It’s been cold and frosty for the much of the week – clear blue skies and a good deal of sunshine. And relatively little mud on the dog. Excellent.
No new films to review for you this week which, no doubt, will be a relief. We did watch Jojo Rabbit for the second time – it was on television this week and Penny conceded that she wouldn’t mind seeing it again (which is a rarity for her). It is very funny while at the same time illuminating a pretty grim period of history. Like many films, one gets quite a bit more out of it on the second (and, presumably third and subsequent) viewings.
Other excitements of the week? We had a visit on Monday from the insurers to measure up and approve our claim for a new window to replace the shattered one between the old part of the house and the new extension. They’ve scheduled for the replacement to be fitted in about ten days’ time – excellent. We also got to drive across to Southam to collect our campervan – the whole of the pop-up roof has been replaced so hopefully there will be no more water in the passenger-side front seat (or anywhere else for that matter). The manufacturers of the pop-up roof say they’ve never seen anything like this before – a hairline crack in the roof. Apparently, they suggested simply re-fibre glassing the roof but thankfully the chap from whom we purchased the van held out for a complete replacement. We’ll let you know if we have any more interior precipitation.
We’ve a fairly busy week ahead. Today, as we “speak”, we are off to London with Annabelle for a day out in the big city. For her birthday back in October we bought tickets to the Cirque du Soleil production of Kurios at the Royal Albert Hall. We’ll do a bit of shopping, have a bite of lunch and then the show. Should be fun.
And then tomorrow Nick is coming across to watch the Superbowl with me. Back in the day, if I wanted to watch the Superbowl, I had to watch it live. Since it doesn’t finish here until about four in the morning it always made the following days’ work quite interesting. Then, we acquired our first video recorder so I was able to watch it at my leisure the following day. With luck I could avoid hearing anything about the result and could enjoy it “as live.” That’s if one of my colleagues didn’t burst out with a, “Hey! How about those Cowboys?” or whomever, in what was a distinct spoiler. (This happened more than once so I am wondering whether it might not have been a deliberate “joke”)?
Now, of course, there are so many ways of watching it at one’s convenience that we’re spoiled for choice. Provided, of course, that we can avoid any contact with the news. Since I don’t have to go to work anymore, that should be relatively easy (if I remember).
And then, at the end of the week we are looking forward to welcoming our very good friends Dave, Sue, Sue & Stuart for the weekend. We’re off to Stratford to see The Tempest on Friday evening and then on Saturday we’re off down the road to Michael Heseltine’s estate at Thenford to see this year’s snowdrop display. Looking forward to all of it.
Last week, as you will remember, was the third anniversary of the UK formally leaving the EU in an act of unparalleled self-harm. The Mirror had a decent enough article about the deafening silence from the main Brexidiots:
Let’s look at the facts three years on from freedom day: trade has fallen by almost 20%, Brexit has added 6% to food prices, and inflation and energy is more costly here than anywhere in Europe.
Economists calculate EU withdrawal is costing the UK £100 billion a year, one of the reasons being businesses are strangled by the very red tape Leavers wanted to be rid of. Ours will be the only major country with negative growth this year and the only one whose economy is smaller now than it was before Covid.
Our productivity has slumped by 4% because we have alarming gaps in the workforce, partly due to Europeans staying away. Even with the increased immigration from other parts of the world we are 330,000 down on immigrant workers needed to do key jobs.
The Mirror
Yep, that’s been a huge success!
But, that’s not the best You Could Not Make It Up moment of the week.
After hiding away and thankfully avoiding any public pronouncements for a longer period then she actually served as prime minister, Liz Truss made an appearance, launching her political rehabilitation campaign with an article in the Daily Telegraph. Somehow, she forgot to mention how, in the space of five weeks (leaving aside the two weeks following the Queen’s death when nothing happened), she was responsible for tanking the pound, wiping billions off the value of pension funds necessitating an intervention by the Bank of England resulting in a surge in interest and mortgage rates. Quite an achievement! Instead, it seems, the failure of her policies was nothing to do with having the intellect of a grain of sand. Rather, she was brought down by the “left-wing economic establishment.” I have to say, that’s the first time I’ve heard the Bank of England described as “left-wing.”
You could not make it up.
And finally, finally, our baby girl turns one year old tomorrow. Happy Birthday Daisy!
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