Author: Janus

Hey! I'm back ...... and front

We can’t escape history

I’ve heard the words so often oop narth: “Will yer ha’ a dram?” And these days over here I hear it again as New Year approaches: “Vil du ha’ en dram?”

And after 40-odd years, I now know that one of the first local phrases I heard in Lancashire was as Nordic as they come. I was visiting a factory and was told the boss was out on the shop-floor, somewhere. So I asked a chap where I could find him. “He’s fast in th’hoist!” came the reply. Do I need to translate?

Of course we are unfortunate that many of our inherited expressions never reached the ears of William Shakespeare – he was born south of the southern boundary of Viking influence – and so were not fossilised in his plays, encapsulated in his marvellous  lines. Even Hamlet, did you ask? I’m afraid so.

 

Xmas Morning

I must have mentioned it before. Xmas morning in these parts is all about cold turkey. And that’s quite a feat when duck was on the menu.

I’m up early though, because, abstemious as ever, I can’t just lie in bed. And as I write I’m sure the youngest members of the clan back home are already up and rooting in their stockings to unearth untold delights.  And, I muse, children in Vikingland don’t get that pleasure. They had to see off the duck and rice-pud last evening before they could get at the goodies piled under the tree, ablaze with real candlelight (only the tree, I trust).

I wonder why Xmas starts too early here? It means today is a bit of an anti-climax, punctuated with visits to and from family and friends. At least in the UK the next day offers the best shopping of the year. Here normal life is cancelled.

I can report however that we gave our local 18-month-old (amongst other things) a pair of maracas. Some gifts have to be taken to bed – ready for an early start! And by now she will have put them to good effect, encouraging the whole family at short range to continue the party. Attagirl! Continue reading “Xmas Morning”

EU better believe it!

The circus comes to town on 1st January, 2012. And for six months the contortionists of Euroland will have to listen to little Denmark’s opinions – willy nilly. Which makes the chosen logo particularly apt – because nobody here knows whether they are coming or going. (Backside and I may be the only onlookers who understand the dilemma.) Continue reading “EU better believe it!”

End-of-term report

Mr Fitch has given Nicolas a special place on the naughty step. His problem is fundamentally one of character, rather than behaviour, although his recent outbursts of name-calling and foot-stamping have been duly noted.

Nicolas is desperate to be liked, especially by Angela, perhaps because she comes from a wealthy family and likes to keep supplies of his favourite sweeties hidden about her person. But Angela knows what he’s after and openly resents his snide remarks about her friend David. What upset Nicolas was the fact that David hadn’t promised all his sweeties (a different variety) to the rest of the class, as Nicolas had. In fact Nicolas had promised far more than he could possibly afford to buy from the tuck-shop. He only did it to impress Angela. And when David happened to mention it, Nicolas said David was just as poor as he was.

It has been noticed that the jar of Nicolas’ and Angela’s favourite sweeties in the tuck-shop is now empty – which is anticipated to lead to even more difficulties in class next term. Some, poorer pupils will probably change their allegiance altogether; others, including Nicolas, will be compelled to beg from Angela. Which won’t worry David one bit and could lead to more unpleasantness, no doubt instigated by Nicolas again.