Summer has well and truly arrived. And rightly so. It is, after all, the month of June. Time has flown by. Prior to my three weeks out of the saddle, it was April when I last jumped on the bike, then there was last week (the Bank Holiday weekend) and now it's June. Suddenly everything seems lush and overgrown, like being in a rainforest. Fields are full of whatever fields are full of: oilseed rape, poppies, you name it, everything's happening. There are bees buzzing around, birds singing in the trees and there are two cyclists, Andy and yours truly, on Warlingham Green deciding where to go. It's Saturday 1 June, or rather it was (I'm writing this as the time approaches 5pm on 2 June, my brother-in-law's birthday). In fact, I'm sitting in the garden, on the lap top, my relatively new Chromebook, which I thought I'd lost forever when I was in Pittsburgh recently, but as you know, if you're an avid reader, I got it back. So, where was I? Oh yes, we're on Warlingham Green wondering where to go and we decided upon the Tatsfield Bus Stop the slow way and this time the old-fashioned slow way along Beddlestead Lane and not the 'new route', that of Woldingham and the golf course and then turning left on The Ridge and heading down Clarks Lane. We did that last week and it was fine, brought a bit of variety to proceedings.
Last week we discussed the origins of the name Peggy as we sat in the Churchyard drinking tea. This week it was Brexit again and I remarked how Rory Stewart was probably the best chance the Conservative Party had of uniting the country and getting on with Brexit. The rest I wouldn't give you tuppence for, certainly not that cretin Boris Johnson with his Master Race, Aryan Nation haircut and his professional buffoonery. Who needs a Tory like that? Who needs a man who would look totally at home in a private members' club, snoozing under a copy of the Daily Telegraph? The country doesn't need knee-jerk politicians like BoJo or Raab or any of those who think no deal is a good idea. It isn't.
But Rory Stewart, in my opinion, is a 'proper politician'. He has dignity, he has international experience, he was a diplomat aged 22, he knows about 'stuff', he's intelligent, calm, collected, seems to have a cohesive plan, came across well on Question Time on Thursday. In fact, talking of QT, it was the first time in about three weeks that there hasn't been any shouting matches. That must have something to do with the calibre of the MPs and commentators on the panel, they were all reasonably sensible. Rory Stewart was good because he answered the questions fired at him. He ALWAYS answers the questions, he takes on board criticism if valid; in short, he has all the makings of a worthy politician who, believe it or not, is not in it for himself, he's in it for bigger reasons, the sort of reasons you hope most politicians have for entering politics. Stewart is old school, but in a good way, and he has the support of another 'proper politician' Ken Clark. What's not to like? A government led by Stewart would mean a big sigh of relief from me. Just think for a moment about the rabble in the Tory Party: Boris Johnson. Remember what a God awful foreign secretary he turned out to be, bumbling around making matters worse, especially for that woman imprisoned in Iran. And didn't he recently exclaim 'fuck business'? Yes he did, and yet there is growing support for this idiot to be the leader of the so-called 'party of business'. No. Surely not. Surely those who will choose the next leader will realise that Boris is the wrong choice.
But Johnson isn't the only idiot in the Tory party. What about Dominic Raab? Another fool who thinks a no-deal Brexit will be alright, when even members of his own party argue that no-deal will likely mean no Conservative party either. Senior members of the Conservatives are considering voting against the Government to avoid no deal and that will mean a General Election and the Tories won't win it. Just look at how they've messed up the country. Look at other idiots like Chris Grayling; nothing that man touches has any hope of succeeding, he's completely incompetent but, like most incompetent people, he remains in his job earning top dollar while messing up everything he touches. Michael Gove, who is arguing that we should remain in the EU well into 2020, purely because he thinks such a stance will get him the top job is another political cretin. Any man who bears a close resemblance to Orville should not be standing for Prime Minister. It goes on and on. Andrea Ledsom calling for a 'managed exit' from the EU, what does that mean?
I'd like to think that people are beginning to wise up to all these idiots floating around the Tory Party. And I'd like to think that having Donald Trump offering his support to Boris Johnson will mean just one thing: the kiss of death. If Trump admires you, you know you've got problems, you might want to look in the mirror and check you haven't grown a Hitler moustache overnight. Trump wants Nigel Farage to play a key role in the Brexit negotiations. No, no, no, no, no!!! The man Russell Brand labelled a Pound Shop Enoch Powell shouldn't be seen anywhere near the negotiating table. He's not an MP, he's an MEP and all he's ever done in that role is shout the odds at other MEPs and be generally obstructive, belligerent and offensive. And let's not forget his Brexit poster. And where Boris is concerned let's not forget the message on the side of the bus. And while I think there is possibly something sinister behind taking the obese moose to court, it would be good to see him prosecuted for being more than just 'economical with the truth'.
The country is getting a little fed up with Brexit. They want it done and while I don't particularly want it done (I'm a remainer) if it has to be done then so be it, although I'll admit that I'm holding out for the second referendum, even if I do agree with Rory Stewart, who says another referendum will yield the same result because the country is divided straight down the middle. No deal is not the solution and nor is a second referendum, says Stewart and I think he's probably right. At the end of the day there's one word that must be taken into consideration: compromise. To get Brexit through Parliament, said Stewart in Epsom last Thursday, the two sides are going to have to compromise because Parliament rules supreme.
The above conversation, give or take, took place over our two weekend rides. On Sunday, the weather was just as perfect as Saturday and we met once again on the green and decided to head for the Tatsfield Churchyard, our summer location. I'd suggested our newly found field, but Andy said it meant humping the bikes over a stile. He was right, a stile was involved. We chose the churchyard and carried on our conversation about Brexit. On a clear day you can see the South Downs from the Tatsfield Churchyard and there really isn't a better place to be at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning in June. I'd had a good night's sleep and was feeling particularly energetic for some reason. I kept up with Andy along Beddlestead (i'm normally around a minute or two behind him in places) and I was feeling chipper.
What bugs me is the backstop and I can't figure out why there has to be a border once we leave the EU. It's only a piece of paper that somebody has to sign to say we're out, so why should it change the way things are being done at present? Why can't the wheels keep turning, why do we suddenly need checkpoints, why can't we simply say 'carry on'? If all the security measures in place now stay that way, why should anything have to change? It's a question I'd like to hear Rory Stewart answer because he's the only person I think I can trust.
Around 0900hrs this morning we embarked upon our return journey. The ride up Clarks Lane to Botley hill is always a little trying; it is, after all, a hill that starts in Westerham and continues all the way to the Botley Hill pub. Andy branched off at The Ridge and I was sorely tempted to follow him, because riding down the 269 is dangerous at the best of times. However, going home via Woldingham means riding up Slines Oak Road, a steep hill worth avoiding. But I'm thinking of cutting out the risk of cars flying past too close and going back home 'the slow way' instead. And there are two slow ways: one involves Hesiers Hill, the other Slines Oak Road and I know for a fact that the latter is the best bet.
My bike needs a service and I need to sort it out, possibly later this week. With the weather being fantastic I'm thinking about cycling to work again, but in all honesty, it's probably best if I simply cut down on cake and do a bit of walking in my lunch break. But that doesn't mean the bike doesn't get a service, it needs one and it'll get one.
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| June is busting out all over at the green... |
But Rory Stewart, in my opinion, is a 'proper politician'. He has dignity, he has international experience, he was a diplomat aged 22, he knows about 'stuff', he's intelligent, calm, collected, seems to have a cohesive plan, came across well on Question Time on Thursday. In fact, talking of QT, it was the first time in about three weeks that there hasn't been any shouting matches. That must have something to do with the calibre of the MPs and commentators on the panel, they were all reasonably sensible. Rory Stewart was good because he answered the questions fired at him. He ALWAYS answers the questions, he takes on board criticism if valid; in short, he has all the makings of a worthy politician who, believe it or not, is not in it for himself, he's in it for bigger reasons, the sort of reasons you hope most politicians have for entering politics. Stewart is old school, but in a good way, and he has the support of another 'proper politician' Ken Clark. What's not to like? A government led by Stewart would mean a big sigh of relief from me. Just think for a moment about the rabble in the Tory Party: Boris Johnson. Remember what a God awful foreign secretary he turned out to be, bumbling around making matters worse, especially for that woman imprisoned in Iran. And didn't he recently exclaim 'fuck business'? Yes he did, and yet there is growing support for this idiot to be the leader of the so-called 'party of business'. No. Surely not. Surely those who will choose the next leader will realise that Boris is the wrong choice.
But Johnson isn't the only idiot in the Tory party. What about Dominic Raab? Another fool who thinks a no-deal Brexit will be alright, when even members of his own party argue that no-deal will likely mean no Conservative party either. Senior members of the Conservatives are considering voting against the Government to avoid no deal and that will mean a General Election and the Tories won't win it. Just look at how they've messed up the country. Look at other idiots like Chris Grayling; nothing that man touches has any hope of succeeding, he's completely incompetent but, like most incompetent people, he remains in his job earning top dollar while messing up everything he touches. Michael Gove, who is arguing that we should remain in the EU well into 2020, purely because he thinks such a stance will get him the top job is another political cretin. Any man who bears a close resemblance to Orville should not be standing for Prime Minister. It goes on and on. Andrea Ledsom calling for a 'managed exit' from the EU, what does that mean?
I'd like to think that people are beginning to wise up to all these idiots floating around the Tory Party. And I'd like to think that having Donald Trump offering his support to Boris Johnson will mean just one thing: the kiss of death. If Trump admires you, you know you've got problems, you might want to look in the mirror and check you haven't grown a Hitler moustache overnight. Trump wants Nigel Farage to play a key role in the Brexit negotiations. No, no, no, no, no!!! The man Russell Brand labelled a Pound Shop Enoch Powell shouldn't be seen anywhere near the negotiating table. He's not an MP, he's an MEP and all he's ever done in that role is shout the odds at other MEPs and be generally obstructive, belligerent and offensive. And let's not forget his Brexit poster. And where Boris is concerned let's not forget the message on the side of the bus. And while I think there is possibly something sinister behind taking the obese moose to court, it would be good to see him prosecuted for being more than just 'economical with the truth'.
The country is getting a little fed up with Brexit. They want it done and while I don't particularly want it done (I'm a remainer) if it has to be done then so be it, although I'll admit that I'm holding out for the second referendum, even if I do agree with Rory Stewart, who says another referendum will yield the same result because the country is divided straight down the middle. No deal is not the solution and nor is a second referendum, says Stewart and I think he's probably right. At the end of the day there's one word that must be taken into consideration: compromise. To get Brexit through Parliament, said Stewart in Epsom last Thursday, the two sides are going to have to compromise because Parliament rules supreme.
The above conversation, give or take, took place over our two weekend rides. On Sunday, the weather was just as perfect as Saturday and we met once again on the green and decided to head for the Tatsfield Churchyard, our summer location. I'd suggested our newly found field, but Andy said it meant humping the bikes over a stile. He was right, a stile was involved. We chose the churchyard and carried on our conversation about Brexit. On a clear day you can see the South Downs from the Tatsfield Churchyard and there really isn't a better place to be at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning in June. I'd had a good night's sleep and was feeling particularly energetic for some reason. I kept up with Andy along Beddlestead (i'm normally around a minute or two behind him in places) and I was feeling chipper.
What bugs me is the backstop and I can't figure out why there has to be a border once we leave the EU. It's only a piece of paper that somebody has to sign to say we're out, so why should it change the way things are being done at present? Why can't the wheels keep turning, why do we suddenly need checkpoints, why can't we simply say 'carry on'? If all the security measures in place now stay that way, why should anything have to change? It's a question I'd like to hear Rory Stewart answer because he's the only person I think I can trust.
Around 0900hrs this morning we embarked upon our return journey. The ride up Clarks Lane to Botley hill is always a little trying; it is, after all, a hill that starts in Westerham and continues all the way to the Botley Hill pub. Andy branched off at The Ridge and I was sorely tempted to follow him, because riding down the 269 is dangerous at the best of times. However, going home via Woldingham means riding up Slines Oak Road, a steep hill worth avoiding. But I'm thinking of cutting out the risk of cars flying past too close and going back home 'the slow way' instead. And there are two slow ways: one involves Hesiers Hill, the other Slines Oak Road and I know for a fact that the latter is the best bet.
My bike needs a service and I need to sort it out, possibly later this week. With the weather being fantastic I'm thinking about cycling to work again, but in all honesty, it's probably best if I simply cut down on cake and do a bit of walking in my lunch break. But that doesn't mean the bike doesn't get a service, it needs one and it'll get one.
