Budget Day

 Political commentary has been full of budget speculation for the last few weeks.  Many people seem to have pointed out that Brexit has made everything worse. 

Today is budget day, and doubtless there will be a reaction, whatever is announced.  That will take a while.

But what will people talk about then?

Biggles, Tim and Pru

 Back in 2013, there was a Guardian cryptic crossword set by Biggles.  Who was so called because he was actually a team of four setters, all called John (including John Halpern - Paul - and John Graham - the late and much missed Araucaria).

At one point that year, Biggles set a crossword whose solutions were a 50th wedding anniversary celebration gift to Timothy West and Prunella Scales.  Both of them were keen cruciverbalists, and I remember it being a tough solve.

A few days later I was on one of the long escalators leading up from the tube at Euston station, when I realised that Tim and Pru were behind me.  I had to turn and congratulate them, and say how much I enjoyed 'their' crossword.

I think they were quite pleased.  But I do remember afterwards thinking they might have been more chuffed if I'd praised them for their theatrical achievements!

Anyway, John Graham passed several years ago, and Tim West more recently.  And now Pru has gone as well.

RIP Prunella Scales.

Farewell Kudu

 So it appears that the South African restaurant on Nunhead Lane, Kudu, has closed.  We found out about it from the Guardian, because - it seems - they are closing their eateries in Peckham to be able to launch a swanky new place in Marylebone.  Grace Dent has reviewed the latter.

We were never that attracted to Kudu, to be fair, despite the fact that they seemed to have a good reputation amongst foodies.  It seemed very meat- and - barbecue- oriented, and for a long time the non-meat options weren't enticing.  That did change before the end, but it is too late now...

So, farewell Kudu.

To be totally honest, we felt the loss of the wonderful Babette's from the same physical building far more.  That was a joyous, quirky and eclectic French bar/restaurant, with a rich and enjoyable range of food and drinks, presided over by the eponymous Ms B.  And they did very good work to support the local community over the pandemic lockdown. 

We were very, very sad when they closed down.

However, it is probably worth remembering that the site - at 57 Nunhead Lane - has taken on many other guises over the years.

And as we asked before, what next?


 

Pestle

 Those who enjoy this type of thing may well enjoy today's Enigmatist. We know we did...

Autumnal

 Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

  Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun...

... And time for a flu jab, and our 10th?  (11th?  12th? ) Covid jab...

... Now all done.

We Thought We'd Share This...

 ... because we have a Chapter in it!

Available here.

RIP Brian Patten

 Another Poet lost.

Minister for Exams

When I was a child I sat an exam.
This test was so simple
There was no way i could fail.

Q1. Describe the taste of the Moon.

It tastes like Creation I wrote,
it has the flavour of starlight.

Q2. What colour is Love?

Love is the colour of the water a man
lost in the desert finds, I wrote.

Q3. Why do snowflakes melt?

I wrote, they melt because they fall
on to the warm tongue of God.

There were other questions.
They were as simple.

I described the grief of Adam
when he was expelled from Eden.
I wrote down the exact weight of
an elephant's dream

Yet today, many years later,
For my living I sweep the streets
or clean out the toilets of the fat
hotels.

Why? Because constantly I failed
my exams.
Why? Well, let me set a test.

Q1. How large is a child's
imagination?
Q2. How shallow is the soul of the
Minister for exams?

See also Gust Becos I Cud Not Spel