Category: General

We are now on the run up to a proposed election so it is essential for us to question every sound-bite delivered on television, and statement quoted in the press We know the manifesto, offered so graciously on the stump, will not be lived up to, the promises, either watered down or ‘adjusted’. There are… Continue reading Random Thoughts 28, Do you feel as frustrated as I do?

Sometime ago I wrote a few remarks about ginger biscuits of all things, and showed how if you leave them open to the air, to go soft, re-box them in a tight container, they return to their original crispness – this didn’t happen in the old days. I am allergic to scented soap, the result… Continue reading The ‘E’ Numbers are too late in being checked.

Insult leading to nearer injury. The most salutary lesson, though, was to come on the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ of July 1949. By this time I had learned that it was referred to as the Glorious Twelfth. An aunt living in Bangor who had borrowed a camera from our next-door neighbour, had unfortunately been rushed to hospital.… Continue reading Belfast 1946 to50 in order, The camera and the Twelth

Someone once said, I think it was Christ, ‘Forgive them for they know not what they do.’ I think, ‘haven’t a clue’ is more apt. in this case. According to a News item on TV there is a move afoot to make those children not able to reach a basic level in English and Maths,… Continue reading Ministers are thoughtlessly tinkering with education

This isn’t about a rip-off of global proportions, but to old gaffers like me it represents a fair proportion of their pension. I’m talking about Sky Television, the poor quality it offers, and the position it holds in the  life of retired people. When I say old gaffer, I mean really old, – like ‘ought… Continue reading Random Thoughts 27, The Big Rip Off

It seems that to save the world we have to be badgered on a daily basis with new government proposals, which will not be implemented for at least four or five years, and which are half baked anyway. They are running them up the mast. to see who salutes them as usual, but this won’t… Continue reading Random Thoughts 26, Waste Disposal

There seems to be so much controversy today concerning education, with constant changes in how schools and examinations are run, that I decided to put my own view point.. Education comes in many forms if the school is doing its job. The children will be taught to think for themselves, to research, to know where… Continue reading Random Thoughts 25, Education

A strangely couched phrase, for a complicated subject. During WW 2, I used to laugh when I read that Montgomery said he was a simple soldier, he was about as simple as a Chubb lock. I, on the other hand, am a simple fellow, who, when he is not on top of a subject, goes… Continue reading Random Thoughts, 24a, Why Is Inflation?

My mother was living in a house called Glenlea in Dulwich. It was a huge house standing within its own grounds and had been taken over by whatever Department of the War Office was responsible for receiving, training and returning Dutch escapees from German occupied Holland, who wished to become saboteurs and Resistance Fighters. A… Continue reading Royal Navy 1941 to 46 in order, Glenlea and the Doodle Bug

Before replying to the comments, I would like to tell of an occurrence which has a bearing. A friend of very long standing, started life as a tea planter in Assam,, only to have to return to takeover the family business. Within a short time he had expanded what had been a fairly large grocery… Continue reading I Answer to Comments on Random Thoughts 22