Another short break at Pontins, Pakefield:

We're have another 4 night break up at Pontins, Pakefield - its just south of Lowestoft. We asked for a chalet with a walk-in shower, which we've got - really nice, reasonably freshly decorated and a decent little heater. And tonight, Monday, our first night, we had a really nice meal, simple but tasty - really enjoyed it . . .

OGD End of the season at Levington, October 2019

Sailing barge Thistle heads up the River Orwell, while Levington Marina is under dark clouds. Filmed 19 October 2019

Wanna be happy? 30+% of Brits have become "news avoiders" . . .

According to a surprisingly large amount of research, around a third of us in the UK have become what are called "news avoiders" - people who either accidentally or deliberately avoid watching the news on TV, listening to it on the radio, or reading a newspaper.

To be blunt, it seems like a really good idea.

I started out with the Brexit thing, taking aboard all of the news - Mrs May said this, some EU person said that - and then Boris Johnson took over. I used to be a fan of Boris, after being able to interview him about a local issue, but got fed-up with his porkies when the Referendum happened, and I became definitely anti-Johnson.

As things went along, I found I was increasingly getting annoyed and narked about it all. Stressed? Not sure - but certainly the constant stream of usually bad news, or adverse news, gradually got to me - so I've backed-off from watching or listing, and developed a viewpoint that seems to work for me.

Mainly, I ignore the national news. Because I cook our meals, I can dish up when I like - so lunch usually arrives at about 1.15, after the main burst of Brexit news is done-with. In the evening, I usually miss the national news altogether. I still watch either the BBC or ITV local news, because it tends to be mostly about real stuff that has actually happened, not fiction or fake news generated by politics and politicians.

So I guess I'm not really a proper "news avoider", but a part one. But I think I gain the benefits, because I no longer take much notice!

Some aspects of this seem similar to the effects people seem to experience when they give-up on things like excessive social media use - they feel better, lose the stress that bugs them, and are more interested in "real life" and the people around them.

So overall were we better off before the mighty internet came along in its present form? Like to know what you think . . .

Saturday vlog, 7 September 2019

Just a chat from my harbour side reading afternoon!

What do we want from the mighty BBC? Old Geezer's Diary, 6 September 2019

So what do we want from a "public service" broadcaster? Reliable, honest and straightforward news and information - yes please. But a stream of quiz-shows, entertainment and stuff designed to compete with commercial TV?

Homes for old people, not old people's homes, Old Geezer's Diary, 2019

Many old people are poor, many old people live in bad conditions, and many wouldn't need much help to improve their lives . . . What do you think?

A catch-up session; Old Geezers Diary, 3 September 2019

The world and work has got a bit on top of me over the last couple of days, so it's now time for a little catch-up session!

Brexit - right or wrong, Old Geezer's Diary, 29 August 2019

For all of who are getting on in years, the Brexit decision won't have that much effect on us, right or wrong - but it will on younger generations . . .

Adolf Hitler, Joe Stalin, Boris Johnson; Old Geezer's Diary, 28 August 2019

Suspending the effective operation of Parliament to obtain political ends that you may not be able to achieve by conventional means, is the action of a party and leader which does not believe in democracy . . .
What do you think?

Guest Star: Bob the Dog; Old Geezer's Diary, 28 August 2019

A ever-popular and always entertaining guest on the Old Geezer's Diary, fabulous Bob the Dog!
Loads more from the Old Geezer on this Youtube channel!
 The title illustration is a print of an original painting by artist Holly Gallant.

Are politicians finally catching on? Old Geezer's Diary, 27 August, 2019

Are politicians finally catching on . . . to the fact we really don't like them? What do you think?

Poor tired boy - Old Geezer''s Diary, 26 Aug 20197

Bob the dog . . .couple of days with us oldies and he's having to go to bed at 8 o'clock!

Old Geezer's Diary LIVE, archive, Friday 23 August 2019

An archive copy of today's live edition of the Old Geezer's Diary, with Chris Gosling, originally broadcast live on our Facebook channel at 7pm on Friday 23 August 2019.

Vote tory & work til you are 75! Old Geezer's Diary, 21 August

Over the years, I've usually voted Conservative - but never again. With a proposal to increase the pension age to 75 on the table, I sincerely hope we never have another Tory government!

A hard morning's filming; Old Geezer's Diary 20 August 2019.

New video vlog: A hard morning's filming; Old Geezer's Diary 20 August 2019. A quick clip today - filmed while shooting some transport history for trucking TV.

Sad day for the UK; Old Geezer's Diary 17 August 2019

A young policeman has just been killed while carrying out his duties - so do criminals think they can get away with anything, after cuts in police budgets and every other budget?

Shall we do some live shows, and would you like to join in? Old Geezer's Diary 16 August 2019

So - do you think we should run some live video shows on the diary?
I'd certainly be up for it, especially if you'd like to get involved on the phone or on video!
What do you think? Get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

Terms & Conditions apply? Big company swizz - Old Geezer's Diary, 15 August 2019

Big one get one Free - mind you, it doesn't apply to everything, just on the items we make loads of dosh on!
Big companies like Whitbread make megabucks (£438,000,000 last year), but they have to put in penny-pinching Ts & Cs to make sure paying customers don't get a really good deal!
And just a mention for Logan Young at the end of today's vlog!

The internet plague decimating our high streets; Old Geezer's Diary, 12 August 2019

Its a prime example of the law of unexpected consequences - the internet plague decimating our high streets!

A & E - under pressure but still doing a great job! Old Geezer's Diary 11 August 2019

After having issues and question marks over the NHS 111 service, we had another great experience with A & E . . they may be under amazing pressure, and getting tests carried out and results processed always takes time, but they always get to a proper and safe conclusion before either letting you go, or taking you in . . . and I'm glad to say, they let me go!

NHS 111 - the triage service that doesn't work . . . Old Geezer's Diary 9 August 2019

Our little interaction with NHS 111 . .

Part 2 - out with the WI ladies! Conked-out coach, a country stroll and some music!

Part 2 of my blog from Tuesday, 6 August - this time, our coach felt unwell, but thanks to the driver's skills, we only had to walk 200 yards to the the mechanical music museum, which was fantastic!

Learn more about The Grange Musical Museum: https://www.thegrangemusicalcollection.com/

Tuesday outing with the WI ladies . . . gardens, music, and the coach conked-out!

Part 1 of my blog from Tuesday, 6 August - day out with the ladies from one of our local WI groups . . . starting with a look at a miniature steam railway, a hurdy-gurdy, and a stroll around the little town of Diss . . . tomorrow's episode will be more about musical machines, and our coach conked-out!

Coming soon: Tuesday outing to Diss - with a very musical ending!

A quick clip, with a little musical surprise at the end, about what's coming up later on the Old Geezer's Diary!

Robots - and will we eventually pay extra to deal with a human? Old Geezer's Diary, 3 August 2019

We all know that robots are coming, but most of us haven't thought much beyond that . . .
But there's a sex (and companionship) robot of the market now called Harmony, while others are on their way to talk to residents in carehomes, and according to hearsay, workers in Amazon are often getting knocked about by them . . .
You can hear what the BBC has to say: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07j8bhb
And you can meet Harmony here: https://youtu.be/jnbK_7uSpMY

On the beach! Old Geezer's Diary 3 August 2019

Just a Saturday chat from the riverside . . . on a really nice afternoon!

Global plastic pollution looks awful; Old Geezer's Diary, 1 August 2019

Government figures reveal that we bought half the number of plastic bags this year compared with last - 549 million, compared with 1 billion last year.
But globally, especially in many 3rd world countries the situation is still serious and awful - see the photos in this clip, and you'll see just how bad plastics pollution it can be!

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80% rise in knife crime since 2014; Old Geezer's Diary, 31 July 2019

Latest figures show an 80% rise in knife crime since 2014 and a 19% rise in violent crime - just what is going on?
This old geezer believes that the constant cut-backs in funding for policing, social care and social welfare is causing a decline in civilisation in our country - and that means for everyone, young an old alike, as long as austerity continues . . .
This vlog's figure come from a series of statistical chats on violent and knife crime published by the BBC - and they make shocking reading:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42749089?xtor=ES-208-[24365_NEWS_NLB_ACT_Wk31_Wed_31_July]-20190731-[bbcnews_crime_newsuk_violence]

The aircraft the BBC call "Boeing's Killer Planes"; Old Geezer's Diary, 20 July

New video: The aircraft the BBC call "Boeing's Killer Planes"; Old Geezer's Diary, 20 July If you are a frequent flyer, do you know about the Boeing 737 MAX - the aircraft the BBC call "Boeing's Killer Planes" 2 new planes crashed within 5 months of each other, killing 346 people . . . and the 387 still in service were grounded, and they still are. Boeing seem to think if they say it wasn't their problem, it would all go away, says the BBC . . What do you think?

Should over 75's pay for a TV License? Old Geezer's Diary Vlog, 29 July 2019

Do you think over 75's should pay for a TV licence . . . and should the BBC still be the golden child of broadcasting, when all the others have to sell themselves to generate their income? I know what I think, but what do you think?

Old Geezer's Diary, 28 July - "Zone of Champions" . . . rubbish TV!

I hope you all enjoyed yesterday's visit to the Felixstowe carnival  . . .  but I hope you've managed to avoid the latest bit of TV tosh from ITV - a dreadful video clip show called "Zone of Champions" . . . rubbish, or what . . .''

Old Geezer's Diary, 26 July - A breakfast McMuffin, and Britain no longer rules the waves!

Filmed at one of my favourite locations - down by the port - I tested a McDonalds breakfast muffin, never again, and have a ponder about the state of our merchant navy and its seafarers . . . sad, really . . .

If you'd like to learn more about young Jack Ibbotson and his nautical ambitions, that will be online soon, on Shipping TV: www.youtube.com/shippingtv

If you'd like to hear some of Peter Barc's memories of the Thames and our nautical history, take a look at: https://youtu.be/xrDJwTW9G7Y

Global warming and listening to Boris! OGD vlog, 25 July 2019

100% of scientists say that Global Warming is 100% real, and I've been listening to Boris . . . everyone needs an interest in life, don't they . . . ;-)

Old Geezer's Diary vlog - Feeling Luck - 23 July 2019

Feeling lucky, and feeling interested today . . lucky because I didn't have a tooth pulled, and interested because Boris is in command!

A good question - what would Labour do for older people? 20 July 2019

A couple of days ago, I was invited to a Labour Party evening, at which activist Grace Blakeley was the guest speaker. She was very interesting, and presented some serious viewpoints in a strong way, and it was worth attending.
After the main event, I got the chance to ask the question I'm always going to ask of people in her kind of position - "what would your party do for older people?"

Back like a bad penny - Old Geezer's Diary, 18 July 2019.

New video: Back like a bad penny - Old Geezer's Diary, 18 July 2019.

It's my first diary for a week, nearly - but here I am again, getting over what I can only describe as a bout of overwork

Caravan short break - Hastings trip, filmed 6 June 2019

A brief look at the very pleasant town centre of Hastings, on the south coast of the UK, while staying at Winchelsea Sands, just a few miles away.

Beach-launched fishing boats at Dungeness; 5 May 2019

When we stay on the south coast around Folkestone and Hastings, we usually have an outing to Dungeness - the immense shingle bank surrounding the Nuclear power station, and a couple of lighthouses . . . it's an odd place!

Winchelsea Beach park walkthrough, filmed Wednesday 5 June 2019

To give you a flavour of the holiday park, here's a stroll through from the main entrance to the van we're staying at . . . .

Short break at Winchelsea, 3 June 2019

Here we are in a static caravan at the Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park, owned by Park Holidays - 4 nights for just £79, but it would be nicer if the rain stopped!

Old Geezer's Vlog: Can't we find a system of government that works? 30 May 2019

Our government is based on the opinions and beliefs of 635 people who really don't share much with the people who vote for them, and we keep them on a salary which is more than twice the national average wage . . . Can't we invent a better system? u41_g5PJKw4

Are you Surprised? Tory leader candidate Boris Johnson tells lies? 29 May 2019

After politicians telling voters lies and half-truths for as long as I can remember, one is finally being taken to task in a court of law! Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson is due up soon!

RPC: Southwold - where beach huts often cost well over £100K! Filmed 17 May 2019

With a purchase price of under £1,000 for the hut itself, and an annual rent of around £700pa, beach huts at the Suffolk holiday town of Southwold are often sold for over £100,000 . . . On the day we visited, 17 May 2019, they don't look worth the money!

Are top 3 Tory leadership candidates smarmy sleazebags? 26 May 2019

Purely personally? I don't think the top 3 tory leadership candidates are trustworthy and reliable - Gove and Hunt come across as millionaires with their own agendas buried deep below the public's view, while Boris Johnson told heavy-duty lies in the Referendum campaign - I wouldn't trust one of them!

Boating fails at Dedham, Essex, 25 May 2019

Rowing your boats stern first, and having no idea of where you're going? This the place to see it all!

5 minutes of tranquility . . .

We all have busy lives these days, even us retired people - so I thought I'd share 5 minutes of peace and quiet . .

Morning update - 22 May 2019

Just a brief chat on Wednesday morning:

Coffee break - relax with Retired People's Club, 21 May 2019

Filmed at 10.50am on Tuesday, 21 May 2019 - a few minutes peace and quiet, sitting on the beach in the sunshine . . .

I'm an Iceland fan - good for old geezers!

I'm quite an Iceland fan when it comes to food shopping - this morning, 3 main lunchtime dishes for the two of us for just £3 the lot, plus spuds and veg, of course. For someone on their own, that's 6 main meals . . . In the freezer, of course, so similar meals are spread out over 2 or 3 weeks, to give us a good variety.

And lunch for 3 today - we've invited our neighbour. Again from the excellent Iceland, 3 main courses from their Chinese meal selection, each of which takes around 10 minutes in the microwave or about 50 mins in the oven, which is what I'll do to have them all ready at the same time. £1.59 a piece, plus a couple of packets of Uncle Bens, and the whole event comes in at around £6.77, against maybe £20 at the takeaway, and the labour involved is maybe ten minutes, as opposed to maybe 15 to 20 to drive to the shop . . . And added to that, it all tastes very good!

Pontins short break summary 17 May 2019

Well, we've had a 4-night short break at Pontins, Pakefield - so here's what I think:

British boat people? 15 May 2019

At Thorpe Green, just outside Norwich, it looks like there's a small community of people living in boats, and doing the best they can . . .

Old Geezer's Diary - Gt Yarmouth tourist area: tacky but I love it! 14 May

Although its jam-packed with tat to take home for granny, and all kinds of odd stuff, I've always been a big fan of the town's seaside tourist area - fascinating and fun to wander round!

Old Geezer's Diary vlog, 14 May - windfarms: littering the future?

Many of us love the sea - but are we destroying the seas around our coast by planting thousands of wind turbines in the seabed?

Old Geezer's Diary - Pontins short break, May 2019 - 1st report

A first look at our 4-night short break at Pontins Pakefield, in mid-may 2019 - this report filmed on 13 May, just after we arrived at the holiday park.

Old Geezer's Diary vlog, 13th May - Someone else can do the cooking!

Proper breakfast fry-ups for 4 days, and dinners that someone else has cooked . . . we're off for a short break at Pontins, Pakefield!

Old Geezer's Diary: Free trip on the Tilbury ferry! 10 May 2019

A free luxury cruise on the River Thames? No, but you can have a free Thames crossing between Tilbury and Gravesend with your bus pass! I really enjoyed it . .

Old Geezer's Diary Vlog, 11 May 2019.

A chat from the seaside - making a few changes!

Old Geezer's Diary, 9 May 2019 - is life really better now than 50 years ago?

So here's today's vlog . . . . with a serious question for you to answer:

Old Geezer's Diary, Sunday 5 May: OAP = Old Age Poverty . . . .

2 million pensioners live on an income that puts them below the official poverty line - and I suppose another million live very close to it. That's somewhere around 25% of our pensioner population . . . discuss!

Old Geezer's Diary Saturday 4 May 2019 - back in gear!

Back in action after a couple of days up to my neck in it!

Old Geezer's Diary, 1 May 2019 - get out there and VOTE!

Here's my honest message for you - if you don't get out there and vote, any way you like, for, against or protest, you don't have a right to moan when things you do or don't like, happen!

Old Geezer's Diary, 30 April 2019 - vanishing High Streets?

Here's today's big question on the diary - will our high streets become deserts as big retailers vanish, or will they transform into other uses?

Old Geezer's Diary, 29 April 2019 - more on climate change . . .

Climate change is really something that gets us all going. Mr Trump doesn't believe it at all, but I really rather do . . . worrying, isn't it?

Saturday night vlog . . . 27 April 2019

A busy week for this little vlog - thanks to everyone who takes a look, here, on Youtube and on Facebook:

Today's vlog, 26 April 2019: Rich Lords want to cut retired people's perks!

Someone has to ask - exactly what planet do members of the House of Lords come from?

Old Geezer's Diary vlog, 25 April 2019 - police not investigating 60% of crimes . . . ??

Today's Live Video Stream: Is this what we signed-up for? Police apparently don't investigate around 60% of reported crimes . . . . Please note: apologies for poor quality as downloaded from Facebook - didn't record as intended!

Old Geezer's Diary, 24 April 2019: MPs you can't quite trust - so would you employ one?

We pay their wages, but would you employ one? MPs are famous for fiddling their expenses, telling untruths, and maximising their income based on the "influence" they have through their jobs!

Old Geezer's Diary vlog - is climate change real? 23 April 2019

Is climate change real?
3 shows on TV last week said that it is, and that its coming towards faster than we might expect . . . what do you think?
The 3 shows were David Attenborough's climate change programme, which was followed a film, "The Age of Stupid", suggesting the end of our civilisation by 2065. The next day's show was Earth from Space, which carried startling imagery of the changes in our world over recent years.
This clip was first shown live on Facebook today.

Riverside stroll at Beccles, Suffolk, spring 2019

One of Suffolk's nice small towns, Beccles - and a stroll along the River Waveney.

Black pudding for breakfast! 20 February 2019

New video: Good morning from my kitchen as I cook up one of my faves - black pudding and fried egg! Delicious!!

Not so keen on shopping at Lidl's . . . .

Shopping at Lidl's . . . I'm not so keen these days . . 18 February 2019: