Vote

With the United Kingdom General Election just a matter of days away, I've made my choice.

Backache

That's 85kg of decorative gravel shifted by hand (or should that be shovel and builder's bucket?) in two days. I'm done for LOL!

Staffordshire Pink, in case you were wondering.

The Award Goes To...

This has got to be in the running for the best Selfie of 2024 Award, surely..?

Read more here.

Perth 125

Yesterday was the longest day in the UK and it looks like summer has finally decided to put in an appearance. Official forecasts are predicting temperatures rising to 26 degrees Celsius within the next few days. Which is a positive sign; although my (uncalibrated) weather station has already announced this has been exceeded in a shady spot in my garden. Sounds like a good excuse to wear shorts and sandals to me LOL.

Anyway, whilst thinking of fantastic weather, the postman delivered a lovely little prize at lunchtime from the land DownUnder. 

Australia's Perth Mint are celebrating 125 years and to mark the occasion have released some lovely coins. This silver proof offering bares His Majesty King Charles III, plus on the reverse three emblems reflecting Australia. We have a Koala (not a bear), a Kookaburra and a Roo in the centre.

 Happy days.

Let's Pretend

There's no easy way to put this, sorry but I enjoy eating meat.

Having said that I do sometimes cook a chilli or similar using plant based mince. Even out at restaurants sometimes I will pick the vegan or vegetarian option; it doesn't hurt to try different things from time to time. Certainly the "experts" have for a number of years been encouraging the public to reduce intake of red meat and processed meat. 

Today I thought I'd try vegan "bacon" and see if it is any good. These came from a company called Richmond, one of the largest suppliers of (real) sausages and bacon. The product does to be honest look manufactured, almost like pretend bacon found in a kids kitchen play set and did feel a little rubbery when in it's uncooked form. The instructions said to fry gently for about 4 minutes in a little oil. Easy. 

Placed between two slices of buttered bread and with a good dollop of Ketchup, you might at a push think you had a real bacon sarnie. The taste was in fact quite similar to streaky bacon and I imagine if you were genuinely trying to live a vegetarian or vegan life you'd be quite satisfied.

I may well try vegan bacon again. Quite possibly I will dabble with other plant based alternatives, such as burgers. However for the moment I'm afraid I won't be fully giving up nice tasty smoked streaky bacon from the butcher.

I Will Drink To That

I've not really mentioned Doctor Who here in a long time. I still love the show and believe the format and premise is probably one of the best on television. 

It's just that over the past few years it has- in my opinion- lost its way and under the recent stewardship of returned showrunner Russell T Davies more so. Where we once had solid and creative story lines, character growth and nuance, we now have flimsy and ill conceived plots, recycled ideas and overt Leftist messaging. 

To help ease the pain for anyone (still) watching* either in the UK, via the BBC or Internationally on Disney+ and as the current season draws to a close, may I present my very own Doctor Who Drinking Game!

These are based on clichés and observations from this first season of the Disney era.

Take one shot of your favourite tipple, every time:

1. The Doctor mentions he is an orphan or homeless.

2. Ruby Sunday somehow makes it snow.

3. A supporting black character either sucks their teeth, says "wagwan" or "tank you."

4. The Church and Christianity in general is criticised but other religions are not mentioned.

5. The hero refers to someone as "honey" or "babes."

6. The Tardis is seen actually arriving or departing (either is quite rare, have a double shot).

7. Someone sings or dances without any good reason.

8. Historical figures are race swapped without explanation.

9. The Doctor blunders into a literal man-trap, rendering him impotent for a portion of the story.

10. The British or English are criticised for perceived historic injustices.

11. The Inclusive Messaging in an episode is so heavy handed it appears to have been inserted by a school child.

12. The Doctor cries.

13. The forth wall is broken by a character either winking to camera or by directly addressing the audience.

14. The Doctor changes his outfit and/or hair.

15. The episode plot does not adhere to its own internal logic.

16. The Doctor shouts or runs around without warning or reason, as if he were aged three.

17. The villain or foe of the week is played with so much "ham" it puts the local butcher to shame.

If you're not legless by the end of the episode, what's wrong with you? LOL.

* The viewing figures for new Season 1 have been atrocious and in fact shows with far higher ratings have been cancelled before.

The Naming Game

Just a bit of fun from DownUnder LOL.

Quackers

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the first appearance of my absolute favourite Disney character, Donald Duck. Ever so naughty and just a little unlucky in his many (mis)adventures, I've loved him since I was very young. As this ancient picture below confirms LOL.

Happy birthday Donald.

Passport Please

Of all the sights from yesterday's D-Day commemoration one that sticks in the mind was a make-shift field Passport Control, set up by the French authorities, for our paratroopers. Obviously 80 years ago our heroes weren't expected to show their papers before liberating France. 

As one commentator pointed out, the French have never forgiven us for saving their bacon LOL.

Read more here from the Guardian.

Day At The Beach

80th anniversary of D-Day. There may not be many of these brave men left but let's never forget everything they did for us.

80 Years

Today marks the beginning of the 80th anniversary events for the D-Day landings and the start of the Allies' attempts to bring freedom to Europe. Their Majesty's the King and Queen will join veterans and families in Portsmouth, and later in Normandy, for a series of special events. This will be the King's first major public engagement and first overseas visit since the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

Cider

This takes me back to my misspent younger days. I believe the Americans refer to this type of beverage as "hard cider." Personally I've never found it hard to consume. Cheers!

Oracle

Took a quick visit to Reading and on my way out, thought I would people watch for a few moments from the top of the Oracle. Thought film some folks in slo-mo LOL.