Having voted ‘yes’ to the European Union in the 70’s we face another vote in coming months. Most of our crowd lived through the Second World War and experienced the sort of austerity that questions the use of the word in relation to 2016 living conditions. To us, the concept of a common market and a Europe that didn’t go to war with each other was unfailingly attractive. But how things have changed. In so many areas we see Brussels taking decisions that should be taken in Westminster. Even worse, we see decisions taken in Westminster overruled by Brussels. A quick poll in the pub showed a distinct leaning towards ‘no’ this time. Some things are similar. In 1975, the ‘yes’ campaign was well staffed, well funded and contained like minded, respected people from all three major parties. The ‘no’ campaign was led by the likes of Enoch Powell, Tony Benn, Dr Ian Paisley – the usual suspects to use crime thriller terminology. Today we see high profile personalities praising Cameron as he throws the Conservative manifesto in the garbage, while high fiving crumbs from the EU. At the same time, the ‘no’ campaign is downgraded by infighting. History is generally a guide to the future but today’s politicians don’t achieve (or deserve) the levels of respect they once had. We’re told the vote will be a once in a lifetime affair but for us it’s already a second. If a ‘yes’ proves a disaster there must be a third and the country won’t wait 40 years.

    Dr Sally Davies, the ‘one glass of wine will shorten your life messiah’ should have listened to a recently deceased 107-year-old in Spain. Antonio Garcia from Ribadavia in northern Spain put his longevity down to drinking four bottles of red wine every day. He had the great advantage of owning a vineyard. While gratefully accepting his advice we shall have to temper it on a pure cost basis. But a 107-year-old woman in London is taking medical advice more seriously. She stopped smoking at 102 for the sake of her health and now only consumes one bottle of whisky a week! She has kept one packet of ciggy’s stashed away in case of a very stressful moment. In our opinion that could occur if she ever meets Sally Davies.

    Television series, The Jump, is gaining viewers by the thousand as pseudo celebrities and retired sports stars give it their all on skis. The accident rate is what is acquiring viewers, the winner likely to be the last person standing, or maybe just lying quietly if the trend continues. If only the next series could be dedicated to politicians – the ratings would go through the roof, hopefully joined by a couple of the contestants.          

    Josh James collected his meal from a drive-thru Wendy’s in Florida, paid and gave the staff a surprise. He tossed a three-foot alligator through the drive-thru window. As tips go, this must have been a first. The alligator was eventually released into a nearby canal. No comment has been heard from staff since they are still in the toilets.

    German Intelligence says that Islamic State militants have slipped into Europe disguised as refugees. The statement came after the arrest of four suspects believed to be planning an attack in Berlin. What a surprise. Four down and only X number more to be found.

    Angela Merkel is now asking Turkey to hold up the latest flood of refugees that have arrived on the Turkish border. The refugees are driven by President Assad’s Russian assisted advance in Aleppo province. So her ‘all welcome’ speech has finally come home to roost and she is desperately seeking to pass on the problem. Turkey’s deputy Prime Minister, Yalcin Akdogan, summed it up yesterday by accusing Europe of voicing lessons on morality without practicing what they preach. He accused Europe of saying open your borders, take everyone in, but don’t let anyone through. He makes a good point. On the other hand, he should understand politics. When a leader makes a total cock up they need to seek a scapegoat. Merkel will shortly be blaming Turkey as the road north gets choked with immigrants/refugees.

    After another round up of who takes the most tablets nowadays, Paddy made an interesting point. At our age, no matter how many tablets you take, nobody says you are a hypochondriac.

    Amanda Holden threw a hissy fit after being booed off stage at Britain’s Got Talent auditions. That’s a lot of no’s from the audience then!