I am about leave the dust of my homeland behind me….but wait…there’s more! More sayings of wisdom as I lope down towards the plane door…I am surrounded by marketing wisdom. I wonder in my mind if this is for the customers to think that BA cares for them or that the customers should go forth and be disciples of the BA wisdom? Too complex a thought process in a way..it is a sort of mental loop that just goes around and around….still…the sentiments of the wisdom are pretty dead on in my mind…

The glories of an English Pub! This shot looks Dickensian in its darkness and shadow. You can almost feel Jack the Ripper stalking about the place….Pubs have changed a lot in the last few years. The “No Smoking” rule is probably the biggest as it changed the entire atmosphere (Pun intended) I don’t smoke and I don’t like smoke but I could handle a smokey pub because it was part of what pubs were all about. Now they are so clinically clean it is rather anemic, they have lost their character in my mind. I will defend the right of those to choose to smoke even though I don’t like smoke. Big Brother is getting awfully BIG in my mind…..

Here is a sign of the times…a poster for “Fair Trade”…as I understand “Fair Trade” it is a “for profit” organization set up to make sure the lowest paid workers in the supply chain receive a fair wage. My only question is that if it is a “for profit” organization what is the % of their income that is kept as profit (or dividends that they keep or pay out to their investors) as compared to the % of income given to the workers. That figure I would like to know….Anyone care to share this information with me?

Aahhhh the streets of London. Most of us walk around either looking down or straight ahead. For those who like buildings, UP is where it’s AT! I caught this fabulous mix of London homes as I was walking towards the Strand and away from Harrods. ( I don’t think I can afford Harrods any more…20 pounds for a glass of wine at the Oyster counter seemed a bit rich to me!)But the glorious tableau of buildings caught my eye. All so similar and yet all so different…London truly is a feast for the eyes in so many ways.

I have always heard it said that it used to be a rule that Policeman had to be six feet tall. Then it became difficult to recruit nothing but six footers, so a tall helmet was introduced to make “Coppers” look like six footers..Well I dont know what the height of this particular guardian of the peace is but the six foot rule is clearly no longer in effect. But with pepper spray, truncheons, hand guns, tazer guns and a winning smile I am sure that he is a very effective at keeping the dark side at bay. A tough job under any circumstance…I wish him well keeping the rest of us safe….

The great sports long weekend continues with a round of golf ….it was a windy, windy day…As you look at the photo….Ian on my left, Rob on my right…I have known these two old codgers for over 55 years…NOW that’s a comforting thought….they were raised in Kenya as well…so we all know where we came from….that’s what’s so comforting and…comfortable.

I guess you could call this a poignant shot. Aston Villa lost…so their side of the stadium is totally empty…Man U won so their side is packed with celebrating fans…interesting perspective

This is one of those weekends you dream about (If you are a guy- type of thing) International rugby on Saturday at Twickenham and a League Cup Final on Sunday at Wembly. Oh happy day! It is Aston Villa playing Manchester United for the “Carling Cup”…what a game! Fast, skilled and totally entertaining. Man U won 2:1 but I think the referee blew a couple of calls to tell you the truth…but refs never get it right do they?

It is not to be! Heartbreak! England are beaten and to make matters worse, Ireland were the better side and deserved the win. With the Rugby World Cup just 12 months away England have a task on their hands. The backs were awful and the scrum was not much better! A sad day. I retire to a pub to nurse my wounds.