Boadicea's Chariot

I had an enjoyable evening making the wreath for the door, but decided it made a better table decoration.
Happy Christmas to one and all.

I quite like Luxembourg’s airport. It is small but incredibly efficient. Perhaps the longest that I have ever had to wait to clear security was 5 minutes. More often than not, my suitcases are on the belt before I arrive. While not especially “friendly”, Luxembourgers rarely are, the staff do their jobs efficiently and there are rarely difficulties. Arguably the only really “negative” thing about the airport is that there is only a limited choice of carriers. Usually, this is not a problem. Luxembourg Airlines is one of the nicer regional airlines. Usually priced competitively, they provide an excellent product to customers. This time, however, I made the slight error of choosing to take a different airline because of better flight times. That is, I flew with KLM via Amsterdam to Copenhagen. Continue reading “A Weekend at the Vikings’”

The mice had gathered nuts and seeds
To cater for their winter needs.
They slumbered in the fragrant hay
And woke alert on Christmas Day.
Continue reading “Christmas Day with Monty Mouse”

I like to get in early. Great idea for a competition PG:-

Santa Claus is on the roof

Rudolf Reindeer’s on the hoof

Sleigh is loaded down with toys

But not for naughty girls and boys.

 
Continue reading “A poem for Christmas”

Well as we enter into December (and a real cold snap in London) I invite each and every one of you to put pen to paper and write a short verse or verses on any Christmas scene.  The verses could be long and stringy like tinsel,  short and stumpy like a yule log or even haphazard as in the branches of a Christmas tree.  The use of a “Robin” may score a bonus point.  To whet your appetite I have the following suggestions: 1) you may choose a “voice” or inanimate object in which to convey your poem, e.g. angel, Xmas tree, Snowflake, mince pie, cracker etc. 2) you can set your ‘scene’ anywhere, not just a traditional scene; it could be set in a busy underground railway station, on an empty park bench, in a pub, though I have to say traditional scenes are welcome e.g choir stalls.

As Feeg has earlier said, please be encouraged to have a go. In addition to a winning prize, all entries will be put into a bran tub and a draw will be made, the lucky winner of the bran tub draw will also receive a prize! Clever use of words is fine, but so too is clever use of images (not accompanying photos but images conjured by the words themselves). Janus, you are restricted to no more than ten entries ha ha. Aramanita and Bilby I direct you forthwith to put pen to paper! And for the rest of you cheerful Charioteers, have a drink on me and get those juices flowing. JW get your skates on. Oz go eat lamb.

Parallel to the Poetry/Verse competition I challenge anyone to write a short Carol and for any one Carol that ticks my boxes I shall compose a tune and put a link to in on the Chariot. Now be off with you.

Well, it is a pity there were only three entries, but they were all of the highest quality. (entries here)

Firstly, Janus’s tribute to the fallen of World War One

Secondly, Soutie’s tongue in cheek appreciation of the New South Africa.

Thirdly, PapaG’s thanks for life in general, with a bit of sub-editing from Soutie

I have to say I enjoyed reading each of them very much, and it has taken me a day of consideration to come to a decision.

By a gnat’s whatsit, because of his preferences for pooches over moggies, the winner is PapaG. Well done Sir, but I reckon you owe Soutie a beer!

I leave the Chrimbo Comp in your capable hands.

NB: Please, all you Charioteers out there, take a bit of time to try and write a poem. It does not have to be very long or very clever. Just write your thoughts down on paper.

I got up at 3 am yesterday morning to watch the funeral of Phillip Hughes. I had been shaken by  the tragic and completely unexpected death of a young man who was just playing the game that he loved. I wanted to pay tribute. Continue reading “A Grown Up Pup”