Week Forty: 2022

Posted on Oct 24, 2022 by TanGental

I had a look back at pictures from the garden over the last five years. Interesting

Well, that was a week that was! A phew, what a scorcha sort of seven days. The farce of a 44 day premiership that didn’t even give a lettuce a run for its money became the epitome of sanity when Johnson B appeared as an apparent ‘unity’ candidate in the roulette wheel of politics. Then, in an attack of reality he dropped out never having really dropped in leaving us with the high chance of Slick Richie in no 10. But, of course, the idea that all this musical commodes stuff should stop and we have an election is ‘the last thing we need’ (per 99% of the Tories) and ‘what the country is craving’ (per every other political party). I may be in a majority of myself but I want neither the current shower nor the effluent of an election campaign. Just less politics. It’s like starting on a high fibre diet – probably essential but initially it just involves a lot of shit.

On the domestic front, we managed to gather in a London pub for a family meal. It takes organising to get everyone together – we leave the vet to it – and between heavy rain we managed lunch on Sunday. I ate a lamb shank, the first quantity of red meat I’ve had in ages. It tasted divine and left me feeling rather curdled. Maybe I’m coming out as vegetarian after all.

As readers to this blog will know, I enjoy a good walk. This week I read a review of The Path To Peace, a book on the experiences of Anthony Seabold walking the length of the Western Front from the Swiss border to the Belgium coast as a homage to the silent many on either side. He was inspired to plot this walk by a letter written during the First World War by a young lieutenant who wrote that walking the front might bring home the futility of war. I’ve ordered the book and will review it n due course, but in the meantime, the idea of such a walk – all 635 kilometres – would be quite something.

And if we’re starting with a retrospective of five years, here’s the Progression of Dog for his multitude of fans

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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29 Responses to Week Forty: 2022

  1. Annette Rochelle Aben says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 5:22 pm

    A post of remarkable energy! The magic of your garden, your family, and my main man, Dog! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Darlene says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 5:35 pm

    Dog just gets more handsome every year!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. joylennick says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    That little Dog just knows…. (extra dot)how special he is!! Your garden, too, is a delight Geoff!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. John W. Howell says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 8:47 pm

    I enjoyed the post. All looks grand. (Garden, Family, and Dog.)

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Elizabeth says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    Your family looks great. As for politics there they seem just as crazy as here. Eating out looks like a great alternative.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Peter's pondering says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 9:12 pm

    The best party of the lot…the family party!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. JT Twissel says:
    Oct 24, 2022 at 9:43 pm

    So nice you’re able to meet with the family on a fairly regular basis – my children are so far away. Garden looks lovely. Good luck with your new leader (or whatever he is – never have understood English politics!)

    Liked by 1 person

  8. tootlepedal says:
    Oct 25, 2022 at 12:03 am

    I would like quite a bit more actual political action as there is an enormous amount that needs to be done. Sadly, the present government since it first came in with the coalition has been more interesting in playing games than running the country.

    Liked by 1 person

    • TanGental says:
      Oct 25, 2022 at 9:15 am

      It’s politics rather than action that I despair at. Action would be good… well, not all of it perhaps. I am perhaps more sanguine about the coalition years than you seem to be – it was a more grown up time – but then brexit came and took over like a virus and pretty much everything since has been coloured through that lens leading us to today. Add in Labour’s flirtation with Corbyn at the last election giving the myopic Tories an easy win and you have a perfect storm…

      Like

  9. Matilde Mbulo says:
    Oct 25, 2022 at 8:24 am

    Great post. You have an amazing garden, a beautiful family and an adorable dog = an abundant life!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. derrickjknight says:
    Oct 25, 2022 at 9:25 am

    I’m with you on politics when there is no-one to vote for

    Liked by 1 person

  11. V.M.Sang says:
    Oct 25, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    I love the Easter Island heads, Geoff.
    The garden looks lovely, as usual. Nice to see your family having a good time.
    And Dog is his usual self.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Noelle A. Granger says:
    Oct 25, 2022 at 2:58 pm

    Lots of energy going on here! But you know I love seeing Dog. He is very photogenic, if I do say so!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. willowdot21 says:
    Oct 25, 2022 at 8:38 pm

    Lovely photos, happy times ….let forget the political crap! 😆😆

    Like

  14. Jennie says:
    Nov 7, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    Family, and a beautiful garden. Win-win!

    Liked by 1 person

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