Day nine in France and my return to the UK

Am back on home soil. My last day in France was a wet one and I had to dial into a work meeting. It was timetabled for thirty minutes but went on much longer than that.

My wife and I went for a drive later, the weather being warm, but not warm enough to swim. I did feel sad to leave my wife and daughter there, but they are going to enjoy another week there. I will see my son on Saturday when I pick him up, the dog being collected first. My hours are too antisocial for him to be with me in Colchester, so he will stay with his grandparents for a few more days.

Day eight in France and the Clamouse cave

My wife drove my daughter and I to the Clamouse cave. Today has been the hottest day so far and being in the caves was very refreshing. My daughter had been in caves when she travelled to Vietnam but I think she liked these as well. Caves hold no appeal to my wife who went shopping instead. So she missed out on seeing these sights. 

Votes at sixteen

Labour, before the last election promised that they would lower the voting age. It looks like this will be another promise that is kept. Many years ago, I had a discussion with my (then) MP on Twitter, well several, when he convinced me that those under 18 should not be able to vote.

I was not aware that my then Conservative MP belongs to a party that allows those aged 16 to vote, and they did later vote to decide who our Prime Minister should be, as well. While I understand the reluctance of the Conservatives to allow sixteen year olds the right to vote as they are less likely to vote Conservative, the fact is they have allowed them to vote for Prime Ministers including Liz Truss. 

Which means I am now in favour of this change. 

Day seven in France

Today was spent relaxing at the pool, the evening was spent at a Michelin star restaurant which is quite close to us. My wife had this recommended to us by our host and this meal made up for our disastrous lunch yesterday. The setting was amazing, though the attack of the insects once sunset happened did take some of the enjoyment away. If there is one thing about the holiday that my son will miss not taking part in, it will be this meal.  

Diane Abbott and racism, again

Diane Abbott has made an interesting comment on racism, again. She was interviewed on BBC radio, and her words are eighteen minutes into it, but I think she could have been clearer about her views and the letter she sent.

Yes, she is right to state that different groups experience racism in different ways. It is easier to single out a person who is not white and treat them differently, and this has been an issue at university. But her consistency covers an area where many Jews do stand out. When she made her statement in the interview, it did relate to the letter she wrote to The Observer. Bringing that up without clarification now is even worse than it was in early 2023 considering how Hamas would later cross the border in Gaza and murder over a thousand Jews, many in a manner to evoke the collective memories of The Holocaust. 

Her comments about the abhorrent slave trade also forget how Barbary Pirates did manacle white-seeming people on slave ships. 

As for her comments on the Irish, she was politically active when anyone from Eire or Northern Ireland was judged for the actions of the IRA. And that is ignoring the racism they faced before then. 

Day six in France

Today, my wife and I had our worst meal in France, this being over the numerous trips we have had to France. When I say numerous, it is not that many, but our lunch today in Clermont-l'Hérault left a lot to be desired. The setting was great, live music from a busker, and a view where we could people watch. But while the waitress who served us was skilled and friendly, the food took ages to come and as not worth the wait. We had travelled there to enjoy the market, while I am not sure my wife liked the trip as much as I did, it was good to visit it.

Dinner was much better. We ate in a local place which brews its own beer. While it took time to get served, we were aware about this because they warned us. And the service was warm and lovely. I would recommend anyone trying the food here! 

Day five in France and the Afghan data leak

The holiday continues. My son has been volunteered to take part in gardening thanks to his grandfather but says he is enjoying his time outside London. I am sure that he is, but I find it hard to believe that he is enjoying himself as much as we are. 

The insect bites are healing and we have spent a lot of the day in the pool. We did go out for a meal in the evening where we were greeted by a puppy (who was taken away for eating the floorboards) and two other dogs.  My daughter too a photo of me cheating on our dog (she did as well) and is to show it to ours when she returns to the UK. 

Before I got to listen to The NewsAgents and heard an interesting story. It referred to a superinjunction about a data leak. I was sure I had heard about it before, but while I had, this turned out to be another one. Listening so far, it appears that the government initially did not want to resettle as many refugees as it has done since. I am concerned that this scheme is to stop. Those in Afghanistan risked a lot to help our troops there, I met one who is in a wheelchair for doing so. It may be that now the risk they face is low but I say we owe those remaining the chance of sanctuary in the UK. Forcing them to live in what is essentially The Republic of Gilead is not the thanks we should give.  

Saying that, I have yet to listen to the full story as a second episode dropped later, that will be interesting.