We got the predictable result in Newark, even though the Tory majority halved.  Unless Farage takes the next step, namely to produce a series of policies that ring bells with the electorate, UKIP will remain a protest party.  The danger UKIP face is trying to map out a manifesto that challenges the main parties in every aspect of their programmes.  If they try, they’ll lose.  Focus is the key, and not just on the seats they fight. Immigration and the European Union will remain issues but Farage needs another 3 or 4 key areas to fight on.  Pareto is the clue; 80% effort on the 20% of issues that the electorate see as important. We shall watch with interest since it might make a good case study.  The Lib Dems also got a predictable result in Newark, finishing sixth, just ahead of Nick The Flying Brick in seventh.  With a better turn out, Nick the Brick fancies he’ll beat Clegg’s lot in the general election!   Clegg and Cable tried to show togetherness during their pub announcement.  Words like ‘piss up’ and ‘brewery’ spring to mind.  They should fire their PR team before they come up with something really ludicrous.  On reflection, how can they top that?      

    We generally have a laugh when we meet but today produced hysterics.  Jez has bought a new Apple iPhone.  We’d have paid good money to hear the salesperson explaining the features to him.  Adrian said the Samsung Galaxy would have been better for Jez; not buying one at all would have been best in the majority view.  Jez bought the phone after seeing all the pictures that keep appearing in the papers of celebrities doing ‘selfies’.  Unfortunately the title hasn’t quite registered on him.  The pictures he showed us were reflections of himself in a mirror but he capped that by getting Pam to take a group photograph of the lads and called that a ‘selfie’.  Adrian thought Jez had rationalised ‘selfie’ to mean any photo that included him.  That soon got disproved.  Jez told us he was going home to take a ‘selfie’ of his Labrador, Zak.  Maybe the dog will explain it to him.

    Obama’s speech at the D Day celebrations was brilliant.  He may not have written it, but the delivery made the hairs stand up; a fitting tribute to the young Americans and Brits who stood to be counted at a moment in history that we hope will never be repeated.  On his feet in this media age, Obama stands out as a world figure.  Hopefully there will be no downside to the negotiations with The Taliban to get Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl released.  Two of our group spent their business lives doing commercial deals and know the implications of precedent.   Once in place, precedent can’t be discounted as a one off.  Putin struck a lonely figure in Normandy, isolated by other world leaders as a result of what is happening in Ukraine. It seemed unfortunate when we think of all the Russian soldiers who died to defeat Hitler.  They played a major part in the final victory and shouldn’t be forgotten.

    The row rumbles on about the television programme undertaken by Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Ann Barnes.  The highlight for us was her use of an onion in her attempt to explain the setting of police priorities.  Sam said all he kept seeing was a turnip.  He didn’t need to explain. This lady is paid £85,000/annum plus expenses and appears to have no job description.  We would happily write one for her but she might need to buy some new Marigolds to fulfil it.  Cameron and Osborne had most people onside when they came to office; we needed to cut public spending.  If the need still exists, they should take action when an expensive role such as this is exposed to ridicule.

    The church and charities are up in arms about the block of flats in London that has introduced one inch studs to discourage rough sleepers from using the covered alcove near the main entrance.  As a dog walker, who carries a plastic bag to remove anything my Labrador leaves behind her, my sympathies are with the residents of the flats.  Instead of voicing anger, the church might consider opening their doors to rough sleepers.  Their shelters have limited space, but a warm dry church could sleeps hundreds. 

    The Mail On Sunday you magazine had a guide to lifestyle gurus on Sunday.  Ben raised it because all the gurus were women.  Apart from Oprah, who apparently gets about 71 million views a month, we didn’t recognise the names, but it raised a question.  Why are there no blokes?   We had to give it a go.  Jez suggested that stick on soles give years of extra life to shoes.  I could just imagine the celebrities following that advice; stick-ons for your Jimmy Choo’s madam?  As connoisseurs of curries we settled on our recommended actions after a Vindaloo.  Just before bed, drink a large glass of water and put a toilet roll in the fridge.  Follow that Oprah!