malumbu

Ahhh Vindaloo. Had a thread about an alternative national anthem, being an atheist and also not a monarchist. I thought that other country's were much more jolly. Of course England doesn't have a national anthem so what better than Vindaloo? No nationalistic jingoistic nonsense there, Or here's a nice one Emily would like

Not sure what ED was like but Margate was another world. Seems like everyone was out, England shirts and tattoos a plenty. Not sure what I think. Don't want to be an urban elite sneering down on the good citizens of NE Kent. With the sun and the win rather a celebratory atmosphere. Reminded me a bit of Euro 96.

He's a bully. He's damaging the reputation of America and causing geopolitical, environmental and economic harm. His officials and own party are concerned. I expect many of the electorate still support him doing what he said he would and not backing down. Watch this space in 2 1/2 years time. Still amuses me Questiontime a few weeks ago. They pick the panel and I expect the audience so they are polarised on most issues. The crazy person from the tax payers alliance proposed that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize. The audience and reminder of the panel laughed in unison. A similar suggestion recently on the same programme by that bonkers Isabel Oakeshott, I am of course using the terms bonkers and crazy as terms of endearment.

Underwhelmed by England last night. Should have put the game to bed (no excuse for such woeful finishing) and a little surprised about how sycophantic the BBC pundits were. But in a glass half full mode those are the sort of matches you need to grind out a result (although should never have been in that position).

Often talk about the wonderful public service broadcasts of my childhood and then realise that most of them were voiced over by Jimmy Saville or Rolf Harris. Wrong to actually compare the two of them of course. There was an earlier time when it would have been good to associate Sydenham with Rolf. Here's a relevant thread. Sydenham was also seen as a place that gangsters would move to on their way from the Old Kent Road and then onto the leafier boroughs. The drinking holes on Wells Park Road may have been some of their hang outs (long since gone). Wells Park and Mayow Park are both lovely. https://www.sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=149

Pergola! Thanks for the recommendations. The name Gibbs and Dandy always amuses me (I'm fine and dandy...). There's a thread somewhere about the names of shops on LL

Hmm, you probably know more about chat room etiquette than I. Is this what they call trolling? Is making additional irrelevant comments about what accent I may or may not have hate crime? Can you pronounce your contanantz (consonants). Have you any views on garden birds or do you get off by slagging people off? (Mild sarcasm, provocation, not humour or big or clever(apart from the dig at the lazy SE accent). Maybe others can help me with an appropriate emoji.

I bet you have lots of friends diable rouge! (exclamation mark used to show that mine is a light hearted post) Do explain if yours was a pompous post, passive aggressive, full on aggressive or just misplaced humour trying to be helpful. You'll have to explain the emoji. Here's an example of how to do it nicely. "Great debate, you may find the ED nature watch thread interesting" Personally I was just asking about garden birds and some thoughts and experiences. Thanks others, very helpful. Lots of fledglings out. We will get a niger seed feeder. Saw thrushes last year cracking open snail shells, but not this year.

Back in the Night - Wilko Johnson

Watching a great spotted woodpecker this morning on a feeder. There seemed to have been a world shortage of suet pellets a few weeks ago and ended up getting some deep pink ones that are water soluble and judging by the woodpecker the birds don't like these. The smaller birds are quite keen on fat balls. On a downer for a second year nothing has nested in my boxes. Last year I blamed noisy building works in a nearby extension. Good to hear what's going on in your back yard and tips and advice. The green squawkers rarely come into the garden but with respect to the larger species we have crows, jays, magpies and wood pigeons. Not seen any thrushes this year.

Making a Pergoda. Well buying the wood anyway. Normally buy stuff from Wickes, but can be very hit and miss. Sometimes spending a long time sorting through straight and warped timber. Generally avoid B&Q in OKR due to poor stock control unless something specific. Went to Premier Sheds in Streatham today but unexpectedly closed. Would have popped into Witten if I'd known. Recommendations?

The only positive thing I have to say is that Russia is not Qatar. Recent England performances in international competitions has put me at my lowest interest since 1986 (was watching Madness at Glastonbury rather than the hand of God). Funnily enough in my left field predictions in a work competition I had England beating Uruguay on pens, after a 0-0 full time in the final. Never done a predictions thing in my life. And I drew Switzerland out of the hat. Went to Germany, Brazil and France 16 where I fortunately saw France Iceland - a close shave as it could been England. Even then a Brit got arrested. I like my beer and my football, but for so many reasons would never want to see England live. I felt like this well before Brexit.

Ryanair cancelled the flight to Carcassonne two days before, rebooked with Easyjet to Toulouse which was cancelled on the day, bumned a lift with some others waiting at the customer services queue. A 14 hour drive..... Note Easyjet much more helpful with the claim than Michael O'Leary. Air traffic control strike. France full of it at the moments aas Macron 'modernises' the state Thanks for the suggestion of the Cathar Castles etc, brilliant and the local gorges. Carcassonne a bit of a disneyland, but good for the day and the art work, works. At this point train strike so had to come back a day early to get return flight so recommend a day in Toulouse. Looking after dogs so didn't do the climbs but have a mate in the foothills who thoroughly recommends. Going to Finnistere for the tour. Not a lot of mountains there!

It's not as pretentious as East Dulwich. Well that is an obvious statement for 98% of SE London. Lived there for 9 years when I came to London. You adapt a place. It's becoming gentrified, there are more affluent places, and less such as going into Downham/Bellingham/Catford/Penge. But then Penge is on the way up. Main downsides? Long high street that doen't work that well, the vandalisation of the once wonderful Greyhound pub, and ditto for the Golden Lion and Woodhouse. Upsides, decent curry houses, restaurant, Slatters bakery/the cakeshop, community arts performance place, gallery, Rolf Harris, Sydenham Festival. Can you solve the mystery of the murder at the Golden Lion? https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/10/daniel-morgan-how-private-eyes-haunts-britains-powerful-30-years-on Looking at the housing stock and the grand Victorian shops it was a very desirable place until maybe 90 years ago.

https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/brexit-creating-culture-of-extraordinary-secrecy-in-whitehall/?utm_source=UK+Wider+Civil+Service+31+March+2015&utm_campaign=e259fb59be-UKW_Brexit+Secrecy_EY_BCG&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e4b5027d47-e259fb59be-193462461 An interesting but hardly surprising report which concludes that the greatest challenge in delivering Brexit now stems from the inability of a split Cabinet to make critical decisions.

Yes, and they give you key ring and card with it on it too. And biscuits, crisps and a drink. And a lie down. And a sticker saying you have been a hero that you can wear all day. And after giving blood alcohol has a quicker impact so you can save money if you want to go and get drunk. No nice savoury crackers any more though. Otherwise what's not to like? I can never remember my blood group - A RH +

I used to alternate between two equally convenient locations in Victoria, booking the next session whilst there. Once it was so busy/short staffed that they locked the doors. Another time I came in between Xmas and New Year when they made an appeal to find that again due to short staff they'd closed one of the sessions. I missed a few in recent times due to some medication, and overseas travel, and have never got back into sync. They've now stopped alerting me of forthcoming sessions. Very different to my early sessions when they'd come to work and I'd queue with literally 100s. I've booked in September so will hopefully get back into their system.

We should all donate unless there are health/medical reasons not to. I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the availability of sessions and some massive delays when I get there due to staff shortages. It this a trend and is there a shortage of staff and capability? Are there good places to donate locally? Last time was a long cycle in the rain, to find a long wait. I've shared my frustrations with NHS Blood. I wont sign up to the website as I have too many user IDs and passwords, but they will no longer share locations and dates without logging in.

I love the Ivy but the Blythe does have better kept and cheaper ale. I expect most pubs have better and cheaper ale than the Dog (in the past probably not).

I went to see the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre (for some reason generally banned in the UK at the time, ie given no certificate), rather than see the Pretenders Supported by UB40, both at their peak. Ignore the score in IMDB, it was sheet.

No, I must have slept through it.

AS a kid I lived near Tolkein before he left this mortal coil. One of his near neighbours would get the geeky kids signed copies of his books. Watching Antiques Roadshow rather surprised as how valuable these can be. Other anecdotes? Please no no no no no ones about if only I had bought this property at that time.

Michael Mcintyre parking on double yellows outside his kid's school. Didn't deserve an attack by the moped gang but still a pretty wonker thing to do. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/michael-mcintyre-robbed-by-moped-thieves-in-london-while-waiting-to-pick-children-up-from-school-a3855266.html

Thick milk shakes? Probably a wonder natural product 'guar gum'. But still feels as if processed