The Hitchin Flyover Takes Shape
On my trip to Burnley today, I got my first look at the Hitchin Flyover.
It is a stylish structure and looks to be almost conplete.
To Burnley To See Ipswich
I went to Burnley today to see Ipswich play. I went up via Leeds, as in my opinion, First Class on East Coast is so much better than the offering on Virgin Trains.
I also didn’t suffer any delays, but apparently some Ipswich supporters, who took the Manchester route, got to the match at around half-time.
What’s Wrong With Me?
I took this picture of an advert for four of the major tourist attractions in London.
What’s Wrong With Me?
I did go on the London Eye once, but you get better views from the Emirates Air-Line and One New Change, at a much lower cost.
But the London Aquarium, the London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds, would be prime examples of the sort of places, I would never chose to visit.
The latter must be one of the most over-hyped rip-offs in London! If I want to see likenesses of famous people, I go to the National Portrait Gallery, which shows Tussauds t0 be the crap it is. And the National Portrait Gallery is totally free, except for the special exhibitions.
The Largest Case C Ever Did!
I went to the retirement party in Ipswich, for a judge who was one of C’s best friends, in Ipswich tonight.
It was good to meet old friends and have a drink and some nibbles.
I was also introduced to someone, who as one of the Court Clerks, played a part in the largest case C ever did.
She would tell this story with gusto and lots of actions. I’m sure many who heard it, didn’t believe all of the tale.
She always called the case, the Thorpeness Affray and although she didn’t do crime in the later part of her career, she was persuaded to defend someone in this case, which took place at Ipswich Crown Court.
The size was enormous, in that there a hundred and eight defendants, which my informant said they split into two separate trials. I think once, she said the clerks were scraping the barrel, which is why she got roped in.
It became obvious that the dock wasn’t big enough, so it was decided that each defendant should have a number and these would be placed above their seat. Each of the barristers would carry a flag identifying their clients.
Concerns were raised, as this numbering might not be conducive to a fair trial.
The judge was the well-respected and mildy-eccentric Bertie Richards. He thought, that if the defendants were to be numbered, so should he as the judge. So a number one was placed above where he sat.
At this point in the story, C would get all agitated and would make an action of holding up her flag and saying something like “Your Honour! I represent number 4!” Once the substitute flag in the telling, was a numbered wooden spoon in the restaurant of the pub, much to the delight of everyone.
Whatever happened to her client, I can’t remember. But tonight, I was told that many of the defendants, were part of a gang called the Bramfield Budgies. Bramfield is a village in Suffolk on the A12.
I think it is true to say that in the 1970s and 1980s, the conduct of justice was sometimes a little out of the ordinary.
Checking On Pizza Express
I walked past the Pizza Express in Islington this morning and looked at the menu outside to see about the gluten-free offering.
The Menu Outside Pizza Express, Islington
Note the gluten-free beer, although I think, I would prefer the Aspall Cyder.
The gluten-free statement is strong and comes with a NGCI symbol. This apparently means No Gluten Containing Ingredients. This is an accreditation from Coeliac-UK. Read about it here.
As it was early and the place was empty of customers, I went inside and talked to one of the staff. She showed me the serving area and allowed me to take this picture.
Cake at Pizza Express
Note the “contains gluten” sticker.
The whole system they have put in seems to be very professional and as fail-safe as you can make it.
The lady I spoke to, said that all restaurants will be offering exactly the same menu.
Have Nationwide Lost The Plot?
I’ve just logged in to my Nationwide bank account and they gave me a soft Internet sell on their ISAs.
They were offering a guaranteed pittance of 2.5%
I get a guaranteed rate of 5%, admittedly before tax, with Zopa.
We live in interesting times!
It Was Fish Pie Tonight
As I hadn’t cooked pone for some time, I decided to cook one of my version of Jamie’s Oliver’s Fish Pie.
It Was Fish Pie Tonight
I could have perhaps put a few more potatoes on top, but otherwise it was good.
My other worry, is that how long will the remainder keep in the fridge!
The Look Of Love
I went to see this film about Paul Raymond. I didn’t go to my usual cinema at the Barbican, but to the Hackney Picturehouse. This incidentally, is probably my most convenient cinema, as it’s a direct bus both ways and one light-controlled crossing of a major road.
I enjoyed both the cinema and the film. But I am partial to the films of Michael Winterbottom. I remember C and I, thoroughly enjoying A Cock and Bull Story, a few years ago. It might have been one of the last films we saw together!
Good News For Thurrock
C occasionally used to make appearances in the County Court at Grays, which is part of Thurrock. She used to say it wasn’t the best part of Essex and I’ve heard people say there is only one near-World Class buildimg in the town, and that is the disused State cinema.
But today, it has been announced that the station at Stanford-le-Hope is getting a big makeover, courtesy of London Gateway. It’s all here in the Thurrock Gazette.
Pizza Express’s Professional Approach To Gluten-Free
If they’ve got it right, which I suspect they have as it’s a big pitch, Pizza Express have taken a bold approach to adding gluten-free to their menus. You open their web site and on the right is a large block labelled GLUTEN FREE. Click it and you learn that they talk about 100% taste, risotto, brownies and even gluten-free Pilsner. They even reverse the usual dishes you can have to ones you should avoid.
They also say that their approach has been endorsed by Coeliac-UK.
I shall definitely be trying them out in the next few days.
At least it gives me somewhere to have lunch in Ipswich, when I watch the football!
The Anonymous Widower 