This is Daniel Hannan’s post on the DT staff blogs.
The past three days must have been miserable for republicans. They have watched vast crowds cheering the institution they oppose because of an event which, strictly speaking, has nothing whatever to do with the pros and cons of monarchy. Yet to say as much is to invite accusations of scorning young love, mocking your country and despising its people. Continue reading “Thank you, Daniel Hannan”
You know how it is when stuff is free. It feels mean not to avail yourself. People have gone to a lot of trouble and it would be rude to refuse.
It was our first all-inclusive hol and there were drinks, all the food you could want and free watersports. Well, obviously booze and swimming don’t mix. Neither do food and swimming for that matter so that was mostly for the evening.
I’m not one of those “alarm clock” sunbathers who turn themselves regularly beneath the roasting Caribbean sun to create that lovely mahogany tan so beloved of Peter Stringfellow which will inevitably turn into briefcase leather at around 65 years old. Continue reading “Windsurfing”
Those noises were very spooky. It’s not as if you don’t hear noise underwater. I’ve heard boat engines, outboards, jetskis, pedaloes, people noises and the sound of rain on the surface of the ocean, but never this weird, unearthly kind of calling.
Sometimes a lower pitch moan seemed to be “answered” by a higher pitch whine, mixed with other more faint noises which were difficult to discern. Continue reading “Watery Paradise II”
Further to the discussion on the monarchy, parliament and democracy, I thought I’d write a simple piece about the beginnings of Parliament. Needless to say, I couldn’t keep it simple – or short! But, for those interested here’s the first part of my take on the beginnings of England’s progress down the democratic path to the Westminster System … Read more – but this is really long!
Charioteers will appreciate that Republicanism may, when mentioned on The Chariot, refer to either of two distinctly different movements.
There is, I understand, a Republican, anti-Monarchy movement in the UK. I know absolutely nothing about this movement since, regular visits notwithstanding, I have not lived there for over two decades. I do have some broadbrush opinions on the UK Monarchy and the constitutional framework in which it exists, which are based on earlier experiences supplemented by contemporary attention to current affairs, but I cannot claim to be fully informed – nor would I expect to be, being a foreigner. Boadicea has already mentioned the two main areas in which I feel that your UK Monarchy has failed (ceding sovereignty to the EU, neglecting the rôle of Defender of the Faith), but – and you may have noticed this – I have not attempted to join UK-centric discussion on the subject. I do not know enough about what is going on there. Read on, but be warned, it’s as long as a short story
A woman in a supermarket is following a grandfather and his badly behaved 3 year-old grandson. It’s obvious to her that he has his hands full with the child screaming for sweets in the sweet aisle, biscuits in the biscuit aisle; and for fruit, cereal and pop in the other aisles. Meanwhile, Granddad is working his way around, saying in a controlled voice, “Easy, William, we won’t be long . . . easy, boy.” Continue reading “Patience!”
Nearly 24 years ago we married in front of about 100 friends and family. My father had saved specifically for both of his daughters’ weddings and really did us proud. (My sister married a couple of years later).
The Church was beautifully decorated with flowers and the reception was in an old castle with superb caterers. It rained before the ceremony and we – that is my two candy-striped bridesmaids and I, with my Dad, walked up the drive of the church under umbrellas, which amused me and stressed Dad! But then the day turned out fine and we have a traditional set of photographs which recorded the whole event. In addition an old family friend took some lovely dis-inhibited photographs in black and white which caught the spirit of the day fantastically – including the hat balancing and the silly imitation Australian hat during the speeches. I learned afterwards that it was only after the speeches that Cycloman really could start to enjoy himself! Continue reading “Memories”
Millions of images and then you get one like this.
🙂
The party’s over, and what a great bash it was.
As you all awake this morning, it’s my job to remind you that the photo comp for April will be closing shortly.
Christopher requested a small extension to the deadline due to a holiday weekend in his part of the world, I very kindly agreed and feel that what is good for one has to be good for all, the deadline has therefore been extended by a day or two to May 2nd.
Remember the rules? There aren’t any!
This months theme
Wild parties, wild hairstyles, in the wild, wild relations, wild flowers you get the idea over to you.
A tourist walked into a Brighton curio/antique shop.
After looking around for a while, he noticed a very life-like bronze statue of a rat.
It had no price tag, but it was so striking that he decided to buy it anyway. Continue reading “The Bronze Rat.”
Boadicea's Chariot 
You must be logged in to post a comment.