A Pome for Bilby

Herbs and spices

For Father’s Day, I got a book
Hello, says I, that’s worth a look
But it seemed to promise lots of labour
A barbecue cook book by Weber.

In it one hundred lovely recipes
For incinerating meat and veggies
Ways of cooking piggies and birds
Not for anyone but for nerds.

In order to flavour these comestibles
I would have to raid the wife’s vestibules.
Loads of rosemary and thyme
And other herbs that just won’t rhyme.

Then, of course, there are the spices
Many of these can lead to vices
Many used in a marinade
The results washed down with lemonade

Or, preferably, a nice Chilean Carmenére
Continue reading “A Pome for Bilby”

Dopes

Bus stuck at finish of stage one

Yer gorra laff! Just picture it: a hundred and fifty lads on bikes going like the clappers for 120 miles on Corsica. Then minutes from the finish somebody jams a team-bus on the line. Panic ensues. The finish will now be 300 metres before the line; half the riders get the message and start sprinting; lots of them fall off their bikes; the bus is extracted and the finish line reinstated.

Guess who’s been using up all those illicit drugs since the big clean-up .

July Poetry Competition

Painting by Henri Rousseau (for JW)

I was so entranced by the ‘Magic’ theme that I find myself unable to think of an interesting subject for the July poeticals.

Therefore, this month’s competition is open … except for the inclusion of the names of two herbs (they have such beautiful names) and one creature. You may add more herbs and creatures, if you wish, to create a fragrant, poetic casserole.

Any form, length etc.

Entries by midnight on 21 July 2013.

Training to be king

Big Ears is showing the way to the British monarchy of the future – in which the Old Values are re-established. Which being interpreted means that Modesty, Thrift and Self-sufficiency are for the plebs; and Conspicuous Consumption returns for the wayward Windsors. Royal trains, royal flights and liveried flunkies are so much nicer, dontchya know?

His mother chooses to travel in less style but he’ll obviously have no truck with that. I can’t wait for his accession, can you?

 

Continue reading “Training to be king”

Letter from Australia

As some members here might know I quite like cricket. I support Australia – until the ‘Ashes’. Bearsy changed his allegiance to Australia a few years ago – I didn’t, I support England. So it really doesn’t matter who wins – one person in this household will be happy!

A few days ago, one of the News Channels posed the question of what does Australia Cricket do when it faces its Ancient Rival – it sacks the coach!

Yesterday, the ruling Labor Party, about to face an election, sacked the PM. The situations were pretty similar. The Australian Cricket Team seemed set for defeat – the Labor Party appeared to be destined for annihilation. The Polls indicated that the Labor Party could retain more seats if Kevin Rudd, deposed by Julia Gillard and Union factions three years (and three days) ago led the Labor Party. Continue reading “Letter from Australia”

June Magic competition result

This is the part we all hate- choosing a winner. Still, it must be done. Only four entries but what the competition lacked in quantity it made up for in quality.

It was quite Testing for me reading Soutie’s paean to an upcoming star in the world of rugby. It also begs the question just how many Petersens/Pietersens are there in South Africa? Nonetheless a fine ode and no derogatory rugger snipes from me.

The mighty Janus once again made his rhyming so effortless in his story of a relative that is a clockwork genius. Living in the land of Lego as he does, I’m sure Janus is no mean constructor and destructor of blocks himself. Very interesting thread in his post as well.

Bilby has proven herself to be an accomplished wordsmith. Beautifully written with an emotional ending. Proof indeed that are many talents on board the Chariot.

PapaG’s entry had me chuckling from the start. Best title for a poem in a long while. His manic romp through a magic show conjured many images. He really got in the act of this theme. Very funny and it did appeal to me.

Thank you to all who entered, you’re all stars. The winner is… Continue reading “June Magic competition result”

Whitehall to Partridge Harbor – June 25

Partridge Harbor is a tight little hurricane hole of a size a little hard to judge but probably about one hundred and fifty feet across, almost circular with a fifty foot wide entrance, like a little meteor crater carved out of a cliff.

Google Earth might show it  (it’s right about N 44.12.10  W 73.23.45 by my GPS,  just to the NE of Hunter Bay.

Great little spot for one boat and one partridge brave enough to surf in with a following wind, I did beat the usual afternoon thunderstorm to anchor by about ten minutes.  Settled down nicely now and the wind is forecast to drop overnight.

Made about fifty miles today, cleared lock 12 at 8:30 and with the following wind made good time up into Lake Champlain proper.

The approach to the lake is more and more like the lower Wye valley, cliffs and trees with a railroad running along the bank

wv1 s

Continue reading “Whitehall to Partridge Harbor – June 25”

Fame

A hunter gatherer aims his bow and arrow

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherished colleagues are known to deplore the cult of celebrity, particularly when good runners, singers, toadies and assorted prats are awarded Honours for our pains. But soft! What light at yonder window (etc.)? Allegedly it’s all in the genes – the latest and greatest excuse for almost anything you deplore.

So see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23046602  – wherein the evolutionary tale is told.

In the dark ages social status was determined by skill at hunting, shooting and fishing, which explains why the great and good anno 2013 still set store by such qualities.

Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose – again!

At Whitehall – June 24, 2013

Like the sound of that, eating in the Members dining room etc.

This Whitehall is a little different.  Claims to be “The Birthplace of the United States Navy”  according to the records a fleet of twelve ships were commissioned and built here during the Revolutionary War.  A footnote states that just up the lake and less than a year later they were burned to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy (enemy, what enemy?).  We do seem to have trouble getting it right the FIRST time.  Of course the previously mentioned Benedict Arnold was in charge of things then and that may explain a lot.

 Whitehall is in a deep river valley a notable stone home/castle? overlooks the town.

 House s

Continue reading “At Whitehall – June 24, 2013”