Black Pudding.

I do understand that Black Pudding is not to everyone's taste; more for the thought of it than for the actual flavour.

I've had great difficulty finding decent Black Pudding here in the South of England. Even versions that claim to have been made in Bury (the home of English Black Pudding) have been extremely disappointing. I still occasionally buy it anyway.

Back in France I have no problem finding really good Boudin. My current favourite is the above; Boudin Landais from Leclerc. It has just the right amount of each ingredient. Delicious.

Being a Southern boy, I had never encountered Black Pudding; it simply didn't exist down here when I was young. My first introduction was on the Shropshire/Wales border, in a 'greasy spoon café'. I had ordered a 'Full English' and found amongst the delights were some strange looking black discs. I had to to ask what they were, which prompted some strange looks; as if I was some bizarre alien.

Anyway, I loved it, and so started my continued search for a better and better product. I need to visit more Black Pudding shops; if I can find any!

 

Canine Therapy.

 

If you are feeling depressed, unwanted, unloved, alone, permanently miserable, invisible, and/or useless, I have the solution. GET A DOG.

I'm out-n-about twice a day with Billy, and I have noticed one glaringly obvious fact; dog owners are 99% extremely friendly. Non-dog people simply point their faces either at the ground or at their phones. They walk around with giant earphones on (or are they giant ear-muffs?), as if the rest of the world doesn't exist. They never greet you. Dog walkers, on the other hand, always smile and say a cheery 'Good Morning', and possibly chat for a while. It's like being a member of a 'Friendly Club', with all non members looking as miserable as sin (most of them, anyway).

I'd noticed this way back in the early 70's when my first son was still in a buggy, and our dog, Hamlet, was still a puppy. When we went into town on market days we could hardly walk a few yards without someone saying Koochy-Koo to the tiny Kimbo, or stooping to stroke Hamlet. Again, it was like suddenly being admitted to a secret club.

The next question must be, what type of dog should you have.

The three friendliest dogs that attract the most attention must be Golden Retrievers, Black Labs, and Yellow Labs. Coming in at a close 2nd place must be Border Collies, and most shaggy Terriers. But be warned, if you have any of these expect your days to be very different.

Walk down your High Street with any of these dogs and you will be assailed by fellow dog lovers who will recognise you as a fellow 'Nice Person'. Expect delays.

We've all heard of people taking Therapy Dogs into care homes or hospices. It is quite amazing the effect of stroking a Golden Retriever can have on the elderly or infirm. Faces light-up, and they become more animated. The effect is instantaneous.

So, there you are. Get a Dog; preferably a Golden Retriever.

A few pictures of Brighton.

There was some frost on top of the nearby cars yesterday morning, so it was out with the 'Polar Fleece' and gloves. Here are a few photos of Brighton in warmer times, for those who may not know my lovely city.

Above is the beautiful Bandstand on the beach. Built in 1884, it's a focal point along the promenade, and very popular with newlyweds for their wedding pix.

The Brighton Pavilion doesn't need much introduction. Built very centrally in town, it was the seaside second-home of The Prince of Wales, The Prince Regent, who late became King George IV. It dates from 1787. Simply gorgeous.

And here is just a tiny section of 'The Lanes'. The old fishing village area of Brighton now filled with cafés, restaurants, antique shops, pubs, jewelers, etc. The perfect spot for a leisurely stroll on a warm Summer's day.

There's so much more, but I'll leave that for another day.

Fashion?

I have always thought (maybe mistakenly) that fashion should enhance the look of either the women or men who wear stylish clothes. Traditionally women are supposed to look the shape of an hour-glass, and men the shape of a carrot or parsnip. The clothes they wear should normally enhance that.

But these days, all that seems to have been waylaid. In these days of gender fluidity, one is more likely to see the promotion of men's clothes for women, and women's clothes for men.

Figure hugging, sexual stereotyping, and flattery is despised by many of the new wave of Woke trans designers. They like to see androgenous models, and his-n-hers styles. Good old fashioned male/female delimitation is frowned-upon.   

I have to say that if I invited a young lady out for the evening, and she turned-up looking like the above; I'd head for home. No thanks!

What are these people thinking???

 

UK Farming.

 

Dear UK Farmers.

I simply want to let you know that I am 100% behind your actions.

I wish you all the best, Cro xx

Jean-Louis Aubert - Merveille (Live)

One of the biggest French bands of the mid to late 70's (that you've never heard of) was called Téléphone.

The oldest son of my next door neighbours (FR) was their manager, and the Téléphone lads, and lass, would come down from Paris for weekends in the countryside. They became part of the scene of our tiny 3 house hamlet.

FR later went on to manage Marianne Faithful, who also used to visit, which is why she came to my 50th birthday Party. Oh yes!

Téléphone were as big a French pop band as they could possibly get, they were France's very own version of The Beatles; but without the same talent.

The band broke-up in 1985 or 86 (I think), and the singer Jean-Louis Aubert went his own way with a very successful solo career. He became France's version of Mick Jagger.

This is one of his better songs (give it time).

I was very surprised to hear this track on English radio recently. It was chosen by Celia Imrie on the short Radio 4 Extra programme called 'Inheritance Tracks'. Imrie, like me, is a serious Francophile, and the track brought back wonderful memories for her.

I only saw Téléphone live once, and frankly I wasn't too impressed. For an Englishman it was all very tame and a tad dull. Of course, the French LOVED them.

Hives of Activity.

 

You can imagine my surprise when I encountered a man in full Bee-Keepers outfit coming out from behind the church. The hives are in a fenced-off area, I don't know if you can see them, it's a terrible photo. 

I'm used to encountering hives in France, in amongst the Chestnut trees, but I'd not known them to be placed behind the church before; especially at this time of year.

I wouldn't have thought that there was much pollen out there at the moment for the bees, but whatever there is; they'll find it.

I wonder if they'll be selling 'St Nicholas Church Honey' at some time later? I will definitely buy some if they do. I shall have a word with Father D.