This post comes to you from the Hope Street Cafe in Bo’ness. It’s in Hope Street so you can see the thinking. Last time we were here was back in 2018 when it was called Brian’s Cafe. At that time the media were getting their knickers in a twist about a poisoning in Salisbury. A critic of the regime in Russia, Sergei Skripal and his daughter had been affected by nerve agents. They were in a critical condition. This gave rise to frenzied speculation about whether or not Vladimir Putin might be a bad man. Well, as you know, things have moved on.

Omnipotence

2018 saw Putin, along with President Xi of China manufacture situations where they could remain in power for as long as they liked. In the US, Donald Trump was busy trying to follow their example. In the UK, Theresa May was finding it impossible to leave her job as PM because no-one else would take it. Well, as you know, things have moved on.

We are at the Hope Street Cafe because it’s adjacent to the Hippodrome cinema where we had been to see “A Man Called Otto”. It’s about an elderly man who thinks that the whole world has gone mad and he is the only sensible person left. I asked Pat if Otto reminded her of anyone … she just smiled. Things are so bad for Otto he finds it impossible, in spite of multiple attempts, to successfully commit suicide. His own incompetence or interfering neighbours always get in the way. It was a good film worth seeing. We got out of the cinema around lunchtime so that’s why we’re here in the cafe.

Fruit

It’s a no-frills kind of place … and all the better for that. The staff seemed to know everyone and it had that sort of buzz that you get in places that are full of regulars. After a bite of lunch we got a scone to share. It was a fruit scone. We knew that because we could see two pieces of fruit. However, as far as fruit was concerned, that was it! As per usual, Pat took the top half. But, perhaps thinking I might be inspired by Otto, was trying to avert a suicide attempt when she insisted that I had both bits of fruit. It’s love! Short of fruit perhaps but the scone itself was really quite nice. Of course, it was never going to be a topscone.

Forgetfulness

Having enjoyed our visit we emerged into Hope Street  to the news that our former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Zadhim Zahawi, had inadvertently forgotten to pay £4.8million in tax. Don’t you find it really annoying when that happens? You’ve filled in all the forms as best you can but completely forgotten about the £27million you had just been given from an off-shore trust  … damn! Easily overlooked!

Three weeks into 2023 and the US has had 40 mass shootings already. Goodness, no wonder Otto thought he was the only sensible person left!

EH51 0AA        tel: 01506 823815         Hope Street Cafe 

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