Gooseberry Crumble

I genuinely thought Tugendhat would back Rishi so I suspect a big cabinet job has been promised to him. Cynical souls that I am.

On this day 17 years ago in 2005 Fahd , King of Saudi Arabia for a 23 year reign or rather rule from June 1982 until 2005 died 10 years after a stroke. He was named Crown Prince in 1975 after one of his brothers who was King was assainated and replaced by another brother King Khalid. This was arguably a busier time for him than when he became monarch in 1982. His father King Abdulaziz was the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Fahd is credited with having introduced something akin to a constitution for the country as King. It was called the Basic law of Saudi Arabia and introduced in 1992 and is a charter divided into 9 chapters and 83 articles. Basically it codified Saudi Arabia as a theocracy legally. He was however in the arena of foreign policy seen very pro Western which did ferment hostility towards him in some quarters in Saudi society even in the upper echeleons of society and those with religious power. His half brother Crown Prince Abdullah served as de facto regent after Fahd had his stroke. Nevertheless with 23 years on the throne to date Fahd remains the longest serving Saudi King. Accounts differ on whether he was aged 82, 83 or 84 at the time of his death.

Skyfall probably my favourite Bond film of all time.

On this day seven years ago in 2015, the one and only showbiz legend , singer and television presenter Cilla Black died after a fall in her holiday home in Spain aged 72. ITV shows Surprise Surprise and Blind Date are what she is most famous for in her later career .A career that legend has it started in the Cavern Club , Matthew Street Liverpool in the early 1960s as a cloak room attendant who mingled with the young Beatles before global fame hit them.

American actor Terry kiser, most famous for his role in 1989 film Weekend at Bernies, celebrates his 83rd birthday today.

Nadine Dorries is not being helpful to Liz Truss and is not an asset to her and her campaign. I don't think in the event of a Liz Truss win that Nadine will be in the cabinet.

Whats happened or is a death drought what you mean?

Currently on 172 total with at least two more to be added including Pat Carroll. I wonder when the total will reach 200? Possibly by the end of August?

On this day in 1884 Kien Phuc, a child Emperor of Vietnam who reigned for less than 8 months died, died aged 15. His Uncle Emperor Tu Duc and his wife were unable to have children so he adopted a number of his preferred nephews to give them the official status of being in line to the throne. However he was killed in an act of regicide by Hiep Hoa who has launched a successful murderous coup to take over. Worried and angry about the countrys future, mandarins, regents and officials relatively swiftly deposed of Hiep Hoa and forced him to commit suicide It was at this point that young Kien Phuc, the preferred successor was quickly installed at 5am. However he too was destined to have only a short reign. He was apparently always prone to intermittently being a bit of a sickly child but his sudden death did still raise suspicions that he he had be poisoned by his adoptive mother , his late Uncles widow because she was allegedly having an affair with royal mandarin and regent Nguyen Van Tuong- a man who played a key role in depising of at least three successive Emperors because he deemed them problematic or a threat for a variety of reasons. A courtier with real power is how he is best understood. Kien was succeeded by his cousin who also had a very short reign.

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway tweets news confirming that her husband former political adviser Derek Draper is in intensive care fighting for his life.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/gina-rodriguez-pregnant-first-child-birthday-1235189776/ American actress Gina Rodriguez has announced that she and her husband, actor Joe LoCicero, are expecting their first child together.

American actor Dean Cain , who played a television incarnation of Superman in more recent decades, celebrates his 56th birthday today.

On this day in 1964 popular American country singer Jim Reeves died in a plane accident, a plane of which he was the pilot, during a thunderstorm. He was just 40 years old

Canadian professional wrestler Roddy Piper died on this day in 2015 aged 61.

American philosopher John Searle celebrates his 90th birthday today.

No such luck! If I could afford servants I would be more inclined to spend that money on a' sex slave' or valet as some call it to sound more classy- rather than a servant! Summer houses are becoming increasingly popular not just with posh people! It helped preserve my sanity during the covid lockdown! It's not much bigger than an average shed, just a small square room.

I am now relaxing in the summer house in the back garden , chilling listening to both the mesmerising sound of rain on the window and enjoying a good podcast. Hopefully this has got my mind into a good enough state that the team I have now just sent you doesn't clash with any other teams picked!

And @MariNisia Here is my latest avatar incarnation to amuse ane pleasw you!!

Jane Rossington? Just sent my new team fingers crossed there is not a second drum roll!

Yes just sent successfully now. Many thanks.

It says you cannot receive messages @MortalCaso when I try to sent my entry. Many thanks for running this pool.

You've always done a fine damned good job of it in my opinion.

On this day in 2016, mainly B list american actress Gloria DeHaven died aged 91. She was a contract player for Metro Goldwyn Mayer and starred in many films during the 1940 and 1950s- her early career overlapping with much of Hollywoods golden age. She started out as a child star with a small role in Charlie Chaplin film Modern times in 1936. Her other film credits include Two Girls and a sailor (1944) - a black and white musical starring June Allyson and Van Johnson, Yes Sir that's my baby (1949) with Donald O'Connor and Charles Coburn, Summer Stock (1950) alongside Judy Garland and Gene Kelly and The thin man goes home (1944) with William Powell and Myrna Loy as the lead actors. In later years film roles became very infrequent but she did become a regularly in a numerous American television soap operas including Ryans Hope, As the world turns and satirical soap Mary Hartman Mary Hartman! She married four times, her first husband was actor John Payne by whom she had 2 of her 4 children. Her other two children were by both her third and fourth husband Richard Fincher who she married and divorced twice. She died several months after suffering a number of strokes and spending time in hospice care. She was survived by all four of her children.

Former Deputy leader of the UK Labour Party Harriet Harman turns 72 today.

On this day ten years ago in 2012 , one of Irelands most popular and best loved novelists Maeve Binchy died aged 73. Her novels mainly focused on life in small town Ireland were huge bestsellers, largely because of particular style of storytelling which many said had a good balance between sympathy, humour, drama and often surprise endings . Her novels include Echoes, The Copper Beech, Circle of friends , Evening Class and Silver Wedding .