Friday 4 October: Starmer’s surrender of the Chagos Islands is foolish – and dangerous

Posted on by Geoff Graham

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720 thoughts on “Friday 4 October: Starmer’s surrender of the Chagos Islands is foolish – and dangerous”

  2. Forgot to wish you all Good Morning. Am I really first today?
    Today's Tales
    Breakfast was late and husband and wife were badly hung over from a particularly wild party the night before. Bleary-eyed, he said to his wife, “Was it you I made love to in the garden last night?”
    “About what time?” she replied.

    Fred had just arrived home after a couple of hours in the bar. He was feeling pretty cocky. His wife was washing her bra.
    “I don’t know why you worry about those,” he said. “You’ve got nothing to put in them.”
    She looked at him and said, “I think the same thing when I’m ironing your underpants.”

  4. Morning all! I'm home now (since last night) after the trip to Brazil. Exhausting but good and saw all I'd hoped to see.

    3. Including The Girl From Ipanema? And did you also make a quick pop across the border and see our friend in Buenos Aires? (Good morning, btww.)

      1. Not this time, Elsie! I think she's an old girl now. Didn't get to Argentina either. But the Pantonal was good and a very dry wetland which meant good concentrations of birds in the remaining pools.

        1. Good morning, Ndovu. Regarding your comments about the age of the Ipanema girl, do you remember Little Plum, your redskin chum from The Beano (or maybe The Dandy)? A friend of mine made me laugh when he recently quipped that Little Plum was now called Old Prune. Lol.

        2. Good morning, Ndovu. Regarding your comments about the age of the Ipanema girl, do you remember Little Plum, your redskin chum from The Beano (or maybe The Dandy)? A friend of mine made me laugh when he recently quipped that Little Plum was now called Old Prune. Lol.

  5. Good morning from Castle House B&B, Denbigh.
    A beautiful morning with a bright red sky.

  8. Starmer’s surrender of the Chagos Islands is foolish – and dangerous

    I wonder what he got as part of the deal?
    A pair of trainers

    1. Ask Philippe Sands.
      Starmer's friend revealed to be Mauritius' chief legal adviser

      The Spectator
      https://www.spectator.co.uk › article › starmers-friend-r…
      13 hours ago — It transpires that the Prime Minister is friends with Philippe Sands KC,

    4. Everything they do and have done simply emphasis just how stupid they really are. But I still blame the Conservatives for not taking note of public opinion, for this appalling labour government.

  9. Good morning, chums, and the usual thanks to Geoff. Today is my only post until late on Sunday since I am off later this morning with friends to a 3 day weekend in York to meet friends from my cinema management days. I suspect that this will be my last cinema reunion because instead of discussion of films and cinemas, we are now tending to discuss health problems and ailments. There's too much doom and gloom in the world these days without adding to it with health issues. Keep smiling whilst I am away and look on the bright side of life with gratitude: sunrises and sunsets, falling autumn leaves, the singing of birds and other such natural delights. And give everyone you meet a smile and a cheery "Good Morning!" which may result in the greeting being reciprocated and brightening the day for both of you. As Sir Jasper might say; "Bis Montag!"

    Wordle 1,203 5/6

    ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
    🟩⬜🟨🟨⬜
    🟩🟨⬜🟨⬜
    🟩🟩⬜⬜🟨
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    1. Have a nice time Elsie, you little ray of sunshine! It is raining here, with no sign of any letup and my software won't build. Still at least I'm not missing any nice weather outside…
      Lucky guess here
      Wordle 1,203 3/6

      ⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
      🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    2. Morning, Olaf's Relict.
      Good to see where hubby first settled!
      Have a lovely time.
      (And I know exactly what you mean about discussing ailments.It's sad when they become light relief from discussing the news.)

    2. A Tory grandee warns not to “play into Reform’s hands” by misreading the reasons behind the humiliating election result.

      Conservatives spent “too long tacking to the right in order to appease potential Reform voters” and “forgot that we are not a right-wing party but a centre-right party”.

      1. She's doing quite well. I bought a mobility chariot and we use it to take the Springer out in the forest twice a day. My sciatica has improved on the pain front but I can only walk about 30 yards. I am determined to be playing bowls in April.

        1. That’s good! I hope the chariot copes with uneven forest floors and hidden logs etc. Glad the sciatica is improving too and I hope you’ll be back playing bowls.

          1. The chariot is an all-terrain vehicle but you soon learn where all the exposed tree roots are.

    1. It is pretty bad I think. Curiously low-key response from the US government and the international media, especially compared with Katrina in New Orleans – this one was far bigger and many dead as well.

    2. It's horrendous. The government are dragging their feet.
      They also won't allow local military guys to go and help friends and family in the area as they are all on standby in case needed in the Ukraine and Israel.

      Meanwhile people are dying but that's okay…they are mostly Republican.

    1. What is it about middle aged men going to concerts to watch young women in skimpy costumes girating around the stage? I think i answered my own question.
      I'm surprised they are not wearing a Mac and and trilby.
      Alistair Campbell was photographed entering a Britney Spears gig looking sheepish.

      2. I think it's meant to represent a country and western band, they tend to sing such maudling (sic, ho ho) ballads.

    2. For those who don't know this song by the Eagles.

      🎶Desperado (starmer) why don't you come to you senses you've been out riding fences for so long, now 🎶……..
      🎶these things that are pleasin' you can hurt you somehow. 🎶……..
      🎶it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table but you only want the things you can't get. 🎶

      finishes with 🎶you'd better let someone body love you before it's too——— late. 🎶

      Look it up its so relevant to all of our useless politicians.

      1. I quite like this quote of theirs from the title track of "Long Road out of Eden"

        "Captains of the old order clinging to the reins; assuring us these aches inside are only growing pains …
        Back home I was so certain, the path was very clear; But now I have to wonder, what are we doing here? …
        Behold the bitten apple, the power of the tools; but         all the knowledge in the world is of no use to fools"

    1. Coming up to 100 days in office. Trot lad done well. Seized power through a few meaningless catchy slogans. So much work to do and only five years left. No Opposition. Next up Falklands & Gibraltar, jail Tommy R, tax everyone on the Trot hate list into oblivion.

  16. Joe Biden says US and Israel ‘discussing’ strikes on Iranian oil. 4 October 2024.

    Oil jumped five per cent after his comments jolted markets, even though the United States president ruled out immediate retaliation from Tel Aviv for Tehran’s missile barrage earlier this week.

    When asked by a reporter if he supported Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, Mr Biden replied: “We’re discussing that. I think that would be a little… anyway.”

    I think that we can take that as given. It’s a stage aside to give the markets time to get used to the idea. It will also vastly increase US earnings. It’s a slight payoff for supporting the Israeli’s. What will the Iranians do? Well probably close the Red Sea and Gulf and if they have now realised that the aim here is the destruction of Iran, attack the Saudi oil fields. Both Russia and China must now understand that these are the opening moves for WW3 where the US is aiming for Global Hegemony. They won’t standby for much longer.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/03/israel-iran-war-hezbollah-lebanon-gaza-latest-news/

    1. I have become ungovernable and my two laying hens will remain free ranging from government control.

      1. We'll have a whip round for a file to put in the cake we send you when you are ding ten years in chokey.

  26. It seems that the plan by the Lobby to push the corrupt and horrid Robert Jenrick as the only alternative to Starmer is proceeding as planned. They could not risk Kemi Badenoch into the last two, since the Tory members could not be relied on to vote correctly. The only way to manage this therefore was to talk Cleverly up, so that he would push Badenoch off the ballot. I would rate Cleverly considerably over Jenrick, but I doubt most Tories would – they seem to admire the corrupt and horrid, considering their recent form in electing leaders.

    It seems that from Oddschecker, they have achieved this, and the Tory membership can get stuffed once more.

    Any Tories here?

  27. 394113+ up ticks,

    Morning Each,

    via the polling stations and a short lived "teaching a political(ino) party a lesson" the nation through tactical
    ( dangerously childlike spite) voting took on extra ballast regarding sinking into the shite BOG.

    Returning the likes of the kneeling tool QC was , after suffering years of "miranda" as PM resulting in mass issues as the odious rotherham foreign paedophile fess.was an act of GROSS treachery against especially children, the elderly, and ALL things decent in general.

    A higher order helps those who help themselves
    We as an indigenous peoples are certainly giving that
    a slap in the kisser every polling day.

    (politicians come under the lower order)

    Friday 4 October: Starmer’s surrender of the Chagos Islands is foolish – and dangerous

    1. 394113+ up ticks,

      O2O,

      Very reminiscent of post 24/6/2016
      " NO need of UKP now JOB DONE"

      The echos of idiocy

  29. Good morning all,

    Misty at Castle McPhee but it's going to burn off to be a nice day, wind South-East 6℃ with 15℃ forecast.

    It seems Warsi is on the warpath.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/26e17aa61748144bf340596a327754d8a32cf930ff0433b2a9691d98a105afab.png

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/03/baroness-warsi-free-speech-isnt-only-for-those-who-agree/

    Aided and abetted by the useful idiot Suzanne Moore who really should be back at the Graun.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9d33a1ccd4ed80736262979b0a4c78bfd16d288d08415570a80dc23e6b57056b.png

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fiction/review-muslims-dont-matter-baroness-sayeeda-warsi/

    There's no such thing as Islamophobia, Ms Moore.

  30. Good Moaning.
    (It is aksherlly rather nice.)
    I see Aeneas has beaten me to it with the Matt cartoon.

  33. BOOs for the Beeb – HURRAHs for Marcus Walker

    London Hands Over Important U.S. Military Base to China Ally

    Britain’s left-wing government announced a plan on Thursday to surrender sovereignty of a British Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean that has hosted an important joint U.S.-UK military base and listening post for the past 50 years.

    The United Kingdom is giving the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, from whom it bought the archipelago in the 1960s. The announcement is the latest development in years of sovereignty claims by Mauritius, now drifting into China’s sphere of influence, which until recently were not even recognised as legitimate by the UK or its allies.

    Just last week, President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun barracked the United Kingdom at the United Nations General Assembly, saying: “We urge the United Kingdom to conclude expeditiously an agreement.”

    Update 1430 — Parliamentarians decry major decision on British Overseas Territory Without Consulting Parliament

    Westminster is on recess for the political conference season, meaning Parliament isn’t sitting, and many MPs are expressing concern this pretty major change to the United Kingdom and its overseas territories was announced as a fait accompli without debate.

    Wendy Morton MP summed up the feeling of some, writing this afternoon: “Very disappointing to see this being announced when Parliament is not sitting. Where is the accountability?”. Nigel Farage MP, leader of Reform UK likewise stated: “Giving up the Chagos Islands is a strategic disaster. Our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted. Labour are making the world a more dangerous place.”

    Yet criticism of Labour for signing off on handing over the islands from the Conservative Party came under immediate attack for being two-faced. Present contender for leadership of the Tories James Cleverly called Labour “weak” for the move, but failed to declare he had in fact been the one to set the ball rolling on sovereignty talks while he’d been Foreign Secretary in the previous Tory government.

    Tom Tugendhat, also a leadership contender for the Tories also chipped in, adding: “This is a shameful retreat undermining our security and leaving our allies exposed. [The Foreign Office] has negotiated against Britain’s interest & it was disgraceful that these negotiations started under our watch.”

    The British Indian Ocean Territory (‘BIOT’), as the islands are presently called, apart from its very striking flag, is best known for hosting a strategically important military base on its largest island, Diego Garcia. The British had built an airbase operating against the Japanese on the island during the Second World War and U.S. Seabees build a new base in the 1970s to support long-range bombers and other aircraft. Beyond the military base, it is understood the island has also been used as a listening station to intercept radio traffic in the Indian Ocean and, possibly, as a “CIA black site.”

    The announcement by the UK and Mauritius stated that the continued operation of the base is secured for an initial period of 99 years, assuming Mauritius keeps its word. The United Kingdom, of course, has not had good experiences in the recent past with promises exacted from new territorial masters of strategically valuable islands surrendered by choice in the Eastern hemisphere, but these lessons appear to have been put aside for expedience.

    Indeed, a nakedly partial report on the surrendering of the islands to Mauritius from British state broadcaster the BBC — which hails the development as a “breakthrough” and a “historic” act of “decolonisation” — makes clear the political angling said to be hoped for by London with the move. It stated:

    But the timing of this breakthrough reflects a growing sense of urgency in international affairs, not least regarding Ukraine, with the UK keen to remove the Chagos issue as an obstacle to winning more global support, particularly from African nations, with the prospect of a second Trump presidency looming.

    Although the announcement comes early in the new left-wing administration of Britain’s Labour government, the negotiations to surrender BIOT are understood to have been going on for several years. The United Kingdom will be paying Mauritius for the privilege of being given a territory, encompassing “annual payments and infrastructure investments”.

    A statement on the giveaway by Britain’s new top diplomat David Lammy, a gaffe-prone left-wing lawyer, implied the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia had somehow been under threat before the solution of giving away the land underneath it was struck upon.

    “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges,” he said. “Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.”

    President Biden welcomed the announcement, saying in a statement of his own: “I applaud the historic agreement … This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia.”

    The UK’s Parliament is presently in recess for the political conference season, so there has not yet been an opportunity for the announcement to be debated in Westminster. The Friends of the British Overseas Territories, a Westminster-centric pressure group advocating for better understanding of the role and importance of these far-flung islands decried the development, called the handover a “betrayal” on Thursday.

    “The handover of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius is shameful news … This is a betrayal of regional security, self-determination and sovereignty of a territory which is legally British,” the group said in a statement.

    Prominent British churchman the Reverend Marcus Walker asserted the risk of handing over the islands to the increasingly Beijing-friendly Mauritians. He remarked: “This is handing over an essential Western asset to an ally of China. Labour is actively betraying Britain’s interests now. This is far worse than I thought Keir Starmer could possibly be.”

    Mauritius is a participant in China’s “Belt and Road” debt-trap diplomacy programme and Chinese state media celebrates the nations’ cultural and economic links.

    http://www.breitbart.com/europe/2024/10/03/london-hands-over-important-u-s-military-base-to-china-ally/

      1. Nor the Indians, Indonesians, nor anyone in the region who is scared by the Chinese taking over every puny little atoll to turn the Eastern Indian and Western Pacific oceans into one big Chinese lake. Hence the recent AUKUS submarine pact to 'Sink the Chinks'

    3. Marcus is getting a lot of flak on Twitter from the “this is the decent thing to do” wokerati. Fortunately he’s thick skinned and gives as good as he gets.

      Full church for Evensong in the City yesterday evening and a lot of young people plus a growing number of Chinese.

      2. yes, please tell him from me how much he is appreciated. I have already managed to mention STP in our magazine – not that anyone reads it!!

    4. How is transferring the islands from being a British colony to being a Mauritian colony "decolonisation"?

      1. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/argentina-wants-full-sovereignty-of-falklands-after-uk-gives-up-control-of-chagos-islands/ar-AA1rFbqc?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=ace517b04a3b46fc9caf8f650616a379&ei=13

        I can't understand why the fuss?

        Some weeks ago the MSM stated that Starmer has sent members of the Foreign Office "to negotiate the return of

        the Falklands and Gibraltar"

        Now that Britain has the policy of no more oil we obviously don't need the large amounts of oil available to us in the Falklands.

        Perhaps this is why Argentina sent 60 tons of gold to London recently?

        PS: I can't understand why it is necessary to pay Mauritius to take Chagos off our hands, yet the Treasury has

        insufficient funds to support the poorer OAPs in this country

        **Edit: Previous entry of MSN news was semi-deleted, now readable.

        1. I wondered whether the 60 tonnes of gold had anything to do with the Falklands. China has already said in the past that they support the Falklands belonging to Argentina. Nobody ever seems to notice that the islands aren’t in Argentine waters and have nothing to do with that country apart from it being the nearest land mass. By that logic, Ireland’s clearly ours, and Iceland too…

          1. Yes BB2, I agree with you.

            However Starmer made a public statement some weeks ago that foreign Office officials were being sent to negotiate the future of the Falklands and Gibraltar.

            Obviously the Labour government wants nothing to do with the Falklands as there is lots of oil there, so to give it to Argentina would seem logical in Labour’s eyes.

      2. Oh … do stop using logic.
        It's only colonisation when the evil white English do it.

    5. Had to scratch my head a bit at a comment from a Labour defence minister saying that handing over the Chagos islands would help stop illegal immigration. Long way to row from there

    1. 394115+ up ticks,

      O2O,
      They would be those 48% who chose captivity in 2016, then let them (mandatory) abide by their needs on meat & fuel.

      This to be enforced by a peoples patriotic & common sense squad,
      and a lengthy spell of porridge.

    2. Morning Ogga
      Yeah right…….

      I think the public will agree to stopping the invasion today and sending all of them back to where they came from.
      We would then have less use for the consumption of food water energy etc.

    3. Our recently arrived friends might have something to say about that. They didn't pay people smugglers thousands in order to live in a country with meat rationing.

      Anyone who thinks this news is linked to the chicken register is a conspiracy theorist, of course. The government only has your best interests at heart and wants to protect you from rampaging chickens.

      1. They wouldn't worry. There are plenty of sheep (as in woolly quadrupeds) there for the taking.

        1. Ha! Wait til Milliband has got rid of all the sheep, goats, pigs and cows to save the planet.

        1. Well something like that. Chickens are definitely a threat to public health though – nobody is safe until everybody is chicken.

  36. Steerpike
    Labour in fresh ‘cash for croissants’ storm
    4 October 2024, 7:16am

    It’s a day ending in a ‘y’ – so there’s another Labour scandal brewing. After the ‘passes for glasses’ row about Lord Alli’s role in Downing Street, the party has been plunged into another row about claims of ‘cash for access.’ The Sun today reports that companies have been offered breakfast with the Business Secretary in return for £30,000. Party apparatchiks invited bosses to a top Manchester restaurant for the ‘rare chance’ to ‘gain insight’ from Jonathan Reynolds in return for sponsorship of the meal. Talk about ‘cash for croissants’…

    Attendance at the exclusive event was limited to just ten tickets. ‘Distinct benefits’ include a photo with the minister (yours for just £15,000), while for the full £30,000 bigwigs got to choose who can come to the ‘dynamic meeting of business minds.’ What a thrilling prospect. The pitch was prepared by the Labour party’s commercial team and emailed yesterday, with invitees to The Ivy restaurant in Manchester promised ‘a rare chance to gain insights, network and exchange ideas amongst peers and a government minister’.

    It adds: ‘We have carefully curated a package that offer [sic] distinct benefits, ensuring your brand receives optimal exposure and engagement during the event.’ Allies of Jonathan Reynolds told the Sun that he would no longer be taking part. A party spokesman said: ‘He was completely unaware, and isn’t attending.’

    After the disappointment of Labour conference some might pay five figures to avoid such an ordeal….

    **************************

    We could charge non-NoTTLers £15,000 for their photograph with Geoff!

    1. In a minute, I'm going to retire to Sweden and start ranting about the incurable stupidity of my fellow man.

      Honestly. In our day, that kind of greedy, cringe-making, rookie mistake was only made by undergraduates.

  37. Morning all 🙂😊
    Lovely sunny start as the local children go to school taken by their parents.
    Let's be honest everything Starmer has done so far is foolish and dangerous.
    They have already done more damage to the good old and worthy British pensioners than any one could have ever imagined the political classes could ever have thought of.
    I get the feeling that labour are behaving like newly released rabid animals. In picking off the vulnerable of another species.
    Apparently He's banning advertising of fast or 'junk food' before certain times of the day.

  38. 394115+ up ticks,

    Guns instead of crutches make for a healthy bank balance.

    Dt,

    This weapon maker’s shares have taken off – it’s time to buy
    Questor believes elevated geopolitical risks will catalyse BAE’s performance

  39. When the egregious Johnson was prime minister (in name only), his appalling 13th "wife" Carrion insisted that the faces of their spawn should be hidden from the public gaze.

    You can, therefore, imagine my shock and surprise when two pages of today's Times carry several photographs showing the sprogs full face to camera.

    What can have caused Carrion's change of mind? Surely not money……. (Ponders…)

  40. 'Morning All
    Glad to see we survived the Sun's big burp
    Medley Time
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bf8dd4bea15fa8087b59a9c4c9b2b659a7e48b3d0be0ab97c3a2b983b1c8b61e.jpg
    http://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f3cd1197339cec66e28684ff878a5a4612d15abd757792f5cd87dfbd58034dd5.png
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/819d5dc2c16252ebcc3920a5272ea6c6b2664f6d97e5ec9909a262a2f0ba3e9d.jpg
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7b315f3a716e3daa50ee62217cd9be079508e6a4bc77da289b1452585805b567.jpg
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/30c43db1c03c86ec05fbe3c8d78fc713287536330b7ceedd607e65f9c4f55a3b.jpg
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f91f221573c87bc8d32c7bcd0a9504e349c27e0dbc6b23a6a99816de83101a44.jpg
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a56710189d06166490184a09415bc9a7f2ae676a5c2f4ec25b59e20ac28d1734.jpg
    Finish with a laff
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9c64d0ddcf36fd1a6ac629854da919e6fe36421c57b9c6dde5fb8e5313979622.jpg

  41. Morning all,
    I would love to stay and chat and put the world to rights but there is this big yellow thing in the sky glowing brightly which tells me I should spend yet more time in the garden.
    Perhaps I could sing Starmer’s praises when I return or perhaps not.

  42. Starmer's surrender of thew Chagos Islands is symbolic of what he thinks of Britain – he hates it.

    On patriotic Free Speech, James Gatehouse has an excellent article on how the dream of the internet enhancing democracy, liberty and free speech is being crushed by politicians seeking to control it and the general Establishment thrust to crush free speech.

    That quote by Aldous Huxley below in Rik's comilation sums it up exaclty.

    freespeechbacklash.com

    please read and comment on Jame's article.

  43. Right, that's me logging off until I get home.
    We plan meandering our way homeward and getting beck early to mid-evening.

  44. The Ugandan killer given safe haven here by the utterly rotten ECHR
    Andrew Tettenborn : October 4, 2024
    (    Andrew Tettenborn is a professor of commercial law at a well-known UK university, who also teaches in Europe and elsewhere.)

    https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/the-ugandan-killer-given-safe-haven-here-by-the-utterly-rotten-echr/

    Andrew Tattenborn does not give the name of the university at which he works.

    Is this because his views might be considered unacceptable by his colleagues and the university administration?

    Not only is the ECHR rotten at its core but so are many of our universities and the Labour government which is determined to stamp out free speech in our universities?

    1. Andrew Tettenborn is a British legal academic and writer who is a professor of law at Swansea University's Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, specialising in commercial law and the common law.

      Education
      Tettenborn completed an MA and an LLB at the University of Cambridge.[1][2] At Cambridge, he attended Peterhouse and won academic prizes in law.[3]

      1. Swansea University and the Hillary Roddam Clinton School of Law.
        If it wasn't such a dire combination, it would be the stuff of satire.
        How on earth does AT cope with it?

      2. Is he an expert in lawfare and political assassination to look like suicide techniques?

  45. Steerpike
    Why is the police probe into Nicola Sturgeon taking so long?
    3 October 2024, 1:13pm

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-1240457739.jpg
    As Scots look ahead to the 2026 Holyrood election, support for the Scottish National Party continues to plummet. One scandal that the Nats won’t want looming over them when Scotland heads to the polls is Operation Branchform: the long-running police probe into the SNP’s funds and finances. Mr S can confirm that the investigation into the party – and its former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – is still ongoing, despite Scotland’s Crown Office receiving the latest Police Scotland report a two months ago. Talk about dragging it out.

    Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, was charged with embezzlement of party funds this year, after an investigation was launched in 2021 into a ‘missing’ sum of £600,000 fundraised by for a second independence referendum campaign. Murrell was arrested alongside the party treasurer and the SNP’s former Dear Leader last year, after a police raid of both SNP HQ and the Glasgow home Sturgeon shared with Murrell – with officers lifting pots and pans, women’s razors and, er, a wheelbarrow from the former first minister’s house.

    Developments became stranger when a luxury motorhome worth £110,000 was picked up by police – with the party leadership claiming it was bought for campaign purposes. Yet when Mr S quizzed the party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn about it all, he revealed he had no idea about the campervan until ‘it was on the front of a newspaper.’ And the party’s treasurer Colin Beattie – also arrested last year in connection with the probe – denied knowledge of the purchase too. How very curious…

    Police Scotland told Steerpike that it is still waiting to receive advice from the Crown Office on the matter: ‘On 9 August 2024, we presented the findings of the investigation so far to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and we await their direction on what further action should be taken.’ They’re taking their time.

    When Mr S spoke to the Crown Office today, a spokesperson noted that Sturgeon remains under police investigation, stating:

    A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 59-year-old man and incidents said to have occurred between 2016 and 2023. Connected investigations of two other individuals, a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman, remain ongoing.

    Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel will review this report. They will make decisions on the next steps without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence… Decisions on how to proceed are taken by prosecutors acting independently, and are based upon available evidence, legal principles, and the merits of each case. They are not influenced by political events.

    But the very matter of the case rumbling on in the background is rather damaging the party’s prospects. As polling guru Sir John Curtice noted, Operation Branchform and the arrest of Sturgeon contributed to a rather large drop in SNP support. Sean Clerkin, the man who reported the party over the ‘missing’ money, has demanded that the probe ends soon – and before the 2026 election – to ensure any potential criminal trials don’t influence the Scottish parliament poll. In a nod to similar calls, the Crown Office added:

    Before deciding what action to take, if any, in the public interest, prosecutors will consider if there is enough evidence. There must be evidence from at least two separate sources to establish that a crime was committed and that the person under investigation was the perpetrator.

    Some party figures are thinking along rather similar lines to Clerkin, with them keen to see a swift end to the police probe and the removal of the dark and distracting cloud hovering over the party before 2026. The Nats are currently predicted to lose around 20 seats in the next Holyrood poll – and the election countdown is on. Tick tock.

    *********************************

    Agent of Fortune
    19 hours ago edited
    To clarify; a Police Force, now run by the same Chief Constable who used to run Durham ‘Beergate’ Constabulary, has passed a report to a prosecution service run by a Sturgeon appointee, who is also a member of Swinney’s SNP cabinet, and nothing’s happened.

    Is anyone really surprised?

    Jolly Radical Agent of Fortune
    19 hours ago
    It resembles Sicily in the 17th century.

    Arch Stanton
    19 hours ago
    This investigation has been going on for three years, when you include the police invrstigation into the need for a police investigation. What on Earth are they doing?

    As for the notion that Scotland’s prosecution service is independent of the SNP Government, history proves this is a lie.

      1. They use the Murrells' motor home for their annual Senior Officers' outing to St Andrew's, Fife.

    3. Scottish government has been a vipers' nest since at least since AD 1040.
      Even before then, the practical Romans took one look …. and the rest is history.

    4. I would guess the police are rather reluctant to probe Nicola, I would be 🙂

    5. I suspect third party involvement, protecting each other. Can think of no other explanation to explain why seems to be no further investigation and certainly no charges.

  46. Morning, all Y'all.
    Sunny at Bideford.
    Packing for return to Norway done. My God, but we have some heavy groceries in the bags! Marmite, cheeses, bully beef… Twiglets, s&v crisps. Man ..

      1. I buy all my English food requirements online from Britsuperstore.co.uk.

        I make my own curry spice mixes (that way I know what's in them), they taste much better and more authentic; and I make my own marmalade, most of it given away.

    4. Glad you enjoyed your stay Obs.
      I hope you have left some Marmite behind, my jar is only half full at the moment. 😆

  47. Toddler diets are rich in ultra-processed foods

    The Daily Telegraph 4 Oct 2024

    Toddlers are getting almost half their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFS), research has found.
    The study of 2,500 children found consumption of such foods continued to rise as they got older. The most common highly processed foods eaten by toddlers were flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals.
    Experts said habits born in the early years were likely to continue into adulthood, fuelling Britain’s obesity crisis. Researchers from University College London said: “It has been suggested that the hyper-palatable nature of some UPFS may partly drive continued consumption of these foods, which goes beyond habit formation.”

    How many NoTTLers (come to that, how many people, especially vegetablists and vegans) have heard of Docosahexaeoic Acid (DHA)? I'll wager that the answer is very few.

    DHA is an Omega-3 fatty acid that is a vital [nay: necessary] component of human brains, eyes, skin and sperm. It is also found in a mother's milk.

    This utterly crucial component of a human's health, nourishment, vitality and general wellbeing can only be sourced from animal food products. It is not available in any plant material whatsoever.

    This is why vegans (especially) are not just nutrient deficient, they are irredeemably stupid — to a massive degree — since no amount of supplements (provided at a huge cost by Big Pharma, natch) can replicate the nourishment that nature provides when one eats a natural (for the species) animal diet.

    1. Quite right, Grizzly – throughout Western countries, and America seems the worst according to RFKJr.

    2. They will all find our about it when its far too late. They have no idea the risk they are taking. Eat more wild venison.andother wild game.

    3. Rickets apparently making a return, Grizz. Together with MMR…back to the 40s/50s…or even earlier..

      1. That's due to a lack of Vitamin D and calcium, Katy, both of which are available in abundance in meat and fish.

        Unfit parents, who feed their children crap, should be locked up.

      2. The NHS website says "..the condition is more common in children with dark skin, as this means they need more sunlight to get enough vitamin D." Even worse if they are wrapped up from head to toe or as females they never go outside [my comment].

        1. It’s a very bad idea to keep children indoors all the time, addicted to YouTube or whatever. To say nothing of the ones not allowed out, and when they are have to be covered up, not to mention the other abuse.

        1. I looked it up and apparently vegans must eat seaweed otherwise their brains will shink and they may end up having to see a shrink. Of course that may have nothing to do with docosahexaeoic acid because you can pick up seaweed on the beach without having to spell such a difficult word.

      2. Me too, but then I spent 12 years working on the safety-in-use of food additives, colourings and stabilisers in a Govt-sponsored laboratory. After listening to Dr John Campbell about studies on higher-dose Vitamin D, I upped my daily intake of DHA 4x from the normally recommended dose of 46 mg to 184 mg. And yes, I know there can be side effects of too much Vitamin D.
        In America for decades the milk producers have been adding about 100IU of Vitamin D to each 1-cup (237-ml) serving. That's why, when I lived in the States, I frequently found milk had a 'metallic' taste.

    5. Solution: issue all families with a pressure cooker and a bucket of oxtail. All that's missing is a Grizzly Recipe® with accompanying picture.. and of course a new Starmer law & oxtail police squad.

    1. Mawlid. It's a celebration consisting of processions, gift giving, handing out sweets, reciting poetry and generally having a good time on the birthday of Mohamad.

        1. In the context of their own culture yes. In the context of the UK no. I tend to think of these public displays of Islam as a hostile act against the British.

    2. And the police are too scared to say that is a demonstration in a public place. If that by sheer volume and the vast amount of people wasn't a social disturbance I don't know what would be. That was illegal.

  50. Good morning all.

    Been up since 5am as I was awakened by the sound of rushing water in the heating system. As my living room radiator was hot at the bottom and cold at the top, I did the obvious and opened the bleed valve but neither air nor water came out and the noise intensified. Made myself presentable and went downstairs to the office. The night porter said he could hear it too but couldn't do anything. Anyway the building manager checked the boiler room when he came on duty at 8am and sure enough there is a problem there so an engineer has been called. The manager wanted to know why I didn't phone him instead of going to the office. I said of course that at 5am I didn't want to wake him. He said that I wouldn't have disturbed him as he gets up early anyway to say his (Muslim) prayers. I'll know if it happens again.

    1. Good luck, Sue. Very much hope no leak anywhere, relatively easy to find but sometimes not always easy to fix. Once moved into a house Christmas Eve, hot water tank sprang a leak and came through kitchen ceiling. Christmas dinner was easy tho – M&S…

    3. Good morning, Sue.

      Hope the problem in your heating system is soon remedied.

      I too was awake at 5:00 a.m. but in my case it was a call of nature. Having said that, I found it difficult to drop off again since at 6:30 a.m. a neighbour just along the street had his 6-monthly delivery of fuel oil. The combined noise of the tanker's engine, the oil pump, and the bloody radio in his cab (since he left the door open during the operation) was sufficient to stop me dropping off again!

        2. Oh, trust me, John. There are many idiots here (but fewer than the UK since we have a much smaller population). They do not queue, for example, and like to push in front of you (I, of course, do not permit them to do that to me). Schoolchildren here, who never get disciplined, are self-centred morons.

          1. When we lived in Germany the thing we hated, if you were standing in a queue people the person standing behind you stood so close they were rubbing up against you. They all did it. We used to stand side on to stop them doing it. That is number 103 of the things we did not like in germany.

  51. Boris Johnson has exploded the myth that a Trump victory would be disastrous for Ukraine
    The former president may have doubts about the current approach to backing Kyiv, but his unpredictability gave dictators pause for thought
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2024/10/03/boris-johnson-has-exploded-the-myth-that-a-trump-victory-wo/

    BTL

    The best solution for the Ukraine would have been to go ahead with talks before the conflict even started but these were undermined by the hubris of Biden, Johnson and Zelenskyy.

    The best solution now is an immediate end of the war and an agreement from Russia that they will respect the right of Ukraine to remain independent and agreement from Ukraine that those Russian speakers in the east should have a binding regional referendum to determine whether to stay in the Ukraine or to re-join Russia.

    I might add that the best outcome in the coming US elections for Ukraine would be a resounding victory for Trump.

    1. Whilst the US and the Brits are not taking any loses, they are happy to see the destruction of Ukraine in this proxy war. I find the policy despicable.

    2. Russia has never had the intention of taking Ukraine, that is Western propaganda. With regard to a referendum of Russian speakers, that is a pointless exercise because it is a forgone conclusion. So what you are saying is that the Russian would get what they wanted and have thus won on those issues. The only thing to decide is that Ukraine become a buffer state, which it should be. But, if Crimea is included in Ukraine then there is a problem, Russia will never give it up. It is Russian, was conquered by Russia and apart from a brief period under the Soviets and, until the Ukrainians started screwing around with the agreement they had with Russia over Crimea, it has always been Russian and the Ukrainians have no right to it. And, by the way, Khrushchev "gifting" Crimea to Ukraine was illegal, even under Soviet law.

    3. The trick is to calm things down long enough to see out your & kid's lifetime before anyone starts lobbing nukes at each other.

      Ukraine is the most unfortunate land in the history of wars.. something UK & USA can never comprehend. It always was a revolving door & doormat for empires to wipe their feet on.

      summed up by.. Polish TV crew interviewed a refugee who wryly noted his grandfather had been born in Austro-Hungary, baptised in Poland, married in Nazi Germany, became a father in Soviet Russia and a grandfather in Ukraine.. all without moving two miles from his village during his whole lifetime.

      1. Yes. The Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire, Polish-Lithuanian Union, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian Empire, Soviet Empire, all ruled parts of Ukraine at one time or another.

    4. The trick is to calm things down long enough to see out your & kid's lifetime before anyone starts lobbing nukes at each other.

      Ukraine is the most unfortunate land in the history of wars.. something UK & USA can never comprehend. It always was a revolving door & doormat for empires to wipe their feet on.

      summed up by.. Polish TV crew interviewed a refugee who wryly noted his grandfather had been born in Austro-Hungary, baptised in Poland, married in Nazi Germany, became a father in Soviet Russia and a grandfather in Ukraine.. all without moving two miles from his village during his whole lifetime.

  52. A good read for anyone interested in our chalk rivers and salmon.

    Young salmon numbers in River Frome fall to record low
    Scientists are deeply concerned about the decline in the endangered species, citing run-off from maize farming for dairy herds and sewage as factors.

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/number-of-young-salmon-at-record-low-in-the-river-frome-clean-it-up-hgg80dnc5

    https://atlanticsalmontrust.org/salar-the-salmon-audiobook/

    I read Salar the salmon by Henry Williamson when I was a child , as well as Tarka the otter , and many others . They were my father's books .

    I have seen how our chalk streams have deteriorated , and of course the lack of maintenance with regard to all our national rivers is disgraceful .

    1. They have bred with salmon from the fish farms that have to be given treatment all the time to survive.
      They are doomed.
      Blame everything else but not the elephant in the room.

    2. The Tamar's salmon and trout populations are failing too. I'm just above the weir and I speak to the EA and salmon syndicate people, this year so far has been the worst ever on the fish counting.

      1. I knew a river bailiff down here , sadly now no longer with us . He walked us up the River Frome and pointed out areas where the salmon spawn .. It was the most interesting walk I have had for years , along the crumbly banks of our chalk river.

  53. Do we have sufficient jail spaces tho, Grizz…I quite like the idea of rafts in the Channel, dual purpose..

      1. Y..e….s…., but it is quite small, do you think it will suffice Grizz? Wasn’t there an old Sci-Fi thing some years ago where a group of people were set down on an island to find out how they would fare/eat each other – that could be interesting?

        1. If you parachute ALL scumbags, murderers, rapists, kiddie-fiddlers, thieves, politicians and arsonists onto Rockall; then survival of the fittest comes into play as they fight for an available piece of rock. Survivors then need to develop their fishing skills, then build some shelter from the skins of the not-so-fit.

          1. I can tell you’ve given this quite a bit of thought and planning, Grizzly. With you:-)) One question – will it be recorded?

      1. Thank you for that Angus. I have sent the article off to an American friend living in Maine who seems blissfully unaware of this disaster. The author should have pointed out that FEMA has been diverted to tending refugees on the Mexican border. A failure of purpose if ever there was one. I sincerely hope that this disaster does for Harris as President. I don’t think Trump is a miracle worker but he would not have allowed this misuse of resources to take place. For one he would never let in all the illegals. I hope he gets in to, at least, mitigate the damage that the Democrats have caused. Quite a few, in my opinion, should go on trial.

      2. If it has an IQ of 85 or lower, it really is pointless to try and educate it. Hanging out with low IQ creatures only works if they have four legs.

    2. Plenty of YT channels showing clips of hordes of you-know-whats using tube without paying.. infront of smiling Teletubby Observers & Arbitrators of Law Enforcement.

    3. We want you to go home. Please do.
      And of course doing exactly what caused their countries of origin to become uninhabitable.

  57. In the old days, before everyone's brain was atrophied by eating crap, every family had time for such things. When they bleat, "I don't have time for that", what do they squander their spare time doing?

    Rolling fags?
    Ordering "food" from Deliveroo?
    Gawping at their mobile?
    Spending all day on social media?
    Watching drivel on television?
    Lounging about drinking "beer" from cans?
    Nattering idle gossip with the neighbours?

    I always found time to make my own food when I was working. I never had "no time" to do anything.

      1. I would never have dreamt of having four children in an already overpopulated world!

        I have remained child-free by choice. I did work 12-hour shifts, though.

        1. Well you know my opinion about that – it’s an idea that’s been pushed at us through the usual channels because the predator class feels threatened by large numbers of peasants and wants to justify their various population control measures. If it had any merit, global poverty would not have decreased during the peak population and peak global trade years leading up to the covid lockdowns.

    1. I think the only "freezing" that Kneelalot had in mind was of the type designed to make your feet cold while you sit in your living room shivering.

  60. His climate views show he is terminally brain damaged, does he think he should be assassinated?

    Minister Ed Miliband says he will back law change allowing assisted dying to end 'cruel' treatment of the terminally ill ahead of landmark vote by MPs next month

    1. Miliband is just being merciful as in "Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency."

      Yes, I imagine he probably thinks that it would be an even greater mercy for the State to intervene on behalf of the hapless people under its power. But then I do wonder if he is too ignorant to know the distinction between euthanasia and "mercy" killing.

        1. Interesting that that was from 2014, Belle. I think it’s fair to say that since those days the majority of Jews in Britain are feeling somewhat discomforted by the actions both of Miliband and the British government in general. Jews have traditionally backed Labour, but when they start hearing some of the guff coming out of the mouths of Starmer, Lammy, Miliband and all the rest, then no wonder they’re deserting them.

          The government and especially the biased Civil Service have an Israel problem. For some it’s a visceral Jew problem and for others it’s less than that in that it is a political one of conformity. Israel is not playing ball with the International narrative. They and all Arabia to boot are expected to adopt the “two state solution” that neither of the two states wants. António Guterres is now “persona non grata,” in the country. The State of Israel is not blind to who its enemies are.

      2. There is a real debate here, but it's not the one we're having.
        The real question is, if you enter the devil's pact with big Pharma, and start taking their products…you will reach the point at which only big Pharma and high tech medicine is keeping you alive.
        And at that point, it's impossible to tell the medical industry that they don't have some kind of say in whether you live or die, because you only exist thanks to them. In that sense, you are in their power. But I paid for the medication, you protest. Well, but that's kind of irrelevant, isn't it? Because they can choose whether to take your money or not, and you depend on their product for your life. It's not a normal buying and selling relationship.

        In a system with health insurances, the insurance will define how much they'll pay out, based on your contributions, so it's clear when the treatment stops or you have to fund it yourself.
        But with the disguised financing of the NHS, none of that is clear.
        Effectively you're ceding some control over your life to the NHS because nobody knows when your "due" runs out. And because it's not defined, unfair decisions are being made, for example prioritising newcomers who have paid nothing and will never be net contributors over people who have paid in all their working lives.

        And now this delicate and uncomfortable situation is about to morph into industrial scale ending of people's lives when the medical industry decides to pull the plug, because that is what will happen just as it did for abortion. It's not going to be a choice made out of free will for most people. It is going to be a choice where the medical industry has a say in when you die for the majority of people. So an already powerful industry will assume God-like proportions over ordinary people's lives – they will first keep you alive and then kill you (persuade you to sign the form) when they are ready!
        "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
        The addition of assisted dying to the pact that we make with big Pharma when we take their first life-long medication is about to get a lot darker if this bill passes.
        People will understandably do a lot to get a few extra years on this planet – but what is teh spiritual quality of those years, to oneself and to society as a whole when it becomes acknowledged that one is on death row, and it becomes normal for children to grow up in the knowledge that Granddad and Grandma will be put down?
        It is more spiritual poisoning of society, just as re-defining marriage was, the effects of which will be utterly toxic but not felt for a generation.

        1. “an already powerful industry will assume God-like proportions over ordinary people’s lives”… I think that is the general strategic objective, yes.

          Personally I tend to avoid drug dealers, since as you correctly point out you tend to end up ceding bigger and bigger aspects of your life to them. Crocodiles eat meat and then seem to just get hooked on eating even more of it. Who knew?

          All of these are in the same bracket to me. It’s Scientism. The debate does indeed need to be had. We can start in lots of places with this, but Chris Whitty would do among others. He is a scientist. He deals in things, but he doesn’t deal with matters of judgement, of ethical behaviour, of the bigger questions to do with morality, of justice and love and hate. He’s as inept and unqualified in these matters as my mate Bryan is at quantum physics. He’s no slouch at quantum physics, Bryan, but he’d run rings around Whitty when it comes to the subjective in life any day of the week. Politicians should not be saying things such as, “all the science says”. What Chris Whitty says is actually of extremely limited value, just like what the Met Office has to say, or NASA, or any of the other panjandrums who take money from us in order to tell us that we are destroying the world and that only their expertise will solve anything. All of the things they have to say are of extremely limited import and yet the politicians have reified nearly everything these people have spouted and acted like these are the ends of the argument.

          The debate is over Democracy. If you’re going to do it, then do it properly.

        2. All it needs is a change of guidelines. Read the little leaflet carefully.
          "Unsuitable for people over 70 year of age."
          Doctors and pharmacists will be too scared of litigation – or even prosecution – to go against those words of 'advice'.

    3. He's achieving his goal by merely ensuring that Britain is cold, dark and free of nasty industries that make things; including money.

  62. Scenes at Dover this morning as a break in the weather sees hundreds of illegal immigrants make their way from France on dinghies

    Border Force are out in force in the channel picking them up after French enforcement vessels escorted them to the centre of the channel

    Don't listen to the mainstream media the home secretary is NOT stopping the boats. We are on course to break last year's numbers easily

    Last year 29,407 illegals crossed, so far this year 25,243 have crossed not including the 100s that are crossing today, there's still another 90 days to go until the end of the year

    The Labour party has been in power 90 days and in that time including today's numbers over 12,000 illegals have crossed, hardly stopping the boats are they?

    🛑DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. LABOUR WILL NOT STOP THE BOATS🛑

    Footage of today's crossings courtesy of Chris Johnson on Facebook
    https://twitter.com/RoySinclair1957/status/1842132773315682322

    1. Neither governments of this country nor of France have any intention of stopping this illegal invasion. I cannot see how the acquisition of the boats, engines and fuel cannot be stopped, it is an organised crime which must. be relatively simple to address. I'm sure there is a tacit agreement between the two countries to let it continue. It would be interesting to find out what the payoff actually is.

  63. To whet your appetites – here is the first paragraph of a review of the Buffoon's autobiography (his truth, as it were)

    "Boris Johnson’s Unleashed is an important historical document, but not necessarily a valuable one. Any historian who approaches it is likely to at least partially remember the bit from GCSE history about the reliability of sources. The reason Johnson, a biographer of notoriously dubious merit, has turned to autobiography significantly earlier than he would have liked is because his party correctly calculated that the country could no longer believe a word he had to say."

    From The Grimes online today.

    1. James Delingpole has written a scathing review that will be up on his Substack in a day or two. He mercilessly seeks out all the parts where Johnson is lying through his teeth and trying to persuade the reader that he had nothing to do with lockdowns.

      1. Since er.. canadian foreign minister melanie joly!

        gawd help us if those two ever get together for a bit of intelligence sharing.

    2. I am on a tea break from gardening which gives me time enough to post my view of Lammy.
      If he believes what he says, and I think he does, he is seriously lacking grey cells, in other words he is as thick as shite.
      Will the village who is missing their idiot please come and claim him and take him home out of our hair.

        2. A former boss of mine once boasted that her kid was at the same school David Lammy went to but then on another occasion she had a long conversation with the same kid at the end of which she slammed down the phone and declared, "I'm selling him on Ebay"!

    3. "Report Merion Fri 28-Jun-24 19:52:20

      A vaginoplasty is the surgical creation of a female organs from the tissue from other organs, e.g. the male organs or the bowel, to create a neo-vagina and a neo-cervix.

      It is possible to develop malignancies in these neo-organs.

      This is what Cancer Research say:

      Trans women do not have a cervix, so don't need to consider cervical screening.

      Trans women who have had a vaginoplasty, which is a type of genital reconstructive surgery, the term 'neo-cervix' is sometimes used to describe the tissue at the deepest part of the vagina. This area is made of a different type of cells to the cervix in a cisgender woman. The risk of cancer in the neo-cervix for a trans woman is much lower than the risk of cervical cancer in a cis woman.

      Cancer of the vagina in trans women is very rare. The type of tissue used to create the vagina may affect the risk of cancer, and other complications. If you are a trans woman who has had a vaginoplasty using a loop of bowel, make sure your GP is aware of this if you experience symptoms such as vaginal discharge or bleeding.

      The link is from an interview in 2021. Lammy makes it clear that he understands a cervix is something a trans woman can have following “various procedures”. And he is right save that the medical professsional call it a neo-cervix.

      No, the world hasn’t gone mad. An MP, who is not a doctor, omitted a three letter prefix meaning new."

      https://www.gransnet.com/forums/news_and_politics/1337828-Trans-women-have-a-cervix-according-to-David-Lammy

  66. I was musing last night off line with one of our Nottlers about the six degrees of separation and that through it I was connected to the then Queen. Our church Minister (sadly now RIP), knew some of our councillors who would know our MP (the blessed Yvette) who would know Prime Ministers who would have their weekly audience with HMQ. It was only later I realised that through the same connections, Biden and Trump and other world ‘leaders’ would fit too. Scary. 🤪

    1. With Alf Garnett reading the news.

      I cannot see the beeb did anything but destroy all of those old recordings.

    2. Excellent music Pity about the picture quality – all those half naked girls whirling and twirling over the stage must have been very 'risky' at the time. The BBC has spent years hunting down and destroying every recording they can find.

  68. Just received a letter from the NHS.

    Dear Minty.

    An opportunity to take part in research and learn new information about your blood pressure, cholesterol and future risk of disease.

    You are invited to take part in Our Future Health. The |UK’s largest ever health research programme.

    If you take part, you will have the chance to find out more about your health now, and your risk of developing some diseases in the future.

    My Blood Pressure is off the scale and I have just managed to drag my blood glucose content down to manageable levels. During the Covid “epidemic” when I went hyperglycaemic, the health centre refused to see me. Bearing this in mind I have decided to refuse their generous offer.

    1. Moh received a similar letter yesterday.. from the same people asking him to take part in some Type 2 diabetes research ( Oxford )

      I was horrified .. he wasn't and he said he will comply!!!!!

      2. Anything to do with forces training?

        I have to confess that even though some of my good friends went into the armed forces I was a rebellious spirit when I was in the school's CCF

    2. I received a text with much the same in it.
      It took me all of 3 nanoseconds to hit 'delete'.

      1. I received my poo-on-a-stick test today! That, and the mammogram are all I’ll submit to!

        1. Have you looked into mammograms? Some women are refusing them now. Not sure what the relative risks are though.

          1. Yes I have, but it did its job 4 years ago, detected a very small cancerous growth and I was treated effectively. Caught early and I was able to avoid chemo and have radiotherapy instead. Plus, I’ve got tattoos now!

        2. My recent poo-on-a-stick test came back negative but I declined the last offer of a mammogram because it was subject to a lot of convid nonsense.

        3. You should see your GP if you want one of these not have the NHS bypass your doctor.

          2. Your GP is self employed and gives more independent advice, rather than an NHS department that is just following policy. We have alwys done that.

          3. I haven’t seen my GP in 4 years! Actually I haven’t seen any GP in 4 years, except in Aldi!

          5. Trying to get an appointment is a joke and even if you do it’s pot luck as to who you see. We have one male doc and 5 females, all of whom ‘work’ 3 half days a week! So much for continuity of care! 🙄

          7. Sorry to sound stroppy, Johnny but it makes me jolly cross! And the Convid nonsense hasn’t gone away!

  69. Just received a letter from the NHS.

    Deat Minty.

    An opportunity to take part in research and learn new information about your blood pressure, cholesterol and future risk of disease.

    You are invited to take part in Our Future Health. The |UK’s largest ever health research programme.

    If you take part, you will have the chance to find out more about your health now, and your risk of developing some diseases in the future.

    My Blood Pressure is off the scale and I have just managed to drag my blood glucose content down to manageable levels. During the Covid “epidemic” when I went hyperglycaemic, the health centre refused to see me. Bearing this in mind I have decided to refuse their generous offer.

  71. It's a long piece from the DT so here are a few highlights:

    'America will be furious and Beijing delighted': How Starmer handed Chagos to China

    Critics described the decision to give the archipelago, a vital national asset, to Mauritius as a 'strategic disaster'

    The announcement was seemingly rushed out with just days of recess to get ahead of the Mauritian election campaign, which starts on Friday. As such it came as a shock to much of the outside world, which had not been expecting the new Labour government to wrap up a deal so quickly. It was, after all, only nine months since Lord Cameron, the former foreign secretary, had halted talks on the handover amid security concerns over Chinese influence. [Call-me-Dave got something right? Strewth!]

    The archipelago has been in British hands for more than 200 years but is claimed by Mauritius, an island nation which lies almost 1,400 miles away. Under the Tories those claims were initially entertained, but then rejected over concerns about the influence China wields on the Mauritian government.
    …
    When James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, branded the decision as "weak, weak, weak", his rival Tom Tugendhat pointed out that it was Mr Cleverly who, as foreign secretary, oversaw the drawing up of much of the deal that Labour has enacted. Mr Tugendhat said: "This deal not only threatens our security but also undermines our allies, opening the possibility of China gaining a military foothold in the Indian Ocean. It compromises both our national security and the stability of the region."
    ……
    In an interview with The Telegraph, Boris Johnson branded the decision "feeble" and said it would weaken Britain's standing in the world. Raising his voice, he said: "No, no! I mean, God, that's another, I mean, what's he doing? "The Chagos Islands are a vital national asset. And have you seen how far away Mauritius is from the Chagos islands? I have, and it's ridiculous.

    "It's absolutely ridiculous. But this is what they're like. They are lefty lawyers from Doughty Street and Matrix chambers. They always think their own country is in the wrong. You don't buy any influence by doing this. It's a sort of delusion that the world thinks better of you for doing this. They don't, they think you're feeble." [The same types who saw you off, Bonjo.]
    ……
    The government of Mauritius had taken repeated action to stake its claims to the island, culminating in a victory at the International Court of Justice in 2019. Bureaucrats at the Foreign Office began work to comply with the non-binding judgment, fearing that failure to do so would damage Britain's standing.

    Talks were opened during Liz Truss's brief tenure and carried on throughout Rishi Sunak's time in Downing Street, when Mr Cleverly was foreign secretary. Mr Sunak was warned against relinquishing the territory by a former head of the Royal Navy last year…It was only when Lord Cameron took over at the Foreign Office that the plans were stopped, by which time the outline of a deal had already been drawn up.

    Less than a year later, and at the click of a send button, that process started by the Tories has been finished by Labour.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/03/keir-starmer-labour-chagos-mauritius-china-us

    Given that a large part of Whitehall seems to support this – indeed, even to have started it because of its obedience to unaccountable international organisations – it shows how little 'democracy' counts for. The new establishment thinks it owns us.

    In the fantasy world of political drama, shadowy figures from an ancient past, beholden to no one but an old, old Britain, would visit Max and his Idi-ot for a quiet word one dark winter evening. It's all that will save the Falklands, Gibraltar and, eventually, us from going the same way.

    1. I'm sure I saw somewhere that Biden thinks this is excellent.

      A certain sign that it isn't.

    2. My main concern about this agreement with the Mauritian government is that the Chagos Islanders, those forcibly deported by the British government more than fifty years ago and their descendants have, once again, not been involved. They've just been handed over from one deaf and indifferent government to another who might very well be just as deaf and indifferent to the plight of people not allowed to go home for over half a century.

      1. From the article:

        But if Sir Keir took some pleasure at seeing the Tories scrap, criticism from Labour MPs of the deal will have also given him some cause for concern. Peter Lamb, the MP for Crawley, said it was "very disappointing" that the islands had been handed over without the consent of the displaced Chagossian people, many of whom live in his constituency.

        Posting on social media, he said: "The decision over the future of the islands belongs the Chagossian people, it's not for the UK to bargain away. Sixty years on from their exile, they've been let down again."

        1. Starmer doesn't believe the indigenous people of Britain should have any say over the fate of these islands. He's consistent.

    1. The first quote doesn't suggest that.

      This hardly suggests America is furious.

      I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago. It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes. This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia.

  74. Woohoo ……
    I am now officially old and sad. I am delighted with a new loo, and have actually admired the shape of the new cistern.
    After the old flush mechanism collapsed (10.30 pm. on my birthday!!!) we now have a whole new loo.
    And it flushes. Properly. With a lever.
    Just about everyone we've spoken to, rolls their eyes when we mention that the old one was one of those darn push button things.

    1. Push button with or without a cistern?
      We once lived in a rented house in Germany that had a vile push button system embedded in the wall, so that when the cistern calked up, which it frequently did, you had to reach your hand through a tiny gap to try and fix it. Why the supposedly practical Germans inflict such horrors on themselves, I don't know.

      1. There is nothing practical about Germany it cons the world to think that it is. just try living there.

    2. Do they roll their eyes because they've had the same experience or because they think you're foolishly nostalgic?

    4. ALL bogs, here in yer Sverige, are those damn push-button things. I took the lid off one and was confounded by the insides. I'm used to a floating ballcock, but they are old hat, apparently.

      1. I seem to remember, looking into the wrecked cistern, that wires and plastic were involved.

    5. Afternoon Anne. I think that the Japanese have raised toilet design to new levels. They do everything but wipe your backside for you!

    6. Afternoon Anne. I think that the Japanese have raised toilet design to new levels. They do everything but wipe your backside for you!

  75. Have any of you noticed lately that Palestinians are declaring that they are from "The country of Palestine." This is new, never heard it before, but in the last few weeks and again today, someone introduced themselves in this way. It's obviously a propaganda ploy since no such country has ever existed.

  76. UK Chagos Negotiator: We Shouldn’t Be Worried About Losing ‘Very Tiny Islands’

    As the fallout continues over Labour’s immediate cession of the Chagos Islands to China-aligned Mauritius, special envoy for the negotiations Jonathan Powell has revealed the depth of the strategic thinking behind the decision on Times Radio this morning:

    “These are very tiny islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean where no one actually goes. So I don’t think we should be too worried about losing that bit of territory. We’re probably losing more to tidal erosion in the East Coast than that.”

    As everyone on Twitter has pointed out it was Powell who Blair told: “We mustn’t lose any more territory” after the 1997 Hong Kong deal. That agreement also included a “guarantee” over the use of the territory – see how that went…

    Meanwhile a spokesman for Liz Truss said bizarrely last night: “It was Boris Johnson who asked Liz to talk to Prime Minister Jugnauth about this at COP26, which she did.” After which came the sheepish addition that “for the avoidance of doubt, Boris was not in favour of ceding the territory either and anyone interpreting what I said as suggesting he was is making mischief…”

    4 October 2024 @ 10:14

    1. Lammy Lectured Civil Servants On Slavery During Chagos Sovereignty Crisis

      As the Chagos Islands were in the process of being given to Mauritius you might have thought Foreign Secretary Lammy would be focussed on the aftermath of Starmer’s decision to damage UK strategic interests and shrink its territory. Wrong…

      Lammy was, as usual, more interested in talking about race. He sent round an internal memo to diplomats in the FCDO as the news was blowing up talking about… slavery:

      “Black History Month is a moment to reflect on the impact of black heritage and culture on our country and our place in the world. It’s a chance to celebrate the enormous contribution of black people in Britain, and also to acknowledge some of our country’s most painful history.

      This is important to all of us in the FCDO. First, because of this Department’s role in that history. From King Charles Street, British officials administered colonies in which millions were enslaved. My ancestors were among them, taken from Africa across the Atlantic to labour in the Caribbean.

      Second, because of this Department’s role today. Our job is to represent the UK, a nation in which black Britons make an astounding contribution in all walks of life.”

      Guido hates to point out the Foreign Secretary’s historical inaccuracies, but the Charles Street building was completed as a Foreign Office headquarters in 1868 – 35 years after the complete abolition of slavery across the empire. History’s never been Lammy’s strong suit…

      Lammy’s more interested in lecturing his staff about himself than doing his job. No change there…

      4 October 2024 @ 12:35

      1. He's obsessed by this slavery business. I'll bet when he takes a taxi he starts off with, "Oh and by the way did you know my ancestors were slaves?"
        "No Guv."
        "Well you ought to give me a free ride, Yours probably brought them here."

      2. There are rumours however that Diego Garcia was where Chagossian slaves were used by Martians to flatten a strip of island for a crashed UFO to return back to Mars. I think the UFO may have been called Elon.

      3. “Black History Month is a moment to reflect on the impact of black heritage and culture on our country and our place in the world. It’s a chance to celebrate the enormous contribution of black people in Britain…"

        It's not very British to boast about achievements.

        1. Unfortunately any good that the black people may have done is being far outweighed by the harm that they are doing now.

          1. Inventors of the Stagecoach bus and Diesel engine, to move fellow blacks to the slave-ship ports

        3. So we celebrate their contribution to rioting and looting, shootings and stabbings, rapes and turning a once civilised country into the hellhole they came from? Whoopy do!

      4. History, Maths, Sums (well for him counting), Thinking, Talking Sense, Reading (even Autocues), Speaking, Common Sense etc
        Have never been Lammy’s strong suits…

        I

    2. We're led by blimps and have been since Margaret Thatcher. Blimps with rosettes painted on.

  77. Not easy:
    Wordle 1,203 4/6

    ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
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    ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

  78. A survey conducted by YouGov at the end of July found that 162 percent of Britons – including 272% of Labour supporters and 157% of Conservative voters – believe that the current Israeli government is guilty of war crimes.

    That terrorist leader, Netanyahu, better watch out. He has failed to obey BBC orders and has continued waging war on millions of innocent women and children sheltering in hospitals and refugee centres, Just today they have killed and crippled thousands of children in rehabilitation centres and special schools for the homeless and deprived.

    The above statistics have been confirmed by the BBC, the British Press Association and YouGov. It must be true.

  79. NOW we know what Mrs Allan was up to while she waited for her loo to be replaced:

    Dancing with Diana: A Memoir
    Anne Allan

    Sutherland House, pp. 194, £19

  80. Quote from the DT:

    Argentina has promised to gain “full sovereignty” of the Falkland Islands with “concrete action” after Britain surrendered control of the Chagos Islands.

    The country’s foreign minister, Diana Mondino, welcomed the step taken by Sir Keir Starmer’s Government on Thursday towards ending “outdated practices” after Britain returned the islands to Mauritius.

    She promised “concrete action” to ensure that the Falklands – the British territory that Argentina calls the Malvinas and claims as its own – are handed to Buenos Aires.

    In an intervention that will fuel rising criticism of the UK-Mauritius agreement, Ms Mondino said: “The long dispute between Britain and Mauritius came to a conclusion today, with Mauritians successfully regaining their territory of Chagos.

    “We welcome this step in the right direction and the end to outdated practices. Following the path we have already taken, with concrete actions and not empty rhetoric, we will recover full sovereignty over our Malvinas Islands.

    “The Malvinas were, are and will always be Argentine.”

    1. Does she not realise that we still have lots of Boy Scout clubs here in the UK, every member eager and willing to 'Do his Duty'. She shouldn't make threats that she cannot keep.

  81. BBC News: Starmer promises up to $28.5 billion for carbon capture projects.

    Idiot – how is he going to pay for the millions of burials resulting from his ending of Winter Fuel Allowance? Carbon capture at its best!

  82. Starmer refuses to rule out signing away Gibraltar and Falklands
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/10/04/politics-latest-news-starmer-labour-chagos-security/

    "Sir Keir Starmer has refused to say whether he would sign away other British overseas territories after handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

    The Prime Minister was asked to guarantee that under Labour no other British overseas territories will be signed away.

    He told reporters in response: “The single most important thing was ensuring that we had a secure base, the joint US-UK base; hugely important to the US, hugely important to us.

    “We’ve now secured that and that is why you saw such warm words from the US yesterday.”

    2. Starmer's definition of 'warm words' must be different to mine. Reports out Argentine quite interested, too. Who knew.

    3. How can this happen the property does not belong to him he's totally out of order.
      Warm words from Starmer while he's stealing people's property and the elderly residents of the UK safe life-styles.

  84. It says quite a lot about a 'religion' when one of its major world leaders approves of the murderous attack of 7 Oct. Do not ever let anyone tell you that it's a religion of peas and it's only a few nutters on the extremes that preach violent world domination. Islamophobia! pahh. Baroness Warsi and all her ermine can sod off back to where her forefathers left to help rebuild Britain. Nothing to do with where they came from being a shitehole where millions of people continue to flee from, of course.

    1. The first loyalty of all Muslims is to Islam. Their second loyalty is to other Muslims. Loyalty to the country they are living in (especially if it is a non-Muslim nation) comes a long way down the list, if indeed it exists at all.

          3. Close, it's for giving head not to kill you.

            First stipulated in the holy text of the Quran, the Jizya was imposed as an alternative to conversion or death when Muslims conquered a new area. At first, it was only open to People of the Book, Jews, and Christians, but in later centuries, other religions were permitted to partake as well.

      2. Indeed, the concept of the Caliphate, one world under the laws of Allah, does not include man made laws.

    1. This could turn into another Southport situation. Apparently, the police have released information that the people arrested and subsequently bailed are not Somalian.

        1. Possibly because she didn't die immediately and it was regarded as "merely a robbery, perfectly normal, nothing to see here, move along now.

          1. Probably giving them the chance to escape the country. This gives those who have made all the terrible mistakes a chance to cover them all up.

    2. My good.old mate Brucie has a shared ownership holiday home at Silverleaves Phillip Island Victoria.
      Not long ago he told me of a Somalian gang who walked into a local ship and robbed it stole hundreds of dollars of goods walked out and disappeared. They where never traced.
      The same people that use to rob shipping off their coast.
      I once saw a video clip where they tried to rob a Russian ship. The Russians machined gunned them all.
      Same old story world wide, give them a chance and they'll take it.

        1. I must admit that I really did enjoy the video of the shooting.
          They looked so confident as they tried to board the ship. Problem is, It might have encouraged thousands of them to invade other vulnerable countries.

    1. You dig up coal, sell it as carbon credit and bury it again on behalf of the buyer.

      Rinse and repeat.

    2. It's when you pay someone to bury a load of charcoal so that you can go on a Gap Yah trip of a lifetime to New Zealand?

    3. Hello Lacoste,

      Naive little me thinks carbon capture .. puff up a few balloons .. Take the flowers in their vases out a hospital ward at night .. Toilet seat down , compost heap lid on , leave windows closed .. (ps I am a windows open girl)

      Inflate a tyre , lid on a saucepan , extractor fan switched on.. etc etc No fireworks, bonfires bangers , bombs , aircraft cars buses , trains, breathing .. No Ministerial Vituperation .. gas bags the lot of them .

      I am white and proud of it Mr Lammy .

      Have I got it all wrong .

    4. Cynical moi thought if they ever capture enough carbon, plant life is bound to suffer. Will those with Carbon Capture storage facilities then demand to be paid an exorbitant price to release the carbon into the atmosphere.. (Got to cover capture and storage costs and turn a bit of profit…..!)

    5. Cynical moi thought if they ever capture enough carbon, plant life is bound to suffer. Will those with Carbon Capture storage facilities then demand to be paid an exorbitant price to release the carbon into the atmosphere.. (Got to cover capture and storage costs and turn a bit of profit…..!)

    6. I think the proposal is that the UK spends an exorbitant amount of money to capture CO2 and pump it into underground storage facilities e.g. disused coal mines. The UK produces about 1% of global man-made CO2.

      Meanwhile, the Chinese, who produce about 30% of global man-made CO2 continue to build hundreds more coal-powered electricity plants.

      Absolute f***ing madness.

  90. Apparently the new leader of Hezbollah is dead already. That didn't take the Israelis long!

      2. Hamas and Hezbollah and the rest of the so called Palestinians are descendants of Nazi supporters during and after WWII. They not only supported the Nazi cause but actively recruited for Hitler.

        Mossad are doing to the Palestinians what they did in hunting down Nazis who had fled to South America. They take no prisoners and will be miffed at the Iranian strike on their Headquarters.

    2. Good one, Kathie…another one is…'what am I doing here' or even 'what am I supposed to be doing here'….:-D…hope you are well and having a good time x

      2. Indeed! All of them make me laugh. 🙂

        Having a great time, thanks. En route to classes, where I shall give my teacher a sample of the tzatziki I have made to take to a private milonga (dance) tomorrow night at the home of a stunningly handsome architect friend. (Who, irritatatingly, acquired a live-in girlfriend in the months when I returned to England. 🙄 C’est la vie!)

        1. I’m no longer allowed in the kitchen (low bp occasionally leads to fainting), but him indoors sometimes mixes me greek yog and mint from garden – nearest I get to tzatziki….don’t worry about the l-i-g…you’ll see her off 😀 (anyway you may like her)…good to read you’re having a great time, we’re all up for firework night here:-)

    3. Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch when a group of middle-aged women ( i.e. the pythons (Cleese, Idle, Palin, Chapman etc, dressed in women's clothes, make-up and wigs and speaking in squeaky voices) crowd into a telephone box to ring up Jean-Paul Sartre to ask a simple philosophical question. They get through to Mrs Jean-Paul and they ask if Jean-Paul is free. Mrs J-P.S goes to find her husband and returns a minute or two later and says: "He's been trying to answer that question for the last 45 years."

  92. Daily Express vents..
    POLL: Would you care if Keir Starmer gave up the Falkland Islands? Vote here

    1/ Sir Keir Starmer is a psycho and doesn't care what anyone says, thinks or does..
    2/ I betcha The Foreign Office have been instructed to start behind the scenes negotiations now.
    3/ You should hear the Lefties trying to justify why South Georgia actually really does belong to a junta residing 2,700 klm away. May as well cede New Zealand.

    I reckon someone somewhere will issue a strong statement of a red line (and not a Putin style bluff).. with accompanying image like this.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/93d91b076ccd0ca039ccbf1f8440aa46cf9ec900c15d6ddcb05bab231a7da407.png

  94. For those of us who occasionally dip into YouTube…Hitler Rants Parodies quite good today re: the Shturmtrooper and his Uturns.

    2. What dimblebrain of a cockwomble puts his car in the sea, let alone one so expensive?
      (no spelling mistake underline for "cockwomble" 🙂

  96. How low can they get. The BBC is currently broadcasting a tribute to the mass murderer, Hassan Nasralla, leader of Hezbollah recently 'murdered' by Israeli forces.

  97. 394115+ up ticks,

    He is a WEF / NWO / davos creature, these past forty years they have ALL been of the same ilk, ALL received some form of blood monies on burnout, for treacherous, treasonable services rendered.

    1939/45 they would have received swift justice along with a great many of their supporters.

    It cannot be much longer until the british worm awakens with a very sore arse, on account of continued rogering, from these governing political capo elites and their supporting minions.

    It will take time, no matter what the lab/lib/con government controlled invading forces / Paedophile

    umbrella / coalition party think up next, but I do believe justice will be served.

    Dt,
    Live Starmer refuses to rule out signing away Gibraltar and Falklands

  98. Made it to Gatwick, not a bad (just long) journey. Relaxing with a pint of Abbot – it's ok, just not brewery tap quality!

    1. Don't forget when you wave goodbye to GB it isn't compulsory to wave with all of your fingers!

      1. Home at midnight or later. Got to collect the cats at 09:00 tomorrow, so no lie-in.
        Bugger.

    4. Greene King doesn't travel well. IPA in the Dog & Partridge in Bury St Edmunds (practically next door to the brewery, and early Lovejoy's local) was pure nectar. Ten miles up the road in Thetford… not so much.

  100. A pretentious Birdie Three!

    Wordle 1,203 3/6
    🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜
    ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

        1. I am new to Wordle and keep experimenting with new starter words. I am also doing Spelling Bee which I think helps in remembering odd word formations.

          Starter word if finding three letters generally allows elimination of half the alphabet and narrows you down to probably half a dozen possibilities.

      4. Well done corim!

        Nearly did it. Woops that seems to be today's (5 Oct)…
        Wordle 1,204 3/6

        ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨
        🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
        🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    3. JusJust plodding along

      Wordle 1,203 5/6

      ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
      ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
      🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
      🟩🟩🟨⬜🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    6. Underperforming par here (by the look of all the others!).

      Wordle 1,203 4/6

      🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜
      ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
      🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

  101. Just picked up another barrowload of fallen apples. Noticed a bizarre thing. Howgate Wonder – usually a later variety – are ready to pick NOW ahead of Bramley. Must be global boiling. Will go out with me ladder tomorrow and try to pick some higher-hanging fruit (notice the reverse modern cliché…!!)

    Sunny day still.

    1. Just gone and bought myself an original van Gogh coffee table on Ebay.
      Got it cheap as it had a bit of veneer missing.

    2. I've just been tasting my latest efforts at zyder making. So far very good, clear shweet and fizshhyy taysttt ting.

  103. Sorry, main PC is playing up. Need to be able to use my MacBook so am checking that I can login and post using it.
    Hope it works
    EDIT: yes, it seems to be OK, thank goodness

  104. The Critic

    A craven surrender
    The handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius represents a mindless and unjust capitulation to a foreign power

    Artillery Row
    4 October, 2024
    By Yuan Yi Zhu

    Donald Trump likes to brag about his prowess as a negotiator, but he has nothing on the government of Mauritius, which pulled one of history’s great diplomatic heists yesterday, when it announced that the British government had agreed to give it the Chagos Islands, which have been sovereign British territory without interruption since 1814.

    To add insult to injury, not only will Mauritius gain a new colony, but it will collect large rents from the Americans for the military base on Diego Garcia, while the British government will pay hefty financial support to Mauritius (Africa’s third richest country on a per capita basis) for the honour of handing over to Mauritius one of the world’s most strategically valuable territories.

    Britain has just announced that it is run by the world’s most gullible ruling class

    In other words, not only is Mauritius having its cake and eating it too, it has also extracted from the British taxpayer a new cake, to be savoured while it smugly lectures the world about the importance of decolonisation.

    Never mind that Mauritius sold the Chagos Islands to the United Kingdom in 1965 for the-then astronomical sum of £3 million and a valuable British security guarantee. Its prime minister had described the islands as “a portion of our territory of which very few people knew… which is very far from here, and which we had never visited”, so it was no big loss.

    In the 1980s, a new government changed its mind and decided to get the islands back. It alleged the British had threatened to withhold independence from Mauritius unless it agreed to sell the territory. The small problem was that every single surviving Mauritian negotiator cheerfully admitted that they didn’t care about the Chagos, whose inhabitants they regarded as half-civilised savages.

    And the blackmail thesis suffered from the fact that Britain in the 1960s could not get rid of its remaining colonies fast enough—Mauritius had to wait a few more years for independence because part of its population wanted it to remain a British territory.

    Mauritius then decided to wave the bloody shirt of the Chagossians, who had been callously expelled by the British to make way for the air base and dumped on Mauritius. The fact that the Mauritian treated them terribly—so terribly, in fact, that thousands of them left for the UK, the country which had deported them in the first place—was but a minor detail.

    In 2019, Mauritius managed to get the International Court of Justice to say that the islands should be given to Mauritius. The ruling was not even legally binding, but Mauritius was somehow able to convince gullible Whitehall functionaries that Britain had no choice but to give the islands to Mauritius.

    But Mauritius’ masterstroke was to corner Liz Truss at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2022. The helpless Truss blurted out that she would negotiate the island’s sovereignty with the Mauritians. Decades of British government policy had been trashed in a couple of minutes.

    The negotiations took place without the consent or the involvement of the Chagossians, most of whom are resolutely opposed to Mauritius getting the islands. Meanwhile, Mauritius made it a crime, punishable by a decade in prison, for anyone to challenge its claim to the Chagos with the “support” of a foreign government, no matter where they lived in the world. That was enough to terrify many Chagossians into silence.

    With terrifying irony, Mauritius had meanwhile leased one of its far-flung islands to India, and began to depopulate it, just as the British had done in the Chagos decades prior. All of this was cheered on by gullible British progressives and expensive British KCs who were happy to repeat Mauritian talking points.

    The Chagossians, whose only sin was to inhabit islands which were crucial to the defence of the Western alliance against communism, have been betrayed once again by the British government. Mauritius walks away smelling of roses and a few millions richer in its pocket, as are its lawyers. As for Britain, it has just announced that it is run by the world’s most gullible ruling class.

    Yuan Yi Zhu is a Senior Research Fellow at Policy Exchange. His two reports on the Chagos Islands for Policy Exchange can be read here and here.

    1. Surely, the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius cannot be decided by Keir Ching without due process, debate and approval by Parliament?

        1. "In 2019, Mauritius managed to get the International Court of Justice to say that the islands should be given to Mauritius. The ruling was not even legally binding, but Mauritius was somehow able to convince gullible Whitehall functionaries that Britain had no choice but to give the islands to Mauritius."

      2. One might have thought so but he's not very bright and has been completely out-manoeuvred by 'his best friend' at Matrix chambers. I suspect that the deal was set up before the General Election as a massive sop to the ultra-lefty 'progressives' to keep them at bay before they finally oust Keir-ching.

    2. As it happens, my cousin, who now lives on the Isle of Wight, phoned today. "Are you not worried, given the Chagos Islands decision, that you may be about to be sold off to the highest bidder?" "It depends who bids", was the reply. 🙂

  105. Sorry folks, me again.
    Checking if Desktop Windows PC is still connected – albeit desperately slow in action.
    EDIT: yup, it still works (but s l o w l y).

  106. Well, I may have to bleed my radiators when I get home but just received an email from the management company confirming that they found a leak but not in my flat…phew! The offending pipe has been sorted out and the system refilled. This is when air gets in of course, which I hate but I'm used to it happening.

  107. Definition of insanity to be tested again by Labour's Ed Militwerp…

    Andy Mayer
    Labour’s latest vanity project is doomed to fail
    Ed Miliband has tried and failed carbon capture once already. He is now repeating mistakes from the past, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill

    04 October 2024 12:44pm BST

    Making a success of Carbon Capture and Usage, and Storage (CCUS) was first tried in the UK between 2005 and 2007 by the previous Labour Government who wanted us to “lead the world” in this “exciting new technology”.

    The BP Peterhead demonstration project would extract hydrogen for fuel from natural gas and pump the waste CO2 into the soon to be decommissioned Miller oil field, extending its life with a process known as enhanced oil recovery. The project was always about “half a billion in subsidies” away from being viable, and was eventually buried, along with the Miller field when the Treasury said no. A highlight of Gordon Brown’s record.

    Skip ahead 15 years through several competitions, task forces, £100 million bungs, Alistair Darling, Ed Davey, and Boris Johnson and the industry is far from starting, let alone leading the world. In consequence we have Ed Miliband relaunching a boosted Tory promise of £21.7 billion over 25 years to generate up to 50,000 CCUS jobs by the 2030s, starting with 4,000 in Teesside and the Northwest / North Wales. He again hopes to “lead the world” in this “exciting new technology”.

    Cruel cynics might suggest money spent in 2040-50 is unlikely to generate any jobs in the 2030s, or that a £400,000 subsidy for each job is not the best use of taxpayer money. Or indeed that this administration should be more cautious about schemes that require a cosy relationship between Ministers and a handful of corporations to the exclusion of the public. £21.7 billion is a lot of Taylor Swift concerts.

    However, the flaws are more fundamental. First, near twenty years of failure, and a quarter century demand for ongoing state support should be more than a sufficient hint for the Government to think this is not an industry that will succeed on its own terms.

    Second, it is patently obvious that the nation most likely to deliver CCUS at scale, if at all, is China. They have the coal plants, the gas plants, and crucially the heavy industry clusters that we and the rest of the West have been offshoring to them throughout this century.

    Third, carbon capture makes industrial processes less efficient. Estimates of a 15-40 per cent reduction show that all carbon capture will do is render that industry uncompetitive. You can offset some of that disadvantage for the home market with carbon border tariffs, but those are further costs on your citizens and industry, damaging investment.

    They don’t yield global export champions, but Potemkin village industries. Ultimately we can’t grow the economy by making everything more expensive, which is the problem with net zero.

    Fourth, clustering may help, although never in history has any real industry needed to be told by the Government where to stick a factory. However, much of British industry and power generation isn’t in a cluster or remotely close.

    The relocation costs for many will render closure more attractive than moving, while the cost of extending transit pipelines is likely prohibitive. The initial impact of this industrial strategy then will be the ongoing destruction of British industry.

    Fifth, the ongoing decision to collocate CCS with hydrogen projects appeals to the beautiful fantasy of an imminent hydrogen economy, and less romantically the commercial interests of some investors. But it is a fantasy.

    For hydrogen to have a serious future in a net zero economy it must come from the surplus of renewable or nuclear energy generation, not fossil fuels. Even then there are challenges that speak to niche and expensive uses such as smoothing the output of intermittent wind farms. We will not see this at scale until the late 2040s, and likely later, if at all.

    There is a sensible approach to CCS in the UK, and it’s the same as the sensible approach to all matters net zero. Set a carbon price and let investors decide how to invest. Don’t pick winners, or more commonly losers. British taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for these useless vanity projects.

    ******************************************
    Edward Simmons
    4 hrs ago
    What I can never get my head round is why he is so adamantine in imposing the Net Zero claptrap on us.
    What does he get out of it or is it a Messiah Complex that he is saving the country and ipso facto the planet.
    If this is what he thinks my advise to him would be to seek medical assistance at the earliest opportunity and retire to a place of refuge where he cannot harm himself or us.
    I don't believe that in all my born days I have listened to a Cabinet Minister carrying on in this manner. Delusional doesn't come into it.

    Charlie Brown
    4 hrs ago
    Reply to Edward Simmons
    My money is on a Messiah Complex.

    Tom Gutteridge
    3 hrs ago
    Reply to Edward Simmons – view message
    I fear it's just a Marxist / WEF mission to destroy the country under the cloak of a confected problem. Marxism will never win at the ballot box and so this is its back route in …. edited

    R Hutton
    3 hrs ago
    Reply to Charlie Brown
    He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy.

    Atticus tou Vorra
    31 min ago
    Reply to R Hutton
    Are you sure? Not so long ago I saw him with a stone tablet with commandments he had made-up carved into it. So, the signs have always been there.

      1. David Lammy has already said that the Isle of White (sic) is a legacy of white supremacy and will be returned to the indigenous people of Kenya from which it was stolen.

        I hope someone explains to Lammy that the Black Isle is not an island………………

    2. Hand it over.. and pay for it!!!! for 99 years no less.
      Oh btw your Foreign Secretary has dual nationality. He's made it clear to the UK he loathes British colonialism. Perhaps have key posts to Brits only, and prevent a conflict of loyalty?

      This is so bizarre.
      China is debating whether they should adopt DEI and offer key posts to say.. an African.

        2. British Guiana.. Guyana.
          And unfortunately Britain.

          There's something about Georgetown.. that woman Gina Miller came from there.

          1. After slavery was banned, indentured workers from India were shipped around the world. Mr Lammy has some Indian ancestry.

      2. And the Chinese considered it for a zeptosecond before concluding it was a bad idea.

        And for those who don't know, scientists have measured the shortest unit of time ever: the time it takes a light particle to cross a hydrogen molecule. That time, for the record, is 247 zeptoseconds. A zeptosecond is a trillionth of a billionth of a second, or a decimal point followed by 20 zeroes and a 1.

    3. Hand it over.. and pay for it!!!! for 99 years no less.
      Oh btw your Foreign Secretary has dual nationality. He's made it clear to the UK he loathes British colonialism. Perhaps have key posts to Brits only, and prevent a conflict of loyalty?

      This is so bizarre.
      China is debating whether they should adopt DEI and offer key posts to say.. an African.

  110. That's me gone for this quite nice day. Some garden work – autumn stuff, and those damned apples! The people who had this house built and who turned a ploughed field into a large garden – which the MR has converted into a glorious place worthy of being opened to the public – planted twenty different apple varieties….. Six of the trees fell into desuetude and have been removed. The rest keep on keeping on producing apples! There is a limit to the number we can keep…..

    Tomorrow I'll attack them with ladder and t'bucket.

    Have a spiffing evening wondering what the next Liebour Sleazegate will be….

    A demain.

    1. Bill,

      Twenty different apple varieties , do you know the varieties and I expect they are rare .

      I went to an apple harvest exhibition years ago , and was astounded to see so many varieties of apple many of which are so rare because people dig up mature trees because the grassed lawn is more important .

      Some of the apple varieties had incredible names .. one of the late English apples that I love and very rarely see is similar to Crispin , a large yellow skinned apple , full of fragrance , juicy and delicious .

      I also love Russet apples .. and there are not many green grocers around who sell them .

      We have had many apple trees in our previous homes , one apple was a James Grieves.. another delicious flavour .

      When we moved here , there was a huge cooking apple tree, the tree fanned out like an umbrella , it was years old and I suspect it was part of a cider orchard years ago .. the fruit was red and green , nice looking apple, but my goodness , biting into it , your tongue would retreat in shock , goodness me , tart is not the right word , neither is sour .. don't know how to describe it .

      Sadly the trunk had hollowed out , split , and looking diseased , but the tree still had the strength to fruit .

      We had to get some one in to remove the tree.

      Interestingly around the village there are several very old crab apple trees , very very sour , but pretty yellow fruit .. and in another village there is an elderly quince tree amongst a line of oaks and beeches.

      https://www.rootsplants.co.uk/blogs/features/rare-apples

        1. Crab apple trees help with pollination, presumably they work by attracting the right sort of insects.

  111. Why Joe Biden refused to board HMS Prince of Wales, according to Boris Johnson
    Ahead of his memoir Unleashed, here are 10 new things the former PM’s book reveals

    Joe Biden refused to board the pride and joy of the British naval fleet
    Joe Biden refused to board the UK’s new £3.3 billion aircraft carrier because it had too many steps for him, Unleashed claims.

    The “vast” HMS Prince of Wales had been “proudly stationed” in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, as the then prime minister and American president held a meeting before the G7 summit in 2021.

    After questioning whether Mr Biden was “really as elderly-seeming as his detractors sometimes said”, Mr Johnson explained how the president’s first foreign trip did indeed raise questions about his health.

    “His staff told us that he would not in fact be boarding our vast aircraft carrier – which we had proudly stationed in the bay – because it had so many steps; and we wondered what that meant about his physical fitness,” Mr Johnson wrote.

    His fears that Mr Biden would fall asleep during meetings proved unfounded, in part because he appeared to “take a bit of shine” to his new wife, Carrie.

    Mr Biden, who attended the summit with his wife, Jill, admitted that both he and Mr Johnson had “married above ourselves” before suggesting he and Carrie have a secluded walk on the beach.

    “‘Why don’t you and I go down to the beach,’ he said to Carrie a bit later, while Jill Biden rolled her eyes, ‘and leave this guy here?’”

    M J A Church
    10 min ago
    Oh Boris.

    Don't be so ingenuous.

    He didn't board the POW, because simply, Biden is a Premier league Plastic Paddy.
    That's the real reason.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/10/04/boris-johnson-unleashed-book-joe-biden-prince-of-wales/

    1. From the snippets of Johnson’s memoire I have read so far it strikes me that he is a sort of Billy Bunter character, a fat buffoon harbouring infantile schoolboy prejudices and playing tricks on other equally stupid western leaders. It is kindergarten stuff for the most part lacking serious thought and dosing on party political prejudices and propaganda.

      To realise that not only were we being led by idiots but that this clown has written it all down illustrates the lack of maturity and understanding these leaders share one with another.

      1. It's all a lie the "clown" covers up a cold hearted sociopath happy to profit from mass deaths in Ukeland

    1. Miliband thinks giving windmills more money results in cheaper energy. He's a liar, a crook and thick.

  113. There's no way you can be a member of the The Popular Front of Judaea (PFoJ) AND simultaneously support The Front for the People's Judaea (FPJ). It stands to reason.

    If you want to join Tommy's The Front for the People's Judaea (FPJ), you have to really hate Alan's Snack Bar.

    Richard Taylor QUITS Reform UK In Support Of Tommy Robinson

      1. The doughnuts haven't worked out yet that one is a political party, and the other lot are activists led by a journalist.

  114. Quote of the day

    ‘We are lucky that Starmer wasn’t in charge when Argentina invaded the Falklands, he would have handed them over on a silver platter.’

    – Former defence secretary Grant Shapps on the Chagos Islands deal.

    3. Hang on. Hannngggg on.

      It appears that James Cleverly was already in the process of handing the Island's back to Mauritius.

      I would note that we've had a holiday there. A chalet thing poking out into the sea. I hated it as it was too hot and humid. The Warqueen loved it.

  115. from Coffee House, the Spectator
    another of Julie Bindell's missives.

    Is this wife killer jumping on the Post Office scandal bandwagon?
    Julie Bindel4 October 2024, 3:50pm
    Robin Garbutt is serving life in prison for murdering his wife, but is he innocent? His supporters say so. They insist that evidence from the Horizon IT system and the Post Office which helped convict him of the killing of Diana in 2010 was flawed. Garbutt, they claim, is another victim of the Post Office scandal which saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted. Diana’s mother is sceptical and has said she believes her son-in-law is guilty. Garbutt, she said, was ‘jumping on the Horizon bandwagon’.

    The jury saw through Garbutt’s story
    It’s right to treat Garbutt’s appeal with scepticism. Every year, many men are convicted of murdering their partners. The most common culprit when a murder victim is female is a partner or ex-partner. There were 100 domestic homicides last year: seven in ten victims of domestic homicide were women. It seems likely that Diana is another statistic in this tragic catalogue of women whose lives were ended at the hands of their partner.

    Police suspected Garbutt from the beginning. The 58-year-old claimed his wife had been murdered by an armed intruder while he was unlocking the safe, in readiness for opening the post office in the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire. He claimed a masked man carrying a gun had come into his shop, told him: ‘I’ve got your wife’, and demanded cash. Garbutt told police he handed over £16,000 and, when the burglar had gone, went upstairs where he found his wife dead. He said at the time: ‘Di was my life and I am lost without her.’

    Detectives didn’t believe him. The story didn’t quite ring true and, when they looked into it further, it appeared he had been stealing from the post office. They also discovered that all was not quite as it seemed within the happy marriage Garbutt claimed to have had. Diana had kissed and flirted with other men, had a profile on a dating website – and was unhappy with their sex life. This would not be the first time that a husband, overcome by jealousy, had killed his wife.

    Most popular
    Steerpike
    Fifteen top takes from Boris Johnson’s memoir

    The jury also saw through Garbutt’s story. Now, 13 years into a minimum 20-year sentence – and following a failed appeal and three subsequent attempts to persuade the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to reopen the case – Garbutt is making another bid for freedom.

    Former Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake is backing a fresh review of the case. ‘I can’t speculate whether Robin Garbutt is guilty or innocent, but I think we all want to make sure that people when they go through the justice system get a fair hearing,’ he told the BBC.

    Garbutt is hoping that the public outcry that followed the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office could lead to his conviction being overturned. Horizon can be blamed for inflicting dreadful pain and trauma on countless individuals. Let’s hope it does not also bring about another dreadful miscarriage of justice by being the reason a murderer walks free.

      1. Is that an important question? Convicts continually appeal their cases,most I imagine, funded with legal aid. Maybe in this case he is being sponsored by people associated with the victims of the post office scandal.
        There is every likelihood that the case was another miscarriage of justice caused by the post office administration false accusations. It does Bindell no credit to write articles like this simply because she dislikes half the human race.

  116. From Coffee House, the Spectator

    Doctors and the trouble with the BBC
    Gareth Roberts4 October 2024, 5:30am
    The BBC’s daytime soap Doctors will soon vanish from our screens after 24 years. But while the final episodes make for excruciatingly bad television, they are worth watching for a simple reason: they encapsulate everything that is wrong with modern television.

    The BBC’s obsession with ramming progressive storylines down viewers’ throats is plain to see in each episode of Doctors. Take the character of Dr Graham Elton (Alex Avery); he’s a rotten bigot and, in case you didn’t realise it, viewers are reminded of just how awful and unsound his views are in almost every scene.
    Graham is an equal opportunities ‘bigot’, guilty of every ‘ism’ going. He is, inevitably, a white, middle-class heterosexual man. He treats the very short female administrator Kirsty with puns and amused contempt. He fumbles over the terminology of gay and ‘queer’ with his colleague Dr Al Haskey. In one indescribably bad scene, he gets into a big tizzy over pronouns with the gay male nurse Luca, calling it ‘woke nonsense’.‘We’ve got to move with the times, language evolves, it’s nothing to be upset about,’ says voice-of-reason Dr Haskey a little later. So that’s all right then.

    This is TV at its nadir; it serves to lecture viewers, not entertain them
    Luca decides to revenge himself by changing the sex on evil Dr Elton’s staff records. ‘How did it make you feel – undermined? Undervalued? Like your identity was irrelevant? Now you know how offensive it is to be misgendered – maybe you won’t do it again’. Dr Evil is furious. The more likely response, a pitiful shrug, is eschewed. So he is sent on an LBTQIA+ refresher course. It’s all marvellously 2018, pre-Cass, pre-‘Isla Bryson’, pre-Labour admitting their Women’s Declaration back into conference.

    A lot of TV is bad; but that won’t prepare most first-time viewers for just how dreadful Doctors is. Almost all of the scenes are excruciating; they are reminiscent of the ‘Bureau de Change’ segment in The Day Today, or the one-off 90s revival of Acorn Antiques, in which Victoria Wood marvellously skewered soaps tackling ‘issues’ (Mrs Overall even came out). Doctors is schematic, obvious and clunking; hilarious, but for all the wrong reasons. This is television at its nadir; it serves to lecture and teach viewers, not entertain them.

    Things haven’t always been this way. I grew up watching soaps and later worked on them for many years. In the 1990s and 2000s, millions tuned in to watch these shows. They did so because soaps had the power to enthral those watching. Soaps might make you feel happy, or sad; but, at the very least, you could relate to characters in the show. Doctors shows that not everyone who works in television sees it as their mission to entertain; instead they think their mission is to educate.

    In my day of screenwriting in the pre-internet era, when you were commissioned you’d often get a big wedge of research, background details – legal, medical, etc – on whatever stories the show was running. This typically came from charities and professional bodies. Such information could be useful but also dangerous; it could sometimes lead to ‘soap professional disease’, where characters become walking, talking pamphlets. It’s hard to escape the conclusion that the scriptwriters in Doctors have swallowed such information whole.

    As a result, Doctors offers up stilted, compliant, didactic stuff, like a HR training video. It treats viewers as idiots; it’s as if the BBC think people watching TV during the daytime don’t deserve any better. These scenes would be struck out of the script of a decent children’s programme with an audience older than the tiniest of tots. Doctors has all the dramatic elan of those times in Rainbow when Zippy would get out of hand – eat all of Bungles’s sweeties, for example – and learn a valuable lesson. Taking a highly contentious political issue like the gender wars and conflating objection to pronouns with hostility to a disabled person, as if the two things were remotely comparable or adjacent, is despicable.

    The Writers’ Guild made an enormous fuss about Doctors folding, saying the show was a vital training ground for fresh TV talent. They were right, kind of. Doctors has featured household names such as Eddie Redmayne, Sheridan Smith, Nicholas Hoult, Rustie Lee and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. But that roster of talent doesn’t mean Doctors deserved to avoid the chop. With its antiquated production, tiny budget and quaint air of ‘that’ll do’, it reminds me of how the shoddy end of television used to be made, 40 years ago, before the industry was professionalised. To make matters worse, a dollop of politically correct nonsense is served up on top.

    All is not lost. There are signs of life elsewhere on TV – and in soaps. ‘I haven’t time for gender identity, I’m up at five for t’papers,’ Rita in Coronation Street said recently. What a relief to hear such common sense. Doctors’ scriptwriters could learn a thing or two.

    Soaps are, of course, all fantasies. But lose any link at all to reality and you lose everything. It’s a mercy that the BBC have arranged an assisted dying for Doctors. Now they just need to find a cure for the rest of their twaddle-riddled output.

    2. I looked in on a few episodes of Doctors, simply because my late mum used to watch it and I was curious. It seemed to be dominated by coloured characters, a noticeably 'diverse' programme before the current over-representation of effnic actors on programmes and in adverts.

  117. Got back home at 17:30 after a pleasant drive back.
    Stopped off at a car park between Llangwyfan and Nannerch for a short walk part way up Penycloddiau hill fort, then had a couple of hours in Mold. Rather a pleasant little town where I spent far too much in the Olive Tree Deli, https://www.olivetreedeli.com/ .
    Then we had another tea break at Cheerbrook Farmshop at Nantwich, https://www.cheerbrook.co.uk/ , where I again spent far too much.

      1. Played Rugby there a couple of times – it's the sort of place that, when you walk in and they realise you're English, they switch to speaking Welsh…….there's lovely.

  118. Good evening all,
    I've already had a couple of texts and an email from my GP surgery inviting me to book my flu jab, and informing me that I would be offered the latest conjab at the same time. Now they have posted on their farcebook page that the first flu clinic will be held tomorrow, and here is part of the message. (My bold)
    'It is a flu vaccine clinic, everyone attending will be given their flu jab
    💉those eligible for a covid vaccine will also be given this at the same time,     this is totally safe.'
    How on earth can they claim it is totally safe? If a patient accepts the conjab, then suffers an adverse reaction or illness, are they leaving themselves open to legal action by making false claims?

    2. You have to ask yourself the question before accepting the jabs,
      Since when has the government or public services given you anything for your benefit?

      1. I certainly will not have any more conjabs. Simply not worth the risks. It's not as though convid is dangerous for otherwise healthy people.
        I only had the 1st two in order to get into Canada in summer 2022 when they were still in pandemic mode, including mandatory muzzles for the entire flight, jab 'passports' on mobile phone and random testing at the border. Of course, we could remove our muzzles when we were eating and drinking because, as we all know, the virus miraculously stopped during meal times. Funny how long one could make food and drink last ………. We just wanted to see our son and young grandchildren for the first time in nearly three and a half years.
        As for the flu jab, I didn't bother last year, and probably won't this year.

        1. I've never had the flu jab.
          I only agreed to the con jab to put MB's mind at rest because his health is not brilliant.
          The dreadful irony was that for him, it did appear to be a clot shot.

          1. I've never had any of the jabs, more worried about grandchild having them now.
            But what can you say, they've all been brainwashed

          2. Unless a child has health issues, I can't see any reason why they need flu 'jabs.' (I think it is administered as a nasal spray) I was disgusted that they got each of their children conjabbed as soon as possible – age 5 in Ontario at that time.

          3. I had the flu jab a couple of times. The first was when we were honoured to be invited to meet our new grandbaby in Canada early in 2018. We were permitted to meet baby on condition we had flu jabs before travelling. (Baby was over 2 months old by then but we weren't allowed to go sooner, even when we said we'd just visit for 2 or 3 days & not impose at all for meals etc, and that we'd then spend time exploring a different part of Canada. (From assorted comments here over the years, you'll be familiar with the 'delights' of our Canadian 'family.')

    3. My view is that if it really were totally safe there's be no need to tell everybody it was. They'd only need to put the list of trials and results.

    4. I get those texts more or less weekly. I delete them. I had more than enough shonet with two AZ jabs. Even then, I'd have shied away from mRNA jabs.

  119. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/654be4cea834d1690a0b787e14a0d11343ac4d49fc125a7007a6879ac9a44408.jpg

    Some of you will remember me writing about the shambolic rail improvement project in Oxford. On it goes, the completion date put back further and further. Network Rail writes: "…the work to divert the complex layout of utility pipes and cables under the road – including the sewer system – can't be completed in time." The BBC puts it more bluntly: "In an update, Network Rail said Thames Water would spend five weeks excavating 'trial holes' to find a location to relocate a water main connection point."

    There is an element of "Right Said Fred" about this. And Oxford is still cut in two…

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglkgk5zdpro
    https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/oxfordshire/botley-road-bridge-replacement

    3. There are so many reasons not to go into Oxford nowadays. Haven't been there for a few years.

  120. GB News facing ‘significant fine’ after losing High Court battle against Ofcom

    Judge permits broadcaster to launch judicial review into regulator’s finding it breached rules

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/10/04/gb-news-significant-fine-losing-court-battle-ofcom/

    **************************************

    Indi guise
    4 hrs ago
    I'd say GB News is actually far more impartial than most other news channels. Definitely a great deal more truthful that's for sure. Consequently, the Government and the MSM are going to do anything they can to shut it down. I'm going to donate. It needs to fight back with tooth and nail.

    K Wilson
    4 hrs ago
    Reply to Indi guise
    As they used to say “Me too”!

    Lee Bradshaw
    3 hrs ago
    Reply to Indi guise
    GB news is the only channel where you will here both sides in any discussion on climate change.

    andrew MCCALLUM
    4 hrs ago
    "Ofcom ruled that GB News had failed to adhere to impartiality rules and give equal weight to other points of view, either in the programme itself or in another linked programme."
    The BBC do this every day!

        1. Funerals, dieting, made to measure seat, sofa bed, EVEYSPRELOVED, terrible , garden centre sales , expensive retirement homes, yes all white people thank goodness , but !!!!!

    3. What ofcom mean is that GB News has given due weight to both sides. They can't stand that.

  121. I woke up to go to the loo this morning, instead of putting the bedside lamp on I picked up my phone that was on charge on the bedside cabinet. The time was 04 : 04 date 4 10 2024.
    A strange coincidence.
    April might have been very scary.

  122. Far, far too tempting:

    Masturbation triggers a distressing mental health issue in TWO-THIRDS of men, experts discover – but it occurs in only half of women

    Everything you wanted to know about who?:
    I'll bet I know who you thought I was referring to.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13924617/Masturbation-triggers-distressing-mental-health-issue-TWO-THIRDS-men.html

    Doctor warns excessive masturbation is behind the rise of an embarrassing male health problem – but how much is too much?

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13916991/Doctor-warning-excessive-masturbation.html

    Entire Labour Cabinet agrees.

    1. Wrong Mastication triggers a distressing MH issue in at least one Nottler…

      I'll bet I know who you thought I was referring to

        1. I think the entire Labour front bench are wanquers.

          Their bedroom proclivity… couldn't care less about.

    4. There was an article in New Scientist about a study which showed that there are health benefits in mastu rbation for male humans and chimps, etc. IIRC the prostatic fluid can help to flush out urinary tract infections. Bonobos already knew.

      1. The only American Cup I'm into is Speyside Whisky matured in American Oak casks!

        PS I reckon with my oversized engine I could easily tow a water skier (where speed limits permit!)

        1. Yes, I imagine a bit of high speed water skiing in the Gas Street Basin has a bit of a waiting list………….

  124. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13925827/nhs-worker-died-cardiac-arrest-orally-raped-unconscious-park-bench-cctv.html

    I cannot summon the will to mock the 'diversity strength'.

    This is disgusting. That could be a wife, sister, niece, friend. The Left keep forcing these sewage on us. The invasion must end and every single one deported, regardless. Every single one.

    If Left wing lawyers or statists complain, they go too. Pack them into shipping containers and kick them out with the vermin.

    1. It was so dreadful that I didn't want to post the link, I agree with your view.
      The animal should have his throat stuffed to the point that he can only breath just enough that he eventually loses consciousness and dies, struggling all through the experience.

      1. I think that's too kind. Flog him, flay him, hang an andrenaline bag to keep it alive and then do as you've suggessted. Then deport every single one of them – the nigerians, the somalians, the dindus – all of them. If there's whinging complain ram a dildo down the throats of those whinging, gaffer tape their mouths and let them choke.

          1. I came home to a beautiful woman sprawled on the sofa munching on cashew nuts. Passed small boy on his bed with Mongo upended beside him both pretending to be dogs.

            Then you see that article and think… for goodness sake. why do the Left want to force these scum on us?

        2. I'm sorry but your soft approach to crime just encourages them. I think we need to be much more strict

    2. As expected, no comments allowed below the report. That poor young woman. Filthy, depraved, evil sub-human.

      1. They can't allow comments as it is an on-going trial. It's annoying, but such could jeopardise the conviction.

        Which is itself putrid. The scum is voting not guilty yet is seen on CCTV. He will get a few years in jail with meals and warmth.

        He should be burned alive.

        1. I'd forgotten about it being ongoing.
          We can but hope his fellow lags will find out what he is in for and react appropriately. For starters, maybe some pervs will find him in the showers ……

    3. Sadly, this has become normalised to our betters. But if you protest against mass immigration you might be jailed for up to 10 years. Western governments are truly screwed up and the little people suffer.

  125. According to a new report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the UK counted just over 6,000 new cases in 2023. Notably, for the first time, more than half of them (53%) were attributed to people who were originally diagnosed outside the UK. Of that set, 75% of the carriers are African. The migrants are also spreading the disease amongst each other after arriving — 253 diagnoses were attributed to people who'd been in England less than two years.

    "The rise in HIV testing together with a higher and sustained positivity in black African heterosexuals may be suggestive of ongoing transmission. However, this number could also be affected by changing patterns of migration with a recent rise in people diagnosed with HIV abroad arriving in England." – UKHSA

    2. Wait until they bring in something that can be transmitted by pissing and shitting in the streets, Marburg's for example.

  126. Evening, all. Just back from a harvest festival celebration in a cow byre on a farm. That's a first. I have to say, it was redolent of its original purpose although the floor had obviously been washed.

    Starmer is evil and dangerous, never mind foolish.

    1. Part of Welby's church closure plans. They are trying to encourage us to have services at people's houses instead of in church.

          1. I have a full-sized 1980s Norwich church organ console, with 43 stops, purchased from eBay some years ago. I junked all the electronics, plus the keyboards. Ultimately, this will be a Hauptwerk-based virtrual pipe organ. I have the necessary decoders / encoders. I was going to modify a couple of M-audio Keystation MIDI keyboards, but I'm now leaning towards a pair of manuals from SIlver Octopus in Devon. They deal with the woodwork, and can add thumb pistons. They also offer a power supply which is likely to be intrinsically safer than those which came with the organ. Much soldering awaits, but I suspect it will have to wait until my organist contract expires in around a year's time. Just need the eyesight to hold out.

            Anyway, the point is that, while living in the Verger's Cottage, the churchwarden / High Sheriff / de-facto landlord and her (also former HS / DL husband) visited to discuss the order of service for her former Lord Lieutenant father. Seeing the instrument, she pressed a couple of keys. "Ah – I'm pleased you're here", I said. "I'm planning on excavating a hole in the Dining Room floor, so I can store the organ underneath, on a hydraulic lift, like they used to do in the cinemas of old. Is that OK?" Bearing in mind that tenants on her estate knew that the answer was "no", whatever the question, her face was an absolute picture.

            "I am actually joking, Bridget." Much relief ensued…

          2. Good luck with your project Geoff, sounds interesting. I have a Roland Fantom7 which has 194 different organs on it which I’m selling

        5. Or for congregations. Inevitably, only richer families will be able to play host. Their houses will not be a neutral meeting ground like a church is. People won’t want to go.

          2. At the moment, they’re only doing the special services at people’s houses. Invariably, that is the only service on that weekend, and they provide food. It’s the direction they’re pushing us in – always eating at services, only one service among ten parishes, no church building involved. It might work for Harvest, Plough Sunday etc, but long term, for ordinary weekends, it’ll put people off. One of the services was already scheduled at a place whose owners have made enemies of most people in the area. Low level crime is probably involved. The vicar seems oblivious. I wouldn’t willingly set foot on their property.

          3. Normally services (it isn’t my usual church) take place in church. This appears to be an annual event. Yes, there was food afterwards (but then, it was harvest, after all). We have tea/coffee and cake/biscuits after church on Sundays (and for any other special celebration).

          4. Ours started as an annual event – we’ve had three of them this year under various excuses.

          12. Just waiting for the old joke about it not possibly taking place in Liverpool as they couldn't find three wise men and a virgin.

          13. Try this one instead…

            After three days of the Rabbi imploring the Lord and wailing mightily to the heavens..
            A voice from Heaven said: "Rabbi, what on earth is wrong?"
            And the Rabbi trembling said: Lord, my son has become a Christian…"
            And the Lord roared:"What do you mean, your son!?"

          14. Maternity is certain, paternity is not. One reason why Jewishness is partly determined via the maternal line.

    4. Not just Starmer, you can include Lammy and Miliband among the evil and foolish. Probably others as well.

      1. It seems someone has already been training them. It's pretty obvious that our useless politicians are heavily involved in wrecking our country.

    2. Easy; the defenders want to stop the former, our government has no intention of stopping the latter invaders.

      1. In fact the rubber dinghy invaders are encouraged by this misshapen and mistaken government by a "Come one, come all." policy.

  128. I'd forgotten about it being ongoing.
    We can but hope his fellow lags will find out what he is in for and react appropriately. For starters, maybe some pervs will find him in the showers ……

  130. These savages want to kill us all, no longer even pretending to be 'peaceful'.
    This is in Denmark but there are numerous examples of such dangerous behaviour and open announcements of their evil intentions all over Western nations, including this country. They are allowed to openly incite murder and mayhem with impunity. But woe betide a Christian person who has the temerity to read from the Holy Bible or even silently pray in public.
    https://x.com/Salwan_Momika1/status/1841595399670489299

  131. Any one else having connection problems at the moment.
    Hopefully catch up tomorrow night all 😴

    1. We can guess the demographic. In their home countries they don't bother with nappies at all.

  142. Another day is done so, goodnight, Gentlefolk. Bis morgen fruh. Schlaf gut. Ich hoffe.

  144. From Coffee House, the Spectator

    Can David Lammy solve the Gibraltar dispute?
    Mark Nayler5 October 2024, 12:00am
    The British government is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with Spain over Gibraltar. Spanish military aircraft have twice flown over the Rock in the past ten days: once on 27 September, reportedly while a commercial British Airways flight was taxiing on the local airport’s runway, and then again on 30 September. These flyovers (thought to have been by Spanish Air Force cargo aircraft) might seem harmless – but the British government disagrees.

    The timing of the flyovers couldn’t be worse. They come shortly after the latest round of talks in Brussels between Spain, Gibraltar, the UK and EU about the Rock’s post-Brexit status. Of central importance to these negotiations are the questions of Gibraltar’s airport, airspace and its land border with Spain (now also a UK-EU frontier).

    Spain wants much more than just joint control of Gibraltar’s airport
    Spain wants ‘joint use’ of Gibraltar’s airport – but for Damid Lammy, the UK’s foreign secretary, the practical implications of such an arrangement are far from clear. Somewhat ridiculously, in last month’s talks, the various parties discussed where security guards should stand in the airport and even what colour uniforms they should wear. Yet these apparently trivial points are symbolic of a much deeper dispute – one that ultimately rests on the phrasing of a 300 year-old contract.

    All parties now agree that passport control should take place in the airport, but Lammy is wary of such demands. At last month’s meeting, he reiterated that the independence of the British RAF base, which operates the territory’s runway, must not be compromised by any agreement on airport use and border control. Defence is one of only two areas in which Gibraltar is controlled from London, the other being foreign policy; in all other respects, the British Overseas Territory is self-governing.

    Lammy has taken over from where his predecessor Lord Cameron left off in April. After that month’s discussions, Gibraltar’s chief minister Fabian Picardo said that all parties were ‘within kissing distance’ of a permanent agreement on issues such as the airport, goods and mobility. But after Lammy’s visit to Brussels last month, it looks like progress has slowed once again.

    Part of the problem is that Spain wants much more than just joint control of Gibraltar’s airport. Citing the UN’s definition of the Rock as a ‘non-autonomous territory that must be subjected to a process of decolonisation’, the Spanish government ‘wishes this territory to be returned to it’. In a speech to the UN General Assembly last month, Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s Socialist prime minister, reiterated that position, saying that any post-Brexit agreement on the Rock must ‘fully respect UN doctrine’. Spain also claims that key aspects of the territory were excluded from the deal in which the Rock was ceded to Britain over three centuries ago.

    Signed in 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht transferred ‘the city and castle of Gibraltar, together with its port, defences and fortresses’ from the Spanish to the British’. But, says Spain, that document made no reference to the isthmus, the thin strip of land that connects the Rock to Andalucia – on which the territory’s civilian and military airports stand – nor to the seas around the territory or the airspace above it. Therefore, according to the Spanish government, ‘the occupation of the isthmus [by Britain] is illegal and contrary to international law’. This centuries-old contract is also the reason why the UK is unlikely to receive a sympathetic response when it complains about the rogue cargo plane: Madrid will simply respond that it was flying through Spanish skies.

    One might expect Spain to have pounced upon any opportunity to expose what it sees as the Treaty’s disastrous omissions. But in 1966, when the UK invited Spain – then ruled by dictator Francisco Franco – to resolve the issue of Gibraltar’s status at the International Court of Justice, the latter refused. Were the Spanish concerned that their archaic arguments about the isthmus wouldn’t survive scrutiny in The Hague?

    If so, this concern seems to have been justified. In 2016, the international Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that ‘under public international law, the sovereignty of Gibraltar is clearly British’. Picardo, Gibraltar’s chief minister, has been equally emphatic: ‘The concept of joint sovereignty or any dilution of our sovereignty is a dead duck’, he said in 2019.

    That same year, however, I wrote an article arguing that a post-Brexit Gibraltar should reconsider joint sovereignty, mainly to keep an open border with the EU. Such an arrangement, I suggested, would speak to the facts that 96 percent of Gibraltarians voted to remain in 2016 and around 15,000 workers cross the border every day, almost 10,000 of whom are Spanish. But in a published response, Gibraltar’s deputy chief minister Joseph Garcia argued that this solution only makes sense if you approach ‘the question as one of logic or arithmetic’. It fails to appreciate what Garcia called the ‘existential’ aspect of being Gibraltarian – ‘our way of life, the elements that make us a people’.

    Certainly, Spanish claims to the Rock don’t reflect the interests of Gibraltarians. In two referendums, held in 1967 and 2002, they overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of control from Madrid, opting in both cases to remain as a British Overseas Territory. Franco was so unsettled by that first vote, and the strongly pro-British Constitution in which it resulted, that he shut the Gibraltar-Spain border in 1969; it wasn’t fully reopened until early 1985.

    The dispute that Lammy has just entered is not primarily about Brexit, although of course it has been complicated by that vote. Gibraltar’s airport, located as it is on that crucial strip between the Rock and Andalucia, is the modern focal point of a 300 year-old argument. And so is that cargo plane.

    1. The Treaty of Utrecht, (1713) ceded Gibraltar to the UK 'In Perpetuity'. Which part of In Perpetuity doesn't Spain understand? For clarity it means forever.

  145. Good morning all! The twins are staying and have just got up! No peace for the wicked!

        1. Good for you! It’s a treat!
          When our grandies visit from Canada, we LOVE having them to stay for a couple of weeks. If only they didn’t have to bring the parents ……. The parents reckon that as soon as they are both old enough to fly unaccompanied (under the watch of airline staff), they will put them on the planes. I think they said it’s around 8 years old with Air Canada, so just a couple more years until the youngest qualifies.

          1. Ooh! How exciting! We adore having them as well, especially when it’s out of the routine stuff! The house resembles a battleground but heigh ho….

  147. I suspect that was the goal all along! It was one of the dastardly plots that was exposed by Save the Parish.

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