The Canary Dave

I clearly remember the day when I was in Junior school and the Headmaster came into our classroom to tell us that the King had died. We were all asked to stand for a minute in silent memory of him. Royalty seemed to mean so much more then than today with some of the less favourable goings on kept away from the newspapers. No internet or social media in those days.

 

Yes.. she is now the last in that generation..... .sad for her.... and we live in a different era now.......

 

I did wonder that myself

I think the whole nation will be behind her but I do wonder what toll the last year has taken on her

The ginger twat has not helped thing at all, I think they should do a DNA test and if it proves he is Hewitts son then strip him of everything and then see how much America wants him the ungrateful little brat

 

Yes - people forget she would have lost a husband of so many decades and the rest of the family lost a father,brother, Grandfather and Great Grandfather etc like any other family would.

 

Having been driven indoors by the weather, I find that the BBC is wall to wall coverage of the Duke's death. Just as I came in I found that the PM is making a statement on behalf of the nation, which still includes me. In my role as the head of a council I would lay a wreath on behalf of the village each year and made an effort to not turn up looking like a scarecrow. Just what is up with the man? Compared with the first minister in Scotland who I watched later, he is totally hopeless and cannot even string a sentence together sincerely. Sorry, but he has really made me rather cross.

 

I am actually saddened by the Duke of Edinburgh' death and very sympathetic to the Queen.
I have no opinion on the Harry saga. I have no desire to see the Monarchy go.
It is a paradox for me, especially having no truck with the so-called "divine right of kings" and nor do I care for the House of Lords (especially seeing some of the denigrates installed by de piffle and his chums lately) but I would rather this than a second house of corrupt "elected" politicians. We're not going to get anywhere until we get PR.

 

I agree with you Fez. I do not want to see an idiot like Trump or Johnson at the head of the country. The Lords needs reform, but listen to some of the debates and they are often much more intelligent than the ones in the Commons. A proper PR system is really the only way for us Joe Bloggs to have a real connection with what the politicians are doing. The result of the last election has no relationship to the way that people voted.

 

Morning all. I trust that everyone has a smile to share today. The first of the top six sides in the run in seen off fairly comfortably. Grey and blowy here so glad I finished painting the front door. Repair work started on shutters, but not finished and I don't fancy getting blown off some steps, so it might have to wait. I think that unless there is a sudden change in fortune the Swans have a good chance of falling further behind as they enter the Lions den in the early game. We are almost there, but must wait a little longer to be sure. Have a good day whatever you will be doing.

 

Unfortunately the existence of a monarchy such as that which exists in the UK. tends to make the people too apolitical because it 'supposedly' prevents the rise of overpowerfull leaders - it thus may have a reverse effect. The monarchy stands at the symbolic apex of an English class system which is rotten to the core - and helps the rise of toffee nosed Eton twats such as Bojo. A proper PR system would help matters in the UK. but only if it is accompanied by real decentralization of economic and political power away from London. As for Philip - I am sad when a 99 year old dies because a piece of history has been lost - but millions die before that age in obscurity without family or anyone else to guide them on their way - I will reserve my tears for them.

 

Like this fellow circled below - Squadron Leader Jack Jarmy, D.F.C. who died recently just a couple of weeks short of his 99th birthday in Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland. He spent his entire working life in the RAF, having joined at 18, and was veteran of what became known as the Chop Squadron during WWII because of the heavy losses it experienced. It's people like him who deserve acknowledgement, but there are no plans to provide any official recognition of his service or his death.

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Morning all,

30 degrees here and dry as hell, typical for the time of year before the rains.

Have a good weekend all.

Will fire up the BBQ later.

Maybe some beers too.

 

I've always found it difficult to fire up beers - they have a nasty habit of putting flames out.

 

It's the Micheladas - beers with salsas & chile. Damn good in the heat - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelada

 

We have seen in recent years politicians in the UK trying to side step the monarchy by attempting to dissolve Parliament and historically there is little that the Queen can do about it. It has taken lawyers, often crowd funded, to pull the politicians to heel. There have been numerous occasions now when the Parliament Act has been used to prevent any real discussion of new law that has an affect on the population at large. This is your group of elite twats trying to bypass the system, that far from perfect has served the country for a very long time. Following the law of the land is not for Johnson and his mates, it gets in the way of his ambitions.
It is quite possible that unwittingly Johnson will oversee the breakup of the UK with Scotland going its own way, N.Ireland rejoining the south and even the far more left wing Wales seeking greater powers. This is a possible way in which change will occur rather than through a ballot box.

 

And then I'll be stuck in a perma-Tory Brexited England. Sounds amazing...

 

Cologne got out, and so did I. I waited until I retired and probably should have done it sooner. I don't know about cologne, but I feel that I am a European and feel free of silly national politics, especially since I only have a vote for a couple of more years in the UK. You cannot say, in my opinion that any system works well for Joe Bloggs. Macron is trying to dispense with the elite colleges that breed the ruling classes here, which is step in the right direction, but I doubt that if he succeeds a different route to power will not be found to take over.

 

Having grown up in France I already felt European, I came back as I wanted to experience living in the UK, also the course I wanted to do at Uni was only available here. Work and life circumstances don't allow me to move currently, and although my Mum and brothers all have French citizenship I cannot follow as I would have had to pay tax there for 5 years prior to moving.

It's definitely part of the plan though, just not the immediate future. Going to have to watch the slow decline of this country, with all the nasty sides to it that are now out in the open. I'll not go into detail on this thread, wrong place to rant

 

I am Méxicano. Well,. not Nationalised but with Perminant Residence. Which means all, apart from voting or playing for El Tri, which is past me. But, I have a mortgage, credit cards and don´t have the debacle of going to immigration unless I change my job or where I live.

I honestly, don't really feel English after 15 years here, I am Inglésicano.

I haven´t lived in England since 2005. I only miss a good curry, for which I can get ingredients here, and going to the vic.

My family come over now and again.

 

Really pleased that your brothers are now French Toby. I remember there were problems. One of my young English friends has been doing a university course at Poitiers. Four years at €300 p.a. and he will be able to practice law.
For some reason I could have applied for French nationality which would have been quite easy, but I don't actually want to be British, French or any other nationality. I prefer to just be me, a person born into the world. Flag waving seems slightly ridiculous to me.

 

If you watch French TV you will find some very deep philosophical debates on different subjects. Indeed my granddaughters do philosophy as a core subject at school. I also have been granted permanent residence here which suits me as I don't have to be stereotyped as a particular nationality. Quite how an English/Aussie living in Scotland defines himself I am not sure.