Bottom Of The Class

Begin rant. 

Last Sunday evening I put some important documents in the Post, with a Royal Mail First Class stamp on the envelope, going to High Wycombe. Only 45 minutes away. The Postie would have collected it Monday morning, taken it to the sorting office for processing before delivery on Tuesday morning. That's why a First Class stamp is so expensive. Imagine my frustration when it was finally delivered late Thursday afternoon. Not good enough, this caused the recipient a high degree of stress.

Rant over.

Lava

Sometimes I think I could watch this for hours, but then why just think about it LOL?

No Sh--

That's that rather undignified experience over for another two years* LOL.

* Finger's crossed.

First

This morning has seen the first snow of winter, in this corner of the United Kingdom. How exciting! It's not actually cold enough to hang around, but nevertheless...

Classical Bush

In darkest Basingstoke LOL.

Wood

Back to the spiritual home of this...

Feels like my car knows its own way these days LOL.

Veterans

Whilst this Tuesday (11/11) is Armistice Day for Commonwealth countries, and Veterans Day in the US, the Sunday closest is day we usually acknowledge the lives given to protect our freedoms. This year being 80 years from the end of WW2, we have to note there are very few veterans from that conflict we can still thank personally. With hard won freedoms, rights and liberties coming under increasing pressure, it seems that now it is even more important to remember the lives given for us.

His Majesty pays tribute to the brave on behalf of us all.

Plot

Found elsewhere on the Interweb just in time for 5th November, otherwise known as Guy Fawkes Night.

Overdose?

Is it possible to have too much of your favourite yeast extract spreads? I do not think so but in the name of science, I'm prepared to give it a go. One (patriotic) mug of hot Marmite drink and two bagels layered-up with Australia's Vegemite. The only thing missing being a bag of Marmite crisps (chips) and Marmite Cashews.

Yum!

Taxing Times

Morally no politician who benefits from taxpayer funded accommodation should be able to profit because their own property is "spare." All resulting rental income should be passed to the Exchequer (ie a tax rate of 100%).

That's only fair, isn't it?

Final

Could today have seen my last trip to Lane End..?

Answers on a postcard to the usual competition address.

Mister Toad

Made Hole in the Toad (sorry childhood habits are hard to shift!), with Mustard Mash, Veggies. All helped down with a few glasses of (alcoholic) Cider dontchaknow. 

Think I made enough to feed a small army LOL.

Sorry You Were Out

Found elsewhere on the Interweb...

Bucks

Three visits in one week? I might as well live there LOL!

England Expects

...that every man will do his duty.

Boo Boo Too

Think something's gonna drop off LOL.

Boo Boo

Damn that sofa!

Popular Demand

Back LOL.

...And Rest

Taking a break today and back to the madness tomorrow LOL.

Bucks Weather

Fortunately the weather's been very kind for us so far. It would have been very inconvenient, in and outdoors all day in the rain, or worse. 

Sliced

You'd be hard pressed to beat the deliciousness of Malt Loaf, and in particular the brand leader Soreen. When you're on the go and in a hurry, surely this handy little pack is superior to bread pre-cut into equal parts LOL?

It's That Time

Coffee time, you really cannot beat it LOL.

Moving On

... And from Lane End, we've headed into High Wycombe, a town that used to be a hub of British furniture making dontchaknow. Except we're not here for tables and chairs, or indeed the renowned theatre, The Swan, but drinks may be involved at some point...

What To Do On A Tuesday

Sometimes you just can't keep away LOL. Here's an image of a beautiful country church too, worth a visit.

Roadside

One of the things I dislike about modern cars is the lack of a spare tyre, even a so-called Space Saver. 

Obviously without the Spare there's also no need to supply a jack and tools either. Manufacturers often claim this is to improve fuel efficiency but I suspect it is more that they have realised they can save a few quid. Plus they can invoice the customer a small fortune to supply this "Optional Extra" from new.

Instead cars come with liquid tyre repair compound in an aerosol container. This is great if you're really stuck but if you've picked up a nail or screw, using the compound means repair shops are unable to patch what might have been an otherwise perfectly good tyre. This then turns a £25 (AU$50, US$35) repair into a replacement tyre in excess of £100. 

All this is to say, after a recent experience, I've found a supplier of OEM Space Saver tyres, together with scissor jack etc all for the bargain price of £140 (AU$280, US$190). Given my previous runs of poor (tyre) fortune, this will pay for itself in no time. 

Maybe I can rest easy now LOL.

Puffin

Cos he's old enough to buy his old man booze LOL.

Crumble

Just look what has arrived, yum!

In my humble opinion, this Aussie delight is superior to the Cadbury Crunchie.

Aldworth

St Mary's church, absolutely gorgeous.

Quote Of Note

"You can tell a lot about a person by how they react when someone dies."

- Charlie Kirk, November 2016.

Mother And Baby Home

Just watched the Long Lost Family special about the UK Mother and Baby Homes, that operated in Britain until the early 1970's.

Here's a link to some information about the one I was born in.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Found somewhere on the Interweb. 

Made me chuckle.

Long Lost Family

Some here will be aware of the story of my early years, it's not a secret, and others might also be aware of my own interest in family history. For me tv shows such as Who Do You Think You Are? and Lost Lost Family are compelling viewing. So this is exciting news. Anyone overseas should, if interested, be able to watch on ITVX, via a VPN and any valid UK postcode. 

(Post pinched from a friend, with permission)

Twister

Love this.

Chicken What?

Yeah, I don't know either but it's worth a try LOL.

Groovy Man

Dillon, the hippy rabbit, my childhood favourite from The Magic Roundabout LOL.

Dodgy

Currently binging six part Australian drama One Night on ITVX (and also being broadcast weekly on ITV1). I'm not convinced Jodie Whittaker's Aussie accent stands up to scrutiny, although it's probably better than mine LOL.

Game On!

A lighthearted observation any Americans visiting this here Blog page LOL.

Recap

Can't believe this was a full year ago, seems like only yesterday. We did raise quite a bit of cash for the charity Guide Dogs for the Blind but would I do it again? Maybe LOL

Double

When your politicians start to look like plasticine characters, or is it the other way round LOL..?

Grievance

Out shopping today and stumbled on this real life example why the Scots might feel a bit miffed. One edition is for England, and the other Scotland. I mean two pence a week extra for your tv listings guide soon adds up! 

Seriously if anyone can explain/justify this differential I'd be curious to hear.

Coffee Stop

When you're so busy you forget to have a drink, until it's nearly too late, even a stop at the supermarket seems like a victory LOL.

Wrong Way Round

Am I the only one thinking this sign should be there for those leaving, instead of arriving at, the village LOL? 

At least later there'll be lunch and dinner on offer...

Shipment

Nothing but the best, newly delivered, mmm.

What's New Pussycat

Back to darkest Buckinghamshire, might be habit forming LOL.

Understated

It's often said the British are the kings and queens of understatement:

It's a bit warm out LOL.

Bull In A...

...China Shop. Well not quite: a charity shop LOL.

In fact very recently I came across the same dinner set pattern I recall my parents had back in the 70's, when I was growing up. I'm not sure whether this was a quite expensive set at the time, or if it were "free" with Green Shield Stamps.

Yes, I did resist the temptation to purchase but I did snap this image for nostalgia sake.