The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
Falklands! I remember that - many brave young people (on both sides) died 'cause the inhabitants wanted to be British and we didn't want to hand it over to the Argies. Presumably supposed to be different from Crimea, where the inhabitants want to be Russian and Vlad gets invited in without firing a shot - although I gather today that one Ukrainian has regrettably been killed. Let's hope there are no more senseless casualities.
OK - so what begins with "F" apart from the obvious. And when the missus has a referndum on that, the result is always unanimous.
Why haven't you read my plan?
I wonder if anyone can think of any referendum that has produced such an emphatic result as the choice of the Crimean people to be Russian - so how would imposing rule on those people from Kiev be democratic. And another thing, since Scotland is getting a referendum on independence from the Union, why not let the Shetland Islanders have a referendum on independence from Scotland? That way, if we slip em a bung, they can vote to stay in the UK and we can have all of the oil which is in their waters.
This sp continues to go up and down like a tarts drawers. I said months ago that what was needed was a strategy. Been giving it a lot of thought and finally reckoned I've cracked it. What's needed is a posting from someone that will be taken seriously - so I nominate Graftman. So Grafty posts that he was playing that soppy one on one netball game with Barack when Barack gets a call on his mobile, goes white as a sheet (well almost) and collapses in a heap. Graftman jumps in and gives him a bit of Vinnie Jones Stayin Alive Stayin Alive for about fifteen minutes and, eventually he comes round. Reckons the bloke on the blower was a debt collector for China and they want their dosh back lively. So Barack tells Grafty he's off to get the old John Bull kit out to run off about fifty zillion dollars and won't be able to come out and play again 'till about November 2766. Brilliant or brilliant?? The dollar drops to about a tenth of a Botswana Lira, gold goes ballistic, Grafty gets his string of racehorses and I get my country mansion with private pole dancing club
Blimey bonker, c*cks in mouths? Put me right off my sausage roll that did. As for what we owe the good ol' US re WW2 depends if you mean the difference they made between winning and losing or financially. I suppose there's not much doubt about their influence in the former, but their intervention only came about after Pearl which, as I understand it had Churchill singing and dancing. From a financial point of view, other contributors will surely know more about it than me but, from what I read, we were paying them back for stuff that they supplied to the UK for donkeys years after 1945. Check that out with the Oracle (Graftman). Ended uo having a cheese and pickle sandwich - didn't fancy the look of the sausage roll somehow.
Looked to me like Silviniaco didn't stay up the hill and, with him out of the way, should have been plain sailing for Bob - who has already slaughtered two of the first three. Just my luck he chooses today to have an off day - he usually comes up that hill like a lion. What a bummer!
When the pro-Russian government in Kiev got overthrown it was democracy and the peoples' right to freedom and self determination. Barack's going through his dictionary at the moment to find out what he can call it when the vast majority of the people in Crimea vote to be Russian.
Tony Benn - even if you didn't agree with his politics, an admirable bloke. I remember him when he was Anthony Wedgewood-Benn. Actually had a title or something and lots of dosh as I recall but wanted to - and did - align himself with the working classes. I always reckoned that after his missus ironed his shirts, he would screw them up before putting them on 'cause he figured it made him look more like one of us. If that was his aim, naming his kid Fred or Bert rather than Hilary might have been a better idea. Still rip. Had to laugh at Livingstone's tribute to Crow for getting his union members their pay levels. Yeah right Ken, give everybody with a job no more taxing than sitting on their butt and pulling a lever 50k a year - that'll make for a really sustainable economy.
Village of same name??? What 'ave I said about coincidence bets? Can't understand why anyone's moaning about our Chelt posts - this could be the beginning of a whole new thing for the site where we all exchange views on our interests like horses, football where the best pubs, hotels and lap dancing clubs are etc. I like to think of my fellow mml investors as one big family, after all - as Dave says - "we are all in this together" By the way, with Chelt taking all my attention, just heard Bob Crow's gone and kicked the bucket. Dear oh dear oh dear - poor ol' Bob eh? My son, who travels across London every day on the tube, reckons all the commuters are inconsolable
Anyone ever told you you're a bad influence? - I ain't lookin' at those races - not never, not no'ow. Any money y'like, if I said to the missus at 'alf past six "just poppin' down the pub for a quick pint with Graftman" I'd end up rolling home at midnight pi***d as a newt and well and truly in the dog house. Now look what you've gone and done - if I back Broughton it'll lose and I'll kick meself and if I don't back it, it'll win and I'll kick meself. Don't bother mentioning any other 'orses today 'cause I've got my hands over my ears. Bob and Harbour - that's all - definite and final.
Last day and, thanks to Sire de Grugy, marginally in front. Picture would have been a lot rosier but, usual story, got involved in races I would normally avoid. Yesterday had ew each and ew double Fingal Bay at 7s and Indian Castle at 13/2, which was backed off the boards. Didn't realise jockey on Indian was same as on Shotgun Paddy - which should have won - rode carbon copy race - into the bottom of at least half of the fences - before all but coming off at the last when booked for a place. Anyway, it's D-Day - or should I say BB-Day. Bob will make or break the week. Only having one other bet - Harbour Court in the Foxhunters. He could be a bit special.
You've never bet on a horse and, if you'd backed Annie yesterday, you'd have done your money - let that be a lesson to you! On the other hand, you were busy and missed backing a loser, so you're lucky - perhaps you should start backing horses.
Usual story - you do one to win and one ew. The win comes second and the ew is out of the frame. What chance 'ave you got when McCoy ain't got a scooby. Mind you, if you believed the form it was there. Last time out beat Glens Melody, who nearly turned over Quevega, thirty lengths. Wondergoals - wasn't you having the same luck with coincidence bets that I usually have was it?
Saw Tarquin beat Oscar earlier - O'Neill talked it up big time saying it might go for Arkle. Appeared to need Soft ground and didn't beat Wonderful on line through Oscar. Had small interest in Fingals (beat Simonsig a couple of years back) in two singles and ew double with Indian Castle.
Sorry - meant to say if I lose my dough on Wonderful Charm it's down to Grafty.
Admittedly Annie's never done three miles, but has looked very strong at finish of 2.5 miles. Just a chance she won't stay but just as likely she'll be even better at the trip. As long as either Annie or BB wins, I'll be happy. If something like Fishers goes and does both I'll be well irked. As for Wonderful Charm - wasn't going to have a bet in that races, and now I've only gone and backed it 'aven't I. If it loses and me and the missus 'ave no dinner tonight, I'm telling 'er it's your fault.
Like you, heart wants Big Bucks but head says Annie. I've done what I call my Andy Murray bet. Can't stand the bloke so I always used to back his opponents to beat him. 'Course, whenever he won, I was doubly miffed. These days, I back him to win so when he gets beaten, I don't mind losing my dosh. Main bet, Annie but if she's beaten, as long as it's by BB I'll not mind. Can well understand your liking Wonderful Charm - looks like Nicholls has saved him for this.Problem is Oscar Whiskey is a bogey horse for me. Every time I back the thing it loses and when I don't, it wins.
Grafty, GRAAAFTY!!! You up yet mate? I see you were posting at nearly 'arf past eleven last night - ain't you 'eard about early to bed and early to rise? Wake up mate - the sun's out, the skie's blue - wanna know what 'orses to do. (Tennyson)
Never bet on a horse? Tell you what - you're a wise man, There are some very shrewd people out there, and a few others with the right "contacts" that make a living out of it but, generally, the best attitude is to treat it like any other hobby - expect it to cost you whatever you're prepared to spend and, if you come out in front, it's that much more enjoyable. Been at it for fifty years, owned three horses and twelve greyhounds and still done me money. As regards coincidence bets - depends if you're lucky. Every time I've backed something with the name of one of my sons or the wife or my ol' man, it's gone straight down the pan. Annie Power? Unbeaten in ten races and, strictly on todays form should win. Big big problem - I've been saying all along that Big Bucks will win and today, I change my mind and back Annie - as Grafty will probably tell you, that's usually fatal. If you decide to take the plunge, let's hope your daughter brings us both good luck.