Author: siskinbob

Scam !!! Scam!!! Scam!!!


No, I’m not misquoting a Monty Python song. I am aiming this post squarely at

The Lockdown Kitchen

I should have known better, the company name, “The Lockdown Kitchen” , should have rung many alarm bells, indicating that they hadn’t been going for very long. I know, I should have checked the reviews before placing the order. But I didn’t.

On the 26th August I responded to an advert for a kitchen utensil set.

Liked what I saw and placed my order, paying via PayPal. I received the expected confirmation email from the seller. Their email contained the following words

On the face of it, very friendly but it was a lie.

Also on the 26th, I received an email from PayPal indicating that my payment had been made.

So I waited a couple of weeks allowing for their email request and also allowing for the worldwide effects of the pandemic.

I have now chased these folks multiple times for updates on my order. All I have receive are what I call “template” responses …..

As of November 12th, clicking on the tracking link in that email shows this …….

i.e. Nothing has happened for 3 months !!!

As a result of the latest “template” response, on October 10th, I requested a full refund. As of this time, I have not had a response.

In parallel I have raised a claim via PayPal. They have acknowledged but, so far, I have not heard anything else.

Checking out the reviews for this company on-line, I am definitely not the only one that has fallen prey to these scammers. Many folks seem to have trodden the same path along which I am trudging.

Facebook is still allowing these folks to advertise and I have reported them.

The galling thing is that this business is still operational, and also, they seem to be offering the same kitchen utensils for sale. Where are mine ?

The reason for this post is not really about the money, though I would like either the goods or my money back …. soon. No, the real purpose is to alert people to the fact that they may well be throwing their money away.

I also believe that Facebook and other social media sites should be doing more to protect consumers from the scammers that infest their apps.

My advice to anyone considering ordering from these scammers is ….. DON’T !!!

BBC News: Harry Dunn’s parents lose High Court immunity review


BBC News – Harry Dunn’s parents lose High Court immunity review https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-55057671

It defies belief that “Diplomatic Immunity” should override morality.

“Diplomatic Immunity” should not protect those that kill or attempt to kill. In theory, a foreign state could send an assassin to kill our Prime Minister. Then claim “Diplomatic Immunity” to allow the assassin to go home.

This woman, Anne Sacoolas, should be returned to the UK to face justice. She is the wife of a technical support staffer at RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire. She had no role within the base and there is not entitled to immunity

Foreign states that protect common criminals are no better than those they protect.

Cowering behind “Diplomatic Immunity” is unacceptable.

Majestic Dinner Service


An unexpected purchase has taken me on something of a hidden history lesson.

Empire Porcelain Company Dinner Service – “Majestic” Pattern

The pictured “Majestic” dinner service was acquired as part of a larger lot at a local auction. Consequently I didn’t know anything about it. However, whilst preparing to try and sell it on eBay, I did a little research and managed to find a few references to the manufacturer, The Empire Porcelain Company. It’s amazing what you can discover on the interweb.

  • Tureen "Majestic"
    Tureen “Majestic”
  • Gravy Boat "Majestic"
    Gravy Boat “Majestic”
  • Serving Plate "Majestic"
    Serving Plate “Majestic”

It transpires that the Empire Porcelain Company had been around since 1895 with works in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England. There were actually three factories operating side by side.

The Empire Porcelain Co Ltd was an important producer of domestic and ornamental earthenware and china for the middle of the market. In the late-1920s and 1930s the company produced interesting art deco-style tablewares and notable art deco ornamental wares decorated using the drip glaze technique. Chinz-decorated wares were produced in the 1940 and 1950s.

From Pottery Histories

The pieces that I have are all dated in the 1950’s, as evidenced by the makers marks on the underside, so they are all around seventy years old.

Empire Porcelain Company marks with date stamp indicating April 1952

The letter B apparently indicates that the dishes were produced under the Wartime Concentration Scheme

The Second World War proved a particularly difficult period for the British pottery industry because severe restrictions were placed on the production of decorated pottery. Production was concentrated in a reduced number of factories in order to save materials, energy and labour as these were needed elsewhere for the war.

Pottery Histories

So there is no sentimental value to the dinner service, well not for me. But the history “behind the glaze” is interesting. Even down to the company being bought by a lawn mower manufacturer. Who would have thought they would have an interest in a pottery company.

Sadly, because the works were difficult to modernise, the Empire Porcelain Company was closed in 1967.

Well Said Bruce


“There’s no art in this White House. There’s no literature, no poetry, no music. There are no pets in this White House. No loyal man’s best friend, no Socks the family cat. There are no images of the first family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation: no Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or the Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport, no Reagans on horseback, no Kennedys playing touch football on the Cape.
Where’d that country go? Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go? We used to have a president who calmed and soothed a nation, instead of dividing it. We are now rudderless and joyless.
We have lost the cultural aspects of society that have always made America great. We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others— the shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it. We need to reclaim that country once again.”
-Bruce Springsteen
(10/30/2020, SiriusXM)

Don’t Blame Boris


I nicked this from a post on Facebook, from a group I belong too. It sums up my thoughts, completely. What say you ? ….

Don’t blame Boris and his men for locking us away,
Think instead of the all night raves, that happened every day,
Think back to all those marches, when black lives mattered most,
And the crowded summer beaches, all along the coast.

Think back to newsreel funerals where a hundred more have come,
And street gatherings of the selfish, as stupid stood next to dumb,
Some say rules are made to be broken, but their actions have a cost,
And for every thoughtless action, someone’s life just might be lost.

So don’t look to those in authority, when blame you seek to lay,
We’re locked up because the selfish, have ignored rules every day,
So in this coming month or so, don’t rant or rave or shout,
Just do as you’re bloomin’ told, and burn this virus out!

The Writing Is On The Wall


Sky News: https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-live-latest-news-updates-as-warrington-moves-into-tier-3-and-protests-erupt-in-italy-12115680?inApp=true

I believe the UK government is reluctant, as they have been all along. Reluctant to take the required steps to get us through this crisis.

It is that reluctance that has led to the haphazard implementation of restrictions across the country. It has also contributed to the levels of distrust by Joe Public.

It is due to the disturbing results of the REACT study, and the actions of the French and German governments, that lead me to believe that our government needs to act swiftly and firmly.

The writing is on the wall.

Well Done Australia 🇦🇺


Australia’s response had been “light years ahead” of the US and the UK

At the start of this year I was in Australia and witnessed their government’s actions, taken to control the virus and protect the population.

At the same time I observed, from afar, the UK’s actions, which I believe were too little, too late.

And now I believe we are experiencing the results of those actions. That is the haphazard and chaotic implementation of further restrictions.

Had the UK followed the Australian pattern we would be in much better shape. Acting quickly, shutting internal and external borders, enforcing quarantine wherever you were travelling from and so on. Had the UK Government followed this pattern we would have experienced fewer deaths and infections, and we would not be continuing to damage the UK economy.

So, I say well done Melbourne and well done Australia.