I went to The Offside Bar in Islington with Garry last night. Another London England Fan meet.

It was great to mix with other people who are going to South Africa this summer. I know no one locally who is. Comparing itineraries is fun.

We were talking to someone who knows Cape Town well. He told us there is a great night club near to our hotel by the beach. It looks like we have found our temporary home for the trip.

Each meeting has a theme. This one focused on personal security in South Africa. There was a panel comprising of the FA, the police, the Foreign Office and some others. It was interesting.

All the speakers had the same message:

Yes, crime is a problem in South Africa, but there will be lots of extra police on duty for the World Cup. Be sensible, as you would in any city such as London, and you should be OK.

There was a consensus that possible problems had been exaggerated by the British press.

Normally before the World Cup the British press are busy exaggerating the possibility of trouble from England fans. This time they print scare stories about trouble FOR England fans.

That’s progress of sorts. But they have to peddle fear and loathing of someone, it sells newspapers.

As for some of the comments about SA President Jacob Zuma on his recent visited to the UK. What was the point?

You have to wonder if there is an agenda.

You can probably tell by the lack of posting. I haven’t been able to focus on anything for long. I’ve made little progress anywhere.

It hasn’t helped that my email has been on the blink for the last couple of days. I didn’t realise how much I missed it ’till It was no longer there.

I need a song to reset my mood.

I need this….

On 5th of November, 1605, a bunch of despicable Catholic conspirators attempted blow up the Houses of Parliament, MPs, King and all.

The dastardly plot was foiled. Guy Fawkes was caught red handed with a pile of gunpowder underneath the Parliament building.

Protestant UK still commemorates the failure with firework and bonfires. But, as we live in enlightened times we no longer burn real live Catholics. Instead we make do with burning effigies of Guy Fawkes.

The way the country is feeling these days, you suspect most people would prefer to burn an effigy of the local MP. If not a real live MP. This seems an appropriate track from the Levellers.

Who’s got the paper bag with all the holes?