Upon a request from BU family member Greene the blogmaster agrees to chronicle the musings of Combermerian. Microbiologist and town dweller Dr. Robert Lucas. Dr. Lucan can post to the comments box if he is inclined to continue sharing his perambulations. – David, blogmaster
Stroll # 1 on March 30, 2020
I continued my stroll this morning, curious to see what the shut down ordered by government entailed. There was little vehicular traffic on the road. When I reached opposite where the old Harbor Police Station was, I was pleasantly surprised to see a young fellow picking almonds from a tree where the old house craft center used to be. Almonds were scattered all around the base of the tree. Fifty-years ago, there would have been competition for the almonds. Also brought back memories of helping my mother make mattress and cushions. She had attended a class at the house craft center. Had to go and buy the coconut fiber from where the Fairchild street market used to be, walk up Bay st. with the fiber. It had to be washed first and put to dry on the bleaching ground before use. Jordan’s supermarket has a line but it is short. Popular has a very long line. There were only a few persons by Cherish. I passed the Old City and the silence is thick in the air. All the watering holes are shut. See a few fellows hanging around. Went further into town, Saw Durant a retired public health member. Tells me he had a stroke but wanted to have drink with me, as he put, we do not know how much longer we have before we shuffle off. Tell him another time. Went by Scotty’s . One can enter and leave at will: Seems that last week’s action was mere window dressing. Large sweet peppers are $2.40 for the orange and red and $1.70 for the green .. I buy the green ones. All have about same Vitamin A content. Expose the green ones to ethylene gas and the color becomes orange ( can use a ripe banana to achieve the same objective). Retraced my steps and passed by Old City again. This time the loungers have bottle of liquor and are busy in polishing it off( I knew that they would find a way to bottle). Walked up Bay St. decided to stroll along the beach. The place is littered with old boats. Remember one could borrow a boat ( without the owner’s knowledge) and go fishing, making sure the boat was returned afterwards Brings back memories of a Sunday morning in 1970,when I went fishing with Sonny Pierre from the gap. My bothers did not want to go. I went. We borrowed a Moses from Brown’s beach rowed as far as London Bourne Towers, where we moored and started fishing for anything that came along. The Old Wives were biting, they are bottom feeders we caught a dozen. I expected to get at least half. Much to my consternation I only got two. The facts of life in the fishing business was explained to me. The Captain got first (I was not the Captain according to Sonny. I was just an able -bodied helper) claims. In this case, claims were made for borrowing the boat, being Captain ( two shares), knowing were to go to catch the fish and so on. I never went out fishing with Sonny again.
Stroll # 2 on March 23, 2020
I went into town for a stroll to observe what is what. There are some supermarkets with crowds lined up on the side walks. I met of my former students. I mentioned that he was in the front line of the containment. he said he was . He was approached by a member of staff who did not mentioned what he was to do ,it was only when he was approached by another staff member who wanted to join up to track down the infected people, that he realized what it was all about. He declined to do so. I informed him that it was only a matter of time before it was made mandatory and that he would have do as ordered. He declined to do so since he has a three-year old daughter. He said that the equipment being used to contain and so on was old and inadequate.
Stroll # 3 on March 24, 2020
I took another stroll through town ( I should say further into ,since I live in town) to observe the happenings. I encountered another of my former students. He was waiting in a line to enter a Credit Union. Told him he ought to know better that ,he should observe the space distance. He wanted to know if I was foolish or what? That somebody would get in front of him. What could I say to that ?Proceeded into town proper and a sight met my eyes that I could hardly believe. The lines waiting to go into supermarkets waere something else. there was hardly any space between individuals in the lines. I thought that by now things would have gotten back to normal, but it doesn’t look that way, One carrier would create havoc in those lines. Government will have take drastic action
Stroll # 4 on March 25, 2020
Took another stroll into town. Did a good turn for a damsel in distress ;she was suffering from a broken leg, needed assistance in stepping down from the side walk. Asked me to assist her which I did( Mr. Marshall, the late Cub master of James’ Street Methodist Church would have been proud to see that after all these years, I am still doing as taught as a cub: do a good turn every day). Help her across the road. Had to remark on how comely ( when last have you heard that word used?) she was. Proceeded further into town. Still the long lines at the supermarkets. The lines at the pharmacies seemed to have declined Purchase stuff from the store next to Thani’s on Bridge Street. Had to use hand sanitizer before being allowed into the store. Eventually entered Suttle Street at the juncture with Reid street. The rum shop at the juncture seemed to doing great judging by the crowd and the noise. There is a decline in numbers in town.
Stroll # 5 on March 26, 2020
I took another stroll into town. This morning Bay Street was nearly bereft of traffic. A funeral was being held at Bethel Church. The mourners seemed to be following the guides put out by government. The crowd was paltry. The lines at the supermarkets have declined. Expect to see a rise in the length of the waiting lines tomorrow. Lines also outside banks waiting to enter the banks and some to use the ATM (the latter were mounted externally). All of the rubble from the demolished National Insurance building and fire station have been carted away.
Stroll # 6 on March 27, 2020
Continued my stroll through town this morning. The lines were really bad. The places like “Sewing World” where one could get stuff before, there are now lines. and one has to wait. Even Scotty’s the same thing. Bought some sweet potatoes at $2.50/pound. Normally don’t buy them at this price. I wait until the price is one dollar and buy. The older the potatoes are the sweeter they are( biochemical reaction).. Bought some chicken (don’t really need it)then returned home,
Made a second journey into town..to the Library to return books due tomorrow. the Library has the best enforcement. One can’t even enter the building. There is a sign telling one to leave books in a box placed outside the door and that the Library would get the cards back to you. One person from the Library poked her head out of the door, to inform me that I could keep the books until this whole thing is over, but make sure I did not damage the books. I took the latter advice
Left the Library and encountered Lionel Brewster who was at Combermere. Asked him if he knew you. He replied that he was ahead of you at school and that he thought you were in the US or UK. Ended up in Suttle Street, the rum shop at the juncture was very quiet. We had a drink at one of the watering hole in the street. Only us and the owner The owner got into conversation. To listen to him he was the greatest thing to happen to women. According to him ,he never had a time when he experienced drought of women .One knows BS when one hears it. We concluded that the young buck was trying to impress us. We went our separate ways
Stroll # 7 on March 28, 2020 8:10 AM
I resumed my stroll.. Left the house about 7.10 am. there was young couple behind me who were clenched in a partial embrace. No respect for social distance. Passed “Mint Condition” Cleaners. Workers were hanging around as the person with the keys had not yet arrived. Feel sorry for these workers and wonder how they will manage with the curfew and no wages. Pass Jordan’s Supermarket. The line stretch as far as the Barbados Workers’ Union Credit Union. Cross the bridge. The lines from Popular stretch as far as St. Michael’s Row and back towards the juncture of Marhill street. The line from Cherish stretch as far as Lucas Street. Saw Neville who I had promised to buy a drink. Up to Wednesday, he was suffering from the gout and declined the drink. All of a sudden he wants the drink. Claims that the medication he was given did not work and that when tossed back a drink yesterday ,he was much better. Bought him the drink in Marhill Street. not too far from the pharmacy .We old-talked. Of course he said he was broke . Gave him a couple of dollars. Remembered when I was in a similar situation, how he came to my rescue. Left the watering hole and came abreast of the pharmacy. A Chinese couple was passing. I see them often . They pass through the alley by Ecaf company. The husband ( at least I think he is the husband) walks in front and the wife behind him. They also go and buy from Scotty’s. They do not bother any one. A fellow accosted them saying a lot of offensive words. Told him to leave them alone, that they did not bother people. He switch his attention to me. He knew all the antecedents of my conception. I said nothing but was thinking that If I was carrying I would blow him away( I have this urge to be very violent, I keep it in check.) would not think twice about it. He was lucky that this was Barbados and not the US. Bought a mini of Campari and some sodas. I seldom use the hard stuff at home. It is the way I was brought up. No liquor in the house. Haven’t opened that J. Wray and Nephew. I need to get some prunes to steep in it, to cool it down. Very good that way. As things are, don’t know when I will get the prunes.
Stroll # 8 on March 29, 2020 1:23 PM
I resumed my stroll this morning at about 8.40am. Bay street is practically deserted. There are no pedestrians and the occasional vehicle passes. It is really very silent. It reminds me of my walks starting from any where between 2.30 am and 3,00am.when I go from Bay Street to St .George’s Secondary School and back. The curfew has put paid to that. Passed by Jordan’s Supermarket. I am shocked. There are not many people in the line, but some type limitation on numbers seem to be in place Proceeded to Roebuck street. Since this thing has started haven’t been this side of the world. See my friend Lambert who is about 86 and is still consuming the drinks by the Green Fields.. He shouts me off, asking if I am shopping. Tells him yes and that I will be back shortly. Buy a pint bottle of Diamond Rum. Lionel C. Hill is well organized. One person in.one person out. No crowd when I was there. Lambert wants me to come up with a sanitizer. Tells him to wash his hands with soap and water. Tells me he has been doing so since he was a boy. But tells me I am the scientist. Tells him that if his immune system is okay he has nothing to worry about,
Walk up Roebuck Street. into Hall’s road. Visit Cyril the Surveyor who is on hard times these days. He invested in property just as the bottom fell out of the market. He wants to know if I have brought any thing to drink. Tell him that I have a pint bottle that I bought From Hill’s Supermarket. We sample the stuff and the talk settles around the virus. Wants to know what I think. Said I have already stated what I think in the newspaper and else where. He has not been from home for more than a week. The talks turn to cricket after ,Todd the newspaper man comes and talks about my sons the cricketers. The talk centers around fielding in slips. Told them about my experience in Trinidad playing for the University. Had never fielded in slips, but the captain of the team kept dropping catches. I was a point fielder and pretty good at it. I got promoted to field in slips ( third slip). I made it known I was not too keen about the promotion The first time in slips, Campbell( from Grenada), the University fast bowler (very fast ,always over pitching the ball and very straight)was bowling. Third ball of the first over( always remember that), the batsman drove, got an outside edge ,high up by the shoulder of the bat ; saw it come off. It was really second slip’s catch but he wasn’t paying attention. I took the catch left-handed over the second slip position. That was the worst thing that ever happened to me playing cricket. The congratulations went to my head. I couldn’t imagined that I had actually taken that catch. Was basking in the excitement when I dropped a sitter two overs later off the same bowler ;did not have to move. I got cussed left ,right and center( by the bowler and captain), couldn’t say a word in my defense: got banned to the Bamboo thicket at St, Augustine where there were lots of snakes.
Left Cyril and walked home. Entered Henry’s Lane. could not believe my eyes. There is a big crowd, the alcohol is flowing and the dope also. The music is blaring out( a pulsating beat, that stirs the emotions of even an old fart like me).I cannot say a word. The young people are doing their own thing. This country has to do like India flog some folks.
thank you David. now Lucas can record his eye witness accounts in one place. i wont be surprised if the Nation comes a calling lol. thanks for the Cawmere plug lol
@ Greene
Plse remind me which House (Set) you belonged to?
@ David
@ Greene
Great ! Good clear writing is like good radio.
Well done @ Robert Lucas…… refreshing.
@Hal
set B
A very good idea, but it seems as if it will be hijacked by the Kolij/Cawmere/set/House discussion.
I am wondering if House/Sets are assigned at random or are an indication of future performance. Wondering if a set assigned 60 years ago is predictive of anything in 2020?
Let it rain.
@O
LOL man. no it wont but i wonder how they assigned sets and why at Cawmere they are called sets but at other schools houses? uuuuhm
i enjoy Lucas’s eye witness accounts, man
@David
i recall they were a few more before March 27th
@Greene
Will see if they are findable lol.
I see a book coming! It reads like one anyhow. Even the title is great. A nice ring to it.
I stand corrected. It seems Dr. Lucas is good for more than one thing. He is still too inclined to be violent though. What is strange is that he defended the CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. That seems to be a little inconsistent with his views.
“They do not bother anyone.”
Not so easy when you come face-to-face with the living breathing beings, is it?
https://youtu.be/3I2a1xW1lbM
J
amaican Chinaman! Sweet!
@ Greene
Things taken out of context can often be misleading. Just read what @Robert has written originally and what is published above. My reference to @Greene set was out of the original conversation.
To continue that old conversation, for the record, I was Set F, old Jack Adams.
Robert Lucas,
The book should be called “THE Perambulations of Robert Lucas” though. That extra syllable makes a difference to the rhythm.
@Donna, there are matters I suspect one must gloss over depending on who says them…
Thus, you are astute in praising the makings of a awesome book here even as you say (softly) : “He is still too inclined to be violent though. What is strange is that he defended the CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. That seems to be a little inconsistent with his views.“
What’s a bit of uncontrollable, crazed violent reaction to a standard Bajan busybody… afterall its just the musings of a well intentioned, decent Waterford old-boy doc!
Let’s stroll and muse… violence optional!
Instead of ” walking about for pleasure ” Robert Lucas PhD could be a paid consultant to the government of Barbados during this Covid 19 crisis.
His ” walkabouts ” are interesting. .
One of the solid sound Bible teachers to be found in Barbados
He is still perambulating in the Word after 50 years
https://youtu.be/DYzWUWX0Tsg
Sunday Sermon: Pastor Carl Naitram (29/03/20)
@ Hants
It speaks to the integrity of the government when one of the few highly qualified scientists on the island is left to walk the street , marginalised from a life-threatening health crisis. The government is playing politics with death.
In the meantime our health crisis is led by lawyers, a military man, an acting chief medical officer, a trade unionist, etc. And idiots are describing this as competent, with one regular BU voice even calling the president the best leader in the country and another, albeit not the cleverest brain on the island, attributing the thankfully low death rate from coronavirus to the self-obsessed president.
. Moments of insanity.
I second Hant’s comment. One of the things that we need to change is how government access and make full use of expertise available on the island.
Mr Austin, I promised myself to avoid commenting on your hypocricy but I am going to fail here.
You lambaste us here for holding up some folks as exemplars …or for perceived double standards yet amazingly you do it so smoothly without a worry!
If ANY prominent Brit had said he or she would gladly blow away an annoying verbal abuser and Boris Johnson had sought to bring that man in as an advisor the outrage would be freaking off the charts!
Yet here because the one so making such a remarkable personal eccentricity is your school mate you say not a damn word of dissent.
Doc Robert Lucas may be the greatest thing since slice bread and in fact could be one of the most docile people alive but this is NOT the first time he has exposed grave VIOLENCE to others as a SOLUTION.
How on earth can you folks CONTINUE to question why he is likely NOT on the inside and moreso NOT CALL HIM on his violent tendencies.
This is absurd and bothersome…. and Hypocrisy cubed by a number of you.
RIDICULOUS!
I gone do.
@DPD
man i am getting a good laff this morning. lol
@ Pedantic
As before, let us continue ignoring each other. Your stupidity knows no bounds. But you know that. Why not asks the chairman for an explanation.
I will sir. This mornings effusion had touched off a giddiness of disgust on my part… I have sinced taken a strong ‘inhale’ (only Vicks, alas) and cleared the noggin.
I remain amazed at your level of toxic riposte on a simple blog… I have never called you names and yet in your puerile mental state as a 70 year old that’s your fail safe posture everytime! SMH.
You are right I do KNOW stupidity when it hits me upside the head!
This blog has for years been one of the most amazing social experiments imaginable…
Back to my corner!
Mr Austin, I promised myself to avoid commenting on your hypocricy but I am going to fail here…..(Quote)
I remain amazed at your level of toxic riposte on a simple blog… I have never called you names …..(Quote)
This log is in danger of being closed. Will ask Dr. Lucas what he prefers.
>
True DPD, I suspect that Dr. Lucas is just a mouter! His mouth is his gun. He just sounds off but when faced with the opportunity to follow up he would balk. And he was on the right side of the matter. The black Bajan was wrong to attack the Chinese couple who had done nothing to deserve it.
How do I know that type of personality? One – an Agatha Christie character who was charged with murdering her husband based on her violent threats was revealed by Hercule Poirot to be a person who wouldn’t actually harm a fly despite her constantly violent words. She knew she had a tendency to sudden explosive violence (having already blinding her younger sister in one eye) which she deliberately released through her mouth. Two – reading that characterization gave me insight into myself. I am a bit like Robert Lucas but I sound off only at home and by the time I count to ten I think better of some of my posts to BU and delete them. Actually though I do harm flies that encroach on my territory, I always ask them why they could not just have stayed on the outside. I guess that is one of the reasons why some people call me crazy. I do not like taking ANY life.
Robert Lucas could be easily made use of if one understood the personality. Unfortunately, some people don’t read fiction and so miss out on the wisdom of the great authors. Authors are great students of human nature.
Great talents have to be handled. Robert Lucas, I believe, is a great talent.
“the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform; pretense.” = Hypocrisy
To wit… the DPP who everyone on THIS blog knew came from Guyana, but in almost every remark about the man…this accomplished journalist identified his nationality although he had lived in Barbados for years!
Senor, to call you a hypocrite is FACTUAL based on Messrs Miriam n Webster… and if in turn you define me as stupid for stating the obvious then I presume you are NOT calling me names ..🤣
Oh above I did say 70 year old and puerile… which I presume is an ageism pejorative … my bad… but Puerile: childishly, silly and trivial…. I think is also factual.😂
Enuff for one day. I done wid this bro.. Have a great Kaiteur Falls style refreshing day!
Peace and upward ever!
Perhaps we should let it be. This blog is too good to be closed.
David, seriously..😂
Remember Mr Blogmaster YOU allowed without a whimper of comment in your part the remark:
“I said nothing but was thinking that If I was carrying I would blow him away( I have this urge to be very violent, I keep it in check.) would not think twice about it. He was lucky that this was Barbados and not the US.”
The man Zimmerman in Florida was excoriated on these pages for acting on that type impulse; the female cop in Texas was convicted for much the same mentality… so bro if you want to upend the blog because I bluntly called that behaviour unacceptable and got in to it with another blogger…then so be it!
SMH!
Seriously.
This blog is intended to bring some light relief to all that we are currently being subjected to. Use some commonsense man! There are other blogs to pursue the same old same old.
>
@Donna, alright den. When others validate POTUS’s true talent I hope you get that awesomeness of Hercule Poirot as well 🤔
I do NOT know the author who said he has to curb his violence so you may be absolutely right..just a bare moutha!
Lots of mouthas true and lots of others too.
I dun…I off base and stupid!
@David, respectfully but your 1:09 PM makes no sense.
A Bajan septuagenarian said (1) that he defended a Chinese couple who were being victimized simply because of their nationality and in the very same breath (2) said he felt the urge to blow-away the abuser after said person harassed him too.
YOU sir, in previous post harshly condemn the violent nature of our youth… but a 70 year is all good! What madness.
Thus you actually have the temerity to write “This blog is intended to bring some light relief to all that we are currently being subjected to. Use some commonsense man! There are other blogs to pursue the same old same old.”
You gotta be kidding me… same old, same old!
This is madness! I dun in trute!
This is absurd and bothersome…. and Hypocrisy cubed by a number of you. {Quote}
@ de Pedantic dribbler
A couple of weeks ago the silly man said
I think we will do a lot better if we were to concentrate on debating ideas rather than DRIFTING in to PERSONAL INSULTS and ABUSE, even if that is the Barbados way. {Quote}
Today he said
Your stupidity knows no bounds. But you know that. Why not asks the chairman for an explanation. {Quote}
Hypocrisy??????
Who would have thought that two wonderfully written pieces about strolls through our capital city could have caused such a lively discourse. A joyful break in these trying times. Entertainment of high value. Enjoyable. Just imagined if the good Doc Lucas had actually shot somebody……..
Doc don’t go prison before you try Rey & Nephew with cranberry juice.
Doc Robert Lucas may be the greatest thing since slice bread and in fact could be one of the most docile people alive but this is NOT the first time he has exposed grave VIOLENCE to others as a SOLUTION.
How on earth can you folks CONTINUE to question why he is likely NOT on the inside and moreso NOT CALL HIM on his violent tendencies.
This is absurd and bothersome…. and Hypocrisy cubed by a number of you.
RIDICULOUS!
I gone do.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
THIS IS PURE SHITE WRITING AND HEIGHT OF STUPIDITY.
DR ROBERT LUCAS IS 68 YEARS OF AGE AND I DOUBT HE HAS EVER BEEN CONVICTED FOR VIOLENCE IN BARBADOS OR ELSEWHERE IN A CRIMINAL COURT.
ANYONE WHO HAS READ WHAT HE WRITES IN CONTEXT WILL TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT SOME OF HIS ASSERTIONS AS HE HAS ASCRIBED SAME FOR HOW AMERINDIANS SHOULD HANDLE THINGS IN GUYANA.
WHILST I MAY NOT AGREE WITH SOMETHINGS EXPRESSED BY DR LUCAS HE OBVIOUSLY KNOWS HIS EXPERTISE AND IS WAY AHEAD OF WHAT IS COMING OUT FROM THE BLP GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION.
FOR YOU AND ANY OTHER IDIOT WHO SEEK TO CENSOR THIS MAN BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPIDITY KNOWS NO BOUND.
NOW THIS IS TRULY A REFLECTION OF A SMALL ISLAND MENTALITY.
DR LUCAS I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I AM HAPPY I NO LONGER LIVE IN A CESSPOOL OF GOSSIP AND INNUENDO.
@ William
You keep talking about Wray & Nephew and cranberry juice. But have you tried Gordon’s gin and Stone’s ginger wine in the middle of winter?
Oh RH now look out… the 🎪🤡🤡🤡🤡🤣🤣.
I find it difficult to equate comments written on a blog with Zimmerman’s action.
Instead of looking for cranberry juice and Stone’s ginger wine, there is probably some orange juice in your fridge. Add a good vodka “Grey Goose” or better and immediately see that it is a “beautiful world.
youtube.com/watch?v=kkRV6DD8t94&list=PLQZfrVhldOdE3i2P9xmLYW7IkdNf2Xy6d&index=2
in these time Robert Lucas’s eye witness account even when he gets violent , in his own mind, is refreshingly candid and enjoyable.
wonder where is today’s account. these dreary times call for it
Not keen on orange juice. As a young man I tried rum and milk in Panama, it gave me the runs. I now stick to gin…..
@ Hal
I am only a rum man. Don’t really touch any of the other spirits.Best Bajan white is Cockspur. Best rum anywhere is Mount Gay tied with El Dorado out of Guyana. A pretty little rum is Doorly Five year old.
Enjoy your gin;a friend tells me Tanqueray is the best gin.
@ William
Gin is very popular with the Millennium crowd, there are even course in gin-making. I grew up with people drinking rum around me and getting leglessly drunk. Always promised myself to give it a wide berth.
On a wider level, rum is our only genuine world class product (tourism is a fantasy) and each year we get about half a million willing ambassadors from all over the world.
We are losing out because our marketing chiefs and industrialists do not have any ideas. I saw Kerrie Symmonds stalking about a rum academy, the best idea he has had for a long time.
We have the buildings (old school buildings, old sugar factories) that can be converted. Compare the Scottish Whisky industry ad the Barbados rum industry to get a measure of how far behind we are.
I agree that our rum is a world class product but not the only genuine one. Don’t forget Shirley biscuits.
@Hal,
Brilliant idea re rum making. the scotts making whiskey like u say is a good model to follow
@ William
I said rum is OUR only genuine world class product, not the ONLY world class rum.
@ Greene
I once visited a rum distillery in Grenada, with pigeons flying all over the place, but the rum was about 150 degrees proof. Magic. A very small factory, very old fashioned. I cannot remember the name. A good example of how small distilleries can be.
@Hal 4.49 pm . It is Clake’s Court Woodlands Grenada. I am a connoisseur of rum. William is correct, Eldorado 15 year old is a good rum, but Mount Gay XO is the best.
Clarke’s Court.
@ Curley 16
Thanks for the name. I think I am misunderstood. I said that Barbados rum is the only genuine world class product Barbados has, that tourism is a fantasy. I did not say Barbados rum was the only world class rum. There are many other world class rums.
@ Hal
I meant it is not our only world class product, that’s why I told you don’t forget Shirleys biscuits.
@ William
My apologies. My wife is a lover of those biscuits. The problem is the Indian-owned shop she used to buy from was busted last week by Brent Council trading standards officers and police and boarded up for suspected price gouging. Distribution of Shirley biscuits is a problem.
@ curley 16
@ Hal
Mount a Gay has created some excellent additions in recent years. I think 1703 is incredible. The X0 cannot be beaten. However El Dorado is right up there with Mont Gay when it comes to consistency. There is an El Dorado 25 years as well. These are Rolls Royce and Bentleys. I tell my Hennessy friends they are fooling themselves. I’ll take one shot of the Gay or Dorado any day before I take a free bottle of Hennessy.
Like Hal says if Mount Gay was properly marketed forty years ago we could never have forex problems!
Rémy Cointreau
@ Baje March 29, 2020 2:17 PM
Ever since I told PDP else where on this Blog that when intelligence was being handed out ,it by-passed him, he has had a problem with.me. His choice of sobriquet says it all (While “didactic” can have a neutral meaning, pedantic is almost always an insult, referring to someone who is annoying for their attention to minor detail, or snobbish expertise in a narrow or boring topic).
@Dr. Lucas
Dee Word means well. He is a good debated with a grasp of detail and subject manner he chooses to attack. Sometimes his style can cause an edge because of his persistence and the fact this is a medium which lends itself to misunderstanding. Let us continue to enjoy the other’s interactions. Life is too short not to.
(Quote):
My wife is a lover of those biscuits. The problem is the Indian-owned shop she used to buy from was busted last week by Brent Council trading standards officers and police and boarded up for suspected price gouging. Distribution of Shirley biscuits is a problem. (Unquote).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
How about “Barbadianising” the entire supply chain by getting at least one of the young people of Bajan ancestry to do what the owners of the so-called Indian-owned shops do in order to send their children to ‘posh’ universities?
What about you, or one of your offspring, think about running a West Indian corner shop specializing in genuine Bajan products including ‘Shirley biscuits’?
That would certainly be a genuine way of putting your British money where your Bajan ‘mout’ is!
BTW, Mount Gay rum should only be classified as genuine Bajan rum worthy of world class status if its main raw material/ingredient (molasses) is 100% Bajan.
Mount Gay- or for that matter any rum ‘manufactured or blended in Bim- should not be classified as genuine Bajan rum unless it is distilled from molasses extracted from locally grown and sourced sugarcane.
It’s comparable to a winery in the Burgundy region in France importing grapes from Spain or Australia and calling the bottled wine “Chablis”.
Now is the ‘golden-sweet’ opportunity to get those cane fields back into production to supply the molasses needed to make genuine Bajan rum.
The country has over 300 years of local knowledge to rely on while saving millions in forex ‘wasted’ in the importation of molasses made from burnt canes.
de pedantic Dribbler March 29, 2020 1:09 PM
@Donna, alright den. When others validate POTUS’s true talent I hope you get that awesomeness of Hercule Poirot as well 🤔
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Different jobs require different personalities and characters. Trump’s traits are lethal in that position. They were not lethal in his previous position.
I don’t agree with violent thoughts, talk or action. The thing about speaking/writing violence, is that even though the speaker/writer may never engage in violent actions, some foolish people may hear or read the violent talk/writings and take actual violent action.
So I don’t support Bob’s violent thoughts or writings.
But I do support that he defended the Chinese couple who was being harassed. When robert saw the wrong thing beig done, he took the right action.
I am enjoying reading of his perambulations.
I think I detected a theme in Lucas’s blog. Someone is always drinking or wanting to “fire” one no matter the time of day.
GROG rules.
@ Sargeant March 30, 2020 12:09 PM
As I have said, I had a misspent youth, met and knew a lot of buddies. however you want to extrapolated on three or four of my encounters.
@ Silly Woman March 30, 2020 10:53 AM
I stand admonished by your reprimand.. But as I have said, at times one has to be violent and fight for what one believes in.
@Robert
St Augustine told us of a Just or Holy War. Also remember, Jesus called the rich man a fool…..
By the way, did you taught by Frank Collymore?
March 30, 2020 11:30 AM
@ Hal March 30, 2020 6:35 AM
I continued my stroll this morning, curious to see what the shut down ordered by government entailed. There was little vehicular traffic on the road. When I reached opposite where the old Harbor Police Station was, I was pleasantly surprised to see a young fellow picking almonds from a tree where the old house craft center used to be .Almonds were scattered all around the base of the tree. Fifty-years ago, there would have been competition for the almonds. Also brought back memories of helping my mother make mattress and cushions. She had attended a class at the house craft center. Had to go and buy the coconut fiber from where the Fairchild street market used to be, walk up Bay st. with the fiber. It had to be washed first and put to dry on the bleaching ground before use. Jordan’s supermarket has a line but it is short. Popular has a very long line. There were only a few persons by Cherish. I passed the Old City and the silence is thick in the air. All the watering holes are shut. See a few fellows hanging around. Went further into town, Saw Durant a retired public health member. Tells me he had a stroke but wanted to have drink with me, as he put ,we do not know how much longer we have before we shuffle off. Tell him another time. Went by Scotty’s . One can enter and leave at will: Seems that last week’s action was mere window dressing. Large sweet peppers are $2.40 for the orange and red and $1.70 for the green .. I buy the green ones. All have about same Vitamin A content. Expose the green ones to ethylene gas and the color becomes orange ( can use a ripe banana to achieve the same objective). Retraced my steps and passed by Old City again. This time the loungers have bottle of liquor and are busy in polishing it off( I knew that they would find a way to bottle). Walked up Bay St. decided to stroll along the beach. The place is littered with old boats. Remember one could borrow a boat ( without the owner’s knowledge) and go fishing, making sure the boat was returned afterwards Brings back memories of a Sunday morning in 1970,when I went fishing with Sonny Pierre from the gap. My bothers did not want to go. I went. We borrowed a Moses from Brown’s beach rowed as far as London Bourne Towers, where we moored and started fishing for anything that came along. The Old Wives were biting, they are bottom feeders we caught a dozen. I expected to get at least half. Much to my consternation I only got two. The facts of life in the fishing business was explained to me. The Captain got first (I was not the Captain according to Sonny. I was just an able -bodied helper) claims. In this case, claims were made for borrowing the boat, being Captain( two shares), knowing were to go to catch the fish and so on. I never went out fishing with Sonny again.
correction….were you taught by…..
@ Hal March 30, 2020 1:27 PM
By Mr. Neilson Seal. Every one was afraid of him. A short man but he knew how to keep a class under control. Do you remember Pee Wee Archer? Use to teach Scripture and some French? He left to do a master’s in theology. Something went wrong (maybe a mental break down). He is always around the Cathedral. Wears a suit. Yo would also remember Taos Sealy.
@ Robert
Memories. I had Collymore. I always remember the work he did with Timmy Callender.
@Miller. You are right. We can’t import molasses to blend rum and then boast about our unique rum appellation. To make matters worst, I heard most of the molasses import is coming from outside caricom…mostly central america.
Seems like the captain was in a generous mood or you would have just ‘gone along for company’
Bajans are peacful people, even those who professed violent intentions, their barks are usually scary than their bites. Violence is not deeply entrenched in our DNA like some of our neighbors in the region.
Robert Lucas,
Do you remember Pee Wee Archer? Use to teach Scripture and some French? He left to do a master’s in theology. Something went wrong (maybe a mental break down). He is always around the Cathedral. Wears a suit.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Been seeing him for the last twenty years. Saw him a few weeks ago. He hasn’t aged much.
@ Donna March 30, 2020 9:15 PM
That is true.
Talking about Bajan rum, does anyone remember Donald Scott and Arthur Stansfield, who owned Cockade rum and falernum? They also had interest in hotels and supermarkets.
@ Hal March 31, 2020 4:39 AM
I haven’t thought about those two names for years. If you hadn’t brought up the names I would not have remembered them. That Stansfeld ( I think the name was written in the Germanic style without the i)falernum was pretty good, especially with coconut water. Remember seeing Cockade rum never sampled it: was too young.
@Robert Lucas,
not doing your walkabout today?
;@ Hal
Made another venture out. Bay St. is still sparse of vehicular traffic. A few more pedestrians are round and about There are still lines by Jordan supermarket, but not as heavy as in previous days. Some attempts at social distancing are evident. Some thing has to be done about Popular Supermarket. The lines are long stretching back to St. Michael Row. The people are cheek by jowl in the lines. Some loungers are busy having drinks by Old City Center, even though the watering holes are all closed. Hawkers are beginning to re-emerge around the Bus Stand and in Palmetto Square. It is refreshing to see the fruit and vegetable market in Palmetto Square open: it was closed yesterday and one woman was annoyed because as she said, food places were exempted from the directive. She wanted to know if Barbadians could not understand English. The line by Cherish is very small and social distancing is evident. Judith who works at BIDC is in the line ;she shouts me off. Want to know how she is coping and she informs me that things are okay. Pass by Saving Plus(SP). There are lots of cars parked along the road by the fish market but there is little hustle bustle evident. Evidently, people are apprehensive about the situation. According to the notice pinned to the entrance of SP ,only 25 persons are allowed to be in side at any one time. The crowd is paltry only about four persons (myself included) wait outside. The doorman allows two persons to leave and closes the door. He obviously either cannot add (should be 23persons inside and therefore ,two should be allowed entry) or SP does not know what it is doing. Decided to leave . End up by Shop Smart. There is no problem at all, only about five -six customers knocking around. From the time this thing started it has been easy to get entry and service . Pass by Scotty’s, the green sweet peppers have over night jumped to $1.95 from $1.75/lb ( these peppers normally sell for between $6-8/lb depending on color).I do not want any thing just checking prices which is what I normally do with Scotty’s : visit every day. The prices change at will each day, as though one were dealing with the stock market. Always get them at low prices. Retraced my steps. The line from Cherish stretches to the juncture of Lucas Street: social distancing seems to have disappeared. Pass by Popular again, same situation with the supermarket section. One can get easily into the Cosmetics section. The guard at the sanitizes my hands and I am allowed entry Red and orange masking tape, line the floor at one meter distances. Each customer is expected to use the tapes to keep social distancing. The cahier is surrounded by acrylic plastic ( Glasseco also has this feature). A least something no matter how small is being done to protect the workers. The merchandizing girl from Wibisco is out checking the shelves. She is wearing a nasal mask and gloves. To crown it all was the sight of fellow wearing blue gloves digging into the refuse bins searching for bottles to recycle., by the pharmacy in Marhill Street.. I was really impressed by the latter sight.
@Dr. Lucas
“cheek by jowl”
LOL
@
Hal
You went real far back on Stansfield and Scott. The more we dig ; the more we see how genuine Barbadian ingenuity , innovation and manufacturing were abandoned.
@ William
I am merely suggesting that our failure e as a nation did not start yesterday. Look at the so-called emergency legislation the president has recently introduced. Do you remember Tom Adams tried doing the same? Do you also remember the president recently deifying Tom Adams (I think it was in her rambling three-hour speech)? And do you remember the president amended our constitution to allow Tom’s son, the one with an MSc in something called political sociology from the LSE, to sit in the Senate? What value has he added? Apart, that is, from his crypto-currency experiment? Remember that?
These are not coincidences or mistakes; they are carefully mapped out. Look at the countries that have given presidents and prime ministers autocratic powers: Hungary, The Philippines, China, Russia, etc.
@William, carefully analyse the waffle she speaks and see how much genuine information she passes on to the general public. Her apologists find all this exciting.
I am sure she is the best leader in the world – punching above her weight. Whatever happened to our prime minister
Always so disparaging. You neglected to mention he has a Bsc in Economics as well and is fluent in French with the paper qualification? What are your paper credentials, please share.
@ Robert
You are clearly getting your daily exercise. More important, you observation is an incredible record of what is taking place. This is fascinating sociological tracking.
I didn’t go to school. Can’t even write my name. He is married to a French woman and lived in France. What is a BSc in economics?
What credentials do you have? You disrespect a man’s academic achievement expect to defend your or lack of. What are your bona fides?
#smh
Plse sit down. I will repeat this once more so that you can understand. I do not respect paper qualifications, whatever for. I have huge respect for knowledge, intelligence, ideas and the ability to communicate and apply those skills.
I am lucky, I did not go to school and know nothing about what I speak. I have nothing to defend. Does that disqualify me?
What do yu know about Rawdon Adams to suggest he is not intelligent? All you do is criticize his academic achievement, for years now. There is a place for formal learning you know.
Do you recall many years ago you stated that Roger Cave had falsified his qualification?
@ Greene March 31, 2020 11:50 AM
Yes I went for a stroll.
Hal Austin is at it again. The Adams gentleman is Barbadian by birth. He also has an MSc from LSE, worked in finance and started a fin tech firm. What have you started? Are you jealous that the man did what you could only write about? This Hal Austin is the same man who got on BU and talked about a British man of Barbadian descent should be invited by the PM to provide advice. This Hal Austin was quick to point out wey the man went school…I think he studied law too. However, this Hal Austin repeatedly puts down lawyers and pretends he does not focus on credentials. Who was it that asked about the topic of a thesis recently? Still waiting to hear of your theses given your all encompassing expertise. Who was it that repeatedly shitted on UWI and loved to talk about Ivy league etc? This hobbitt clearly has a complex. Retired Senior Editor at Financial Adviser seems not to be prestigious enough sounding for him. Look, if you were Oxbridge or Ivy League educated, it would be cat piss and pepper.
so what was the point in changing the constitution to get him to be a senator? what is that he brought to the table? what has he achieved in that or any regard?
@greene
It was same for the same reason as was done for the CJ Marson Gibson.
‘Falsified’
???????? Further stupidity. Would I have made such a libellous claim about someone I do not know? I leave that to fools.
@David.
true and for Miss McConney. but if i really recalled clearly Adams was being touted for his cypto currency Fintech skills. what have we achieved from that thus far in that regard? and why did he have to be a senator to apply his skills in that area?
@Greene
One suspects it was Mia wanting him (brand name) on the team, no magic to it.
I read an article in the local Press that Adams was no longer affiliated with the crypto currency firm any longer, was surprised that it never showed up on BU.
@Sarge
Curious to know if anyone prevented you from raising it on BU.
Y’all full of shit!! We are talking about Barbadians and a law that is anachronistic. Just look at how covid has turned the concept of work and meetings etc upside down? Stop being silly and petulant. Clown show eh.
@ Greene
Part of the CV of man with a MSc in something called political sociology was he worked in the UK Treasury, but doing what? Remember the chairman likes genuflecting to names, titles and qualifications.
Must be the way he was brought up, being thankful for small mercies.
Enuff,
what nonsense are you talking? it takes wanting certain people in the senate to know that certain laws are archaic? we all know this. so what is the point of bringing up COVID? Adams is now a COVID guru too?
the real clown show is 28 ministers, endless gurus and still bringing people to manage the response to COVID. that is the clown show right there
i hear a total lockdown is coming shortly BTW
@ Greene
You mean a similar one to the curfew, imposed from 8pm to 6am, when for most of that time people are in bed; leaving them from 6am to 8pm to mix, congregate, drink rum and play dominoes. Madness.
Where is the Czar? Where is the French-speaking man with an MSC in political sociology from the LSE and a BSc in economics, and diploma in common sense from BU and toadies sucking up to him? Where is our modelling? How will this impact the economy?
Where is the president? Has she gone missing? Plse pay me in crypto-currency.
On RA
It was posted on BU, but it was not discussed.
How do we assess his contribution to the island? IWas he appointed for his expertise, his name or for the people he knew?
Asking for a friend….
Damn right it would be cat piss an’ pepper indeed! Wuhlaus!
@ Sargeant, live on CP24
TORONTO — Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health says that measures adopted by the city to combat the spread of COVID-19 could be in place for months.
“Based on the experiences of other jurisdictions, it is my belief that these measures may need to be in place for up to 12 weeks,” Dr. Eileen de Villa said at a news conference on Wednesday morning.
” “In the last two weeks we have seen a more than 500 per cent increase in these counts.”
I Ventured out again this morning. There is a subdued air about the activities around me. Apart from the odd car or minibus, there is total silence. It makes one contemplate . I look up at the sky and there are some cumulus clouds I would say about 4/10 of the sky is covered with them. Makes me remember Laddies Goddard the geography teacher, who made the student check the Stevenson screen and collect rain fall figures , cloud coverage ,wind speed and direction. At the start of each session, he would inspect to see if all had pencils, erasers and rulers. Failure to have them, resulted in a detention, kept every Thursday. supervised by him. Many years later, met him in Trinidad.at the Tunapuna market around 1975. He was teaching geography at QRC.. Visited with him and his wife at his St. Augustine’s residence. He was proud that one of his former students was doing graduate work.
There are still lines by Jordan’s. Saving Plus by the River Bus Stand is allowing self-regulation. There is a sign pinned to the door informing each person about the need to keep social distance. It is really working well. There is no rush: unobtrusively a worker in plain clothes monitors the proceeding. Passed by where Barnes’ used to be. No one is in the ATM booth. Checked NIS: stipend is already lodged Draw off some money . Proceed towards Melwani’s. A man is holding forth in response to woman that ,the dying is occurring else where but not in Barbados. Interject and tells him that that is only for now.. Proceed to popular. Popular has unilaterally moved start of business from 7am to 9 am. There are still lines and police are on the scene, tying to get people to social distance. Pass by Cherish: there is a short line and customers are practicing social distancing.Reach Scotty’s the prices are for once steady. Told the cashier that I get the impression that at the week end, this place is going to be under 24 hours curfew. The policeman Johnson ( who gives traffic updates) is hinting at changes coming this week end. I suggest that if she has not, she should stock up on stuff. Stop by Shop Mart: there is no crowd buy some flour( to make bread, I already have),in case the shut down materializes. Retrace my steps towards home. By the London Towers( where the old telephone exchange building used to be) a fellow is trying to get a box kite air borne whilst smoking a spliff. The kite plunges into the road, The traffic waits for the fellow to retrieve the kite, which he does still smoking the spliff. My maternal grandfather had tinsmith shop at the site of the plunging kite. He was one of the best, I was told. Seems to be some truth to it. My uncle( deceased) would filled emptied T&T grapefruit and orange juice cans with rum and seal the tops with solder. It was done so expertly that as a little fellow 5/6 years) I could not recognize where the seal was. The cans were shipped to Canada to another uncle. Doesn’t seem as though the ruse was ever detected
Greene
Oh gawd, you keep proving your lack of thought. It is understandable why in 2020 you believe a Barbadian by birth should be prevented from sitting in the Senate because he/she holds dual citizenship.
“We are talking about Barbadians and a law that is anachronistic.”
97% of the laws on the statute books are colonial and archaic, why are they not REMOVED…like Rwanda…or is that a bridge too far outside of commonsense.
there is little doubt that a 24 hr lockdown is coming. the reason will be that the 8-6 curfew is not stopping people from moving about and a 24 hr lockdown has to be imposed to prevent further community spread. only essential service will be allowed out and of course some movement for food, gas and medication etc will be exempted
@Greene
The issue is not the 8pm to 6am, it is the day period.
agreed. didnt Hal question the 8-6 night curfew as ineffective? and was berated?
@Greene
Barbados adopted a phased approach versus draconian. There is always the Monday morning quarterbacking. Bear in mind the strategy Barbados has adopted is not unique.
WARU
True, so we start. The Law Review Commission will continue.
I ventured out again after a pause of one day. The vehicular traffic on Bay St was spasmodic with periods of intense quiet. proceeded down Bay St and entered Jordan’s Lane via the site of the now demolished temporary market. Continued towards the juncture of Nelson St. and Jordan Lane, See a line from afar ,thought I was seeing things. Reached the juncture. The line extends from the juncture of Jordan’s Lane to Jordan’s Supermarket. there are about two-three persons abreast in the line. No signs of social distancing being enforced. The crowd lines both sides of the road, milling about waiting for the nine o’clock hour when it is opening time. Proceed to the top and am stunned, The line also stretch far pass the V.O.B office.. Cross the bridge by Saving Plus. Lines stretch as far as the Urban Development.. Cross towards Barnes building toward the direction of Marhill street. The line from Popular stretches into St. Michael’s Row and snakes pass the juncture into Marhill Street proper down to the site of the pharmacy. There is no social distancing and the crowd in some places two and three deep.
The same situation is present at Cherish. The chicken place is the same, line stretch to the Lucky Horse Shoe. The same at Scotty’s’ Cross the road into Cheapside Market. The gates of the market are closed and there is a massive crowd. I can’t fathom why the gates are not opened. A scene of some chaos. Let us hope there are no carriers in the crowds.
One would have thought that the crowds would have diminished.
@Robert Lucas,
this is what panic causes. Govt said supermarkets would be open and then retracted. why do they expect would happen? people are see 2 weeks of lockdown and supermarket closure and are preparing for that.
the govt handlig of this crisis is turning out to be a nightmare. are no risk managers advising them? Govt’s indecision alone is leading to the possible community spread of the virus which the lockdown was supposed to stop. is there any point to the lock down now?
@ Robert
Do you think Barbadians lack discipline? The queues at our supermarkets are orderly, with NHS workers allowed in first, then pensioners, then the general shopper. By the way, on Thursday evenings at 8pm, the entire nation comes on its door step and applaud the health workers at the forefront.
This is often joined by motorists, who blow their vehicle horns, police, who flash their emergency lights, and even fire fights.
It makes you want to cry.
The govt handlig of this crisis is turning out to be a nightmare. are no risk managers advising them? Govt’s indecision alone is leading to the possible community spread of the virus which the lockdown was supposed to stop. is there any point to the lock down now?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
NOW YOU SEE WHY THE ISLAND NEEDS TO CHANGE FROM A GROUP OF CORRUPT INEPT LAWYERS INCLUDING MIA WHO ARE USED TO LOOKING ALWAYS AFTER THEMSELVES AND BENEFACTORS FIRST AND THE TAXPAYERS VOTERS ALWAYS AT THE BACK OF THE QUEUE UNLESS TAXING THEM FOR MONEY OR VOTES.
NO WHERE IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD EVEN WITH THIS CRISIS ARE SUPERMARKETS CLOSED,
DID THE SOCIOLOGIST CZAR RECOMMEND THIS TO BLP GOVERNMENT?
ROUND PEGS DO NOT FIT IN SQUARE HOLES.
@ Hal @ Greene April 3, 2020 10:48 AM
I think the authorities are in a panic mode. At a time like this, there is a need for calm even if deep down one is worried. I am sure that the opinion of the experts was not heeded initially. The Prime Minister seems to think only she has ideas. A mistake was including Carter in the whole thing. He cannot do like Dr. Fauci and explain things so that the public understands. Barbadians do not know how to wait in line for their turn. One sees this every day. You are in a line and a line crasher sees some one in the line ahead of you. The crasher siddles up and ask her friend to purchase things for her/him. if one objects a heap of abuse ensues.
@ Robert
You get it here on BU too. If you criticise this behaviour the anonymous keyboard predators, some with multiple names, come down on you.
Barbadians do not know how to wait in line for their turn. One sees this every day. You are in a line and a line crasher sees some one in the line ahead of you. The crasher siddles up and ask her friend to purchase things for her/him. if one objects a heap of abuse ensues.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is not fair to say Barbadians in general. MOST BARBADIANS wait their turn. There are SOME uncouth ones who don’t. It is so even in the minibus terminal. It is just a minority that breaks the queue. I have been there recently and that is what i have observed.
@ Donna April 3, 2020 3:33 PM
One thing I will tell you, they keep a hell of a lot of noise.