the same thought processes that make firing fireworks at peoples houses. As was happening, in Portsmouth, only a few weeks ago.

This imbecilic behaviour isn’t restricted to the Portsmouth area, rather it is endemic to the whole country.

I don’t understand the whys and wherefores and I don’t pretend to have a solution. What I do know is that the ASBO scheme isn’t good enough. Some youths see being awarded an ASBO as a badge of honour.

When I was a youth, the older folks used to say “they should bring back National Service”. I find that I am now of the opinion that is a good idea.

Going further back in time, to the 16th and 17th centuries, there were the stocks and pillory. Now the idea of these really appeal to me.

Throwing rotten fruit and veg at these miscreants would give some instant feelings of retribution to their victims. And, just maybe, these morons would be too embarrassed to offend again. They would certainly be a very visible reminder to other would be offenders.

I think today’s society could learn something from our ancestors.

Youngest person in UK convicted of terrorism offence can go free


BBC News – Youngest person in UK convicted of terrorism offence can go free – Parole Board https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55707342

This just beggars belief, and confirms that the law is an ass.

It won’t be the parole board that will reap the results if his alleged rehabilitation is a sham.

I just hope this doesn’t come back to bite us.

If Only He Had A Brain Cell


So this man said he had travelled 100 miles, whilst under lockdown, ‘for a McDonald’s’

BBC News – Covid-19: Man said he had travelled 100 miles ‘for a McDonald’s’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-55695408

He travelled over 100 miles to a town that does not have a McDonald’s !!!

Not only that, police discovered there was no valid insurance in place. This meant his vehicle was not legally on the road.

As a result his car was confiscated.

The man was fined £200 for his “flagrant breach” of lockdown regulations, making an unnecessary journey away from his home area.

In addition to the loss of his vehicle, presumably he also incurred the cost of getting back home.

Had this guy had at least a single brain cell he would not have brought himself to the attention of the police.

He deserves the full weight of the law.

A Rare Bird


Pre-pandemic the skies over Hampshire were fairly busy, with flights descending into Heathrow, or heading further north, interspersed with those heading to a myriad of international destinations.

Latterly, as we all know, the number of flights worldwide are very much reduced. So much so that the sound of a flight, mid evening, triggered my curiosity.

Courtesy of flightradar24

So, flying overhead was this flight.

Originating in Spain from Madrid and heading into London Heathrow, with just 10 more minutes flying time.

I’m guessing that the, near silent, Hampshire airspace will become quieter still, as fewer people are prepared to travel when the UKs new rules are activated on Monday.

And About Time Too


BBC News – Covid: UK to close all travel corridors from Monday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55681861

About time, this action is long overdue.

Our borders have been about as effective as a sieve. With checks being applied too late, and without a fully functional track and trace process, we have allowed visitors to the UK free rein.

It’s no wonder that we find ourselves in this state.