Court Uniform
There have been several letters in The Times lately on this subject. So I sent in this missive about C.
My late wife was a barrister for many years and although many ladies in the profession had problems with court uniform, she never did. Egged on by others and especially another barrister, with a love of elaborate footwear and a nickname of ‘Boots’, she pushed everything to the limit. Even twenty years ago, her suits might be blue and/or with trousers. Black as she said was for funerals not work!
Others pondered how she got away with it! Certainly, in one East Anglian Court, she had a stand-off with the late judge, because she liked his malodorous cocker-spaniel, which sat at his feet during cases, so he didn’t dare complain.
I suspect the two of them complete with the spaniel, are enjoying trying some of the Devil’s miscreants!
It has not been published yet, but I think they’ve closed the topic
Breaking The 9 % Barrier
This morning, I found that my investment in Zopa has now paid 9 % since the start of the year. The actual figure is 9.04 %, but of course this is before tax, although it does include bad debts and all charges.
I think this is because a lot of older loans from 2009 and 2010 have now been fully paid and these have been replaced with ones that have a higher interest rate from the past year or so.
I think too, that good, high quality borrowers are looking at Zopa rather than the banks, which are much more expensive and have onerous terms and conditions.
It may be too, that Zopa are getting their checks better. Bad debts from various years are as follows 2008 (3), 2009(5), 2010(5). 2008 is probably low, as most loans from that year are now paid up.
Lord Howe Says We Should Metricate
Lord Howe is being quoted in an article on the BBC, that we should complete metrication of the UK before the Olympics.
He’s right of course!
I never use Imperial units and even have a steel tape, that has no Imperial on it.
A Gluten-Free Guide to the London Olympics
For those like me, who must remain gluten-free, the Olympics in London shouldn’t be too difficult, although I do worry about the Olympic Park and some of the venues. The reason for this, is that I’ve been to Wembley a couple of times and the food is your usual burger and chips rubbish. The organisers say they will make it better at the venues, but I have my doubts. It’s sad really, as East London, where the Games are being staged, has a large variety of ethnic cooking, like Bangladeshi, that is very much gluten-free. Incidentally, if you like curries, all good curry houses, such as in the famous Brick Lane, use gram or chick-pea flour and are never offended if you ask. A lot of these restaurants, though don’t serve alcohol, but don’t mind if you bring it in and they will then give you glasses and a cork-screw, if one is needed. The best ones always have proper linen tablecloths and napkins.
The big Olympic Park at Stratford is at present very much an unknown as to gluten-free food, as it hasn’t opened yet. But the Westfield Shopping Centre (Eastfield to many) next door is bad, if you want a gluten-free restaurant. However, it does have two big food stores, that are always a good stand-by, if you want to buy a picnic; Waitrose and Marks and Spencer. Both have a wide selection of picnic food and gluten-free bread and rolls.
In fact, for some picnics will always be a safe way out, when on the move. The main Olympic Park, is next to one of London’s largest parks; Victoria Park and they are going to put a lot of fast-food stalls here with big screens. But even if nothing is gluten-free, there will be plenty of space to sit on the grass. In fact, there are large green spaces near to most of the venues.
If you want to eat out, there are quite a few mid-range chains with gluten-free offerings. I eat regularly in Carluccio’s and Cote, but others also have a gluten-free menu.
A lot of pubs, like my local, the Northgate Arms in de Beauvoir Town can do reliable gluten-free food. With the Northgate, the chef is coeliac from Sierra Leone, so you can be absolutely sure.
I shall add more to this as I travel round the Games.
The Queen Is Not Amused
She might be, as I have no special access. But who would wear this jumper.
A Ghastly Jumper
Not any woman I know!
Around Farringdon Station
Yesterday, I was on a 45 bus going up Farringdon Road, just west of the station and took these pictures.
There does seem to be quite a few sites to develop hotels around the important Central London transport interchange, that Farringdon station will become, as I proposed in my post about London’s Airports.
Hail the Granny Bus!
The term may be a bit over the top and sexist, as why should it just be grannies and not granpas as well.
But it does seem the elderly like travelling on the New Bus for London. This picture of an elderly couple getting on at traffic lights, sums up the elderly’s attitude to the bus and is one of many I could have taken in a similar vein.
Hopping On a New Bus for London
I also encountered two ladies on the bus, who had deliberately waited for a ride on a New Bus for London. They were impressed.
I think it must bring back memories of years ago, when you could get on and off when you wanted and got service from a friendly conductor.
Councils Told Not to Bank at Santander
Kent County Council have moved their money away from Santander according to this report. The Times is also reporting that councils should move money away from Spanish banks.
Probably this advice should be heeded by us all.
A Fat Tax
Dr. Mike Rayner of Oxford University is proposing a fat tax. BBC Breakfast had that obese size awareness campaigner to put the other side.
Surely, they could find someone more attractive for this time in the morning, or are they all like that in the North.
I have been for a fat tax for years, and we should follow Denmark and France.
On the other hand, we could have a tax-back scheme, where if you have a yearly check-up by your doctor and he thinks you’re saving the NHS money, you get an extra tax allowance.
I notice by the way, that the obese lady was called Fatima. How appropriate! Could that be the cause of herr problems, as she was teased badly by her classmates at schoo.
Ian Fleming Would Have Been Amused
It is being reported in the Evening Standard tonight, that James Bond will be knighted by the Queen and then will help to launch the Olympic Games. No doubt, Danny Boyle’s short film that shows this, will of course be narrated by Henry Blofield, who is the son of Ian’s friend, Tom Blofield, who is often said to have lent his surname to Bond’s arch-enemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
C used to appear in front of Henry Blofield’s brother, John, who used to be a judge in Norwich. He was one of her favourite judges.
We also bought a house from Daniel Craig’s stepfather, Maxwell Blond.
But all this is just a typical Fleming plot!
The Anonymous Widower 