A family reunion

Saw my brother today. The older of my two.  He had come down from Manchester with a long time friend of ours (and his) and we ate outside in the garden of the cottage they hired.  It was good for the kids to see them and Leia got to meet David’s dog.

Cancelling statues

I am not in favour of pulling down statues.  Like Marjorie Taylor Greene, I think that they should be kept to teach others.  

This issue has come to the attention of the media due to issues over a statue at Oriel College, in Oxford, specifically, the statue of Cecil Rhodes.  Personally, like others have said, I think that the statue should have context, not necessarily a sign around its neck, but a sign nearby.  If the statue is to be removed, then the question arises over what to do with the scholarship that he has bequeathed to the world, many recipients of which have not been white and possibly the University of Cape Town which owes a lot to him.  

The problem is that every historical figure will have a shady past.  If we cancel one, where is the line drawn where another is not cancelled.  An example of this is Gandhi, a proponent of peaceful protest and the father of India, but viewed by many as racist.

Due to this, I think that it is important that history is taught to have the bad remembered along with the good, and that means not tearing down statues.  

13 Reasons Why; The Second Polaroid

The truth is relative, that being that there are two sides to any story.  This episode shows that, but also shows how one side can be a deliberately twisted form, designed to ensure that the person telling this comes across as looking good, or at least, not looking bad.  In this episode the He Said, She Said tale demonstrates one of the reasons why so many allegations of rape are not taken to court.

On a lighter note, my son and I watched an episode of The Bad Batch afterwards.  I do like this series looking at life soon after the Galactic Empire was formed.  Also, it was good to catch up with Trace and Rafa Martinez.  It will be interesting to see if they are seen more often in the Star Wars Universe.

This was all after our return home from Devon. We left at 0530 in the morning and had a clear run home, my wife and I swapping over our drive so that she and the kids could eat breakfast (I ate some cereal before we left).  I miss Devon, but it is great to be home again.

Day seven in Devon

Today I was a taxi service for my wife. Well, in the morning after getting back from a walk with Leia.  

Leia went a bit mad on the walk, running around in a field.  Being the morning it was full of dew and she ended up soaked.  When I got back, that meant that she needed a bath.  She is so well behaved, mostly (she does not return) and her behaviour when it comes to baths is so much better than she was on her first night with us.

Afterwards I drove my wife back to South Moulton so that she could collect an urn that I told her not to buy. We were tempted to try to collect the glasswork that she and my son had worked on.  But we needed to get to Appledore so that we could have lunch there.  We went to The Beaver, next to The Royal George.  While I did not like the food, everyone else did.  The service was what we expected at The Royal George (which we had intended to return to) and I am sure that we will come back when we return to Devon.

Anyway, the roof rack is packed.  Time for an early rise tomorrow morning to get back home. 

Day six in Devon

Today was another relaxing day.

On my morning walk, Leia and I found a hedgehog.  It tried to hide by scrabbling into the side of the road, but to no avail.  Leia though was very happy to meet something new.  But once the hedgehog became prickly, she decided that she was not interested anymore.  At least until I stopped recording her!

The photo is from a field where my daughter and I went walking to, this being a field my son and I went to the day before.

As a family we returned to South Molton, but this was after my wife and I had been to Darlington Crystal.

Sadly our holiday is almost over.  But we still have tomorrow to enjoy.

Day five in Devon; Love, Weddings & Other Disasters

Another relaxing day.  Today my wife and son went to work some glass.  Afterwards, we went to Fremington Quay.  This was recommended to us on our first meal out on this holiday, but on getting there, we realised that we had been here before, this being last year, but it was closed.

I did get to go for a walk with my son and Leia, and when in a field, we spooked a pheasant which flew into a tree about twenty metres away. It was then that my son asked it they could fly.  We did find a field of flowers and Leia enjoyed running through it.

Later we watched Love, Weddings & Other Disasters.  Despite bad acting in places, this turned out to be a good film.  I was surprised considering how it started, but it improved and I am glad I watched it.

Day four in Devon

My daughter stayed at our cottage being ill and revising while my son, wife, Leia and I went to eat in Appledore. It was the best meal by far.  The view there is amazing though the service was as good as it was last year and so far has been the worst this holiday.

My morning walk was a visit down the small valley to the stream, Leia taking me up a one in one slope to get back to main path.  We did find a new path to explore.  Maybe tomorrow...