World Stops For Doddery Old Fart


So the Pope decided to come even though I didn’t want him here.

Now I have to put up with every news cast showing me where he’s been, who he’s spoken to. Interviews with people of all ages saying that seeing the Pope is the greatest event in their lives. Where have these people been all their lives. Seeing a doddery old fart from a few hundred metres away is not my idea of living. Why don’t all these people go visit a care home. There they can see, speak to, touch and smell dozens of folks who shuffle along in their night gowns, heads bent forward mumbling to themselves. The religious experience is there for the taking.

Have you seen all the souvenir tat that is being sold too. It’s just like a day out to the seaside.

Pick up your Pilgrim Pack, Pope In A Snow Dome, Wrist Bands and so forth. Where do you suppose all those little golden pounds are going ?

And while all this goes on the general public are prevented from going about their daily grind as roads are blocked off, pavements are corralled and then blocked by hoards of people standing around waiting for a glimpse as he passes by in his double glazed invalid carriage…sorry “Popemobile”.

And don’t get me started on him being the head of the biggest organisation of abusers ever. And before you all beat me to death I’m not saying he is one. However, the Catholic Church as an institution has systematically denied and hidden the scope of the problem. How many young people were made out to be liars whilst being emotionally scarred. And what happened to the perpetrators. Were they prosecuted. Oh no. They might have been moved to another location but they were not punished. Even to this day they try to fob us off with “whats past is past” type statements.

Tell that to the folks who suffered and are still suffering.

And what is this circus costing me – British Tax Payer ???

Butser Hill – My Favorite Place in the World ?


The question was, “What’s your favourite place in the world ?”

This may not actually be my favourite place in the world but Butser Hill is the one that is currently the most accessible to me.

On a clear day you can see for miles. This view can be, with a little walking, be almost 360 degree. To the north is Petersfield. To the west is the Meon Valley “little switzerland”. To the south is The Solent, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and The Spinnaker Tower. To the east are the forests of Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

On a good day it is almost silent in the sense that you cannot hear any traffic. Just the sound of the insects, birds and the farm animals far below you. Occasionally you may be surrounded by the sheep that are loosed to graze the hillside.

Its a good place to contemplate your navel or any other item that may be bothering you or just to let your eyes relax and stare off into the distance, put your mind into neutral and think about nothing at all.

Just let nature work her magic.

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What to Do When Police Tell You to Stop Taking Photos, Video (via Change… Your World)


Just another example of how the authorities are reacting to the masses of “news gatherers” that are in action around the world.

All I can say is …Be Careful Out There !!!

What to Do When Police Tell You to Stop Taking Photos, Video A recent Gizmodo story, “Are Cameras the New Guns?,” created quite a stir in journalism circles recently. Gizmodo found that there appears to be an increase in the number of citizens arrested for filming abuse by police, or just police in action: “In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty po … Read More

via Change… Your World

Get A Grip


So Hague shared a room with an aide. Who the hell cares.

If two women had shared a room would anyone care.

Students do it all the time. As an apprentice I spent several years in digs sharing a room. Nobody ever suggested there was anything improper going on.

Its obviously a period of slow or no news.

In The Wrong Job


I am definitely going to change jobs. Or perhaps I should say I am going to give up working.

Heard on the radio today about a guy who apparently was “earning” in excess of £20k a year thru begging. He was also claiming benefits.

It is estimated that he was collecting around £50 per day and nearer £100 per day at the weekend.

Oh, by the way, he’s not homeless. He lives in a flat with his girlfriend.

So, yes I am giving up working. I just need to decide on the best spot to place my tin. Anyone got some string, with a scrawny but cute mongrel attached, that I can borrow.

The Funniest Thing


Watched Grumpy Old Men last night. Rick Wakemans tale of the electrical shop salesman who suggested that he couldn’t take back a faulty kettle had us in stitches.

Apparently he said it was the shops policy not to accept returns that had been used.

So how was Rick supposed to determine that the kettle didn’t actually boil.

Apparently he, the salesman, also pointed out that the packaging had been opened and was damaged.

After consulting with “head office” he confirmed to Rick that he would, on this occasion, exchange the kettle.

True Life Is Truly Hilarious

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.