Janus

Do the Greeks have a word for caption?

The flame is kindled at the rehearsal

You put your left foot in

Yeomen of the Guard pick up oil lanterns as they prepare to conduct a ceremonial search inside the Palace of Westminster

Share my delight, dear charioteers! The cumulo-nimbus græcus has a ~~silver~~ sterling lining, which some of us expats in countries which are euro-friendly will appreciate – in every sense of the word.

Since almost 3 years ago my poor little pound has bounced uncomfortably on the bottom, down as much as 15%, but now it has leapt up again, as financiers desert the two-tier euro.

Thanks are also due to M. Hollande – who plans to lash out on golden growth for the froggies – spending with gay abandon (no, I know he’s not) the euros he doesn’t have.

While our Ange is not for turning. Hold tight onto that handbag, Ms. Merkel!

Happy, darling?

Pavement art

For art’s sake!

The eye of the beholder and all that but could a cherished culturalist advise me what it is about this painting that makes it the most ‘remarkable’ ever? IMHO it is technically mediocre – more nightschool than old master and owes more to Roswell-type mythology than psychic revelations. But $120 million? Munch on that, all you aficionados!

A song for jubilee/olympic year

The English, the English, the English are best I wouldn’t give tuppence for all of the rest.
The rottenest bits of these islands of ours We’ve left in the hands of three unfriendly powers Examine the Irishman, Welshman or Scot You’ll find he’s a stinker, as likely as not.
Och aye, awa’ wi’ yon Edinburgh Festival Continue reading “A song for jubilee/olympic year”

Tempting fate

I was surprised to see that the perpetrator of this fine example of “Tell God your plans, if you want to give him a good laugh” is an Australian – they’re usually such pragmatists! Let’s hope he doesn’t qualify for a Darwin Award (Geddit? Oh, never mind.)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/30/oukoe-uk-australia-titanic-idUKBRE83T0Y220120430

I did swear

When I was a little wolf cub (tumtetum), I learned all the regulations of which there were lots……and I must have sworn the oath of allegiance to HM King George VI but can’t quite remember it. So what, you retort. Well I’ve just checked and it appears I may have committed myself to all his heirs and successors too, which is fine in the case of ERII but which will cause me some distress thereafter. What should I do? Can I now withdraw my oath, the act of a young, impressionable boy? Answers in semaphore, please, preferably from ex-cubs and ex-brownies with a similar conundrum.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls stands with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Know wha’ I mean, ‘Arry?

It’s a regular event much anticipated by so many (even if not here!): the mouth-watering appointment of a new England footie manager. After Capellogate and while the incident-prone Terry continues to amuse, the pundits were certain that our ‘Arry (er, Redknapp, if you don’t read the sports news) would get the nod from the sweet FA. Continue reading “Know wha’ I mean, ‘Arry?”