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1976!

We didn’t worry about climate change

back then. The temperature might have

hit the 90s for several days. But that

was Fahrenheit, not Centigrade.

 

I do remember being bitten

by swarms of maddened ladybirds.

It wasn’t the heat that bothered us,

but the lack of rain. Wildfires

 

smouldered for a month in woods

and on heaths on my drive to work,

traveling underground along

tree roots before breaking out.

 

They wanted us to share baths.

The government appointed

a minster for drought.

And guess what? It poured

 

and poured. He had

to sort out floods instead.

That was under Labour.

Imagine this lot doing something similar?

 

Not a chance. Crisis, what crisis?

The PM’s partying at Chequers.

What an absolute shower.

I think I’ll stay indoors on Monday.

🌷(7)

◄ A pride of Lionesses (and all the other teams)

Holiday jobs ►

Comments

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 22nd Jul 2022 20:09

JC - I assume you refer to the "campaign" by family and friends of
eponymous East End blagger in the "George Davis is innocent,
OK" escapades - digging up and spreading oil on sacrosanct
test cricket pitches. He was released (but not pardoned) in 1976
and in 1978 was caught in the act by the Flying Squad when
another taking part in another "across the pavement" job near the BBC here in central London. There was a memorable press photo
of him being pinned face down on the pavement by his captors.
I don't recall the caption but it didn't include the words "innocent,
OK" 😃

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John Coopey

Fri 22nd Jul 2022 18:08

I seem to think the previous year was a scorcher too; Vicar David at Lords, “Free George Harrison” at Headingley and all that.

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Greg Freeman

Fri 22nd Jul 2022 17:13

Thanks for your comment, John!

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John Botterill

Mon 18th Jul 2022 21:14

Great to remember those times, Greg. Really enjoyed your poem. 😀

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M.C. Newberry

Mon 18th Jul 2022 10:10

GF - sorry if my mention of "gripper knickers" brought on an
attack of what my maiden aunts used to call "the vapours". It
was merely a frivolous comment to lighten the mood. Too
much "seriousness" - like too much information - can be disconcerting.

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Greg Freeman

Mon 18th Jul 2022 08:33

Thanks for your comments and memories, Graham, Steve, Ray, and MC. Although I'm not sure I was ready for an unexpected vision of MC in his 'gripper-knickers' ... too much info, MC! Muchas gracias for the Likes, Frederick, Hugh, Holden, and Nigel

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 17th Jul 2022 20:28

GS - there'll probably be a "Ministry of Mediocrity" by then...to help them cope with all their failings. This parliamentary lot have much to answer for but at least we haven' had rubbish dumps filling the streets or corpses piled up waiting to be given a proper send-off. I'm enjoying this
unexpected summer weather in my little Londob flat, suitably attired in my "gripper-knickers" (as an old colleague used to describe men's underwear back
in the day" - making a few bob on the gee-gees online and following a modest exercise regime to keep the
circulation's cobwebs at bay. All
together now: "I will survive..." !! .

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raypool

Sun 17th Jul 2022 17:26

The reservoirs were running dry, but today it's our patience it seems! I was working in a club in Watford , no air con and I remember it being 100 degrees in there. The chicken in a basket didn't help. A nice political twist to it....

Ray

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 17th Jul 2022 17:17

Thanks for this, Greg. It made me think of the Oval in August, with the outfield burned to a crisp and the West Indies racking up nearly 700.

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Graham Sherwood

Sun 17th Jul 2022 10:00

Love this! Where was Greta back then?
I’m waiting for a ‘Minister for the Bleeding Obvious’.
Whatever will the young ‘uns do when us lucky boomers have died out?

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