Boycott Halal

Burger King Arrives in South Africa

The above article made me spit. Increasingly halal foods are being forced upon us without our knowledge and certainly without our having requested them. By us, I mean non Muslims. I can understand that it makes sense economically for halal options to be offered to Muslim diners, but there should be a choice. Certainly many supermarkets in South Africa have kosher sections. But to ban pork products entirely from restaurants, supermarkets and even airlines, is taking things too far. Leaving aside the methods used to slaughter animals to satisfy halal standards, foisting the regime on the rest of society sends the wrong message to Muslims who will believe that they only have to complain loudly and aggressively enough and they will have their way in all things. Soon it  will be Sharia Law. It really has to stop now. Continue reading “Boycott Halal”

Things you would normally do (2)

….. in Pennsylvania in the 150th anniversary year of the Battle Of Gettysburg.

You would go on a tour of the battlefield. This the view from Little Round Top, the statue being of General Warren who first realised the strategic importance of the steep hill. Seeing the distances involved, and the famous landmarks of the battle; Cemetery Hill, Little Round Top, Seminary Ridge, etc. really brings home to you the enormity of the battle.

Continue reading “Things you would normally do (2)”

Things you would normally do (1)

….. in Washington.

One of the first things tourists try to do is go to the top of the Washington Monument. On a clear day, the views from the top are stupendous.

Unfortunately, because of the earthquake in DC a couple of years ago, you cannot, but as you can see, the obelisk is under repair.
Continue reading “Things you would normally do (1)”

Kings v Waratahs

My programme

Have I mentioned how much I’m enjoying this year’s Super Rugby season?

As mentioned elsewhere, it was the turn of the New South Wales Waratahs to visit our shores. Our Kings have had a good record against Australian teams this year, in fact all 15 of our log points have come against Aussie opposition. (Wins against the Perth based Western Force and Melbourne Rebels and of course that last gasp draw against The ACT Brumbies)

Hopes were high, well mine were, for all of 30 seconds that is, for that is just how long it took for this Aussie outfit to score their first try!

After that? Believe it or not it got worse, they ran in try after try and for all of the first half consistently had more points on the board than minutes passed! Men against boys I kept thinking, it was really really difficult to watch. As a life long Eastern Province supporter (a team who’ve never won any top flight competition) I’m sort of used to losing, this wasn’t just ‘losing’ this was ‘annihilation!’

It wasn’t all doom and gloom, our new darling of E.P.rugby Sergeal Petersen got us out of our seats with a brilliant try just before half time, but I’m afraid that was all my Kings had to offer.

Continue reading “Kings v Waratahs”

Pensioners are the people to hate

Is it me or pensioners being demonised by the government and the press, especially the Biased Broadcasting Company?

Hardly a day goes by when I don’t see some report or other telling me that pensioners must repay this allowance or that benefit; or how pensioners have the audacity to expect hospital treatment for their illnesses. Continue reading “Pensioners are the people to hate”

May – Fantasticks

You May (Huh?) have been wondering where Nicholas Breton’s portrait is, since it’s now the second of the month.

Nicholas Breton expected dripping clouds in May

Well, here it is, copied from his Fantasticks, published in 1626 and now out of print.

May

It is now May, and the sweetnesse of the Aire refresheth every spirit: the sunny beames bring forth faire Blossomes, and the dripping Clouds water Floraes great garden: the male Deere puts out the velvet head, and the pagged Doe is neere her fawning: The Sparhawke now is drawne out of the mew, and the Fowler makes ready his whistle for the Quaile: the Larke sets the morning watch, and the evening the Nightingale: the Barges like Bowers keep the streames of the sweet Rivers, and the Mackrell with the Shad are taken prisoners in the Sea: the tall young Oke is cut downe for the Maypole: the Sithe and the Sickle are the Mowers furniture, and Fayre weather make the Labourer merry: the Physitian now prescribes the cold Whey, and the Apothecary gathers the dew for a medecine: Butter & Sage make the wholsome breakfast, but fresh cheese and creame are meat for a dainty mouth: and the Strawbery and the Pescod want no price in the market: the Chicken and the Ducke are fatned for the market, and many a Goslin never lives to be Goose. It is the moneth wherein Nature hath her full of mirth, and the Senses are filled with delights. I conclude, It is from the Heavens a Grace, & to the Earth a Gladnesse.
Farewell.

A few learned observations:
Pagged means pregnant.
Sparhwake is sparrow-hawk.
Sithe is a scythe.
Nor was it usual in his time to use apostrophes with nouns in the genitive. (kindly remember you heard that here first)

Both Shad and Strawberry seasons are in full swing here, (Asparagus too), no sign of fresh peas yet.