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Showing posts from October 19, 2014

My odd dream about cars

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  I had a series of dreams last night, in all but one of which I was determined to buy an "Austin Westminster" car for myself.  I dreamed of scouring U.S. based vintage car dealers in order to purchase one.   The scene changed a bit in the final dream . In that one I had been asked to buy an Austin Westminster for Hillary Clinton. Go figure!   When I awoke I wondered "was there ever such a car?"   There was.     Here is a picture of a 1966 Austin Westminster.         The Austin Westminster had a twin car which used the Wolseley Marque - The Wolseley 6-110       This Wolseley was greatly favoured by the (London) Metropolitan Police as an area car.   =====================================================   Maybe my dream was spurred by my reference in yesterday's blog to the Morris Minor.  It was introduced by Morris Motors in 194

Trafficators

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There were two motor cycles  (with riders and pillion passengers  - is the word "pillion" still in use ? )   just ahead of me as I drove into nearby Calliandra Drive this afternoon.   Both bikers used their flashing indicators to show that they were turning right, this helped me to slow down and take extra care.   My memory immediately took me to the days when flashing indicators had not been invented.  In the U.K. (and maybe in other places) cars had what were called trafficators.     Here is a photo'  of a trafficator on a "Morris Minor" ( a British "Peoples Car" if ever there was one )   Trafficators were hard to see on small cars, and almost impossible to see at night, and on larger vehicles.    Engineering technology advanced to the point where the flashing indicators became ubiquitous and trafficators became redundant. In the U.K. many older cars were retro-fitted with indicators  (I suspect that "the law" insi

The way is now open for Women Bishops in the C of E. Alleluia.

House of Commons Royal assent Mr Speaker: I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that Her Majesty has signified her Royal Assent to the following Measure: Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014. House of Lords Royal Assent 11.18 am The following Measure was given Royal Assent: Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure.

Why are these peasant farmers being harrassed, and robbed of their livelihood?

http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/145980/in-occupied-w-bank-olive-harvest-brings-little-joy

For your amusement

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By a nice coincidence each of my three friends who posted these on Facebook  has a "K" in her name. via Sheryl K - H. Via B.K.H. Via Karen N

That which was lost

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Last Saturday (18th Oct)  after walking Penne around the local pond, I drove with her for a shopping trip to "Trader Joes" and to my local 7/11 store.   When I arrived home it was to discover that I had lost my house key.  Not to worry - I had a spare on my car key ring, so I was able to enter my  home.   But where had I lost the house key?  Had it fallen out of my pocket at TJ or at the 7/11.   After Church on Sunday I stopped by at TJ   NO, my key had not been handed in there,   Later in the day I went to the local 7/11 in search of the key.  I retraced my steps, but the key was nowhere to be found.   I entered the store and asked if it had been turned in.  I mentioned that it was on a ring with a purple coloured tag.   The young man at the till grinned from ear to ear when I mentioned the purple tag.  YES indeed my missing key had been turned in, and he knew exactly where it had been stashed,

If you've never eaten Kipppers you've probably never lived.

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My good friend Jack C. celebrated his 81st birthday on Saturday 18th October.  Our mutual friend Muriel Q. (born in Oldham, Lancs, U.K.) hosted a lovely dinner party to mark the birthday. Present were our hostess, Jack, his wondrous wife Donna and me.   The four of us have English connections  (Muriel and I through birth); Jack and Donna via his career (see later).   Jack graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (where he knew John McCain, one of the current Senators from Arizona).  Jack's stellar career raised him to the rank of Captain (he had command of four ships).  At one time he was attached to the U.S. Embassy in Athens (his two predecessors there had been assassinated).   His Athens assignment and his attendance at the Church of England Parish there led to him seeking Holy Orders in the Church of England when he'd retired from the U.S. Navy.   He trained for the ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge, U.K.; was ordained Deacon and Priest in the Diocese of