We last visited Balbirnie House back in January when Rishi Sunak was visiting Scotland as Prime Minister for the first time. He was to be Nicola Sturgeon’s fifth Prime Minister, such was the turnover in Tory PM’s. Now she has gone as well but having just passed her driving test at the ripe old age of 53 she seems to be thoroughly enjoying having time to herself again. With an upcoming election Rishi might soon be able to do the same.
He keeps telling us that Britain is leading the world in just about everything. Problem is that, according to a recent report, we are also leading in terms of destitution with 3.8 million people now defined in that way. “Destitution” differs from “poverty” in that it means that people suffering from destitution can no longer afford the basics required to live. Of the 3.8 million, 1 million are children. Normally, destitution results in homelessness. With most of the government consisting of multi-millionaires they won’t have the slightest notion about destitution so they’ll probably just ignore it and hope it goes away.
We offer this bleak assessment of the state of the UK as a backdrop to us wittering on about the joys of lemon curd combined with lemon flavoured scones in a large luxurious country house. We know!
You might wonder why we are back here so soon, after all it’s only been a matter of months. It’s only a short drive from home but the main reason, of course, is that we enjoyed our previous visit and wanted to do again – simple! Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they give you a cream tea when you arrive.
Locked in?
Balbirnie was built in 1815. With beautiful grounds, a golf course and 31 bedrooms, all with beds the size of Texas, it’s particularly popular for weddings. It even has its own “padlock fence” where couples can return and attach their own padlock. A bit weird but we think we understand?
Lemons were also grown in orangeries and when our scones arrived they turned out to be lemon scones accompanied with lemon curd and clotted cream. A heady combination which we had never tried before. Pat wasn’t too sure so they supplied her with a little dish of raspberry jam as an alternative. We seldom if ever attach the word ‘tangy’ to a scone tasting but these were delicious and ‘tangy’. There’s a first … and an easy topscone.
Senseless
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Yes, destitution prevails around the globe, and constant wars ensure that it will not only continue but expand as the middle class lose their homes, while the privileged may lose one but manage to save their others, perhaps in other lands.
And, yes, the Republicans trot out their usual “guns don’t kill — people do,” on the heals of the Democrats screaming for additional gun controls, while both chose to ignore the fundamental causes for the violence, all too complex for a convenient sound bite on TV.
When will the Dems recognize that cities in which gun controls are strict suffer from greater gun crime than in those with lax or no controls? When will both recognize that putting those with mental illness out on the streets is not a sensible alternative to provide sufficient mental health services? Or, when will our public prosecutors start enforcing the gun control laws (and others) that are already on the books?
Yes, the causes for gun violence are many and not easily accepted by our ruling elite. Nor do any carefully thought out solutions create the necessary political fodder that can damage the other political party. It’s much easier to ignore matters until the next mass killing, then cry for more controls.
I hear your frustration Milan. Don’t think it’s a complex problem though. Most of the rest of the world cannot figure out why Americans need automatic assault weapons. Our police don’t have guns and we feel perfectly safe and the crime rate is low. As always,good to hear from you, love to Gloria!
Lovely to be back here and I’m pleased to say we didn’t have to climb lots of stairs this time. We had a lovely room on the ground floor. The scones were a delight once again, thoroughly enjoyed it all.