Those of you who know me well, will be aware that I have not been well in recent months.

Thanks to the excellent French medical service, which is second to none, I have undergone a battery of tests in record time, no waiting, no messing, outstanding courtesy and efficiency at every turn. Hopefully they have now arrived at an answer that will see me back to my normal ebullient self in one or two months.

One or two months is a long time in blogland. I am more aware than anyone that my posts recently have lacked sparkle, and been pedestrian. Most days I have struggled to write anything at all. I don’t believe that this blog can stand another two months or so of my lacklustre self. It would survive, but I am too much of a perfectionist to settle for mere survival.

I never intended to run my own blog, I would have been very happy to pen the occasional piece for Anorak, but events overtook me, and I found myself swept along on a tide of ‘no more Anorak’ followed by someone ‘helpfully’ setting up a blog in my name, and ultimately making the decision that – with a couple of others – we would go it alone. The couple of others fell by the wayside, and there I was, running a blog single handed, the very thing I had never intended to do.

‘Anna Raccoon’ has been unbelievably successful, I didn’t even know how to collect ‘stats’ for the first two months, but since I learnt that trick, there have been over half a million page views in the past six months. Thousands of people from all around the world arrive every day to read. I feel honour bound to give them something to read.

I also feel like a hamster on a wheel.

I made the decision initially to go with a self hosted blog, hosted outside of Europe’s draconian libel laws, because I had – through what seemed like a lifetime of moderating Anorak through the ‘McCann wars’ – a continuing interest in the fate of that little girl. I had hoped to provide a platform for reasoned debate on the subject; even a year ago, other fora were dividing into those who felt the parents were saints and should be supported, and those who wished to see them hung drawn and quartered. Those who were so alert to the possibility of libel, and those who were prepared to print anything and everything. I quickly learnt that a ‘middle of the road’ position, open to all opinions, is simply not possible on that subject, you disappear under an avalanche of abusive e-mails from all sides regardless of what you write. I had trolls, I had attempts to hack my site, I had spoof sites set up cruelly lampooning my regular posters, I had some of the most abusive, vitriolic, and disturbing e-mails it has ever been my misfortune to receive. It was a very unhappy period, for no other reason than that I was not prepared to act or write as though I knew the ‘truth’ of the matter – either ‘truth’. For or against.

Eventually I made the decision that I simply would not write of Madeleine any longer, I would turn my attention to other matters that interested me.

I am a Quaker; I am at heart a natural Libertarian, I believe strongly in personal responsibility and self discipline. Not surprising then that I should join and support the Libertarian party. Nor that I should write of politics, UK politics, even though I am personally disenfranchised, and no longer live in the UK, I haven’t stopped being saddened by what has become of a country that I loved very much.

Old Holborn offered me a platform, and I shall always be grateful for his wise counsel, friendship, and support. There is a small part of him that contains one of the sanest minds I know. Guthrum likewise. To say I was slightly surprised by the un-Libertarian instincts of some of my fellow travellers, would be a monumental understatement.

My first post on Old Holborn was roundly, resolutely, robustly, attacked by Stan. My punctuation, my use of apostrophes, my English, was not ‘as prescribed’ by the Libertarian rule book. I had no idea that there was a Libertarian rule book, I had innocently thought that the whole idea of Libertarianism was that we should each do ‘our own thing’ providing we were not hurting anyone else, and were taking responsibility for ourselves. Schmuck that I was. In the weeks that followed, I was again plagued by trolls on the site, Libertarian ones this time, and received a number of e-mails which should not have hurt, they were only words, but hurt they did. I was worthless, valueless, a piece of shit, had no business writing on Old Holborn’s site. So much so that I asked Old Holborn to remove me from his blogroll. I took my e-mail address off my own site.

Not for the first time, I wondered why on earth I was running this blog. It was the support of good friends and loyal posters, many dating from my time at Anorak, that kept me going. I took to writing just what amused me, and amused my friends. Peace reigned once again.

I can no longer remember which came first – Old Holborn inviting me back again, or me deciding to prune my blogroll to just those bloggers whose output I actually read, and those who had been kind enough to support me. A fateful decision, that eventually unleashed a tsunami of vitriol from two well known bloggers who kept up a campaign for many a month of continuous contemptuous articles denigrating me, and claiming I had no right to term myself a Libertarian. Each article would be followed by a series of e-mails from people concerned that I might not have seen the latest missive. I seemed to spend my days trying to find something to write, and also time to answer the semi-continuous e-mails. I probably shouldn’t have graced them with a reply, but that is not my way.

One of the main bones of contention with my new protagonists was that I said I supported Guido ‘totally’. Whilst it is apparently perfectly OK to condemn someone ‘totally’ in the unwritten book of Libertarian rules, supporting them ‘totally’ is anathema.

I do support Guido, he has opened the door through which we all pour out our hearts on a daily basis; though I can assure you, and I have held my tongue for many a month of this subject, that far from me being in some’ cosy country club’ with him and other bloggers, Guido is barely aware of my existence. I gave him many hours of my time and energy moderating for him when he needed it. In return, he has never graced me with so much as a thank-you, has never blog rolled me, has never e-mailed me more than a scant three or four words, as in ‘are you there’ when he needed an extra moderator, has only once commented on my site, a curt ‘correct’ one day, and to add insult to injury, I am completely and utterly banned from his site by his mysterious algorithms which are unable to cope with the word ‘coon’ even when it is cunningly hidden about my name, or concealed in a hyperlink to my name. He has given me two links, one when I became the only blogger to ever have a cabinet minister comment on their site, which I am quite sure he would have handed out to anyone else in the same position, and once when I produced a piece of artwork lauding Heather Brooks at a time when everyone else seemed to have forgotten that without her there would have been no ‘MPs expenses scandal’. For that I have endured months of vitriol which yes, did cause me a lot of unhappiness; there is a real person behind this blog, one that doesn’t enjoy being on the receiving end of a vendetta.

It seems to me that the world of blogging is fuelled by petty jealousies, vitriol, feuds, unsubstantiated allegations, apostrophe police, and a whole host of people who in another age would have been happy twitching their curtains and writing letters in green ink. I have watched in horror as several new forums have descended into a cesspool of hatred and nastiness, and you know what? I got up this morning and decided that I just didn’t have the energy anymore, or the thick skin, to do it any longer.

Why should I? I live in a wondrously idyllic enclave, I have a life outside of this blog that I have ignored for too long.

I spent today clearing a millstream of debris and jetsam, tonight it is flowing clear and fresh, the moorhens are happy, the frogs are leaping, my dog is muddy and exhausted. The world is a better place for my endeavours. Best of all, there will be no snide e-mails to answer, I didn’t have to keep checking on my work to make sure that some mischievous person didn’t post an advertisement for Viagra or unfairly lambast another poster for their opinion. There was no danger of my work suddenly disappearing into the cyber-ether becasue I’d been too tired to press the right button. I shan’t be spending tonight upgrading the site becasue WordPress demanded I did. Tomorrow I shall be out in the winter sunshine clearing the mill pond.

If there is anyone out there with the thick skin required to withstand the brickbats, the tenacity to spend hours tending the site, the desire to write seven days a week, then there is here a ready made site, with a readership of around 3,000 a day, fully paid up until some time in 2011, I would be happy to give it to you. Be my guest. No payment required. E-mail me at http://www.annaraccoon.com/madeleine-mccann/the-final-curtain/annaraccoon@gmail.com and it is all yours. This offer will stay open for one week from today, after that the curtain will come down.

Do with it as you please, but please look after my posters, they are a good hearted bunch, not given to foul mouthed rants, with wit and wisdom aplenty. Were it not for them I should have chucked the towel in long ago.

To those posters, thank-you, thank-you for the laughs we have had along the way, thank-you for your friendship, support, and inspiration. Thank-you for helping me to create something I am truly proud of, I am sorry that I just don’t have the energy to run with it alone any longer.

To the gentleman who repeatedly e-mails me offering to scour my vagina with a wire brush mounted on a Black and Decker – make the most of this week Pal, I shall be crashing that e-mail address at the end of this week.

I do believe that Mr G has my dinner ready once again. Not much longer Mr G, I’m rejoining the human race. I’ll cook next week……..

John
Demetriou March 26, 2010 at 16:45

Good luck and best wishes, Anna, you were great.

Oh, wait, hang on…you came back 5 minutes later through the back door
didn’t you?

Silly me.

bleedin’ obvious!
December 27, 2009 at 11:22

When you use this medium, it pays to grow a thick skin. People write stuff
in messages, comment-boxes and follow-ups that they’d never say in real life.
Or maybe they’d say, but those vital little facial/body-language cues that
disarm a seemingly callous remark said person-to-person are missing – and
don’t we notice it! Basically, you can’t take anything anyone says in this
medium as read! You just have to let it become like water off a duck’s back.
We’ve all had this shit to deal with, Anna. I’ve been on the net since LBG
(Long Before Google) and seen it all. Sometimes I’ve dished it out; sometimes
I’ve had it dished out to me. Did it hurt? Yeah, it did until I woke up to
what I’ve said above. Nowadays when I get attacked – as one always will be
someone or other – it means nothing! Absolutely fuck all! Very liberating
indeed!
So please don’t throw the towel in on account of a few wankers that
probably never had an original thought in their empty little heads. Keep up
the good work, Anna!

The Dean December 1, 2009 at 14:56

Good luck from a (recent) convert to this neck of the woods.

Please keep in touch with news of anything and everything, but mostly of
course your health……….

Giolla
December 1, 2009 at 03:28

For what it’s worth, I’ll miss your words – always worth reading.

Young
Mr. Brown November 30, 2009 at
20:11

I’m sorry that you have decided to stop blogging.

I’m sorrier that I didn’t have the time to read your posts very often – but
there were some great posts there. (At least I had the good taste to add you
to my blogroll).

I’m even sorrier about your health problems. I hope you do make a
recovery.

And I’m sorriest of all for the unpleasantness that you were subjected to.
I like my libertarianism to be accompanied by generous helpings of good
manners and kindness.

All the best.

Ch November 30, 2009 at 12:39

I know you didn’t take this decision lightheartedly, but have good reason
for it. I join all others here: you will be tremendously missed. But it’s
“me-time” for you now, and rightfully so. Would be great, if someone could
look after this site till you’re 110%
better again and maybe review your decision. Meanwhile, if there is anything I
could do to help, you know where to find me

Shannon O’Hara
November 30, 2009 at 12:03

I am heartily sorry that you are giving up the blog.

But, a recent personal experience, makes me deeply sympathetic to your
reasoning. I departed Drayton Bird’s blog, amidst a storm of completely untrue
statements about my career, with some personal vile abuse thrown in for good
measure.

My crime? Pricking at pomposity and vainglory, somewhat too acerbically it
would apppear. But worse, I suspect, for questioning the logic and reasoning
of some of his statements on areas abut which I have some knowledge.

Personally, I don’t have the courage or inclination to put up with that
sort of thing day-in-day-out. And I have a great deal of admiration for your
doing it.

Hopefully, someone will take up the Libertarian banner your blog
represents: though they will have an almost impossibly hard act to follow.

Kind Regards

Shannon O’Hara

Zoompad November
30, 2009 at 11:31

I hope you get better, and change your mind about ending your blog.

killemallletgodsortemout November 30, 2009 at 11:14

Get well. Be happy, stay happy.

Vive la France.

willo November 30, 2009 at 07:52

Get well soon. Thanks for the great reads. You provoked my thoughts
regularly and for that I thank you.
Willo

msmarmitelover November 30, 2009 at 03:45

Take a break Anna and see how you feel…
I’m been on the receiving end of
quite a few brickbats too recently and it’s hard to deal with. But as my dad
said, it’s a good thing, it means you are creating ripples…
I also know
other bloggers that are giving up for very similar reasons to you (in the food
world this time).
Journalists I know just don’t read their comments. Maybe
this is the way to handle it.
Great to hear your honesty on Guido Fawkes
less than gentlemanly behaviour.

Pete November 30, 2009 at 00:56

Anna, I’ve only just recently discovered your writing, but I will miss
reading your blog daily. You truly have a vision alongside a gift of writing.
It is a breath of fresh air to read your input of the goings on in this god
forsaken country. I wish you all the best for recovery

IanPJ November 30, 2009 at 00:21

Anna,

One of the most honest and compelling writers I have had the pleasure to
read the work of, the blogosphere will be the poorer for your final curtain,
you may find yourself the richer in soul for pulling it down.

Good luck with whatever to intend to spend your time doing in the future.
The flotsam and jetsam will always need attending to. I wish you well.

oldrightie November 29, 2009 at 20:21

You will be sorely missed. You have made an excellent contribution to a
necessary world that is the last remaining outpost of the decent as well as
the mad. However nothing but nothing beats country life, animals and wide open
spaces. Enjoy and recuperate.

sconzey November
29, 2009 at 20:10

Blogging is a fundamentally selfish act. Cathartic. We don’t pay you to
read your blog; if/when it ever stops being fun for you, Stop.

It doesn’t sound like you’ve enjoyed it for a while now.

What The Papers Never
Say November 29, 2009 at 18:31

Get well soon Anna health is more important.

To the loony with the wire brush and Black & Decker

Get psychiatric help pal, you need it!

Elby The
Beserk November 29, 2009 at 16:28

Ms. Raccoon,

Whilst I will miss your excellent writing, I am sure that you have made the
correct decision. Life is too short and all that.

Get well. Stay well, and enjoy your idyllic retreat.

RichieP November 29, 2009 at 15:57

Like so many up above me in this set of comments, I shall miss your sanity,
reason and consistency greatly and, as much, your elegant style. I also, as a
blog addict, fully understand how all-consuming these things can become – but
your health is an absolute priority.
People like you help us to remember
that free speech and integrity are essential in keeping the idea of liberty
alive, especially in the kind of times we are now facing.

Thanks for it all. I shall have great problems in removing your url from my
top ten list of bookmarked blogs, the places I *have to go daily. I hope your
health improves quickly and, just maybe, to see you back again at some point
in the future. Take care, all the best. R

backwoodsman
November 29, 2009 at 14:48

Anna, get well soon . Your wisdom and insightful writing has been a joy to
read.

Yokel November 29, 2009 at 14:30

Most importantly, get yourself well again.

As an occasional reader (not a daily devotee) I would appreciate it if you
could leave your blog open for readers until it runs out of web hosting or
domain name. Of course the comments option should be closed to save you from
further heartache.

Get well soon.

Gloria Smudd
November 29, 2009 at 14:03

Ooer, Lumme, Cripes and Crikey. So sorry to hear of your decision but I
understand it absolutely and you have my full support, although I don’t expect
it to fit. If you want a Fat Lady to sing, just let me know. Much love, Glo
x

Joe Baloney November 29, 2009 at 13:24

Best of luck to you Anna. If and when you come back, don’t read
comments!

Thank you.

Harry Haddock November 29, 2009 at 13:14

Get well soon. Hope you make a quick recovery then enjoy a long and
satisfying life.

SteveShark November 29, 2009 at 12:11

All best wishes for a speedy return to health.

JD November 29, 2009 at 12:10

I heard the news from CLF, and left this comment:
How very sad. I really
valued Anna Raccoon’s blog, and now two unthinking, inconsiderate, probably
self-centred rather than self-interested idiots have deprived me of that
value. I doubt that they will, but I hope they will some time be deeply
ashamed of themselves.
Thank you Anna for all that you wrote, and I wish
you a speedy recovery from the bruising. All the very be$t, JD.

Enjoy the time you have released for yourself by your decision, JD.

Gendeau November 29, 2009 at 12:00

Hi Anna,

I hope you do return to blogging when you’re well again. I hope you find a
way to do it that suits YOU, first and foremost. I’ll be happy to read
whatever future musings that you provide.

I went to a neighbour’s 90th birthday (after mutual good neighbourliness
over a few years), where I was surprised to find that he and his wife were
Quakers (I’m an aetheist myself).

That’s my idea of a decent religion; good values that don’t need shouting
at people. I think you and your religion are well matched, I think that you do
each other credit.

All the best, hope you return when it suits you

Jill November 29, 2009 at 10:21

I don’t know your blog, sorry. Followed a link.

That’s the internet for you, isn’t it? It’s not just politics, you know.
The whole thing is such a pressure cooker – every single messageboard I’ve
ever known is fraught and tense. No body language. People state opinion as
fact. People are quick to take offence and quick to give it without
thought.

I don’t know you at all, but I wish you wouldn’t go. But since you are
going, all the best.

Jane November 29, 2009 at 07:42

sorry to hear this anna – i’ve read many of your posts through OH and
sometimes here.
Enjoyed the majority of them and only occassionally find
stuff I can’t agree with but this doesn’t stop me coming back – in real-life I
would have run out of friends if I fell out with them over every time we
disagree. (we disagree regularly!!)
Take care, get well and look after
number 1 for now x

RogerDodger November 29, 2009 at 03:49

Fuck what I said earlier. Alcohol has provided perspective.

You are too important. These times are too desperate. Sod your health, too
many have given more.
Dark times indeed. You are needed. Urgently.

Spartan November 29, 2009 at 02:45

Fare thee well, Anna

Catherine in
Athens November 29, 2009 at 01:48

Anna,
I wish you all the best for a happy and happy future, but I shall
really miss reading your blog.

MrsT November 29, 2009 at 01:40

Well you’ve done it to me again, you owd bugger!

Took me bloody ages to find you after your exit from the caff – and that’s
a story in itself! Gordon bleedin’ bennett woman, how the ‘eck am I gonna keep
tabs on Saul and Gloria now?

Joking aside, I wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do – just
keep me informed will ya? Hoping everything goes well and a speedy recovery. A
Merry Christmas and hopefully a better New Year – I’ll miss you.

That’s
News November 29, 2009 at 01:11

Have a rest, then, maybe, come back rested and refreshed. Maybe use a
different name? An anagram of you name would be Orca Can Anon. No, that’s
rubbish. But I am sure you see what I mean!

Take care.

Kevin
Boatang November 28, 2009 at 23:59

Anna,

Although we have had our fall out – although I would have to point out that
the arguments pointed to by one on here were a debate on the very nature of
libertarianism – it is sad to see anyone stop doing something they enjoy for
their health.

I wish yo all the best and hope you recover fully.

Moi November 28, 2009 at 23:52

Oh dear, Anna. I’ve only just discovered your blog via a link from another
and IT’S THE LAST ONE!!!! How bad is my timing, eh?? Just from this last
article it sounds like the kind of blog I’d have checked into religiously
every day. I just wish I’d found you sooner (and I’ll be keeping an eye open
just in case you change your mind in the future ……!)

Look after yourself, enjoy your new-found freedom, and get back to full
health a.s.a.p!

Sumoking November 28, 2009 at 23:49

Yours is one of the blogs that has inspired me to write my own

granted my own is a little less highbrow, essentially tits and battleships
and random hate rants against the rest of humanity but I’ll miss your blog

Dick
Puddlecote November 28, 2009 at
21:47

Best of luck, Anna. It was good to meet you recently, shame that you don’t
feel you can continue making certain parts of the establishment bristle, but
if that’s how you feel, there is only one choice to make. Look after yourself
(a bit jealous about the French lifestyle you describe, I must admit).

Neil
Snowden November 28, 2009 at 21:15

Onwards and upwards Anna. Enjoy the countryside, the ethos and the life.
Get well soon. Sadly missed

Sike November 28, 2009 at 20:17

Thank You Anna.I have been a regular reader and an admirer of your writing.
I hope that you will still occasionally publish more articles.

Philip Franklin
November 28, 2009 at 19:56

I refer you to the opening line of Four Weddings and A Funeral: “Fuck fuck
fuck fuck fuck fuck….FUCK”

I read Pride and Prejudice TWICE; watched the BBC’s great adaptation 14
times! Why? Because of people like you, who know how to write; how to use the
Queen’s English.

I loved your writing and it will be sadly missed (trite!!)….Just
missed.

Oh, fuck it! Get well. I shall remember you as a great blogger!

Wasp_Box November 28, 2009 at 19:37

Well, that’s the worst news I’ve had today. I’m sorry you’re going. I
enjoyed your blogging. Good Luck.

john
ward November 28, 2009 at 19:29

Dear Auntie Anna
I have this problem in that a woman I admire has signed
off when perhaps she should’ve just taken time off.
I don’t know how I will
cope without her lines of argument and threads of comment. What do you think –
should I wish her a speedy recovery and then shut up? Or should I badger her
to stay involved – even if only as a contributor – to the Contemporary Life is
Bonkers and There Must Be a BetterWay space?
Yours confused
Yesterday
Man x

David
hadley November 28, 2009 at 18:56

Anna,

Sorry to see you go. Good luck and all the best.

xxx

mark November 28, 2009 at 17:58

To Anna. I am very sorry to hear that you are leaving. I foundyour articles
to be informative and highly entertaining. I am also sorry to hear that you
are in poor health and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you well
for the future. Yours mark.

Constantly Furious November 28, 2009 at 17:29

p.s. For those who were wondering who some of the vitriol pourers were, here is a good a place to start as any.

Though for fuck’s sake don’t wind up the kids that run the blog – once they
get excited, its impossible to get them back to sleep.

Constantly Furious November 28, 2009 at 17:21

A shame – from my selfish perspective – to see you go, but absolutely the
right thing for your body and soul.

I too hope this is only au revoir. Perhaps, when the fields are
white with daisies, you will return…

Totje November 28, 2009 at 16:59

It’s been (too) long ago we’ve talked.
Take care, will write to you
soon.

Brian November 28, 2009 at 16:29

I would,like so many others before me, to wish you well for the future
& a return to good health & good blogging. Whoever your husband is he
is in love with a diamond.
Best wishes
Brian.

RogerDodger November 28, 2009 at 15:52

Boo sucks (Except for the opening).

You will be missed. Really.

There is a sanity drought going on. Having one of the purer sources drying
up is a shame. Enjoy the idyll.

formertory November 28, 2009 at 15:46

A shame you’re stopping. I never did make any comments here – never seemed
to be anything that I thought I could add to. A measure of how much my
thoughts matched yours on most topics.

I enjoyed reading. Take care, be kind to yourself, and enjoy France. For a
hopelessly bureaucratic lot over there they’ve certainly managed to remember
many things we’ve forgotten, about living life, and living it in the company
of others.

jailhouselawyer November 28, 2009 at 15:43

For once I am speechless.

Lexander November 28, 2009 at 15:43

May your God go with you to happiness and health. Toodle pip. X

Subrosa November
28, 2009 at 15:41

OH of course says it how it is as usual. Thank you Anna for helping me out
when my search skills have failed me (which happens more often than I care to
admit). It has been a pleasure reading your writings but I understand the time
and effort required to keep a blog running smoothly.

I’m pleased to hear your health issues are being resolved and you’ll be
back to fitness soon. My best wishes for the future. Take care. xx

Bob Morrison
November 28, 2009 at 15:35

Hello Anna, and, sadly, good-bye – at least for now. Your blog has become
one of the first places I look to for informed comment, humour and humanity. I
was so sad to hear that you won’t be blogging for a while, but you must look
after yourself and get well soon for yourself and for your family.

You mention being a Quaker; I have had many Quaker friends in the past,
although Roman Catholic myself, and I can see much in the way you friendly
people do things.

God bless and keep you, Anna, and I hope you might feel like taking up your
keyboard again one day in the not-too-distant future.

My very best wishes to you, and do have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year!

Bob.

microdave November 28, 2009 at 15:33

Anna, along with every other commenter I wish you a speedy return to good
health. I feel ashamed to confess that I am not a regular vistor to your blog,
but I’ve always enjoyed your comments on OH’s site, and elsewhere.

I am disgusted to hear what has been going on behind the scenes though. For
heavens sake – aren’t we all supposed to be fighting the enemy, not each
other??? I hope the idiots doing this feel really proud of
themselves……NOT!

Please don’t give up completely – even if you close this down you’ve had
OH’s offer. I hope you will find yourself able to make posts there from time
to time.

Best Regards, and good luck.

fidothedog November 28, 2009 at 14:56

Anna, best of luck and good health to you. It

Lilith November 28, 2009 at 13:58

Wow, I am sorry you had so much grief, and am amazed you withstood so much
of it for so long Your
blog has been great and I am sad to see it go.

InLikeFlint November 28, 2009 at 13:55

What a shame. I have been reading your blog for the last six months and
have been constantly amused and enlightened by your incisive posts. There is
too much vitriolic rubbish out in the blogosphere, so I hope that yours will
only be a temporary retirement.
Try and ignore the naysayers – debate is
one thing, bullying just shows a lack of imagination, not to mention ideas.
Get well first of all, take a break, then perhaps re-think what I hope was a
hasty decision.
Good luck for the future!

Ruth November 28, 2009 at 13:39

Hi Anna, I’ve only commented on your blog a couple of times but I’ve read a
lot of your articles & always enjoyed them – even if I didn’t always agree
with your viewpoint. I hope the ‘vitriol’ email writers feel proud of
themselves. Personally, I think it’t very bad manners to be rude to a blogger
on their blog or by email – just go & read a blog more to your
taste.
You’ll be missed – here’s to a speedy recovery & perhaps with
renewed health will come a renewed interest in blogging? All the very best for
the future & hope to read you again sometime, either here or as a guest on
another site.

QM November 28,
2009 at 13:34

Life comes before blogging, you’re making the right decision, just don’t
turn your back on saying what needs to be said completely. I’ve enjoyed
reading your words, your thoughts often enough meshed with mine and when they
didn’t I never felt the need to be abusive or corrosive with any comment that
was made, something some out there could do with a lesson in.
Get well soon
and come back if or when you want, you’ll be sorely missed.

Rog November 28, 2009 at 13:09

Damn and bugger. I’m a bit slow and only recently found you.
Your
writing has made me laugh, blink, squirm but mainly think.
Have a rest and
drink too much…………… Then come back
Please!

Ed P November 28, 2009 at 13:07

I hope your health improves very soon and you will feel able to return to
blogging. I rate your blog as “in the top ten” for insight, clear analyses and
highlighting going-ons we lesser mortals might have overlooked. Peace be with
you.

Tony Blair November 28, 2009 at 12:58

What a superb blog and the show must go on.
Is it “Au Revoir” or
“Goodbye” ??

Obsidian
November 28, 2009 at 12:54

Get well soon!

I’ve enjoyed reading your blog since I first came across it, and your
viewpoints shall be sadly missed.

rightwinggit November 28, 2009 at 12:32

Educated guess; pernicious anaemia?

Get well soon!

Blink November 28, 2009 at 12:31

thanks Anna

Laurence November 28, 2009 at 12:23

I’ve enjoyed reading you.

Good luck.

Marksany November
28, 2009 at 11:26

Anna, I’m sorry to hear you are hanging up your blogging boots. Look after
your health, that’s the main thing. I suggest you keep your blog and just post
on the odd occaison you need the catharsis. I’ll be leaving you in my RSS
reader, in case you do. Shame on those who attacked you for being not their
kind of Libertarian, they are a reason why Libertarianism won’t grow big
enough to be a real threat to the enemy class.
Bon chance,
marksany

strapworld November 28, 2009 at 11:22

I regret not finding you earlier. Thank you so much for your wise and
carefully written articles.

I do wish you well and hope that your health improves greatly.

Thank you for being a beacon of light in this very dark world.

Di Gestive November 28, 2009 at 10:40

Several things strike me from reading your farewell…..

Your talent and intellect has both humbled and inspired me.

If you don’t look after yourself you will not be able to look after
anything else – you MUST put your health and your wellbeing first.

I wish I had discovered you earlier – thank goodness for Missus Smudd!

You are turning your back on those pathetic individuals who made you the
target of their hate and vitriol due to the shortcomings in their own lives
and probably don’t have the ballz to speak up in public.

You are making the right choices and taking your power back.

And finally………. the saying of the day on the tag of my Yogi Tea Women’s
Moon Cycle teabag

“Your Soul is your highest self” so go look after ‘your self ‘and be well
happy and covered in muck from the duck pond – what a joyful existence!

RobTheBassman
November 28, 2009 at 09:57

So sorry to hear you’re leaving us (for now).

I’ve never commented before, but your blog has been a daily treat for me
for the last year. Like you, I have left the UK for a new life (Turkey in my
case) and I will miss your honesty and good humour.

Wishing you the best of health and a rewarding life in your new home. Never
forget you have many friends here who appreciated the wit and humanity you
brought to the party.

Bluebell November 28, 2009 at 08:18

I will miss your great writing very much. All the very best for the
future.

stringy November 28, 2009 at 06:42

Hope you get well soon, everybody reaches a point in their lives when
something has to change. Not that that change is a bad thing.

In my own life it was quitting a job that i hated, now i am happy and my
current job gives me a sense of satisfaction i have not felt for years.

You have a gift for writing, explore it. The amount of warm comments you
have received shows your talent at communicating, even if some are too blind
to see

Hope to read your thoughts again someday

AnnaNonAMoose November 28, 2009 at 05:51

I have only posted comments on your blog a few times but have read many
articles and appreciated what you had to say.

I hope you get very well and are able to pick up one day where you left off
with this or a similar blog in the future.

Best of health,

AnnaNonAMoose.

Tom
Paine November 28, 2009 at 04:48

You will be missed. I wish you good luck and good health.

Delphius1 November
28, 2009 at 02:54

Anna,

Its a shame that things have conspired to make you call it a day. I’ll miss
your eloquent insights. OH is right, by the way.

Thanks for linking to my blog in the very first weeks of its life.

Best Wishes and Best of Health,

Delphius.

Leg-Iron November
28, 2009 at 02:39

Best of luck out there in the real world. It’s full of weirdos.

You have to put your health first. Get well soon.

Chicane November 28, 2009 at 02:31

Dear Anna,

A new journey: Get well soon.

I hope you do, in any form, stay in touch and give people you know
an
update now and then how you are doing.

We will all miss you.

Catosays November
28, 2009 at 02:04

Anna,
What a crying shame that you’re calling it day. I shall miss your
erudite prose and I shall miss you.

I have no idea of the identities of those who pursued you with vitriol but
shame on them.

Rich November 28, 2009 at 01:30

Anna,

Your blog was always a pleasure to read, our politics may clash but your
amazing intellect has made me question my own beliefs on many an
occasion.
Shame on those who have caused you upset, small minds.

I will miss your writings, all the very best of luck to you and yours, I
wish you health, hope and happiness.

Rich.

P.S. Don’t be a stranger to the fora you frequent xxx

Adam
Collyer November 28, 2009 at 01:25

So long and thanks for all the fish (and the blogroll link).

Hope you get better very soon.

Blogging is fun and when it stops being fun, it’s time to stop.

Rob Farrington
November 28, 2009 at 01:11

You’ll be sorely missed. Best wishes Anna, take care.

The Girl Austin
November 28, 2009 at 01:11

Many thanks for such enjoyable and enlightening reading in your posts; they
will be sorely missed.

All the best for a speedy recovery and wish you well in the future.

Vimes November 28, 2009 at 01:02

Au revoir, Anna – it’s been brief, but it’s been pleasant. All the best to
you and yours.

TheBigYin November
28, 2009 at 00:58

What is it with some people that they have to hound others and give them a
hard time? To read that some morons have taken you to the depths of despair
hurts us all in bloggerland.

On our blogroll I tried to get a mix of all political and erudite blogs in
the hope that I (and our readers) may learn something, and you never failed
us.

Farewell Anna, I will keep your blog on our roll in the hope…

binlid November 28, 2009 at 00:58

I’ll miss you. You provided a great start to my day and made me question
and think about many subject that I would not normally have contemplated.

I hope you return to full health soon and enjoy and embrace all to which
you now turn your attention.

I shall truly miss you, Anna.

reverie November 28, 2009 at 00:53

I have thoroughly enjoyed your thought provoking postings, and will miss
them. We do indeed live in curious times, one post has called them Orwellian,
sadly have to agree.
Wisdom breaks in sometimes when we need it to, though
sorry to read your final curtain call, sometimes enough is enough. There are
people who inspire, you have done so abundantly.
Thank you, and God
speed.

Flexible New Deal November 28, 2009 at 00:51

Nooooooooooooooooo!

I am sad to read about you are throwing in the towel but I totally
understand your reasons for it and I also know how difficult it is to get
decent daily content on the site (although my content is nowhere near as good
as yours!)

I would love to aquire your site but I wouldn’t be able to give it the
justice it deserves and I would have to flush it all down the drain for all
your achievements with the site to date.

I would like to thank you specifically for your content on the New Deal,
A4e etc. and related subjects.

I wish you all the best for the future.

No longer Naive
November 28, 2009 at 00:41

Your site has been a revelation to this ordinary fella.
Through the
topics covered by your good self, I now take a much keener interest in the
Real World.
Thank you so much you wise old bird (to coin a phrase….!).

Paulo November 28, 2009 at 00:33

Really, really sad to see you end your blog. A very moving final post. I am
sure I am not alone in saying I will miss your writing – have not yet read any
other comments.

In these dark and dreary Orwellian times voices such as yours are needed
more than ever. Wish I could run a blog but unfortunately I don’t have the
skills – can barely type.

Thanks for the pleasure you have provided and all the best for the
future.

Paulo.

JuliaM November
28, 2009 at 00:21

Sad to see you go, but as you are well aware, real life comes first.

Here’s to the future, whatever it brings.

Ashtrayhead November 28, 2009 at 00:17

Sorry to see you go Anna! Yours is one of the first blogs that I turn to
when I want informed comment rather than rants, and I’ll miss that bit of
sanity.
I hope your health improves as a result.
Good luck and best
wishes.

Elvera November 28, 2009 at 00:07

I’m another who will miss reading your blog and thank you for allowing me
to participate…..Cheers!

astro November 27, 2009 at 23:59

Anna, I’ll be missing you. Godspeed!

russep3@gmail.com
November 27, 2009 at 23:47

Thanks Anna, on my daily ritual of blog reading, yours was the first I read
– well, you’re an “A” aren’t you? I guess Bella will be where I go next.

I can’t say I’m not disappointed, I genuinely am, but I wish you all the
best in whatever the future holds for you.

Goodbye,

Pete

Saul November 27, 2009 at 23:38

Ermmm……. about that two quid you owe me.

miss mink November 27, 2009 at 23:32

I’m sorry to hear that, i will miss your blog very much, but go and enjoy
the real world !

Man with very hot
bladder November 27, 2009 at 23:20

Bye.

Old
Holborn November 27, 2009 at 23:15

Your gonna look pretty fucking stupid picking up the Orwell Prize when you
no longer have a blog. Mind you, Nightjack had the same problem.

Why do we blog? I blog simply for my own amusement. And I suspect you do
too.

You have the keys to my place, let yourself in and make yourself
comfortable whenever you wish. Margaux is in the sideboard, ripe cheeses in
the larder and the ashtrays await.

Dungeekin November
27, 2009 at 22:55

You’ll be sorely missed.

Best wishes for any and all future endeavours.

Dungeekin

bil November 27, 2009 at 22:54

First bit of advice I was given joining the mob was: look after yourself,
cos no other bugger will (closely followed by never volunteer for
anything).

Have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs, although came to it late.

Take care of yourself.

Bob Adams November 27, 2009 at 22:39

Anna

When I came up against ‘The final curtain’ I didn’t want to accept my
immediate reaction. But you write so honestly and candidly that…after reading
to the end…I understood.
Somebody said – Walt Disney perhaps – ‘Always
leave them wanting more’. This can only work if the curtain is lowered on a
triumph, when one is at one’s best. You were and you are. It was a brave
decision to call time.
May you remain at your best…if not (for now) in
print.
If raccoons hibernate…go for it!
Whatever, keep
bushy-tailed.
Thank you

ps And thank you for your gracious reply to my recent pedantic note about
the spelling of Caribbean!

Sue November 27,
2009 at 22:28

You know I love reading your blog. You are so eloquent (I wish I was).. can
‘t you just post intermittently when something really peeves you?
x

Andy
Buck November 27, 2009 at 22:26

Sorry to hear this, I would take it over but for the fact that even I have
not had the time to blog due to pressures of work.

Joe Public November 27, 2009 at 22:21

Get (completely) well soon Anna.

I discovered your Blog only a few months ago, and it has been Daily Reading
ever since.

I’ll miss your observations & opinions. (Well those that I agree with;
the rest simply get consigned to the Amnesiac Cells I have an aptitude for
culturing.)

The Filthy
Engineer November 27, 2009 at 22:18

I wish you the best. If you can possibly return to blogging in the near
future, I will be so pleased as you make my day with your pithy reports.

You are a star of the Blogosphere. Please don’t wane.

ivan November 27, 2009 at 22:12

Anna,

You will be missed in this part of France but I know you will enjoy life in
the part you inhabit – just be careful of sheep in waterlogged fields.

I will have to change my habit of going to your site to read your wisdom of
the day and would echo Valerie and ask you to consider compiling some of your
posts into a book, be it a real or an e-book because what you have said bears
repeating.

Above all you must restore your health then go on and enjoy it. Like the
others I too send my best wishes.

ivan

Captain Ranty
November 27, 2009 at 21:51

I too wish you well.

It has a been a pleasure reading you for the last few months.

Take care, hope to read you again when you are firing on all cylinders.

CR.

Ray November 27, 2009 at 21:51

Take care, look after yourself, and have a lovely time relaxing and
enjoying the real world.

Saul November 27, 2009 at 21:51

Sic transit Gloria Smuddi…….

Rab C.
Nesbitt November 27, 2009 at 21:46

And thanks for making my avatar thingy all those months ago!

sickofit November 27, 2009 at 21:45

Personal health and honesty come way before ANYTHING else. Without them
there can be only chaos.

I have only been reading your blog for about a fortnight and it has been
enlightening to say the least.
Hopefully once you are on an even keel again
you can return under a different guise and leave the vitriol Anna and Anorak
attracted behind.

Whatever you decide as Dave Allen used to say ‘May your god go with
you’.

Rab C.
Nesbitt November 27, 2009 at 21:45

Anna, you’re making the right decision. Best of luck and good health to
you. It’s been a pleasure.

Valerie November 27, 2009 at 21:39

Sorry to hear these news but can understand the need you feel to turn the
page. Take care of your health and your life.

I must say that due to the cultural gap, I sometimes found it difficult to
follow…nevertheless your writing was excellent and your knowledge and culture
impressive. Consider editing all the subjects you treated making a good
selection not forgetting the witty comments and that would be a bookshop
success.

We shall miss you even if not a Libertarian !

Also thanks for the long e-mail you wrote me not such a long time ago.

WitteringsfromWitney November 27, 2009 at 21:27

Anna,

Really sad to read that, but can understand how you feel.

Whatever you have written Anna has been, as usual, worth reading and you
have no cause to denigrate yourself, or your writing.

I do so hope you regain your full health and wish you all that you would
wish for yourself and your family.

Take care.