Lets stop abuse

It's been a while but Guestling is back on the page and as usual being his grumpy self.
It is closing in on that Xmas time, those of you who may have followed my musing in the past will know my well voiced opinions regarding the festive time of year and my ambivalence towards it, so I will not dwell on it here. No my subject today is women and more especially men's abuse of them.
Its been a tumultuous few years with many a celebrity biting the dust over their wretched past behavior and rightly so. There is utterly no excuse that could ever justify the abuse of any person be they male or female, it is simply unacceptable and therefore condemned in the strongest terms with the appropriate punishment being handed out.
What has prompted my rant today is a fairly innocuous small headline in the news section of my IPAD (how pretentious!). The person reported on is irrelevant, let us just say that she has recently taken part in a very popular dance show and leave it at that. She was reported as posing for pictures "showing off her cleavage" in lacy bras! No let me first say that if that is what she wants to do in order to keep her profile in the public conscientious, she is perfectly entitled to do so. After all there are many millions of images that are daily available that are far far more explicit than these rather tame and innocent photos. Women posing for the camera is nothing new, as is men objectifying them. Now old Guesty is the last person in the world to condemn the admiration of the female form and I enjoy a picture of an attractive woman as much as the next man and you'd rightly call me a hypocrite if I did! Back to my point (yes there is one!) These photos prompted a discussion between the fabulous Lady Thorn and myself , we both espoused the view that while women are prepared to (even innocently) present themselves to the public in these poses how will the prevailing attitude of men ever really change. I will hear people say women should be able to do whatever they wish without prejudice and of course I agree, however if the we are to educate men then everyone must play their part.
I am not innocent enough to believe that abuse of a sexual or any other nature will ever be eradicated, it won't be. Men it seems have a predilection for acts of this nature and it appears that even when they understand it is wrong they still go ahead. We are all responsible and must play our part in stopping any form of abuse.
Well there you have it the final rant of 2017 from me.
May I wish you all a fine Xmas and pleasant 2018.
And may I end with a happy photo of a great friend of ours with his first grandchild Olga

A problem shared

There are Agony Aunts but it seems no Agony Uncles, well if there are I've not come across them? Now, whilst many might disagree, I feel uniquely positioned to fulfill this role. I have wisdom, humour and an abundance of experience gained over many years of observing the human condition. Clearly I am older and therefore the issues of the young might be a little alien to me but I too was young and time has not altered, so much that the problems have fundamentally changed, just the context within which they are raised. Being an ex diplomat one has had to deal with a myriad of diverse  interactions with a variety of people and all the associated difficulties that go with them. One is asked to solve everything from a full blown international incident to making sure that a particular person has a tiny but specific thing set right. Believe me some requests are just as ridiculous as any diva that you might have read about, with their demands for what any reasonable person would deem outrageous. Yet these "necessities"  have to be met, lest the outcome one is trying to achieve may not come to pass. 

So with the skills learned in these encounters, I am armed with the requisite knowledge to advise and empathize with those whom it seems, find no other outlet, except to write to an individual, who they do not know and hope are able to help in a professional manner. I am sure for many, the need to pen a note of this kind, the very act of putting pen to paper or keyboard to email, is in itself therapeutic and generally the answer to their dilemma is already self-evident. These are persons who do not wish to hurt or upset someone close  and are trying to avoid the very same. Reassurance and kindness is they balm they require, although every now and then a firm reply must be returned.

So my ears and eyes are open if anyone wishes to lean on my metaphorical shoulder and I promise I will try to help.

Email: paul.primhak@ntlworld.com 

Been a while

Old Guesty has been a bit quiet lately but I am back with a few things to pass my observations about.

Where to start, well Brexit (oh how I dislike that word) is going well! The EU are cooperating and negotiations seem to speeding along at a breakneck pace? I cannot understand the apprehension that we all felt after the referendum, its all turning out nicely with hardly a hint of economic down turn in the UK. Mrs May and her cabinet, especially Boris are in complete harmony and big smiles all around as they steer Britain towards its golden future and unbound prosperity! The government and all of its internal machinations are a well oiled machine and we should unite and applaud their steadfast and prudent handling, of what this island of ours requires. The doomsayers were obviously wrong and we can all sit back and rest easy now that things are going so smoothly!

So that's Brexit sorted (oh how I loath that word)

Naturally Mr Corbyn is rubbing his hands with glee, as he waits in the wings like a wily spider expecting to take power at any time. After all his party keep espousing, that Labour actually won the election. Well I hate to pour cold water on their optimism but you have to win a general election. They did not!

Now some of you may have followed my totally justified persecution of Mr Trump, a man so in touch with the modern world and all it's sensitivities and complexities, that's is difficult to believe that he never threw his hat in the Presidential ring years ago! His grasp of diplomacy, his reluctance to speak his mind, his reticence to insult anybody, his understanding of the current problems with race and prejudice and above all, his towering ability as a statesman who has his finger on all the subtleties of relations with other countries and their leaders, it is staggering how we did not realise the magnitude of his talents. If only he could bring himself to use social media to voice his thoughts and opinions! It is obvious to me now, how wrong I have been and that his term is going to be one of the greatest Presidential reigns in history! I feel a fool for ever doubting the Trumpster. The loyalty that all his appointments and the Republican party have shown, only goes to prove the high esteem in which he is held. There hasn't been a whiff of scandal, corruption, misguided policies or knee jerk reaction to any events, whilst he has been in office, he has even had greater success with his hair, which has stood up to the pressure, add to that,  his serene facial expressions, he really is a model of calm and moderation, a man fully in control of his destiny!

Well that's all from for now, I know there are many other subjects that I could comment on but one does not want to over stay ones welcome. 

Look flowers!

Cycling a brief view

I may have written before about this subject but for those of you who have not read my musings, I am a keen bike rider, the pedal variety (really it's the only type of bike there is!).
I have just finished reading a book written by a fellow rider such as myself, though far more adventurous, younger, fitter  and with a much greater ambition than would apply to me. Yet we share  a common interest and although I would not describe myself as obsessed as this author, I do share his love of all things cycling.
You maybe familiar with the term MAMIL, it stands for Middle Aged Man in Lycra. When I started cycling on a proper road bike (I learnt to ride when I was 5 years old), I would have been a teenager and the clothing available in those days were very primitive indeed compared to today's modern materials and fabrics. Consequently Lycra stretched over men, just starting to tip over into that stage we refer to as "middle" age, slightly overweight, either first time riders or those who have returned to cycling after a lengthy gap, since their now rapidly receding youth, strike an amusing image covered in a fabric that tightly fits and shows every lump and bump. I have experienced this reawakening, the desire to try to relive former glories and whilst I kid myself, that I never really stopped cycling, I know that there were long gaps, when I never went near a bike, even if I have always had one sitting in the garage. 
In recent years (quite a lot of recent years now) the popularity of the bicycle has risen to unprecedented levels and is a huge multi-million industry. At it's pinnacle are those slight, unbelievably fit professional (and I am only writing about road bikes) team riders many of whose names are now as famous as any sports person and have entered our consciousness even for those who do not have much interest in the sport. These are men and women who look very good in Lycra. The Tour de France is now possibly the biggest sporting event, in the world each year and garners huge interest from the media. Like all sports there is drama, scandal, controversy, heroes, villains, danger, breath taking athleticism and as always in sport the ever present spectre of  drug enhanced performance, thankfully less so in cycling today than has been in recent history! The sport filters down through lower professional's, amateur and club riders and to cyclists like me, who ride for pleasure and fitness. The clubs are the backbone of the sport and although I have over the years ridden with a number, I no longer feel the need to "belong" , I am happy to ride with a group but I am happy to cruise along on my own or as I often do with a very good friend. In the book I mentioned earlier (Life of Mamils:My life as a middle aged man in Lycra by Martin Gatenby) , Mr Gatenby eulogizes about riding the roads of West Yorkshire and how one get to view scenery in a way one never does in car or unless one was walking and I must agree there is something tranquil and therapeutic about riding on country roads, it is a very relaxing way of shedding the travails of every day modern life, not with standing it also has the benefit of keeping you fit . He aspires to riding in all weathers, I on the other hand avoid winter riding and am more of a "fair" weather cyclist. As I have got older even the crisp clear winter days hold no charm for me on a bike, I don't want to be cold. 
I have never been a quick rider, I can keep a pace for a reasonable time but am a poor climber and these days am often passed like I am standing still by many other cyclists,out for their ride ( I have had occasion for riders on big steel framed bikes, to pass me easily and there is nothing "MAMIL" like about the way they are clothed). I used to care as they disappeared into the distance in no time at all but I no longer have any such thoughts and am happy to ride at my pace, its my journey and I will enjoy it in my own time.It is one of the reasons why I no longer often ride with others, as there can often be an element of competitive spirit, which is fine, in spite of all the good intentions at the start of not leaving anyone behind etc: but I have in later years always found myself lagging behind, off the "pace" and as I spend most of the ride on my own I might as well ride like that all the time!

A true enthusiast is always looking for the latest equipment and gear, it has become easy with the ever present internet. In the initial phases of awakening to the joys of cycling, the new enthusiast will purchase all the kit and it is noticeable that as the popularity has grown so have the prices. I have purchased a fair amount of kit over the years and a good tip is peruse the sites that are selling end of line or last years stock, I recommend Sports Pursuits www.sportpursuit.com and Private Shops www.privatesportshop.co.uk, you can pick up good quality kit at large discounts.
Bikes choices are now plentiful and a bewildering selection is available from the entry level, up to the very expensive bikes like the "pros" ride, which can be the price of a new family car! Buy what you can afford, my only advice being to get a bike that is the right size for you, it can be very uncomfortable and not to say tiring to ride a bike that is not the right fit. If that famous brand of sexy Italian steed is what you desire and your prepared to splash out on one, then good for you but make sure it is the correct size! Most people new to cycling will generally purchase a relatively inexpensive first bike but if the bug bites it will not be long before you hankering over a new carbon frame lightweight machine and your first bike will become your winter ride complete with mudguards. You will understand what I mean if you already are a road bike enthusiast or you very soon will if your a new rider and your hooked!
I could go on about this subject for a long time, I have not even touched upon all the events, charity rides and sportive's etc that the average cyclist can take part in all the way to riding actual stages of the big Tours and other races the pro's ride.
I will finish on a couple of things one is safety. Motorist are generally well behaved towards cyclist, certainly where I live, since the rise of cycling they are more educated as to how to behave towards us but beware not all are so well disposed and one needs to be vigilant, especially when riding in traffic or on main roads. Be confident and make it crystal clear what your intentions are, remember you have every right to be there. The worst behaved are in my experience, are "white van man" , forever in a rush  and prone to cutting corners and driving too fast, they can be very dangerous. 
The second thing is "gravity" use it! We climb enough hills so use gravity to freewheel down them. If you really want fly down hill pedaling furiously, fine, your choice but even the pro's freewheel downhill!
And finally, whatever cyclist you become, enjoy yourself!

My ride 

The Trump Tosser

Well old Guesty is back and whats more, I am in feisty mode! 

Mr Donald Trump or the Trump Tosser, as I like to kindly refer to him, how long are the citizens of the USA going to tolerate his abuse of the Presidency? He only has to open his mouth or let his fingers type and he spews out so much bile and nonsense, that one wonders whether his brain is A: Functioning or B: Connected to any form of reality?

I think the whole world knew that his election would be a disaster but he has actually surpassed all expectations and not only is it a disaster but he has made America a laughing stock! There have been many Presidents who were unfit for office, some who could string a coherent sentence together (Bush) but none have behaved in the contradictory and scatter brained manner that this moron has. There is no longer, even a more radical Republican who feel they can support him and his staff merry go round is astonishing! 

He may condemn the media and "fake news" but there is nothing fake about the constant rubbish he spouts, which that very media are bound to report.  

Now thus far one might infer that my diatribe has a slightly humorous edge to it and perhaps it does but it is no joke, Trump is the President and an unstable personality and that makes him a danger. There is more than enough trouble happening in the world without this nutter making it worse, as he surely has and will continue to do. The damage he causes, even if inadvertently, will be catastrophic for all of us.

And on a specific point regarding the recent events in Charlottesville. Irrespective of the Presidents personal and private thoughts, it is his moral duty to condemn in the strongest terms any form of bigotry, racism or any views that support a political ideology that is abhorrent to most right thinking people and that is the first thing that should come out of his mouth. Need I say more.

HE HAS TO GO

Earth

It's a strange planet we inhabit and it seems we humans are the biggest pest on it. The perfect example of where, being the supposed most intelligent beings is no guarantee of doing what is best. I am not a environmentalist, I care what we do but only in the average everyday way that most people do. Recycle, try not to litter, be considerate, as to how we interact with nature and generally try to take care. Destroying vast tracts of the Earth and being environmentally friendly is not just a modern phenomenon, it has been going on since humans started cultivating the land.
At the end of the 19th century and through to the present, industrialisation and the pumping for oil has vastly accelerated the damage. Modern machinery make it easy and quick to clear land, whether for profit or for building or  farming, or for all three and many other reasons.
Our technological advances are impressive and much of it improves our lives but like all advances It is a double edged sword, bringing good but also so much destruction and death!
It's a massive subject and one in which I do not have enough knowledge to fully explore but this I know if you don't look after where you live you will inevitably regret it!

Human Condition

A friend asked me if I was still writing my blog, well as you can read I am.
Those few who scan my page are used to my rants and grumbles about, well anything! Today is an exception for although as always, I have much to rant about, I have chosen to be calm. There is a huge amount of turmoil happening around the globe, uncertainty, nervous economics, inevitable war and human tragedy of every variety. Whilst this is all very disturbing and uncomfortable, one has to ask if it really impinges on our everyday existence in the UK ? Naturally there are people who are directly or indirectly affected by world events but the vast majority of the country are largely immune. We sit at the breakfast table and tut at the news, some of which will actually get us excited or exasperated at the pure injustice of it all. Does it have an effect on us as individuals or as a family, I would advocate that the answer is no. We leave to carry out our daily lives, without giving most of it a second thought or maybe a bewildered shake of the head as to the pointless nature of much of  what we have read or heard! There always be stories and reports that will enter our collective conscious, much of which will not be forgotten and will live on for many years, we all remember the more momentous events. 
We have our own problems, however big or small they maybe. We have our excitements, highs and lows, this is the human condition. We have myriad moods, laugh, cry, sad, happy, serious, angry, complaining ( oh are we in the UK world class at that!) and all the shades in between! 
With advent of social media we have all become microscopic celebrities, who spout to the ether about anything and everything (no exception here!) Much of intellectual discussion and debate has been replaced by snap comments and limited characters suffixed by  #!
Comment threads go interminably on and on and are almost inevitably taken out of context bereft as they are of real human emotion or nuance.
Well I almost got through this essay without moaning too much but the complaining thread pulled at me and I was powerless to resist, such is my world!

Mr Towel Head Super Hero!

Facebook

I have been on Facebook for some years, nothing special about that, I am one of millions. Social media is no longer fresh, it is mature and an everyday thing. It has made Mark Zuckerberg a very, very wealthy man and wouldn't we all liked to have prospered from an idea like that? A small idea to keep people in touch mushroomed into the biggest network of "friends" on the globe. Now I must declare that some of the utter nonsense and trivia posted is .........well that, nonsense, trivial, pathetic but I understand that it is part of its purpose. It has proved useful over the years for communicating when other mediums are unavailable. Information is shared, some information is too personnel and frankly I do want to see it but of course one skims much of what is posted.
When Facebook was young there seemed to be a predilection for collecting as many "friends" as possible, maturity of the medium has made most grow out this stupidity. It can be used for nefarious purposes and vulnerable people can be drawn into contact, that is at best highly suspicious and at worse deeply perverted.
In the last few years many adverts have appeared and algorithms analysis and target you with those that it believes will appeal! Revenue, it is all about revenue. Do you know any business, now that does not want you "to like us on Facebook" , it has become ubiquitous.
It will be interesting to watch how development continues as it surly will. It will become more interactive and who knows perhaps virtual reality will become the norm?
So love it or not, Facebook is here to stay and it's millions of users will continue to post.

Ministers

Being the old retired diplomat, I have met my fair share of Government Ministers over the years, from  different governments, in different countries. Many are well meaning, caring people who simply want to do the best they can. Too many are self-serving, egotistical, ambitious men ( and it is usually men) whose power is often abused and have little idea of real people or what they want.
Now I do not impugn their intelligence or education, indeed it is usually what has propelled them up the political ladder, plus ambition, luck and healthy dose of who you support! I am however constantly shocked at the lack of empathy, separation from the real issues of their constituents and a unrealistic belief that they are right!
Now take the current UK cabinet, please! Is there a single one whom you feel you could trust? May, Gove, Davies, Johnson, can you really believe a word they say? They are so full of double talk and confusion, it is almost impossible to believe any statements made. I would rather they were demonstrably single minded and and intransigent in their pronouncements, at least you would know where they stood. You might say we complain that ministers are too  inflexible and don't listen to the public and when they do they get castigated, well okay but this lot flip flop like a freshly caught halibut! How can you ever believe any one of them. Regrettably over and above that, they often appear as stupid buffoons, so removed from reality that you wonder if life has ever impinged itself on them!
The headlong determination to follow the Brexit policy, is surely the greatest example of a regime who are unable to recognise all the evidence that has emerged, as to what a monumental mistake it will be!
We get the ministers we deserve but surly even the British public who sadly voted for May, don't deserve this lot!

Travel

The good lady and I have finally returned to Thorn towers. The break was, as always, was very enjoyable. Our good friends Kostos and Thalia became first time grandparents, congratulations to Marina and Claudio and welcome to the human race, baby Olga. 

We had a heat wave and at times the temperature was in the 40's centigrade! We eat, drank and spent time with all the people we love.

So on Wednesday we took our taxi to the airport to arrive at the appointed two hours before for check in, flight time 11.30pm. Plane lands and we are called to board, so far so good, we wait on the steps, not unusual at Heraklion, eventually we board the bus. Now we expect a little waiting time, this is Greece! Waiting became delay and suspicions started to grow that all was not right? Eventually we were called back into the terminal and so began hours of waiting and travelling! A member of the crew had become ill and the flight had to be cancelled. We found out later that the second officer had eaten sushi in a hot cabin and ended up with food poisoning! He had been warned by his crew but ignored them. 

Imagine a the full passenger load of an airbus in a small terminal, babies, children, disabled all pissed off, waiting to find out what will happen and where they will spend the night? Gone midnight, hot and stuffy, they crowd round staff who are being feed information slowly. Rumour and false information abound, this will happen, that will happen. As always, opinions range from the truly ridiculous to the vaguely logical but there was an abundance of humour as well. In these situations it is best to remain calm and resist the temptation to get excited. At 3pm we left the airport and were shuffled onto buses and taken to several hotels. Room was okay but little sleep as the tension of the night and the now very late hour was not conjuicive to much sleep! Breakfast in an all inclusive hotel,   I can only describe as unbelievable and food of a standard I would throw out! Ungrateful, perhaps, snobby, certainly but really people pay for that? 

To cut a long story short we eventually landed at Gatwick at 6pm UK time and then had the misery of the M25, arriving home at 9.30pm, 28 hours after we first started the journey.!

Now the observant will have noticed that I have not mentioned the airline in question, EasyJet take a bow, your communication was poor your apology perfunctory, free drink and small confectionary not enough! Well done airport staff who organised buses and accommodation in two hours, no mean feat at that time of night.

We are home at last! 

Heat

Old Guesty has travelled the globe and been in some hot places. Dry heat, humidity, heat that will take your breath, heat that burns and heat that even shade does not protect you from! Here in Ayios Nikalaus it as hot as anywhere I've been, not a cloud in the sky, clear blue, unrelenting sunshine! Don't misunderstand me, I like it and it does my old bones to be so warm. Never the less one has to take refuge and Air Conditioning is a friend. They say "mad dogs and Englishman, go out in the midday sun" but this Englishman keeps well to the shadows at noon. Wherever one travels locals always have an opinion on the weather, it is a favourite subject and people never tire of talking about it! Naturally it is expected , we are exposed to the vagaries of it daily. It is a testament to the human condition that we are so adaptable to whatever climate we find ourselves in.

Talking canine

One does not often hear a good funny joke often these days. Jokes seem to have gone out of fashion. This is one that was told to me by an American guy in a restaurant the other evening and it tickled the old funny bone!
A guy is walking down the street in a American town when he notices pinned to the fence of a house a note that says " meet the talking dog 20 bucks" His curiosity gets the better of him and he knocks on the door. A guy answers it and he asks if he really has a talking dog, the guy says sure come on in.
He asks for the twenty dollars but the man says he will give it to him after he has seen the dog. The guy says sure whatever! He goes into the front room and lying on the floor is a mangy dog of questionable parentage who opens one lazy eye and looks at him. Can you really talk? Sure the dog replies. The man is stunned, it really is a talking dog. Tell me a bit about yourself he asks. The dog sits up yawns and says. Well I was born in France and my first language was French. When I grew up because of my intelligence I became a spy and worked for the espionage services. Then I moved to UK, where I learnt English and became the companion of a very famous Countess and we were photographed in all the papers at many events. She died so I decided to travel to the USA and I met this guy and have stayed with him ever since!
As he left he gave the guy the money and shaking his head in disbelief said that dog is amazing. The guy smiled and looking straight at him replied. That dog is a liar!

The annual holiday

Well here we are, the good lady and I, in our spiritual home, in the quiet heat of Crete. It is as the locals will say, poli zesty (very hot) but that is one of the main attractions! As I write, we are relaxing on sun beds in a new spot we have discovered. Umbrellas , sun beds, sea and very importantly a bar! One needs to break, with ones normal routine and after a beginning of a year that had sadness and strain, it is a refreshing change. Having been coming to this island for some long years, we have many friends with whom we catch up and give and get all the news and reports on our lives! Births ,deaths, aches, pains, children, marriages, divorces and the minutiae of every day life. It is my experience, that people are much the same wherever you go, trying to live their lives the best way they can, doing their best to care for families and working to ensure they earn enough. It is why I get so disappointed, that we so often accentuate our differences and not our our similarities. I am deliberately going to avoid any reference to politics in this piece, damn I just did!

I don't want to come over all lovey dovey but generally people are mostly pleasant, it always saddens me that there is a significant minority who seem unable , unwilling or incapable of realising that continually causing hurt will never be an answer! It is a theme I have touched upon many times and will no doubt come back to. There are enough problems on this planet without the extra burden of fanatics who want to destroy! 

Well old Guesty went off on one again but you can never express those sentiments too often. 

I must admit that this old boy is suffering from a few ailments at present that have slowed me down (literally) and Lady Thorn is rightly going to sort me out we we return. As one ages, it is encumbent, upon us to remain fit and I have been lacking in this, in recent times, this has to change!

We are here for a little while yet, so there may further reports, ahah warm sun, bye for now!

Someone bite the bullet!

Well this old diplomat is going to say it, for it appears nobody else seems want to. The whole thing is a fucking shambles! How can we tolerate any of these fuckwits and particularly the chief fuckwit, Theresa! For fuck sakes just fuck off. A leader nobody likes, surround by an fucking bunch of fucking tossers who don't have the balls to say publicly, fuck off! What a fucking joke! We are going to let these fucking knobs negotiate an exit from Europe are we fucking mad? Even those fucking knobheads who voted for leaving must be regretting it now, if this fucking lot are in charge!
We need to reverse the decision and get shot of the fuckers. Is there anyone around who has the good sense to understand the fucking mess the UK has self inflicted on it fucking self.

Fucking democracy! Still I suppose you the get the fucking knobheads you deserve!!!

It's lov

Dear Mrs May
I love you.
Who knew that the election would see you emerge like a fully fledged butterfly into the light. Your charm, wit, empathy and charisma, shone like a beacon as you fought the good fight. That you did not convince Britain to increase your majority is only proof of their shorted sighted view of what you are trying to achieve you sexy minx! How they resisted your warmth is frankly a mystery? Obviously your stunning ability to get your message out, fell on deaf ears. This man became completely entranced under your spell, how could anyone resist you? Your like a cuddly teddy bear that we should cherish and keep as our leader until your either to infirm or mentally incapable to continue, may that never happen!
Not only should you be our PM and savior but even though we are leaving Europe, with the high regard that Europe holds you in, I am shocked that they have not recognise your true worth and actually ask you to lead them too!
So don't fret Theresa, you are loved, not everyone thinks you are an uncaring, tragic, clueless, pathetic, uncharismatic, weak, nasty, bullying, charmless, insignificant, witless, uncaring, monster of a PM and don't you take any notice of those critics who do! You ignore them and continue to do the sterling job you have been. We are all behind you!
With humble gratitude and deep love
Sir Guestling

The country decides

And off we go to, the polls in the UK, once again. Vote for a party, vote for an individual, vote for a leader but vote! Staunch Labour, committed Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, UKIP (spit when you speak their name) or Scottish or Welsh party, we choose whether we believe they have a chance or not. Many of us live in constituencies, where any kind of change from the incumbent party is unlikely but we still vote for the opposition, in the forlorn hope that just maybe it can. Will May still be the PM, well this old diplomat hopes not but who ever wins they have a tough job, not least because the British public have painted us into a corner, with the referendum vote on European Union membership. No matter how much you supported the exit, if you did, you would not wish that negotiation on anyone, least of all an elected politician! 
Perhaps we should ask ourselves what motivates some one to take up public service, albeit it paid public service. Billy Connolly once said, though he was only half joking, that the very desire to be a politician should prevent you from ever becoming one! We know that there is a small proportion of MP's who are on an ego trip and use the office as a stepping stone to either greater rewards or high ministerial positions or both! I am sure though, the vast majority have genuine reasons and really try to engender change to improve the lives of their constituents. It is unenviable task, complex, complicated, involved, full of bureaucracy, lack of funds, alliances, double dealing, human fragility and well, politics! I for one could not, nor would I wish to do it. They are on a hiding to nothing, damned if they do, damned if they don't. Every slip of the tongue or unguarded comment, is leapt upon by a hungry media and magnified and analysed beyond any reasonable, normal, level. Of course history provides the public with many instances of corruption, poor decisions, promises broken, u turns and all sorts of other stupidity and lies, that make us distrust our elected representatives. Do we forget, that like all us they are only human with frailties, faults, insecurities and emotions?
Now this piece is not meant as a support of MP's or a plea to treat them with a more sympathetic attitude, they should be held to the highest standards and very much to account. If they falter and fail to deliver then the ballot box will be used to replace them. 
I merely point out how difficult it must be. They are their own worse enemy (stoked by a rapacious media with unceasing hunger to fill their columns and airtime!) but be thankful that we live in a Democracy where we can vote for our politicians, I for one am!

What , why and for how long

I am a man in crisis, why you ask, because I am trying to be objective and sensible and yet it is impossible when all this craziness is happening! Of course my crisis, pales into insignificance, in relation to the tragedy that has befallen innocent people because of a few fanatics who have indiscriminately attacked them. 
I have written many times, expressing my despair at the inhumanity of these crimes, I fail to understand the motivation of an ideology, that promotes such barbaric attacks. I am a peaceful man at heart and I desperately try to respond in a sensible manner. I do not wish to escalate the violence by saying we should respond in kind. I know there are many who espouse the view to kill these terrorist on sight and it is difficult to argue with that view, given the devastation that they cause. It must be impossible for the security services to stop, all of these acts before they happen, given the random nature of the attacks. 
So I just don't know how to respond any longer, the same tired old words and phrases that condemn, seem inadequate and trite! No sensible, caring, person can do anything but express their sadness and despondency.
I have no solution, I'm not clever enough or sufficiently informed to provide one but this I am sure of, if history has taught us anything, these acts will pass, the world will find it's equilibrium and this heinous cruelty, will eventually be defeated. Those who hate and act upon that hatred cannot prosper and can be stopped.
I am not a man who follows any faith, I do not believe in any God but I am convinced that all right minded civilised people will overcome.

Dad

So on Wednesday my dear old Dad finally shuffled off this mortal coil. He was 89 and unfortunately only a flickering shadow of the man he had once been. The end of his life came as a relief, he was suffering and death in the end was a kindness.
He was not special, just an ordinary man who worked hard to provide and bring up a family, he taught myself and siblings fairness, tolerance and to treat everyone equally. His attitude and reference to people could be non-PC but that is the generation he came from, he was never deliberately mean  or nasty. Once we became adults he did not interfere with our lives but if asked would give his opinion. He trusted that we would be responsible and I hope we never let him down. 
He will be buried next to his beloved wife who tragically for him,died far too young at 60. He spent 31 years on his own,when he had every expectation,to spend his latter years with the woman he adored. 
He had become a little stubborn (perhaps he always was!) and as he would readily admit,cantankerous as he got older but the same could be said of me!
So I am now the eldest member of our family alive, a sobering thought.
So farewell and adieu Father may you rest in peace, we will celebrate your memory and raise a glass or two!

The Torys

I am trying desperately to avoid writing reams of comment on the upcoming General Election but when the conservatives publish a manifesto that is so blatantly provocative. I am afraid I cannot keep silent. 
I fully understand that more people are living longer and that should care be required it has a high cost. As these pages have revealed my own father is now in long term care as he is unable to take care of himself. The anxiety it has caused my sister and myself has been awful and fighting to get the Social Services to make sure he is taken care of, difficult and time consuming. This is not because they don't care or the social workers involved are not invested in the solution, they are under huge pressure and the bureaucracy is unwieldy.
Fundamentally I have no objection to funding care, or how it is done (though I am not in favour of the Conservatives solution) what concerns me is the layers of management and approval that it is needed before one can obtain the care for loved ones.
The new proposals hinge on the value of our properties. We live in a country that encourages us to purchase our own property, not so easy for the upcoming generations, so why is it always our properties value,targeted to fund what ever out taxes and National Insurance seems unable to sustain? We have to earn money in order to live in a western democracy, that is the way they function. We pay tax and NI,as well as VAT on goods, that's how the system functions! 
I am of an age where these problems are affecting us because of elderly parents and in the not so distant future, will affect myself and my wife. So naturally I am very invested in these proposals.
I know little sympathy will given, especially from those younger than ourselves but I am not persuaded that my generation has no right to protest that our rights and expectations are being eroded. I would never vote Conservative but I urge you not to either. Mrs May's "strong and stable" message "in the National interest" frightens this voter, she is dangerous and so is her parties manifesto. DO NOT GIVE HER and HER PARTY POWER, SHE and HER CABINET will RUIN the UK for DECADES to COME!!!!!!

Distance is not everything!

Well old Guesty has a sporting theme today and that theme is Golf. I occasionally indulge a round of the club and dimpled ball. In my lifetime the equipment and ball technology, has, as with everything else, developed at a rapid rate. When I started playing golf, "woods" were wooden clubs and irons, by and large were of one type and that was that. Now there is a plethora of different choices in every facet of equipment, clubs, clothing, shoes etc: I will not bore you with all the variations available, if you are a golfer you will know and if you are not, you are simply not interested.
I read recently that the governing bodies of the game are contemplating capping the technology of the humble golf ball, as its flight encourages long hitting from the modern professional and has necessitated and increase in the length of courses, in order to accommodate these prodigious hitters. This has come with a heavy cost, as the clubs have had to invest in the re-design of their layout and some clubs are no longer capable of hosting a professional tournament because their courses are too short! It is a fix that has the good of the game at its core but in my opinion, that ship has now sailed and to mix my metaphors, one cannot put the genie back in the bottle! Combined with modern clubs and the generally greater athleticism of the modern player, I believe that, even if the composition of the ball, is altered, the players will still propel the missile almost as far, if not just as far.
The only solution in restricting long driving is to limit all equipment and that is not going to happen, unless the equipment manufacturers see it as a massive marketing opportunity, which is unlikely given the huge sums of money invested in research and production of today's clubs. Development in all sport has been going on since sport first started and will never stop, it is one of the fundamental attractions of sport. It does not matter how much technology improves equipment, the skill in wielding that equipment is never going to be diminished and only those with the greatest skill and talent wills rise to the top of the sport.

Retail

Today I have decided to revert to my alto ego of Mr Grump. Guesty is a fickle character and opinions are always there to be changed! I have espoused many different ones on these pages, read by few but then that is not the point, it keeps me amused and one should always express ones thoughts. So what you ask (did you?) is the focus of my ire today?
Politics, media, the state of Europe, sport, fashion, no I think I have stated my views on those subjects often enough and have no intention of doing so this time.
So today it is going to be retail, yes shopping, the all embracing drug of the masses. We love buying things and the commercial retail world is only too ready to accommodate us in every way they can. Every day is a sale, it is relentless. Deals a plenty, bargains, mega this, super that, Xmas, January sales, Easter, this Bank holiday, any Bank holiday and of course the recent ugly rise of "Black Friday" and it's associated run up and run down! 
Now lets get one thing clear right from the off, it is only done to make money, profit. Well that's blindingly obvious, I hear you say and of course you are correct but it seems sometimes we forget that this is the only aim. A product maybe the best in the world and recognised as such but it sole purpose is to make money for the manufacturer and supplier. I do not begrudge any company from making a fair profit, they have costs and overheads and it would be unrealistic and naive to think they do it for altruistic reasons.
Retailers and particularly the larger ones use then products they sell as the foundation for adding accessories and other add on's, this is where they make their "real" profit. 
I have some experience of retail and am constantly amazed by the non stop need by the public to continue to spend money! I do not claim to be immune to this phenomenon and join the spending spree every so often and it is a spending spree, one of gigantic proportion's which leads one to ask, can the whole edifice come crumbling down or continue to be sustained? 
Some purchases are necessary because a replacement is required or goods are being purchased for the first time and how often does a new purchase lead on to the necessity of further buying in order to get it all to work together?
This year it seems profits are down and the retail park is not as busy as it has been, I suspect this is to do with a bumper end to 2016 and the current uncertainty with the general state of the world and in Britain's case Europe and of course impending elections increase that nervousness.
To my narrow minded sight it seems that the all embracing clutches of shopping has in itself become a kind of religion but instead of attending a church, mosque etc: we worship at the hallowed alter of the shop and store!

Here we go again!

Well some say it came as an unexpected surprise, some say it was inevitable but what ever is said, May has called it for June.
She wants a mandate to continue her headlong rush into the madness of Brexit. Well I suppose we should not complain to much, after all, since the debacle of the referendum and Cameron stepping down, she was elected leader and Prime Minister by her party but not the country. It is not unusual for an incumbent Prime minister to step down and another take their place but the British like to know that the replacement is their choice, as well.
Lots of speculation, can Labour resurrect its fortunes, will the Lib Dems make a comeback, can other smaller parties make an indent , how will the SNP and other independence parties fair this time? Our reliance on the polls is no longer the barometer that it used to be. The personalities are no longer the strong characters that for so many years commanded the political stage. 
Reports suggest that for the older citizen the announcement has provoked a somewhat underwhelming reaction, as the prospect of having to vote once again appears to be unwelcome! I was heartened to read that the younger generation has registered to vote in record numbers, this pleases, as it is their future that is most affected and therefore they should take the opportunity to affect the outcome. My generations choices are important but we are towards the end of our lives and in general better positioned to withstand the vagaries of an uncertain world. 
The public will be influenced, as always, in this modern era by the non stop media and no matter how much they protest their unbiased view, there is always an agenda or angle that their reporting is based on!  Some papers, of course, make no secret of who they support.
Party lines will be drawn, people will vote as always for the party they have always supported or against the one which they dislike, irrespective of the reason. I have spoken with people of different ages and there are many out who feel disenfranchised and have little or no idea as to who to vote for? I myself feel a little that way but I cannot in all conscious vote for any party who espouse the view that we leave  the European Union, as those of you who have read my prose will understand. So my vote will go to a party that makes it a policy to reverse the referendum result.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the world at present, perhaps no more than usual but uncertainty never the less, "ordinary" people have no real idea of the motivations and posturing of the various countries who at present are making the world so nervous. Those issues will not be solved or addressed properly until the aggression that goes with them is wound down and talking sensibly prevails. It is my opinion that Britain has for far to long followed the USA's lead  to often and got embroiled in situations that would have been best avoided. I am not suggesting that we become a country who does not involve itself in world affairs but perhaps it is time that we understood that we cannot be the policeman of it.

Forgiven

It seems forgiveness is still alive and well and resides in the heart of my friends.
To ere is human to forgive divine!
I am grateful

Energy

One has to keep the costs at bay when one lives at Guestling Towers and in an effort to do so, I today tried to get grips with my energy bill. I listen to so called experts on consumer programs, often telling us to compare our deals and find out what we can save. 
So onto the internet I go and into the search engine I type comparison site. Well I do not need to tell you what came up, I am sure you have been there, all the usual suspects. In with the info and hey presto back came a list of all those energy suppliers who can sell me gas and electric cheaper than my current supplier. Ever the cynic I am deeply suspicious of these savings, not so much because I do not believe the quotes but because I fail to understand why my existing supplier is charging me more? 
I called my current supplier and once the universal translator was turned on, I eventually was informed that the tariff I am on is the best they can offer. 
As you will know through these pages, I have traveled all over the world and having been a diplomat, am used to the our native language being mangled by people from other nationalities. Naturally one makes allowances, as it is not their native tongue and generally speaking  (no pun intended) I have been unable to speak theirs. If however you are going to run a call centre, from overseas, dedicated exclusively for the UK, might I suggest that the clarity of speaking English becomes rather important! I try to be patient and listen very carefully but it should not be such a trial to interact with these operatives!
Anyway, the upshot of all of this effort (and it was an effort), is that I will be changing my supplier, for savings can be made and savings for me, mean my meager funds will stretch further, one must be ever prudent, hey ho!

A few of those things one needs to say!

I sat and watched Rio Ferdinand's being mum and dad
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08kzclp/rio-ferdinand-being-mum-and-dad
I had little knowledge of his loss of his wife, other than remembering that she had died at a far too early age. I did not know he had three children. Yes he is an ex-footballer and therefore well known and had it not been him, maybe the programme would not have been made. He is a wealthy man and not struggling to give his family a comfortable life. Grief, however, is no respecter of fame or wealth and it was courageous of him to reveal his, so publicly. He admitted that he has not grieved properly yet and naturally his first concern has been for his three children after the loss of their mother.It is difficult, particularly for males to express their grief and raw emotion, to face the tragedy of losing your life partner. It is not easy and it can never be got over, no matter how long it takes to try to ease the pain. I do not speak from experience but I can imagine that as the one left behind,it is almost impossible to process what has happened. No two people will handle it the same way, how could they! 
One thing that stood out, was the advice he was given. He should try in time not to be afraid to be happy and that no matter how much he wanted to make sure his children coped, he should not forget that he must look after his own well being, a lesson I think we could all learn in our everyday lives loss or no loss!
I am lucky, in so much, as I have never had any major loss in my life and that my personality lends itself to being quit an open person who has never been afraid to express my emotion or the way that I feel and as many of you know, old Guesty is never afraid to express an opinion!
So for those many, many people who are going through the tragedy and grief of loss of a loved one, there is no easy route, no "solution", no balm that will ease your pain, only time will heal you, you will never forget and no words can really help, including these but it is good to know that there are those who care even if you never know who they are!

Well it is me Sir Guestling once more back to tickle your conscience and skew your perception! 
What a world , full of wonder and woe. I have decided that whilst I can never lose interest in world events, it is time to stop concerning myself with spouting into the ether. so from now on I am going to leave the concern to others and concentrate on enjoying my later years to the fullest.
I can't change anything and I have no wish to involve myself in any way that will detract from my enjoyment. I've done my time and I am going to leave it to others. 
Sometimes we get too wrapped up in events that we have no control over and forget the simple pleasure of living. 
Last week the good lady and I took a few days and stayed in Llanduno in north Wales. Now there are more spectacular places in the world, certainly more exotic but in the early spring sunshine this place was glorious and had almost a picture postcard feel to it that made you appreciate how great, Great Britain's landscape is. These are the pleasures I am going to enjoy, never mind all the crap that is going on elsewhere, savor what we have, experience the new and leave the world to sort it itself.

Yes I am moaning again!!

I hate to harp on about this subject but I feel my rights are slowly being eroded and will disappear forever!
Unopposed, the bill for triggering article 50 has been passed by parliament. My right to remain a European citizen is dead, alongside all those from Europe who live here. what a bunch of weak pathetic MP's we have. Many did not vote for leaving and yet they seem afraid, unwilling, unable or just plain apathetic in standing up and following their conscience or speaking in opposition. What has happened to democracy? Don't give me all that crap about the referendum has spoken and that's the way it is, I think I have explored that crumbling foundation enough on these pages. The liberal generation that understood tolerance, independence, freedom and inclusion, have been disenfranchised, abandoned and left without any real representation or voice. Replaced by narrow minded, frightened, xenophobic, right wing scare mongers who think we are better off being "independent" !  Do they not understand that the world has moved on and we are part of a global community which trades and interacts in a vastly different way, we cannot be a lone wolf even if we want to be.
I have not liked our country for some years and were it not for family, I would have left a long time ago and yes I hear those of you saying good riddance if you do not like it here, go! 
Look around you at this 21st century country of ours, there is inequality, poverty, homelessness, racism, prejudice, an insatiable desire for commercialism, the break down of family life and generations who are buried in technology and no longer know how to interact and communicate without it! And if I sound like a whinging, grumpy, old man, I make no apology for that, for you see in a real democracy, my view is just as valid as any other.
They say that an opinion is like a penis, every other person has got one, well that is mine!!!! 

It breaks my heart!

I was trying to write nothing more about Britain leaving the EU but having just watched Brexit: Britain's Biggest Deal with reporter Laura Kunessberg on BBC 2.
It breaks my heart that, on such a poor turnout, we have voted to leave based on the flimsiness of evidence etc!
Laura interviewed a cross section of politicians and others from Europe each of whom expressed different views and concerns about the outcome of the negotiations. what struck me and here, I declare my absolute opposition to leaving and make no apology for that, what struck me was the complacent and unrealistic attitude of nearly all the pro-leavers, Johnson, Gove, Duncan-Smith and the minister David Davies. Their bland blase view of how we unravel over 40 years of membership within a 2 year period and the success we will then have, is frankly astonishing, at best naive, at worse like driving a truck headlong towards a cliff with no intention of testing the brakes before approaching the edge. 
Every time a point was made about trade or the real basis of why the vote was to leave, immigration, it only reinforced the argument as to why we should have remained. Nothing they said was definitive and most of it was prevaricating and platitudinous, they reminded me of a ships captain who has to go down with the vessel if it sinks!
I have stated my opinion a number of times on this page and like all polarized views, it is very difficult to persuade those whose view is diametrically opposed to your own to understand your concerns, as it for me to agree with theirs.
I truly believe that it is the biggest mistake we in Britain have made in my lifetime but for those who truly believe that it delivers independence and freedom, well they have what they think they want.
My only hope is that I can remain a European citizen and that we do not become a isolationist, inward looking nation.
History will prove that those who engineered this situation are the villains and it was and is a huge error!!!!  

Prague

I walked into the main office and there to my great surprise stood Freddie Halsopp. 
Freddie, what are you doing here?
Ah Guesty, I am here to see you. Can we find somewhere private?
I turned and motioned for him to follow me. I lead him to my own office, not a plush cubby hole but comfortable.
Sit please.
Freddie took the chair on the other side of my desk. He looked his usual handsome self though definitely a little nervous.
Haven't seen you since Prague. he said
No, that was quite an adventure, just got out by the skin of our teeth! Freddie smiled Maria still chides me about that time.
Maria was Freddie's wife and was not keen on him placing himself in any danger, real or perceived. 
Yes, I understand Katarina, has much the same opinion. Freddie laughed I rather face Maria than your good lady.
Wise man! I replied also laughing
So what can I do for you Freddie? You have not come here to reminisce. 
He gave me a resigned look.
Do you remember Helen Wezdranova?
The tall lady with the odd accent and even odder dress sense?
Yes her. She is in trouble Guesty and I need your help. Freddie shrugged and raised his eyebrows.
I said nothing and waited.
I know you thought she was strange, well we all did and she was a bit but unknown to you and others she was and has been a great source of information, a lot of which has proved to be very useful. Her very strangeness makes her appear to be harmless, simple even and often people would drop their guard when talking in front of her. Her real talent was collating that info and after sifting through what she had heard, some how she managed to filter out important stuff.It has at times given us an advantage and at the very least gave us a heads up. He paused and fiddled about in his pockets. Sorry I was looking for a cigarette but I have given them up He shrugged again You don't.......know of course you don't, anyway she is danger and I want to get her out.
She is still in Prague?
Freddie nodded She has managed to get out a message, she thinks a man called Verner has become suspicious of her. That was it. 
It is not much to go on Freddie. It does not mean she is in danger just that this Verner is suspicious!
Would you not err on the side of caution? 
I paused before answering, it was not pleasant in any communist country to even be suspected and if that led to more than just that, you could easily disappear.
Okay Freddie, get me all the details and I will see what I can do. I'll speak with Giveny he has contacts everywhere.

Two days later I got an a call from Giveny, he rarely spoke directly these days, most of our contact was passed through a third party. He had explained that things at home had become a little fraught with the advent of the new government and he was being circumspect.
Guestling, good to talk to you. This situation is more important than perhaps you had realised.
I see 
This woman is not just some ordinary citizen, she is the daughter of a high ranking party member who defected some 10 years ago, bringing his family with him all but for Helen, she refused to leave and as time was pressing and she an adult, there was little he could do.
You think they want use her as bait, leveridge or some other purpose?
I have no idea Guestling but she needs to be brought out. I understand she is a little eccentric? 
From what I remember, she certainly seemed it but you know the more I think back on it, I beginning to wonder if it wasn't an act to offset any closer inspection. It seems this Verner is looking closer. Do you know who he is?
No I'm afraid I don't but I suspect he is KGB or StB, one way or another his interest is not pleasant I'm sure.
What can we do?
I'm using my contacts but as you can imagine information is difficult to obtain, especially when it's specific to one individual. Our mission in Prague know nothing and of course are watched like hawks, so using them is fraught with danger. Do you want to send "someone" in and don't tell me you will go because that is not going to happen.
The good lady would divorce me if I told her I was going back to Prague, so you have nothing to fear there. Do you have anyone in mind?
I do, a young man who I have placed my trust in a few times, he seems able to carry out the job and look after himself as well. He is free at present so we could send him.
I know Freddie would be grateful he really thinks she is in danger.
Sources seem to indicate that he could very well be right.

Two weeks later I was at home going through some diplomatic reports, when the doorbell rang, Katarina answered.
Freddie, how delightful, come in please
Thanks, you are as beautiful as ever Katarina.
And your a terrible flirt Freddie. Guesty is in the dinning room.
They entered the room
You have a visitor, Guesty.
Hello Guestling, how are you?
Freddie, I take it you have news? Please sit, drink?
Thanks,that would most welcome.
Katarina poured out three whiskeys.
Well old man spit it out, good news I hope, I'm afraid other matters have taken my time and I have not kept abreast of the Helen situation.
Freddie took a sip of his drink and smiled 
Most surprising, most surprising he sighed
Freddie? I said in an exasperated tone.
Sorry Guesty. He smile once more. It appears that Verner was not interested in her because he was secret police but because he had been sent by her father to try to persuade her to leave.He still has contact with his former country and had got wind that she may be in danger. Verner is an old colleague of his and he got him to watch over her and if necessary get Helen out.He paused and took another drink. Anyway it all got a bit excitable, it seems Verner himself had come to the notice of the StB, his nosing about had drawn attention to himself and in turn to Helen, who it seems was, up until then not even on their radar. Ironic eh!
Bloody hell! So whats happened exclaimed my wife. I had told her brief details of the story.
Well we have had to extract both of them and thanks to the man Giveny sent, it has been done successfully, although not without a few glitches along the way. He laughed and drained his whiskey. Helen is kicking up a storm however, once she found out that her existence had been interfered with and she would have been okay, well I did not understand the language but I am certain that it would have been pretty strong in whatever the tongue was being spoken. Certainly Verner blanched and looked as though he would like to be anywhere but in the same room. She may not have seen her father for some years but I am sure when she does he will be subject to her fury as well!
She has agreed to go to the UK? 
It took some persuasion but once she realised she can't return she grudgingly accepted the situation. Secretly I think she was rather pleased to be seeing her family again.
I shook my head with a smile And Verner?
He has disappeared, probably relieved to get away from Helen's temper!

I had only met Helen Wezdranova no more than a couple of times when in Prague and spoken no more than a few words to her. She was a distinctive looking lady and not one you ever forget. Five years after she had been "rescued" I was at a cocktail party at a high ranking civil servants home in Bayswater, I was sitting on a couch, drink in hand contemplating nothing in particular, when a voice from above spoke in a husky east European accent.
You are Guestling Thorn, correct? 
I looked up a very tall lady was looking down at me with a beaming smile. She sat next to me.
I am I replied And you are Helen Wezdranova, if i am not mistaken. She nodded. I am
I never forget a face she breathed You are a friend of Freddie's are you not?
Yes, though I have not seen him for ages
Neither have I She touched my arm and beamed another smile. If you do tell him he is forgiven. 
With that she got up and walked away. I looked for her before I left but she must have already gone. 

I did not see Freddie for another 5 years or so, when eventually our paths crossed again, I was sad to learn that his wife, Maria had passed some 5 years earlier and he had decided to take early retirement and go and live with his sister in Kent. He had a son Raymond but it seems they were not on speaking terms.We reminisced as old colleagues do and I wished him well. Before we parted I remembered my meeting with Helen and passed on her message. He laughed like the Freddie of old. Thank goodness for that then!