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Notes From Trip to Jerusalem

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Flying BA Club Class Having saved up my AVIOS from Tesco shopping, it did not cost many more points to travel overnight from London Heathrow to Jerusalem in Club Class. Doing this for the second time, I noticed how one or 2 orthodox Jewish men were again in club class, while their wives and possibly family went economy. One assumed this was due to rules of modesty, particularly lying down near strangers. However, a more economic reason may be behind this. The allowance of 3 hold cases of up to 32Kg giving 96Kg applies on the way back even returning economy under mixed cabin rules. Nice one. West Jerusalem, November 2015  Sporadic, unprovoked knife knife attacks inevitably make one a little cautious. Maybe people are eyeing each other down a little more and check who is behind them from time to time. The odd soldier or group of soldiers at bus stops and certain key corners is a comfort. On the leafy side streets, everything seemed normal at night. Young women jog with ipods an...

2010 - Year end Musings

Haven't put down the thoughts of chairman Ant for over a year, so I guess my fans are getting a bit restless....A shopping list catch up to start with. Chess. During the 2009/2010 season, I won about 75% of my games, dispatching bunnies like Sarah Palin zaps moose. Also scored against some decent opponents. Reward , a BCF grade of 174 (ELO 2000 ish). Suddenly, Board 1 Division 1 for Ilford in the Essex League, and fewer easy pickings. Not looking promising. The rabbit terminator is facing better opposition and his cheeky Little Bishops Gambits and other quirkies no longer wash. More sober openings will have to be introduced. But in case my rivals are looking for clues, wait and see... Pilates. Getting better at the basics, but continue to struggle with the bootcamp abs exercises. Yoga. Different teachers have different approaches - even more so than Pilates. Your body goes into positions you never imagined, short of alien abduction. Tai-chi, the 3rd component of Body Balance (with...

Ronaldo's boots and the man in the driveway

Valentines day, 7.30pm outside Heathrow Terminal 5, the erstwhile mecca of lost luggage. I dropped off Mandy & Leora for their mothers and daughters bonding Tour in Israel. Roads were clear, so I popped into ASDA on the way home to buy my son one of their famous £25 suits (if you rub the legs together you can power a small town) and a few BOGOFS. Got home, started unpacking the shopping. Noticed there was a man lying at the left top of the driveway (2 entrances, and I drove in through the right one, your honour). Went to have a closer looked. So did 2 young ladies in a fiesta. I was non-plussed. One of them suggested I call 999. "Is he breathing? (yes) conscious? (on and off) Don't move him etc. ." A few people slowed down to look and some likely lads took an interest (No I hadn't decked him, yes I had called 999). Paramedic came, followed by the Police, so I unloaded ASDA's finest and watched match of the day. And forgot to tell anyone for a couple of weeks. ...

12 months in less than 60 seconds

Welcome to Ant's Diary. Kicking of with quick review of 2008, then who knows. 2008 Economy caught a cold (Lehmans, Madoff the Ganoff, Woolworths, Uncle Tom Cobly) Global Warming? World temperatures peaked in 1999 and 2008 was wet and 'orrible. But those expenses paid conferences are a hoot, aren't they Al? Environment? Less column inches whilst LIDL and ALDI boom. Bottom fell out recycling market as prices plummet. Gordon 'Prudence' Brown cocks up and then says he is the only man to sort out what he caused. Chutzpah par excellance. Messiah Obama woos the Yanks (am I the only Sarah Palin fan this side of the pond?) Britain did pretty damn well at the olympics. Superstar Becky A too young to be a Dame. Maybe she sho get a grey wig. Brucie did not get a knighthood. What's the going rate these days, Gordon? Arsenal have not won any silverware for yonks. Deliberate ploy to save buying Brasso.