Category: Local (To Me !!!)

Lets Go Fly A Kite


Just returned from Pompey where there is entertainment that isn’t centred around Fratton Park. Yes I know that Pompey are playing at home but dare I say it… “Who cares ?”

Well I don’t. No I’ve just returned from visiting the annual Portsmouth International Kite Festival. Now before you all start yawning there has to be something to it. After all it’s been going for a number of years, this being the 19th time.

So what has it got ? This was my first visit and I was pleasantly surprised.

Well of course there are kites. Hundreds of kites, spread over three arenas. Dragon Kites, Spirit Kites, Ball or was it Bowl Kites and last but not least the Inflatable Kites in every shape imaginable from Porky the Pig (huge), thru inumerable fish to an American style School Bus.

Then there are the aerial ballets performed by the Kite display teams interspersed with a “fighting” kite display. Not much action in the sky but the antics of the kite flyers was highly entertaining.

Around the arena there are numerous stalls selling kites, well what else !!! Plus the various food stalls and also a fair pitched in direct competition with Billy Mannings, Southseas permanent amusements and fairground.

I spent 3 hours there and it was still going strong when I left. It was a great opportunity to break out the camera with the vibrant colours against a varied backdrop as the sky switched from rich blue to blue broken up by fluffy white clouds and the occasional brooding grey ones. I for one will be going again.

So all this and the best thing is that the Kite Festival is free!!!

Missing !!!


Yesterday was “binny” game day.

That’s the day the refuse collectors call to empty our wheelie bins. As is the case with all regions of the UK, there are rules to how this game is played.

  1. Move the bin to the border of the property. One inch out of place, no collection
  2. The lid of the bin has to be closed, no refuse on display. One degree of elevation and a single item of rubbish on display, no collection. Never mind that its ok for the “binnies” to consolidate and overfill the bins before taking them to the truck.
  3. No bags of refuse out of the bin. A single sack or carrier bag alongside the bin, no collection.

Transgression brings various forms of retribution, from not having your bin emptied, thru to labels stuck on your bin and having notices posted through your letter box. Informing you that you have broken the rules. I have even been told off to my face for not having the handle facing the right way. Mustn’t cause the “binnies” any extra work …. “Duh !! Where’s the handle ?”

Anyway, to the point of all this.

My bin has gone missing.

It was there this morning and I saw the “binny” wheel it away as they usually do. However, a short while later the “binnies” were gone and so was my bin.

I went out and toured the neighbourhood to no avail. No sign of my cherished rubbish consuming buddy.

So I rang the council. No sympathy there. Oh no. Just the threat that if my bin doesn’t turn up and, if I want it replaced, they will charge me £27.00.

So, I abide by the rules, their operatives come along and misplace my wheelie bin and I will be charged to replace it.

The voice at the other end of the line reminded me that she was just repeating council policy. I must have been getting a little heated at the thought of the charge. Or, maybe, it was shock setting in at the loss of my little buddy.

She suggested that I wait a few days because my bin would probably turn up. Perhaps she was comparing my bin to a cat that would wander off but return when hungry.

So I am sitting her pining. Should anyone find a lone wheelie bin sat by the side of the road. Please point it my way.

Identify These Vandals – Make Them Clear Up

“Portsmouth Central Library has closed until further notice after a flood”.


Although unconfirmed it seems likely that vandals were responsible for the damage caused to Portsmouth Central Library.  ” The News has been told the flood was caused by vandals who blocked the sinks of the third-floor arts centre toilets with tissue paper and left the taps running all night.”

I struggle to understand what pleasure these mindless individuals get from causing so much aggravation for everyone else.

Apart from the actual repair work and the costs involved  the library will probably  be closed for at least two weeks. Library users are advised to use the other libraries in the area.

Lets hope that these morons can’t keep their mouths shut about what they have been up to and some right-minded citizen dobs them in to the police.  Then I can think of no better punishment than making them help with the clean up and repairs….with no pay and the threat that if they don’t turn up they go to prison.

Congratulations Josh

THE struggle for university places began today as students across the country received their A-Level results


Congratulations to my grandson Josh, who got his A-Level results today and who has managed to secure his place at university.

Way to go buddy. Hope you get over the hangover soon.

Bloody Thursday


Off to see the bloodsuckers today.

I’m going to give my regular blood samples, part of the constant monitoring of my blood pressure. The bloods will tell if my tablets are having an adverse effect in addition to the beneficial ones they are supposed to have.

How Low Can You Go ?


Pretty low it seems. Especially in the Portsmouth area judging by this report in The News, Pompeys local paper.

“THIEVES raided an ambulance and stole the crew’s personal belongings while they attended a 999 call.”

Yet another example of the low state of British society.

Isn’t This Contempt Of Court ?


Shouldn’t this yob be sent to jail ?

Paul Rossie attacks an innocent passer-by, is given a suspended sentence by the court. Then the clown boasts about it on Facebook.

To me that has to be contempt of court and he should be re-arrested and jailed.

Read the full story here