Overdue hairdo

Cloudy today with a cold wind blowing from the east. Most of the leaves on the trees have now turned gold, a stunning sight. I slept quite well, but was slow to relax stiff muscles and get going. Today is All Souls' day. Sadly no Eucharist in the Parish. Commemoration of the Departed tends to be translated to Sunday evening. As I went about my tasks this morning I remembered by name generations of departed family, friends and colleagues - the many people who were part of my life in different ways.

Last week, Clare made an experimental batch of marmalade with sweet oranges and lemons to tide us over until the bitter Seville oranges arrive at the end of the year. It was a success, so she decided to make another batch. I went to Tesco's and bought another kilo of golden granulated sugar to add to the amount she already had in stock. 

After an early lunch we took a taxi to Rumney for our hairdressing appointments with Chris. It's been six months since my last visit, My hair certainly needed his expert attention. Since the last time his salon has had a makeover with a completely new stylish shop front. It needed expensive repairs after being rammed by a truck last year in an attempt to intimidate him into selling his business. He's in good form again, having recovered from breaking several ribs during a visit to see his mother in Canada. While Clare was having her hair washed and cut, I walked up Rumney hill to take a photo of a post box with an original example of guerilla knitting. It's the third time I've noticed this post box decorated  in recent years. I set a steady average pace and was surprised not to feel breathless after a ten minute climb. No matter how odd broken sleep may affect me, it seems like I'm maintaining a good level of fitness.

We returned by a 44 bus to the city centre and a 61 from the bus station. I didn't realise the 44 doesn't enter the bus station. If we had got off in Westgate Street we could have got a suitable bus at the stop outside the County Club. I must remember this for another time. It was time for a warm cup of tea when we got home both feeling chilled. Time to switch to a winter jacket for a twenty minute walk before it got dark.

Pre-election rallies are taking place in America, with a shift to Democratic control of congress observed in opinion pools, and Trump's unpopularity already evident. His legal team makes strenuous efforts to undermine the validity of electoral process and the qualification of electors likely to vote against him, in yet another effort to claim the election result was stolen from him, as happened in a previous presidential election. In Israel neither of the main parties have yet succeeded in forming alliances that will give either Netanyahu or Eisenkot the majority needed to form a government. Netanyahu also speaks of the election being stolen from his coalition, in this case by Israeli Arab parties. Blatantly racist rhetoric. Neither Trump nor Netanyahu are prepared to accept defeat and loss of power and blame the electoral process. Once out of office, both will face prosecution for their corrupt actions, and for war crimes committed under their leadership, hopefully.

After supper I watched another couple of episodes of 'Blue Lights', highlighting the relationship between paramilitary organisations and cross border organised crime, exposing how those engaged in undercover policing to stay informed about terrorist plots rarely find themselves satisfied with choices they have to make, tasting the bitterness of compromise and secrecy. And then bed.