So glad we are in the Autumn. The cool airs, smell of the earth and mists.

Recovering from a week of excess - including a full on pig roast. Cut down on the booze and drink.

Poor old dog is ill but being a little soldier about it. She is getting the best of care though and it hasn't stopped her hunting, playing and snuggling up.

London Olympics

We are out of the UK during the Olympics....

I never thought I would be happy to say that, esp. as I was a very keen athlete at school and dreamed of being good enough to compete at a high level but everyday matters such as getting an education, a job and house saw to that.

But the hype, crass commercialism and mind-numbing right-on crap that is being poured out just sickens me.

I can remember when the BBC would produce a timetable of all events, you could see not only the high profile events but also the lesser known ones and therein lies the true Olympic spirit - people who compete to be the best they can be without the prospects of great fame or wealth.

Now it seems that beyond the 100 metres, football and tennis there is little else going on.

But, by recompense we will be in Southern Brittany - eventually it WILL stop raining and we will be in heaven.

Its Biblical...

Wow, what a rainstorm today. Nothing for many people across the tropics but in sleepy Worcestershire a very unusual sight.

Roads blocked and flooded, car covered in downed pollen, the latter of which I Thank God.

One thing though, and I wish I'd had my camera, when driving through the floods of Catshill a local retard was just standing in the middle of a road junction, calf high in water just gawping at the scene.

It reminded me of the old joke about pigs getting up on the wall to watch cars go by. It was probably the most interesting thing to happen in his life.

Having just said that I feel sorry for him.

Catshill Village is a very "special" place. Always has been, always will be.

The world is changing - I can feel it in the air.

Life is changing.

The loss of a dear mother and the associated emotions and realities are forcing a good close look at where we are going in life.






All too often in life we are carried along with the stream, willingly conforming and assuming responsibilities out of love and loyalty.












Time now for change. A new world is opening up and the whole of Europe beckons...

Meanwhile, the new shotgun has arrived!!! And what a beauty. Browning GTS Elite.

The focus of our lives will be turning back to Brittany - the woods, streams and farmland.

Freedom, albeit only relative, when compared to the Police State that the UK is becoming.

One good man described it thus:-

To be governed is to be watched, inspected, spied upon, directed, law-driven, numbered, regulated, enrolled, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, checked, estimated, valued, censured, commanded, by creatures who have neither the right nor the wisdom nor the virtue to do so. To be governed is to be at every operation, at every transaction noted, registered, counted, taxed, stamped, measured, numbered, assessed, licensed, authorized, admonished, prevented, forbidden, reformed, corrected, punished. It is, under pretext of public utility, and in the name of the general interest, to be placed under contribution, drilled, fleeced, exploited, monopolized, extorted from, squeezed, hoaxed, robbed; then, at the slightest resistance, the first word of complaint, to be repressed, fined, vilified, harassed, hunted down, abused, clubbed, disarmed, bound, choked, imprisoned, judged, condemned, shot, deported, sacrificed, sold, betrayed; and to crown all, mocked, ridiculed, derided, outraged, dishonoured. That is government; that is it's justice; that is its morality.

Fun in Tardebigge

 

 

The old village of Tardebigge is home to the Hereford & Worcestershire Shooting Ground.



After some months away from shooting in France I got the opportunity to have a go, only 5 mins from home.

What a lovely place. And not a bad score, with a borrowed Rizzini - even if I say so myself.

Looking forward to getting my new gun, the rest stay in France so as to avoid the H&S, terrorist alert, jobsworths in Border Control.

I do like the new Bettinsoli - cheap but great reviews.

Point to Point

All ready to go to Chaddesley and guess what - snow!!

Ah well, a supply of sarnies, hot pies and wine plus a warm set of clothes should sort that out.

Long time no posts

Just enjoyed 7 weeks in Brittany - 3 more than planned due to an ageing mother and age related "issues" but no hardship.

Had a great time with my newly "plumbed in" woodburner and got through quite a lot of the apple trees that I had to trim back months ago after they broke branches in the early autumn winds, so laden down with fruit were they.

The Christmas & New Year went well - Turkey Crown, Stuffed belly pork roll, 5 bird roast and Pheasant. 

Not all at the same sitting ......

Much hunting going on before the season closes and Talbot showed her pedigree as she sighted, pointed and set up woodcock like she had been doing it all her life. That dog is half human - and that's what the guys down the pub say - not me...

The recession is biting in France - has been for 3 years now - but they are more resilient due to being on the whole more self sufficient, unburdened by personal debt and with strong community ties and sense of who they are. But that is only possible in a dreaded monoculture.

The UK on the other hand could descend into chaos if ever the financial/welfare state house of cards falls down.

I am watching the situations in Greece and Ireland closely.

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