This post comes to you from the Hope Street Cafe in Bo’ness. It’s in Hope Street so you can see the thinking. Last time we were here was back in 2018 when it was called Brian’s Cafe. At that time the media were getting their knickers in a twist about a poisoning in Salisbury. A critic of the regime in Russia, Sergei Skripal and his daughter had been affected by nerve agents. They were in a critical condition. This gave rise to frenzied speculation about whether or not Vladimir Putin might be a bad man. Well, as you know, things have moved on.
Omnipotence
2018 saw Putin, along with President Xi of China manufacture situations where they could remain in power for as long as they liked. In the US, Donald Trump was busy trying to follow their example. In the UK, Theresa May was finding it impossible to leave her job as PM because no-one else would take it. Well, as you know, things have moved on.
We are at the Hope Street Cafe because it’s adjacent to the Hippodrome cinema where we had been to see “A Man Called Otto”. It’s about an elderly man who thinks that the whole world has gone mad and he is the only sensible person left. I asked Pat if Otto reminded her of anyone … she just smiled. Things are so bad for Otto he finds it impossible, in spite of multiple attempts, to successfully commit suicide. His own incompetence or interfering neighbours always get in the way. It was a good film worth seeing. We got out of the cinema around lunchtime so that’s why we’re here in the cafe.
Fruit
It’s a no-frills kind of place … and all the better for that. The staff seemed to know everyone and it had that sort of buzz t
hat you get in places that are full of regulars. After a bite of lunch we got a scone to share. It was a fruit scone. We knew that because we could see two pieces of fruit. However, as far as fruit was concerned, that was it! As per usual, Pat took the top half. But, perhaps thinking I might be inspired by Otto, was trying to avert a suicide attempt when she insisted that I had both bits of fruit. It’s love! Short of fruit perhaps but the scone itself was really quite nice. Of course, it was never going to be a topscone.
Forgetfulness
Having enjoyed our visit we emerged into Hope Street to the news that our former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Zadhim Zahawi, had inadvertently forgotten to pay £4.8million in tax. Don’t you find it really annoying when that happens? You’ve filled in all the forms as best you can but completely forgotten about the £27million you had just been given from an off-shore trust … damn! Easily overlooked!
Three weeks into 2023 and the US has had 40 mass shootings already. Goodness, no wonder Otto thought he was the only sensible person left!
EH51 0AA tel: 01506 823815 Hope Street Cafe
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We haven’t seen the movie yet nor made anymore scones. We enjoy reading your blog. Sad state of affairs with guns in the US! And elsewhere at times.
Yes, I’m always thanking my lucky stars that back here we have very restrictive gun laws. Otherwise there would be bodies all over the place!
Is that Really Boris Johnson in Hope Street Cafe? HOPE You took the opportunity of telling him where he’d gone wrong, running the country!
Best wishes for 2023 And good luck with your adventures for hunting the perfect scone!
Well spotted Charl! We did give him piece of our mind but he was too busy chatting up some woman. All the best for 2023 to all in Portmahomack!
It was a really good film if you get a chance go and see it. We used to go to the Hippodrome quite regularly but other things got in the way, but maybe that has changed and we’ll start our regular visits again. The Hope Street Cafe was good, the staff chatty and helpful, another place worth a visit. I think next weeks film is Till, wonder what that will be like?
Yes, Hope St might bring some hope to the locals, but here we have hope only from our politicians. Yes, those that openly violate their oaths of office by ignoring immigration laws and allow unfettered access into our country by drug cartels, outlaw gangs, murders, rapists, and assorted thugs that raise havoc across the nation. Yes, the same politicians that promise us that the borders are really secure and under control, but allow fentenyl and other illegal drugs to kill our young people, soon to leave us with none but the aged and the infants. Whatta way to govern! But we have hope… Hello, Otto, you’re not the only one.
That’s it then Milan, just you me and Otto … only sensible ones left.