We were pondering over what the likely projections for this country are.
Sadly, we could only come to one conclusion. All the people who do all the valuable work that we don't value as a society (doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers etc etc - no offence meant if I've missed any...) will at some point get fed up and go somewhere else where they are valued (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, France etc etc - no offence...).
These are also a group that make up a decent sized proportion of the ever more ignored majority of normal people who follow common sense thinking. As they leave, the likelihood that we will ever get things changed will decrease. Today, we appear to have about an 80% majority and they don't seem to be able to get their way. As it drops to 75%, 70% whatever, how will it become more likely to change?
So what to do? Bale out and leave ourselves? Stay and keep trying to change it? Hope that a change of government will precipitate the changes necessary? (Don't hold your breath on that last one...none of the changes of government of any colour have done so in the last 30 years or so.)
Maybe I'm just a doom-monger (well somebody has to be.)
Talking of doom-mongering, just a reminder that the OAMC is tomorrow in Covent Garden. Please let me know if you're coming... comment on here, on the OAMC blog, e-mail, however you like.
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34 comments:
Good to hear from you Moose.
I would pack my bags and leave tomorrow if it were up to me.
I have no loyalty to this country. I love the little pocket of Sussex where we live, but I still yearn to escape this overcrowded, crime-ridden, politically-correct little island. We have discussed it once or twice. We even filled in some papers for Canada once, but the momentum waned. I had two opportunites to work in California, but on each occasion Mrs MfR stood firm and wouldn't leave.
I think if we ever did go, it would be to Canada, probably the west coast. New Zealand is fab, but a long, long way from 'home'.
As things stand, there is an outside chance of being able to attend tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Best wishes
MfR
I'll do the accent for you, my deer!
It's very hard to know what to do, isn't it?
Hubby and I were moaning about the effects of a 'so-called' Labour Government have had up here. And also came to the conclusion that there is no-one we would vote for at the next General Election (though we will vote come the time!). I do believe Tony Blair was full of good intentions when he took over - but look at the mess we are in! Our country has become so liberal and PC you are afraid to share your opinions far less your faith. Our NHS service is struggling to stay afloat, our hospitals spread more disease than they cure (it seems!). Our teachers are not allowed to discipline and run their schools as they see fit, especially if they are Catholic or other Christian schools .... and Heaven forbid we should teach morals and manners in school!! Our young people, especially if they are single, can no longer affford to rent or buy a place of their own, and there is no council housing for them. There are probably as many if not more folk living below the poverty line as when Labour took over. And don't get me started on the Iraq situation.
We have a real pride in our wee nation of Scotland, but we are already thinking that we may have a better life in another country, that Charis may have a better upbringing and more freedom!
Is there any answer to this? The Government doesn't seem interested in our opinion and just does it's own thing, so what is the answer?
Anyhoo .......
So wish we were in London and we'd join you for the OAMC! We are definately going to try for one this year!
Still on the climate change debate -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6453615.stm
Hazel love - at least you got it all done! Sounds like your Mum is a busy lady! Are you into the dramatics and operatics too?
Keith - Sorry to hear about the tribunal. Do you want us to take him behind the bike shed and pull his wheels off?! Do you still have to work with him? Hark at you, test driving a Mercedes! Are you going to come and pick us up for a spin!? Well done for getting in Mrs B’s good books! lol
Chrissie S - I LOVE YOU!!!!!! Yes … we do double speed! Yes, please, bring it along to the SOAMC (you have no idea how excited I am about it!!!!!) How do you manage to make Monday your favourite day of the week? I’m so glad the party went well. Just for you (you may have to paste the 2 bits of the link together) -
http://citril.blogspot.com/2007/03/
take-that-dancing-on-ice-shine.html
Huggles, Susan <><
MfR - I've never been to Canada or the US (looking forward to the road trip!!!!), but hubby and I have always thought we'd go to the Greek Isles if we moved. We even went as far as thinking of taking Greek lessons, but unfortunately I don't think hubby has one of those transferrable skills that other countries seek!
Hi Moose,
Great blog today. We stayed in America for a year in 1979/80. I thought we would be there for life, but it just didn't work out. Among other things, we discovered that Sunday is Sunday, whether you are in New Jersey or Glasgow. When you emigrate, you leave your home, your family and your roots. My brother lived in Canada for 40 years and I think he really regretted it but for many reasons he just couldn't leave. He came back on holiday regularly, but it was an "artifical" way of staying in touch.
Yes, there is the opportunity for a higher standard of living, but it's amazing how unattractive it all becomes is when you miss your mum!!
Don't mean to be flippant, but it just wasn't for me. It does work brilliantly for many, many people!
C xx
We did go. We were supposed to be doing six months here and six months there. Made a few months there and got stuffed for £5000 so are now here and waiting patiently for the karma to catch up with ower. Would like to go to France (bottom half) or Spain (but the bit round by Portugal as have friends there, Costa de la luz-ish way). Not bitter however.
Am bitter about the lack of notice taken of the majority here at 'home', but all other countries seem to have issues with human rights records or something else, but then they probably say bad things about England/UK...
If we won the lottery tomorrow, we wouldn't even think about not leaving. We'd sort the boy's passeporte and be off like the proverbial shots.
I love living here for my family, friends, freedom of spirit, and possibly some other effs too...I love living in Brighton because I can do and wear pretty much what I like...no-one even glances at you if you go out to buy the Sunday papers, clad in your jamsters...
BUT if I could live somewhere that I could pop down the road to the bakers and local farm, at 7am to get fresh bread and eggs for breakfast, and then could either do nothing, or something, the boy and I'd be off, as previously suggested.
Definitely.
However, it does depend whether I would have to work, or whether I need to work...or not.
Shot. Off like a.
Flint. In like.
love
hazel
x
Have not bought ticket for OAMC yet due weather...will wait til tomorrow, but spec will manage as have small quantity of cash available.
by the way...
"Don't tell him your name, Pike!"
jollygit - Wot email are you on now please?
love
hazel
x
What's up with numptyville next door?! They seem to have crawled out of the woodwork!
Warning .... TMI alert!
'Mummy, Mummy, help .... there's a pooey on the floor!'
Charis, in the scud, whilst waiting for her bath to run!
Hi Moose
I’ve often thought of packing up and leaving, however I know that if it came to the crunch I just couldn’t do it. I don’t feel much loyalty to this country generally and regularly rant about the political correctness that has invaded every corner of it, but if I left I would pine for the familiarity of “home”. Guess I’m just a creature of habit.
Sorry to say this when I know a lot of you have families, but reading and writing this makes me realise again how glad I am that I don’t have children. I wonder what sort of a country/world the kids of today are destined to grow up in and in my own selfish fashion I’m pleased that I don’t have a future generation of loglets (twiglets?) to worry about.
On the other hand if someone offered me a place in the warm today I’d be off, like the proverbial rat up a drain. “They” have turned our hearing off! To do some work elsewhere apparently. If I’d known before I left home this morning that I’d spend the day freezing my t*ts (other small birds can be seen on Hazel's feeder if you're quiet enough) off despite wearing my coat whilst typing, I wouldn’t have come in!
Annalog
I have to admit that I often have the same thoughts about not having children. Whether it is terrorism, food scares, the state of the education system, the state of the NHS etc etc etc I often wonder why anyone would want to bring children into this kind of world.
Sincere apologies to everyone that has wonderful children, these are just my self-centered, one-dimensional occasional views.
By the way, what happened to Winter 2 - Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Get Up In The Morning?
It's bright sunshine here!
MfR
I've just turned my keyboard upside down (don't ask ...) and enough crumbs have fallen out to almost make a whole sandwich!
I realy should get out more ...
A pint?? That's very nearly an armful!
Hi everyone - I've just managed to get 'im indoors off the pooter for long enough to read Moose's blog and reply, but will have to be quick - I can hear him huffing and puffing about having to make calls, blah, blah ....
I personally agree with Annalog regarding bringing up children in this country right this minute. Having said that, I'm sure my grandmother felt the same during the great Depression in the 1930s, when she gave birth to twins, who were to be the first of five children. As you know, my brother emigrated to New Zealand a year ago with his family of four children and when I see their way of life now, I cannot blame him. I wouldn't think twice about doing the same if it weren't for the fact that my parents and elderly aunts & uncles are still in the rudest of health - I would miss my family far too much to travel that distance. But, in years to come when it's probably just going to be me and 'im indoors, we'll most definitely think again.
Hazel Love - I'm on my 'homecall' email from now on and will be in touch later. For now, 'im indoors is looming large (oo-er) so best get lunch on the go.
Laters all, love jollygit xx
I drove home from Surrey yesterday straight into an amazing sleet shower and side winds - a bit scary - and this morning in Kent we've had hailstones, but all in all, The Return of the Winter is a bit of a let-down!
jollygit
Hi Everyone
Apologies firstly as I know its been a while. Since my trip to Canada in Feb my feet have not touched the ground and work is busier than ever – it’s not right especially when you do not have time to blog!
Good post Moose. We talked about moving once but my hubby pointed out that when it came to it I would not be able to go through with it as I am too close to my family and he is absolutely right. Strangely enough emigrating seems to be topical at the moment. 3 people at work have just left for the brighter lights of Canada, so perhaps I am missing something!
Will pop back later (promise) and will not leave it a number of weeks before I post again!
T
Am not in good mood.
Have just done disaster shopping trip and TOTALLY miscalculated so had to put some stuff back...Have also purchased different boid seed for my feathered friends (supposedly suitable for feeders (other than boid tables)), and whilst dutifully replacing previous seed, tipped new seed all over self. Now resemble Millet Tree.
Have et lunch but feel no better. It isn't the weather I don't think, which I was going to put 'continues fine' but can't now as HUGE clouds and freezing temp have arrived in the wink of an eye...
...and that is how I shall disappear for the moment...
Abracadabra etc
Flash. Kabang.
ps No I don't do camping.
Just having a wee look in!
t - hello!
Annalog and MfR - re: children. I totally understand where you are coming from. I was married for 15 years before we had our daughter. I thought this world was just the pits and no place for more people. However, Mother Nature had other ideas and when I was 33, she persuaded me to change my mind and Hey Presto, a year later Miss Sweet Sixteen arrived!
The world has ALWAYS been an horrific, messy, dangerous and beautiful place. When we were born (all of us on this blog) someone, somewhere, was saying "this is a bad environment to bring up children"! It's been like that since the dawn of time!
All I can say to you is, our daughter has taught us what love really feels like. My love for my husband is conditional - but for my daughter it is completely unconditional (not with boundaries of course) because she did not ask to be born, we have to take the responsibility for that. And for that reason, I do understand anyone's reluctance to have a child.
Sorry to be a wee bit heavy on a Monday!
Susan S - I decided last week that Monday always gets such a bum deal, so I have decided it is now my favourite day of the week! Will keep the video tape for you, promise!
C xx
Living in another country...
After spending time living in other countries I find myslef wanting to be back here. I'm not sure that I'd want to bring up kids here (good on you all of you that are doing) but a bit like MfR I'm a bit 2 dimensional on that front and what's more I'm pretty certain that you need 2 people to make babies and there's only the one of me at the mo.
I think the trick would be (for me) to have a few homes around the globe. I'd have my base here (for up to 91 days each year) and then a place in a ski resort and then holiday apartments in Knysna, South Africa or Mallorca (these are two of my favourite beach type places) along with my marina house in Long Island, Bahamas(one of the perks of the project). This would mean I could live a tax free existence (well income wise at any rate) still have my main base here, near to my family and friends and spend the lions share of my time between here and the ski resort (so as to have 2 bases for the Bears).
As for changing the country... I can't see how I can be as effective trying to change things for the country as just changing things for myself. I'm selfish I know but I prefer to spend my time doing positive stuff for me.
Your selfish blogger
Lyndyloo
-x-x-x-
Ooohh Hazel. Hope the day gets better for you. Black clouds have gone from here and the sun is shining again.
Don't go outside and get the millet seed wet whatever you do, it grows really fast and you will really look like a Millet Tree!
Handy tip for an environmentally friendly floor covering ... sprinkle millet seed on carpet, water enough to make damp, turn up radiator to full blast, close door and leave for a few days. Bingo! lovely new green carpet.
Me again.
The rule should be - check what you have written, so it makes sense! Of course I meant to say (re: daughter) that although my love is unconditional it is not WITHOUT boundaries!!!
Lyndyloo - you are not in the least selfish. Just you enjoy your life, nothing wrong with that!
C xx
Welcome home t!
I haven't got children either. Lots of reasons, but mostly never the right other person. This boy is the only one I would really have loved to have had them with, but there you go...the clock runs out for those who wait...
I have him, my cats, my friends, my family (in no particular order I hasten to add) and I am an honorary Auntie to lots of wains...and hopefully I'll have lived a full and happy life before I become reliant on others.
Would've been nice. Din't happen.
Ah well...I can still get up in the morning!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
...and lyndyloo...don't be so silly...you aren't in the slightest bit selfish. If you are doing the best you can, and being the best person you can be, that's all anyone can do!
So we'll say no more about it if you lend me the keys to your house in the Bahamas. Deal?
love
hazel
x
ps didja like your limerick?
pps REALLY, EVERY time I move, some more millet falls out of somewhere. This can't be right.
I want to leave.
But I want to go somewhere that I won't hear arguements about Global Warming /Cooling / Ascension / Tony Blair / AwwwwwRight/
Somewhere the air smells clear, I can see the sea, no hoodies, no neds, no 87 year old neighbours who think its fun to stand at their bedroom window in the nude, nice homely shops, no mass produced muck, all the animals decide when its time to lie down and die, and thats when I'll eat them.
Somewhere that's warm in the summer, and cold in the winter (but not wet).
Somewhere I can fly a kite, swim in the sea (and not die of hypothermia).
Somewhere there isn't any religion, but an acceptance that we are all here for the same purpose.
to exist.
Evening all! How did your Monday go? I’m slightly cheesed off because I have the cold! Grrrrr! Charis and I had lunch out with Andrew …. well, I say lunch out, but it was at his work’s canteen! We had a big discussion about world poverty!
Annalog - I think I would really struggle if I was living abroad if I heard the bagpipes or saw anything Scottish. And I would miss the snow, though last time we were in Kephalonia a local assured us that it did snow in the winter on the higher ground! My grand plan was to have an Alpaca farm and coffee house! Nice to dream, huh? I’m assuming it’s your heating that was turned off!? Not good - you should have just gone home! I know what you mean about the world we live in - hubby and I often worry about that, but we trust that we will raise the lass with the necessary abilities to cope with the world she lives in. After all … we could have been born in Babylonian times … with no ‘internet! Did you give your crumbs to Hazel?
MfR - I certainly don’t think of you as self-centred for having those views! It’s a natural reaction to the world around us … but I remember growing up in sheer fear and terror that a) Russia was going to nuke us or b) the IRA was going to blow us up. And I was certainly very aware, even at a young age, of the abuses that can occur in society, whether it is adult against adult or adult against child (does that make sense?). So that kind of gives me hope for Charis, that she will find happiness, contentment and security amidst the madness of the world! Snow didn’t come to much here either! Though it hit areas around us! Not happy! I wanted to go sledging!
Jollygit - I have heard that New Zealand is a fabulous place to raise children, that they have a far more positive outlook on life. What does your brother do? I, personally, could only emigrate that far if my parents came with us! Glad you got home ok yesterday!
T - Long time and all that! Good to have you back, honey! How was Canada? Have you blogged anywhere about it?! Photos …. we need wonderful photos of foreign climes to look at! Look forward to hearing all about it, but sorry you’re so busy at work!
Hazel love (aka Millet Woman!) - Oh dear! Methinks you need your thermals with these low temperatures!
Chrissie S - You must have been a child bride! I have to agree that having a child teaches you so much about love and the sacrifice that you are willing to put in for that love! Is Mr S coming on SOAMC?
Lyndyloo - I like the sound of your plan! All you need now is a millionaire to help you do that! If you do positive stuff for yourself, that will have a ripple effect of positiveness, honey! Look at how much you cheer us up every day with your chat, humour and thoughts on the day!
DWNB - I’m still shocked about your neighbour, having read your comment an hour ago! If you find your perfect place, do let us know so we can join you! I love flying kites and swimming in the sea without the aid of a thermal suit! I just want to live somewhere where folk respect each other and are nice and pleasant to each other!
Right … hubby is itching to get on the pooter! I’d best go and make the chicken supreme … of course, that means I also have to open a bottle! Anyone want a glass?
Catch y’all later!
Huggles, Susan <><
Hazel- The limerick was truly stupendous!
Chrissie S- Thanks, I don't think I'm being selfish when I think about it... after all I've only got me to think about (apart from the bears and me mum"n"dad)
T-Welcome back
DWNB- OAP flashers! euuuoooww!
Moose- Great blog... again!
Susan- I'm going to try to get the ideal done without the aid of a millionaire and
HL- Of course you can come to my house in the Bahamas! The more the merrier!
Hello lovely people!!!
Hmmm - moving abroad - would love to. In fact,at risk of displacement last year, 3 months after marriage ended, I decided that if I was displaced, I would take my package and go to Crete. I could quite easily set up a small business there (have contacts through family). The quality of life is better, the schools are excellent, the health service is far superior, people actually care about each other and children, in relative terms, are safer.
Why didn't I go? Because my ex threatened court action to stop me.
I've had a completely mad day (again) and am now running on adrenaline, but feeling a little weary. K has just phoned, so I am a little perkier!!!(BIG sigh....)
It's tough bringing up children in a country where children have the right to behave like vicious brats, where teachers that attempt to discipline them are prosecuted, where (seemingly) the majority of parents really don't give a stuff. We've discussed stewardship before - what frightens me more than Global Warming is the thought that the vicious brats of today are the leaders of the future....
Sorry to be a doom monger, normal service will be resumed, once a hot bath and glass of wine have been procurred!
Kisses all,
S xx.
Chicken supreme went down a treat .... even my fussy brother ate it! I'm now onto my second glass of shiraz! Top-up anyone? The girly is in the bath and I can hear her splashing Daddy!
Watching Holiday, just to depress myself even more! I'm hoping that my Mum and hubby, between them, will have booked our holiday in the sun, for October, by the end of this week!
Lyndyloo - you go girl! I have a feeling you will achieve whatever you set your mind to, honey! When are you up at Islay? Pllllleeeeeeeeeeaaaaasseeee, come to Oban for a night or two! I'd love to meet up for a drink and a natter!
Where's everyone else? EG usually appears at the plop of a cork! :)
Sammie - Hi honey! I didn’t get the chance to say hi next door! Here’s your glass! What a busy time you are having of it! How is K getting on? I’ll bet you are crossing the days off on the calendar! Hubby and I love Crete - I love the sunny clime and the cheery outlook of the Greeks. All the Greeks we came across have been lovely, family-orientated folk … and this was long before we had Charis! I cannot wait to take our blonde, blue-eyed lass to one of the Greek Isles! Hubby has been a few times, me only once and we stayed at the beautiful Elounda. I’m so sorry your ex was such a b*gger about it all. Do you really think the sod would have got anywhere? After all, it’s such a short flight away. I know what you mean about the brats in our schools today. It’s one of the reasons that we are putting Charis to the Gaelic Primary School … the local primary has way too many kids with ‘behavioural’ problems and I know that her education would suffer (I know 2 of the teachers in the school and we help run clubs for the local kids). That makes me sound like a dreadful snob, doesn’t it? Enjoy your bath, honey! Catch you later!
Moose - Nice accent!
Don't bale out. I know things can be bad here - but they can be worse in other places. The green grass on the other side isn't (I'm sure) always that green - maybe it has some horrible additive to make it green. We will lose many people to other places but we will also attract some people here. Together we can heal this country. If we give up ..... then what's left for those we leave behind. I'm afriad the majority are often the silent majority - and I am one of those - but the majority needs to stand up and be counted. We can all make a difference. HOW DO WE DO THAT THOUGH? I think, that like me, you are probably a part-time doom-mongerer - and the other part you are a optimist. So ..... sort things out at tomorrow's OAMC. You fix it down- Southf (bad London accent - other accents are available) and we Scots will fix it up North - then we'll all meet in the middle for a big party.
Enjoy tomorrow all. Scottish OAMC coming-up soon! Och Aye!
Love to all.
EG
Hey Susan - did you muffle the cork? Didn't hear it. Maybe I had Corrie turned-up too loud. My glass is ready though .........
Can I mention football? My team collected some Silverware yesterday. So well done the Hibees (other football teams are available - though not all have silverware!) Wooooohooooo! Have to live it up now - it could be a long time before we get the chance again. THE CHAMPAGNE IS ON ME!!!!!
EG
EG - Here you go lass!
Back in a wee while - just finishing adding some photos to my site then going to settle the girly!
Evening!
Feeling a little better now. Son made me a cup of tea and gave me lovely hugs. Daughter cooked dinner and cleaned up. Not had bath yet - but have watched Friends for the last 2 hours (I know, but I don't have to think about it and it makes me laugh!!). Also have had Mothers day chocs, so am sweet again!
Susan S - Elounda is lovely - my parents have a house up in the hills, where no one speaks English, so we HAVE to speak Greek when we go. The kids have friends there too, so it wouldn't have been as hard for them either.
Re: my ex - I really didn't have the strength to take him on, I'm afraid! Things may change though!!!
Right - off to finish watching Friends, before K logs on to MSN for a quick chat!
EG - pleased for you and your team! It's a great feeling, isn't it?
Lindyloo/HL/Moose, et al... Shame the OAMC wasn't meeting tonight - I was in the Metropolis today and could have made it. Fear not, there will be other trips!
Have a peaceful, pleasant evening,
S xx.
Oooo .... Sammie ... I can feel a OAMC holiday in Elounda coming on!
Sammie - thanks, it is a good feeling - albeit a very strange feeling as far as my team is concerned! Wish I'd actually been at the game. Had tears in my eyes watching them getting presented with the cup.
Susan S - my, you are generous with the vino. My round in April!
Chrissie S - I'm curious about your Sunday is Sunday comment - did you pick on that day for a reason? Maybe we can discuss at SOAMC!
Got an very early start tomorrow so I'll have to sign-off now. Speak soon. Have a good tomorrow everyone.
EG
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