Dear Cherished Reader.
I have been away as the real world of work encroached on my life for a while. I am back in The Cave now and equilibrium has been restored.
I appreciate that I have not been fair to fellow Charioteers in the past months, not the least in not announcing the result of the photo comp i set back in November, for which I apologise and I thank those who took up the baton.
Tail between legs, I hope I will be welcomed back into the pack.
OZ
It appears that the nanny state has reached New Zealand. Apparently, they are objecting to the baby car seat that Prince George uses!
Read all about it here
I blame gazoopi for this trip of mine down memory lane, his poetry competition “Nostalgia” got me thinking of all sorts of stuff.
At the end of this month it’ll be 25 years since the assassination of David Webster, I remember it like it was yesterday.
Here’s Mango Groove’s tribute to the man.
Could I suggest another small competition to find an appropriate name for use along with Bruce and Sheila to designate Australia’s “third sex”?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/high-court-recognises-gender-neutral/5361362
I suppose we could use Norrie, but I think of that as a surname.
Well, after climbing back on my chair this morning I see that it is down to me to open the next Poetry competition.
Last week I was in the UK visiting my parents (both 90 this year) and my daughter and grandchildren.
I spent the mornings with my parents. As is usual with older folk our time was spent mainly reminiscing.
But most afternoons and evenings were spent playing with the grandchildren. We introduced the three younger ones (8, 7 and 7) to playing cards. Sitting playing the same games with them that I played with my parents fifty years ago filled me with many fond memories. It was great to see, in these modern times, that they all neglected their tablets (yep, computer tablets at 7) to play old-fashioned card games.
So, I flew back on Friday full of Nostalgia, but in a positive sense.
Therefore I propose a poem about the past, almost the direct opposite of March’s competition which was new dawn, new beginnings. It can be anything related to homesickness, longing for lost ones, or just happy memories.
Closing Date: 27th April 2014.
Thanks to the Judgment of Araminta I have the honour of setting the next subject.
You have to understand that I am just a wee thing obsessed at the moment. I may find on 19 September 2014 that I am no longer a full member of my country of origin.
I’ll still be a UK citizen and able to call myself British until I die but I could have been forced to be a Scottish citizen as well, living on a divided island and sundered from my Southron kith and kin.
Which is why said subject is the Bard. Continue reading “Third Photograph Competition of 2014”
Here we have a very slow form of transport for Ara’s Photo comp
This large snail was sliding across a very wt path in Blenheim Palace grounds yesterday. I believe it is an edible or Roman Snail, known as an Escargot.
Just to reassure Sheona before she corrects me. I know that is not the toast.
It is, of course, ‘Here’s tae us. Wha’s like us? Damn few and they’re a’ deid.’ A typically modest, unassuming, totally correct and utterly justifiable sentiment used when we foregather to celebrate our good fortune in being Scots. But, it would seem that the title version of this post might be the right one for some of those not so blessed.
Two of my national dailies report that he’s returning!
“HONEYMOON murder suspect Shrien Dewani could be back in South Africa within weeks. Prosecutors are discussing his return with his legal team after he decided not to continue his battle against extradition.” (Weekend Argus, can’t link it, sorry it’s pay per view)
and
“There is no indication from Mr Dewani of an intention to approach the European Court of Human Rights,” spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said.
Mhaga said the department was liaising with the office of the home secretary in Britain.
“The two offices are facilitating the process of Mr Dewani’s extradition in terms of the last English High Court order.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that his return to our shores brings to finality this protracted legal process,” he said. (The Times / Sunday Times, article here )
About time.
Well obviously I do. It comes with my ethnic origin.
In Easter 1314, Edward Bruce, brother of our King, the boy Robert, laid siege to Stirling Castle. Getting nowhere, he agreed a deal with the Governor, Sir Philip Mowbray, that the castle would be surrendered if the English did not relieve the siege by Midsummer Day.
This seriously hacked off Robert whose fighting style was of the flitting and elusive persuasion. He was a guerilla warrior who never wanted to be committed to a pitched battle. The tactic had served him well. Continue reading “Remember Bannockburn!”
Boadicea's Chariot 
You must be logged in to post a comment.