Photos for everyone but especially my Indian friends to show how different it is here.
In and around the city.
A seagull harassing a family
The city is surrounded by mountains and sea.
Toilets are for everyone, obviously.
Vancouver again
Category: it’s not about India
Vancouver
Reminded of this wonderful city, visiting my youngest son Oliver, first time in three years.
Well done Ol, great success, I’m so impressed
As everywhere it somehow stimulates memories of elsewhere. I last visited shortly after Manjula died.
Disintegrating Britain
One of Margaret Thatcher’s preferred tools was to scare us shitless by revealing a terrible plan. This enabled her to more easily get agreement to do something that seemed only half as bad.
Johnson has another favourite, from the Tory tool box.
He creates a cloud of confusion, like the airforce plane that throws out flack so the missile misses its target, he launches dead cats and kittens, custard pie distractions to keep the pressure up and to help him get through inane policies that help the very few that already ‘have’. The opposition misses its target and the general population is worn down, losing the will to live.
The so-called ‘culture wars’ is part of this, the latest being the decimation of the Civil Service and destruction of effective governance.
What are they doing? Taking the piss. They (the govt/ruling party/oligarchy/elite) — delete as appropriate— seem to have become so comfortable and confident in their domination of the masses that they can’t be bothered to hide how they use their power with complete disregard for the impact on what in India they call the ‘common man.’ We get what we deserve and of course none of it is anything to do with Brexit, that con to help them keep their millions.. Thanks Marina for the entertainment as the titanic sinks.
Information
You decide
A mish mash, some might say eclectic
Useful sources of information to help us think things through
They’re videos, personally, I need a rest from reading books.
Posted 20th March 2022
The first featuring a British comedian, is about the pandemic but I’m not a believer in conspiracies. That doesn’t mean that we’re not manipulated. The pharma companies are bleeding us, should be regulated and their profits limited.
His videos are about sharing information to help us form our opinions and realise how the world works.
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I’m really impressed by this writer. His book Sapiens helped me rethink the development of humans and to realise how significant storytelling is in how we lived in our earliest days, and now, how integral stories are to our identities, to our collaboration, which affects every aspect of our lives
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This video is about the Ukraine but reveals his thinking about what the current situation reveals about all our societies, being both positive and hopeful.
Christmas
In Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.
Christmas comes early in London
Poppy becomes a Lego veterinarian complete with pet ambulance and tree house.
The cat disappears. Maybe she worries about what the vet might do. 🤭
Poppy’s School
My friends in India often ask what things are like in the U.K. so here’s My granddaughter’s school.
I’m here to collect her at the end of the school day.
It’s probably a school from the 19th century when ‘board’ schools were introduced.
I love the old building and it has a great feel.
It’s managed by the local government
Here’s one or two great additions to help improve safety.
Manny is overseeing the renovation work at the school.
I’ve stayed with Poppy and her parents Ben and Alice in north London.
Travelling around 3
My last trip to the U.K., unexpectedly extended, provided another opportunity to visit previous guests who’ve now become part of our extended family.
It was great to see Stephen, Ruth and Jony. Thanks for putting up with this old man.
Travelling around 2
Tom and Amy, aka the lovely couple, who Manjula and I adopted after the first of many visits to Mysore Bed and Breakfast.
Their apartment looks out onto the sea. What a fab location.
Brighton and Hove on the English south coast an hour from London.
Travelling around 1
Catching up with friends
My first trip back to the U.K. in over two years.
The journey through the airports and flight went smoothly as fast as pre-pandemic. I had test results and certificate proving I’d had my vaccinations. No one checked anything.
Being entertained by and entertaining my granddaughter Poppy. She’s eight and I’ve missed seeing her for two years! All of us share that pandemic experience.
Exploring Hebden Bridge with Liz, the mum of my boys, big ex or as Manjula would say: wife number one. We remain close and dear friends of over thirty years.
Me and MYCycle 