Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Personally, I've done a few (I've essentially walked the NC500, and have stargazed in Northumberland whilst camping), and I did #25 many times as a kid.
Here's a short list of (done) UK travel experiences: *) Stay in a Maidenhead hotel where the bed moves overnight to the other side of the room. *) Wild-camp in the King's Forest, Thetford, during a Lamping session. *) Get five men staying in a two-bed B&B room. *) Walk four miles after a pub lunch, only to realise you've left your girlfriend back at the pub. *) Forget your torch on a night walk *) Forget your maps on a day walk *) P*ss in the sea at Brighton Beach in December, because the council has shut all the public toilets for the winter. *) Do what a bear does in the woods. (minus points if you have a trowel and/or paper). *) Get tickets for an event at the Tate in London, and go to the *wrong* Tate. *) Stay in a B&B where you cannot take the spoon out of a cup because of congealed sugar. *) Wild camp outside a safari park and be regularly woken by all the animals. *) Have sex in the loch at Sandwood Bay. *) Go on a preserved railway, only for the steam engine to break down mid-journey. *) Go on a coach, only for the coach to end up at the wrong destination. *) Call out the AA from three nations in the UK.
Talk us through this bed movement in point one.
Mrs J and I were walking part of the Thames Path, and we booked a B&B in Maidenhead. We knew we were in for a classsy time when the car park had a Statue of Liberty in it. A broken Statue of Liberty. The B&B was above a restaurant, and our room was all in pink with a ?wooden? floor. At about seven, the restaurant's extractor fan near our window started, blowing the smell of the food into our room. The vibrations from the fan slowly moved the bed (which was on castors) across the room.
And yes, it was probably a knocking-shop. Which made it even funnier.
It was one of the worst B&B's I've ever stayed in, but we loved it as it was so outrageously bad. Nearly as bad as the hotel we stayed at in London for the Kate Bush concert. The cubicle for the en-suite toilet was so small I could not sit frontwise on the toilet and had to sit side-saddle.
Staying in awful places can be fun; like wondering what'll happen next. What I really don't like is staying in mediocre but expensive places.
The Depratment (sic) for Education is advertising for a policy adviser to inform Nadhim Zahawi's new policies on schools.
They are offering a two year contract at £100,000 a year. Open to anyone with experience of leadership and management, possibly in education.
The post was advertised today.
The closing date is Sunday.
I wonder who they have decided to appoint, and what fresh hell will be inflicted on schools by their arrogance, stupidity and incompetence a la Cummings, Freedman and Adonis.
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
How can you resist “the oldest, steepest inland electric funicular railway in England,” which “ranks 38th overall”?
If you want to understand and appreciate the real UK you would do as well to stand in the queue at Greggs on a wet November Monday lunchtime in Scunthorpe. (41st on the list and more fun than most of the top 40).
Has anyone else tried to read Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon? My god what a slog. Impossibly slow, excessively long and notably dated. She’s right about Montenegrins tho. They are beautiful people
No. I have had a copy for about ten years and it is on the impossibly long pile of my 'to be read' books.
Not surprised it is dated - it's from the 1940s iirc.
1938 I think. Poignantly before the war
It’s not just the length, it is the longueurs, whole passages where she waffles away, for 30 pages or whatever, about nothing, or she gives you her unexciting opinions on marriage or pancakes or pigeons or God
Yet serious people say it is one of the greatest books of the 20th century? Disconcerting. Can’t see it
From my experience (personal & friends) appreciation of Black Lamb Grey Falcon (or is it the other way around?) depends on the reader having either > significant interest in Eastern Europe in general, and the Balkans in particular; or > enhanced appreciation for British writing of excruciating turgidity as seen (in USA via PBS) on Masterpiece Theatre
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but Fitzroy McLean's 'Eastern Approaches' is the best Balkan account from a readability and believability perspective.
Hasn’t been mentioned. I shall try it as I have another week or two here. Thanks!
I might not be enjoying Rebecca West but I am having fun with Djilas’ Njegos, thanks to @SeaShantyIrish2
It does meander a bit but it is also full of fascinating deets about Montenegrin history
I'm baffled as to how it could have escaped your attention. I think I need to warn you in advance that I can't repeat the trick! (Yes - that good)
Personally, I've done a few (I've essentially walked the NC500, and have stargazed in Northumberland whilst camping), and I did #25 many times as a kid.
Here's a short list of (done) UK travel experiences: *) Stay in a Maidenhead hotel where the bed moves overnight to the other side of the room. *) Wild-camp in the King's Forest, Thetford, during a Lamping session. *) Get five men staying in a two-bed B&B room. *) Walk four miles after a pub lunch, only to realise you've left your girlfriend back at the pub. *) Forget your torch on a night walk *) Forget your maps on a day walk *) P*ss in the sea at Brighton Beach in December, because the council has shut all the public toilets for the winter. *) Do what a bear does in the woods. (minus points if you have a trowel and/or paper). *) Get tickets for an event at the Tate in London, and go to the *wrong* Tate. *) Stay in a B&B where you cannot take the spoon out of a cup because of congealed sugar. *) Wild camp outside a safari park and be regularly woken by all the animals. *) Have sex in the loch at Sandwood Bay. *) Go on a preserved railway, only for the steam engine to break down mid-journey. *) Go on a coach, only for the coach to end up at the wrong destination. *) Call out the AA from three nations in the UK.
Personally, I've done a few (I've essentially walked the NC500, and have stargazed in Northumberland whilst camping), and I did #25 many times as a kid.
Here's a short list of (done) UK travel experiences: *) Stay in a Maidenhead hotel where the bed moves overnight to the other side of the room. *) Wild-camp in the King's Forest, Thetford, during a Lamping session. *) Get five men staying in a two-bed B&B room. *) Walk four miles after a pub lunch, only to realise you've left your girlfriend back at the pub. *) Forget your torch on a night walk *) Forget your maps on a day walk *) P*ss in the sea at Brighton Beach in December, because the council has shut all the public toilets for the winter. *) Do what a bear does in the woods. (minus points if you have a trowel and/or paper). *) Get tickets for an event at the Tate in London, and go to the *wrong* Tate. *) Stay in a B&B where you cannot take the spoon out of a cup because of congealed sugar. *) Wild camp outside a safari park and be regularly woken by all the animals. *) Have sex in the loch at Sandwood Bay. *) Go on a preserved railway, only for the steam engine to break down mid-journey. *) Go on a coach, only for the coach to end up at the wrong destination. *) Call out the AA from three nations in the UK.
Sandwood Bay. Was on my own - and thought I had the place to myself at 10.30 pm in late June. Suddenly, the skirl of the pipes and rockets going off. Finally discovered the two guys who had walked out with a set of bagpipes and a rucksack full of rockets.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
The Depratment (sic) for Education is advertising for a policy adviser to inform Nadhim Zahawi's new policies on schools.
They are offering a two year contract at £100,000 a year. Open to anyone with experience of leadership and management, possibly in education.
The post was advertised today.
The closing date is Sunday.
I wonder who they have decided to appoint, and what fresh hell will be inflicted on schools by their arrogance, stupidity and incompetence a la Cummings, Freedman and Adonis.
Oh yes! That reminds me, I was thinking of you a little earlier when I read this, about Mr Williamson.
PS Re the job you notice - maybe the lady down in Tiverton would do nicely. Definitely unoccupied. Management of a nail salon (so far as one can tell), and management of a small primary school for 2 years (ditto). But she needs some advice on bucking up her CV, from what one can tell of her website.
I also like the fact that this list is aimed at “people under 40”. These are the daring scary things you need to do when you are filled with bravery, brio and adventure, the stuff that will too daunting or dangerous for anyone over 40, the stuff you simply can’t do over that age, to be honest
Eg number 29
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
LOL. Reading it literally, you don't even have to be arsed to physically go. just book the tickets and you have another tick on your bucket list.
Go nowhere to have more fun. Just stay at home and read Three men in a Boat. (Perhaps it's due for an update from JosiasJessop).
The gardens at Blenheim are magnificent and free. No booking required. The house is a monument to personal vanity - not sure it is worth the entry.
Camping in a boat in the British summer can be a hilarious experience, with the right kind of friends.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
This is all political shadow-boxing.
Sturgeon doesn't really want a second referendum but she has to pretend to want if for the sake of keeping the SNP together.
If the Supreme Court strike it down, she can go off and moan about London and the Tories and her supporters will lap it up.
If I were Starmer, I'd contact her and tell her to tone down the rhetoric - if she wants a referendum the only way is to get rid of the Conservatives and an alternative UK Government, while committed to preserving the Union, would be more amenable to the idea of a second referendum provided the SNP lines up behind some key Labour policies.
In essence, while the current arrangement works well for Sturgeon (and Johnson of course) a minority Labour Government dependent on the SNP for support would be even better.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
"Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
Any half decent Tory PM can weaponise that dislike. It doesn't require Boris.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
Farq, another yearner for the glory days of SLab. Apparently he'll be voting for the sake of his friends and relatives in England.
The Depratment (sic) for Education is advertising for a policy adviser to inform Nadhim Zahawi's new policies on schools.
They are offering a two year contract at £100,000 a year. Open to anyone with experience of leadership and management, possibly in education.
The post was advertised today.
The closing date is Sunday.
I wonder who they have decided to appoint, and what fresh hell will be inflicted on schools by their arrogance, stupidity and incompetence a la Cummings, Freedman and Adonis.
Oh yes! That reminds me, I was thinking of you a little earlier when I read this, about Mr Williamson.
PS Re the job you notice - maybe the lady down in Tiverton would do nicely. Definitely unoccupied. Management of a nail salon (so far as one can tell), and management of a small primary school for 2 years (ditto). But she needs some advice on bucking up her CV, from what one can tell of her website.
Has anyone else tried to read Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon? My god what a slog. Impossibly slow, excessively long and notably dated. She’s right about Montenegrins tho. They are beautiful people
No. I have had a copy for about ten years and it is on the impossibly long pile of my 'to be read' books.
Not surprised it is dated - it's from the 1940s iirc.
1938 I think. Poignantly before the war
It’s not just the length, it is the longueurs, whole passages where she waffles away, for 30 pages or whatever, about nothing, or she gives you her unexciting opinions on marriage or pancakes or pigeons or God
Yet serious people say it is one of the greatest books of the 20th century? Disconcerting. Can’t see it
It’s turgid. My brother warned me when I took it on holiday to Croatia, and he was right.
Personally, I've done a few (I've essentially walked the NC500, and have stargazed in Northumberland whilst camping), and I did #25 many times as a kid.
Here's a short list of (done) UK travel experiences: *) Stay in a Maidenhead hotel where the bed moves overnight to the other side of the room. *) Wild-camp in the King's Forest, Thetford, during a Lamping session. *) Get five men staying in a two-bed B&B room. *) Walk four miles after a pub lunch, only to realise you've left your girlfriend back at the pub. *) Forget your torch on a night walk *) Forget your maps on a day walk *) P*ss in the sea at Brighton Beach in December, because the council has shut all the public toilets for the winter. *) Do what a bear does in the woods. (minus points if you have a trowel and/or paper). *) Get tickets for an event at the Tate in London, and go to the *wrong* Tate. *) Stay in a B&B where you cannot take the spoon out of a cup because of congealed sugar. *) Wild camp outside a safari park and be regularly woken by all the animals. *) Have sex in the loch at Sandwood Bay. *) Go on a preserved railway, only for the steam engine to break down mid-journey. *) Go on a coach, only for the coach to end up at the wrong destination. *) Call out the AA from three nations in the UK.
Talk us through this bed movement in point one.
Mrs J and I were walking part of the Thames Path, and we booked a B&B in Maidenhead. We knew we were in for a classsy time when the car park had a Statue of Liberty in it. A broken Statue of Liberty. The B&B was above a restaurant, and our room was all in pink with a ?wooden? floor. At about seven, the restaurant's extractor fan near our window started, blowing the smell of the food into our room. The vibrations from the fan slowly moved the bed (which was on castors) across the room.
And yes, it was probably a knocking-shop. Which made it even funnier.
It was one of the worst B&B's I've ever stayed in, but we loved it as it was so outrageously bad. Nearly as bad as the hotel we stayed at in London for the Kate Bush concert. The cubicle for the en-suite toilet was so small I could not sit frontwise on the toilet and had to sit side-saddle.
Staying in awful places can be fun; like wondering what'll happen next. What I really don't like is staying in mediocre but expensive places.
Has anyone else tried to read Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon? My god what a slog. Impossibly slow, excessively long and notably dated. She’s right about Montenegrins tho. They are beautiful people
No. I have had a copy for about ten years and it is on the impossibly long pile of my 'to be read' books.
Not surprised it is dated - it's from the 1940s iirc.
1938 I think. Poignantly before the war
It’s not just the length, it is the longueurs, whole passages where she waffles away, for 30 pages or whatever, about nothing, or she gives you her unexciting opinions on marriage or pancakes or pigeons or God
Yet serious people say it is one of the greatest books of the 20th century? Disconcerting. Can’t see it
From my experience (personal & friends) appreciation of Black Lamb Grey Falcon (or is it the other way around?) depends on the reader having either > significant interest in Eastern Europe in general, and the Balkans in particular; or > enhanced appreciation for British writing of excruciating turgidity as seen (in USA via PBS) on Masterpiece Theatre
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but Fitzroy McLean's 'Eastern Approaches' is the best Balkan account from a readability and believability perspective.
Hasn’t been mentioned. I shall try it as I have another week or two here. Thanks!
I might not be enjoying Rebecca West but I am having fun with Djilas’ Njegos, thanks to @SeaShantyIrish2
It does meander a bit but it is also full of fascinating deets about Montenegrin history
Very, very strongly second 'Eastern Approaches'
six quid on kindle, and the fact that it has been kindled at all says something about it
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
I also like the fact that this list is aimed at “people under 40”. These are the daring scary things you need to do when you are filled with bravery, brio and adventure, the stuff that will too daunting or dangerous for anyone over 40, the stuff you simply can’t do over that age, to be honest
Eg number 29
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
LOL. Reading it literally, you don't even have to be arsed to physically go. just book the tickets and you have another tick on your bucket list.
Go nowhere to have more fun. Just stay at home and read Three men in a Boat. (Perhaps it's due for an update from JosiasJessop).
The gardens at Blenheim are magnificent and free. No booking required. The house is a monument to personal vanity - not sure it is worth the entry.
Camping in a boat in the British summer can be a hilarious experience, with the right kind of friends.
I agree re Blenheim - though seeing round the house can be of genuine if slightly academic interest if one is into the late Stuart and early Anne period. Had a very pleasant hike through the park and along Akeman Street, the Roman Road which passes through it, once.
Off topic, but probably of interest: "With Moscow concentrating its efforts on taking territory in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region — battering cities, towns and Kyiv’s troops with a near-constant barrage of artillery fire — Ukraine has been able to make steady gains in the south. Village by village, more of the strategically important Kherson region is returning to Ukrainian control — another sign that Russia’s forces might be overextended with a front line that stretches about 300 miles.
Regaining control of Kherson, a rich agricultural region with Black Sea access, is critical for Ukraine. It’s the only position the Russians hold west of the Dnieper River, and a prime position to launch any future offensive down the Black Sea coast to the major port city of Odessa. The Ukrainian counteroffensive is squeezing Russian positions from two directions — the west and the north."
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
"Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
Any half decent Tory PM can weaponise that dislike. It doesn't require Boris.
“Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!”
Has anyone else tried to read Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon? My god what a slog. Impossibly slow, excessively long and notably dated. She’s right about Montenegrins tho. They are beautiful people
No. I have had a copy for about ten years and it is on the impossibly long pile of my 'to be read' books.
Not surprised it is dated - it's from the 1940s iirc.
1938 I think. Poignantly before the war
It’s not just the length, it is the longueurs, whole passages where she waffles away, for 30 pages or whatever, about nothing, or she gives you her unexciting opinions on marriage or pancakes or pigeons or God
Yet serious people say it is one of the greatest books of the 20th century? Disconcerting. Can’t see it
From my experience (personal & friends) appreciation of Black Lamb Grey Falcon (or is it the other way around?) depends on the reader having either > significant interest in Eastern Europe in general, and the Balkans in particular; or > enhanced appreciation for British writing of excruciating turgidity as seen (in USA via PBS) on Masterpiece Theatre
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but Fitzroy McLean's 'Eastern Approaches' is the best Balkan account from a readability and believability perspective.
Hasn’t been mentioned. I shall try it as I have another week or two here. Thanks!
I might not be enjoying Rebecca West but I am having fun with Djilas’ Njegos, thanks to @SeaShantyIrish2
It does meander a bit but it is also full of fascinating deets about Montenegrin history
Eastern Approaches by Fitzroy Maclean is indeed a great read!
His time with Tito & Partisans in Yugoslavia cover last third of the book, preceded by his pre-war travels in Soviet Union (including seat in audience at purge trial of Bukharin), and his early-war experiences in the Western Desert with SAS.
Re: Yugoslavia, keep in mind that Maclean was a partisan (so to speak) of the Partisans both during & after the war. Also dripping with what could be called aristocratic privilege, or at least perspective. (But these are quibbles as far as I'm concerned, though others may disagree.)
Politically-speaking, he had a rather unique reason for running for Parliament during the Phony War period: he wanted to get out of the Diplomatic Service so he could join the Army. But Foreign Office took the view that his services to them were of an essential nature, and refused to release him.
However, when he decided to run as MP (in by-election) they had no choice!
The Depratment (sic) for Education is advertising for a policy adviser to inform Nadhim Zahawi's new policies on schools.
They are offering a two year contract at £100,000 a year. Open to anyone with experience of leadership and management, possibly in education.
The post was advertised today.
The closing date is Sunday.
I wonder who they have decided to appoint, and what fresh hell will be inflicted on schools by their arrogance, stupidity and incompetence a la Cummings, Freedman and Adonis.
Oh yes! That reminds me, I was thinking of you a little earlier when I read this, about Mr Williamson.
PS Re the job you notice - maybe the lady down in Tiverton would do nicely. Definitely unoccupied. Management of a nail salon (so far as one can tell), and management of a small primary school for 2 years (ditto). But she needs some advice on bucking up her CV, from what one can tell of her website.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
Farq, another yearner for the glory days of SLab. Apparently he'll be voting for the sake of his friends and relatives in England.
I also like the fact that this list is aimed at “people under 40”. These are the daring scary things you need to do when you are filled with bravery, brio and adventure, the stuff that will too daunting or dangerous for anyone over 40, the stuff you simply can’t do over that age, to be honest
Eg number 29
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
It's the Daily Mail, what do you expect, it's written by people who think Glastonbury is a little bit edgy.
It is in Daily Hate, but the research is a NatWest survey.
Surprised they didn't say 'pop into one of rural England's quaint old rural banks where you can withdraw some pounds with her blessed majesty's face on'.
That was on last year’s list. They’ve shut them all since then.
Has anyone else tried to read Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon? My god what a slog. Impossibly slow, excessively long and notably dated. She’s right about Montenegrins tho. They are beautiful people
No. I have had a copy for about ten years and it is on the impossibly long pile of my 'to be read' books.
Not surprised it is dated - it's from the 1940s iirc.
1938 I think. Poignantly before the war
It’s not just the length, it is the longueurs, whole passages where she waffles away, for 30 pages or whatever, about nothing, or she gives you her unexciting opinions on marriage or pancakes or pigeons or God
Yet serious people say it is one of the greatest books of the 20th century? Disconcerting. Can’t see it
From my experience (personal & friends) appreciation of Black Lamb Grey Falcon (or is it the other way around?) depends on the reader having either > significant interest in Eastern Europe in general, and the Balkans in particular; or > enhanced appreciation for British writing of excruciating turgidity as seen (in USA via PBS) on Masterpiece Theatre
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but Fitzroy McLean's 'Eastern Approaches' is the best Balkan account from a readability and believability perspective.
Hasn’t been mentioned. I shall try it as I have another week or two here. Thanks!
I might not be enjoying Rebecca West but I am having fun with Djilas’ Njegos, thanks to @SeaShantyIrish2
It does meander a bit but it is also full of fascinating deets about Montenegrin history
Very, very strongly second 'Eastern Approaches'
six quid on kindle, and the fact that it has been kindled at all says something about it
A much more jaundiced take is Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour - the last book in the trilogy iirc. But I'm not sure how relevant that is to Kotor etc.
‘Ruthlessly organised’ Tory rebels plot 1922 takeover to oust Boris Johnson
Some who backed PM only last week now set sights on ‘clean sweep’ of backbench committee that could allow leadership vote
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/29/ruthlessly-organised-tory-rebels-plot-1922-takeover-to-oust-boris-johnson "Boris Johnson is facing a fresh threat from Conservative rebels planning a takeover of the powerful backbench committee that could force the prime minister from office. Opponents of Johnson, including some who were loyal to him as recently as last week, have set their sights on a “clean sweep” of the 1922 Committee amid a hardening of the mood against the prime minister."
"Steve Baker and Andrew Bridgen have declared their intention to run; others contemplating the same include Aaron Bell, who submitted a letter of no confidence in Johnson in February, and Paul Holmes, who quit as a ministerial aide over Partygate. Chris Green, a former minister who said Johnson faced the “greatest political challenge to survive” after the recent no-confidence vote, is also planning to stand."
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Make the most of the Scottish borders while you can. When the SNP get their way it will be an EU/non EU border looking like this
Imagine the existential despair of waking up on your 40th birthday and realising that, despite reaching your fifth decade, you still haven’t “29. Booked tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire”
The nihilism would engulf you, the existential horror. Consider the awful prospect: the futility of your remaining years, the maudlin dwindling away into a dying fall, knowing that you never “29. Booked tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire” when you would REALLY have enjoyed it.
Like dying a virgin
41. Visit @IanB2 's mum's house in Ventnor and see if you can spot his giant EU flag flying from his bedroom.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
Farq, another yearner for the glory days of SLab. Apparently he'll be voting for the sake of his friends and relatives in England.
Rather than himself? Which says it all.
Since the chances of him living in a SCon seat where Lab would be a challenger are zero, also a fatuous virtue signaller.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
Veeery interesting. And of course Mr Gigantic Hound is rabidly popular in Scotland, with all voters of all parties.
"Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
Any half decent Tory PM can weaponise that dislike. It doesn't require Boris.
No wonder. Relative popularity ratings of the leaders. It's more likely to do Mr J down.
Imagine the existential despair of waking up on your 40th birthday and realising that, despite reaching your fifth decade, you still haven’t “29. Booked tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire”
The nihilism would engulf you, the existential horror. Consider the awful prospect: the futility of your remaining years, the maudlin dwindling away into a dying fall, knowing that you never “29. Booked tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire” when you would REALLY have enjoyed it.
Like dying a virgin
41. Visit @IanB2 's mum's house in Ventnor and see if you can spot his giant EU flag flying from his bedroom.
When you find the EU flag, you’ll be close, as it’s just down the hill
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Make the most of the Scottish borders while you can. When the SNP get their way it will be an EU/non EU border looking like this
I also like the fact that this list is aimed at “people under 40”. These are the daring scary things you need to do when you are filled with bravery, brio and adventure, the stuff that will too daunting or dangerous for anyone over 40, the stuff you simply can’t do over that age, to be honest
Eg number 29
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
I notice that the challenge is just to book the tickets. Actually walking around Blenheim is probably a bit too extreme.
I was surprised how relatively cheap National Trust Life Membership seems to be relative to the Annual Fee these days.
Life Membership plus take a Guest is £1845. For over 60s, £1,380. One year - can't take a Guest - is £76.50.
Ratio of 24. Plus the Guest.
Family Membership - £2415 entry for two adults at the same address and all their children or grandchildren. Annual is £133.80 for the same group.
Quite surprising. Exceptionally good graduation present.
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
I also like the fact that this list is aimed at “people under 40”. These are the daring scary things you need to do when you are filled with bravery, brio and adventure, the stuff that will too daunting or dangerous for anyone over 40, the stuff you simply can’t do over that age, to be honest
Eg number 29
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
I notice that the challenge is just to book the tickets. Actually walking around Blenheim is probably a bit too extreme.
I was surprised how relatively cheap National Trust Life Membership seems to be relative to the Annual Fee these days.
Life Membership plus take a Guest is £1845. For over 60s, £1,380. One year - can't take a Guest - is £76.50.
Ratio of 24. Plus the Guest.
Family Membership - £2415 entry for two adults at the same address and all their children or grandchildren. Annual is £133.80 for the same group.
Quite surprising. Exceptionally good graduation present.
Well for a start, you;re making the assumption that you will be spending the rest of your life - certainly the bulk of it - in the UK. And that you will also be always interested in old houses and gardens. Hmm. Personally I’d rather throw caution to the wind, and when the wild time comes:
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
Link, please? To this recent recommendation?
Michael Portillo’s 1913 Bradshaw Continental Guide.
Explore the UK’s 2,000 miles of canals and rivers with a staycation on a canal boat
Do we have to do the entire 2000 miles to cross it off the list? I like canals, but I feel like it might lose its appeal around 600 miles in.
We did it for the first (and last) time earlier this month. It lost its appeal around 2 miles in.
Did you get as far as Saughton?
Different canal. What’s wrong with Saughton? I’ve been to Fraserburgh!
I've been to Paisley!
Had a very nice outing with a historical society once from the Edinburgh basin on one of those catering barges. Absolutely fascinating and well fed - about 2 miles there and back,. and a walk down to the bottom of the aqueduct. So I wondered.
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
Richmond Forest is much more interesting and beautiful (sorry @HYUFD) and probably just as wild (ie not very wild)
Some glorious ancient trees, herds of deer, quirky lakes, real remote spots - you can get seriously lost - royal cottages, curious lodges, the view of St Paul’s, and much more. And of course it is right next to Richmond, one of the loveliest places in southern England, even nicer than Epping Town Centre
Scottish tennis has-been Murray out of Wimbledon in the 2nd Round
One for you Sunil: this evening on my way back home to North Acton with the Central Line train stopped at White City, the woman next to me asked whether it was going to Ilford. I had to ask her to repeat the question, because I thought I'd misheard.
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
You obviously haven’t encountered HYFUD whilst wearing a kilt and an SNP badge and playing Flower of Scotland on the bagpipes. No 32689547085 on the Daily Mail / Natwest list.
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Which reminds me what I wanted to ask: What does Simon Calder do when he gets where he is always going, and when he gets back, and goes away again and when he isn't talking on all media outlets simultaneously every day all the time.
This isn't a criticism, he's the John Curtice of timetables, he's great; I just wonder why he is ever going anywhere and whether he is Professor of Timetables and Cancellations at Strathclyde Univiersity in his spare time.
Explore the UK’s 2,000 miles of canals and rivers with a staycation on a canal boat
Do we have to do the entire 2000 miles to cross it off the list? I like canals, but I feel like it might lose its appeal around 600 miles in.
We did it for the first (and last) time earlier this month. It lost its appeal around 2 miles in.
Did you get as far as Saughton?
Different canal. What’s wrong with Saughton? I’ve been to Fraserburgh!
I've been to Paisley!
Had a very nice outing with a historical society once from the basin on one of those catering barges. Absolutely fascinating and well fed - about 2 miles there and back,. and a walk down to the bottom of the aqueduct. So I wondered.
Difficult to do the whole 2,000 miles anyway, given much of it is not contiguous, some of it is designed for long narrowboats, others for short beamy boats, and some for sea going boats.
You would certainly need more than one boat.
Personally, I've always been quite happy cycling along the towpaths.
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Not just not the UK, different starfield. Either you got magellanic clouds or you don't. But hemisphere for hemisphere, Northumberland is just the least light polluted place on a heavily light polluted island. 99% of locations in the USA will give you as good a view.
I also like the fact that this list is aimed at “people under 40”. These are the daring scary things you need to do when you are filled with bravery, brio and adventure, the stuff that will too daunting or dangerous for anyone over 40, the stuff you simply can’t do over that age, to be honest
Eg number 29
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
I notice that the challenge is just to book the tickets. Actually walking around Blenheim is probably a bit too extreme.
I was surprised how relatively cheap National Trust Life Membership seems to be relative to the Annual Fee these days.
Life Membership plus take a Guest is £1845. For over 60s, £1,380. One year - can't take a Guest - is £76.50.
Ratio of 24. Plus the Guest.
Family Membership - £2415 entry for two adults at the same address and all their children or grandchildren. Annual is £133.80 for the same group.
Quite surprising. Exceptionally good graduation present.
Well for a start, you;re making the assumption that you will be spending the rest of your life - certainly the bulk of it - in the UK. And that you will also be always interested in old houses and gardens. Hmm. Personally I’d rather throw caution to the wind, and when the wild time comes:
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
There's rather more than that to it, of course.
You don't need the rest of your life - more like a third of it. And there's a hedge against inflation. Plenty of other perks.
You'll want to wait a year or two and get the pensioner one.
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Which reminds me what I wanted to ask: What does Simon Calder do when he gets where he is always going, and when he gets back, and goes away again and when he isn't talking on all media outlets simultaneously every day all the time.
This isn't a criticism, he's the John Curtice of timetables, he's great; I just wonder why he is ever going anywhere and whether he is Professor of Timetables and Cancellations at Strathclyde Univiersity in his spare time.
Dunno! But he is infamous, in the industry, for having a huge ****
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
For John Clare and Epping try Iain Sinclair 'Edge of the Orison: In the Traces of John Clare's Journey out of Essex'. Bonkers but fascinating. Not reviewed in the Daily Mail...
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Which reminds me what I wanted to ask: What does Simon Calder do when he gets where he is always going, and when he gets back, and goes away again and when he isn't talking on all media outlets simultaneously every day all the time.
This isn't a criticism, he's the John Curtice of timetables, he's great; I just wonder why he is ever going anywhere and whether he is Professor of Timetables and Cancellations at Strathclyde Univiersity in his spare time.
Dunno! But he is infamous, in the industry, for having a huge ****
‘Ruthlessly organised’ Tory rebels plot 1922 takeover to oust Boris Johnson
Some who backed PM only last week now set sights on ‘clean sweep’ of backbench committee that could allow leadership vote
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/29/ruthlessly-organised-tory-rebels-plot-1922-takeover-to-oust-boris-johnson "Boris Johnson is facing a fresh threat from Conservative rebels planning a takeover of the powerful backbench committee that could force the prime minister from office. Opponents of Johnson, including some who were loyal to him as recently as last week, have set their sights on a “clean sweep” of the 1922 Committee amid a hardening of the mood against the prime minister."
"Steve Baker and Andrew Bridgen have declared their intention to run; others contemplating the same include Aaron Bell, who submitted a letter of no confidence in Johnson in February, and Paul Holmes, who quit as a ministerial aide over Partygate. Chris Green, a former minister who said Johnson faced the “greatest political challenge to survive” after the recent no-confidence vote, is also planning to stand."
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
Christ
JKJ = the Paul McCartney of comic fiction. That whole chapter in 3miab about how achingly funny it is that you always forget to pack the toothpaste, or remember to, or something. Agonizing.
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
For John Clare and Epping try Iain Sinclair 'Edge of the Orison: In the Traces of John Clare's Journey out of Essex'. Bonkers but fascinating. Not reviewed in the Daily Mail...
Iain Sinclair, who used to live around the corner from me, is quite hard to get into.
I think you need to be drunk. It’s essentially Kerouac-if-he-voted-Lib-Dem.
Scottish tennis has-been Murray out of Wimbledon in the 2nd Round
One for you Sunil: this evening on my way back home to North Acton with the Central Line train stopped at White City, the woman next to me asked whether it was going to Ilford. I had to ask her to repeat the question, because I thought I'd misheard.
Well, Redbridge, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault and Grange Hill are either in Ilford North or just on the border
The Depratment (sic) for Education is advertising for a policy adviser to inform Nadhim Zahawi's new policies on schools.
They are offering a two year contract at £100,000 a year. Open to anyone with experience of leadership and management, possibly in education.
The post was advertised today.
The closing date is Sunday.
I wonder who they have decided to appoint, and what fresh hell will be inflicted on schools by their arrogance, stupidity and incompetence a la Cummings, Freedman and Adonis.
Explore the UK’s 2,000 miles of canals and rivers with a staycation on a canal boat
Do we have to do the entire 2000 miles to cross it off the list? I like canals, but I feel like it might lose its appeal around 600 miles in.
We did it for the first (and last) time earlier this month. It lost its appeal around 2 miles in.
Did you get as far as Saughton?
Different canal. What’s wrong with Saughton? I’ve been to Fraserburgh!
I've been to Paisley!
Had a very nice outing with a historical society once from the basin on one of those catering barges. Absolutely fascinating and well fed - about 2 miles there and back,. and a walk down to the bottom of the aqueduct. So I wondered.
Difficult to do the whole 2,000 miles anyway, given much of it is not contiguous, some of it is designed for long narrowboats, others for short beamy boats, and some for sea going boats.
You would certainly need more than one boat.
Personally, I've always been quite happy cycling along the towpaths.
Sudden memories of a very pleasant holiday going to Brecon and hiking back along the canal towpath and exploring places like Tretower en route to Golden Valley and Hereford. And similar walks along the Kennet and Avon seeing the 1940 stop line fortifications and roadblocks still where they had been rolled aside ready for use, and the water voles plopping into the water as one approached, one by one, when they still had water voles.
But if I were really wanting to do a Sunil in barges I'd be looking askance at some of the more urban stretches and thinking one really needed somethijng like this. https://www.o5m6.de/redarmy/bronekater.php
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Not just not the UK, different starfield. Either you got magellanic clouds or you don't. But hemisphere for hemisphere, Northumberland is just the least light polluted place on a heavily light polluted island. 99% of locations in the USA will give you as good a view.
My two best star experiences, for sheer stars, have been Utah and the Atacama. Pure desert skies, zero light pollution (and in the Atacama, high altitude)
And yet the best emotional experience was in the Kafue in Zambia. There is something about looking up at an enormous firmament, with its billions of stars, and at the same time hearing the thrum of the nocturnal African bush, all around you. The roar of a hunting leopard. The yowl of a duiker, predated in the dark. Spine-tingling
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
JKJ wrote a handful of readable books, and one masterpiece (3 men in a Boat) and a collection of the worst novels ever written (Paul Kelver, All Roads Lead to Calvary etc.)
The other decent ones are: Three men on the Bummel and Diary of a Pilgrimage (I have a peculiar special affection for it - about a visit to Oberammergau).
He must be easily the funniest man to come out of Walsall.
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
Christ
JKJ = the Paul McCartney of comic fiction. That whole chapter in 3miab about how achingly funny it is that you always forget to pack the toothpaste, or remember to, or something. Agonizing.
Perhaps it is simply hilarious in Russian. I read it in my youth and it was like trying to get excited by Victorian porn. Sawdust, mouldy old crinoline, and the smell of mothballs.
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Not just not the UK, different starfield. Either you got magellanic clouds or you don't. But hemisphere for hemisphere, Northumberland is just the least light polluted place on a heavily light polluted island. 99% of locations in the USA will give you as good a view.
My two best star experiences, for sheer stars, have been Utah and the Atacama. Pure desert skies, zero light pollution (and in the Atacama, high altitude)
And yet the best emotional experience was in the Kafue in Zambia. There is something about looking up at an enormous firmament, with its billions of stars, and at the same time hearing the thrum of the nocturnal African bush, all around you. The roar of a hunting leopard. The yowl of a duiker, predated in the dark. Spine-tingling
They throw in Drummer Hodge, to rest Uncoffined—just as found: His landmark is a kopje-crest That breaks the veldt around; And foreign constellations west Each night above his mound.
II
Young Hodge the Drummer never knew— Fresh from his Wessex home— The meaning of the broad Karoo, The Bush, the dusty loam, And why uprose to nightly view Strange stars amid the gloam.
III
Yet portion of that unknown plain Will Hodge for ever be; His homely Northern breast and brain Grow up a Southern tree, And strange-eyed constellations reign His stars eternally.
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
I have been there! Mind you, I was living in Walsall at the time. The leather museum and Walsall illuminations are the other highlights.
JKJ is a great writer, I highly recommend his "Idle thoughts of an idle fellow"
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Not just not the UK, different starfield. Either you got magellanic clouds or you don't. But hemisphere for hemisphere, Northumberland is just the least light polluted place on a heavily light polluted island. 99% of locations in the USA will give you as good a view.
My two best star experiences, for sheer stars, have been Utah and the Atacama. Pure desert skies, zero light pollution (and in the Atacama, high altitude)
And yet the best emotional experience was in the Kafue in Zambia. There is something about looking up at an enormous firmament, with its billions of stars, and at the same time hearing the thrum of the nocturnal African bush, all around you. The roar of a hunting leopard. The yowl of a duiker, predated in the dark. Spine-tingling
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
Christ
JKJ = the Paul McCartney of comic fiction. That whole chapter in 3miab about how achingly funny it is that you always forget to pack the toothpaste, or remember to, or something. Agonizing.
Perhaps it is simply hilarious in Russian. I read it in my youth and it was like trying to get excited by Victorian porn. Sawdust, mouldy old crinoline, and the smell of mothballs.
One of those books that improves with age, like Porterhouse Blue, to give another recent example in my experience.
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
Christ
JKJ = the Paul McCartney of comic fiction. That whole chapter in 3miab about how achingly funny it is that you always forget to pack the toothpaste, or remember to, or something. Agonizing.
Perhaps it is simply hilarious in Russian. I read it in my youth and it was like trying to get excited by Victorian porn. Sawdust, mouldy old crinoline, and the smell of mothballs.
One of those books that improves with age, like Porterhouse Blue, to give another recent example in my experience.
Fair enough.
I also read “Jake’s Thing” when I was 13 and it didn’t mean anything to me.
With hindsight, my parents were probably guilty of some form of neglect or abuse.
Scottish tennis has-been Murray out of Wimbledon in the 2nd Round
One for you Sunil: this evening on my way back home to North Acton with the Central Line train stopped at White City, the woman next to me asked whether it was going to Ilford. I had to ask her to repeat the question, because I thought I'd misheard.
Well, Redbridge, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault and Grange Hill are either in Ilford North or just on the border
And when you have taken in all those you are nearly finished with the Daily Mail top 40 UK thrills. Just Greenford South and booking tickets for Blenheim completes the set
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
Christ
JKJ = the Paul McCartney of comic fiction. That whole chapter in 3miab about how achingly funny it is that you always forget to pack the toothpaste, or remember to, or something. Agonizing.
Perhaps it is simply hilarious in Russian. I read it in my youth and it was like trying to get excited by Victorian porn. Sawdust, mouldy old crinoline, and the smell of mothballs.
One of those books that improves with age, like Porterhouse Blue, to give another recent example in my experience.
Three Men is the book I read as a teenager that made me grasp that people a hundred years ago weren’t so different to me after all. It read surprisingly modern, compared to everything else I had seen from that era.
Most of them I wouldn't do even if those who pay people to go travelling paid me.
Disappointing scaling Beckton Alp hasn't made the list.
By the by, @HYUFD has failed to mention Epping Forest is "vast and wild" - sounds more like Barking on a Saturday night.
Sad to say I have scaled Beckton Alp. Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
Oddly enough, I can claim Kielder - drove through it one evening while staying in the Scottish Borders. Lovely drive, stopped by one of the lakes for a few minutes. Best starfield I have ever seen apart from the West Coast of New Zealand (but that's not the UK).
Not just not the UK, different starfield. Either you got magellanic clouds or you don't. But hemisphere for hemisphere, Northumberland is just the least light polluted place on a heavily light polluted island. 99% of locations in the USA will give you as good a view.
My two best star experiences, for sheer stars, have been Utah and the Atacama. Pure desert skies, zero light pollution (and in the Atacama, high altitude)
And yet the best emotional experience was in the Kafue in Zambia. There is something about looking up at an enormous firmament, with its billions of stars, and at the same time hearing the thrum of the nocturnal African bush, all around you. The roar of a hunting leopard. The yowl of a duiker, predated in the dark. Spine-tingling
They throw in Drummer Hodge, to rest Uncoffined—just as found: His landmark is a kopje-crest That breaks the veldt around; And foreign constellations west Each night above his mound.
II
Young Hodge the Drummer never knew— Fresh from his Wessex home— The meaning of the broad Karoo, The Bush, the dusty loam, And why uprose to nightly view Strange stars amid the gloam.
III
Yet portion of that unknown plain Will Hodge for ever be; His homely Northern breast and brain Grow up a Southern tree, And strange-eyed constellations reign His stars eternally.
Hardy got better at poetry as he aged. Anyway South Africa's not that far south, lotsa familiar constellations to look at, notably Immense Orion's glittering form (Hardy, T.)
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
For John Clare and Epping try Iain Sinclair 'Edge of the Orison: In the Traces of John Clare's Journey out of Essex'. Bonkers but fascinating. Not reviewed in the Daily Mail...
Iain Sinclair, who used to live around the corner from me, is quite hard to get into.
I think you need to be drunk. It’s essentially Kerouac-if-he-voted-Lib-Dem.
Yes. On the subject of London generally he is Ian Nairn on acid. Sound but pretentious, writes in a style loved by Eng Lit departments, hated by readers.
But hats off to the chap who walks round the M25 and writes a book about it. And viscerally hated the wreckage caused by the London Olympics.
He's given up on London now and moved to somewhere even ghastlier.
Scottish tennis has-been Murray out of Wimbledon in the 2nd Round
One for you Sunil: this evening on my way back home to North Acton with the Central Line train stopped at White City, the woman next to me asked whether it was going to Ilford. I had to ask her to repeat the question, because I thought I'd misheard.
Well, Redbridge, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault and Grange Hill are either in Ilford North or just on the border
How's this for Corbynista bias?
The Elizabeth Line serves Sam Tarry's Ilford South, but NOT Wes Streeting's Ilford North
Scottish tennis has-been Murray out of Wimbledon in the 2nd Round
One for you Sunil: this evening on my way back home to North Acton with the Central Line train stopped at White City, the woman next to me asked whether it was going to Ilford. I had to ask her to repeat the question, because I thought I'd misheard.
Well, Redbridge, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault and Grange Hill are either in Ilford North or just on the border
And when you have taken in all those you are nearly finished with the Daily Mail top 40 UK thrills. Just Greenford South and booking tickets for Blenheim completes the set
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
He is a good travel writer, no wonder he is so popular.
The problem of following the guidebooks is that you do meet a lot of people with the same guidebook. I remember travelling across SE Asia with the famous Yellow book, but after a while we just ignored its eating and hostel recommendations, there were simply loads of better and cheaper places all round.
Epping Forest is disappointingly tame. If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
For John Clare and Epping try Iain Sinclair 'Edge of the Orison: In the Traces of John Clare's Journey out of Essex'. Bonkers but fascinating. Not reviewed in the Daily Mail...
Iain Sinclair, who used to live around the corner from me, is quite hard to get into.
I think you need to be drunk. It’s essentially Kerouac-if-he-voted-Lib-Dem.
Yes. On the subject of London generally he is Ian Nairn on acid. Sound but pretentious, writes in a style loved by Eng Lit departments, hated by readers.
But hats off to the chap who walks round the M25 and writes a book about it. And viscerally hated the wreckage caused by the London Olympics.
He's given up on London now and moved to somewhere even ghastlier.
Where is he now? To be fair he’s quite old and one imagines he got a good price on his house which was on Albion Square.
The Hackney book is actually very good but as I say you need to be medicated somehow, it is not linear and the vague allusions in the digressions-to-the-digressions are “the point”.
Personally, I've done a few (I've essentially walked the NC500, and have stargazed in Northumberland whilst camping), and I did #25 many times as a kid.
Here's a short list of (done) UK travel experiences: *) Stay in a Maidenhead hotel where the bed moves overnight to the other side of the room. *) Wild-camp in the King's Forest, Thetford, during a Lamping session. *) Get five men staying in a two-bed B&B room. *) Walk four miles after a pub lunch, only to realise you've left your girlfriend back at the pub. *) Forget your torch on a night walk *) Forget your maps on a day walk *) P*ss in the sea at Brighton Beach in December, because the council has shut all the public toilets for the winter. *) Do what a bear does in the woods. (minus points if you have a trowel and/or paper). *) Get tickets for an event at the Tate in London, and go to the *wrong* Tate. *) Stay in a B&B where you cannot take the spoon out of a cup because of congealed sugar. *) Wild camp outside a safari park and be regularly woken by all the animals. *) Have sex in the loch at Sandwood Bay. *) Go on a preserved railway, only for the steam engine to break down mid-journey. *) Go on a coach, only for the coach to end up at the wrong destination. *) Call out the AA from three nations in the UK.
Personally, I've done a few (I've essentially walked the NC500, and have stargazed in Northumberland whilst camping), and I did #25 many times as a kid.
Here's a short list of (done) UK travel experiences: *) Stay in a Maidenhead hotel where the bed moves overnight to the other side of the room. *) Wild-camp in the King's Forest, Thetford, during a Lamping session. *) Get five men staying in a two-bed B&B room. *) Walk four miles after a pub lunch, only to realise you've left your girlfriend back at the pub. *) Forget your torch on a night walk *) Forget your maps on a day walk *) P*ss in the sea at Brighton Beach in December, because the council has shut all the public toilets for the winter. *) Do what a bear does in the woods. (minus points if you have a trowel and/or paper). *) Get tickets for an event at the Tate in London, and go to the *wrong* Tate. *) Stay in a B&B where you cannot take the spoon out of a cup because of congealed sugar. *) Wild camp outside a safari park and be regularly woken by all the animals. *) Have sex in the loch at Sandwood Bay. *) Go on a preserved railway, only for the steam engine to break down mid-journey. *) Go on a coach, only for the coach to end up at the wrong destination. *) Call out the AA from three nations in the UK.
Sandwood Bay. Was on my own - and thought I had the place to myself at 10.30 pm in late June. Suddenly, the skirl of the pipes and rockets going off. Finally discovered the two guys who had walked out with a set of bagpipes and a rucksack full of rockets.
Utterly magical place.
A bit less magical since the JMT's new path means you can yomp there in an hour, or worse, use a mountain bike.
It was much better when the bog was deep. Kept the numbers down...
Scottish tennis has-been Murray out of Wimbledon in the 2nd Round
Andy Murray has gone from being British to Scottish in less than an hour. The rest of us have to wait until October 2023.
Probably later.
I wonder if SCOTUK will ask to see the legislation.
I'm expecting SCOTUK to eventually rule that an advisory referendum is outside the powers of the Scotland Act.
Then if it is an election campaign, how do you sort out the franchise issue, which means if we use the GE campaign as a proxy, 16 and 17 years are buggered, expect legal action.
Has anyone else tried to read Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon? My god what a slog. Impossibly slow, excessively long and notably dated. She’s right about Montenegrins tho. They are beautiful people
No. I have had a copy for about ten years and it is on the impossibly long pile of my 'to be read' books.
Not surprised it is dated - it's from the 1940s iirc.
1938 I think. Poignantly before the war
It’s not just the length, it is the longueurs, whole passages where she waffles away, for 30 pages or whatever, about nothing, or she gives you her unexciting opinions on marriage or pancakes or pigeons or God
Yet serious people say it is one of the greatest books of the 20th century? Disconcerting. Can’t see it
From my experience (personal & friends) appreciation of Black Lamb Grey Falcon (or is it the other way around?) depends on the reader having either > significant interest in Eastern Europe in general, and the Balkans in particular; or > enhanced appreciation for British writing of excruciating turgidity as seen (in USA via PBS) on Masterpiece Theatre
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but Fitzroy McLean's 'Eastern Approaches' is the best Balkan account from a readability and believability perspective.
Hasn’t been mentioned. I shall try it as I have another week or two here. Thanks!
I might not be enjoying Rebecca West but I am having fun with Djilas’ Njegos, thanks to @SeaShantyIrish2
It does meander a bit but it is also full of fascinating deets about Montenegrin history
Very, very strongly second 'Eastern Approaches'
six quid on kindle, and the fact that it has been kindled at all says something about it
I still have a copy of the original. Shame that Fitzroy Maclean ended up as a Tory MP.
That’s a fucking terrible list, written by a retard
“Go hiking in vast, wild Epping Forest”
@HYUFD will be surprised to learn he lives next to the Serengeti
I agree. Although it is claimed this was a survey of 1000s rather than just written by a retard.
99% of people know fuck all about travel
Just as well that people like you are tuned into Rick Steves and following all his latest recommendations, then?
I’m still waiting for the link. To the place where he recently recommends it. I’m sincerely intrigued that he still has that much influence,
He does. Americans don’t get to make many trips to Europe, and they go wherever he recommends. After his write up of Kotor (“today’s Kotor is a time-capsule retreat for travelers seeking a truly unspoiled Adriatic town”) you can see the evidence for yourself.
He is a good travel writer, no wonder he is so popular.
The problem of following the guidebooks is that you do meet a lot of people with the same guidebook. I remember travelling across SE Asia with the famous Yellow book, but after a while we just ignored its eating and hostel recommendations, there were simply loads of better and cheaper places all round.
True that popularity of Rick Steves guidebooks AND TV shows means that his recommendations DO form a well-beaten path.
However, have gotten some good tip in past from his works which worked out in part because I made allowances for time of year & other key factors.
For example, followed his advice re: checking out the Cinque Terre, and did NOT encounter another American (Ugly or otherwise) while there.
Fact that it was February likely had a bearing on this.
Rick Steves's home base is Edmonds, Washington a upscale burb north of Seattle right on Puget Sound, his travel store is on the touristy main drag.
Have seen him on the street there once or maybe twice. Also ran across him at the WA State Inaugural Ball at the state capitol in Olympia, right after the epic 2004 Gregoire-Rossi gubernatorial election (2nd recount) and before the equally-epic court contest.
This Supreme Court is running wild. This outcome is a kick in the face to peoples whose land we already took and whose sovereignty we have already disregarded- to the point of genocide.
Another determination that could be left to individual states is, apparently, same sex marriage.
The way this is going, the way some states seem to be a million miles away from others in social outlook, you have to wonder whether in the end some sort of fracturing/secession might actually occur.
Leaving same sex marriage to individual states is much more complex, because say you a gay Connecticut couple (as apparently most of them are), and you move to Utah, where gay marriage is illegal, then is your marriage recognized?
What about your gay marriage as regards federal treatment of benefits to spouses?
As I said earlier this week why on earth would a gay couple move to Utah or say the deep South, which is where the states most likely to have majorities against gay marriage will be?
Because they should be able to live wherever they fucking like without some God bothering fanatics declaring them second class citizens.
If a majority of people in Utah or the deep South oppose gay marriage they will elect governors and legislators who also oppose gay marriage, that is inevitable and democracy. Given this states rights SC that is where we are heading.
However most other states in the US will still back gay marriage so it is not exactly as if they have nowhere to go.
How many homosexuals move to the third of countries in the world where homosexuality is still illegal?
Gay people should have the same rights as everyone else. Many of these same states used to outlaw interracial marriage, also on a pretext taken from scripture. Laws made by democratically elected officials. Was that okay too? And if they go back to that - would you support that as their right? What if they started burning witches? Also fine as long as it is backed by a majority? The US is a federal country but it is still a single country where certain rights of equal treatment should be guaranteed everywhere. It is also a democracy but also a liberal Republic where individual rights are meant to be protected. One thing is clear: the Scotus abortion ruling has opened the way to a concerted attack on the rights of those who don't match up to the fundamentalist Christian ideal.
Most people in the Deep South and border states of the US, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississipi, Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina etc are fundamentalist Christians. They are a million miles from the coastal liberal states in social values and indeed closer to much of Eastern Europe than the rest of the West.
You may not like that but unfortunately democracy does not always lead to liberalism winning and the USA is the United States of America not just United America
But it does lead to two countries from one perhaps.
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and (maybe) Arkansas are Deep South states.
Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia are NOT. They are part (historically, culturally, economically, politically) of the Upper South.
Conflating one with other is NOT a confidence builder re: conclusions drawn from such "analysis"
And that, my friend, is why your cross-pond presence here is very welcome to me that my assumptions about a foreign country are wild generalisations rather than having to actually read anything else and learn for myself!
The Illinois Republican governor race really is worth reading about. The Democrat incumbent actually helped the Trumpist beat the moderate with attack ads and money of their own. The democrats helped select a candidate they believe is far too right wing ever to beat their man.
Good tactics I guess, but a faint whiff of hubris
That has the potential to backfire spectacularly in November.
Yes I guess but it is Illinois.
The thing about the republicans is the leadership (McConnell and McCarthy) probably dislike the Trumpists almost as much as the dems do. Maybe more.
With Trumpists endorsed candidates overcoming moderates in the primaries in many states, what do the leadership really want in November? a massive win? or just enough to take back, say, the House?
The SC verdict may well get them neither, Trump's SC nominations have been great for the US pro life movement and ensure the SC will rule unconstitutional any nationwide abortion right law but may well put the GOP out of power in both the White House and Congress for a decade.
Pro choice swing states like Florida and Michigan for example will now lean Democrat.
It depends how big of an issue pro choice really is in America, given that many states will always be pro-choice.
The New York Times is bemoaning how Dobbs was expected to boost turnout in Tuesday's primaries, especially democrat.
It really didn't.
Bit early too tell re: turnout for 2022. Note that NY State NOT a good test, as yesterday's primary was just for Gov & Lt Gov, which incumbents both won by landslides despite fact that each has only been in current office a bit more than 15 minutes.
Also plenty of voters NEVER vote in primaries in first place, because they are waiting for the "real' election even when, as practical matter, primary proves decisive to final outcome.
There were some polls showing big swings to dems after the verdict too, to be fair, but could be kneejerk I guess.
One thing for sure, repeal of Roe v Wade is kind of "event" capable of making a week a long time politically-speaking. Let alone four and a half months.
30% of the US is hardcore anti-abortion. About 30% is hardcore pro-choice.
The rest - mostly - think it's a debate about exactly when the line should be drawn, and what exemptions there should in the event of threat to the mothers' life, rape, etc.
Some people in the 40% will think 10 weeks. Others 20. Most aren't particularly keen on abortion, but think blanket bans are a bad idea.
Between now and the end of the year will be some pretty horrendous stories. There will be women who will commit suicide because they are unable to get an abortion. Stories will come out about teenagers raped by their uncle or teacher and forced to carry a baby to term. And there will be well publicized medical emergencies where both baby and mother die, because of the inability to secure an abortion under any circumstances in certain states.
At the same time, the loonies will start pushing "fetal personhood laws". And anyone who has had a miscarriage (which will be most women) will start feeling the beginnings of discomfort. As will pretty much every Obsgyn and Primary Care Provider.
All these stories will weigh on the 40%. And that's the real danger for the Republicans. If they're pushing for fetal personhood, while the Dems are focusing on the raped teenager who committed suicide... Then I think the transwars will be forgotten (for the moment).
The Dems have caught a massive break. Whether it's enough to save them in November is another story altogether.
Comments
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1f22327a-f72c-11ec-84c1-32e852e780b0?shareToken=37f0c5c5f9b0d8a31268cf6865fe3ac3
"I do wonder if Sturgeon and her strategists have thought through what this is likely to do to a UK general election. My fear is it makes the job of kicking Boris Johnson out of Downing Street a lot harder.
Why? Because the big worry in the Labour party right now is that the Tories will try to repeat their success in the past three UK general elections of weaponising English voters’ dislike of the SNP."
It's definitely true that Labour really, really do not want Scottish independence to dominate the next election.
And yes, it was probably a knocking-shop. Which made it even funnier.
It was one of the worst B&B's I've ever stayed in, but we loved it as it was so outrageously bad. Nearly as bad as the hotel we stayed at in London for the Kate Bush concert. The cubicle for the en-suite toilet was so small I could not sit frontwise on the toilet and had to sit side-saddle.
Staying in awful places can be fun; like wondering what'll happen next. What I really don't like is staying in mediocre but expensive places.
They are offering a two year contract at £100,000 a year. Open to anyone with experience of leadership and management, possibly in education.
The post was advertised today.
The closing date is Sunday.
I wonder who they have decided to appoint, and what fresh hell will be inflicted on schools by their arrogance, stupidity and incompetence a la Cummings, Freedman and Adonis.
Im still LOLing that wanky pricks have the third placed life experience in the UK as 'go for a curry'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axBPyTYGS4o
In Italy girls have smooth skin
In England girls drink smooth vodka
Utterly magical place.
Yet I haven't managed Kielder stargazing in the county I've lived in for sixteen years.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/29/ex-education-secretary-gavin-williamson-takes-job-with-education-firm
PS Re the job you notice - maybe the lady down in Tiverton would do nicely. Definitely unoccupied. Management of a nail salon (so far as one can tell), and management of a small primary school for 2 years (ditto). But she needs some advice on bucking up her CV, from what one can tell of her website.
Camping in a boat in the British summer can be a hilarious experience, with the right kind of friends.
Sturgeon doesn't really want a second referendum but she has to pretend to want if for the sake of keeping the SNP together.
If the Supreme Court strike it down, she can go off and moan about London and the Tories and her supporters will lap it up.
If I were Starmer, I'd contact her and tell her to tone down the rhetoric - if she wants a referendum the only way is to get rid of the Conservatives and an alternative UK Government, while committed to preserving the Union, would be more amenable to the idea of a second referendum provided the SNP lines up behind some key Labour policies.
In essence, while the current arrangement works well for Sturgeon (and Johnson of course) a minority Labour Government dependent on the SNP for support would be even better.
Any half decent Tory PM can weaponise that dislike. It doesn't require Boris.
My brother warned me when I took it on holiday to Croatia, and he was right.
I think I gave up at page 200 or something.
I wish I had such a tale to tell.
six quid on kindle, and the fact that it has been kindled at all says something about it
Regaining control of Kherson, a rich agricultural region with Black Sea access, is critical for Ukraine. It’s the only position the Russians hold west of the Dnieper River, and a prime position to launch any future offensive down the Black Sea coast to the major port city of Odessa. The Ukrainian counteroffensive is squeezing Russian positions from two directions — the west and the north."
source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/29/ukraine-kherson-counteroffensive-russia/
It's my impression that the Ukrainian gains near Kherson are costing them much less than the Russian gains farther north.
“Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!”
His time with Tito & Partisans in Yugoslavia cover last third of the book, preceded by his pre-war travels in Soviet Union (including seat in audience at purge trial of Bukharin), and his early-war experiences in the Western Desert with SAS.
Re: Yugoslavia, keep in mind that Maclean was a partisan (so to speak) of the Partisans both during & after the war. Also dripping with what could be called aristocratic privilege, or at least perspective. (But these are quibbles as far as I'm concerned, though others may disagree.)
Politically-speaking, he had a rather unique reason for running for Parliament during the Phony War period: he wanted to get out of the Diplomatic Service so he could join the Army. But Foreign Office took the view that his services to them were of an essential nature, and refused to release him.
However, when he decided to run as MP (in by-election) they had no choice!
Some who backed PM only last week now set sights on ‘clean sweep’ of backbench committee that could allow leadership vote
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/29/ruthlessly-organised-tory-rebels-plot-1922-takeover-to-oust-boris-johnson
"Boris Johnson is facing a fresh threat from Conservative rebels planning a takeover of the powerful backbench committee that could force the prime minister from office.
Opponents of Johnson, including some who were loyal to him as recently as last week, have set their sights on a “clean sweep” of the 1922 Committee amid a hardening of the mood against the prime minister."
"Steve Baker and Andrew Bridgen have declared their intention to run; others contemplating the same include Aaron Bell, who submitted a letter of no confidence in Johnson in February, and Paul Holmes, who quit as a ministerial aide over Partygate. Chris Green, a former minister who said Johnson faced the “greatest political challenge to survive” after the recent no-confidence vote, is also planning to stand."
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-presumed-migrants-found-dead-near-bulgaria-turkey-border--96847
And Kielder will be full of searchlights spotting English and Scottish refugees fleeing their respective tyrannies
“Ghislaine Maxwell Faces 20 YEARS In Prison For Trafficking Her Victims To No One, Apparently”
https://youtube.com/watch?v=qIgIcsgXv-M
Esher good
Eben-Esher good
Life Membership plus take a Guest is £1845. For over 60s, £1,380.
One year - can't take a Guest - is £76.50.
Ratio of 24. Plus the Guest.
Family Membership - £2415 entry for two adults at the same address and all their children or grandchildren. Annual is £133.80 for the same group.
Quite surprising. Exceptionally good graduation present.
If one hopes to see the mad, echoing spectre of the 19th century lunatic poet John Clare, you are shit out of luck.
Traces of Clem Attlee and Jacob Epstein are also hard to discern.
One of my fantasies is a grand projet to extend Epping Forest right into central London, connecting at Victoria Park; and up, engirdling Waltham Abbey and heading toward Harlow.
A proper, fuck-off forest, right on the edge of London.
Lesson of the day, don't bovver watching women's tennis
29. Book tickets to explore the magnificent palace, park and gardens at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Had a very nice outing with a historical society once from the Edinburgh basin on one of those catering barges. Absolutely fascinating and well fed - about 2 miles there and back,. and a walk down to the bottom of the aqueduct. So I wondered.
Some glorious ancient trees, herds of deer, quirky lakes, real remote spots - you can get seriously lost - royal cottages, curious lodges, the view of St Paul’s, and much more. And of course it is right next to Richmond, one of the loveliest places in southern England, even nicer than Epping Town Centre
This isn't a criticism, he's the John Curtice of timetables, he's great; I just wonder why he is ever going anywhere and whether he is Professor of Timetables and Cancellations at Strathclyde Univiersity in his spare time.
You would certainly need more than one boat.
Personally, I've always been quite happy cycling along the towpaths.
You don't need the rest of your life - more like a third of it. And there's a hedge against inflation. Plenty of other perks.
You'll want to wait a year or two and get the pensioner one.
I have a Russian friend (now lives in Hackney) who grew up reading English literature in 1980s Soviet times, but with a necessarily odd perspective given censorship etc etc.
When she arrived in England, one of her must-do pilgrimages was to the Jerome K Jerome museum in WALSALL.
JKJ = the Paul McCartney of comic fiction. That whole chapter in 3miab about how achingly funny it is that you always forget to pack the toothpaste, or remember to, or something. Agonizing.
I think you need to be drunk. It’s essentially Kerouac-if-he-voted-Lib-Dem.
But if I were really wanting to do a Sunil in barges I'd be looking askance at some of the more urban stretches and thinking one really needed somethijng like this. https://www.o5m6.de/redarmy/bronekater.php
And yet the best emotional experience was in the Kafue in Zambia. There is something about looking up at an enormous firmament, with its billions of stars, and at the same time hearing the thrum of the nocturnal African bush, all around you. The roar of a hunting leopard. The yowl of a duiker, predated in the dark. Spine-tingling
The other decent ones are:
Three men on the Bummel and
Diary of a Pilgrimage (I have a peculiar special affection for it - about a visit to Oberammergau).
He must be easily the funniest man to come out of Walsall.
I read it in my youth and it was like trying to get excited by Victorian porn. Sawdust, mouldy old crinoline, and the smell of mothballs.
They throw in Drummer Hodge, to rest
Uncoffined—just as found:
His landmark is a kopje-crest
That breaks the veldt around;
And foreign constellations west
Each night above his mound.
II
Young Hodge the Drummer never knew—
Fresh from his Wessex home—
The meaning of the broad Karoo,
The Bush, the dusty loam,
And why uprose to nightly view
Strange stars amid the gloam.
III
Yet portion of that unknown plain
Will Hodge for ever be;
His homely Northern breast and brain
Grow up a Southern tree,
And strange-eyed constellations reign
His stars eternally.
JKJ is a great writer, I highly recommend his "Idle thoughts of an idle fellow"
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/montenegros-bay-of-kotor-22348658/
I also read “Jake’s Thing” when I was 13 and it didn’t mean anything to me.
With hindsight, my parents were probably guilty of some form of neglect or abuse.
All the so-called “must-sees” are the sort of place you’re probably best not seeing, although I’d make an exception for Edinburgh.
Britain’s charm (and perhaps this is true generally) is ever so slightly askew of the beaten track.
But hats off to the chap who walks round the M25 and writes a book about it. And viscerally hated the wreckage caused by the London Olympics.
He's given up on London now and moved to somewhere even ghastlier.
lost in straight sets
The Elizabeth Line serves Sam Tarry's Ilford South, but NOT Wes Streeting's Ilford North
The problem of following the guidebooks is that you do meet a lot of people with the same guidebook. I remember travelling across SE Asia with the famous Yellow book, but after a while we just ignored its eating and hostel recommendations, there were simply loads of better and cheaper places all round.
To be fair he’s quite old and one imagines he got a good price on his house which was on Albion Square.
The Hackney book is actually very good but as I say you need to be medicated somehow, it is not linear and the vague allusions in the digressions-to-the-digressions are “the point”.
It was much better when the bog was deep. Kept the numbers down...
I wonder if SCOTUK will ask to see the legislation.
I'm expecting SCOTUK to eventually rule that an advisory referendum is outside the powers of the Scotland Act.
Then if it is an election campaign, how do you sort out the franchise issue, which means if we use the GE campaign as a proxy, 16 and 17 years are buggered, expect legal action.
NEW THREAD
However, have gotten some good tip in past from his works which worked out in part because I made allowances for time of year & other key factors.
For example, followed his advice re: checking out the Cinque Terre, and did NOT encounter another American (Ugly or otherwise) while there.
Fact that it was February likely had a bearing on this.
Rick Steves's home base is Edmonds, Washington a upscale burb north of Seattle right on Puget Sound, his travel store is on the touristy main drag.
Have seen him on the street there once or maybe twice. Also ran across him at the WA State Inaugural Ball at the state capitol in Olympia, right after the epic 2004 Gregoire-Rossi gubernatorial election (2nd recount) and before the equally-epic court contest.
The rest - mostly - think it's a debate about exactly when the line should be drawn, and what exemptions there should in the event of threat to the mothers' life, rape, etc.
Some people in the 40% will think 10 weeks. Others 20. Most aren't particularly keen on abortion, but think blanket bans are a bad idea.
Between now and the end of the year will be some pretty horrendous stories. There will be women who will commit suicide because they are unable to get an abortion. Stories will come out about teenagers raped by their uncle or teacher and forced to carry a baby to term. And there will be well publicized medical emergencies where both baby and mother die, because of the inability to secure an abortion under any circumstances in certain states.
At the same time, the loonies will start pushing "fetal personhood laws". And anyone who has had a miscarriage (which will be most women) will start feeling the beginnings of discomfort. As will pretty much every Obsgyn and Primary Care Provider.
All these stories will weigh on the 40%. And that's the real danger for the Republicans. If they're pushing for fetal personhood, while the Dems are focusing on the raped teenager who committed suicide... Then I think the transwars will be forgotten (for the moment).
The Dems have caught a massive break. Whether it's enough to save them in November is another story altogether.