Brits in Turkey

Right now, I’m looking at a report that my collegue has given. Apperantly there are 35,000 British subjects,  who own property in Turkey.

I knew some 800 Brits emigrating from UK daily, but I didn’t know Turkey was favoured by them. I’m pleased.

For those of you who have the thought of leaving;

Turkey welcomes you! 🙂

No sport?

Is nobody on this site interested in sport? (Well, I know Soutie and John Mackie are, but they need to be drawn out.) These are interesting times, but not a whisper here … it’s as bad as ‘the other place’.

First, did anyone watch Barcelona dismantle Arsenal on Tuesday? I’ve followed Arsenal since I was ten years old, but I’d have been disappointed had they knocked Barca out … the football that Xavi, Iniesta, Messi et al. play is so wonderful that I’d like to see them win every match. Man U v. Bayern was primitive in comparison.

It’s a pity Barca are up against Inter in the semis … it might have made a great final. No English clubs remain, whereas there were three in the semis last season … then it was presented as incontrovertible evidence that the Premiership is the greatest league in the world; now we see it was just part of the ebb and flow. Man U look a spent force, and the Ferguson era may finally be drawing to a close.

As for rugby, an exciting weekend is in prospect with the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. Leinster and Munster have tough ties, but at least they’re both at home. An entirely French/Irish semi-final line-up is not unlikely, in my opinion (only Northampton and Ospreys can prevent it, and they’re both playing away).

I’m looking forward to the weekend, starting with Leinster v. Clermont Auvergne tomorrow night. And looking forward to Barcelona v. Inter already.

Female Eunuch

Germaine Greer and her book ‘The Female Eunuch’ created quite a stir 40 years ago when it was published. BBC ‘Women’s Hour ‘ have just broadcast a slot on it and a several recent articles have been published. For example

This link.

I must admit I have never yet read it. Though it is on the list.

Any thoughts on the changes we have seen in women’s lives over the last 40 years?

Poachers – a sad ending

I wrote here on Monday about a female black rhinoceros being killed by poachers at Kwantu, one of our local game reserves.

I also mentioned that the slain mother was nursing a 12 month old calf and that the there were fears for the calf’s survival.

A report in today’s newspaper tells us that that a pride of lions found the calf before the rangers / trackers did.

Kwantu Wildlife Manager William Hofmeyr said “The sad thing is it shows the poachers didn’t only kill the mother, but indirectly killed the calf as well.”

Wildlife expert and Shamwari vet Dr Johan Joubert said the calf’s age would have made it very difficult to rear by hand, that may very well be the case but I would have liked the staff at Kwantu to at least have had the opportunity.

On This Day – 7th April 1739

Turpin Pushing Woman into a Fire

On the 7th of April 1739, Dick Turpin, highwayman, was hanged at York.  Some articles on the internet give the date as the 10th or even the 19th of April. However, the account of his trial shows that he was tried on the 22nd of March 1739 and executed on Saturday the 7th of April. No messing around with ‘Appeals’ in those days…

Richard Turpin was baptised on the 21st of September 1705 in Hempstead,  Essex. He was the son of John Turpin, a small farmer and some-time inn-keeper.  Dick was apprenticed to a butcher in Whitechapel, which then was still a village on the outskirts of London. He completed his apprenticeship, married and opened a butcher’s shop in Buckhurst Hill.  Wiki says that Dick married an Elizabeth Millington, but the Newgate Calendar, published about 1760, gave the lady’s surname as Palmer. I rather think that Wiki is correct.

Continue reading “On This Day – 7th April 1739”