So another year and another year older, the March of time, and The Ides are fast approaching. I share this year with UK Mothers Day, so getting out for a meal to celebrate may be  bit of a challenge, with children guiltily taking out their mothers for perhaps the only time in the year. I’m quite content to stay in and see England beat Italy at Twickenham to go a step further towards the grand slam.

But I digress, it only seems like five minutes ago I was celebrating entering my seventh decade, and here it is two years later. Oh well, keep it going, at least I’m still the right side of the grass. We’ve lost some really well-loved people recently, none more so than Richard Briers my favourite comic actor, who when he was younger I was told I resembled. Couldn’t see it myself, but RIP Richard. Been out a few times lately, once to my old work stamping ground The Squirrel in Farnborough, where it had reopened after ten days refurbishment and all meals and drinks were free! Result, everyone likes a free lunch and there is such a thing. Spent the weekend with my cousin and his wife in Kent, where Broadstairs was holding its annual blues festival. Interesting concept, 10 venues (pubs!) 45 acts spread around evening, mid day and afternoon sessions with some really class acts, and all free, except for ale of course! No one really well known, with the exception of Paul Jones ex Manfred Mann who was playing harp (harmonica) but he was £20 to see, although he did take part in a jam session in the pavilion on the seafront, but we missed that. The bands we did see were excellent, like Rosco Levee and Robin Bibi. Sometimes the pubs were heaving, like the Barnaby Ridge, others like the Lord Nelson were quieter, but the sounds were always great. I shall be going next year hopefully to see cousin Steve perform.

So the Lib Dems have been caught with their pants down, so to speak. And some catholic higher priest has resigned. Do these people ever think that something they may have done years ago won’t get out to ‘bite them on the bum’ later? The way some people gleefully report these mis-demeanours tells me that they keep it quiet until such time as it suits their purposes. Very, very sad. Just lately many people in high or not-so-high positions of power have been caught out doing things they shouldn’t, it makes me wonder whether they thought about the consequence of their actions, at the time. I doubt it, but then does everyone think about consequences of actions? No, but then most people aren’t in power, senior churchmen, celebrities etc, so their actions don’t affect the rest of us. Trouble is people like that can be role models/set an example; are we supposed to copy them, look up to them, respect them? Well no, not if we respect ourselves. I often wonder if people like that should be vetted more, so they can’t get into power, and affect all our lives. Lib Dems take note with the Huhne trial, not a pretty sight.

So back to reality and today, Fran and I went to the best sewing material shop in the area, and while she chose some cloth, I went next door and had a pint in The William Bray, a pub frequented by members of the McLaren F1 team as can be seen from the photo below, which is where I was sat. Nice pint too.

Hope we get some sunshine as soon as, see you.