In this midweek no mans land - neither Christmas nor New Year, most of us are not at work. We wait in limbo until the next celebration - as if we need any more food... But we are always ready for a drink. And hot of the presses comes a ...   more »

Well, it's been quite a year. We've moved continents, schools and houses. Shipped cars, furniture and dogs. Rallied in England, Scotland and France. Travelled here, there and everywhere. And it's time for a rest.

I may post the odd post over Christmas, but I'm taking a break at home with ...   more »

Complaints and Lamentations

1. O my children, you are disobedient. For when I tell you what you must do, you argue and dispute hotly even to the littlest detail; and when I do not accede, you cry out, and hit and kick.
2. Yes, and even sometime do you spit, ...   more »

Keith Duckworth, who died on Sunday aged 72, was the outstanding racing engine designer of his generation.

Cosworth Engineering, the company he founded with his fellow engineer Mike Costin in 1958, produced a staggeringly successful series of Ford-based and Ford-sponsored engines. From 1960 to 1983 it not only won a ...   more »

Last week the sleepy West Lothian community of Mid Calder made its mark by becoming the setting of a new type of policing. Sick of teenage gangs drunk on cheap wine making life hell for its residents, Mid Calder became the first place in Britain to issue a village-wide crackdown ...   more »

For a returning expat I knew the weather was going to be the hardest part about being in the UK. I was only partly right. The lack of daylight in winter is the real killer. On bright sunny days it is wonderful – but for such a short time. The ...   more »

Seems I am not alone in resenting the http://www.lmag.org.uk/index.php   more »

Jacques Chirac may have stopped short of gloating about Britain's surrender of part of the European Union rebate, but his extravagant praise for Tony Blair was the last thing the prime minister will have wanted to hear.

The French president went on television and radio from the Elysée to applaud ...   more »

When you call your bank does it drive you crazy that you can never seem to find a person?

When all you want to do is find out what time the branch closes but you can't until you've entered your account number, passcode, mothers maiden name and inside leg ...   more »

In 2050 A.D. Bill Gates died in a car accident. He found himself in Purgatory being sized up by God...

"Well, Bill, I'm really confused on this call. I'm not sure whether to send you to Heaven or Hell. After all, you enormously helped society by putting a computer in ...   more »

Shield your pupils from 'terrifying' Santa Claus, teachers told
By Tim Hall
(Filed: 12/12/2005)

Children should be protected from "terrifying" Father Christmas, shielded from "alarming" pantomimes and encouraged not to send wasteful Christmas cards, a Government website has advised teachers.



When arranging Christmas parties in schools, teachers should also avoid ...   more »

In the course of a project to upgrade their branches high street retail bank Spam West has decided to remove the clocks.

This has created some negative feedback as punters have heard that it was done so they could not readily time how long they have been kept waiting in ...   more »

Congrats to Big Mike and Jimmy the Snake for a fantastic win in the UK's hardest classic rally, the LE JOG.

The LE JOG (Lands End to John O'Groats) Reliability Trial has become a legend amongst the rallying fraternity. The aim is to drive from one end of Great Britain ...   more »

Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances

1. Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time.
2. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of the bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, ...   more »

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in ...   more »

I couldn't possibly let the award of this years Turner prize go without comment. Always interesting, frequently controversial and certainly rubbish, this year is no exception.

The winner, Simon Starling is an 'artist' specialising in 'installations'. His winning entry comprises a rotten old garden shed that he demolished, turned into ...   more »

In a better shoot day on Saturday not only did I break my duck with my first pheasant (sorry, couldn't resist), but we bagged a total of 16 birds and two rabbits. The latter courtesy of Charlie's dogs I'll admit.

A good morning's shooting and a good Sunday dinner too.

Next time out is Xmas eve for a woodland rough shoot with some snipe and woodcock in our sights.

Looking forward to it.

In a true story from Las Vegas I hear that the mayor is calling for the public amputation of the thumbs of graffiti artists who 'decorated' the walls of the new highway.

Progressive views certainly.   more »

And hot on the heels of my first successful days shoot is this story from the Telegraph:

Pheasant to be fair game for the masses
By Richard Alleyne
(Filed: 05/12/2005)

They are traditionally regarded as the preserve of the landed gentry, enjoyed only by the hunting, shooting and fishing set. ...   more »

Delighted to receive a call from the terrace of Hebe Haven Yacht club during the Sai Kung district link quiz on Saturday. Mr Relax was bemoaning my absence as they were struggling with some of the questions. Flattered to be though of use I have to say.

It did reinforce ...   more »

In a wonderful story from the SCMP, Associated Press report on the interesting case of the Aussie model who seemed to convince a court she was a Muslim.

Needless to say there is a degree of disagreement over this....

Australian model jailed for drug use by Indonesian court arrives home ...   more »