BOZO OF THE WEEK

It would seem that Williamson did not realise that this weeks game was a binary contest between Hancock and Johnson – it went to extra time before Hancock gave up, but then Johnson went for this weeks prize by claiming that he had sacked Hancock, before facilitating on whether he had or not – seems he cannot remember! So ever ready, zip open Johnson has this weeks prize of a chocolate teapot.

COVID

Can we have a clear explanation of the present situation. Cases are high in many areas, including here, Bristol and Cornwall. But deaths and hospitalisations are ???? obviously lowered, but low enough? I want a statement that says “Whilst Covid is not defeated we are in a situation to manage it it. Those over 60 and those with other conditions should continue to exercise maximum care. The vaccine is not a total shield against the virus or more importantly the variants. Therefore mask wearing and social distancing should be maintained in confined areas like shops. People, especially the young should be aware of the risks of close encounters with others in places like night clubs, and the risk of passing it on to vulnerable people. But the virus has not disappeared, and we all need to accept its existence in our day to day lives”.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The Pacific North west is already suffering temperatures above 42C, but predictions for above 45C are expected. Impacts on wildlife, including river life like salmon, are also thought vulnerable. Copied from google – “Increased heat, drought and insect outbreaks, all linked to climate change, have increased wildfires. Declining water supplies, reduced agricultural yields, health impacts in cities due to heat, and flooding and erosion in coastal areas are additional concerns.”. And remember that the hurricane season in the Caribbean has only just started.

And do not be fooled by this summers useless start in the UK. Personally I am happy with this summer, plenty of light rain for the garden, it could have been a bit warmer though!

SINISTER

Oliver Dowden – Minister for Culture or the soon to be created Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda – has decreed that all publicly funded bodies should adhere to its rules and regulations regarding the artefacts looted during Britains Colonial Past. Dowden (aka Goebbels) seems to want to glorify former slave owners like Hans Sloane. He has also failed to provide access to the EU for musicians and artists. Is he going for the prize of muppet of the week?

CRISIS

By any normal and moral standards this should be a government in crisis. And in reply to comments that no one cares about sleaze and corruption in government, well numbskulls, huge numbers of people are not selfish or stupid. There are many questions to be answered about the handling of the pandemic from Day One. But the government will not form an enquiry into it.

BREXIT

So the best thing that has happened to this country for years is a comment I have heard.

firstly lets note that the views of the 48%+ who voted against have ee totally ignored, without counting those who did not vote. So the minority are steamrolling changes through with no discussion, just political malice. So far we have a serious shortage of HGV drivers, a shortage of NHS staff, a shortage of hospitality industry staff, rising prices in the shops, an entertainment industry (worth £111 billion) that is getting little support, mobile phone roaming charges abroad, a disastrous fishing policy, lighting the flames of discontent in Northern Ireland . Economically and socially a disaster. Morally we have seen an increase in discrimination by the thicko’s. A trade policy with countries as far away as possible is being touted as the best thing since sliced bread (and look how that turned out!). Taking back control has transmogrified into giving complete control over everything to Westminster, and sod everyone else, especially the Scots and Welsh.

ODIOUS LITTLE CREEP

So eventually he sees that he has no option but to resign. He even managed to do this without humility! Now he is no longer in Cabinet can he be prosecuted for all the dodgy deals that have occurred on his watch? I agree with Jonathan Pie

GARDEN

Thank you Martin for the strimming, and Holly for relieving me of parental responsibilities for quite a few plants. A little space on the table, and I will plant out salvia and marigolds in front now there is space. I will also dig out some of the former mint bed to make room for the 3 x sage (tangerine, pineapple and blackcurrant) and 3 x thyme (Doone valley, wild creeping, golden lemon) plants that I have ordered. Also keeping on top of the mown bits so that I can plant the 6 different lavenders once they are big enough.

All mints looking good- so just pennyroyal to go into former mint bit. And a couple more to look out for. Black Mitchum and Lavender, possibly orange and Tashkent?

I am also noticing the difference between the mints. Definitely an opportunity to do a connoisseurs bit! Cocktails, fruit cocktails, potatoes, tomatoes, chick peas, lentils, lamb, teas, list is endless, as in the supply of mint!

ROLE MODELS

We here enough about how public figures like footballers and pop stars should be role models. What a laugh when the Minister for Health is caught disobeying the rules he created (and which have been followed by the majority of people with great cost to their freedom and families). Oh and he has cheated on his wife, and probably broken a few economic rules in the appointment of his mistress. The man does not have the balls to resign. The Prime Minister, who knows a thing or two about infidelity, says the matter is closed and is backing the cock. And other government ministers are backing him too.

PRESS INTOLERANCE

So the Times – EU threat to thwart holidays and the Express – Spain vows to defy EU plot to ruin our hols are 2 examples of the press taking an unnecessary ani EU stance. It is not a plot or a threat, but a response to a surge in Ovid cases in the UK, especially in countries which have not had such a good record of vaccine roll out. It seems that they like feeding candy to the bigoted!

And then bosso Rishi Sumak says he will stop wearing a mask as soon as possible. Why could he not say that he was looking forward to reduced restrictions on mask wearing? Ask bus drivers and rail transport staff if they are happy to see more and more people not wearing a mask? Mixed messages again Fromm the cabinet.

Hancock could not keep his zip done up, I suppose that the sleaze element needed addressing as most other failures of government have been exhaustively pursued.

Roaming costs are being introduced for travellers to the EU by EE, others will follow.

Osborne, who initiated austerity cuts to cultural activities has been appointed Chair of the British Museum. At least it is unpaid (although I suspect the expenses claim would make my eyes water).

Will banning advertising of junk food make a difference? Nice headlines but no real impact. And why the 9pm watershed – it is the people preparing or buying the meals that need to be educated, not just the children. How about a compulsory labelling scheme. To be backed up by a web site where products could be searched for details of ingredients and health aspects. And also commission people like Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, Mary Berry, Gordon Ramsey, Sunny Anderson, etc. to write a book of suitable recipes for children, and for families – and the government then provide free copies (multiple – 1:30 students) for schools and libraries, and colleges and universities.

And then I would suspect/guess/hope that the cost of fresh food versus processed/takeaway could be altered. And shut up about jobs – we can laugh about lift attendants to push buttons in a job creation scheme in theSoviet Union; But is encouraging people to buy takeaways with the health costs involved, not as bad, if not worse than encouraging people to cook their own.

And this seems like a no brainer. Farm stalls are often expensive – the produce good, but pricey. This must be down to the staff expenses. Farm shops should be able to reduce these costs but seem not to. How about abolishing rents in food markets if the produce is fresh and not wrapped in plastic – applications for stalls should set out their worthiness. All this is a bit of nonsense, but needs thinking about.