This morning I got a New Year’s hug from our aging milkman. I say aging - he might be slightly younger or slightly older than I am, it’s hard to tell. Anyway, a New Year’s hug was a surprise, even though we have been on friendly-chat terms for years!
I ran round the village before the rain started this morning. It still seems that the morning is the time to do things. There was no point in going to the market today as most of the traders were taking a Christmas/New Year’s break. I went through Uppermill later and only the shoe and slipper man seemed to be there, carrying on business amidst the parked cars.
In an age when more and more people are having to rely on food banks, I read about the amount of money spent on champagne in the House of Lords. How is that allowed to happen?.
“A parliament where unelected Lords glug fizz and collect £342 a day just for showing up is not a parliament fit to properly represent the people,” said Tommy Sheppard, the SNP MP for Edinburgh East.
“Voters will be fizzing to hear that, while they were struggling to balance household finances and pay for basics like groceries and energy, unelected Lords were glugging back champagne,” added Sheppard.
Time for a reform, I think!
Then there’s the cost of heating your home. Emma Beddington in The Guardian was writing about test-driving ways of keeping warm at home more cheaply than turning up:the central heating. She was trying out the advice of experts who say that it is cheaper to heat the person than the house. Mind you as all the things she tried out were electrical devices, I suspect that the really badly off could probably not afford to purchase them in the first place (see below for the price of heated gilet!). Her preferred device was a heated poncho but I think Granddaughter Number One, who does like a good poncho, would not like it as it is made of velvet or at least velour, which both give her the heebie-geebies.
One thing Emma Beddington tested was a heated gilet called the Ororo, which has heat pads that you charge up before you set off on your hike or whatever. Personally I have never quite understood gilets. What is the point of a garment that keeps your chest and back warm but leaves your arms exposed?
Anyway, her comments on the Ororo threw up another question:
“Of course, the Ororo is designed for outdoors: “Perfect for all outdoor winter activities, cold indoor environments, tailgating or walking your dog!” it claims. I don’t know what tailgating is and I doubt I’d enjoy it, even while heated, but I drag myself around the block, sans coat, avec gilet. On a frosty day, I’m fine without a coat, perhaps finally gaining my North Yorkshire neighbours’ respect? All this comfort comes at a price, though: it’s the most expensive product I test, retailing at £169.99 (though reduced to £127.49 at the time of writing).”
Now, I was under then impression that “tailgating” was when one motorist drives dangerously close to the one in front, usually in a threatening manner, trying to force the other to go faster. So I looked it up. All definitions confirmed my belief, but then I found photos of “tailgating” in the USA. It turns out to be the practice of having a sort of picnic or party for your family and friends from the boot of your car after you’ve all watched a sports event together:
“Tens of thousands of people in the United States enjoy tailgate parties before football and baseball games. In fact, the parties themselves have become an event, helping to draw people to stadiums, even when teams aren't having the greatest season.
Over the years, some of those parties have gotten pretty big. And at places like Lambeau Field — known as one of the best tailgating stadiums — authorities have had to step in to maintain control.
Five years ago, the grills, tables , chairs and games were taking up so much space that there were no lanes for emergency vehicles in the parking lot. So, officials began enforcing a rule, which requires tailgate parties to remain within 6 feet of a person's car. Officers even started walking through the parking lot with a tape measure to keep the parties in check.”
So there you go. Who knew? The Americans speak English … but not as we know it!
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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