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Wednesday, October 12
Weekend Wine
by
wattonfamily.com
on Wed 12 Oct 2005 12:40 AM PDT
Hot on the heels of my trip to the US I headed off to Devon for a meeting of the NTHKWS (Not the Hong Kong Wine Society), UK Chapter. We now outnumber the donor branch which, given that there is only one criteria for membership: you had to be a ... more »
Tuesday, October 11
Proper(ty) Profits
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 11 Oct 2005 12:31 AM PDT
According to a report in Property Week, Major Ken, Governor of London and Lord of all he surveys recently described property developers as 'some of the most rapacious bastards on the planet'. In a style fizzing with all the humility for which he is famous, he did so at a ... more »
Monday, October 10
A good line
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 10 Oct 2005 04:38 AM PDT
Every news story provides material for humour. The black ones appear immediately after any disasters.. but the best are the short and simple like this:
Kate Moss had just been introduced to Jeremy Clarkson at a smart celeb party -
Wine and Travel
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 10 Oct 2005 03:11 AM PDT
One of the constraints of my hectic travel schedule is that too frequently it robs me of the opportunity to post posts. Conversely it does, however provide much material.
Last week whilst in Miami on business we had Thursday dinner in The Forge. A strange old place: part Munsters living ... more »
FACTS OF THE DAY #1
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 10 Oct 2005 02:51 AM PDT
Thanks to Brixton Boy for sending these... more over the next few days.....
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language. In the 1400s a law was set forth that a man was ... more » Saturday, October 8
The Book of Parentese - Chapter 1
by
wattonfamily.com
on Sat 08 Oct 2005 05:49 AM PDT
Laws Pertaining to Dessert
1. For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert. 2. But of the unclean plate, the laws are these If you have eaten most of your meat, ... more » Wednesday, October 5
Dietary requirements
by
wattonfamily.com
on Wed 05 Oct 2005 01:53 PM PDT
I received a nice invitation to a posh dinner in 'touwn' the other day:
Well I know what they're after. ... more » Tuesday, October 4
Ronnie Barker - Comedian
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 04 Oct 2005 08:24 AM PDT
Very sad to hear of the death of one of the UK's best comedians today. From the Telegraph:
TV comedian Ronnie Barker has died at his home after a long illness, aged 76. The actor had starred in a series of comedies including the Two Ronnies, Porridge and Open All ... more »
Gun Shopping
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 04 Oct 2005 12:04 AM PDT
Part of the fun of moving to the UK was the opportunity to take part in activities that are new to us. Joining the Shoot has been a lot of fun as we built the pheasant pen and subsequently have had to learn to look after the little beasts prior ... more »
Monday, October 3
Political own goals
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 03 Oct 2005 05:53 AM PDT
A couple of things really caught my eye while I was traveling last week – and they do deserve a little attention here.
First was the fundamental change in approach by the communities and local government minister, David Miliband vis-à-vis the council tax. He confirmed that they were being totally ... more » Friday, September 30
“The Smithsonian”
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 30 Sep 2005 02:36 PM PDT
The story behind the letter below is that there is this nutter who digs things out of his back yard and sends the stuff he finds to the Smithsonian Institute, labeling them with scientific names, insisting that they are actual archaeological finds. This guy really exists and does this in ... more »
The Road Much Travelled
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 30 Sep 2005 02:35 PM PDT
Forgive me folks for I have sinned. It's been 5 days since my last blog. Sometimes when I'm travelling I just don't seem to get a moment. Really. Even by my standards this was a busy week......one of those, it's Wednesday so it must be Milan sort of weeks. Cape ... more »
Monday, September 26
Plane annoyed
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 26 Sep 2005 09:06 AM PDT
I can't remember a BA flight being on time since I moved to London.
Except last night that is. So, while BA whatever pushed back bang on time at 19.25 yours truly was in a traffic jam on the M4. At least I got to experience a new experience: I've ... more »
Internet Stories: Introduction
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 26 Sep 2005 09:02 AM PDT
I wrote this introduction to a collection of internet stories I started compiling six years ago. I cannot believe it is so long ago.....
"Internet stories, almost by definition, need no introduction. They arrive, wholly unsolicited, from all corners of the world on our screens almost daily. Often beneath a ... more » Sunday, September 25
Blog hacked.. Blogger hacked off.
by
wattonfamily.com
on Sun 25 Sep 2005 05:30 AM PDT
Some of you - if you subscribe to this blog - will have received a rather unwelcome mail from the site as a consequence of some saddo posting an innapropriate comment which was then sent out to anyone registered.
I've now removed it and I do normally check for comments ... more »
French. Humour
by
wattonfamily.com
on Sun 25 Sep 2005 04:37 AM PDT
It does seem a little unkind, since we had such a fabulous weekend in France, that I should post such a blog. Truth is I was looking through my sad collection of internet sourced humour and there is a lot of French stuff. Some of it good too.
There was ... more » Thursday, September 22
Oxymoron: Saftety Camera Partnerships
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 22 Sep 2005 12:15 AM PDT
Scanning the Telegraph motoring section the other day I can across this letter with the reply from Honest John. Admittedly this is a bit of a soap box of mine, but the writer makes a good point.
Speed camera partnerships are not legal entities (and therefore cannot be sued), nor ... more » Tuesday, September 20
Le French Excursion - all done
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 19 Sep 2005 04:08 PM PDT
No doubt I will pen a longer post in due course, but safe to say we had a blast. By way of an appetiser - and because it was just too funny to resist recording - I can confirm that one of our number accidentally set light to a menu ... more »
Thursday, September 15
Bubble Trouble
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 15 Sep 2005 10:25 AM PDT
Hot off the press our special correspondent Jimmy the Snake sent in this article, which is very topical given that we are heading to the home of the most special of sparkling wines this weekend....
French industrial patriotism is in danger of descending into farce, with reports that Paris wants ... more »
Le French Excursion est demain!
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 15 Sep 2005 03:36 AM PDT
A runaway lorry travelled for 140 miles on the motorways of northern France and Belgium as the driver struggled to regain control with his speed locked at 60 mph.
"I have lived the film Speed for real," said the French driver, likening his nightmarish two-hour journey to the 1994 film ... more » Wednesday, September 14
LJK Setright - engineer, enthusiast and author
by
wattonfamily.com
on Wed 14 Sep 2005 12:55 AM PDT
LJK Setright, who died last week aged 74, was one of the most inspiring motoring – or should I say engineering - enthusiasts of our age. One of the world's foremost and most distinguished motoring journalists he was also one life’s great characters.
His numerous publications included histories of Rolls ... more » Tuesday, September 13
Hong Kong welcomes Mickey Mouse! (most residents think he’s been in Legco for quite a while…)
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 13 Sep 2005 01:12 AM PDT
A few years ago when the then Financial Secretary, Donald Tsang was presenting his budget, I recall he announced two things that would save Hong Kong’s economy which, at the time, was in dire straits. One was the sale of land at the proposed Cyberport for development not, via the ... more »
Monday, September 12
Praying for and end to Cricket
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 12 Sep 2005 08:18 AM PDT
To me it is inconceivable. The headline in the Telegraph "Pray for rain" because dreams can turn to Ashes is absolutely absurd.
I cannot imagine why any national team would actually publicly wish for the weather to be their salvation, as opposed to actually winning a game on merit. Even ... more »
The fleet is (nearly) complete
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 12 Sep 2005 07:43 AM PDT
Regular visitors to the blog will have been assailed with various automotive related tales for some time now. Rest assured this situation will continue, even though the fleet is nearly complete. For now that is.
The sensible family car arrived on Friday in the form of a Jaguar X type ... more » Friday, September 9
Dress code
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 09 Sep 2005 02:01 AM PDT
Now, most of you know I'm a somewhat relaxed dresser - the fisherman unkindly suggested I was the scruffiest person he knows - but at least I don't let my jeans slide down so you can see the label on my calvins. Assuming I am wearing any that is.
And ... more »
True Stories
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 09 Sep 2005 01:52 AM PDT
Overheard on the BA flight from NY last night, a conversation between two US passengers travelling to the UK on probably their first long haul flight. How do I know it was their first long haul? Read on:
Passenger 1: Gee Marge this plane even has an upstairs! Marge: Wow, ... more » Thursday, September 8
Top tips for working with Americans
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 08 Sep 2005 08:16 AM PDT
A very timely article in this weeks Telegraph exposes the differences between two cultures divided by a common language. I've worked in an american firm for 8 years and I feel the cultural divide is deepening.
Understanding the gamut of linguistic and cultural differences can make the course of business ... more »
The Apple Stretching
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 08 Sep 2005 07:27 AM PDT
This week finds me in The Big Apple on business and the sound of cab horns and people reminded me of Grace Jones wonderful track from Island Life. more »
Thursday, September 1
Downloading for Oxfam?
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 01 Sep 2005 12:11 PM PDT
Downloading music from the internet is set to explode – this time legitimately – as two major retailers (HMV and Virgin) finally embrace the concept and launch the service. Shawn Fanning – founder of the now legendary and latterly legal Napster – must be smiling wrily. More likely he’s still ... more »
Tuesday, August 30
Education: to hell in a handcart
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 30 Aug 2005 05:59 AM PDT
The newspapers in the UK are full of accusations that the exam system has become a farce as the questions are now so easy that even your average Member of Parliament could probably get a couple of half decent A levels.
The news then, of a proposed policy on swearing ... more »
The Rebirth of Internet Humour
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 30 Aug 2005 02:55 AM PDT
I used to send these out by e-mail and in fact have a huge Word document full of the best ones which I recieved regularly... they seemed to have waned of late, which is a shame. This one has been around for ages (I'm sure Word Perfect went phut eons ... more »
Friday, August 26
Sipping Vodka
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 26 Aug 2005 01:00 AM PDT
I don't do chain letters, ever. This came to me from Brixton Boy - and I could care less if you send it on to anyone or not. But it is funny and worth sharing:
A new priest at his first mass was so nervous he could hardly speak. After ... more »
The delivery of the shipment
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 26 Aug 2005 12:44 AM PDT
I cannot believe we have so much stuff. The house was starting to fill up with a few new things we needed - a couple of wardrobes for a start as we had none in Hong Kong - but when the shipment arrived.... well, the helpful chaps from the moving ... more »
Wednesday, August 24
Brilliant Blogs
by
wattonfamily.com
on Wed 24 Aug 2005 10:14 AM PDT
I've only been at the blog game for a few months now, but have very much enjoyed the chance to post a few posts.
The only thing I do regret is the freedom to write what I damn well please that is not afforded to me due a certain amount ... more » Saturday, August 20
Special 911's
by
wattonfamily.com
on Sat 20 Aug 2005 02:58 PM PDT
The 911 has been here a month now and I finally got round to taking her to the local Porsche Centre to have a couple of things done post shipping. The windscreen has a slight leak - supposedly fixed in Hong Kong but not - and the central locking is ... more »
Friday, August 19
Nun too pleased
by
wattonfamily.com
on Fri 19 Aug 2005 02:35 AM PDT
Whilst the BA baggage handlers come out in support of the Gate Gourmet (now that's an oxymoron) staff, protesting nuns are picketing Lincoln Cathedral during the filming of the Da Vinci Code.
The nuns allege the film breaks cathedral code and, standing at the security cordon with her wimple and placard Sister Mary Michael, 61 said: "I just don't think it is right that they are filming this story here. I know the Bishop and Dean argue it is fiction - and it might even be brilliant fiction - but it is against the very essence of what we believe." Dean of Lincoln, the Very Rev Alec Knight, has described the book by Dan Brown, which has sold 18 million copies worldwide, as "a load of old tosh" but, tosh or not, a £100,000 donation from the film-makers and the chance to publicise the cathedral was too good to turn down. "We thought about the film company's offer very carefully” said the Dean, “both from the point of view of disruption and also because of the text of the book itself.” In the end he was unable to resist temptation and took the money. A sound and pragmatic commercial approach. Values out of the window, but still a sound commercial approach. I have a quote for him: Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: A bit below the belt I know, but I couldn't resist the temptation. Tuesday, August 16
Sensible Family Transport
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 16 Aug 2005 02:54 AM PDT
I am reminded of an old joke which, as with all good jokes, starts with two men in a pub:
Fred: I bought the wife a jaguar last week... Bill: Really? Bet that was expensive, was it worth it? Fred: Oh yes, it bit her head off. This is of course incredibly unkind - I will suffer for it later - but is a neat introduction to our latest sensible car acquisition. OK, make that only sensible car acquisition.. well apart from the LandRover that is. more » Monday, August 15
Heung Gong Pang Yau
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 15 Aug 2005 06:51 AM PDT
This weekends activities were defined by visits with friends. Not UK friends, but ones from Hong Kong.
First, on Sunday afternoon we met up with our neighbours from Wong Keng Tei who, quite by chance, had planned to spend part of their summer holiday in Wiltshire. We were only half ... more »
The Bell at Ramsbury
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 15 Aug 2005 04:44 AM PDT
Our efforts to explore the culinary hotspots of Wiltshire continued on Saturday with a visit to The Bell in Ramsbury. Ramsbury is apparently famous as it is the location of the start of the Band of Brothers TV series. Apparently. Have to say it is a very attractive old village with a great deal of character.
The Bell was very good. A pleasant ambience, a short and interesting menu with a wine list to match. Somehow you always know you are in safe hands when you spot a few favourites and a the odd unusual bottle..... So it was that we started with a bottle of Cave de Ribeauville, Gewurztranimer, 2003 and followed it with a Hochar Pere et Fils wine made by Chateau Musar. This is what attracted my attention as it is not something you see very often. Chateau Musar is famous for two reasons. One, it produces some damn fine wines and two, it is in the Lebanon. The Hochar family own and run the estate and what we drank was, in Bordeaux speak, the second wine of the Chateau. It was excellent. Clearly Cabernet based but with the more exotic (!) blend of Carigan and Cinsault, not a combination widely available from France (OK Fisherman, correct me if I'm wrong!). It really is a joy to go find a restaurant where both menu and wine list are short and focussed, offering something you don't see every day. We'll be back. more »  1 AttachmentsThursday, August 11
The danger of drink
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 11 Aug 2005 05:29 AM PDT
Another thing has rattled my cage this week - the proposals to allow 24 hour drinking. Now, don't get me wrong, as you well know I am somewhat partial to a glass of wine, but for a government hell bent on controlling us all as if it were 1984, the ... more »
Sustainable resources. Not.
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 11 Aug 2005 02:09 AM PDT
There's a lot of fuss in the papers this week about extremist Muslim clerics and whether or not they should be deported or have operations on the NHS. Well to me they are either entitled or not, their religious views are not really the issue. If they break the law ... more »
Tuesday, August 9
A weekend in the country
by
wattonfamily.com
on Tue 09 Aug 2005 09:12 AM PDT
Summer was on her best behaviour this weekend. This was especially pleasing as I had taken Friday and Monday off to spend on the farm en famille, avec mes amis et mes voitures. Pourqoi le franglais, je hear vous demanding? Well, because we need to practice our francais in advance ... more »
Monday, August 1
The Farm Shoot
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 01 Aug 2005 05:22 AM PDT
Work has progressed well on the shoot and with the pheasant pen now basically complete and with the doors on, we are on the downhill run. The job list is not short, but manageable in the month remaining before the poults arrive.
I took Ash down there on Sunday and ... more » 1 Attachments
Me and My Mac
by
wattonfamily.com
on Mon 01 Aug 2005 03:48 AM PDT
It is said that “to err is human, to forgive, divine”.
It is also said that “to err is human, but to completely stuff things up requires a computer”. I am pleased to now add: To err is human, but to create a total cluster-fudge of ... more » Thursday, July 28
Good news week
by
wattonfamily.com
on Thu 28 Jul 2005 01:49 AM PDT
Just been reviewing the blog and conscious that there is much bleating - although much to bleat about in the UK - so decided a bit of good news was timely.
My new wine racks were delivered to the farm yesterday - only about 3 days after ordering them. So, someone understands about service then. Looking forward to filling them up and even more to emptying them. Bowes Wine kindly arranged things for me – pic attached. Le French Excursion is set for the weekend of Saturday 17th and 18th of September leaving from Dover. Our plan is to drive from Calais along the Belgian border to Reims and indulge in some of the finest products of the Champagne region. Clerk of the Course Big Mike is recceing the route this weekend and promises great roads, beautiful scenery and fine weather. OK, I lied a bit about the weather. Cars are already being prepped and with luck we will have at least 2 of our fleet traveling.. question is which ones? Automotive purchases continue with the acquisition of a tidy Citroen AX Echo Plus for Bennet to trundle about in. Only dampener being the cost of insurance representing nearly 70% of the purchase price of the car … Our pheasant pen is nearing completion, but a list from Shoot Captain Mike reminded us that there is still much to do, so a busy weekend beckons… let’s just hope this miserable weather improves… I’ll finish now, before I start to bleat about the climate in the UK…. 2 Attachments |
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