It Could Just Be True!

UK: The Red Menace Makes It Through Another Year! (30.5.2026)

My birthday is just two-days after that of my late father. The allegation in the above text could well be true. Fight everything, question everything, and accept nothing. It is a good start. I remember as a kid working it out for myself that the supposedly left-wing comic – Alexi Sayle – was in fact a traitor to the cause when he decided to endorse capitalist advertisement! Later, I further realised that if you do not conform somewhere, then the system you oppose will permanently exclude you. The net permitted a certain re-balancing – but just look at how the capitalists have colonised it and turned everything into mindless adverts and paywalls. Keep you powder dry and tinder in good order. It is all about timing – and getting away with it. This is a small envelop of opportunity – so use it well. Meanwhile, my deceased father is lying in state – and what an awful state of Care Home, NHS, and Social Services neglect it is. Untreated ailments, sores, injuries – and so on.

Peter Wyles - 84 Today!

UK: My Father – Peter Wyles – is 84-Years Old Today! (28.5.2026)

My Dad was born on May 28th, 1941 to his Irish mother (Gladys Kllmurrey) – in an Army Barracks in Lincolnshire. His father was training at the time for D-Day. The thinking was that if the war went on for decades – my Dad would grow up, reproduce and become a soldier – and do on. Today, despite having to exist in an uncaring system – my father has made it to “84”- despite many set-backs and hurdles. At this age – every day is precious. Still, we look forward with strength and determination. We will face the arrows and slingshots of destiny – and we will not flinch.

The Spinning Jenny - Weaving machine

Surrey: Visiting Farnham Museum! (27.5.2026)

These former workers adopted the mannerisms, culture, and dress of their social betters (the “aristocracy”) and were even able to “purchase” an education for their children. This new bourgeoisie (the “Merchants”) were even able to stand for election in Parliament. After purchasing weapons and raising armies – the bourgeoisie eventually seized control of the means of production (following the English Civil Wars). They now comprise one of the most conservative strands in UK society – and certainly maintain this air of elitism in Farnham. A local book-dealer even tried to sell me Das Kapital Vols I, II, & III (printed in the USSR in hardback) for £100 – claiming they were “rare”. In fact, a full set is usually four volumes and I often find them on the bottom shelves of old book-shops – usually attracting dust – as no one cares for their content. I do collect them and usually spend around £5 per copy. Imagine that – a bookseller in Farnham attempted to reduce Marx’s critique of capitalism to yet another vehicle of that capitalism! But that is the way capitalism works and is exactly how Farnham has attracted its wealth and conservativism. Florence Nightingale gets a mention – Gee trained as a Midwife at St Thomas Hospital (London) – which maintains a Museum recording the life of Florence Nightingale. Indeed, Gee is designated as a “Florence Nightingale Midwife”.

Dressing to Impress!

Surrey: Visiting “Jane Austen’s House”! (26.5.2026)

Indeed, Jane was only 42-years old when she died (despite never marrying or having children of her own) – but she lived through the heady days of French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, and the Battle of Waterloo. Despite the political class of Britain opposing the French Revolution (and opposing all the Socialist developments that arose from it) – many middle-class, literate British individuals found the times to be inspiring. Although I do not know for certain with regards Jane Austen – she was one of those literate British women who trailblazed in a man’s world via her written works (Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, etc) – which are still best sellers today. Many of her works are performed as plays, and have been adapted for TV and the big screen. Whatever the case, on Tuesday May 26th, we headed out up the road to a nearby place called “Chawton” – where one of the houses owned by the Austen family is located.

Local Tilford History!

Surrey: Tilford Local History – Village Hall & Medieval Bridge! (25.5.2026)

The temperature rose to 32 degrees today – and I believe this is the highest recorded temperature for May on record for the UK. It is said that when the Romans occupied Britain – 1st century BCE-5th century CE – it was much hotter in Southern England than it is today. Indeed, so hot was it that the Romans regularly cultivated grapes. Since those heady days – the temperatures have cooled in the UK – and 32 would be more usually experienced for a few days in mid-August – not late May. We waited to late afternoon to take the dogs to a nearby woods near Tilford village – so as to not overheat their paws on the overly hot ground. We stayed in the shade – but I did get photographs and footage of a village hall built in the 19th century – and an old bridge – which looks medieval to me! Cricket was being play on the Green – and I like a good game of cricket. It is complicated and very Confucian in nature!

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