Gloucester Saint

Yes https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/new-data-on-the-autism-employment-gap It costs everyone far more to keep people on benefits when actually with a few low/no cost reasonable adjustments and sensible management people on the autistic and related spectrum can contribute really well in the workplace. Which equals greater economic productivity. It’s also very good for giving bright people who find it less easy to mask conditions in the workplace financial independence and self-confidence. Badenoch’s latest idiot comments (on top of maternity pay and McDonalds) would also block neurodivergent people’s progress towards that point from education onwards by stigmatising or de-funding reasonable adjustments.

Don’t envy him the situation with his son but his rudeness has been rumoured long before that https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a44816729/gregg-wallace-bbc-show-exit-rumours-rudeness/ https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2276860/gregg-wallace The other thing was that I assumed with their onset chemistry that him and John Torode were friends away from it. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/masterchef-star-gregg-wallace-cross-with-rude-strangers-who-send-him-pictures-of-bald-men-8519664.html Not so apparently, friendly at work but not social away from it (nothing wrong with that but surprising). Torode’s partner Lisa Faulkner said something interesting at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. She won the Celebrity a few years back before she got together with Torode https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/lisa-faulkner-masterchef-greg-wallace-john-torode-b2629322.html Apparently a clip of innuendo about a former contestant has appeared on the Sun website. If I didn’t know better I’d say the BBC were trying to ease him out.

Good journalism by Sky News here, confirming beyond doubt that the summer riots were organised and driven by not only domestic far right and facist groups but also the global far right using deliberate misinformation https://news.sky.com/story/riots-and-the-far-right-the-global-network-behind-the-violence-13232023

Can’t match you guys for fitness kicks and Weston’s impressive weight loss but managed to lose several pounds since the summer and my clothes are fitting better with reducing carb intake. Not altogether because I do enjoy good bread but from the local baker not crap with a preservative list stretching half of the packet. Main thing for me is reducing inflammation rather than weight per se, I’m median BMI for my height. Kicked lactose out of my diet in 2019 after allergy tests and the heartburn of old has vanished. I still have lactose free milk etc, not gone down the vegan route fully and eggs in cooked things etc. Have stopped meat though, fish is my protein align with pulses and lentils although I do limit the tuna. The Cotswolds helps, some of the hills are around or over 1000 feet and good cardio, and views when it’s not full of rain and clag. Been wanting to get over to the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons an hour or so from here, but want a decent day to make the most of it with the walking boots on. Crickhowell is a great place to start walks from.

Not least given Kemi’s latest off the cuff opinions with zero evidence behind them https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/badenoch-autism-comments-detached-reality-3323648 As someone who often votes Lib Dem but not always, I hope the picture you paint indeed comes to fruition. When the Bucklands of the party are derided for not being ‘real Tories’ you know they are going down the same rabbit holes Labour did with Corbyn to get one over on ‘Blue Labour’.

Kemi seems to have a Braverman tendency to want to be noticed, usually for a stupid/pro active comment. This time, autistic and other neurodivergent people are in her firing line https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kemi-badenoch-autism-tory-leadership-buckland-b2628845.html She’s a gift that keeps giving for the other parties but I think Bob Jenryck, with his own slew of issues and unpopularity, will edge the contest. Why she didn’t speak to Robert Buckland, a former Tory MP with a good depth of knowledge on autism and the economy, and a good person frankly, astonishes me. Would rather rant in an unevidenced and uneducated way instead.

Gregg Wallace?

If we lose this one, it’s a 30 game, 10 month pre-season for 25/26 campaign. Would only have Derby’s low points record to overhaul but hopefully some of the players would want to use the remaining fixtures as a showcase/shop window and as fans we might get at least a few enjoyable games/results without useless passing triangles between Stephens-Bednarek-THB. Nothing against any of those players, I just loathe the style of football as much as I did Branfoot and long ball.

That article has all the hallmarks of a pitch to his next mid-table Championship employer with half an eye on making the play-offs.

They really can’t help themselves, although the actual club did deal swiftly and decisively with the academy players incident 3 or 4 years ago tbf.

Have never liked the idea of online-only banks and an example of why https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6epzxdd77o

I’m not a Labour voter but even I can see that the lack of daily civil war and reduced xenophobia is going to encourage inward investment https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/britain-is-ready-for-investment-say-big-banks-and-companies-v5p6h7ct7

Autumn colours

Their Ginger Beer and Cream Soda is decent as well.

The truth 👆

Vaguely Saints-related, Lewis Payne got on second half for Cheltenham in their 3-2 defeat at home to Swindon in a Cotswolds derby today and did well. Harrison Sonha, their other technically good player, didn’t get on until half-time either. Swindon filled the away end for the short trip and gate of 5.5k meant a good atmosphere. Michael Flynn much like Russell Martin at Saints on thin ice, far more so I’d say. In fact, as popular as a fart in a space suit with the natives at the moment unless things rapidly change. Thought he’d be a decent appointment but after a huge turnover of players they really cannot defend at all. There was nearly a comedy own goal before Swindon’s first from a throw in that exceeds anything Saints have done recently. Amazingly, Cheltenham were the width of a post from 3-3 after being 3 down, but both sides will struggle to stay up, exciting as today was. The win is only Mark Kennedy’s second in 14 for Swindon but buys him a couple more games having been under pressure going into today.

Just the single pint at one of my local pubs, Adam Henson Pale Ale.

What an absolute pillock (the cyclist/biker).

What a nutcase. And people said Biden cognitive decline, Donald is at least as bad these days https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-unhinged-rally-rants-pennsylvania-1235130843/

Alex Salmond passed away suddenly after giving a speech in Macedonia this morning. 69 young these days. Whilst not my cup of tea, still sad news.

Haigh will be toast shortly as a minister reading that https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r82pjd8gpo

Can’t speak for others, but no, never had it myself. I’m pescatarian - which sounds like some sort of religious denomination that gets sung about at Old Firm games - but is fish and plants, so don’t have red meat and some of the other stuff which tends to set it off eg creamy sauces and things cooked in butter. Plus I’m a moderate drinker (5-7 units p/week) and only beer, don’t touch red wine etc. I like it but it’s not so keen on me. Friends have had it and nasty.

Hook Norton Red Rye tonight, the leaves are turning red and so has my pint. Fruity nose, apples, pears, hints of citrus fruit, with the rye noticeable. The taste is toffee apples, citrus, a peppery hoppiness and dryness from the rye in the finish. The colour is really vivid, very deep red like a sunset. Off to a couple of the local pubs tomorrow, will zap a pic with the local stone in the background.

He won’t shed Rayner but tell her to rein it a bit. Haigh needs to tread carefully though.

I think that’s coming very shortly, I sense Rayner et al getting an Outlook invite to go and see Starmer and Reeves. The latter will be the most annoyed. Might be an excuse to get rid of a left winger and bring in someone from the Labour right.