I’ve been unexpectedly stuck at the B&B since last Friday and bored with TV and reading, my daughter suggested I download Netflix and watch a couple of movies.
I first watched a remake of ‘Rebecca’ – a classic that seldom disappoints.
Then I spotted ‘The Two Popes’. I’d so wanted to see this when it was first released and it didn’t disappoint.
It’s an intimate portrayal of two men; one the Pope and the other a Cardinal, and a supposed conversation they had at a momentous time in history.
Based on true events, although the conversation is imagined, it is incredibly feasible. Since no-one, besides the two real life characters themselves know what was said during their brief time together, we can but only imagine.
The ‘conversation’ is beautifully written and the characters sensitively portrayed by Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce – both exceptional character actors who were totally convincing as the people they portrayed.
I’m not at all religious and believe in evolution, but I found myself drawn into the drama of the situation and their story. It was so very poignant and I found myself sobbing during some of the scenes.
A most enjoyable film, the story of which has lingered well past the last scene….
I love a film that leaves you thinking about it for days and raises questions like: if no-one is to blame, is everyone to blame….
A very deep and thought-provoking film. I’m definitely going to watch it again. I’m also going to do more research on the current Pope; Francis ( Jorge Mario Bergoglio). I’ve always liked him and think he’s a breath of fresh air.
The question he raised at his speech in Lampedusa is going to haunt me ….
Usurping the US election news (thank you thank you thank you 🙏🙏🙏👴🏻) is the latest news of a Covid-19 vaccine; an apparently successful vaccine.
In terms of timing and according to previous reports, a vaccine usually takes years to develop, test and have approved.
So whilst the market shares have shot ⬆️⬆️⬆️ I’m somewhat sceptical, especially as it comes from a pharmaceutical company of a particular name.
Conspiracy theories aside, and I am a bit of a theorist myself, I am not that enthralled by the news. These companies are all about making money and being the ‘first’ to find a successful vaccine is going to make them a whole ton of money (I was going to resort to my South African roots and say shitload of money but that would be rude 😝😝).
Meanwhile time will tell if it is indeed that effective.
My question is this: would you have the vaccine?
Personally, I had a flu vaccine in my first year in the UK and it made me horribly ill for nearly 2 weeks. I have since declined any further flu vaccines. So for me it’s a no.
Now, I know this virus is not a flu, or a type of flu and is something quite out of the ordinary, and in general I believe in being vaccinated against diseases…..as children in South Africa we were all vaccinated as a matter of course, my daughter had all her vaccinations in the 80s and 90s and my grandson (born in the UK) has so far had all his required vaccinations.
However, these are all long-term, tried and tested vaccines and despite the ‘conspiracy theories’ 😉😉 on the whole are very successful.
But I worry that the competition to be first to produce a vaccine for Covid-19 is more about the money than any form of altruism or care for the wellbeing of humanity.
The next question is: who do they vaccinate first? My thoughts are that it should first be provided to the 30-60 age group (I’m 65). But I’m sure everyone has a different opinion on that…out of 65 million people if they’re (the UK government) buying just 10 million by Christmas, who is going to benefit? If it is indeed a benefit? 10.11.20 *correction – its 100 million vaccines the government are ordering *.
Supply it for free, and then we can look at it from a different aspect. These pharmaceutical companies are mega-wealthy, growing obscenely rich on the unwellness of their target audiences, they can absolutely afford to provide the vaccine for free for the benefit of humanity….
I believe he’s been told to accept defeat gracefully….seriously 😝😝😝 the trumpet and the word gracefully do not belong in the same sentence….
It’s going to be veryyyyy interesting to see what he does now. It’s going to be even more interesting (and frankly very enjoyable) to watch his face at Biden’s inauguration. If he even pitches up.
It won’t be bigger than his though, his was the ‘biggest’ the ‘best’ the ‘mostest’ and ‘huggggeeee’….crowds.
I will be counting the days till 20th January 2021. 2️⃣0️⃣/0️⃣1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣✅✅✅
Now like I said in my previous post, I’m not that charmed by Biden, I think he’s too old, too establishment and even though, to his credit, he behaved impeccably during the campaign and subsequently, I really wish the Democratic Party had put forward a younger nominee.
But if he’s the best they’ve got….well there it is, at least he’s beaten the present incumbent of the White House. Oh to be a fly on the WH wall..
And just like in 2016 when Americans voted for tRump, it was a case of ‘ANYONE’ but ANYONE other than Hillary, now in 2020 Biden is the ‘anyone’ better than the orange swamp thing…
OMG! Seriously, how tense are the blessed US elections.
I wish they’d just get it over with now.
I was determined to NOT watch the coverage because I really CANNOT stand the orange swamp thing and usually switch off when he appears on screen.
Whilst I don’t think Joe Biden is the best candidate, and I’d love to see a younger person, less establishment, stepping up to contest the position of President, I hope he wins – I will thoroughly ENJOY watching the current encumbent get his marching orders.
I’d love him to refuse to leave, just so we can watch him being removed, preferably kicking and screaming.
Meanwhile, its fun to see how he’s scrambling and screaming already …so many useless legal challenges, keeping the litigators busy, and he is an expert in criminal charges.
Its fascinating to hear him screaming ‘fraud’ – of course he’s an expert in that area too, I’d say something of an expert really.
Ugh. Come on….get it over with and lets see him disappear into oblivion, preferably at the bottom of that swamp…
This is a bit of a rant, so if you’re not in the mood for someone else’s rant….😉
One of the people I follow on Instagram shared these two images today and frankly it just made me mad 😠😠
Warning???? Seriously???DON’T ruin it for everyone else?? Seriously??
That’s a bit much!! That’s assuming that everyone who sees this is responsible for the spread of the virus, and let’s the government off the hook. I replied….
Wrong. Its entirely the fault of the government: slow to act, slow to make responsible decisions and they defy their own rules.
Lets consider for example: Boris Johnson back in March ” I shook hands with everyone” …..in a Covid-19 ward!!! No surprise, he got the virus AND passed it on. His top adviser, that sneak Dominic Cummings, defied the lockdown and the government rules to drive up country WHILE ILL with Covid-19 and then drove to Barnard Castle to test his eyes???
Seriously???. Then we have a top scientist who defied the rules and had his mistress over for tea (?)…at least he had the grace and decency to resign. Unlike Johnson and Cummings.
Then a couple of months and a lot of pain later, we have a Scottish MP also breaking the rules, travelling with full knowledge of her positive test results and when found out, refusing to resign.
The masks are ineffective for preventing the virus. At least the majority of masks worn are ineffective ….there’s been more than enough evidence, and they haven’t stopped the spread of the virus. Besides which, if the virus is that contagious then why don’t we have biohazard bins for disposal?
Yes, (some) of the public are feckless, yes, many don’t believe there is a virus, refuse to follow the rules and that its dangerous, but look at their leaders….stupid and criminally feckless. Brilliant leadership….
To post such inflammatory memes, and blame the general public (whoever reads it) for the spread of the virus is incorrect. The buck stops with the government with their lies, mixed messages, lack of action, destruction of the NHS with their drastic funding cuts…yet they can afford to pay their pals £9billion for a test and trace system that doesn’t even work.
No, the responsibility lies right in the hands of Johnson and his ministers. You can’t be the leader of a country and then wash your hands of any responsibility when things go wrong. The buck stops at the top. And like his twin in the USA, he loves to fling blame at any target he can rather than take responsibility for his own actions.
To blame the public is too easy and lets the government off the hook. The majority of the public obey the rules, do their very best in a very bad situation, self-isolate and in many many cases have little or no contact with another human being or watch helpless from the sidelines as their loved ones die, and our children and grandchildren are going to carry the cost of this for decades to come.
Even this latest lockdown – in the words of our ‘esteemed’ (?) PM “we must take immediate action, starting next week Thursday” – 5 days hence.
What part of ‘now’ did we misunderstand??
….ffs!!
I’m willing to bet, that as it was in March and April’s lockdown, there are planes and trains and foreign vehicles still entering the UK…..
And this evening I learned that I had lost my next job due to the new lockdown. Amongst thousands of others. I’m not in any category for financial relief from the government, amongst thousands of others.
Still, I’m not as badly off, I have savings, and there is still the possibility I ‘may’ get another job, being self-employed in an essential services industry, there is a possibility, but the reality is that the jobs are few and far between and I may end up having to draw down my savings; savings for my retirement which is right on the horizon.
So I’m unimpressed with the government, not that I had any respect or regard for them prior to the virus….when you have a clown in office….
Update 04.11.2020 15:00
Forgive me while I 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 hilariously. Latest government U-Turn 😝😝😝😝
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be permitted to sell takeaway alcohol during England’s second national lockdown if it is pre-ordered online, or via phone or post, according to proposed regulations.
If I remember correctly, I think there is a band with a similar name….Smashing Pumpkins?? Which sounds just as much fun, albeit a lot messier than carving pumpkins 🎃
Its amazing how many British traditions we have been introduced to since living here for the last 19 years.
Although we came late to the tradition and have only carved a pumpkin once before, now that my grandson is older we’ve introduced him to the tradition and the fun of carving a pumpkin for Halloween.
Growing up in the UK, I’m pretty certain that this won’t be the last time we carve a pumpkin, and it will become a new family tradition.
My daughter bought the pumpkins a few days ago and yesterday we sat in the garden, thankfully it wasn’t raining, and carved our pumpkins.
Daddy of course honoured the boobee with his name and I went for the more traditional scary face, and for good measure and keeping it contemporary, I also carved out the word Covid…🤪🤪 Its current news, so I had to.
We left them outside to start drying out, a hopeless endeavour since the weather is so grim, but they were sufficiently dried by evening. Daddy sourced some candles and lights off, candles in and we had our ‘scary’ Halloween.
The boobee was more interested in retrieving the candles and ‘blowing’ them out than the actual pumpkin faces….🤔🤔
Today I received what appeared to be a valid email from DHL. I opened it, especially as I’ve ordered quite a few items online recently, and am still expecting a few items and thought it may be delivery details.
1. First thing I noticed that alerted me was the request for £1.99 to deliver my item – I’ve paid for or have free delivery on all the items I’ve ordered.
2. I clicked on the attachment to see the order details and the screen was blank – it was untitled?! Naughty me.
3. The registered address on the email is clearly not a valid UK address.
4. I pressed reply and the address was clearly suspicious. info@dhl-freedom.com = the.com contradicts the UK address and the email address they list is .co.uk
I DIDN’T click the red button ‘track my parcel
Because I’m a naturally suspicious person and my scam alert had been alerted 🤪🤪
I am hyper aware of phishing emails and spam emails and am always suspicious of any emails that pop up that I’m not expecting/signed up for.
Usually I just delete anything I’m not sure about or send it to the spam box if it is obvious its spam. But because I’m expecting parcels I opened it to see if its delivery details. See point #2 🤔🤨🤨🤨
Same as phone calls, if the number is not listed in my phone I don’t answer the call. If its legitimate, they’ll leave a message and then I’ll phone back if I recognise the name.
If when occasionally I’m not thinking and answer the call and it’s a call-centre and they launch into their sales spiel I usually tell them to take ‘french leave’ and hang up. Can’t be bothered. If I’m in the mood I tell them the call is being traced and if they don’t remove my details from their list I’m going sue them. Works a charm…they always ring off pronto. Because sometimes the name that shows up is legitimate; they’re so damn sneaky.
I NEVER answer any overseas number eg +001 or 333 or similar and I NEVER say “Yes” if the person on the other end asks “is that Cindy *****” – I always reply with “who may I ask is calling?”.
Back to the email scams, its vitally important to be aware and before responding, just look through the email and if you’re really not sure then do a few Google searches…even ask is ‘such and such spam? You’ll quickly get a reply and do a search on the Which? website, they’re usually well ahead of any scams or phishing issues.
I hope this post helps you avoid being scammed and if you have an elderly relative who uses email, please do chat to them about this type of scam, even if, like DHL it appears to be a legitimate company/email.
What is phishing? Ref wikipedia
Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or data, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Typically carried out by email spoofing, instant messaging, and text messaging, phishing often directs users to enter personal information at a fake website which matches the look and feel of the legitimate site.
Some years ago I thought it would be fun to keep photos of all the beds I sleep in. I called the blog 100 beds.
Little did I know it would eventually exceed 100 by a huge margin 🤔🤔🤔
My job as a Carer takes me all over the country, although not as far afield since 2019 as it used to…..a certain little boy put paid to my extended travels.
Of course Covid-19 has reared its ugly head and I was away for 7 weeks in March and April and from 9th November I’ll be away for another 6 weeks.
Every time I work away I get to sleep in a different bed….and the variety of beds is amazing. Some beds are lush with memory foam mattresses and luxurious linen and superb pillows. Others are single beds (my pet hate) with a mattress that was old during the time of Noah’s Ark 🤪🤪🤪
Inbetween jobs I stay in either a B&B or Guest House and occasionally I use Airbnb….these all offer a similar variety of beds and you just never know what you’re going to get.
Up until last month I was staying at a B&B that was a 5 minute walk from my daughter and her family, but they moved house and the host of the B&B went down the road of ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ and the last day I stayed there she gave me a stale hot cross bun and tepid tea and a cup that was less than clean at breakfast. Ergo time to part company.
So I looked around and found a Guest House in a good location and a 20 minute walk to the family.
So for the last 3 weeks I slept here
And for the next 7 nights, I’m sleeping here
For fun I created a short video of some of the beds I’ve slept in over the years
I have an amazing bed at the next job, tucked away at the back of the house, a room with a view, in a quiet courtyard and a lovely big comfy bed and that’s where I’ll be sleeping for 6 weeks.
And since it looks like I’ll be working for at least another 8 years, I’m guessing I’m going to be sleeping in quite a few beds more…..😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏
I forgot to tell you about Lewes Castle!! How remiss of me. Only one of the most amazing attractions of the town..
When I first arrived in Lewes my attention was drawn to the fantastic 14th and 15th century buildings in the high street and I didn’t even notice the castle….probably also because I was sitting on the left hand side of the taxi 😉 and despite what I used to tell my daughter, I don’t have eyes in the back of my head, so I missed it altogether.
And unusually for me…..as with Newhaven, I didn’t do my research prior to visiting.
On my first Saturday here, during my break, I set off to explore and whoaaa, there’s a castle.
My first glimpse of Lewes Castle
But as mentioned in a previous post, I had neither mask nor money with me 🤪🤪 Never mind, I’ll come back next week (the castle is only open on Saturday atm due to Covid-19). But of course next Saturday was raining. So no castle.
However this Saturday last, I had to visit regardless of the weather because I leave Lewes on Friday.
Saturday dawned rainy and windy but with an occasional blue sky sunshine, so off I went. They have a really good system set up. You’re greeted at the door by a lovely lady who takes all your test and trace details, you sanitise your hands, then she sends you off on a one-way system through the museum first, after which you can buy your ticket for a visit to the castle. Ergo, the museum is free to visit (I think). And visit you must.
The museum is not large, 2 rooms downstairs and 2 rooms upstairs, but they have a most amazing set up depicting the history of the area and the many artefacts that have been found in Sussex. An intimate little museum with just enough information to read and look at without being overwhelmed. My favourite artifacts were the swords. Wowww.
I had a good read, took some photos, bought a few items from the gift shop for my grandson, paid for my entry and another lovely lady guided me across to the gate and let me in.
I love castles 🤎🤎 There’s a massive shortage of castles in South Africa and the only castle I’d had experience of before coming to the UK was Cape Town Castle which isn’t really, but is rather a fort with grand ideas masquerading as a castle. It also has a history as a prison and is still a symbol of European oppression. Although to be fair, I guess most castles here have the same sort of background.
Anyway, back to Lewes Castle…
Like many castles today, this too is just a shadow of its former glory, but its fabulous. I climbed innumerable stairs to the top, sadly not the very top of the towers, which is where I really wanted to go, but the remains of the Great Hall will have to suffice.
Dozens of stairsThe Great Hall
The views across the valley to the hills are absolutely stunning, especially beautiful with the autumn colours. From here as well the view looks back in time to the 1264 Battle of Lewes.
A good view too of what used to be the Tilting Ground, now a bowling green, and in the distance I could see the windmill I passed a few days ago on my walk to Kingston. Awesome.
The Tilting Ground
The wind was blowing a gale and howling in my ears, flicking leaves and branches here and there….just brilliant. It was wild. Yes, there’s a couple of trees growing out the side of the building and there’s a tree slap bang in the middle of what was the Great Hall…now that’s wild!!
Nature takes over…
As you can imagine with the unpleasant weather, there were not many people up there, so it was easy to explore, although there really wasn’t that much to explore. Shame about the towers – closed atm due to Covid-19. Geez, I just realised reading that sentence back, that I used the word ‘there’ 3 times 🤔🤔 English eh.
Coming back down the stairs you have fantastic views across the town and to the cliffs, and travelling from across country the castle can be seen from miles away….the position is brilliant.
Views for miles around
In the courtyard is a fantastic Russian cannon and some wooden stocks
A bit of history:
A work in progress like most castles in England, Lewes Castle, originally known as Bray Castle, follows a motte and bailey design but unusually, has two mottes and was built on and added to over a few centuries.
The first motte, known as Brack Mount was completed shortly after the 1066 Norman conquest of England.
Both of the mottes were built by William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, who also, along with his wife Gundrada, built the nearby Priory of St. Pancras.
The mottes would originally have been surmounted by wooden palisades.
The second motte, known as the Keep, was completed in the late 11th century. Both of which were built by William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey.
Soldiers from the King’s army, set out from the castle to engage with Simon de Montfort at the Battle of Lewes in 1264.
Towers were added to one of the shell keeps in the 13th century.
The barbican gate was added in the 14th century.
Certainly not as enormous as some of the castles I’ve visited in the last 19 years, but no less impressive, it stands guard over a gap in the South Downs overlooking the towns of Lewes and Cliffe and the River Ouse that winds it’s way between the 2 towns.
In the distance…it looks far, but it’s only about a 10 minute walk
Lewes castle has the distinction of being the 49th castle I’ve visited as part of Project 101.
I’ve compiled a short video of some of the exhibits in the museum
I can highly recommend a visit to Lewes Castle if you’re in the area. At the moment they’re only open on Saturdays, but that might change in the future.
A fascinating look at the machinations of government, political campaigns and what goes on behind closed doors, our famous Number 10 in this instance, and how incredibly quickly it can all go very wrong…
What’s quite exciting about this book too, is that I can remember most of these events; the campaigning, Blair handing over to Brown, Brown subsequently throwing in the towel, seeing Samantha heavily pregnant in the glare of her husband’s narrow victory. The palaver and calamitous headlines when Cameron formed a coalition government with Clegg – christ, you’d be forgiven for thinking a great big black hole had opened up on planet earth!!! 🤪🤪🤪
I also remember the smug expressions in the Rose Garden 🤔🤔
I’m about a quarter of the way through and I’m enthralled. I’m not a fan of DC or his party, but I ‘almost’ feel sorry for him 🤫🤫🤫
I was never into politics in South Africa. We had 1 party and that was the Nationalist Party. You reached voting age and voted for the Nationalist Party. Actually there were other parties of course but for decades the NP dominated. And then in 1994 things changed and the ANC came into power. And so that party has since dominated..again for decades, and even though there are other parties, its really a 1 party country.
But in the UK, its a different story. I’m constantly fascinated by the political scene and how it all works, even though I’m avoiding anything related to politics atm. This book is easy to read, not a pedantic tome but it cuts to the chase.
I remember with the last election, I was eligible to vote and so I took a keen interest and read everything I could lay my hands on. I read all the different editorials and some of the rags, depending on the political leanings of the current client.
I’ve always had a leaning towards conservatism, with a massive dash of liberal, but I liked the policies of the Labour and Green parties. Right then? Or left? Go figure!! One day I decided to do one of those stupid polls on Facebook to determine which party I should vote for. 😱😱😱 wtaf???
It came up as UKIP!!!! Excuse me while I die laughing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈🙉🙊☠💀 UKIP???? I loathe that party, I loathe what they stand for and I PARTICULARLY loathe and despise the leader of that particular party at the time. (I’ve seen him in action in person, and he’s vile, a loathsome creature). So when the results came back for UKIP 😠😠 🤮🤮 Bloody Facebook. I’m sure the poll was rigged 😝😝 and I definitely didn’t vote for UKIP.
Anywayyyyy, back to the book. Its fascinating and since the weather today was so horrible; raining and windy and I’m really tired (coming to the end of a particularly stressful assignment), I decided to curl up in bed and read. I don’t care how much money they get, or how much they make afterwards, but that is one job I would not like….
Not Just a Granny 
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