BRITS in BMW MOA

[lamble]

See the Brits got another gold in the cycling sprint, beating the French by over 1/2 second, which is a massive margin in that sport. They'd set a world record earlier.

Go Brits!

[lockster]

So what do we all think of Ewan and Charlie's epic GS adventure ?

I actually thought it was quite good. Albeit thay have a ton of money and because their famous they get loads of new stuff, oh and at least 2 support vehicles...

But they looked to be trying to do it right..

Does any one here actually believe that the KTM would have made it through that ? I hope their sales were punished after refusing to assist the boys. Not that I mind seeing the GS pull through a punishing ordeal. It almost made me weepy at the finish.

Did any one read the BMW ON mag about the young lad who went on an adventure on his own. WOW his learning curve was almost vertical... I had lots of laughs at his expence and wondered how he ever got home alive..

Lockster

Proud GS owner

[lamble]

I know many will dismiss these rides as being a jolly jaunt for a very fortunate couple, with all the ancillary back up they get. But at the end of the day, they still have to cover the miles, take the falls, endure the road. And, given the opportunity, wouldn't that be what we'd all be doing anyway?

Oh hang on, I will be, so hurrah for me and I'll be in TDF before Ewan and Charlie, so thwwarrrppp :nyah to them.

Trying to put even a feeble array of kit together for my ride, I do appreciate that given their career schedules, okay Ewan's really, they would need support in getting it all together. The fact is, I don't like some of the support crew, the producer and the director are especially nauseating.

I;ll let you know how easy it is to do what they do, once I get set off in October, but I guess it's not as easy as a 120 minute docu-film makes it look, and I can tell you already, the paperwork part is not glamourous and is a right royal pita.

[lamble]

Last count I saw we had 12 golds...that's good for us. Perhaps we've been investing in our athletes, coaches and facilities ahead of the London Games and it's started to pay dividends...watch out China and the USA at this rate we might even have a basketball team.

I'm struggling to think where they'd hold the beach volley ball, unless they use the nudist beach at Brighton, now that would be interesting...not the men's games of course, that would be strangely worrying and imagine how hard it would be for the US TV censors pixellator person, especially with a stiff on shore breeze!

[lamble]

Whoo Hoo by the way...only in a subdued British way, so that'll be, Thanks and well done, 9k sorry souls with nothing better in their lives to do than read this tawdry thread...bless you and bless each of your lovely little cotton socks.

[GrafikFeat]

...imagine how hard it would be for the US TV censors pixellator person, especially with a stiff on shore breeze!

I don't wanna imagine and you can't make me!
Interesting choice of words though! :brow

[lamble]

I don't wanna imagine and you can't make me!
Interesting choice of words though! :brow

Considered and chosen for their aptness!

Another culture shock and this one has already happened.

Saturday. The Seahawks playing Chicago. I took my wife and Mom along, my Mother being on a month long, very long, visit to us from Spain, where she retired from England.
Spain has a strong Arabic link, but not so strong a Black African link. Where we lived in England was also very "white", so, she has never spoken to a black person...not by choice, just by circumstance.

Sitting next to her were a black couple and they were "active" supporters, jumping up and down , hooting and cheering.

So, when the Seahawks scored, this black girl turns to my Mother with hands raised and shouts "Five me!"

My Mother nearly has an out of body experience on the spot, grabs me by the arm and says..."What does she want? I haven't done anything!"

By the end of the game though, she was high fivin' like a good 'un.

Oh she is 70 yrs old and very, very white.

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Mums are the best !
Spoke to my mum in law yesterday using the new Auto Comm unit on the bike. She now thinks I hold the mobile to my ear and ride along the road. If only I had a hand spare after drinking my coffe and changing the songs on my GPS.

Any thoughts on a Radar Detector ?

Ewan and Charlie ( as I am wathcing it ) are now in Africa and having passed through Tunisia into Libya.. It continues to amuse me but the adverts and the snippet repeats ruin a great TV experience. Get a grip, we dont need it all.

Imagine stretching a footy game into 4 hours long and having the TV bosses dictate the advert time and length

I can see it now " As Neville dribbles the ball down the left wing ( TV Pause ) HAVE YOU GOT PROSTRATE PROBLEMS "

Still we have got 11 golds. Summit to smile about

Mick

[Kevster]

Just saw this thread, I'm a Brit living in Tejas (relocated from N. Yorks), do I count?

SWMBO makes our own pork pies, sausage rolls and gets Branston from Central Market, do miss cod & chips though!

Kev

[lamble]

Just saw this thread, I'm a Brit living in Tejas (relocated from N. Yorks), do I count?

SWMBO makes our own pork pies, sausage rolls and gets Branston from Central Market, do miss cod & chips though!

Kev

Kevster, anyone who knows about Branston is welcome, even someone from N.Yorks.

So what took you to Austin from the Moors?

[Kevster]

Ah, now let me see, Harrogate vs. Austin, no contest really!

Seriously, been here since 2000, company I worked for was acquired by a large computer company, so I find myself in corporate America, which is something of a culture shock coming from a smaller, entrepreneurial envirnment, but I give as good as I get.

Don't really view myself as an ex-pat, we're here for the long term - as the saying goes 'I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!'

We have a great group of BMW riding friends and a great state to ride, so life is good, REALLY good....

[lamble]

Ah, now let me see, Harrogate vs. Austin, no contest really!

Seriously, been here since 2000, company I worked for was acquired by a large computer company, so I find myself in corporate America, which is something of a culture shock coming from a smaller, entrepreneurial envirnment, but I give as good as I get.

Don't really view myself as an ex-pat, we're here for the long term - as the saying goes 'I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!'

We have a great group of BMW riding friends and a great state to ride, so life is good, REALLY good....

Do they have a Lyon's Tea House in Austin, like they did in Harrogate, all doylies and bone china and waitresses in pinnies?

[Kevster]

Ah, the famous Betty's, no, nothing like that in Austin. The cafe at the Driskill Hotel is probably the closest we have here.

[lockster]

Having been in NJ and PA I have witnessed the sin of all sins. The local populace deposit a tea bag into a cup, fill with water and then microwave it for 2 miinutes..

ITS JUST WRONG !

Lockster

[rocketman]

Having been in NJ and PA I have witnessed the sin of all sins. The local populace deposit a tea bag into a cup, fill with water and then microwave it for 2 miinutes..

ITS JUST WRONG !

Lockster

Yes, its supposed to be 2 and half minutes...

RM

[Kevster]

I've seen em dunked in the water and immeditaley yanked out, the water barely has time to sniff the tea in the bag, sinful....

[lockster]

Are you from Harrogate Kevster ?
Done quite a lot around the area if you are. Always the gate way to decent roads if your from W Yorks. Went to the Police convalescence home, which by the way is the greatest hotel I have ever stayed in and the food is beyond comparison.
I wonder if dandelion and burdoch is an aquired taste.. Did a stint at Ben Shaws pop in my youth, delivering around the farms.
So are you happy with the move over ?
Is the good old US of A providing a better quality of life or are you missing the purple moors and Devil's Bridge ?

Lockster

[lamble]

Dandelion and Burdock pop, as an ice cream float...brilliant.
Vimto too. I found a root beer at a micro brewery in Roslyn WA (the location used for Northern Exposure) that was almost D&B thickness and colour.

If you say "steep" here they think you mean an inclination and not a tea necessity. And they call it a civilised nation, Betty would be spinning like a top in her grave.

Oh yes, just done a Costco run...they do coffins at Costco. That's a shopping trip.

[lamble]

Well that's the end of the China Olympics...is it too late to tell the IOC that London was just taking the pi55 and we only said we'd do it to annoy the Parisians...but now would anyone like to take it off our hands?

I mean wow Beijing...and we have Boris Johnson!

[lamble]

I couldn't figure out whether this guy was being ironic, or just being a twonk!

Visiting an animal sanctury, there was a guy in camoflauge and the logo said, "Dominate the Woods" with stags and a hunter in silhouette.

[lamble]

I've just checked out the Brit medals...rowing, sailing, equestrian, cycling...


Notice anything strange about these sports?









It appears we've cornered the market in sports you can do...




Sitting down!

[lockster]

How do you think we would fair at the unofficial olympics

1. 100 metre dash with a plasma
2. how much chav gold can you carry
3. how many pints of stella in 30 minutes
4. Cross Country hurdle run for the new NETTO opening
5. Mortal Combat outside the Rose and Crown

I am so dreading the London opening ceremony, it makes me cringe to my core. Perhaps by then I can be a citizen of the usa and deny my roots.
Still nothing would ever reach Yorkshire as is always the case LONDON is the center of the universe. In fact as I now ponder on that the event could happen anywhere in the world including London and it wouldnt affect us northern folk.

:usa

[lamble]

How do you think we would fair at the unofficial olympics

1. 100 metre dash with a plasma
2. how much chav gold can you carry
3. how many pints of stella in 30 minutes
4. Cross Country hurdle run for the new NETTO opening
5. Mortal Combat outside the Rose and Crown

I am so dreading the London opening ceremony, it makes me cringe to my core. Perhaps by then I can be a citizen of the usa and deny my roots.
Still nothing would ever reach Yorkshire as is always the case LONDON is the center of the universe. In fact as I now ponder on that the event could happen anywhere in the world including London and it wouldnt affect us northern folk.

:usa

eeh bah gum th'knows, Yorkshire Olympics would be reeeet greeeet tho'.

Tossin' T' cap.
Dash t' mill, where there's truble....sic
Long distance wippet walkin'
Gravy thickenin' contest
Real pigeon shootin'...none of this clay bollocks
Fastest t' chippie
Hop step and stumble from t'Legion (working mens, social)
Endurance recollecting 'bout Fred Truman (aye 'e were man's man).
Black puddin' relay
Black dyke colliery band doing t' opening and closing. Real men and none of them dancin' pansies from down South...bunch o' shandy drinkin' woofters!
The lad from Kes and not the one from Billy Elliot.
Rugby League, not that fancy Union game for girls.
Chewing gravel and lickin' lake clean wit tounge.
Quoting Compo from last of the summer wine...for the older folk and them in't para 'lympics. And down t'ill in wheel chairs. Watch out fer t'gimmel!
Eatin' Hovis.

By 'eck as like...it'd be grand!

Stereotyping like crazy!

[Kevster]

Thars reet funnah! How aboot this article about the Glasgow Olympics I found on t'internet? :whistle

In an attempt to influence the members of the international Olympic Committee on their choice of venue for the games the organisers of Glasgow's bid have drawn up an itinerary and schedule of events. A copy has been leaked and is reproduced below.

Opening Ceremony - The Olympic flame will be ignited by a petrol bomb thrown by a native of the city (preferably from the Easterhouse area), wearing the traditional costume of shell suit, baseball cap and balaclava mask. It will burn for the duration of the games in a large chip van situated on the roof of the stadium.

The Events - In previous Olympic games, Scotland's competitors have not been particularly successful. In order to redress the balance, some of the events have been altered slightly to the advantage of local athletes:

100 Metres Sprint- Competitors will have to hold a video recorder and microwave oven (one in each arm) and on the sound of the starting pistol, a police dog will be released from a cage 10 yards behind the athletes.

100 Metres Hurdle - As above but with added obstacles (ie. car bonnets, hedges, garden fences, walls etc.)

Hammer - Competitors may choose the type of hammer they wish to use (claw, sledge, etc) the winner will be the one who can cause the most grievous bodily harm to members of the public within the time allowed.

Fencing - Entrants will be asked to dispose of as much stolen silver and jewelry as possible in 5 minutes

Shooting - A strong challenge is expected from the local men in this event. The first target will be a moving police car, the next a post office van and then a Securicor wages vehicle.

Boxing - Entry to the boxing will be restricted to husband and wife teams, and will take place on a Friday night. The husband will be given 15 pints of Tennents lager while the wife will be told not to make him any tea when he gets home. The bout will then commence.

Cycling Time Trials - Competitors will break into the University bike sheds and take an expensive mountain bike owned by some mummy's boy from the country on his first trip away from home. All against the clock.

Cycling Pursuit- As above but the bike will belong to a visiting member of the Australian rugby team who will witness the theft.

Modern Pentathlon - Amended to include mugging, breaking and entering, flashing, joy-riding and arson.

The Marathon - A safe route has yet to be decided, but competitors will be issued with sharp sticks and bags with which to pick up litter on their way round the course.

Swimming - Competitors will be thrown off the Clyde Suspension Bridge. The first three survivors back will decide the medals.

Men's 50km Walk - Unfortunately this event will have to be cancelled as police cannot guarantee the safety of anyone walking the streets of Glasgow.

Closing Ceremony - Entertainment will include formation rave dancing by members of Glasgow Health in the Community anti-drug campaigners, synchronised rock throwing and music by the Govan Boys Band. The Olympic flame will be extinguished by someone dropping an old washing machine onto it form the top floor of the block of flats next to the stadium. The stadium will then be boarded up before the local athletes break into it and remove all the copper piping and the central heating boiler.

[Kevster]

Lockster, I'm not originally from HG, am a native of London actually (born within the sound of Bow Bells, true cockney). Met SWMBO through work and she lived in HG and the rest is history as they say, whoever 'they' are...

Really enjoyed living there, although didn't have a bike at the time. Before we moved out here I had a 2.8 Z3, so used to enjoy tearing up the lanes around the area. I was actually stupid enough to scuba dive down the river under Devil's Bridge once. It was in flood and was quite a rush, literally.

Since we moved here, I've met a number of people who were stationed at 'the US facility' just outside of HG (nod nod wink wink say no more), so it was nice to hear their perspective of the area.

We do miss some things about Yorks., but quality of life is so much better here, it's like being on holiday year round. We have 2 seasons, summer and the rest, we are close to Lake Travis and of course have some of the best riding roads, eateries and sights in the Texas Hill Country.

During the summer it gets a little too hot for riding all day, so we enjoy a spot of Surf'n'Turf - ride out early for breakfast and get back just before it gets too hot and hit the lake.

[lamble]

Lockster, I'm not originally from HG, am a native of London actually (born within the sound of Bow Bells, true cockney). Met SWMBO through work and she lived in HG and the rest is history as they say, whoever 'they' are...

Really enjoyed living there, although didn't have a bike at the time. Before we moved out here I had a 2.8 Z3, so used to enjoy tearing up the lanes around the area. I was actually sutpid enough to scuba dive down the river under Devil's Bridge once. It was in flood and was quite a rush, literally.

Since we moved here, I've met a number of people who were stationed at 'the US facility' just outside of HG (nod nod wink wnk say no more), so it was nice to hear their perspective of the area.

We do miss some things about Yorks., but quality of life is so much better here, it's like being on holiday year round. We have 2 seasons, summer and the rest, we are close to Lake Travis and of course have some of the best riding roads, eateries and sights in the Texas Hill Country.

During the summer it gets a little too hot for riding all day, so we enjoy a spot of Surf'n'Turf - ride out early for breakfast and get back just before it gets too hot and hit the lake.

So do you know DrDeb with her m/c motel/hotel/holiday Inn, from over on the Xplore site? She's Texas Hill Country too, and some of the people I met when riding, regularly ride down and stay at her place.

I was at Devil's Bridge the day a kid dived off the wrong side of the bridge and got taken away in a helicopter, and I remeber seeing divers there. Pehaps we've sort of met. Were you in a black wet look rubbery outfit, with a mask and a cylinder on your back? We'll it could have been you. Still, bacon butties at the hut eh.
I had a production facility in Hull and used a company house on the redeveloped docks, so I used to travel around the Harrogate area sometimes. I liked Beverley as well, Hull not so much...well not at all really.

A Hull fact...more of the colour blue (pigment) is produced in Hull, than anywhere else on the planet.

[lockster]

lamble your killing me. The Yorkshire Olympics had me wetting my undies, right before I set off for the Fingers Lake Rally too. I will probably smell like Nora's knickers now !
As a side fact I was stationed in the middle of Holmfirth for 2.5 years as a traffic cop. Saw all the stars of the show often. Couldnt stand the crap myself, but my granny laughed at it. So that's all that matters.

OOOOOHHHHH Bacon Egg and Tomato Tea Cake at the Hut, to die for. The wife and daughter state the best ever hot chocolate in the world as well.
Although what upstanding Yorkshire man would drink a pansie substance like hot choccie. Week old cuppa char for me all warmed up....

As for Hull every civilised county in the UK has a cross to bear...Ever been to Barnsley, makes Hull folk look posh !

My Cousin ( Chief - Royal Navy Radio Tech ) was stationed at the golf balls. So say no more.....

OK Guys, bike beckons and I have quite a way to go. Catch up after the Rally..

Lockster

[lamble]

Hull City in the Premiership is like having "Ooh Mr Grayson are you free?" playing Bond. It's just wrong. And Hull does smell of wee!
No wonder they stuck it on the end of the motorway.

Fav all time Yorkshire saying:

He had legs so bowed, he couldn't stop pig in t'gimmel. That's just poetry, that's what that is.

[Kevster]

Don't know DrDeb, but know of her place. That area has some great roads, much like riding in the Lake District. A few miles from Leakey you can find the Lone Star Motorcyle Museum (http://lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com/) which has lots of nice old English bikes and a rare Krauser BMW sport bike.

Black, wet look rubbery outfits? Seen a few of those in Yorkshire and they wern't on a scuba diver ;-)

Nora Batty, now there's a cultural icon!

Had best breakfast fry up ever at a roadside cafe near Hull when they were still building the Humber Bridge. Talking of which, did you ever see that bloke that walked across the Humber racing an Alfa on Top Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9QFHUAYl6s)?

Barnsley? You've obviousy never been stuck in Cleckhuddersfax on a stormy night.....

Fav Yorkshire sayings? How about some Tony Capstick (spoken to the Hovis music)

I'll never forget that first day at t'pit.
Me an' mi fatha worked a 72 hour shift,
then wi walked home 43 mile through t'snow in us bare feet, huddled inside us clothes med out o' old sacks.

Eventually we trudged over t'hill until wi could see t'street light twinklin' in our village.
Mi fatha smiled down at mi through t'icicles hangin' off his nose. "Nearly home now lad", he said.
We stumbled into t'house and stood there freezin' cold and tired out, shiverin' and miserable, in front o' t' meagre fire.

Any road, mi mam says "Cheer up, lads. I've got you some nice brown bread and butter for yer tea."
Ee, mi fatha went crackers. He reached out and gently pulled mi mam towards 'im by t'throat.
"You big fat, idle ugly wart", he said. "You gret useless spawny-eyed parrot-faced wazzock." ('E had a way wi words, mi fatha. He'd bin to college, y'know).
"You've been out playin' bingo all afternoon instead o' gettin' some proper snap ready for me an' this lad", he explained to mi poor, little, purple-faced mam.

Then turnin' to me he said "Arthur", (He could never remember mi name), "here's half a crown.
Nip down to t'chip 'oyl an' get us a nice piece o' 'addock for us tea. Man cannot live by bread alone."
He were a reyt tater, mi fatha.

He said as 'ow workin' folk should have some dignity an' pride an' self respect,
an' as 'ow they should come home to summat warm an' cheerful.
An' then he threw mi mam on t'fire.

We didn't 'ave no tellies or shoes or bedclothes.
We med us own fun in them days.
Do you know, when I were a lad you could get a tram down into t'town, buy three new suits an' an ovvercoat, four pair o' good boots, go an' see George Formby at t'Palace Theatre, get blind drunk, 'ave some steak an' chips, bunch o' bananas an' three stone o' monkey nuts an' still 'ave change out of a farthing.

We'd lots o' things in them days they 'aven't got today - rickets, diptheria and my, we did look well goin' to school wi' no backside in us trousers an' all us little 'eads painted purple because we 'ad ringworm.
They dun't know they're born today!!!


Ride safe, have fun at the rally.

[tessler]

You guys kill me. :ha So here's a nice Union Jack... with my fondest regards.

http://www.halloweenplayground.com/images/smiffys/union-jack-dress.jpg

Kevster, your last post = brilliant. Lockster, ride safe and enjoy the Rally :thumb

Lamble why haven't you yet modified your name to Lamblester?

[lamble]

I'm wondering if we might have to add sub titles.

Now then I could come up with some black cun' tray, if yo' knows any Geordie.
Four candles any one?

Loved the Capstick, I went warm and nearly grizzled like a lass scriking.

[Kevster]

Wheyaye man!

I can feel a Viz moment coming on.....

[lockster]

Just to start off we will have some more Yorkshire Poetry ..

I go down t'pub and drink 10 pints
That's how I get plastered
I then go hom and get beaten bi wife
Co's I'm a great fat yorkshire bar steward

Survived the Finger Lake Rally and learnt some great stuff
Never follow Bob ( Bob's BMW Maryland ) to a diner !
Double check the tie down on your sleeping bag dry sack on your left pannier before riding 300 miles home... ! Oh and dont put your Frogg Toggs in with it !

Spent Sunday with Simon and Lisa from www.2ride the world.com and learnt a lot about places not to go, and plenty about places we should.

I did learn lamble that your planning a south america trip, is it true ?
You could have had lots of questions answered by these people should you have any that is.

Camped in between some local boys and some canadians and had a belting time with all. Got enough bug bites to satisfy a decent dot to dot off big ben.
Just glad to be home on my own bed.

Lockster

[lamble]

I've met up with Simon and Lisa already and I believe we have done the website linking thing between their site and www.unchainedworld.com (http://www.unchainedworld.com), which will be linking to the Three Tea Tour (three T's and three teas...clever eh??) blog that I'm working on now, prior to the 4th October Tea Party and departure from Seattle, to all points south, until you fall off this continent.

Each day, in a very British way, I'll be stopping at 4 PM and making tea for someone "local" and during 3 cups of tea, I'll be asking them about their lives, and filming it.

I've found riding around places, that whilst it may be interesting to see sites, architecture, natural beauty, historical places etc...that the best "flavour" for a place comes from the people you meet. So rather than ride passed them from stop to stop, I've decided to build in purposefully interactive times and use the medium of tea as the ice breaker.

There is also a strange link to an initiative in Afghanistan and Pakistan to educate boys and girls in schools, without the religious overtones of the madrasses, set up by an American guy, so I'll be promoting www.penniesforpeace.com (http://www.penniesforpeace.com) and www.ikat.org (http://www.ikat.org) in support of the Central Asia Institute CAI, because what happens there, matters here.

Three cups, one for a polite "hello", two for exchange of understanding, three, friendship and shared knowledge.

The plan is to do this every day for at least 6 month.

I hope that when I get back and edit the footage it will help overcome some of the stereotyping that goes on. "Fear is ignorance: ignorance is the enemy", so anything that will help overcome ignorance, is sort of 'the plan' which is why not only will I be sharing experiences, but also, with Tom, helping build a school extension in Ecuador and supplying educational materials (sort of following the CAI's philosophy

Should be a fun way to meet the neighbours.

How's Simon's neck holding up?

And, don't scratch your bug bites. I got some from a motel in Virginia that lasted 3 months, exactly where the back of my helmet rubbed my neck...absolute 'mare!

[lamble]

Gordon Bennet!

Turn my back for a long weekend and what happens, this thread surpasses the 10k barrier.
I think we must have a serious number of closset Brits within the BMWMOA. Now if we can just get one of these emoti-con smilie thingies with a Union flag and not just the Stars and Stripes or that German one.

Oh and the Three Tea Tour departure is now the 5th and not 4th October, as apparently my riding into the sunset will be the symbolic ending ceremony for the NW Tea Festival on 4th/5th October at the Seattle Centre. Heading into the distanceto spread the word of tea...jeez I just wanted to use their parking lot for a tea party.

[Kevster]

http://yelims.free.fr/Drapeau_Anglais.gif

[Kevster]

Lamble, be sure and let us know if you are headed Tejas way on your travels. We have a spare bed, room in the garage and Yorkshire/RNLI tea is served weekdays around 3.30 along with a chocolate digestive or hob nob.

[lamble]

Statdawg,

Thanks for the update on Simon. I'd have thought that being British all a broken neck would have needed would be a jaunty cravat.

I did the bar rising after the unchained across the USA ride as my left thumb and shoulder kept getting numb and then twitchy. Seems to have done the trick.
I took the Jimmy Lewis course last year, but wouldn't profess to be an off roader by any means. A fire track perhaps.
No, my biggest fear is vertigo, and in particular blind bends with sheer edges. They freak me out. I can do them, but need to dry my hands and that rivullette of sweat that runs down my back. I hear Peru and Chile have some spectacular drop off, the Road del Morte...sounds like a diversion waiting to happen.


Kevster, I'll have to check the route to see if I'm passing...hang on, I haven't got a route, it's all sort of, 'let's see what's that wayish'.

I mean it would be a milestone to be in Ushaia for Christmas, but not at the expense of having missed something, someone, that might be interesting along the route.
To be honest, I'm not that fussed if I don't get there, it is afterall just a point on the map and only a nominal destination by which to amass as many memories as possible and I can gain those without needing to be there specifically.
I always question the need to travel and what the expected outcomes will be , against what they actually reveal themselves to be. I'm still questioning the desire to visit the end or start, the furthest North, South, East or West, the highest or lowest. I'm not sure what compells people to want to go to these places rather than take a deeper look at their more immediate environs.

Read Allain du Button's book 'The Art of Travel' and you'll learn that there is something strange about this need to be 'elsewhere' and what drives and motivates it.

The best I've come up with as a logical reason is, "because it's on the way".

Jeezy Chreezy, there's the first chapter of the Three Teas Tour book...free!

[lamble]

http://yelims.free.fr/Drapeau_Anglais.gif

Have you looked at the properties for this little guy and the flag?

yelims.free.fr/Drapeau_Anglais.gif

Drapeau Anglais!!!!!

How dare they drapeau Anglais us, en Francais. C'est terrible!

[Kevster]

Ah, er, um, mais oui!!! I found it on a French site and linked to it in le spur de moment.

BTW, have you tried Grip Puppies (http://www.casporttouring.com/optimizer/category/GRIPPUP.html)? I put some on the El Tea and they made a big difference to numbness etc. when riding long distances.

[lamble]

Ah, er, um, mais oui!!! I found it on a French site and linked to it in le spur de moment.

BTW, have you tried Grip Puppies (http://www.casporttouring.com/optimizer/category/GRIPPUP.html)? I put some on the El Tea and they made a big difference to numbness etc. when riding long distances.

You do realise that I may now be forced into buying an LT just so I can call it an El Tea!

The numbness seems to have gone since adding the risers. However, I do have an achilles that could rupture soon, so I'll be having acupuncture on that before I go...don't want to end up with achilles goo in my boot.

As Edward Izzard pointed out...Achilles heel and called Achilles...what a coincidence!

That reminds me of a quiz question:

What is the reason for the letter D?





Without it, Edward Woodward would be Ewar Woowar. So simple when you apply logic.

Sorry America, you may have no idea who Eddie Woodward is, or indeed was.
Wicker Man, Callan, The something or other that could be Protector or Defender or Persuader?
Married Michelle Dotrice, who was Michael Crawford's Betty to his Frank Spencer, in...Some Mother's do 'ave 'em.
Well him anyway, that's who Ewar Woowar is.

Now you know.

[Kevster]

For the benefit of our US viewers, you may recognize Edward Woodward as The Equalizer...

[lamble]

For the benefit of our US viewers, you may recognize Edward Woodward as The Equalizer...

That's him, Mr Equalizer, he was better in the Wicker Man though, because Britt Ecklund got neckid and he got cooked.
Ewar Woowar!


Was the Equalizer shown over here then?

On Brit TV, I very much enjoyed the first installment of Kevin and Tracey, or Gavin and Tracey or some combination of male and female names. Naughty, naughty, naughty and funny...BBC America.

[tonkandy]

For the benefit of our US viewers, you may recognize Edward Woodward as The Equalizer...

He's also the old bloke in Hot Fuzz.

[Kevster]

As Rod so eloquently put it '...the big bosomed lady with the Dutch accent...' - luverly jubbly.

Haven't seen Gavin & Tracey or whatever it's called - only watch Top Gear and the occasional episode of Python and Coupling on BBCA.

I guess I ought to get in a mention about BMWs to avoid a beating from the moderators. Bloody tranny output seal is leaking so El Tea is off to Lone Star next week for a fixin - just hope that it's nothing worse (read more expensive) than that otherwise SWMBO will give me a hiding and the V-Rod will have to be pulled out of retirement until I've delivered enough papers to pay for it.

[lamble]

He's also the old bloke in Hot Fuzz.

Really! I'll have to look that out again. I can still remember that light bulb swinging title sequence from Callan. Only got to see it when I was allowed to stay up late.

[tonkandy]

Really! I'll have to look that out again. I can still remember that light bulb swinging title sequence from Callan. Only got to see it when I was allowed to stay up late.

Gosh you're young. "Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin." I remember Listen with Mother, Andy Pandy, and the "Woodentops" when I was a nipper. I remember a time when having a telly was a big deal. The first show I remember watching on our rented Tv was the "Lone Ranger". I guess that you're from the Magic Roundabout era or later. "Time for bed".

[lamble]

Gosh you're young. "Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin." I remember Listen with Mother, Andy Pandy, and the "Woodentops" when I was a nipper. I remember a time when having a telly was a big deal. The first show I remember watching on our rented Tv was the "Lone Ranger". I guess that you're from the Magic Roundabout era or later. "Time for bed".

I remember the wooden tops, with Spotty Dog...I still walk that way.
I also have a membership badge of the Tinga and Tucka Club with Auntie Jean Morton and the secret salute (may have just been a Midland area thing with ATV). Then there was Mr Piper, loved the animation in that, but it never got scheduled time , so was a nightmare to find.

Another fav was Poggles Wood, where small people from Bristol lived, from their accents.
Rhubbarb and Custard ok, never really a Mary Mungo and Midge, Crystal tip and Alastair bit strange and Hector's House and the menage a troi with the dog, cat and frog involved in some very strange behaviour. Deeply disturbing.

Tales from the Riverbank was cute. The Trumpton, Chigley, Camberwick Green thing never really caught my attention. I won a Clanger at a football game raffle.

Not too long ago, I saw a brilliant stage-show for Captain Scarlet and the Thunderbirds . Two actors played all the parts, with hats that were replicas of the vehicles, hilarious. I remember queueing for hours to see the Thunderbird Tour in London, so a very big day out for a Staffordshire tot, must have been the early 70's.

Magic Round about wasn't my thing, I didn't like any of the characters in it: let's see if we can spot the one's that weren't in the Herbs shall we? "If you are sitting comfortably, then I'll begin".

Dill the Dog
Brian the Snail
Parsely the Lion
Sage the Owl
Dougal the Dog
Ermintrude the Cow
Florence the Girl
The Chives
Dillon the Rabbit


Here's a tester...what was the name of the man who owned the magic round about.. Mr?

Too old when Bag Puss arrived, which I think was the end of that sort of animation. It would be a good debate to see which were the most educational, the modern stuff or the older? Or was children's entertainment, just that, entertainment, with no pretentions as to education, until some adult decided that what kids wanted was subliminal messages?

Bring back the soup dragon!

I'd still watch Jackanory if it was shown. I remember a programme that looked back at some of the folk who had read. Top actors of the time, probably even Ewar Woowar.

[scoobs]

Don't remember the owner's name, but Jasper Carrot had a "Magic Roundabout" parody as the B-side to "Funky Moped" in the 70's.
It was a bit risque for those days but helped to sell the single. Wish they'd show re-runs of that stuff- I know some of it is available on DVD at home but you have to go through all that PAL/ NTSC conversion crap to play them over here.
Which part of the "Old country' are you from Lamble?

Cheers, :drink

Ian.

[Oldhway]

Unfortunately I'm not a Brit but Lamble said I could come say "Hi" if I wore tie dye (I think that's what he said).

So anyway, Hi Y'all! ( I can say Y'all here right?):wave

[lamble]

Unfortunately I'm not a Brit but Lamble said I could come say "Hi" if I wore tie dye (I think that's what he said).

So anyway, Hi Y'all! ( I can say Y'all here right?):wave

I think he means Hello.

Scoobs, where in the UK?

...started in Cannock Chase, moved to the the big city, Brum not far from Jasper Carrot, then New York, then down to the Colchester del Sol area. Then moved to a yacht, before coming to the USA. There were other quick stop overs in Istanbul and Capetown along the way, but I had a fairly large company at one time and so I had company houses here and there.

You can get some of these "classics" on the interweb!

Mr Rusty...owned the roundabout and his mustache had telelever suspension.

[Kevster]

Looks like we're much from the same era, another classic was Captain Pugwash.

Used to enjoy all the Gerry Anderson programs, Stingray, Fireball XL5, Joe 90, UFO, Space 1999 etc.

Anyone got a Blue Peter badge made of copydex and sticky back plastic?

Had a real blast back to the 70s last night - our merry little band of Brits on Permanent Tour (an Englishmen, Scotsman, Welshman and Irishman - I kid you not) went to see Squeeze. All the songs sounded just as good as they did when I were a lad, t'was brilliant.

[tonkandy]

Magic Round about wasn't my thing, I didn't like any of the characters in it: let's see if we can spot the one's that weren't in the Herbs shall we? "If you are sitting comfortably, then I'll begin".

Dill the Dog
Brian the Snail
Parsely the Lion
Sage the Owl
Dougal the Dog
Ermintrude the Cow
Florence the Girl
The Chives
Dillon the Rabbit


Here's a tester...what was the name of the man who owned the magic round about.. Mr?



Dougal, Ermitrude, Dillon, Florence, and Brian were in the Magic Roundabout. Mr. Rusty

[lamble]

I think it says a lot about a person if they were Blue Peters or Magpies.

So which were you, Val Singleton or Jenny Hanley?
Tony Basset or Peter Pervis?
Curly afro mop Robinson or Johnny Noakes?

Which presenters are your era?

I did enjoy How!, although not the boring old fart that did the farming tools or other dull things, Jack Hargreaves, more of a disaster Dineage sort of kid.

[Kevster]

I was a John 'get down Shep' Noakes, Peter Pervis and Val Singleton child...

[lamble]

But Suzanne Stranks on Magpie didn't wear a bra and to a young lad, that was very educational and Jenny Hanley was a looker too. I'm thinking that in retrospect I was a "seven for a secret never to be told", sort of lad.

[Kevster]

Oh, well how's about Sally James on Tiswas then?

[lamble]

Oh, well how's about Sally James on Tiswas then?

She didn't actually do it for me. She looked too much like our school's girls PE mistress, who was vicious and into lady-on-lady love and frightened the b'jeezus out of me.

[lamble]

World Cup Qualifiers..
Andorra 0 England 2

Andorra population 9
England population, taking teenage pregnancies after a weekend of binge drinking into account 40 million.

Salary for Andorra players 22 pound 75p (and that's not each)

Salary for England players 100 squidillion pounds plus win bonuses and free t shirts...EACH!

0-2. Two poxy goals, both from Joe Cole. Two nil. That's outrageously pathetic. Nil nil at half time. Even if Andorra put all their players on the goal line, two nil!

Emile Hesky, back as Centre forward under Cappello...how?

I only hope we don't have to play the USA or Canada in the near future, in a match that matters. Imagine the shame if we didn't win...I'd have to pretend to be Welsh.

Andorra...0, England a measly, pathetically unsatisfactory, lacklustre, slapdash, lethargic, uncommitted, useless, incredulouly inept...2.

Strewth!!

[lockster]

A little late on the imput, but I'm a Mr. Benn kinda guy. That and Mary Mungo and Midge, charlton and the wheelies, willow the wisp and Michael Bentines Potty time.. Take Heart, now's there's a classic.
Always had a soft spot for Danger Mouse and Airwolf and even I remember the Clangers..
I know - Airwolf is american, but I did enjoy it.
British Football - Stinks... Gald I'm a rugby man
Are we as Brits actually any good at anything any more ?
Apart from whinging, tea drinking and more whinging

Lockster

[lamble]

Look at our Gold medal haul...we are the world's best at sports you can do...sitting down, sailing, rowing, horse riding. Ask us to stand up and suddenly we fall apart. I blame a genetic fault in our hip joints introduced by the Normans.

I base my case on hard facts. Who is the most famous Norman?

William the Conqueror...I think not!

That's right, Norman Wisdom!

Famous for...falling over.

Incontravertable evidence m'lud!

Statdawg. Andorra don't have a flat pitch, that's why the game was played in Barcelona.

[lamble]

A little late on the imput, but I'm a Mr. Benn kinda guy. That and Mary Mungo and Midge, charlton and the wheelies, willow the wisp and Michael Bentines Potty time.. Take Heart, now's there's a classic.
Always had a soft spot for Danger Mouse and Airwolf and even I remember the Clangers..
I know - Airwolf is american, but I did enjoy it.
British Football - Stinks... Gald I'm a rugby man
Are we as Brits actually any good at anything any more ?
Apart from whinging, tea drinking and more whinging

Lockster

Thank you for submitting your post, unfortunately we are unable to return it.
Take Hart, with claymation legend Morph. Always cheered me up to see that there were kids who couldn't draw, or paint, or crayon, to save their lives.

[lamble]

How would the UK fair in long range golf ?





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Statdawg, Youtube say that video is no longer available. Is it like urban golf, which gets played at 4am around cities?

[lamble]

Youtube is doing maintenance tonight. I was over there checking out Lisa and Simon Thomas's videos. Did you know they had little English flags flapping on their panniers because the Venezuelans thought they were American's which put them in danger ? How the hell can someone mistaken a Brit for a Yank ?

The only Shakespeare the Yanks know pertains to fishing.

I bet they had American flags on the back when they were in Argentina though!

[lamble]

Maybe they saw a Mirage while having tea.

Strange how it's become acceptable for people to go to war and kill each other using the weaponry supplied by allies to enemies. In the past that would have been reason enough to sail a galleon into the allies harbour, declare war on them too and send off a canon volley.

Now it's accepted that French weapons will be used to kill Brits...American weapons will be used to kill Americans (that's a bit confusing) and Brit, Russian, Czech, and everyone else will all be shipping weapons around to people who we, or our allies, may one day face.

There should be some fail safe device built in, where a weapon won't work if used to face an ally of the manufacturing country.
That would put the cat amongst the pigeons, but a cat without claws and only gums.

Anyway the Falklands war can't have created too much bad blood, afterall, Fray Bentos are still importing Corned Beef to the Brits and Ossie Ardilles was a fans fav at Tottenham.

[lamble]

Chalmondley-Warner.

Just filmed a chumley-warner sic. peice for the Three Teas Tour presentation at the NW Tea Festival.

Shot it in an English Tea Room and tried my best to get the inflections and movements right.

Now all I need to do is make the film black, white and sepia and add noise.

Was there a Chalmondley Warner (BBC style presentation) equivilent in the USA?
Sort of thirties style TV, very formal, all wearing bow ties and DJs.

[tonkandy]

How would the UK fair in long range golf ?


Our final drive would let us down.

[lamble]

Our final drive would let us down.
Plus it would take us 30 minutes to Tea Off!

Ryder Cup coming up.
My first ever game of golf on a full 18 holer was the Brabazon Course, that was used for the Ryder Cup (the Belfry).

"Just use your seven iron and get off the tee and away from the club house"
Saged advice I follow to this day.

Prince Andrew and his entourage, nicked our starting time too....

[lamble]

Walcott treble stuns Croatia
Wednesday 10 Sep 2008


Theo Walcott scored an outstanding hat-trick as England stormed to a thumping and unexpected 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Croatia in Zagreb.

England head coach Fabio Capello made four changes to the side which started the unconvincing 2-0 win over Andorra.


THEO WALCOTT Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Emile Heskey and Joe Cole all earned starts, with Cole having scored both goals in the victory over Andorra in Barcelona. Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Stewart Downing and Jermain Defoe were the men to drop out.

The early minutes produced little action of note in either goalmouth, but 13 minutes in Croatia almost scored from their first corner of the game, as Vedran Corluka shot wide at the far post after David James fumbled the set-piece.

Ten minutes later England had claims for a penalty waived away after Walcott played a Wayne Rooney ball back across the area from the right and Heskey was barged over.

However, Walcott opened the scoring three minutes later as he took advantage of a defensive mistake to rifle a low right-footer beyond Stipe Pletikosa and just inside the far post.

Walcott threatened again within a minute, before Croatia almost drew level. James flapped at a high free-kick into the area and Mladen Petric's shot was blocked by Brown as England struggled to retain their lead.

The rest of the half passed without incident, as England went in at the interval with a valuable lead.

Eight minutes into the second half Croatia suffered a crucial blow as Robert Kovac was sent off for a foul on Joe Cole, who was forced to exit the game to receive treatment on a nasty head wound.

England took just six minutes to make their man advantage count, as Walcott doubled the lead with another expert finish.

Rooney drifted in off the left flank, exchanged passes with Heskey and played in Walcott, who smashed in another excellent finish across the stranded Pletikosa.

Just four minutes later it was 3-0 as sub Jermaine Jenas won possession on the left and fed Rooney, who had the easy task of sidefooting home from 12 yards out.

Frank Lampard had a goal ruled out before Darijo Srna set up Mario Mandzukic for a consolation strike for the home side, but fittingly Walcott was to have the final word on the evening.

Eight minutes from time Rooney split open a static Croat defence and Walcott glided through to finish left-footed and complete a superb treble.

[lamble]

My cousin was kicked out of Fettes College should the family be concerned ? :drink

I don't think it's too much to be concerned about, afterall it's Scotland and so few people hear what happens there as to be insignificant. Indeed, we English hold Scotland in such high regard that we made a Greek gigalo and kebab salesman it's capitol's Duke.

I mean, he can always fall back on Wales if he can't cope with the Scots, and then there's the Irish. And obviously if all else fails, there's a sports scholarship in the USA, as a last resort.

[tonkandy]

Should Liverpool be "Liver" pool ?

No, it should be cesspool.

[lamble]

How can the Royal Liver building in Liverpool be pronounced differanty ? Should Liverpool be "Liver" pool ?

You need to use a scouser's accent, then it doesn't matter how you say it, as everyone will have dashed away to lock their cars.

(Scallies do have a reputation for either nicking cars, or leaving then atop a pile of house bricks as they have it away with your wheels. When a car is stolen in Manchester, they alert the Police at the Albert Docks in Liverpool to be on the look out).

None of this is actually fair. My Best Man is from Liverpool and he's as trust worthy as could be, now what did he do with that wedding ring?

One thing they are famous for is their sense of humour...love it.

[lamble]

.

If you'd ever waited for the British Postal Service to deliver mail, you'd know that there's no way they'd respond quickly enough to have Olympic Gold winners out as stamps yet.

Even the Queen is still only 15 on most British stamps and she's 346 years old now.


As you might be able to tell, in reality I have no idea as to what stamps are available, as no one writes to me, other than bills that are put through postage machines and don't have stamps, just lots of red ink.

[lamble]

I am afraid to ask why the Tower is on the Olympic Stamp. Wasn't beheading banned due to the Princes were under aged ?

"Topping and Lopping" is a rarely practised sport these days, but it's still more interesting than endless games of bloody beach volleyball.

Firstly, there's the swing...similar to golf, only a little more terminal in outcome
There's the placement of the object to be hit, precision is everything otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure on the final part...

the basket!

Two points for a rim hitter and three for a clean basket.

Extra points can be awarded for degree of difficulty, such as the loppee wearing a hat, or crown, or squirming about a bit.
The Topper wearing a blind fold adds 0.5 for difficulty, whilst a flourish with the axe head can add valuable style points.
There is a rumour that drugs have been creeping in to the sport, so the loppees are now banned from taking headache pills, until after being topped.

I know the French tried to get in on this game with a fandango machine with go faster stripes, but it took the skill out of it.

Get ready, here comes the punch line and bad pun....

After all you shouldn't use a machine when the artistry is....altogether now...in the execution! Ta daaa!

I'm thinking 2012 London Olympics, Topping and Lopping may be re-introduced as an Olympic sport, played at the Tower, hence the stamp, or it could be a symbol that if you buy a 2012 Olympic stamp and post now, your mail may have arrived by 2012.

[lamble]

Ahhhhh, Yorkshire Pud...I'm adding that to my list of foods for Mum to cook when she visits later this week. The old girl is still a fantastic cook and I'll be taking advantage while I can because this broken shoulder and foot are going to heal eventually

How's the foot and shoulder coming on?

[lamble]

Hull City...fourth!

Keegan leaves the Toon, Man City are an Arab fyfedom, Zola to manage West Ham.
Looks like a typical season, four games in and two managers out. Ince at Blackburn next, or Fulham's boss.

But really, Hull City fourth, that's madness!

[PaperBoy]

My youngest brother is a corporate pilot for a company that sets up optical shops in the UK (and I believe elsewhere int he world). Their corporate HQ is on the Isle of Guernsey (in the English Channel), which I understand is a tax haven (had to Google Guernsey to see if I was spelling it correctly). It is a British Crown dependency (according to Wikipedia), so I hope that counts. Me mum, uncle and I are planning a trip there next summer.
I haven't been to the UK since I was 15 in 1976 (back during our country's Bicentennial :usa). I was there with a couple Canadian friends (I live just 4 miles south of the BC border in Washington State) and had a great time taking the trains, riding around in tiny rental cars and staying in bed and breakfasts. So much history, so many castles, so little time.
I was especially impressed by how the drinking laws got more lax as we moved from England to Scotland to Wales. By the time we were in Wales we were ordering the hard stuff and trying to teach the bartender how to make some off the wall Yank drinks we knew little about ourselves. Great beer.
I guess living so close to Canada and spending lots of time on the other side of the border has given me a small taste of the Brit feel all my life. Our Canadian cousins are an interesting mixture of Brit, European and American that I enjoy very much. Osoyoos, BC, just on the other side of the border still has a little bit of that European/Brit charm, but it is fading fast as it becomes more touristy due to the warm climate afforded by Canada's only dessert in what they call the southern Okanagan Valley. Ironically, we call our side the Northern Okanogan (U.S. spelling) Valley even tho we are south of them.
From reading posts here and at ADVRIDER.com, I see my hometown of Oroville, Wash., which is the Port of Entry for Canada from Hwy. 97 is a jumping off point for many heading for Alaskan adventures.
But I digress, I am looking forward to my trip to Guernsey, just wish I could bring my R1100GS along. My bro says the whole Islands like only six miles long and all the roads are crookeder than a dog's hind leg. Maybe I want to avoid riding there afterall.
:dunno Do any of our Brit members have any tips for enjoying a trip to Guernsey -- it sounds like quite a strange combination of French and English because of its proximity to the Continent.

[lockster]

As a ex man in blue I can totally agree Statdawg, there is nothing better than earning a boat load of over time and get to beat Cardiff or Hull City fans half to death.
My first blood result was a Cardiff Moron who decided to try and drag me into the crowd and remove my stab vest. I'm sure there is some one on the planet who could rebuild his nose if he could afford it. Funny how they never reappear to complain.
As a general man of peace I prefer the rugby crowd and let the violence show on the field not the side line. God I miss playing 2nd Row....

Any how about Guernsey, great place. I did Alderney, Sark and Jersey on the same trip. The Island of Sark had no cars at all when I was there. All horse and cart.. Jersey had a night club ( name escapes me at the moment ) Vodka and Orange 1/2 price on Tues. At 50p a shot any other day you can tell I ended up a real mess. ( about 50c for the yanks amongst us ) I'm sure you will have a fantastic time on your holiday

[lamble]

I once went with my Dad to see the Wolves v Man Utd, with Best, Charlton et al. We marched down barrackaded streets with windows boarded up. Stood in the Molineaux end and I couldn't see a damn thing...I was very young and small at the time. But there was a definite sense of an uncontrolable power, especially as the crowd moved like a wave ebbing forwards and backwards...I suspect it's like being a sock in a heavy wash on spin cycle.

Guernsey: lots of German stuff hanging around there too, as it was occupied during the war. There's some very strange photographs of policemen and Nazi troopers standing on street corners guiding traffic. I looks like the Germans took the island, then seemed embarrassed about it, or awkward and unsure what to do with it.

Gerrald Durrell's zoo is worth a visit, as it's far less"ooh look" and more, "let's save and study", his book, "My friends and other animals" is worth a read before you go.
The roads are twisty and I can't recall any straights where you'd open up, at all.
But, great place to while away a week or two...enjoy your trip.

So, Paperboy, are you somewhere near, is it the Black Hawk boarder crossing?
I was that way with the HU meeting in BC not long ago, then last week I was in Winthrop, Twisp, Okanagan, then down to the Coulee City area for the Dry Falls...spectacular geological area, where the Lake Missoula was created behind an ice tongue, then broke through (a few times), rippling the land (30 foot high ripples that is), depositing some of Canada down in Washington (boulders the size of small houses), cut swathes through volcanoes and mountains to leave deep gorges and then these falls. Bigger than Niagara, about 6 miles round, the water came over the top at 300 feet deep and travelling approx 65mph, before hitting the Columbia River and sweeping down there to the sea. Fascinating stuff.

You don't get that sort of thing in Guernsey, or Hull...more's the pity.

[lamble]

Ryder Cup anyone?

A golfing claim to fame: I played my first full round on the Brabazon Course of the Belfry...the Ryder Cup course and birdied the 18th. The one where you hit the ball onto the island then dog leg left, back over water and up the hill to the hole.
I topped the second wood shot off the island, did a dam busters few bounces on the water, hit a floating bit of wood and rolled up to the green.

There's a bridge off the island and this club member was stood on it, so was unavoidable.

"Jammy Bast@rd," was all he said as I walked passed.

Okay, I shot 122 in total, but... first ever round.

One of the guys I was with had been playing for many years. He swore loudly, said he'd not spent *****ing thousands on lessons and clubs and fees, just to shoot two better than I had. He swore he'd never play again...and I don't think he has.

[lamble]

I've just been submitted to a New Yorker who thinks they can do a Brit accent. Perhaps a Brit that needs their adenoids removing!

This cackling hariden found great delight in doing a Dick Van Dyke, trying to mimic every word I was saying, and to make matters worse, I was doing a three tea tour presentation at the time, so everyone else was quiet.

Sometimes, bloody Americans drive me up the wall with this accent thing.
"You Australian?"
"No, English"
"You're not, you're an Aurzzie," whatever an Aurzzie is?

And while we are at it...it's Mazzzda, not Marsdar and the 'h' in herb isn't silent, unless you are French!

Jish! Sometimes I wonder how you have the temerity to call it English.

[Kevster]

I feel your pain..... Have you ever tried asking for a bottle of water in Texas? After a number of blank looks, mouthing of the word, the response is 'Oh, you'd like some waddah'.

I just returned from the US state that celebrates us Brits by including the Union Jack in their state flag, jolly good stuff I say!

[lamble]

I often wonder if the Brits are losing their tongues this mistaken identity as Aussies sounds criminal.

I asked someone in a small out of the way Washington town , why they thought I sounded like an Aussie. They said they didn't know, but that's Aussies travel more, so they thought we must be.

I'm not sure how true that is.

What I think throws people is the variance in the English accents. They can pin down Scots or Irish, but the nuances of English mean that anyone who doesn't sound quinticentially BBC broadcaster, must be from somewhere else that speaks English, so by elimination, Australia.

[lamble]

Oh yes, and has any Brit here, ever heard of a band from Nottingham called, 10 years later, or, 10 years beyond, or, 10 years anything?

My formative years were in Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire is only a gnats away, so I'm sure if they'd been anything other than a pub band in the UK I'd have heard of them.

Export only?

[Kevster]

Do you mean Ten Years After?

[lamble]

Do you mean 10 Years After?

Kevster,

That's them. Did you ever hear of them in the UK, because I didn't?

[Kevster]

Vaguely recall them, had some friends in Nottingham so used to hang out in the pubs there.

If you Google them, you'll see that they wern't just a pub band, played at Woodstock etc. some excellent blues riifs on the YouTube videos.

[lamble]

Vaguely recall them, had some friends in Nottingham so used to hang out in the pubs there.

If you Google them, you'll see that they wern't just a pub band, played at Woodstock etc. some excellent blues riifs on the YouTube videos.

Ah that explains it, a Woodstockian type band would never be on my radar.

[lamble]

Do any of you still exercise your rights to vote, back in the UK?

How is it done, on your last address, or do ex pats go into a pot that just decides which party you've voted for?

I assume it's only general and not local elections that we are allowed to participate in?

Have you found that you are sufficiently abreast of the issues to make a valid choice at a national or local level?

What sources would you advocate; relatives, web, TV (I see 'Little Britain does America' starts this weekend on BBC America...we may need to take cover for a while after it first airs!).

So, do you, or don't you?

[lockster]

I dont think we have much to worry about, there is only a gifted few in the US that would understand Little Britian. I tried the Fast Show with my wife and she just didnt get any of it. I also tried Blackadder and Red Dwarf, all to no avail.
You will have to ask your neighbours if they get it... In the organisation I work there is only 2 that have the capacity to laugh at real Brit humour out of about 25

[lamble]

I dont think we have much to worry about, there is only a gifted few in the US that would understand Little Britian. I tried the Fast Show with my wife and she just didnt get any of it. I also tried Blackadder and Red Dwarf, all to no avail.
You will have to ask your neighbours if they get it... In the organisation I work there is only 2 that have the capacity to laugh at real Brit humour out of about 25

A BIG APOLOGY>>>It's on HBO!

[lamble]

What part of the UK does the most adventurous people come from ?


I don't know...what part of the Uk do the most adventurous people come from?

(expecting a punchline to a joke here!)

The Scots seem to have migrated a lot, but some of that was due to historical intollerances and poverty, so adventurous or just looking for a better way to survive?

Same goes for the Irish, adventure out of neccesity.

English had the opportunities with the navy and saw prosperity through trade, but then so did the Scots, Irish and Welsh who also made up the crews.

When it boils down to it, the UK is a small palce and folks are more closely intertwined than perhaps some of the nationalists would like to admit, so, in summary, I'd say, historically those with access to the sea, then the religious zealots who wanted to spread the word, with a few adventurers thrown in, then those that needed to explore new lands to survive, then the financially sound that found the idea glamorous, and now, it's a mixed bag...obviously motorcyclists have a travel urge somewhere in the system, so rather than a location in the UK, it's the sort of people you find in the UK. Probably the same sort you'll find anywhere.

[lamble]

Yes, the British Adventurers are well storied in the press, you rarely hear of an American Adventurer, Italian Adventurer, or even a Pakistani Adventurer. One just can't seem to out ink them. In recent history the Brits had heroic individuals going to the South Pole to sailing down the Mississippi River in a juice container.

I was trying to figure out how this UK adventurous spirit has become a culture, and provided world recognition for a group of people ( I wanted to add to a race of people but we reside in a PC world ). This image could even be considered a curse to many seeking funding because there so many Brits in competition for the Sunday Times and a few Pounds Sterling.

Could be, that where ever we go, it's always cheaper than staying at home!
Plus, it is a little crowded on the British Isles and sometimes we need room to swing a cat.

More realistically, we have a history of doing it. I know that the Chinese were all over the place, the Vikings too and Alexander and his pals went hither and thither and not to forget the Romans, who were some of the first 'recorded' tourists with antiquity showing they had travel agents arranging trips to ancient Greece and Egypt (even then the pyramids were a mystic draw from ancient times).

I suppose what the Brits did, is what the Brits do best...organised it all and documented it...being in English helped too, no translations needed. And we did it last and in a bigger way than anyone before, because the technology allowed it, we owned half the planet and what we didn't own was usually favourable to us, because they needed us as a trading partner, or market.
That's simplistic I know, but may have something to do with it.

Modern day adventuring, from my personal perspective is simply because the opportunity has arisen. Granted I've worked to make it arise, but even so, there's a degree of fate that has lead to this opportunity. Not everyone gets the same hand dealt them.

Americans travelling?
We'll it's such a vast country and so varied, there's more than a life-times things to see here...problem with that is, an isolationist attitude and stance may result.

Plus, and this will get me into trouble, for the land of the free, well, you just aren't that free. The work ethic is wrong, drastically wrong...how you can be less productive yet not have the time off that europeans have is amazing...it's all the meetings about meetings. Then there's the "we are the best" brainwashing. If you are the best, then at what exactly? At somethings you are, some you most certainly are not. But the unquestioning belief fostered by the unending propoganda that you are, probably makes some folk wonder why they should go places that are "inferior".
Then there's fear. A more paranoid nation I have yet to encounter. (A vast generalisation I know, however, it's what I've found. Unless everything is planned and sorted to the nth degree, fear ensues.
Politics are another issue. Not being able to understand that foreigners will accept Americans as individuals when they meet them. That doesn't mean foreigners can't dislike your Government policies or Americanisation of their cultures, but it doesn't mean they resent you as an individual...unless you are an ar5e of course (see Rick Steves). So fear, fear of the unknown, fear from ignorance (not being ignorant), but from a culture that celebrates isolation (we stand alone, we lead the way and all that sort of verbage) and whose most visible recent excursions into foreign lands are accompanied by violence, be it neccessary or not (a debate for the Tavern if it opens).

So, perhaps that is why the explorers are from Scandanavian and European countries, more so than American, culture differences.

Plus of course, Europe has been discovered many times.

[lamble]

Little Britain USA...well what can I say...I'm think I'm Australian might be the only safe way out!

Were you ready for that!!!!!

[lamble]

Don't you mean raped and pillaged ? Discovered seems so mundane.

That was only on weekends

I am not sure if the Brits adventurous soul is from seeking bold new worlds.
Penal colonies?
Maybe their destiny was to find a land, build a railroad, and establish order cloaked in democracy. Something like do you wish another cup of tea when one is riding economy class.
"That'll be 2 quid for a polystyrene cup of tepid brown bath water please Sir"


anyway, it was you guys that went to the Moon!

[lamble]

Thanks to some Nazi Scientist.

I thought it would be impolite to mention Herr Braun, especially as I'm only a guest here.

[lamble]

A young Alfie Bass as the presenter and I think the hecklers might be Mike Burton and the Animals. Not sure, it's a bit before my time.

[tonkandy]

I am not sure if the Brits adventurous soul is from seeking bold new worlds.

It's from trying to get as far away from the awful cooking back home as you can.

[lockster]

I beg to differ, my grandad made the worlds best stew, all home grown, picked that morning from his little plot across the road. We might not have the best cuisine in the world but not many people cant eat a Brit Meal.
Where as I know thousands who would chuck if they were made to eat a McDonalds.

[lamble]

My Wife is over in England...she just emailed me a picture of a cream filled Victoria Sponge (I'm not sharing it with anyone). How dare anyone say our food isn't great, we have 5 of the top 20 restaurants in the world in and around London. The whole of the USA has 2, The French Laundry being particularly good though.

What I think may be fair, is that we do have some god awful places too though, but they are the mass catering establishments that the tourists tend to hit by sticking to main roads.

Do not judge the whole culinary design of the UK by service stations. It's like saying the whole of the US's food is Mc D's crap.

[tessler]

I agree Lamble. You guys have got some compelling Michelin stars over there now.

The general perceptive myth of bland, horrible British food most certainly originated from the French (it probably started with Napoleon, but was most assuredly perpetuated by De Gualle).

Vive la difference!

[lamble]

I agree Lamble. You guys have got some compelling Michelin stars over there now.

The general perceptive myth of bland, horrible British food most certainly originated from the French (it probably started with Napoleon, but was most assuredly perpetuated by De Gualle).

Vive la difference!

It was a myth perpetuated by the American too. Their last mass stay over in the UK wasn't at the most opportune of times from a culinary perspective, what with rationing and a bit of a to-do with some of the continental types, so dull and grey just about summed it up. Spam was a luxury-it tastes like babies apparently, so you can see how dire things were.

Still back on form again now.

[BeemerMike]

It was a myth perpetuated by the American too. Their last mass stay over in the UK wasn't at the most opportune of times from a culinary perspective,

Still back on form again now.

Glad to hear that. Try to have a better menu the next time we have to come over and save your butts from the Germans . . . :D

[lamble]

Glad to hear that. Try to have a better menu the next time we have to come over and save your butts from the Germans . . . :D

I know the Bavarians have a predelection for lederhossen, but really, I can assure you that an Englishman's butt is his castle and will never be stormed by a German, with or without an American in proximity. But thanks for thinking about our butts! :blush :german

[tonkandy]

I agree Lamble. You guys have got some compelling Michelin stars over there now.

The general perceptive myth of bland, horrible British food most certainly originated from the French (it probably started with Napoleon, but was most assuredly perpetuated by De Gualle).

Vive la difference!

Actually it was perpetuated by my mum's cooking. It would gag a maggot.

[lamble]

But they are French restaurants owned by Pakistanis. .

Name names. Just one.

[tonkandy]

Name names. Just one.

Benares. OK so it's Indian but close enough

[PaperBoy]

[QUOTE=lamble;374066]

Plus, and this will get me into trouble, for the land of the free, well, you just aren't that free. The work ethic is wrong, drastically wrong...how you can be less productive yet not have the time off that europeans have is amazing...it's all the meetings about meetings. Then there's the "we are the best" brainwashing. If you are the best, then at what exactly? At somethings you are, some you most certainly are not. But the unquestioning belief fostered by the unending propoganda that you are, probably makes some folk wonder why they should go places that are "inferior".
Then there's fear. A more paranoid nation I have yet to encounter. (A vast generalisation I know, however, it's what I've found. Unless everything is planned and sorted to the nth degree, fear ensues.

Wow, that's a lot of generalizations -- did someone put up the bash Americans sign? Anyway, not to prove your point about "we are the best" brainwashing, but everything I've heard says Americans are the most productive. Guess it must be that propaganda you were talking about. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20572828/. Of course that's from MSNBC, but the story is slugged Geneva, not Wash. D.C. Hope it's not too wet in Seattle for riding.

[lamble]

See how hard it is not to generalise?
My generalising does however come courtesy of first hand experience rather than a press release and I do accept that it may be a limited sample, but its my sample, randomly encountered and unmanipulated

[lamble]

On the Mexico Guatamala border, fall asleep with the TV set on in the hotel room. Wake up and what do I see. West Brom vs Newcastle United.

That's just weird.
Not as weird as Hull still being in the top 5 though.

It's a crazy, small world.

[lamble]

Standing opposite a Toltec pyramid,in El Salvador, drinking a local fruit drink, when I hear, "Tottenham Gooooaaaal!"

Now the fact that Tottenham have scored is always strange. That it's against Liverpool is even stranger. But that this eminates from a small adobe hut that abuts the drink stall, is just bizarre.

Not as bizarre of course as Hull City still being in the Premiership.
Now if I hear Hull scoring a goal, while in Panama or anywhere south of here, may be cause for a visit to the Farmacia for a heavy dose of something tranquilising.

[lamble]

sitting in a beach front bar in san juan sur mer nicaragua, hear the nasal twang of a londoner, although he claims surrey. When he asks where I'm from I say the usual, "started in the middle and migrated south east".
"Mersea Island?"

How on earth anyone could have heard of the place, yet alone make it their first offering up as a possible location is incredible. I'd never heard of it until I lived there. Obviously its popularity, or notoriety, has sky-rocketed since I left.

Should have asked for more money for the boat.

Still it's great to see that even with the small world and travel being afforded to more people, some can come as far from Surrey as Nicaragua and still only want to eat chicken and chips and "none of this local muck". Small world, but some small minds too, I fear.

[lamble]

Woke up today with a burning need for HP sauce. Now in Costa Rica, so there's not much chance. Remember cornets with that white mallow fluff, a chocolate top and sprinkles. They sell them in the panateria over the road. Perhaps I was harsh on the guy who wanted chicken and chips, when I crave a bacon butty with HP, but then again perhaps not...I've been on a Gallo pinto diet for days now and a soft taco with everything. I've tried it all, calves bollocks, the squid and pulpo, the juices of tamarind and all the local stuff. It's great. Try it, then decide you want a bacon sarnie, that's the difference. Dont dismiss it because it's not a bacon barm cake.

[wuli959]

you need your own blog ;)

[lamble]

That'll be via www.unchainedworld.com

Panama City, dont bother with the new stuff, go straight to the Old Town. It was sort of British for a while, when buccaneer Henry Morgan (who went on to establish a leading rum label manufacturing company), bombarded the place and then ran it, at the peak of pirate power.

Very like Havana. A photographers dream, just remember to put new batteries in your camera and don't do like I did.

[lamble]

I have no choice but to leave these shores and head back to the UK. My time here is done in March.
It seems that I will have no opportunity to gain a renewed visa, or green card and as the current visa expires March 16th, I need to be out of here by then.

How do I regard my time here?
Mixed emotions, tending, due to current events, to be more towards the unpleasant side of the scales.

This forum?
As in life, a few good people that I have found consistently thoughtful and whose opinions I value and whose help has been offered rather than requested. A few who have been objectionable. A majority that I have not encountered.

If I knew then, what I know now.
Would I have come here?
No. I don't think I would. But I'm glad I saw what I saw and learned what I learned, but it's certainly not sufficient to warrant losing my Wife for.

Nothing is.

So from now on I'm winding things up. Packing things away. Planning for a new life.

[lamble]

Here's are questions I didn't think I'd ever need the answer to.

If I don't leave the USA when my visa runs out, but get deported instead, what are the down sides?

Would someone else pick up the cost of getting me out of here, if I'm deported?
Anyone have customs experience here, what are the pros and cons?

[jdmetzger]

Here's are questions I didn't think I'd ever need the answer to.

If I don't leave the USA when my visa runs out, but get deported instead, what are the down sides?

Would someone else pick up the cost of getting me out of here, if I'm deported?
Anyone have customs experience here, what are the pros and cons?

Lamble,

From what I've read, it's not an immediate trip home. If you got rid of all your belongings save, say, a backpack or small suitcase and then turned yourself in to the INS, it would still take a few weeks to get you home. I think they would probably cover the cost of the ticket, but you may find yourself sitting in detention for a few weeks while they work everything out. There are legal proceedings that would take place before you went home. If they can prove you have money they would probably go out of their way to get it from you. The British consulate may be willing to dig through your UK bank accounts if necessary.

Might want to look into moving to Canada if you want to stay in North America - it could be a short move for you. I have no idea if Canada is easier to get into, but they always seem so friendly when I cross the border.

Sorry to hear you have to go - was hoping to get a chance to meet you at some point.

[lamble]

Sorry to hear you have to go - was hoping to get a chance to meet you at some point.

I can assure you, it's not my first choice option to leave. And, who knows what may transpire over the next three months. However, I can't wait to find out and have to be working towards the solution that the current situation indicates is inevitable.

There are many folk I should have met and intended to meet, if circumstances had been different, and you are on the list JD.

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Well I have had a rollercoaster few weeks myself mate. Just caught up with what's going on with your life and I feel for you. Although a move back to Blighty is going to ease your HP desire but I do feel it will not help you. Each time I return home I get the impression that most of my friends would love to move away. The people look hagged, depressed and lifeless. I know its Yorkshire and the only colour were known for is Whippet smock but still. I read in the paper that a grandfather commited suicide because he couldnt afford his heating bills. Knifing's seem to be the violence of choice and nobody can afford to do squat. Hope it works out differently for you.
So, I got back from my Australia trip a changed man. I have renewed my faith that people can be polite, respectful and honest. I get the impression that Australia is like England was 30 years ago. A beautiful country with stunning scenery and one of the worlds greatest diving landmarks.
Once back to the US it was then time for major surgery and now I am in convalescence.
Got my new Russell seat for the GS and its sublime !
Come the new year along with a new Butler position in NJ I should be piling on the mileage and exploring even further afield. Not SA like yourself ( yet ) but still we all have to start some where.
Let's see what life can throw at me now
Have a great christmas lamble and good luck in the new year.

lockster

[lamble]

Lockster, whippet smock is my favourite colour, well that and puddle dun.

I'll be with my best mates for some time, so that's a great way to re acclimatise.

There's a whole lot of Europe to go visit too, so I'm optimistic.

I hope your NJ job gives you the opportunity to wear your new saddle out.

Have a great time. Perhaps Australia should be our next meet up, although I have a date with a few folks in Bogota next November too.

It's a world of possibilities.

Oh yes, and I leave on the 16th December.

[lockster]

Yes guys its that time already. Its nearly time to savour that great Brit tradition, the Christmas Pud.
YES it defies gravitational physics,
YES it defies quantum mass equations
but cover it with Birds and your on your way to sleeping through a force 5 hurricane...

lamble are you leaving BMWMOA ? will you no longer be our Oracle, the holder off all knowledge and of course all insights British ?

Where in the UK will you be staying ?
I am in Huddersfield in March and will have most of the day free, got the school runs to do, so I cant really go any where myself . If you fancy a trip to sunny old W - Yorks I will gladly provide lunch and of course tea !

Anyhow keep well

Mick

[Holly]

I'm planning on smuggling my homemade figgy pudding through several airports to Macau where I will be spending Christmas this year. I can do without the rest of Christmas dinner, but would really miss the pud. Wish me luck on getting it past the sniffer dogs.

Holly

[lamble]

I'm planning on smuggling my homemade figgy pudding through several airports to Macau where I will be spending Christmas this year. I can do without the rest of Christmas dinner, but would really miss the pud. Wish me luck on getting it past the sniffer dogs.

Holly

Lace it heavily with brandy and the sniffer dogs won't care what you carry in.

Huddersfield, just round the corner from my new Liverpool abode. If the bike's arrived by then, it'd be great to have the first official BMWMOAUKGB3T meet.

Hope the T shirt guy doesn't charge by the letter!

[Holly]

But of course it is laced with brandy. :brad

Holly

[lamble]

But of course it is laced with brandy. :brad

Holly

Thick boot laced, not thin weedy shoe laces I hope. Sturdier the better, with that little reservoir of hot brandy at the pud's summit, for the flamed entry.

Christmas pud is one of only a few things that gets better with age. Stilton and Bordeaux also spring to mind, in a holy trinity of goodliness at the table.

[lamble]

Four pounds fifty for a pot of tea and a bacon and egg sarnie!!!!

"I don't care if it is toasted ciabatta my good lady, that's ridiculous, even with HP sauce, you are still a cafe".

Toasted ciabatta? What next fish and chips with balsamic vinegar and hand sieved Maldon sea salt...ten quid?

Reality bites hard.

[lamble]

"there's an Alfa Romeo I'd like to go and see about buying"

"Where is it?"

"Just down the road in Widnes"

"But that's 20 miles away"


I'd forgotten how parochial it can get over here. looks like I'll have to schedule a whole day trip to go 20 naffin' miles.

[lamble]

I can just see you with the wind in your hair driving an Italian car touring in British countryside . Couldn't you at least drive a Germany Mini ? Careful watch for speed camera's.

The Mini has become the car of choice for Realtors (or Estate Agents as we call them).

No way I'd want to be associated with them, in any way, shape or form. Plus, I'll have one German in the stable, if the bike ever arrives.

[lamble]

Happy New Year to all of you ex colonial types over there.
Have a great 2009.

[criminaldesign]

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[Holly]

The figgy pud made it through 5 airports, safely to Macau although a day later than I did. (I hate checking luggage, hardly ever do it.) The Americans weren't sure what to make of it, but the expat party was made up largely of Aussies and Kiwis who were thrilled to hear that they were going to get a pud. When it was brought in properly flaming it brought a tear to their eyes. Between the hot brandy to flame it and the brandy butter sauce, I went through about half a bottle. Definitely worth it.

Holly

[lamble]

Tony Hart dies aged 83.

Creator of vision on and take hart died yesterday.

He also created the Blue Peter logo.

My childhood is fading away, what next, Sooty and Sweep lose their stuffing?

[lamble]

Pound at a 23 year all time low against the dollar, so a good time to come over and have a look around.

Be nice to put faces to some of the names.

[lamble]

http://www.aglassandahalffullproductions.com/

Cadbury Dairy Milk advert...don't know if to laugh, or hide.

[TexanRT]

Pound at a 23 year all time low against the dollar, so a good time to come over and have a look around. Be nice to put faces to some of the names.

I've always wanted to visit the Wattisham Airfield where my father was stationed during WWII -- there's a museum there honoring the pilots that flew out of that field.

One his favorite stories was about the time he was chased away from Liverpool by an RAF flight of Spitfires. Between his fighter escort missions, he'd perform the new engine run in for new or rebuilt Mustangs and got too close to the port on one of his flights north.

FWIW -- the only reason my Dad was able to fly out of Wattisham was because your country stood firm against Hitler. England's resolve bought the US time to gear up production for the war effort -- the defeat of Hitler was a team effort.

[lamble]

http://www.controltowers.co.uk/W-Z/Wattisham.htm

I knew I'd been passed it. I used to live in East Anglia before I set off to Seattle. Bit out of the way for a day trip now I'm on the other side of the UK, but if I'm ever passing and have camera to hand, I'll snap a pic or two for you.

Cheers.

[TexanRT]

http://www.controltowers.co.uk/W-Z/Wattisham.htm

I knew I'd been passed it. I used to live in East Anglia before I set off to Seattle. Bit out of the way for a day trip now I'm on the other side of the UK, but if I'm ever passing and have camera to hand, I'll snap a pic or two for you.

Cheers.

From the link above:

05/44 to 11/45, 434th, 435th and 436th Fighter Squadrons of the 479th Fighter Group, 'Riddle's Raiders' with P-38 Lightnings, requipped with P-51 Mustangs 09/45. Named after Group CO Lt. Col. Kyle L. Riddle who commanded the 479th FG from 25/12/43 until his P-38 Lightning was shot down by ground fire 10/08/44. Group then led by Col. Hubert Zemke from 12/08/44 until his P-51 Mustang broke up in bad weather and he became a POW, 30/10/44. Amazingly Riddle evaded capture and returned to regain command of his Group from 1/11/44 until 01/12/45. 479th FG flew 351 missions the first 26/05/44 and the last 25/04/45, with 69 aircraft MIA for claims against the Luftwaffe of 155 air and 279 ground kills. The 479th was the last Fighter Group to join the 8th USAAF, the first to engage in combat with a Luftwaffe jet, 29/07/44, and claimed the very last kill by the 8th USAAF on 25/04/45. Group returned to the USA 11/45 and deactivated 01/12/45.

Thank you for that link - Riddle's Raiders was my father's squadron -- he flew 48 missions and was shot down over Germany on 04/13/1945. He was held as a POW for a few weeks until the war ended.

[lamble]

Having now spend a month in Liverpool, I can see why the UK driving examinations are so much more stringent and complex than those in the USA. The UK road system is so much more complex. The tolerances are so small in comparison to US roads. It's to do with the older road system, the way towns are laid out and the lack of space compared to the numbers of cars.

It's a world of difference in styles. Bogota was even worse, I guess it's what you are used to.

[r11rs94]

Having now spend a month in Liverpool, I can see why the UK driving examinations are so much more stringent and complex than those in the USA. The UK road system is so much more complex. The tolerances are so small in comparison to US roads. It's to do with the older road system, the way towns are laid out and the lack of space compared to the numbers of cars.

It's a world of difference in styles. Bogota was even worse, I guess it's what you are used to.

Plus they drive on the wrong side of the road over there.:nyah

[lamble]

Plus they drive on the wrong side of the road over there.:nyah


It's because we don't follow the French like poodles :brow

Apparently it's to do with Napoleon Bonaparte's left handedness that you guys drive on the Frenchie side. :nyah back atcha!

[r11rs94]

It's because we don't follow the French like poodles :brow

Apparently it's to do with Napoleon Bonaparte's left handedness that you guys drive on the Frenchie side. :nyah back atcha!


OUI OUI Messieur..I mean keep a stiff upper lip. Sorry I'm English on my fathers side and French on my mothers. I feel very conflicted.

[lamble]

OUI OUI Messieur..I mean keep a stiff upper lip. Sorry I'm English on my fathers side and French on my mothers. I feel very conflicted.

Sort of middle of the road then????

Don't know if the Napoleon theory is an urban myth or not, but seems feasible n'est pas?

[Paul_F]

Correct me if I am wrong Lamble, but wasn't our British habit of driving on the left, a leftover from medieval times allowing (mostly right handed) knights fighting from horseback to approach each other from the left? This left their right sword hand free to engage each other in combat.

[squiffynimrod]

Correct me if I am wrong Lamble, but wasn't our British habit of driving on the left, a leftover from medieval times allowing (mostly right handed) knights fighting from horseback to approach each other from the left? This left their right sword hand free to engage each other in combat.

That's how I heard it.

[lamble]

That's what I've heard too, but then along comes Napoleon who is a lefty and he insists that in France they should pass on the other side, so lefties get an advantage.

Now I don't know whether any of this is true or not.

[lamble]

About a quarter of the world drives on the left, and the countries that do are mostly old British colonies. This strange quirk perplexes the rest of the world; but there is a perfectly good reason.

In the past, almost everybody travelled on the left side of the road because that was the most sensible option for feudal, violent societies. Since most people are right-handed, swordsmen preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent and their scabbard further from him. Moreover, it reduced the chance of the scabbard (worn on the left) hitting other people.

Furthermore, a right-handed person finds it easier to mount a horse from the left side of the horse, and it would be very difficult to do otherwise if wearing a sword (which would be worn on the left). It is safer to mount and dismount towards the side of the road, rather than in the middle of traffic, so if one mounts on the left, then the horse should be ridden on the left side of the road.

In the late 1700s, however, teamsters in France and the United States began hauling farm products in big wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. These wagons had no driver's seat; instead the driver sat on the left rear horse, so he could keep his right arm free to lash the team. Since he was sitting on the left, he naturally wanted everybody to pass on the left so he could look down and make sure he kept clear of the oncoming wagon’s wheels. Therefore he kept to the right side of the road.

In addition, the French Revolution of 1789 gave a huge impetus to right-hand travel in Europe. The fact is, before the Revolution, the aristocracy travelled on the left of the road, forcing the peasantry over to the right, but after the storming of the Bastille and the subsequent events, aristocrats preferred to keep a low profile and joined the peasants on the right. An official keep-right rule was introduced in Paris in 1794, more or less parallel to Denmark, where driving on the right had been made compulsory in 1793.

Later, Napoleon's conquests spread the new rightism to the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Russia and many parts of Spain and Italy. The states that had resisted Napoleon kept left – Britain, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Portugal. This European division, between the left- and right-hand nations would remain fixed for more than 100 years, until after the First World War.

Although left-driving Sweden ceded Finland to right-driving Russia after the Russo-Swedish War (1808-1809), Swedish law – including traffic regulations – remained valid in Finland for another 50 years. It wasn’t until 1858 that an Imperial Russian decree made Finland swap sides.

The trend among nations over the years has been toward driving on the right, but Britain has done its best to stave off global homogenisation. With the expansion of travel and road building in the 1800s, traffic regulations were made in every country. Left-hand driving was made mandatory in Britain in 1835. Countries which were part of the British Empire followed suit. This is why to this very day, India, Australasia and the former British colonies in Africa go left. An exception to the rule, however, is Egypt, which had been conquered by Napoleon before becoming a British dependency.

Although Japan was never part of the British Empire, its traffic also goes to the left. Although the origin of this habit goes back to the Edo period (1603-1867) when Samurai ruled the country, it wasn’t until 1872 that this unwritten rule became more or less official. That was the year when Japan’s first railway was introduced, built with technical aid from the British. Gradually, a massive network of railways and tram tracks was built, and of course all trains and trams drove on the left-hand side. Still, it took another half century till in 1924 left-side driving was clearly written in a law.

When the Dutch arrived in Indonesia in 1596, they brought along their habit of driving on the left. It wasn't until Napoleon conquered the Netherlands that the Dutch started driving on the right. Most of their colonies, however, remained on the left as did Indonesia and Suriname.

In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving. (Incidentally, the influence of other European countries’ nationals should not be underestimated.) The first law requiring drivers to keep right was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, and similar laws were passed in New York in 1804 and New Jersey in 1813.

Despite the developments in the US, some parts of Canada continued to drive on the left until shortly after the Second World War. The territory controlled by the French (from Quebec to Louisiana) drove on the right, but the territory occupied by the English (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland) kept left. British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces switched to the right in the 1920s in order to conform with the rest of Canada and the USA. Newfoundland drove on the left until 1947, and joined Canada in 1949.

In Europe, the remaining left-driving countries switched one by one to driving on the right. Portugal changed in 1920s. The change took place on the same day in the whole country, including the colonies. Territories, however, which bordered other left-driving countries were exempted. That is why Macau, Goa (now part of India) and Portuguese East Africa kept the old system. East Timor, which borders left-driving Indonesia, did change to the right though, but left-hand traffic was reintroduced by the Indonesians in 1975.

In Italy the practice of driving on the right first began in the late 1890s. The first Italian Highway Code, issued on the 30th of June 1912, stated that all vehicles had to drive on the right. Cities with a tram network, however, could retain left-hand driving if they placed warning signs at their city borders. The 1923 decree is a bit stricter, but Rome and the northern cities of Milan, Turin and Genoa could still keep left until further orders from the Ministry of Public Works. By the mid-1920s, right-hand driving became finally standard throughout the country. Rome made the change on the 1 of March 1925 and Milan on the 3rd of August 1926.

Up till the 1930s Spain lacked national traffic regulations. Some parts of the country drove on the right (e.g. Barcelona) and other parts drove on the left (e.g. Madrid). On the 1st of October 1924 Madrid switched to driving on the right.

The break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire caused no change: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Hungary continued to drive on the left. Austria itself was something of a curiosity. Half the country drove on the left and half on the right. The dividing line was precisely the area affected by Napoleon's conquests in 1805.

When Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Hitler ordered that the traffic should change from the left to the right side of the road, overnight. The change threw the driving public into turmoil, because motorists were unable to see most road signs. In Vienna it proved impossible to change the trams overnight, so while all other traffic took to the right-hand side of the road, the trams continued to run on the left for several weeks. Czechoslovakia and Hungary, one of the last states on the mainland of Europe to keep left, changed to the right after being invaded by Germany in 1939.

Meanwhile, the power of the right kept growing steadily. American cars were designed to be driven on the right by locating the drivers' controls on the vehicle's left side. With the mass production of reliable and economical cars in the United States, initial exports used the same design, and out of necessity many countries changed their rule of the road.

Gibraltar changed to right-hand traffic in 1929 and China in 1946. Korea now drives right, but only because it passed directly from Japanese colonial rule to American and Russian influence at the end of the Second World War. Pakistan also considered changing to the right in the 1960s, but ultimately decided not to do it. The main argument against the shift was that camel trains often drove through the night while their drivers were dozing. The difficulty in teaching old camels new tricks was decisive in forcing Pakistan to reject the change. Nigeria, a former British colony, had traditionally been driving on the left with British imported right-hand-drive cars, but when it gained independence, it tried to throw off its colonial past as quick as possible and shifted to driving on the right.

After the Second World War, left-driving Sweden, the odd one out in mainland Europe, felt increasing pressure to change sides in order to conform with the rest of the continent. The problem was that all their neighbours already drove on the right side and since there are a lot of small roads without border guards leading into Norway and Finland, one had to remember in which country one was.

[lamble]

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eaNfk-mposy2bL5mJPLqRQ?authkey=za9B4WIHmXY&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SY7CVQETqrI/AAAAAAAAEio/Xx2ZhdPB49Q/s800/SDC10005.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/WalesWalk?authkey=za9B4WIHmXY&feat=embedwebsite">Wales walk</a></td></tr></table>

Spotted this in Capel Curig N.Wales, on the way to the Dragon Rally in Angelsey.

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_7a-y2Ov2igIIh5AUk0F8w?authkey=za9B4WIHmXY&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SY7CaLlvb2I/AAAAAAAAEi8/mtwemjjQdTw/s800/SDC10007.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/WalesWalk?authkey=za9B4WIHmXY&feat=embedwebsite">Wales walk</a></td></tr></table>

We'd got chains on the car wheels. Found the owners in the hotel bar, "warming up".

[lamble]

Just watched a programme about the British Coastline. They reached Whitehaven on the NW coast, just up from where I am.

I didn't know that the American Navy had invaded under the command of John Paul Jones. Indeed they even landed at Whitehaven.

This is where the propaganda kicks in. Take your pick.

Each year the US Navy send a delegation. They recall how JP landed and if it hadn't been for the vile and inclement weather, he would have torched the town and the Brit Naval ship building facilities of the town.

The local newspaper from the day however tell a different tale.

After a particularly arduous crossing, JP and his crew felt that they should avail themselves of a local hostelry's offerings. Too drunk to do anything, they sailed away.

In either case, this traitorous Scot, went on to be a US hero and a total none entity in the UK.

I'll take a trip up as soon as the bike is ready to ride in the UK (lights, MOT and registration need sorting , plus the bike is in the UK but still not at my home) and get some pics for you folks over there.

[lamble]

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YwbuPbhJLlb8hCftsq4dhw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/ScyrIh4TC6I/AAAAAAAAEz0/HqQbj6gQoJU/s800/PICT0018_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/CastlesLancasterAndNorthWales327091025AM?feat=embe dwebsite">Castles Lancaster and North Wales3/27/09 10:25 AM</a></td></tr></table>

Lancaster castle. See the bottom window on the left, it looks different. It's a door to a short drop. The short drop was the last step you took before the rope bit in. Not a long drop where it bit in and broke your neck, that was far too quick and didn't get the message across to the thousands who turned up to watch. The paved area between where I'm standing and the wall has a few hundred bodies beneath it. Those not fortunate to be hung were deported, either Australia or the US...obviously a fate worse than death. Who knows, you may have ancestors who stood at this door. The castle is still a working court and prison.

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cKMfqGB3Jo0eAvnTffLofA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/ScysNWFwn7I/AAAAAAAAE1o/te18nGoLsiI/s800/PICT0007_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/CastlesLancasterAndNorthWales327091025AM?feat=embe dwebsite">Castles Lancaster and North Wales3/27/09 10:25 AM</a></td></tr></table>

Conwy castle...one of Edward I's string of castles to keep the Welsh under control, built around 1280.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4uiCfUn_7ZCk3OsFxtBHMA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SdE4X1qJS5I/AAAAAAAAE_E/ynZVEIZBFfc/s800/SDC10314.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/Manchester33009952PM?feat=embedwebsite">manchester 3/30/09 9:52 PM</a></td></tr></table>

Manc power! The Victorian, City Hall, built when Manchester was in it's pomp. All the money came from cotton, linking Manchester to the USA and via Liverpool which was the port for slaves out and cotton in, although this building was built after slavery was abolished in the UK and the USA.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o1jU35lH1xBiXs1Kpdk3hQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/Sdo3PY3ODMI/AAAAAAAAFCY/alzCFK2SEh8/s800/PICT0026.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/BalaAndLlangolen4609545PM?feat=embedwebsite">Bala and Llangolen 4/6/09 5:45 PM</a></td></tr></table>

And before the trains and roads, the way produce was shipped back and forth between Manchester and Liverpool was, this way...by canal and narrow boats. This isn't actually the Liverpool to Manchester Canal, which still exists by the way. This is in Llangollen at the Thomas Telford build aquaduct. Thomas Telford was one of the great men of the industrial revolution.

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cS_v-z2aGU4iPIk_7srltg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/Sdo3Jd6-SPI/AAAAAAAAFCE/UtTl7ctCrxM/s400/PICT0013.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/BalaAndLlangolen4609545PM?feat=embedwebsite">Bala and Llangolen 4/6/09 5:45 PM</a></td></tr></table>

It's all ironwork on top of large stone pillars, the thickness of the steel plate on the r/h side is all that stops you falling to your death.

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IUx6T-InIqCaUoINFwXi8g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/Sdo3MDhUAUI/AAAAAAAAFCM/xP-yDeoPc90/s400/PICT0020.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/BalaAndLlangolen4609545PM?feat=embedwebsite">Bala and Llangolen 4/6/09 5:45 PM</a></td></tr></table>

You'll notice the guy at the helm looking over the edge. He'd just had a screaming session at his young son to get over to the path side.

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aDXfWiZTAb-nmBDjyWeJBQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/Sdo8sGwLfTI/AAAAAAAAFGI/qPKmJfGis9g/s800/SDC10374.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/BalaAndLlangolen4609545PM?feat=embedwebsite">Bala and Llangolen 4/6/09 5:45 PM</a></td></tr></table>

Of course along came the railway, far faster and more cost effective than canals, even these small narrow guage trains, like this one, now employed to take tourists around Lake Bala.

[lamble]

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hMfVbZZu-fvAZwXDKY0ImA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SeEsbVePWoI/AAAAAAAAFgc/15vGZ50Gk74/s800/SDC10396.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/Yorkshire412091223AM?feat=embedwebsite">yorkshire 4/12/09 12:23 AM</a></td></tr></table>

All this officer gave me was a Think Bike DVD.

[lamble]

Its obvious he was not Nicaraguan. :stick

With those leather pants he looks like an Eton Fag Master.

I'd have had to give him money to get him to smile though.
I think the leather pants (and full face helmet) are something to do with having a bike he might just be able to catch someone on, rather than a Hardly, where they are little more than road blocks and you can get away with a short sleeve shirt and flip flops.
Plus at Eton they strictly adhere to a dress code that doesn't include the wearing of leather. I believe their uniform is an outfit worn to commemorate the mourning of one of our Kings, who was a patron of the school, and it has stuck, although I looked this up and...

The school is famous for the traditions it maintains, including a uniform of black tailcoat (or morning coat) and waistcoat, false-collar and pinstriped trousers. All students wear a white tie that is effectively a strip of cloth folded over into the collar. There are some variations in the school dress worn by boys in authority, see School Prefects and King's scholars sections.
The long-standing tradition that the present uniform was first worn as mourning for the death of George III is unfounded, as "Eton dress" has undergone significant changes since its standardisation in the 19th century. Originally (along with a top-hat and walking-cane) merely Etonian dress for formal occasions, it is still worn today for classes, which are referred to as "schools". Members of the teaching staff (known as Beaks) are also required to wear a form of school dress when teaching.
From the 19th century until 1967, boys under the height of 5'4" were required to wear the Eton suit, which replaced the tailcoat with the cropped Eton jacket (known colloquially as a "bum-freezer") and included an Eton collar, a large, stiff-starched, white collar. The Eton suit was copied by other schools and has remained in use in some, particularly choir schools.
http://www.archivist.f2s.com/bsu/etons/etons3.JPG
http://www.archivist.f2s.com/bsu/etons/etons1.JPG

So it appears the uniform has just evolved since the school was founded in 1440, but it has yet to evolve into leather trousers Statdawg.
I'm just wondering if this image is some corridor into a dim and dark corner of your imagination, where clenched buttocks of the new boys are used to hold crumpets near the fire for browning to a perfect colour, while leather bedecked fags (doesn't mean the same here as there) apply lashings of butter.

[lamble]

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SQSrQdIsLS_bra8Fjib9vw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SeEsQloLJdI/AAAAAAAAFf0/1okYcsLVdG4/s800/SDC10393.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/Yorkshire412091223AM?feat=embedwebsite">yorkshire 4/12/09 12:23 AM</a></td></tr></table>

Fresh from India but looking ever part a piece of the scenery.

[lamble]

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ByX0NZ0PJC8Zsa0yOmkb4g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SeEsePGV5qI/AAAAAAAAFgk/7savmMRWhLM/s800/SDC10397.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/Yorkshire412091223AM?feat=embedwebsite">yorkshire 4/12/09 12:23 AM</a></td></tr></table>

Can anyone name the film that used this station?
It sort of has a tenuous link with the Eton post, as a clue.

[scoobs]

Was the film "The Great St. Trinian's train Robbery', starring Frankie Howerd?
Cheers,
Ian :drink

[lamble]

Was the film "The Great St. Trinian's train Robbery', starring Frankie Howerd?
Cheers,
Ian :drink

Not this station, but the exclusive school idea is the right train of thought (pun intended).
There's a new St Trinians film that I saw. It's lost the innocence of the originals and without Mr Simm it was a bit of a mess. Like that god awful last Carry on...Carry on Columbus. Some things are of an era and don't stand the modernisation treatment.

[chris_d]

OK, I'll bite.....Hogwarts?

[tonkandy]

http://<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ByX0NZ0PJC8Zsa0yOmkb4g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v5FTMdTsgPg/SeEsePGV5qI/AAAAAAAAFgk/7savmMRWhLM/s800/SDC10397.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lamblebaker/Yorkshire412091223AM?feat=embedwebsite">yorkshire 4/12/09 12:23 AM</a></td></tr></table>

Can anyone name the film that used this station?
It sort of has a tenuous link with the Eton post, as a clue.
The Railway Children

[lamble]

OK, I'll bite.....Hogwarts?


Is....drum roll, tension building silence.....the.......




Correct Answer!!! Ta daaaa!
Hogsmeade, the town where Hogwarts is located. In the story this is set further north in Scotland, where as Settle is in Yorkshire.

I was there last week (the Station not Hogwarts) and then lo-and -behold, up it pops on Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, that the family were watching on TV. Obviously there are some cgi effects added too, but yep, Settle Station.

[lamble]

Lamble, what is the take on Susan Boyle the Brit talent sensation ? I mean she is from Scotland for Christ's sake far from the Welsh hills of beautiful voices. :dunno

Does Piers have any credibility being an ex-tabloid chief ?

If you pass through the Yorkshire Dales there is a small town where my ancestors came from called Burton Fleming. It can best be viewed at about 10 KPH since it is so vast. There is a small stream that runs through it where one of my cousins drown in about 3 cm's of water during high tide. He had to be face down to pull it off because the tidal charts don't work that well so far inland. :drink Be careful of the local mead.

I'll be sure to add Burton Fleming to my must do list, but we still run mph in the UK, so I may need to get off and walk, strangely though, the 3cms of water may be measured metrically, although inches are still used too (we are sort of European, but only when it suits).

Susan Boyle...yes, bit of a phenomenon, but don't mistake this for appreciation of her vocal talents, what's happened here is mass guilt complex syndrome. Everyone saw her and thought, predicted, assumed, added bias and prejudices to their preconceived ideas, that she would be awful. That she was quite good, but by no means exceptional, was a slap in the face to all the cynics, including the judges and the audience and a wake up call that we are all capable of making rash judgements. It is hysteria out of guilt, hysteria which will elevate her above and beyond any level of singing competence she has, in a hope that we can all feel better for it.

Piers Morgan didn't have any credibility as a tabloid journo, very humiliatingly and publicly sacked, what he does have is opinions that he will state with utter conviction in their infallibility. He'd suit the Tavern.

[lamble]

The Railway Children

Jenny Agutter...although I once sat opposite her on a train, that's as far as I can go with the train and this station connection. Railway Children, wasn't that set in the rolling countryside of Epsom or the like, down south?

Homework!




So although the trains were marked as Southern and Northern, the shots were all taken on the Keighley and Worth Valley which is in West Yorkshire.

[lamble]

The Two Brothers exhaust system isn't acceptable in the UK, so a new end can is needed before it can even be put through the MOT (our road worthy test for all vehicles over 3 years old). The test is on Friday, then I get the paperwork, which can then be processed to get the bike registered.

[lockster]

Hi All

Just caught up on the thread, its been a while. Whilst moving to NJ was great for every weekend off it does not allow me the simple pleasures of surfing through my favorite forum.
Tried calling a couple of times Statdawg just to see if you were free, must be out and about, you and your busy social life
Nice to see you venturing into Yorkshire lamble and some very familiar sights. Nice folk...
Wish I could have some black pudding right now ! oh and a pint of timmy taylor's
I always thought we had some awesome biking roads in the pennines
However I am now a convert as I have been exploring the Poconos, Adirondacks and Catskills and I have never had so much fun.
Finished a weekend camping with the yankee Beemers, from 4pm fri until 2 pm Sunday managed 810 miles, numerous liquid refreshments and some camp fire bar-be-cue. Probably did nearly every road in VT and some, even visited Lake George
Hope all is well with every one

:bikes

[PineGreen]

Send me some Toad in the Hole

[martinPH]

Surprised no one is talking about Marmite or god forbid the poor imitation Vegemite.

[martinPH]

Gosh you're young. "Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin." I remember Listen with Mother, Andy Pandy, and the "Woodentops" when I was a nipper. I remember a time when having a telly was a big deal. The first show I remember watching on our rented Tv was the "Lone Ranger". I guess that you're from the Magic Roundabout era or later. "Time for bed".

What about "The flower pot men" Bill And Ben?

[lamble]

On three, one , two, three, Spotty dog walking on the spot...I'm sure that was the basis for every aerobics class across the UK.

Poggles Wood was niche and I once won a knitted clanger in a raffle. We had a small yorkshire terrier who would shag it vigorously...oh those yorkshire girls!

[lamble]

What about "The flower pot men" Bill And Ben?

From the way they spoke, they must have been smoking "little weed" but hush now, here comes the gardener, time for an afternoon nap.

Bought some Branston yesterday, to go with some real cheese, remember that's the stuff made from un-pasturized milk, where there's favour and not just colour and a texture like a flip flop.
And hey did you notice, the "u" has returned in colour since I repatriated.
If any of you are ever considering doing likewise, here's a tip from my ongoing nightmare...sell you bike in the USA and don't ship it back.

[lamble]

Is it an urban myth that in Captain Pugwash there are characters called Seaman Staines and Roger the Cabin boy?

I do hope not.

But what comics, Dandy or Beano, you had to be one or the other, bit like being a Blue Peter or a Magpie?
Whizzer and Chips, Score, Eagle or something else?

Did you ever buy one just for that triangular cardboard device, a thunder thwacker, then take it to school, just to get it confiscated?

[tonkandy]

What about "The flower pot men" Bill And Ben?

I've always liked a "little weed".

[lamble]

I've always liked a "little weed".
But did you Roger the cabin boy?

[lamble]

Okay get ready. If you ever think of moving back, or indeed moving over here and want to bring your bike/s, don't, it's a nightmare.

Today, having spent a couple of months dealing with customs, custom's website, shippers (who were shiite beyond belief-here's a tip, get in touch with Globe Busters the bike travel company they can help-I found out too late), then the DVLA, driver vehicle licensing authority and their website and their call centre, BMW Motorad and their customer help call centre and then their useless un-friendly homolgation department, the VOSA a vehicle testing authority and another government web site and call centre, I finally got back to a point where I was in front of someone, or not as the case turned out to be.
VOSA have a centre where you take your bike because BMW don't have a certificate of conformity for my bike, or any US bike I believe. There you will join a queue of truckers, if you happen to be in Liverpool region. Two girls are at a counter. You will get to the front and they'll look at you blankly when you say the word "motorcycle". You will then be sent to find Phil. Once found, Phil will tell you to fill the form in, which you should have from the VOSA website. I had it and I filled it in for Phil. Phil will then send you back to rejoin the trucker queue. Now remember you've already been here once and they looked stupefied, so it won't feel promising.

You'll get to the front and say, "motorcycle sva test booking please".

Now at this point it's worth recalling the millions of pounds of tax payer's money that you have seen spent on this technologically slick and integrated system designed to simplify the collection of data critical to maintaining the well-being of the road system. You will recall the number of people that batted you round the call centre, once you managed to cascade through the endless options. You will no doubt recall all the time doing the work yourself, because despite all the man power that is employed to help, the best they could ever do was direct you to a tosspot of a website, where you couldn't quite find anything that fits in with your specific requirements and therefore required another session with the call centre at VOSA, who then tell you the DVLA are the people you needed in the first place and "have you seen their website or been in touch with the DVLA call centre?" and you say, "not yet," but know all they will eventually do is refer you back to the person who is currently speaking to you at VOSA after having been through their call centre options, the joy of being passed from pillar to post and the obligatory refer to our website/call them back scenario, at least twice,...so do not be surprised when the same two counter attendants look at you and say..."We don't do bikes. You need to speak with Anne". That's right, WE DO NOT DO BIKES, YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO ANNE".
So, at the end of these millions of pounds of bureaucratic fiasco, annoyance and ignorance, there's Anne, just Anne, the only person capable of sorting out several months of anxiety and stress...just Anne.
"So can I speak with Anne please?"
"She's away on indefinite sick leave".

And that's where the whole system goes completely and utterly arse up and finally farts in your face. Anne is away and all those millions, all those call centres, the whole mechanics of government stop.

I was less than impressed. I passed on my lack of being impressed to the two girls as effectively as possible, without causing offence.

A few calls were made and now my bike is booked in for its test next Monday. It appears Anne is not indispensable after all.

So that's all sorted out, done and dusted.

Not so fast. That would just be too simple wouldn't it?

Monday is the day the BMW dealer, who currently stores my bike, is closed. I am allowed one ride to the test centre and then another to a suitable place for any modifications if it's not passed. But if the dealer is closed, I'll need to get the bike on Saturday and ride it somewhere.
I called in at the police station. "You will be riding illegally and will be fined if we stop you".

So there you have it. A smooth integrated system, that falls to pieces when one person falls ill and can't be fulfilled anyway unless you have a car and bike trailer.

What a complete load of Taurus turds.

Come over as a tourist with your bike, that's just a snip in comparison, although you will be charged and have paperwork to do which will make a Nicaraguan border crossing seem like a picnic and a bargain. Just don't bring your bike over with the intention of registering it here, Customs don't want you to do it, the DVLA will hate you, BMW Motorad won't even speak to you, VOSA won't know what the hell you are talking about unless Anne is there and the Police will be looking to issue you with a fine and penalty points if they can, and as if this isn't enough, they will all charge you money while taking the piss, for example, a question on a form today...what is the weight of your battery? Who knows that? I asked if they meant a battery that was fully charged or flat? Well they started it!!!!

[lamble]

Walkers Crisps.
http://www.walkers-crisps.co.uk/flavours/default

Cajun Squirrel Flavour potato crisps...honest!
There were six new flavours in the trial

Cajun Squirrel
Chilli and Chocolate
Builders Breakfast
Crispy Duck and Hoisin
Fish and Chip
and Onion Bhaji

1.2 million flavour nominations with one that will be added to the range. And the winner is.....


Sorry you Cajun's it's not your Squirrel
Sorry to the Chinese and Indian's too
And Mayan's step aside, the winner was Builder's Breakfast flavour crisps

[8224]

Is....drum roll, tension building silence.....the.......




Correct Answer!!! Ta daaaa!
Hogsmeade, the town where Hogwarts is located. In the story this is set further north in Scotland, where as Settle is in Yorkshire.

I was there last week (the Station not Hogwarts) and then lo-and -behold, up it pops on Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, that the family were watching on TV. Obviously there are some cgi effects added too, but yep, Settle Station.

Correct that's Settle station. My old Ma lives just down't road. Supprised you didn't drop in for a cuppa.
The actual location for Hogsmeade Station is Goathland on the North Yorks Railway
www.goathlandstation.org.uk/ also used as Aidensfield Station on Heartbeat.
F.Y.I. "The Railway Children" (original version - young Jenny Agutter) was filmed on the Keighley-Worth Valley Railway. Not sure about Mk2.
about 30 miles South of Settle.
Dripping and Marmite Sandwiches mmmmmmm...........
Don't forget Noddy and Big Ears (who incidentally was gay).
Captain Pugwash's crew cotained Seaman Sam and Master Bates.
Can't understand how it wasn't picked up. Perhaps there was some Goon influence in the writing.

[lamble]

Correct that's Settle station. My old Ma lives just down't road. Supprised you didn't drop in for a cuppa.
The actual location for Hogsmeade Station is Goathland on the North Yorks Railway
www.goathlandstation.org.uk/ also used as Aidensfield Station on Heartbeat.
F.Y.I. "The Railway Children" (original version - young Jenny Agutter) was filmed on the Keighley-Worth Valley Railway. Not sure about Mk2.
about 30 miles South of Settle.
Dripping and Marmite Sandwiches mmmmmmm...........
Don't forget Noddy and Big Ears (who incidentally was gay).
Captain Pugwash's crew cotained Seaman Sam and Master Bates.
Can't understand how it wasn't picked up. Perhaps there was some Goon influence in the writing.

Shock Horror!!!! :ear :hug :nod Which one was gay, Noddy or Big Ears?

[8224]

Well I always thought it was Big Ears but it seems I may have been incorrect.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060928225257AAaysJU

[lamble]

Well I always thought it was Big Ears but it seems I may have been incorrect.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060928225257AAaysJU

While I may be prepared to consider Andy Pandy's blue and white romper suit could be an indicator of a proclivity to the art of shirt lifting, I'll be bug'd if I'll accept Big Ears or Noddy are. Teddy was definitely Loubie Lou's close friend though.

See, now I'm even wondering about Poggle's "wood".

[lamble]

Remember the shock I expressed at Hull City being in the Premiership and in the early part of the season, being at the top?

Well following Newcastle's 3-1 win over Middlesborough last night, Hull have replaced them in the bottom three and could be condemned to relegation . One season up, then straight back down.
Normality is resumed.

Champions League Final, Man Utd v Barcelona
Chelsea v Everton FA Cup Final
Arsenal play attractive football and come close but win nothing.
Liverpool raise hopes but falter.

Yep, everything turns out the way it always does.

Wolves and Birmingham promoted and will no doubt be favourites to be relegated next season along with whoever wins the third spot play offs.
Only Stoke stay up for a second season out of last year's three promoted teams and then only by the skin of their teeth.

Do you still follow your team? Who are they?
Any of you Yanks have Brit teams you follow?
Do you even care about MLS?
Do you understand why a World Cup has teams from more than one country?

[lamble]

"Oui Hotpot"

I love this.

It's brilliant for one line alone and of course it won't work, but it's a valiant attempt to attract the French to...........



Blackpool.

There's more chance of getting Americans to visit Tehran, than to get the French to come to Blackpool.


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[lamble]

Man Utd could win the league title today. A draw with Arsenal, at Old Trafford, would be enough to see Man Utd equal Liverpool's 16 title wins.

Man Utd beat Arsenal in the European Champions League semi finals 3-1 at Highbury, when they met recently.

[lamble]

Man Utd 0 Arsenal..........0

Man Utd are Champions again.

[lamble]

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On the day England won the test series against the West Indies, Cricket, The Movie!!!
Everything you need to know to understand the game...only not.

[lamble]

Are you still registered to vote and do you bother?

Local elections are coming up as are European elections. Do you even know who your European candidate is and who is running?

I'm here and haven't got a clue, so how do you manage, or don't you?

[lamble]

Last post.

Ta raa!

[lockster]

it would appear our mentor and eloquent Brit Mr lamble has left for the shores of old Blighty. This does not mean the thread has to fold. All those born under the George Cross should stand up and continue our fight to educate our Yankee cousins in all matter British. Stiff upper lip and all that.
Lockster :wave

[Dutchman]

Where's the scouser gone then.....?

[lockster]

he said that being in the UK kinda made being an MOA member obsolete, and having been chastised by the forum for some thing he said he thought what the hell and called it a day. So that leaves the rest of us to soldier on.

Lockster

[Dutchman]

Fair enough.....couldn't understand his accent anyway........:dunno

Been here for about 5 years now but never been to US......planning a bike trip over there sometime soon & thought MOA might provide some interesting information/contacts etc....

Bet I'm the only MOA member based in Scotland.....?

Dutch

[tonkandy]

Fair enough.....couldn't understand his accent anyway........:dunno

Been here for about 5 years now but never been to US......planning a bike trip over there sometime soon & thought MOA might provide some interesting information/contacts etc....

Bet I'm the only MOA member based in Scotland.....?

Dutch

Where in Scotland? I lived in Aberdeen in the late seventies, but didn't enjoy it too much. On the other hand I did some mapping in the Hebrides (Mull, Islay and Skye) and that has got to be some of the most beautiful country on this Earth

[Dutchman]

Where in Scotland? I lived in Aberdeen in the late seventies, but didn't enjoy it too much. On the other hand I did some mapping in the Hebrides (Mull, Islay and Skye) and that has got to be some of the most beautiful country on this Earth

Based in Edinburgh.....travel all over......

Homesick............?

Take a look here. (http://dutchman.smugmug.com/gallery/8215295_9CnZb#536948348_QxGTG)

Dutch

[lockster]

Well it would seem we have all lived in Scotland at some point... I did my time in Faslane, vomited in Helensbourgh a few times and ran from Dumbarton screaming when I woke up, but that was so a past life ....
If you come out to the US why not try New England, hard to describe how breath taking it is in Autumn. Beats the pennines at that time of year... Oh Ilkley how I miss thee !

Lockster

[lockster]

Hi Statdawg

Are you thinking of the Finger Lakes this year ?
Do you fancy the Pemi River in NH with the Yankee Beemers ?
Wife and I are doing a NB, NS and PEI tour in 2 weeks time ?
What are your plans for the summer ?
I am riding with a new club that run out of Port Jervis, do you fancy tagging along. They can get pretty quick with few stops. 2 weeks ago we did 400 miles ..
Any way hope your well and the bike is running as it should

Mick the brit

[lockster]

The Pemi River is this weekend Statdawg so the wife and I are going straight north west. I will be leaving work late and arriving around at the camp ground around 12 or 1 am. I have a route already planned for Saturday to ride up Mount Washington and then return Sunday. Its the weekend after were going to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We have a surprise birthday part to attend in North Reading on the Sat and on Sun we head off north to just above Saint John, NB
I am all excited about it, I have not done a big trip since I bought the bike when I went from Boston to Charleston, SC .. that trip was 2450 miles, this should beat that one.
As soon as I get an opportunity I will find out where you are Chris and give you a holla and we can go out exploring. Patti and I were camping out in Tobyhanna 2 weeks ago just for one night with some friends.
Will catch up soon oh and colour in the catskill is in my camp diary book also

See you soon

Mick

[lockster]

Well my trip up north did not end as I had planned. The access road to the campsite left a lot to be desired. So when I came through to leave for home on my GS, fully ladened with wife on rear we hit some deep mud and slid the front end. It was about 5 mph so no harm to bodily functions, just loss of pride and lots and lots of mud. Only real casualty was a Vario pannier. New part $69 .
So now I have to ride to MA to pick up my residual luggage, go to my friends house for tool support and then to a surprise birthday party. The day after start my tour up through New Brunswick to Nova Scotia and PEI. back over the tops as we say in Yorkshire to Albany where upon I have friends putting me up from Bermuda so some social activities. After which will be the journey home.
Hope the rest of you are having more luck than me

Lockster

[lamble]

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It appears someone left the cat flap unguarded at the border fence, so I sneaked this post through. Seems that devoid of an alien to take a pop at the natives have plunged to new depths of inanity, so the debates (and I use that term completely incorrectly in light of some of the discourse) is not missed. The geography and riding on the other hand are missed. Still it's a small world (even smaller if you think it ends at the border), so one day I may get back. I've just broken in to Tetley's PR side to look at doing something extraordinary with the Three Teas idea, but early days...anyway, missing you already!!!!

[jdmetzger]

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:thumb

Yet another place to add to my growing list of places I must ride!

[lamble]

Where's the scouser gone then.....?

Oi, just saw this. Staffordshire, not Merseyside. So a Midlander, not a Brummie, not "Blok Kuntray" and certainly not a Scouser.

Question Dutchman. England/English Germany/German Italy/Italian Greece/Greek

Holland or Netherlands - Dutch? Where does 'Dutch' originate from as a name for the language of Holland. What changed, the name of the country?

Only other three I can think of where there seems to be no Country/language name correlation is Gaelic, for some of Scotland and of course there's Twaddle, the native language of the USA TV news and sports presenter and then there's Bollox, the international language of those in power, like Esperanto, only full of bollox.

[Dutchman]

.......and certainly not a Scouser.

.....I stand corrected!

Nederlandmeister....:bottle

[lamble]

.....I stand corrected!

Nederlandmeister....:bottle

So, how does "Dutch" come to be the term for the language, or the people?

Anything to do with Deutschland and the Germanic tribes of yore, or the Jutes perhaps?

Also, what's the origin of, "Well I'll be a Dutch man's uncle" as an idiom for incredulity?

What do Dutch uncles do/have that should warrant that?

I see you are in "Edin-berg". I'm waiting to hear about a job there. Love the place.

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[Dutchman]

So, how does "Dutch" come to be the term for the language, or the people?

.....sorry lamble....you appear to have confused me with someone who gives a flying banana about a language/nationality/culture that is not mine....I'm sure Google will provide all the answers.....

I'm as English as you are & Dutch(man) in name only....

Slainte...

Dutchman

[lamble]

.....sorry lamble....you appear to have confused me with someone who gives a flying banana about a language/nationality/culture that is not mine....I'm sure Google will provide all the answers.....

I'm as English as you are & Dutch(man) in name only....

Slainte...

Dutchman

Couldn't have told me that at a better time..Holland 2 England 0 half time, however if you are in Scotland at least they lost to Norway.

Anyway, packing now to ride to York in the morning, then into Northumbria for a weekend around Hadrian's Wall and Holy Island (lindisfarne).

Strange choice of name then.

[Dutchman]

Strange choice of name then.

Not if your name is Holland....:whistle

[lamble]

Not if your name is Holland....:whistle

That was like pulling teeth to get there wasn't it!

2-2 in the end by the way, if anyone cares.

Did you consider 'clogger', or 'dickvandykefingerer'? :dunno

I can see 'flying dutchman' working as a logo.

[Dutchman]

Did you consider 'clogger', or 'dickvandykefingerer'? :dunno



Been Dutchman for 53 years.....see no reason to change it now......:dunno

....and who gives a s**t about soccer scores......?:confused:

Yep it's not yet 4am & I'm just setting off for west coast of Scotland.....:wave

'Bye for now

Dutch

[lamble]

Been Dutchman for 53 years.....see no reason to change it now......:dunno

....and who gives a s**t about soccer scores......?:confused:

Dutch

Obviously someone does, I see there's an Arsenal thread started...it's still football by the way, what's with the soccer thing, are you trying to ingratiate yourself with the colonials?

[36654]

Having just watched my local news and hearing the rants of local protestors, I guess I need to let all you Brits know how sorry I feel for you and your wretched health care. How did you ever get it so screwed up?

Once again, I am so sorry.......

To the Canadian readers of this forum, I hear that the US has set-up medical aid stations at the border to deal with all the critical care patients that can't get care in Canada. You poor buggers, half of you can't speak English! I''m so glad America is here to take you in and show you the way. BTW, you do have cash or a good credit card, don't you?

Seriously, do you ever just fall down laughing at us Americans?

[Dutchman]

...................what's with the soccer thing..........?

Wrong shaped ball.....:brad

[lamble]

Having just watched my local news and hearing the rants of local protestors, I guess I need to let all you Brits know how sorry I feel for you and your wretched health care. How did you ever get it so screwed up?

Once again, I am so sorry.......

To the Canadian readers of this forum, I hear that the US has set-up medical aid stations at the border to deal with all the critical care patients that can't get care in Canada. You poor buggers, half of you can't speak English! I''m so glad America is here to take you in and show you the way. BTW, you do have cash or a good credit card, don't you?

Seriously, do you ever just fall down laughing at us Americans?

Seems we have a political posturing session going on in the UK and the NHS is the topic of choice. See what happens about this time of year, every year is all the Members of Parliament are let out amongst the general public, unsupervised by their party officials. The clever ones go on some junket holiday paid for by us, the tax payers. The not so bright ones, make statements to the press without getting them checked over first.
Having experienced both US and UK health services, here's what I think. One of them isn't as good as it thinks it is and the other one isn't as bad as it's made out to be. One suffers from propaganda hype, the other from propaganda condemnation. Depends where you stand politically...but I found the actual service levels of both to be uncannily similar...then again I could afford the insurance and only for my inoculations on the ride to S.America did I get to see the side of US medicine that insurance doesn't cover. So I didn't get a fluffy towel robe, but the needles were sharp and clean and the guy knew what he was doing and I didn't die.

Which system is the better...well if you come to the UK and fall ill, you will get the same treatment that I would. If I came to the US and didn't have the same cover of insurance that you have, then I wouldn't get what you get.
What you pay in medical insurance premiums, we pay in tax on fuel, which then goes towards medical costs. Our fuel is expensive, medical insurance isn't. You pay one way or another.

Do we fall over laughing at you guys?
I'm not sure there's too much that's funny, in a comedic sense.

[lamble]

Wrong shaped ball.....:brad

Ahh a devotee of the egg chase.
Player, or watcher?
League, or Union?

[36654]

Seems we have a political posturing session going on in the UK and the NHS is the topic of choice. See what happens about this time of year, every year is all the Members of Parliament are let out amongst the general public, unsupervised by their party officials. The clever ones go on some junket holiday paid for by us, the tax payers. The not so bright ones, make statements to the press without getting them checked over first.
Having experienced both US and UK health services, here's what I think. One of them isn't as good as it thinks it is and the other one isn't as bad as it's made out to be. One suffers from propaganda hype, the other from propaganda condemnation. Depends where you stand politically...but I found the actual service levels of both to be uncannily similar...then again I could afford the insurance and only for my inoculations on the ride to S.America did I get to see the side of US medicine that insurance doesn't cover. So I didn't get a fluffy towel robe, but the needles were sharp and clean and the guy knew what he was doing and I didn't die.

Which system is the better...well if you come to the UK and fall ill, you will get the same treatment that I would. If I came to the US and didn't have the same cover of insurance that you have, then I wouldn't get what you get.
What you pay in medical insurance premiums, we pay in tax on fuel, which then goes towards medical costs. Our fuel is expensive, medical insurance isn't. You pay one way or another.

Do we fall over laughing at you guys?
I'm not sure there's too much that's funny, in a comedic sense.

Charmingly tactful response.

By the way, I've had first-hand experience at watching someone trying to pay the discharge nurse at a London hospital. The nurse felt my buddy was "crazy as a Loon" when he tried to pay for the ER visit and drugs but, then she realized that we were Americans instead of Canadians and explained the system.

She sorta patted us on the head as she ushered us out the door.

[Dutchman]

Ahh a devotee of the egg chase.
Player, or watcher?
League, or Union?

Union, of course.......sometime player relegated to frequent spectator....

[lamble]

Charmingly tactful response.
.

I'd go into politics as a career, except there are too many people I'd want to see jailed, or even better, sent to the colonies.

Dutch, I was a winger for a few good years. Not because I was fast, just because I couldn't pass the ball with that spin.

Did play American Football for a while too, Strong side or free safety...loved it when they called a safety blitz.

[lamble]

So cricket then...last day of the 5 match Ashes series with Australia. 1-1 in the series and Australia can retain the Ashes trophy with a draw by breaking a world batting record.
If they can't, then England win against our bitterest adversary in cricket (it doesn't happen very often).

Is it doable?

Get back to you later in the day.

For those who don't understand cricket, firstly, very few do and secondly, somewhere back in this thread, near the start, there's a guide.

[lamble]

By 197 runs and with a day to spare.....

England


Regain the Ashes.

It's a major sporting event in England. We beat the Aussies so seldomly over the last few decades and even in this 5 match (test) series, it looked like the team had thrown it away.

Well done. December 2010 it starts again in Australia.

[brewmeister]

Dog's Boll*cks...it's got to be something to do with the fact that dogs can lick their own.
I've had two discectomies and still can't get there. To mine that is, not the dog's, I could get to a dog's boll*cks relatively easily (dachshund being an obvious exception, as I'd need to saw the legs off the stool first), but don't fancy it. Just thought that needed clearing up.

I just replaced 2 ballcocks on my house cause they were leaking::laugh:laugh

[lamble]

So, this, "this is it", is it.

My membership expired and for some reason I wasn't taken out of the equation, but now 31st Aug is it.

Ta ra mates.

Remember, if you do ever gather together and carry out the Queen's plan to retake the USA, only get the good bits, leave the Sportsman Motel in Marion for example, that's a dump...and some of the inhabitants are worth keeping, as they are nearly house trained and it would be a shame to give up on them now.

cheers.

[JK]

Lamble

Fare thee well, and thanks a lot...

J.K. :wow

[vaf300]

Hey folks are any of you in the central tx area, enjoy futfol and are getting ready for world cup 2010? where are the best taverns to watch the games in the area?

[NYCBrit]

With this user name, I have to be a Brit!

I am Pete, born and raised in the London area, moved to the states (Manhattan) 12 yrs ago and luckily manage to keep a GS on either side of the Atlantic.

:wave

[Statdawg]

With this user name, I have to be a Brit!

I am Pete, born and raised in the London area, moved to the states (Manhattan) 12 yrs ago and luckily manage to keep a GS on either side of the Atlantic.

:wave

Welcome to the forum Pete.