Black Swan

Do you ever get the feeling that you are not wanted. If people use phrases like

not afforded admission to the official British List

an estimate of 43 feral birds in 2003/04 .... undoubtedly an under-estimate given the level of monitoring undertaken.

Stuff it, you know you are beautiful. Every right to be here. Let's hope Betty Saxe-Coburg keeps her hands off and if you see a short streak of whatsit with a wild glint in his eye, a gun in one hand and a kebab skewer in the other run or fly for it!

Hasta Luego!

Duck Posse

Remember, if they get in the way shove 'em in the road. Life is a one way street, guys!

George Bush Memorial Library

John Naughton has a nice photo of a possible place for Dubya's $500m memorial library.

The proposed location of this temple to peace and learning has caused some disquiet, strangely!

Now, who do you think made the following comments? -

"attitudes and actions widely deemed as ethically egregious: degradation of habeas corpus, outright denial of global warming, flagrant disregard for international treaties, alienation of long-term U.S. allies, environmental predation, shameful disrespect for gay persons and their rights, a pre-emptive war based on false and misleading premises, and a host of other erosions of respect for the global human community and for this good Earth on which our flourishing depends."

Most likely a bunch of hate filled pinkos.

What do you think they were talking about?

Legacy polishing of course.

How unlike our own dear, shy and retiring leader!

Munro Bragging

Is that a Munro I saw you on last night or are you just shy and retiring.

So in a land far, far away and a time long ago! Me and ma mate wus dossin in the bellach between Foinaven and Arkle.

OK! No too bad. A bit o’ this a bit o’ that but ok.

So here’s what we did.

We went up Foinaven f*****g brilliant. I saw my Broken Spectre. Back down after a long time coping with the mist and late evening light. We had our supper. Then we had a few wee nips and turned in.

In the light of morning we decided to go up Arkle. Brilliant! What a day, we were zipping along, plodding the route. In the distance we spotted a couple! They were heading towards us with not a stitch on.

Shit!

Thoughtfully, they decided to accoutre themselves with what they had and we passed pleasantly saying hi! Whatever!

Previously, I had stood on the top of Beinn Dearg mounted the cairn put a boot on ma heed and declared maself a Munro.

It’s amazing what you can do after a few wee nips!

Vulture Capitalism

Last night an exemplification of the term vulture capitalism, which I have used before, was given on Newsnight.

Vulture funds - as defined by the International Monetary Fund and Gordon Brown amongst others - are companies which buy up the debt of poor nations cheaply when it is about to be written off and then sue for the full value of the debt plus interest - which might be ten times what they paid for it.

The money men have a huge responsibility for additions to the suffering of the poor but the providers of food which we all consume do so too.

George Monbiot highlights abuses which, foolishly, we thought had long since passed when we gave up sweeties and choco bars in our campaigns. Also one of the best quotes I have seen for a long time

Panaceas are rare in medicine, but the mammary gland is one.

Amen brother George! Read the link.

The Merry Month of June

The temperature inside the house is now less that that outside.

Whoopee, the summer has arrived.

Friends for lunch on Saturday, an Amble on Sunday.

A warm and sunny afternoon saw nine Amblers set out from the church car park in Pakenham. The group followed paths from the village, falling into an easy gait and a convivial buzz of conversation. A stretch of the route opened up to give sight of three hares interrupting their lives to observe our progress. A skylark provided musical accompaniment, compelling us to pause and identify it. The smell of camomile on some of the paths was, like the heat of the afternoon, powerful but not oppressive.

A stop for a photo opportunity and a quick dispensation of dried fruit pointed us in the direction of home. Our return, passing a grand property and tree houses, brought us through some of the quietest and greenest country ways in the area.

One of our number is about to walk from Land's End to John O’Groats. I’m sure all the Amblers would wish him well and enjoyment of his travels.