The Real heroes

After the Market I came home and after Mrs B had finished watching Corrie, I stayed up late and watched the programme about our heroic soldiers. This was particularly poignant as this week I had been to Catterick Garrison for a meeting and saw first hand how young some of these lads we are sending to the front line really are. Spotty youths some not even legally able to drink.
How humbling was that!
You lot are bloody amazing my hat goes off to you all, your courage and fortitude in those conditions is absolutely outstanding.
I dare anyone to criticise them in my presence!
I salute you!

Christmas markets

Who thought of packing up a German Market and plonking it outside a town hall in the middle of Brum?
Got dragged round it in the bloody freezing cold with all (yes all!) the family last night. Seemed like a good idea for Dad to spend a bloody fortune on overpriced beer,hot wine,sausage, garlic bread (in the words of our generation's equivalent of a poet laureate, Peter Kay, garlic bread it'll never catch on)! We came home with a very expensive candle and a bag of pork scratchings!
Come on Brum let's return the favour and take all that is good about us to Frankfurt.
Come on Professor Chinn I am sure you can think of something!

Student fees - hullabaloo!

Having attended a fine dinner party at the Overgraduate's last Saturday where we put the world to rights in many ways and subsequently getting caught up in Birmingham this week with the Student protests (the Police presence did look a bit like man for man marking!), I felt compelled to put in my two penneth.
Why do all the politicians keep banging on about no up front charges - a decoy me thinks to stay away from the real issue.
The real issue - As I understand it the fees are supposed to be paid for out of the vastly increased income stream that will be earned as a result of having a degree!
Firstly - The politicians are obviously wholly unaware of the number of graduates leaving university that not only can't get a job above the repayment threshold (even the current one), but actually can't get a job at all!! That is unless you live in the South or South East.
Secondly - Do they not realise that although you don't have to pay it back until you graduate the psychological deterrent that a debt that size creates in peoples minds is a disincentive itself not to go. It will put off the unsure ones like my eldest son who is only at Uni because there is a barrier to entry into his chosen carrer that is called a degree!
Thirdly - The housing market is as we all know on its knees despite the continued effort of the Estate Agents to talk it up. The market only grows in a noticeable way when the first timers start getting on the ladder and push the market. How on earth does anyone think two graduates setting up home together in say 2016 can contemplate getting a mortgage when they could have between them in excess of £50,000 worth of student debt tied firmly round their necks. It could be far in excess of this if they have had Subsistence loans as well.
How long do you think it will be before some bright spark in a think tank or on a quango decides that school education should be paid for and anyone going on to further education should contribute to their schooling cost by paying for it with the increased salary they will get after they have got their degree which they only got into because of their schooling in the first place!!
Oh what a tangled web we weave!
Don't forget you read it here first.

The new police approach -guilty til you prove you are innocent if you can!

As mentioned earlier I have received a notification of intended prosecution for "allegedly" jumping a red light.
I received form 1 asking me if I was the driver at the time of the alleged offence. I returned the form saying yes at the time stated I was the driver. I received today a form offering me a conditional offer of attending a "respect the red light" course in Liverpool at a cost of £60, coincidentally the same cost as the fine but importantly NO points! I telephoned to ask for the photographs as I don't think I went throughout the light on red, to be told that I couldn't have them as I had already admitted the offence. No I hadn't I said all I had done was admit driving the car at the time and would need to see the pictures to assess if I had committed the offence. Returning the form, I was told was admission of the offence, a discussion then ensued where I pointed out that I am sure the basic principle of justice in this country is one of innocent until proven guilty! I was assured that I was not entitled to the pictures as the police had looked at them and decided I had committed the offence, if I wanted to see them I had to request them through the magistrates court! That's fair I have to go to all the hassle and cost to the public purse for something that could be sorted out by sending me the pictures. Oh and by the way if you request the pictures you cannot then afterwards have the option of the respect the red light course! Well that sounds fair I said.
So bollocks to you if it's that important to you I will pay the fine and take the points! So there that's taught you fascist police pigs a lesson I will not lie down and be trodden on! No wonder the youth of today have so little respect for the Police they do themselves no favours. It makes me want to stir the spirit in my mate the Overgraduate and join forces and march with the students in protest next time, who knows I may even burn a copy of a book like the pastor in USA was suggesting, can't be worse than burning poppies!

Inciting racial hatred!

So we have pictures in the papers of some extreme radical group burning poppies and with outrageous posters on our streets and a poor councillor gets arrested for a tongue in cheek tweet! What on earth is going on in this country? We want to give our future generation leg irons in the shape of a ludicrous university debt that could be as much as £50k, who the hell ,do the so called intelligencia think is going to kick start the housing market cos it won't be anyone from University, "just do the Math" as our friends from across the pond say!
When those idiots were burning poppies where were our recruits from Sir Robert Peel? I will tell you where, giving my wife a speeding ticket and giving me a ticket for allegedly jumping a red light in Liverpool. (I thought everyone did it in Liverpool) anyway more of that in a later post.
It appears it is now not allowed to criticise anyone from a "minority" group. This is definitely the start of the islamification of this country why can people not see the slow strangulation. Wake up everyone and smell the coffee before it's too late!!!

Who turned the tap off!

Over a beer last night with my mate Rob (we meet twice a week for an hour to chew the fat), it became apparent that I was not the only one who feels the economy has ground to a spectacular halt. We had a good summer quarter when business returned to something along the levels of last year, but since the end of September its as if no-one wants to play any longer!
That beggars the question how bad will the notoriously bad December and January be?
Watch this space!

Half term trip to London

It seemed a good idea at the time. Let's take little Matt to London for a few days do the touristy bits and see a show. Ok I said (must have caught me off guard!) So off we trundle. Great deal on the hotel that has parking as well which worked out cheaper than 3 return rail tickets and lugging our suitcase halfway across London.
So arrived checked in and off to Madame Tussauds which was a great experience and very different from when we last did it 15 years ago. We then had a very entertaining time just walking and seeing the sights around Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square etc. Lets go to Covent Garden for dinner I said (the time in Spain must have got to me!) So off we went to a great atmospheric and funky restaurant called Navajo Joe's. Thoroughly recommend it the food was great and the wine not a silly price.
Next day off to do the open top bus tour which was fine until it started raining. Got off and did the Dungeons then due to the rain "lets go to the Hard Rock for an early tea" I heard myself say (as we were at the Lion King that night). Had a great meal and fantastic service sat at the bar, over ate as expected but really good. Off to Lion King which was a spectacular show for the experience and little Matt was captivated all the way through. Next day off to see the Changing of the Guards at Buck Pal. Freezing cold and too many people but a spectacle nontheless. Off then to a matinee of Les Miserables. I havent seen this for about 15 years but it is still one of, if not my favourite show. The cast were amazing but particular mention must go to the lead Simon Bowman for his portrayal of Jean Valjean. This role requires a phenomenal vocal range and he was superb. Strangely we had seen him many years ago when he was in Miss Saigon and he was impressive then. I can thoroughly recommend this production. Off then for a quick bite at the Rainforest Cafe before hometime. This was the only disappointing part of the trip, very expensive for what we got.
All in all a great family trip and it has spurred us to return when Daddy has saved enough pennies!!

ROOOOOONEY!

So Mr Rooney has decided to stay at Man U. Was it Ever in doubt? All you can say is his agent has done a bloody good job!
What next I have to ask?
The world of these uberpriveleged prima donnas gets further and further from reality.

Students and higher education

Number 2 son is at a learned institution expanding his mind with Law and Accountancy, very good I thought.
How do you explain his most recent communication (bearing in mind I have not heard from him for several weeks) by text - "Dad can you text me your bank details please"?
Perhaps he hasn't been to all the lectures I feel!

Subtlety and common sense- not a footballers best qualities!

Well done Wayne Rooney! You failed on both counts, not only did you use a hotel a short distance from the hallowed turf that earns you an outrageous living, you then give a bell boy £200 to get you some fags and don't expect him to tell his mates!
You really do take the biscuit! At least Stevie G goes a bit further away and hires the bar to himself so no-one can see! Doh how does that work!

Cheap few days in Spain!

Well thank you Spanish strikers! What was intended to be a few cheap days in Spain to celebrate a couple of mates 60's birthdays ended up as a very expensive trip. Ryan air in their infinite wisdom cancelled all flights, giving us the earliest option of next Tuesday into Bristol! so we ended up cancelling Ryan air and buying new flights with Monarch into Manchester! That has entailed extending the car hire (Gold car must be related to "Ryan robbem air")extending the hotel and of course consuming copious more amounts of alcohol!
so just going back down to the beach for another beer!
Hasta manana baby!

Wot a summer!!

Well having spent the entire summer in Spain doing nothing I can thoroughly recommend it! I can honestly say the 2 strangest things on returning are walking on carpet in bare feet and wearing socks, no more bare feet and espadrilles.
Beer great food fantastic kids managed to spend more money than I had as usual. I am definitely a warm climate person. And they know how to pour a cointreau!
Got into the whole cepito scene, what a great idea!
Off to Spain again this weekend on a total boys jolly to celebrate (if that is the right word), my mate Paul's 60th!
Got to be better than last weekend spent trying to earn a crust in a field in Lincoln at the BMF tail end show, what an unmitigated disaster, organisers couldn't organise the proverbial!

Shearer for England Manager job

Listening to Alan Shearer as a pundit he must be put forward by somebody. He is forthright, takes no prisoners and knows what he is talking about. Even better he speaks English!! (of sorts!!).
The england camp has done a poor job of looking in good spirits, it will probably be revealed in John Terry's autobiography in a couple of years time.
The worst performance in a World cup in how long? Poor old Capello only gets £6m a year and has recently signed a new contract so can look forward to a large pay-off. Tough life! Who would be a football manager? I will go back to my under 12's next week and try to do a better job!

Bloomfontein vs Glastonbury!

Well having wasted the afternoon watching the diatribe we call a national football team I couldn't help wondering whether my time would have been better spent in a parallel universe at Glastonbury (at least they had something to celebrate - 40 years!). I would have known very few of the bands but hey better than watching a load of players I know making fools of themselves!
Very briefly whilst on that note - Capello, obviously not naieve (at least he shouldn't be), but in one game he "changes" things by bringing on Wright Phillips for Lennon (I have nothing against either player), then tonight needing goals he brings on Heskey!!! Now I have nothing against the big fella and he played very well in the first couple of games, but he is hardly a solution to a goal drought!
Is he a very stubborn clever man with a big contract to fall back on?
Shearer for next England manager I say, lets start a campaign now!

New tyres are all the rage!

Much moved by The Overgraduates recent post and having been presented by No.1 son with the greeting of " Dad the cops who stopped us on the way to the festival were nobs but they said summat about my tyres", I am investigating the great write up he gave and am venturing down there. I will let them know of their new founf fame on the blog!

Gordon (where are you now) Brown!

where is gordon now? I suggest he looks at the english oxford dictionary as he obviously doesn't understand what "Prudent" means. Does it mean nick it off england and give free prescriptions, free university education to Scotland? It would appear so! Does it mean take the surplus he inherited, piss it away, give jobs to the boys, recruit nearly 1 million people into public office to vote for us, and spend spend spend?
Gordon, you were sold a pup by your mate Tony "the veneer Blair", he was proven to be such a liar he couldn't even lie straight in bed!
Gordon- you were a pup then you became deluded by power, you participated and presided over quite categorically the worst financially delinquent party in living memory. Your support in the last election was on a level of Michael Foot! Surely a time to reflect and maybe you owe this country an apology? Or even better pay back what you have sucked out of this country in the name of politics!

Housing benefit

What kind of a house do you get for £104,000 pa?
What's more what STUPID government have let this happen?
OUTRAGEOUS!!!!
We have become a country for the minority, rise up you working people have a voice, why should we tax payers pay ridiculous amounts to protect those that have no real desire to work?
Working time directive - i spit on you! - why should anyone who wants to work extra hours be told by the nanny state that they can't. It is an individuals absolute right to work however long he or she wants as long as he or she is not forced to do so.
Piss off europe let us earn the wage we want, surely that is one of the reasons the minimum wage was introduced to stop slave labour, but don't stop genuine hard workers or the next thing we will all be on benefits.

Engurland

Well of course we will now win the worldcup - we have had one decent game and we have forgotten that these guys who are paid millions of pounds per year to kick a plastic covered bladder (most of whom can still only kick with one foot), still cannot pass the ball or move well enough to look a decent park side. I watched the Japanese tonight and I was staggered at their work rate and superior skill level to our lads. Don't get me wrong I am fiercely patriotic, but I do think a wake up call is required to point out that these cosseted people should be ridiculed if they don't perform. They claim the Premier League is the best in the world, how many of our team play in that League compared to any other country?
Wake up boys my under 12's control the ballbetter than you do!
Cum on England!!

Shower of shit

just finished watching question time - how does ed the balls have the balls to quote the diatribe thta he does. Has he had such short term amnesia that he has forgotten he and his cohorts are responsible for the reason we have had to have this budget. How dare he compare the cuts to the Thatcher administration, what was the supposed surplus when she came to power compared to now. i suggest that it was nothing compared to the one just inherited so no wonder the measures are more severe. Thank god we didn't get an idiot like him.

Its my ball and I am keeping it - Gordon Brown

Well Gordon you have reached a new level! You have plumbed new depths!! How you have the audacity to return to Number 10 after the WORST Labour result since that charming charismatic fellow Michael Foot got ONLY JUST slightly less than your vote is beyond me! You didn't have a mandate to be PM before this election and you certainly don't have one now! Not even your own party supporters want you, what is it you don't get? There is thick skinned and thick skinned but you not only take the biscuit you take the bloody tin!

Piss off and let someone else have a go, you have got us in this godaweful mess don't try and kid us you have even the slightest clue how to get us out.

Go and save the world somewhere else, perhaps you and that peace keeping genius Bush can screw up another Universe.

You are quite categorically the WORST Chancellor since ever - Prudent don't make me laugh! The only one laughing now is Tony tangoed Blair who gave you the hot potato in the first place and you didn't even realise the damage you had caused under his mis-stewardship!
No doubt you will skulk off to become an MEP and make a fortune like The Kinnocks, how unjust is the world!

Well, made it back from Ireland in one piece no thanks to Aer Arran, interesting landing that boys! Just in time to jump into my car to drive to Clacton for my sons Under 11 football tour. We did well again coming runners up in the final. Thanks to Ray Clemence for giving of his time to present the prizes, even if the kids didn't know who you were we coaches did! A good week whilst I was away they also beat the top of the league twice, once in the Shield final and once in a league match, amazing what a bit of belief can do.
My partners in crime have made it back although fairly eventfully. We made a good fist of celebrating The Overgraduate's 50th whilst there!

The Dunmore pilgrimage begins again.

Off to Dunmore for a few days golf with the lads! Could be an adventurous trip this year as Dave "the boy" Roberts is 50 part way through the trip!
Interesting ferry crossing nearly had a repeat of the "Big Willie down" moment.
A battery recharge week to enable me to face the world again on my return.
On the ferry as is the usual annual ritual I have scoured the Times rich list and found to my relief that I am still under the radar!
I have left my eldest son to manage our under 11 football team in the Shield final (they were winning 2-0 at half time).
Like my fellow blogger the Overgraduate I wonder at the shite guidance Tiger Woods is getting currently. Who in their right minds would do THAT advert. If you are worth $1.something billion surely you can tell Nike to F..K off.
Don't get me started on the election! How has Gordon the twat Brown got the nerve to stand! He has all but ruined this once great nation and doesn't appear to realise - surely like charging for water rates he is the biggest example of "The Emperor's new Clothes" or is it just me?