The Dave Black Novels

 Chursleigh

Growing up on the Chursleigh Estate in the latter days of WWII. Jack Cutler becomes involved with some local bigwigs, Needing access to deliver surplus supplies, to outlying villages. They prevail on him; to make use of his access, to a tractor and trailer.

  

  They create a consortium to take advantage of the new situation, as the war in Europe comes to an end. They've built up a kitty and use it to buy up the freehold; to a wartime bomber Station built on Chursleigh land holdings during the war. They use this kitty to pay-off the Chursleigh overdraft at the local National Provincial Bank in exchange for the former Bomber Station. When it's repatriated to the Chursleigh Estate, as the war ends.

  
  The consortium goes from strength to strength; until a final break up occurs, Squadron Leader Guy Shard RAF son of the Manor; comes home from war in the Burmese Jungle. He was thought to be Missing in Action, but managed to survive. Now he's back and sets about sorting out what has gone on in his absence

. He takes over running of the Estate from where he left off. But is soon approached by Sir Godfrey Bright; to be Chief Executive at his Bright Aeroplane Company. He's turned to building civil airliners; as the UK Airlines go head to head with the Yanks, Read on about all that follows; in this postwar saga of who dares wins. In the battle for command of the trans-Atlantic Airways.

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Another Time Another Place

With roots in the Russian revolution; as WWI, draws to its end. Alexander Popov flees the raging mob to escape to the USA and prepare a home for his pregnant wife to join him when the baby is fit to travel.

  
  In the aftermath of the revolution, as his ancestral estate is taken over and destroyed by the raging communist mob, they lose touch. Changing his name to Alex Popper; he arrives in the USA, to become a Bigtime Boy in the Solomons Brothers Partnership on Wall Street. But is accidentally killed; in a showdown with Ralph Solomons, the senior partner. But he covers it up as a suicide, in the Wall Street Crash of '29.

  Angie Pilkington: Alex's personal assistant; suspects what happened and keeps, a log. Hoping she can find a way to expose Solomons and discover what really what went on. When the son Alex never knew; rises to the higher ranks of the Soviet Hierarchy. He's sent to the United Nations as the Soviet Envoy and goes looking for the father, he never knew.

  In reality though; he's been sent to forage postwar USA for computers and technology for the Soviet war machine. But he'is using his position too; to equip a secret base he's created, in the foothills of the Vladayskaya. He's carrying out research on a system he's developing to program computer remotely. He's out to find a way of destroying Western economies of the the West's Allies and to take control of the Politburo..

  Retired Canadian Agent 'Jig' Prendergast; is coaxed out of retirement by Desmond Chandler; a new Canadian Minister of Telecoms and Comms. He's out to get to the bottom of what's going on. When a second Canadian airliner; on it's way to Moscow, disappears off the radar, over the Arctic wastes of Northern Canada.

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Bigboys Games

Impressed by the way Prentice dealt with the villians who murdered his daughter. Alexander Maxwell, Lord Stigwell of Bashwell Higham hires him to make waves in his centuries old Victorian Merchant Trader. Drastic overhaul is needed; as the new millennium beckons. But Stigwell has bitten off more than he can chew; as Prentice goes off message.

  A big bold future beckons as Prentice ropes in Carson Holdings and Sean Blairgower's Tartan Property Empire; to create Standish Holdings Plc. But it turns out to be a marriage made in haste; that lurches from crisis to crisis, as Simon Horburg scion of a the Horburg Merchant comes looking for a bargain basement takeovers. While Eastend barrow boy Charlie Clikker lurches from emerging bankrupt to golden boy in harness with Jack Greensmith and his brand new Internet eBank.

  Who will come out on top: Prentice with his burgeoning Empire of Derring-do. Charlie Clikker and his Provident Court Trust Fund or Simon Horburg playing games that the others can only aspire to?           

Available now from Gooogle Play in ePub
&
Lulu.com  in Print 

Equity Release ~ Money ~ Money ~ Money It's a Rich Man's World

The Real Truth about Equity Release 

 Ever wonder why the re-tweet and response rarely match? Then suddenly realise you've stumbled on the truth, more by accident than design. The Banks and Building Societies have morphed in to Casinos; they're playing fast and loose using everything within their grasp, leading double lives

They've been stopped from using your deposits to create money out of thin air. Messrs Carney/Osbourne saw to that. Stopped 'em dead in their tracks on that one. The funds they lend now have to be raised from commercial sources.

  Though never at odds for long; with the idea of exploiting hidden assets. They had to come up; with something new, to fill this void in their existence. There had to be a way to get the 'Unwashed Masses' on the team sheet.

 They'd tried 'Funny Money'; click of a mouse stuff,  but soon realised it didn't make the kind of returns, they were accustomed too. At least; not on any kind of scale, they'd previously enjoyed. The 'Day of Reckoning'; came around all too soon, with UK Treasury the main beneficiary.

  Though with piles of loot; by way of assumed assets, lying dormant on their books, often for decades. It suddenly occurred there had to be a way to access these undeclared assets.

Several possibilities had cropped up over the last  decade; as they brain stormed the problem, which hadn't really amounted, to anything much. Until 'Bright Spark' decided; to take a peek at undeclared Property Values.

  To discover; a veritable 'Treasure Trove of enhanced value, had lain there undisturbed for several generations. Bingo: the 'Holy Grail' was rediscovered, well almost? The trick would be; how to unlock it, without creating obligations. Obligations all but impossible; for the retired to meet, on any kind of regular monthly basis.

  So a few 'Brain-Stormin' sessions later and 'Easy~Peasy'. They could take a stake in these individual property portfolios/ not by re-mortgaging or raising funds from commercial lenders. But by building a balance sheet based on accumulating assets. Right there under their big fat noses. 

  This was the assumed value; accrued by individual property holdings, for want of a better description. In this way a whole new 'Ballgame' was at their fingertips. "But it could all end in tears," 'Bright Spark' observed. Though he was readily air-brushed aside, for it was all hands to the tiller.

  A few ads on Primetime TV fronted by some well known 'Celebs'; should assuage any silly notions or romantic concerns, from beneficiaries about the final account. The legators would all be dead and buried; they contended. Long before any niggling queries arose of that nature. If they needed to fend off the attention; of the No Win No Fee Briefs. 

 Be good to assess the extent; as to the possible take-up we can expect, added the Chief Exec. He knew one of the most disturbing aspects of this entire imbroglio; would be the moment when beneficiaries realised, the Bankers & Building Societies had first call in respect of existing liabilities

  In addition: annual inspections would be necessary in respect of gas, electrical installation and insurance obligations. When they were taken into account; as the final reckoning at last saw the harsh 'Light of Day' 

  "But of course; it defies all logic, in respect of the age old max. An Englishman's Home is his Castle," observed 'Bright Spark'. "There are also aspects of this real deal; which may or may not be readily apparent, in the present climate where super-hot pricing prevails."

  "In addition;" 'Bright Spark', continued, "aspects of this particular kind of deal; may not at first sight manifest themselves, in any significant way. Unless or until fundamentals of the Housing Market begin to change." i.e. "A severe price reversal occurs. To bring about the situation we know as 'Negative Equity'."

  "There have been instances of this; in the not so distant past, as the walls came tumbling down," he added. "So in the present analysis; when we are dealing with a broken monetary situation, where the bank notes in issue are nothing more than IoUs it is a case of:-"

"Caveat Emptor: as reality dawns and you realise you've been Tangoed - Bigtime."

Watch this space, I'll be back,

Daz.

MadVlad Episode IX

Time Marches On

In a way I suppose; one day it had to come to this. Though; had Vlad been a little more circumspect, it may not have had to end this way. But if you come on; with the Macho Stuff any whichway, one day you'll have to stand up to be counted, or be thought a fool. There is no third way; as former UK Prime Minister Anthony Blair and his nemesis would have you believe.

  The reality of it is; that one day it's yourself 'agin' the world and 'ya gotta' make a fist of it. Posing half-naked on horseback in the outback; won't suffice when the chips are down and the wheel, is spinning. In addition; you could well be on the wrong side of right, struggling; to make it count. Whatever; the odds are massive, for in backing a bloke like Al Assad. You need to show good reason; any wishy-washy excuse, will not do!

  You can't expect Vlad to turn up trumps; at the drop of a hat, it takes far more than that. It's been coming for a while and he knows it. Hence the moves to safeguard his position and a legacy of sorts, will it work? Doubt it!  The economics are out of kilter. It's how all dictators pseudo or otherwise, 'atishoo atishoo' it's the economics 'wot' does for them. There's no happy ending; winding the clock back, never works in practice!

Watch this space I'll be back

Daz.

MadVlad Episode VIII

Vlad’s Last Stand?

Could this be the icing on the cake or metaphorically Vlad's Last Stand. Technically by 2024 his reign will end ~ Job Done? Presently its the last time he can be nominated for the presidency? Though we’re all well aware of previous shenanigans, so is this it? Will he see it out to everlasting glory or follow in the footsteps of all-American Hero George Armstrong Custer?

   Years ago a showbiz agent; who gave me a start, in the game. Explained it to me this way: ‘there comes a time, when we all have to go. You are best placed to do it; when you’re riding the crest of the wave. There’s but a tiny window of opportunity; so if you don’t carpe diem, to soldier on until you’re no good for 'owt much'. You could well get the heave-oh; when you least, expect it.

Tell us you’re gonna stand; hollered the workers at Nizny Novgorod in 2017 and with approval ratings nudging (80%), Vlad - with arms aloft 'succumbed'. Saying; he couldn’t find a better place or better moment; to reveal his hand, for his latest power grab. But that’s history now; dating back to the turn of the century. But with hands aloft; it appeared to me, more like a surrender than an acceptance.

So is this the equivalent; of another Battle of Bull Run, at the Little Bighorn or Vlad’s Last Stand? Monitoring Vlad’s recent career; seems there could be, an over-riding inconsistency here. That originates in attempts to revive the economic fortunes of the former Soviet Empire; with a scope and practice, reminiscent of the infamous KGB.

 

He must by now have realised; following this final outrageous act of hegemony, that his star is no longer in the ascendancy. He’s doomed to eternal damnation; though it could be said; the blame cannot be entirely laid, at his doorstep. The expansionist ambitions of the EU elite; must take its share of the ‘blame-game’ as they pushed inexorably, towards Russia’s western border.

 

It’s incredible the leader of Britain’s UK Independence Party; never latched onto this aspect, of EU policy. But then it is in no way in his interest; to draw international attention, to matters of this nature. For disassociation from the EU due to a British withdrawal; sees the end of UKIP's, raison d’etre. If indeed; the party he ‘led', ever had one. Though his prime objective; uniquely revolved, around filling his boots. To clip clop off into the sunset with the bounty. (So; maybe there’s another blog in here, somewhere?)

This apart it could be a tragedy of epic repercussions; for the new Russia, for Vlad too. It could bring about his downfall; before the present 'seven year itch', draws to a conclusion. In the face of the flight from Russia; of 1,5 million educated professionals, seeking prosperity and fulfilment in the West. I’m sure the Russian people per se; will be as appalled that this is happening, as the rest of the civilised world. Make no mistake; it is entirely the result of incompetence on the part of Russian supporting separatists. In this battle for the hearts and minds; of disaffected Soviet sympathisers, in the border regions of the Ukraine. A supposedly independent democratic state.

The abiding question however; is why can’t we in the free world, organise a code of conduct, which enables people of disparate sympathies to live together in harmony. For the greater good, of civilisation at large. Nothing ever comes from force of arms; other than heartache for innocents and in the end, it all gets settled around a table. The other aspect of these warlike situations that prevail across the world; is the impact of religious practice and the avowed hatred, it spawns. Who is to say what's right and who’s wrong? Inherently reasons for disagreement; manifest themselves in many ways, as the endgame develops and often turn out to be, quite trivial?

Surely it is not beyond the wit of man; to conjure up agreements, that suit all parties if they can only abandon this business of creating mayhem for anyone, who disagrees with their ideas. Compulsion; is the ‘mother of all forces for evil, in the world’. It could be ended at a stroke if the leaders of the entire world; can be made to see common sense. By relegating religion to what and where it should be! A belief; for those who wish to live that way, without any rights to impose it on others. Outlawing the brainwashing of children; from the point of conception and leaving religions, where they belong, in the churches, tabernacles and mosques.

There maybe many things we do not like; about this, but it should in no way mean we have to make individual points, by force of arms. I will write no more on this subject and hopefully; await the day when commonsense can prevail, across the entire Planet Earth. That we learn can learn to live; in peace and harmony, to the common good of all mankind, not forgetting the ladies!

Amen.

P.S: as a final rejoinder; to all who seek the truth in defiance of blind faith, I append herewith a recent dialogue of reasons why Christianity. May not be everything to all people at the website: godisimaginary.com

Watch this space I'll be back.
Daz.

MadVlad Episode VI

Capital Flight

Phew: estimates of Capital Flight in the region US$ Zillions, are fleeing from the grasping tentacles of Russia’s Treasury? No wonder Vlad’s had cause to pause and rein in his rhetoric; though it doesn’t seem to have filtered down to his, boots on the ground. Suffice to say he can carry-on telling the world, "nowt to do with me pal."

There can be no doubt that Capital flight legal or illegal; as the case maybe, depending on the circumstances. Contributes massively to economic chaos and although Vlad has stated categorically that he's unconcerned by the prospect. Something must have transpired; to bring about a volte-face, on aspects of the situation he has created in Ukraine.

It is probably true; that liability for many of the problem areas that exist today. Rest at the feet; of whoever created these tit for tat situations we see today in the first place. From 'Big Brother Joe' to Putin dictators and presidents actually transferred whole tracts of virgin territory without due respect; to indigenous rights or the ethnic mixes within, which were inevitably bound to fester, as they stored up problems for the future.

In the endgame it all comes home to roost; either by way of history repeating itself, In anticipation that memories fade or via a new slant on reasons why. To create the conditions which produce a fog of concealment. Whilst the underlying fundamental reasons remain intact and thereby hangs a 'tail'.

Watch this space i'll be back

Dazzoir

MadVlad Episode V

Spirit of 2015

Is it a frightened Russian President running for cover, an astute politician playing cat and mouse with a lame duck US president or a chancer on the make? Take your pick but either way, they're both trapped in a political soup of their own making. President Obama is in hock to the ideology of appeasement and indecision. While President Putin is enraptured; by his very own KGB charisma, though in a way they're both trying to wind back the clock. To what in their separate and misguided ways, they regard as better times.

Both have surrendered to expedience in the face of indecision. Mr Putin because his grip on power is tenuous to say the least after rigging the electoral system, whilst President Obama is jealously guarding the legacy of a star on the wane due to diminishing expectations and Is out to salvage what little is left of his tattered reputation.

The pair of them lack real statesmanship, and they do so by avoiding the true purpose of great office and taking the easy option. Though it's hard to see how Mr Putin might survive re-election if Capital Flight wrecks the CIS economic prospects. In the end its economics wot does for 'em, as surely as it did for the USSR.

Overall it's the fact that banking worldwide has been dragged into disrepute in America by the antics of the Wall Street Casino, and in Russia by the antics of the Oligarchs. Transforming the Russian economy by privatisation was never going to be a smooth transition and wresting control of the Banks in the free world is all but impossible without a radical re-vamp of their M.O.

Maybe something to value money against gold was doomed; when they demonetarised silver. So maybe that’s the answer with States and countries turning to debt-free loans. With stricter limits on Fractional Reserve Banking and real time accounting based on real time profit with a fair day's pay for a fair day's output.

Time for the world to recognise you cannot get a pint from a half pint pot and the 5  small fishes and 5 small loaves tale is a myth. The fill yer boots and clip clop off into the sunset mentality has to be ended for all time. It should have ended with the Plunder of the Spanish Main but it appears we learn little from history and continue to make the same old mistakes in the same old way, indeed as Arthur Wellesley pointed out:- They came at us in the same old way and we beat 'em off in the same old way.

Spirit of Waterloo needs to be re-invented in a brand new way. fit for purpose in this so-called Modern Age.of new Beginnings 

Watch this. Space, I'll be back

Dazzoir

MadVlad Episode IV

Rebirth of Empire

It's possible Vlad has ambitions in respect of re-establishing the Soviet Empire, as he adopts what can only be described as gradualism, the mantra embraced by socialist regime-change aficionados and pseudo-dictators across the globe.

What else can explain the subduction of legal constraints, to terms of office or unmarked, armed incursions in the name of securing the interests of particular interest groupings. By priming fellow travellers; in the midst of a sovereign territory, to canvass a rigged referenda.

It could have direct links to the muscle-bound bareback, stripped to the waist, horse back rough-riding. The tough guy image with pecs exposed - for worldwide speculation. This is the kind of arrogant or blinkered behaviour the free nations of Europe endured in the period 1933/45.

But to think you can get you by in the 21st Century dressing it up with shades of grey, must rank as a gross miscalculation. Maybe South Ossetia was a 'dummy-run' of sorts, to refine the tactics. But such tactics, appear to be more reminiscent of the copy one might read in the pages of former dictators.

The takeover of Crimea on the back of a barely disguised and bogus attempt to skewer public opinion, is no longer the way of the world. Bare-faced disregard for accepted norms, cannot be tolerated by the rest of the world where freedom reigns and the democratic will of the majority prevails.

The kind of carry-on in Crimea owes more to the Communist era of despots, gulags & political dictat. It's a world Vlad the Lad, with his KGB background is obviously well acquainted with. But to impose it in such an obvious way in 21st century AD, with total disregard, for accepted democratic rules, smacks of hubris that is unacceptable, by any measure of civilised behaviour.

Surely such bully-boy tactics cannot be tolerated, if the Free World is to retain any shred of self-respect. Such behaviour has to be a gross miscalculation, as the bastions of freedom and democracy, rally to ratchet up the moral pressure and pour derision on such tactical blundering.

'Fait accompli' delivered with hubris, in the face of worldwide disapprobation cannot be allowed to stand, in any part of the world. If sovereign territorial rights under international law, are to reign supreme.

Watch this space! I'll be back.

Dazzoir.