WEATHER

I guess the weather may put people off a staycation next year. I am quite happy with the weather this year, plenty of rain for the garden and enough sun to ripen the tomatoes. Not great for sitting around outside though!

AFGHANISTAN

The government correctly recalled parliament for a debate about this disaster. They had days to prepare and yet, their main argument was that the Labour Party did not propose better ideas. They really do not get the idea of an opposition! They also faced fierce opposition from their own side as MP’s were allowed back into the chamber. This trend may increase as backbenchers make their views heard about the governments preponderancy for making statements that include unsubstantiated statistics, fiscal and otherwise.

LET THEM EAT CAKE

the cost of the wests military intervention in Afghanistan is now estimated to be $2 trillion or $2000000000000). The Taliban and extremism have returned mainly due to the abject poverty. It could have been so much better to have invested in humanitarian and education projects . According to SIRI this works out at about $90000 dollars for every person in Afghanistan, and even if spread over 20 years is considerably more than GNI of $500p.a.

GLUT OF TOMATOES

I am getting about 500g per day, so pizza and then dried tomatoes. HF-W recipe 1kg toms, 1tsp salt,1tsp sugar, 50ml white wine vinegar, 100-150ml olive oil. Halve, sprinkle salt and sugar, slow bake for 10-12 hours, then bottle. 2 or 3 small jam jars worth.

Then to make some pasta and then some tomato sauce. And a recipe yiayia

WORLD GEOGRAPHY FROM A JAMJAM PERSPECTIVE

One trillion dollars, thousands of deaths and the Taliban are back in charge. Presumably backed by Islamists from the Arabian Peninsular, they may find it difficult to control the whole country with its history of tribal differences and war lords. they will also need to beware of supporting islamic groups in the Uyghur Region. Russia too will lament the withdrawal of American and British troops, with terrorism always just under the surface in the former soviet states in the south. American and Britain can hope that the Taliban will not support organisations like Al Quida in the future. Certainly the ‘west’ can be seen to have lost a lot of influence in the region.

Britain can stop hallucinating that it still has influence across the world. With Brexit we lost a lot of diplomatic influence (and during Bozo’s tenancy in the FCO), and now we have lost another chunk of military influence. If Britain was a private company the directors would surely be telling it to concentrate on core activities!

The USA – Trump basically started the withdrawal of the US as a world policeman. Biden had little choice bit to allow the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, although he will have been surprised at the speed of the collapse of their puppet government. Whether it will exert a greater influence in the Americas and Europe we wait to see. Will America also want to be more involved with the development of Africa – a potentially important area as a source of raw materials and a growing market place.

China will be watching carefully. It wants to develop its influence but is ready for any confrontations outside its immediate area of influence.

Russia still has problems with poverty at home. The huge geographic area of its lands make it difficult to develop – in tiny UK we have a huge disparity between different areas. Putin likes the macho image, but has little to back it up with.

The E.U. will take a while to adjust to the loss of the UK which was a major contributor to its budget and added expertise and economic power. It is however developing and seems to be keeping its head down diplomatically. With no great pretentious for power (although maybe France retains some illusions of grandeur) it can concentrate on its core area without distractions. North Africa may change this – another complete cockup was the removal of Gaddafi – now Islamic extremist groups are in the ascendance and the EU may have to respond militarily and economically. The traffic in refugees seems to be growing, so economic investment in Africa seems imperative, and suppression of terrorist activity may be difficult. Most of the Sahel seems to be in a state of ephemeral security – and in need of economic advancement and population control. This sounds ominous but a healthy population with sexual equality and opportunities for economic advancement results in steady population, a better social and ecological environment.

Japan – a country which was lauded in my youth for its growth – seems to have a mature response to the horrors of its part in WW2 and just be doing what it did in the C19th – look after itself. Restrictions on its military have meant more investment in other areas. Time for the UK to follow the same path?

It seems that armies are less important than the ability to distribute weapons?

MINT SYRUP plus biscuits

One for next year when the leaves are young and most pungent. 50g mint leaves, pummel with one lemon juice, then add 250ml sugar and 1 level tsp salt, pummel some more and leave overnight. Pour 600ml of boiling water over and leave for another 12 hours. Strain through muslin and simmer for a few minutes – then seal in jars. And biscuits

PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 2

A few surprises, but largely business as usual. This weeks game below – play with friends rather than enriching the super rich betting magnates!

Premier League Predictions Week 2


JamJam

Result






Aston Villa v Newcastle3-1



Brighton v Watford2-2



Crystal Palace v Brentford3-1



Leeds v Everton3-2



Liverpool v Burnley3-0



Man City v Norwich6-0









Wolves v Spurs2-2



Arsenal v Chelsea2-2



Southampton v Man U3-2









West Ham v Leicester0-0



HAITI EARTHQUAKE

11 years on from a disastrous earthquake Haiti has been struck again. the promised rebuilding of last time has not happened and the reaction here appears apathetic. we are more consumed by Covid and our Afghanistan misadventure to care about a few hundred dead.

PEPPERMINT EXTRACT

Just found this recipe

Traditional Method:

  • Rinse mint leaves and add them to a canning jar. You may need to pack them in with a spoon to get everything to fit.m
  • Pour vodka over the leaves. Put a lid on the jar and shake a few times.
  • Store in a cool dark place, shaking once a day for the first few weeks. After that, shake it whenever you think of it.
  • The mint extract will be ready when the liquid smells strongly of peppermint and not alcohol.  

TIDY IS A FOUR LETTER WORD

I admit that tidy is not a word that I have ever been accused of, but I am proud of this. The green wheelie bins will be out tomorrow, taking away the bits that might make our gardens untidy. The stinging nettles and ragwort are purged from the pristine environment that society has come to expect.