Sunday 19 July 2009

Absent friends...

I'm sure that this man will be remembered for many years to come, and it's amazing that he was 51 years old when I was born (today's yet another Scrobs birthday, and we're going out later...)

What a big man Henry Allingham was! I salute you Sir!

Another much younger name to leave us - thankfully still with us in body, is the Grumpy Granny duo.

I was sorry to read a thoughtful comment that was left here on Friday, and even sorrier that I missed them and didn't see it in time to wish them 'bye!

So, here it is, slightly abridged as GG said that she's been instructed by Blogger not to say so much in one post.

It says an awful lot, so over to you Grumpers...

"This posting illustrates perfectly why we Grumpys have finally decided to quit and buzz off to our secure little hidey hole far far away from Nosepicker McStickyfingers and the rest of the poofs in Downing Street and the Marxist claque in Brussels.

I know we "retired" a few months and then returned - but that was caused by a minor hiccup to our long standing plans which has now been successfully ironed out. Grandad is a modest chap but he spent much of his life in economic and finance work and first saw the writing begin to appear on the wall when those who were pulling Bill Clinton's strings (and now probably those of his wife) instructed him to pass into law the conjoining of high street retail banking and investment and commercial banking; an absolute NO NO in banking terms. He described it as foolish and dangerous and said it would lead to great trouble and distress.

Knowing something similar was likely to follow in the UK, since then we have carefully watched minutely every action of our politicians. Things began to come nicely to the boil with the so-called dot-com bubble when brainless investors declared a young girl with a cat and a computer had suddenly produced a billion pound company overnight and out of thin air. No product, no history, no accounts. Lunacy. That little bubble went pop quite early on and we were not affected as we had no investments in that sort of idiocy.

The simmer continued gently with the ever increasing house prices. Grandad used to have a small graph showing average salaries (which hardly ever moved) against house prices which rose almost daily. It was obvious for anyone with eyes to see that this could not go one. How could anyone earning £20k before tax ever hope to service a £250k mortgage which, by the time the compounding had been done would amount to nearer £800,000. The sums simply did not add up.

We continued to watch. However, on the afternoon that Snottyfingers announced the £5billion pension grab changes, grandad was on to our fund manager and cashed in the lot within 24 hours. The proceeds were despatched to our hidey hole offshore and have since been earning a steady if unspectacular (but tax free)return annually. We eventually decided in 2002 that it was time to get rid of our house and rent while the money was there for the taking, so we put it on the market for what our agent said he could get for it and sure enough 3 weeks later we had a firm offer from a thick Indian who paid us over 3 times what we had paid 10 years previously and over 5times what we considered it was actually worth. The vast majority of that substantial amount of cash too followed into our offshore fund.

And now we both have new passports and ten years permanent resident visas, so we have left the tip that the UK has become for pastures not exactly new for us as we have visited our little cottage overlooking a beautiful bay at least twice a year since we bought it in the 1980s for really quite a pittance. We have made new friends in the village and happily we both speak the local language fairly fluently. It will see us out now I think. We do not have a land line phone installed so we will not be able to browse the internet any more.

The major advantage of this is that folks of our advanced years do not need all the daily boiling blood pressure, frustrating but helpless feelings over much of what the politically correct garbage and other mendacious crap we read or get fed via the BBC. We spent the better part of 130 years between us working honestly and diligently doing our bit for the UK (or England if you prefer) and were really quite proud of our country in a quiet sort of way. Basic things (health service, utilities, transport etc) worked ok most of the time, most companies were there to help rather than screw you, kids got educated properly and many did very well by their own efforts.

Take a deep breath, look outside and note what you see - wheelie bins with chips, cctv cameras all over the place, a useless politicised police force, once the finest armed forces in the world engaged in 2 illegal wars and reduced to penury by a one eyed Scottish Communist prat, and from overseas, our so-called "government" is simply a laughing stock.

So, in a nutshell we have had enough and we have been careful enough to secure more than sufficient resources to ensure our futures well away from Scottish poofs and nosepickers and Marxist theorists in Europe. We shall honestly miss all our blogging/commenting cybermates, and you all know who who are, so from the bottom of our hearts Grandad and I thank you for keeping us in turn, mildly irritated, bloody annoyed, screamingly helplessly infuriated - as well as most of the other emotions from amused smiling at the sharpness and unalloyed wit of many of you, to those who more than once occasioned the necessity to change the grandmotherly undergarments (it happens when you get to our age you know) when creased up in uncontrollable hysterical laughter.

En passant you may be wondering how I managed to type all this if I no longer have a computer. Well, the answer is that we have stopped off en route to spend a few days with one of our regular commenting gang who has kindly offered us accommodation, victuals and transport free of charge – which is nothing less than is to be expected from somebody I have known since we were both in the infants schools at the age of six in South London.

Bye everyone; it has been fun".


Luckily Pips was here to wave them off, and so do I here (waves)!

'Bye Grumpers, sorry to have missed you, and the very best of good fortune to you both!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Morning Scrobs.

Nice of you to highlight Granny's post. I am the "anon" referred to in the penultimate para, and for these purposes you will understand that this will remain so on matters connected to this subject.

Just to say it was great having them stay for a couple of days - lots of wine tasting and hilarious memory recalling and lots to catch up on as we have not seen each other for a few years; she hasn't changed one bit over the 60 odd years we have been best friends and I consider myself honoured to have had such a reliable friend who was always there when a shoulder or a spare hand was needed. Naturally I have a standing invitation to their cottage which I shall be availing myself of from time to time. I am of course not at liberty to let you have the GPS numbers...

Over a steak and a glass or three of delicious grape juice, we discussed the list of red flags noted by Granddad. There was one more very early on, but that was chosen as the sacrificial victim and removed because of the length of the post, so I shall now add it separately merely for the sake of completion.

It was the all too innocent calls of your friendly mutually owned high street building society to turn itself into a bank. Yes, that little friendly shop next to the butcher's that held your little saved nest egg and only drawn on when the kids needed a new pair of shoes or a new cricket bat and the daily funds would not quite run to it in that particular month. Those ever so friendly people had overnight turned into your deadliest enemy. Bribes, in the form of "free shares in the new company", were offered to everyone who had anything on deposit and in the privatising, share buying frenzy (building societies, BT, utilities, BA etc) being so heavily promoted by the companies and the Government at the time, all the punters could see were the instant gratification £ signs instead of the dangers and pitfalls - and not one journalist had to guts to stand up and shout from the rooftops about the dangers to ordinary people's cash inherent in all this. At a stroke, the boring ultimate safe haven that had been in the high street for longer than anyone could remember had the means to expose all your hard earned savings to the vagaries and greed of the stock market and its operatives.

That it was allowed to happen was simply outrageous, but as Granddad noted, just the next piece of the jigsaw to fall into place. Happily for them, he was on to them at the time and took advantage of the situation as it presented itself before any damage was done to their resources. He also warned me at the time of this impending time bomb and I was also able to get away undamaged.

Speaking personally, at the time I had about £1000 on deposit and got a few shares, even though I had voted against the conversion. I kept them for a few weeks while the feeding frenzy went on and sold them the moment I judged the brick wall to be approaching. Happily my judgement was spot on. Shortly after I sold out, the share price began to slide and even after all these years, has never again reached anywhere near that peak. I have no doubt lots of innocent genuine savers lost a great chunk of their resources after these pernicious changes.

Thanks again from all of us for the use of your cyberspace.

"Anon"

PS: I shall ensure your "wave" is conveyed to the intended recipients...

Anonymous said...

PS: Happy Birthday. Hope you and Mrs Scrobs have a great day.

"Anon"

Trubes said...

Hello Scrobs, I am so sad that the Grumps won't be commenting anymore, I've had a few kind comments from them over the years.
So, to Anon, friend of the GG's, please convey my sincere wishes too them for a long and happy retirement in their cottage.

Di.x

lilith said...

Wow. Happy Birthday Scrobbers, and how sad for blogworld. You have to say "Fantastic" though, well done the Grumpers, you will be missed, but it is great to think of you in your mellow hidey hole far from the madding crowd.

Philipa said...

Happy Birthday, Scrobs. I'm having deja vous here but maybe my head's full. Anyway, hope you had a great time.

I think GG are leading the way..

Thud said...

An illuminating and enertaining post...britain will survive gobbler Browns efforts no matter what he does...Happy Birthday!

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Well now, Anon!

Thank you so much for that - because I was doing other things, I left all this for a couple of days, and Whoops - there goes another one...!

Please give my kindest regards to the Grumpers - I reckon they got it right, and I sincerely hope they enjoy that success, because some of us still need to get there!

I did take some advice from a post by Grandad, which has proved very helpful, so all this is not in vain!

Have a great time with these lovely people, I'll never know them, but recognise a kindred spirit somewhere there!

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Hiya Trubydoos - thank you so much for this, I also thank you for standing in while I mucked around on other things...(designing a new seating section for the kitchen, where Mrs S and I can sit and watch tennis/cricket/rugby/Father Ted without having to move our glasses more than 1'6"...).

Grumpers will be missed I know!

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Yahoooo Lils - 'Twas a grand day, and after a BBQ in the sleet, a well earned Corbieres goes down a treat.

I'm a poet, and I know it; hope I don't blow it...(Dylan...)!

You OK Kidder?

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Hiya Pips - thanks for waving goodbye to them - I needed someone like that!

Get ready for a few days of better stuff eh?

Hope so!

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

You're right of course Thudders!

We always succeed despite these morons, but it still rankles that they get paid up fron for abject failure.

I'm considering writing a checklist to ask every prospective MP at the next election, on the lines of 'how much are you going to rip us all off? etc etc etc'

Anonymous said...

Dear Everybody,

Hallo again, sorry I could not be with you yesterday, and many thanks on behalf of the GGs to whom I shall of course convey all this at the earliest opportunity.

On a personal note to Madame Trubes: I know Granny used to read your stuff as I saw the odd comment from her on your site now and then and I am sure she will be pleased to get her personal note from you.

Taking this open goal opportunity: From me, please tell your mate Cameron to get his finger(s) out. He needs to start enhancing his credibility as a potential leader. He needs to be ready with a five point list of to-do's the day after he wins the election:

1. A Bill to renounce 99% of the laws passed since whatever the date was in 1997 when all this desecration started and reinstallation of the then status quo;
2. A Bill forbidding any further public funding to so-called consultants, placemen or fellow traveller oraganisations. We need to get our country back from the spivs, qangos and jobsworths and get responsibility placed firmly where it belongs - ie on our elected representatives.
3. A firm date for a referendum on Europe. It has now gone way beyond just the Lisbon Treaty (the "wrong" answer on that one issue will just put the UK through the Irish process until the "right" answer is obtained) and the wording should be simply Britain (or if it really comes down to it, England) IN or OUT of the EU. Tick the box of your choice. If the Swiss can do it regularly there is no reason why the UK can't too. We will need a tanker full of international observers to ensure fair play; no postal voting allowed: be there or lose your right to vote.
4. A Bill to close and disband the BBC. The damage this mendacious organisation has done to this country and our international reputation is immeasurable and they need to be stopped in their tracks. If some of them want to go private, fine - let those who want it pay for it, the rest of us can just be left to get on with our lives.
5. A new Police Reform and Justice Bill. We have to stop the burgeoning, box-ticking, target-meeting, out of control stazi- state methods now and get what we all understand as "proper police officers" back. The private, profit making ACPO also needs to be brought to heel too at the same time. Our daily security should not be in the hands of a few ex-coppers intent on screwing every penny they can out of he public purse. The position of Chief Police Officer for each county/town or district should be the subject of a local election by those affected. Judges and magistrates who continue to make ridiculous and/or inappropriate decisions, which infuriate as total lunacy any normal thinking person, must be able to be removed asap.

If DC starts with that little lot (and no doubt others can add yet more desperately urgently needed tasks) he will gain the support of millions of ordinary folk like us. Tell him!

On a different note, I hope the blues continue to stuff the Reds next season. Get some ice skating score cards made up and every time diver Gerrard does his flying swan bit into the penalty area, he should be marked accordingly: 4.9, 5.2 etc. Have fun.

Regards to all

"Anon"

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

That was fine Anon; - very fine, until you started on football, which really doesn't ever figure here...!

Other than that, of course, you must keep looking at this site, and I hope you'll keep the GGs informed!

;0)

Anonymous said...

Sorry about that Scrobs; noted, but I was talking to Mme Trubes! And of course I shall continue to keep the GGs' blood pressures well up with all the latest news, scandals and other worthwhile NoW stories...

By the way can any of you sporting gentlemen tell me why after nearly 150 years of the game nobody has come up with a pair of clear plastic wrap around goggles which golfers can pop into a side pocket of their bags for use when they get stuck in the sand traps? How often do we see golfers slash at the ball, cover themselves in the flying sand and spend the rest of the day rubbing their eyes trying to get the grit out.

Bye for now.
"Anon"

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Anon, now that is a great idea! (don't worry about the football comment, I just can't stand anything about it, sorry...)

Can I suggest that we ask Tatcorps' Chairman (GG's old firm), if he could think up something for the glasses idea?

Cue Lakelander....

BTW, You can sign in here with a name - doesn't have to be your own of course, just click on Name/URL, and you can be anyone you like.

I'm actually a lawnmower, as my Elder Daughter constantly reminds me like here, and also did it on Facebook recently...

Anonymous said...

Scrobs: I already have a name, but for the purposes of discussions about the GeeGees, I preferred to remain as "Anon". Rest assured I shall return as the same old me in due course.
"Anon"

Anonymous said...

Anon / Scrobs:

Where I play golf, the bunkers are so deep you need a mask and snorkel, never mind goggles!

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

That's fine by me Anon!

Can't have you being somebody else, and of course, I respect your anonnmyttii - annoonnama - innonnimmi... decision to be Anon for the main reason which is - let me see...

You're GG's Pal!

That's fine!

I met Lils the same way but I was someone else then...

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Lakers!

Sounds like you treat the Big Ponds as 'casual water'...

Nice idea about the gogs though...

Tatcorps would have been proud to have developed that one, but there again, you're up there, and we're down here - it just won't work!

lilith said...

Scroblene, Scroblene, Scroblene!
I'm begging of you please don't take my van....

Trubes said...

Hello Anon,
Wow! That's a tall order, but I certainly shall do my best to convey your ideas to Mr Cameron.

Hi dear Scrobs,
Sorry to mention 'footy' again but DT has been a life long Everton supporter and Moi, of course is an avid subscriber to 'Conservatism' and all that it represents.
Hence, as you will recall, my original pseudonym of 'True Blue'.
It was, thanks to you, affectionately calling me 'Trubes' that I changed my title.
This was a good move as it stopped
leftie Anon trolls verbally abusing me....

BTW, Darling Trubes is also a keen golfer and avid cricket follower too!

Di.x

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

"...I'm begging of you please don't take my van...."?

Can't now, you'll need ot for the extended honeymoon...

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Hiya TrubyDoos!

It's only me on football, I just don't watch it!

Philipa said...

Hello Scrobs, how's your gorgous garden? Hope yourself and Mrs Gorgeous are enjoying the sunshine. It's been a bit changeable where I am but made all the more exciting by the wind ruffing up the waves into arguments against the shore. Black clouds pregnant with rain loitering until we walk from blue sky into their chattering wetness. Polo ponies skidding almost seated on the damp grass as the wind belly laughed another gust against us. Then the sun, warm as if the rain was just a rumour.

Today the sound of a steam whistle, the unexpected joy of a strangers smile and then Lils pictures of her garden. I thought of yours and of sitting sipping something humbly delicious in the rich fading light, when the sun is low and makes all colours, near and far, feel as if you can touch them, even though they may be on the next hill. The scent of sweet pea and the striving of hollyhocks. Bees buzzing studiously yet there seems all the time in the world in that one moment. And we sip. And smile :-)

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Hi Pips - sorry, sin of omission there, as I realised I hadn't put pen to paper for eight days, so the current one took over...

Now, that was poetic, 'rain a rumour' - straight out of Dylan Thomas?

Philipa said...

No, that was me, but thanks for the thought: Dylan Thomas, hee hee *blushes*