Log entry 26210245.09
Well, almost one full year has elapsed since the last log update. I could update
you with what has been happening in my life, but just re-read some of the
previous logs to get an idea J
Anyway, I wanted to rave, if I may, about the police force in the U of K’s and their policy on driving on said UK roads. Now I am not against this in the main, I agree that there is certainly some need for restrictions on certain roads, and speed cameras DO help (yes, I am in agreement with the use of the item, in some cases) etc etc etc.
However, just this very night, I was driving home from my second home with Mrs. S. having quite a good time - if I do say so myself – listening to my music and generally having a nice easy trip. Then, just to really throw a Spaniard in the works, I pull up at the traffic lights. Meatloaf’s “Bat out of Hell” begins. Now, this is one tyrack that can really get me going. I love it, especially when driving. It’s the perfect Motorway soundtrack. Anyway, as I sit there with the “Elton John Style” Piano intro wailing away and crashing about, up rolls Mr. PC. Plod in his car, just off to me left. I know he’s going to go my way, so off I set round the roundabout nice and easy. Then it suddenly hits me, I’m in one of those stupid speed controlled areas. A quick sideline explanation: Up until about 2 years ago, this particular stretch of road was National Speed Limit (*). THEN, the council decided to downgrade the road to 40 miles per hour, despite that nothing had changed. There is one area where the police like to hang out with the speed gun, but once your past that, it’s plain sailing. Anyway, back to the story.
So, I have to puddle through at 40 because I know he is just 4 cars back, and I am at the head of the snake. With Bat blaring out, just shouting at me to go FASTER!!!
The main reason I write this, is not because of that incident, but it reminded me of a similar thing which happened last year to me. I had the occasion to be driving home from London one Monday night. Technically it was Tuesday Morning, but you know what I mean. Well I was driving along the A303 – which is Britain’s poor rancid cousin of Route 66.This road – for those who don’t know of it – spans from the M3 (London to Southampton) to join onto the A30, which spans from Penzance to London (but is fair nastier). Anyway, I deviate yet again. As this wonderful road passes through one part of Wiltshire, it is restricted to just 50mph. Again, there is nothing of interest there, it’s a wide single carriage way, with no houses nearby, Well anyway, I’m not in charge of speed restrictions, but I usually slow down for this one (and 2 others in Somerset, near Yeovil) and this night/morning was no exception. So, there I am. It was about half 2 in the morning, I had not seen another car for ages, and was feeling rather lonely. But I had my music on, so it didn’t matter. Well, I am plodding along, doing just under 50, when I suddenly spot something next to me in a lay by I was passing. It was a policeman with a speed gun. As I saw him, he waved at me as if to say “Oh, well done.”. Now, I bet had I been doing 55 mph, he would have leapt into his little car and raced after me, he didn’t. Just once, I would like to be stopped by the police with a conversation something like:
“Are you aware of the speed you were doing sir?”
“Well yes, it was under the speed limit.”
“Yes it was. Well done. Here, have a banana!”
They could put bonus points on your driving license for good road behaviour, or award you with a speeding amnesty ticket, valid for one month which nullifies the next speeding ticket. The trouble is, you don’t get awarded for good behaviour anymore. I suppose it’s like that old joke I read many years ago “Why does DOS never say “Excellent Command or File Name”
Log entry 21220109.09
Why is it that some people will pay extraordinary amounts of money for things, which other people just simply wouldn't? I say this, and it may sound strange for you to be reading this and think, "what's rattled his cage?" but I have just returned from a visit to a local supermarket to buy several bottles of cheap wine, which I happen to really like. Ok, so I suppose I can name drop. It is Lidl's - you know that cheap place - and the wine in question is a 2000 Chianti. After seeing an advert in the paper for this wine at a dreadful 1 pound and 89 new pence I had to wonder if it wasn't a bit, to put it bluntly, naff. But it was worth a try, so i struggled off to my local branch and purchased a bottle. One quick sample of it at home and I knew I was on a winner. Full bodied red, with a slightly fruity taste (and a whoosh of hollyhocks going straight up the....) So anyway, the next night, which just happened to by this exact one, I made the pilgrimage once more to purchase a vast quantity. Only to discover that everyone else had had the same idea, but got there first. So, I was only able to buy 3 bottles in total.
It was on the way home I was thinking about wines, and the fact that some people will only buy expensive wines, because they are expensive, therefore they taste better. Having recently returned from Italy, (Did I mention that in a previous log?) me and Mrs. S bought back 2 fantastic bottles of San Marino Spumante. Not everyone's cup of tea granted, but we liked it. In fact, we more than liked it and decided the other bottle should stay for a "special occasion." These special occasion wines. Everyone has them. One particular brand of wine that the particular person loves most of all. They keep it for years in the cupboard until that fateful dinner party when those special guests visit. Then it comes out and is savoured. At least by the host. The other guests may not like it. Wine preference is all about taste. Personally, I don't like Champagne that much. I mean I enjoy it in small quantities, but it is too dry for my taste. No doubt there are some real wine lovers (is there a wine equivalent to the CAMRA cardigan twats?) out there who are leaping up and down right now shouting "But champagne is supposed to be dry!" It's just my opinion of course. And my taste buds.
So if I was at a dinner party and the host pulled out this VERY special bottle of 1949 Don Perrinone, yes I would drink it, and enjoy it, but not as much as he would have liked. So if you are ever invited to my house for a dinner party, and we pull out a bottle of 1.89 Lidl wine - please be grateful!