Two of my brothers were merchant seamen, the oldest of us (who had the dubious pleasure of being a fellow steward of Two Jags Prescott on the White Star liners) came back from The States around 1959, I think it was, bringing a bottle of Southern Comfort with him. We sat that evening catching up and polished off the bottle. It was very nice.
From that day I had neither seen an advert for, nor sight of Southern Comfort in the shops, but a couple of weeks ago it was on sale in B&M for £17. Once again, it was very nice.
In 1975 we were granted (oh joy), a Christmas Bonus of £10. It was noticeable for it’s absence last year – I suppose most of the old ‘uns have popped their clogs.
Watched the interview with Ben Habib. One of the few politicians who can produce cogent arguments with clarity of thought and belief in our country. I have given up on Reform and would like to see him and Rupert Lowe join forces. That would be a combination I would vote for and make a contribution to.
Nice to receive a note from HMRC recently saying I owe c. £280 in income tax. I have no idea how they worked that out as it was the first I had heard of it. If they are relying on 85 year olds to contribute to the war chest things are worse than we thought. They can go and fuck themselves.
Great article by Roger Mellie on traitors. I am constantly amazed and gratified to read so many fine essays, Fatties’ and GP are the only blogs I have knowledge of but I bet we are head and shoulders above all others. Thank you to all who add pleasure and education to my day.
Someone mentioned talking loud on mobile phones. Last time I was in the South of France, sitting having a beer, a chap was shouting away to whoever. I went over to him and suggested he should tone it down. I think he was a little stunned at my intervention.
I have decided to move back to the South of France. This constant rain, lack of sun and the unbelievable state of our once great country has convinced me I am better out of it. The final straw was a letter yesterday from Bristol enclosing a fine of £120 for driving in their ULEZ area. I had no idea there was one there. All just money grabbing schemes.
My wife requires a Schengen visa for our proposed trip to Tunisia. Last time we applied, about six years ago. it was pretty straightforward.. The interview was in a rather nondescript office building close to Olympia.
On 31 December 2024 physical visas (for UK) were abolished and there is now an ‘E-visa; which, as far as I can gather, is an annotation on a passport.
This time a foray into deepest Wandsworth was required. Going from St Clears, West Wales, to London by train would be difficult and hugely expensive so I drove to Bristol and we took the National Express to Earls Court and a taxi from there for the three miles to our destination: proper cheery Black Cab driver settled for £20 cash which I kissed goodbye before I handed it to him. The coach was a little delayed but I had arranged an extension to the appointment time.
I paid an extra £100 for ‘Premium Service’ – not that I wanted it but it was the only slot available before Christmas. Still trying to work out what was ‘Premium’ about our treatment.
The offices occupied both sides of a ‘Boulevard’ of large and palatial offices with flats above in a rather chi-chi new build ‘Quarter’.
Only the applicant is allowed entry to the office – us others have to wait outside in the rain and the wind but with some benches available as in a shopping precinct.
Wonder how many millions a year we pay TLS Contact for this operation?
It was very busy. There were offices for France, Germany and Italy. I do not know whether the complex also deals with UK visas. I spoke to one Indian couple and they were applying to visit Paris. Just about all applicants wanting to visit the EU states were non-indigenous.
We await with bated breath for the visa to be issued (or not).
Long ago John Reid described the Home Office as not fit for purpose. Certainly the bulk of their operation appears to be directed against the White British so it must be worse now.
Still, later on having a couple of halves in a local pub, I gave the chatty barman a link to Going Postal. Spread the word.
© Gillygangle 2026
