What can we say . . . For the Gents it has not been a good year as the problems associated with getting older emerge . . . as we approach the mega milestone of turning 80. We come from an era when having survived three score years and ten was considered by most as what one could expect.
However, the NHS has provided a remarkable service for which we will always be entirely grateful. And here we are still to tell the story.
It is very difficult to stay non-political: Although senior politicians can grab enough state cash to go to the World Cup in grand style, finding the key to that gate in the park to enable entry to young people, old people, those in wheel chairs, let alone those pushing prams, continues to evade their capabilities. Enough said. Oh except that in the last six years the imminent collapse of the cliff has not materialised - the only things coming down the cliff have been a few leaves . . . one might conclude that the Council's report is, to use a nice Glaswegian word, "tosh".
Some anecdotes . . . life has changed . . .
!956. The Hungarian Revolution. It was shown on television - which started at 5pm and closed at 9pm, and was run by the BBC. On Sundays we were allowed to watch the Lone Ranger. The National Anthem was played after the evening news.
1960's. Every Wednesday at school we became "boy soldiers" for the day - boots [polished], berets, belts and gaiters [well blanco'd], battledress and "a shirt hairy army". We marched, paraded, and did whatever.
And as for pills: well headache, grazed knee, hangover, whatever - have an aspirin - or in Scotland take an Askit Powder.
At university, many of us joined the Officer Training Corps: we were paid, and of course ran around in uniform. Same uniform as a boy soldier except for the "cadet flash's". More serious fun and games. I enjoyed it enormously, and got all sorts of strange vehicles added to my driving licence.
The KIngston Bridge - setting out engineer - except that I couldn't use a theodolite, so was sent to "survey school" where one learned rapidly and spent a happy six months living in pubs and setting out the centreline for the M40 . . . and was paid as well.
The M6 Link. On site for 6:45 to arrange concrete, setting out piles often in the middle of the river, and so on. I remember arranging to rescue a fox out of a coffer dam. And then for a pint at about 8pm, food and bed.
And so life continued.
What is Russia up to ? How did the world get to this brink ? Magna Carta -v- The Mongols: Ian Mitchell's new book tells all: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HGGX7PZ7.
An excellent summary can be found here: https://thinkscotland.org/2026/09/russia-and-the-rule-of-law/
A fantastic review is here: https://countrysquire.co.uk/2026/09/29/a-magnificent-obsession-ian-mitchttps://countrysquire.co.uk/2026/09/29/a-magnificent-obsession-ian-mitchells-russia-and-the-rule-of-law/hells-russia-and-the-rule-of-law/