Mikhail Gorbachev died today. I reckon it was probably something to do with the state of Russia at the moment. How could a great man, a man who ended the Cold War, sit easy with the evil that is now running the country he loved? How could he stand the freedoms that have been lost after just 20 odd years? I feel sorry for the failure of the Russian people, but I think Mikhail might finally be happy. Again.
In the meanwhilst, the Handymen turned up today and started prettying the house up. There’s a fair bit of painting that needs doing as well some little odd jobs. They turned up at 07:30 and didn’t stop all day.
One of the Handymen was painting the outside of the study window while I was scanning photos. He was talking to someone while he was painting. For ages he was talking to someone.
At first, I thought he was in conversation with one of the other Handymen, but, no, he was talking to someone on the phone. He had ear buds in and, I assume, his phone was in his pocket.
While not certain, it sounded like he was talking to a mate.
As someone who hates talking on the phone, I was amazed that he could chat for so long. The longevity of his phone call was akin to that of the stereotypical teenage girl in an American sitcom of the 1970’s.
And he didn’t stop working. Amazing. Maybe this happens all the time these days.
One of the other Handymen was using a pressure washer all day. Poor thing. Still, afterwards, the sandstone surfaces around the house were almost glowing. Though I’m not sure about the mat on the hedge.
Speaking of the death of the famous, someone who died a while ago but was possibly as important as Gorbachev (well, to my way of thinking anyway), was a chap called John Boston (? – 1804), the first brewer in Sydney. He was a bit of an adventurous and experimental type of fellow, which is what led him to use corn and love apples to make beer.
It was oddly successful and he set up a successful brewery at Benelong Point, where the Opera House stands today.
I know the above because I had some of his beer today.
Disappointingly, it’s now made with hops. Still, it was very crisp and delicious.
