I see that ‘The Adults in the Room’ are ploughing depths of idiocy unparalleled in the history of these Fair Isles. Someone, somehow, please make it stop!
The number joining Restore is soaring week by week, I hope that translates into an effective opposition in time. I enjoy watching Rupert Lowe, whether facing House Committees or in the Chamber itself.
The little I see of these events is usually through Going-Postal and I think it disgraceful that Parliament is so badly attended, a lot of those who do turn up appear to be more interested in their mobile phones than batting for us plebs. There are gaps, too, in the committee hearings. It all needs a root and branch shake-up.
The story about the naval rating swinging bollock naked from the mess stairs made me laugh. Those service lads eh! Reminded me of a few odd incidents in the past.
I bet there are many, many tales which could be told (and others that cannot) among all the services! How about coming clean Puffins (and Puffinettes?). Here is one to start us off:
When we started recruit training our civvie clothes were taken away as we were not allowed out of barracks for the first five weeks. Come the day a bunch of us went down into Aldershot, the first stop being the NAAFI Club. The thing was that we had to be checked out and checked back in by the Guardroom.
We had a good evening and started our return to barracks. One of our number was a tall gangling Yorkshire lad, he was pissed and flinging himself around a bit and gibbering and we thought he might get us all into trouble.
I said to a couple of the group, hey Chuck, hold him on one side and you, Des, get on the other side and hold him up between you. I then gave him a right hander to the point of the jaw and knocked him out. it was a bit like that scene in, I think the film, Colditz, where they marched close together carrying the dummy man to make up the roster totals.
We passed muster and went to bed.. I heard later that he had reported to the MO and was found to have a broken jaw. He was one of the number who did not pass basic training.
Read an alarming report by an Oriental doctor about the interaction between some medicines and how little the profession seems to worry about it – a case of ‘Promote the Pill and get Paid.’ I take several tablets a day and must do more research. Years ago I was twice put on statins but stopped them after a week or so and told the doctor I was not taking any more. One of the associations to watch is that between NSAIDS and blood thinners.
Words and sayings from my time living in Liverpool sometimes come to me – thinking about a Scouser friend and his wife in Bahrain. One of her favourite insults was ‘He’s a head-the-ball’ referring to some nutter or other.. I suppose that comes from football in the days when the ball was heavy leather, a real bugger when wet. It got Jeff Astle and others and I, as a left- half. used to head the ball often! Ah, so that’s the explanation!
I am an avid reader and find my monthly Kindle Unlimited subscription a real bargain. In Crime and Police Procedure my favourite is Michael Connolly with his protagonist Detective Bosch. For adventure it is usually Wilbur Smith, Bernard Cornwell, Robert Goddard is also high on my list. Then there are McLean, Forsyth and several others.
Recently I came across a chap called Rhys Dylan, his DCI Warlow series is based around Swansea and further West and North and it adds to my enjoyment that I know some of the locations mentioned and have travelled the same roads. Nothing spectacular but well written with believable characters and a nice way to wind down of an evening.
Bit of a mess in the Middle East. My first time abroad as a new recruit was doing DZ clearance party for a major exercise in Libya. Later I went back on Battalion training– I had just been given my first watch by my aunt for my 21st. We came across an Oasis with a good pool – right lads said Major ‘Tash’ Taylor (to distinguish him from Major ‘Punchy’ Taylor) ‘In we go! So it was down to’draws drack’ and everyone dived in. problem was I forgot to remove my watch!
That first visit to the area taught me a lesson – we carried a poncho and a lightweight blanket and the first night huddled down alongside an oil pipeline I had never felt so cold! We were not warned about the drop in temperature.
© Gillygangle 2026
