Gin started off as a medicine around about the 17th century and was quickly called Mother’s Ruin because so many women managed to get hooked on it. In my mother’s time it was believed to be useful in getting rid of unwanted pregnancies and young girls were told to have a hot gin bath. When I first heard this story I was quite young and couldn’t decide if the gin should be put in the bath water or in the potential mother. Anyway, it seems that gin is back in favour and is being sold in fancy bottles and in many flavours. Sadly there is a threat to the UK gin as the juniper tress which produce berries used to make the tipple are being attacked by a fungus. Once established in the tree the fungus will spread throughout the plant and kill it. So while you’re stocking up on toilet paper and flour in case of a new lockdown, you had better grab some bottles of Gordons just in case.
Harry and Meghan’s little speech to the American people about getting out to vote doesn’t seem to have gone down too well with – well anyone. In the White House especially which is not surprising as there is no love lost between the couple and the President. A Trump advisor said that they made Britain great again by leaving and he hoped they’d do the same for the US. The POTUS said that he wished Harry luck, he thought he would need it. The royal couple certainly don’t get any less irritating.
There is talk of students being advised to stay on campus over the Christmas period to avoid spreading the virus. There is even a talk of a ban on university students travelling. I think that is going to be a big ask for most of them, I’ve currently got four grandchildren away at Uni and I can’t imagine them missing the festivities at home. That’s before I get around to wondering what their mums would do to Boris or Matt Hancock. Merry Christmas everyone.
Have you been having a good lockdown clearout at home? A man in Derbyshire did just that and found what he thought was a small teapot. It had been purchased in China by the man’s father who was stationed there during the war. His mother had it on display in a cabinet but then along with many other bits of ‘junk’ it was put a a box in the garage. Lockdown gave the family time to have a sort out and the teapot was taken to be valued. The auction house said it was in fact a Chinese wine ewer and probably worth £20,000 or maybe more. It was eventually sold for a whopping £390,000. I had loads of junk in my garage when I moved but I had a struggle to give it away. I think I might have a look around some charity shops just in case. Are they open? Good night everyone, don’t let any of this keep you awake. 😴💤😴