Because I've been on the tail-end of a summer cold my thoughts have been somewhat introvert – always a dangerous thing! I got to thinking about my earliest recollections – around 5 years old when my whole life revolved around Mum and Dad. They were my authorities and they had the power. No problem there then.

Later, I got sent to school, now teachers shared the power and authority with Mum and Dad. They shouted at me, screamed at me, threw things at me…. and I jumped. 

They beat the heck out of me, they made sure I knew my place. They made sure I was punished. I was smacked, canned, whacked, slippered, rulered, ear-twisted, clipped, punched…and I haven't got to the bullies yet…

At least the headmaster was a local magistrate (he gave me 6 strokes with the cane for drinking milk without a straw)

Phew! justice at last Eh?

Little boys should be seen and not heard. Those who ask don't get. Patience is a virtue. Oh yes, and in between, they taught me to read, write, and add up. They were LAW. 

Then I went out to work. My bosses were now The Law, and I jumped and danced to their tune. Around the same time I became aware of the Government and it's Laws. These had to be obeyed or some form of punishment was coming my way. So I kowtowed. 

These facts I give you shaped my thinking, and I blindly followed these sources of power and authority.

My Mum and Dad did okay by me, they were good parents, but they instilled my deference to authority. I was polite to policemen for example – by instinct.

Fast-forward to 2010. 

With the benefit of hindsight, I can see that my schoolteachers for the most part were post-war and mediocre, they were just doing the minimum possible. And much later, my bosses were no better than me – they just got there before me. 

And with the benefit of 60-plus years behind me, I can see that the UK has been governed by a bunch of career politicians being led by their balls by greedy and controlling bankers. Civil Servants are Self-Servants to their Masters – not to us…

All the wars in my lifetime have been encouraged by money, the banks play monopoly (= stocks and shares) with our livelihoods, and my pension will now only pay for my basic food… When complaining, I was told "sorry, your contributions were used to pay for those retiring at that time, but now affordability is an issue"…So much for entrusted Power and Authority.

By the way, I'm still polite to policemen…I just can't help myself. I'll need therapy.

So Thank God For My Internet Life. At least I'm finally my own boss.

I'm sure I'll feel better and more balanced after a few more paracetamol…

It's no secret I used to be a hot guitarist, well, in my head anyway! But truth be told I used to be okay, and played in the earliest 'pop bands' in the 1960's through to around 1985, when I 'retired'. I still play of course, but only for my own amusement, well, my wife Jude laughs every time I pick up the guitar…

If I had to pass on one tip to younger guitarists picked up from my 20 years on the road, it would not be related to actually playing the guitar, it would be the money I've saved throughout my years of regular gigging – by boiling my guitar strings.

I knew it all along – get yer vitamins by laying in the sun. At last something positive to do with the suns rays. And exercise has been found to grow thousands of brain cells after only a few days leading to better recollection of memories, plus older folks get nimbler brains and prevents dementia. Here in Spain, the afternoon siesta is quite natural, and now scientists say that boosts brain power too.

One of life’s absolute pleasures is when a lifetime buddy comes round for a quick drink. Trouble is when the temperature is close to 40 degrees, it gets a bit warm topside…

The solution? Move to a cooler part of the pool…

The bar service was not as good though, plus the crisps were soggy.

And when I eventually got a drink, I’m sure my San Miguel had been watered down….