To quote our leader, stupid bugger. And that is all I will say on the political scene ;). Feel much happier now!
What made me smile this morning was the fact that on television a hot air balloon had flown over Bristol and where it had landed in the background far away I spied Freezing Hill outside Bath. It brought back memories of medium walks along to Langridge and the small field full of wild flowers. The balloons would often get airborne from Victoria Park, rising on the air currents, surfacing the hills round Bath and then they were off and away, frightening the cows and my dog Suki, who was always reduced to a shivering wreck should one fly over.
Bristol is famous for its balloons and festivals, they fill the sky with colour and strange shapes, they can only go up when the thermals allow - they are a sign of fun and freedom.
Once one Sunday morning, several had taken off from the park, then the thermals let them down, and about three hovered over our village of Weston, we were attached to Bath but still liked the independence. One went down the valley of gardens and looking out of the window people were shouting up 'can we get you a pint from the pub', another balloon hovered around the spike of the church tower, until it eventually pulled itself up the hill. Crashes averted, though they do come down fairly slowly. I once watched one land on the racecourse, the balloon pulling the wicker basket along at a very quick pace, but it stayed upright and the occupants safe.
Well I have delved in my external drive for a photo but can't find one, just pulled out some with their memories attached.
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| I could never grow enough flowers! |
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| Suki and Moss up at the race course |
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| Such an old photo. Here with the Canadian side of the family. Me in white fur hat with first husband |
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| Early morning walk |
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| The woods up on the downs |
Edit. I am not the only person pissed off with Boris, see the Irish journalist Fintain O'Toole, which I have just read here.
Yes I saw the balloon after it had landed on Breakfast TV this morning. I loved looking at your old photographs - your garden looks bursting with flowers. Lovely to see those dresses too - I remember wearing that style - I adored it. Memories - memories....
ReplyDeleteSecond marriage and I got married in an 'Indian' material dress, another fashion to follow, but the droopy female dresses of the 70s after the short mini style of the 6os was a welcome break - not showing your knickers when you bent down!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, while visiting in-laws, I attended the Albuquerque Balloon Festival--one of the largest annual gatherings in the world, I think. Various mass ascensions of balloons in every conceivable shape (including Darth Vader's head). Sitting next to them as they are being filled is quite the experience...especially if the wind suddenly changes direction and the balloon begins to cover you over. Helps if one is able to move quickly. They are huge.
ReplyDeleteSounds good, we often see them on television floating across an African Savannah. But as a form of transport they are not very reliable.
DeleteExcellent article, sums the whole sorry mess up rather well. Janx
ReplyDeleteDo envy people who can write like that, though the method of 'degutting' people is pretty scary. ;)
DeleteMy children once gave us a gift of a balloon ride. While it wasn’t as long as I had hoped due to not enough wind, it was glorious.
ReplyDeleteI think it must be quite an experience to fly like that, gliding quietly over the fields, it is just the landing that worries me.
DeleteThere never are too many flowers! My "real" zinnias are up.
ReplyDeleteI know I have seen them Joanne, I suppose the only problem is that the life of a flower is so short.
DeleteThe way Fintan O'Toole articulates Britain's response to COVID and the Brexit circus that preceded it is most impressive. He exactly states what I was instinctively feeling about it all. Following The Science? What a load of tosh! Regarding Johnson and his motley crew - their arrogance and ineptitude has effectively murdered thousands. However, I doubt that we will ever see them standing trial in a court of law.
ReplyDeleteYou have a rich store of memories Thelma. Like a treasure chest.
Do politicians ever get in front of a jury? Except they do stand before their fellow politicians and often have to give some explanation of their actions. There isn't a way out of the trap of being governed by self-seekers, the only joy is that Boris will definitely not get written down in history as the person who saved us from the pandemic and unemployment. He will be seen as a failure - actions and the consequences thereof!
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