Rimi Prama

Now as anyone who has gone shopping at a Rimi store in Riga knows, the parking spaces are divided into normal and those for the disabled. In the case of the latter they are in any event used by those whose only disability is that they are to to lazy to walk far, and so park in the "disabled spaces", which are invariably closest to the store entrance.

But now the Rimi has gone one better, by creating parking spaces for giant prams !!

Now as yet I have not actually seen any of these giant prams, but given that they take up the same space as that used for cars - they must be bl..dy huge !!! - and lord only knows what size the babies must be ??

Now once again I have to report on the upcoming departure of one our village people, young C.... (English - a would be beach bum). It would appear that the lure of Manchester is too strong, ( does Manchester have any lure ??) - so within the next few weeks he and his young lady will depart to seek his fame and fortune in the land of Gordon Brown. I wish him well - but suspect he leaves with a heavy heart. But on this occasion I can report that as one village member departs so another is about to make his return. Many moons ago a person of Scottish origins and with a questionable taste in hats left with the promise that he would return. Well it would appear that date is not far off. He has indicated that in October/November he will return to set up up his new business here in Riga, and that from the beginning 2009 he will be here on a regular basis. So to I.. welcome back !!

Now on the subject of things Scottish this little video ditty was sent to me by our erstwhile J... (Australian - hoping for an erection soon ! - of houses that is !)

Aaaahh The joys of youth and insensitive mothers !

Nowadays it seems that writing this blog takes more than a few days, so since I started writing this at the weekend and it is now Wednesday, I can update all that the outdoor cafes - bars are fast disappearing - the latest being in Livi Square, so with bust a few days until their licences run out, I suspect by the end of next week they will all be gone, and that is a sure sign that Winter is approaching. One noticeable absentee this year has been the dancing she, that's the one that "dances" in ever diminishing circles, likewise the bearded artist, who I have to confess I have never actually seen draw a caricature of anyone, but it was always nice to see him sitting there on his little stool, cigarette in mouth and clearly pondering on the worlds (or his) problems.

This weekend sees the annual congregation of all Australians in Riga to watch the Aussie rules football final between Geelong and Hawthorne, and I am advised that Geelong are the favourites - so to all who may wish to watch this spectacle then I believe it kicks off at 7.30am local time, and the place to be is F..... (Hostel of world repute). For those like me who have no idea of the rules then I suggest you visit YouTube and watch this video www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA4gmMvye5M where all will be revealed. Beer and Vegemite toast will be on offer if it is anything like last year.

So with Riga basking in a late burst of sunshine I am off to visit the local park, complete with book and soak up the fading rays of this evening.