What a contrast – we’ve gone from Scorcio! with blistering temperatures to Non-Scorcio! with grey skies, wind and, on occasion, lashings of rain. Hey ho, it’s good for the garden they tell me.
And speaking of gardens, the Moreton Pinkney Open Gardens last Sunday was a moderate success. There were not as many visitors as the last time which was probably due to (a) the somewhat inclement/showery weather and/or (b) the plethora of other activities which were also taking place on Sunday – the British Grand Prix at Silverstone (just a few miles from here), the tennis from Wimbledon, a cricket international between England and Australia and le Tour de France.
Still, those who did venture around enjoyed themselves and, at one point during a torrential downpour, Penny sheltered in the garden shed with one couple while another huddled under the hawthorn tree and yet another couple sought refuge under the arch in the hedge. Fortunately, the showers never lasted too long! At the close of play, Penny and I raced down Brook Street to see a couple of gardens which we had never visited before, one of which in particular, was gorgeous.
As you know, last Saturday Ava returned from a brief visit to China with her parents in tow. We gave them a few days to combat their jetlag and then on Wednesday we went over to spend some time with them. They are lovely people both but obviously the lack of much of any common language makes conversation difficult. Adam or Ava will happily provide a very effective translation service but that gets very tiring for them and hinders spontaneity somewhat. Still, they are both good sports (and I guess we are too) and it’s lovely to be able to spend a bit of time with them. Lots more opportunities to come over the summer.
Good progress so far in the Atlantic Coast virtual cycle ride. 550 Km covered so far (about 340 miles) – thank goodness it’s all downhill. Passing through Freeport provided the opportunity for another visit to LL Bean. Thankfully, no firearms to check.
A relatively quick You Could Not Make It Up this week. George Eustice, who was the Environment Minister under the lying former Prime Minster and a leading Brexiteer, is calling for a relaxation of immigration rules to tackle the shortage of workers following our exit from the EU.
In an extraordinary admission of the failures of immigration policy since the UK left the EU, former Tory environment secretary George Eustice said Rishi Sunak’s government should begin bilateral negotiations with EU nations immediately, with a view to offering young Europeans under 35 the right to two- year visas to work in this country.
The Guardian
Essentially, without a hint of irony, Eustice is proposing the introduction of bilateral immigration arrangements with European countries to allow free movement for young people anywhere in the EU. In other words, what we used to have for all citizens prior to Brexit.
Nope, you couldn’t make this shit up.
And finally, I ran across some photos from the 2023 Comedy Pet Photography Awards – who even knew there was such a thing?
And finally, finally, Happy Birthday (tomorrow) to our youngest – one of our favourite sons. Well, at least he’s in the top three!
Meanwhile, keep happy, keep smiling, be careful, wear a f**king facemask in crowded places and keep your distance. And keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg