I think one of the best Dame Judy Dench movies was Philomena. It is a true story of the scandal of enforced adoption practices in Ireland. It combines a great deal pathos with some most amusing moments

There have been times, during the pandemic, when I have hardly used my car.

During the early summer I was getting 30 days to the gallon from my Audi !

I was a police officer in the north of England for thirty years and retired over 20 years ago.
I recall a Crown Court trial of a burglar who had been chased from the crime scene, in the dead of night, by an old colleague of mine who was a renowned thief taker.
The defence barrister representing he accused man was cross-examining my colleague and the dialogue went something like this :

Barrister : Constable, in your evidence you have told the jury that when you got to the scene in the dead of night you saw the defendant approximately 50 yards away from the crime scene running away. You further said that you gave chase on foot and lost sight of him for a brief period before coming across my client several streets away, identifying him as the burglar and arresting him.

Constable : Yes that's correct Sir.

Barrister : Were the burgled premises and the route of your pursuit well lit ?

Constable : Not particularly Sir.

Barrister : And you truly expect the jury to believe that your eyesight is so good you could be certain that the burglar and my client were one in the same person. How far can you see in the dark Constable ?

Constable : Well Sir I have never had a problem seeing the moon.

In 2016 I received an e-mail message from a sender who was unknown to me regarding some goods that he had bought from me and had not received.
As I had not sold anything on E-Bay for months I opened my e-Bay account and was rather surprised to find that I was listed as selling a full size John Deere agricultural tractor equipped with a hydraulic front fork lift rig for several thousands of pounds.
In fairness, a phone call to E-Bay sorted it all out and both `sales ` were immediately withdrawn from circulation.
I am bound to say that the whole episode has left me more than wary about E-Bay.

Hi Graham - have you heard this one ?

A cowboy rides into a Wild West town for the first time. Being parched from the journey he walks into the empty saloon and orders a beer from the bar-tender. Making conversation he asks why the bar is so deserted.

The bar-tender says that the locals are all gathered for the lynching of the `Brown Paper Kid`. When asked about the man's name the bar-tender says its because he always wears a brown paper stetson, shirt, waistcoat, trousers, chaps, and boots. When asked what crime he has supposedly committed the bar-tender replies - `` Rustling ``

And if your son(s) open the boxes early just tell them its an Action Man deserter kit

I had no idea that Jack Russells were so popular in the US. I thought that they were largely confined to their native country. I love them, especially because of their individuality. Every one has a character of its own.

Thanks Graham I wasn`t having too good a day until I saw these wonderful images.
Brian M

You are most welcome Jerry. I forgot to add that I have seen several new Zippo owners get frustrated over an apparent lack of ignition when the unit does not immediately burst into intense heat. Patience is the key. Ten seconds stroking the wick with a windproof lighter and then replacing the cap does the trick in the vast majority of cases. Here`s wishing you toasty fingers !
Brian

Hi Jerry,

I have two Zippos for cold days out shooting and fishing. I think they`re great but I would offer a few tips that may help you. Firstly I find that trying to light a stone-cold unit that has just been filled with fuel can be tricky. I fill them and let them warm a little in a pocket or under the car heater allows the catalytic action to get going before lighting. On the issue of lighting I have learned that safety matches or open-flame butane cigarette lighters soot up the burners. Butane windproof lighters are much better and always use Zippo fuel. The others are inferior.

I wouldn`t argue Doddy. County Durham was the home of my mining ancestors and the countryside is equally beautiful.

Beautiful countryside, fish chips & mushy peas, and a pint o` Black Sheep. What more could tha want Roger?

Yorkshire is known by many of its inhabitants as `God`s Own County ` and this website goes some way to explaining why
http://www.lucysaggers.com
Enjoy !

Searcher,

Its good to know that you are always there when LR problems arise ! ( and you are on our side of the pond )
Keep up the good work.

Brian

Donald,
Thanks. Downloaded the Codec and now all is well.
Many thanks.
Brian