Thursday 30 April 2009

Looking Back - The Anne Frank Diary



On this day in 1952, the moving diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish victim of the Holocaust, became available in British book shops entitled 'The Diary of a Young Girl'.
The book was first published in Dutch in 1947 under the title Het Achteruis (The Secret House) by her father Otto Frank, who survived the concentration camps.
It was a lively and at the same time disturbing account of a teenager living in hiding with seven others in fear of their lives in occupied Holland. Anne was eventually arrested along with her seven comrades and sent to Westerbork, a transit camp in Holland, and then on to Auschwitz and finally to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where she died in 1945. Her father survived and returned to Amsterdam where he, his family and friends had been in hiding for two years before the Nazis found them.
There, his Dutch friends gave him papers left behind after the Gestapo raid. Among them was his daughters diary.
It was some days before he could bring himself to read it and when he did he was astonished to find out about a side of his daughter he never knew - someone who was wise beyond her years and had a deep faith in humanity in spite of her suffering.
Her entry for 12 July 1944, three weeks before her arrest read "I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us...I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up into the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too will end, that peace and tranquility will return once more."
The Franks had moved to Holland from Nazi Germany in 1933. In July 1942, after the Germans had occupied the country, the Franks and four other Jewish people went into hiding in an annex of a house in central Amsterdam.
That year, Anne, who had an ambition to be a writer, was given a red and white check diary for her 13th birthday and immediately started writing about her experiences.
Anne died weeks before the liberation of Bergen-Belsen as did her mother, Edith, and her sister Margot. Anne Frank became a symbol of Jewish suffering under the Nazis.
Her diary, later entitled 'The Diary of Anne Frank', was translated into 50 languages and became one of the most popular books in the world. The apartment in Amsterdam where the family hid, Number 263 Prinsengracht, is now the Anne Frank museum.





My Computer And I

I was interested to read that her Majesty The Queen has entered the world of modern technology. By all accounts she now has her own email address. This revelation apparently came to light at a party, given by the 81-year-old monarch, for the Household Cavalry. The Queen is already the proud owner of a mobile phone and an iPod mini. According to the report the Queen stops short of typing the emails herself, preferring to dictate them instead. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on whether Her Majesty had her own account. The Queen is said to be in regular touch with her grandchildren by email and uses her mobile to send text messages to Princes William and Harry. Last year she made her Christmas Day message available for the first time as a podcast. Clearly, the Queen is very proud to be seen embracing new technology, and quite rightly so too. The next time I invite readers of the Journal to email me with their answers to a puzzle, I shall eagerly await the replies with added interest.

Anjana

The latest picture from 'Tigers' in South Carolina. Anjana, the chimp who acts as surrogate mother to two baby white tigers who became separated from their mother during hurricane Hannah. This picture shows Anjana helping with the bottle feeding.

Today's Smile


Cat Nap - This Takes The Biscuit


You know the feeling. You are at this dinner party, you eat

a little too much, perhaps one glass of wine too many, and before

you know it you just cannot keep your eyes open.

Wednesday 29 April 2009

Binge Drinking? The English Come A Poor Second

If the English think they lead the world in binge drinking, they had better think again. I have just been reading an article that defies belief. Sergei Kondratyev, a Russian from Yekaterinburgh city, was laid-off from his job, and feeling "awfully disappointed" decided to take himself off to the grocery store and bought a bottle of vodka and two lumps of cream cheese. He was later joined by a friend, who was described as 'of large stature' and presumably therefore able to hold his drink. It appears that shortly after that, unhappy Sergei's recollections became very hazy. Following the drinking session Sergei found himself in the Yekaterinburgh hospital. Neurosurgeon, Stanislav Chursin who attended him said, "We did the analysis and gasped ...According to the most modest estimate, the man drank no less than eight bottles." He added, "His blood contained as a minimum, twice the deadly dose." The patient, described as clutching his head while he was interviewed, has vowed not to touch another drop. Vodka in Russia is typically 80 proof or 40 percent alcohol, and sold in half-litre bottles (about 35 imperial ounces, 33.8 US ounces).
Footnote
According to Encyclopedia Britannica vodka originated in Russia during the 14th century, and the name is a diminutive of the Russian voda (water). It was not originally called vodka - instead the term 'bread wine' was used. Until the mid-18th century, it remained relatively low in alcohol content, was mostly sold in taverns and was quite expensive. The first written usage of the word vodka in an official Russian document in its modern meaning is dated by the decree of Empress Elizabeth of June 8, 1751, which regulated the ownership of vodka distilleries. The taxes on vodka became a key element of government finances in Tsarist Russia, providing at times up to 40% of state revenue.

Final Lorry Art

(Click on image to enlarge)
Today we bring you the final picture in our Lorry Art series. I hope you have enjoyed this brilliant series. The last one is for Pringles-Hot & Spicy. The side and back of the lorry have been painted to give the impression that the lorry trailer has been destroyed by fire.

And Here Are The Latest News Headlines






READ ALL ABOUT IT -----READ ALL ABOUT IT -----READ ALL ABOUT IT



Manchester United - 41 Years Ago

Tonight Manchester United play against Arsenal in the first-leg of the second semi-final of the UEFA Champions League Cup. Manchester United go into the game as the current champions having beaten Chelsea in last years competition. The last team to have managed to retain the trophy, was AC Milan in 1990. The competition, which began in 1955 has been won the most times by Spanish giants Real Madrid, who have lifted the trophy nine times in all. The most successful British team are Liverpool, five times winners, followed by United with three wins.
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Memory Lane
Pictured right is the cover of a souvenir booklet issued by the Daily Mirror in 1968, forty one years ago, to commemorate the World Club Championship match between Manchester United and the Argentine side Estudiantes de la Plata. This was the era when Sir Matt Busby was manager over such stars as George Best, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Law. Estudiantes de la Plata won the Championship, over two legs, 2-1 on aggregate. (Note the price of the souvenir 3/6 - three shillings and sixpence pre-decimalisation, todays equivalent seventeen-and-a-half pence).
(Thanks to Andrew Stancer for the loan of the souvenir)
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Today's Smile

The Smiths were unable to conceive children and decided to use a surrogate father to start their family.
On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr Smith kissed his wife goodbye and said,"Well I'm off now. The man should be here soon."
Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer happened to ring the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. "Good morning Ma'am," he said. "I've come to..."
"Oh no need to explain," Mrs Smith cut in, embarrassed, "I've been expecting you."
"Have you really?" said the photographer. "Well, that's good. Did you know babies are my speciality?"
"Well that's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat."
After a moment she asked, blushing. "Well, where do we start?"
"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch, and perhaps a couple on the bed. And sometimes the living room floor is fun. You can really spread out there."
"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work out for Harry and me."
"Well, Ma'am, none of us can guarantee a good one every time, but if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven different angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."
"My that's a lot!" gasped Mrs Smith.
"Ma'am, in my line of work a man has to take his time. I'd love to be in and out in five minutes, but I'm sure you would be disappointed with that."
"Don't I know it," said Mrs Smith quietly.
The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus," he said.
"Oh, my word!" Mrs Smith exclaimed, grasping at her throat.
"And these twins turned out exceptionally well - when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with."
"She was difficult?" asked Mrs Smith.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. I finally had to take her to the park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep to get a good look."
"Four and five deep?" said Mrs Smith, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Yes," the photographer replied. "And for more than three hours too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling - I could hardly concentrate, and when darkness approached I had to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just had to pack it all in."
Mrs Smith leaned forward. "Do you mean they actually chewed on your, uh...equipment?"
"It's true Ma'am, yes. Well, if your ready, I'll set-up my tripod and we can get to work right away."
"Tripod?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am. I need to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's much to big to be held in the hand for very long."
It was at this point that Mrs Smith passed out!!!!!!!

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Poem - Blankney In Autumn

Another poem from my Blankney Anthology written in 1995.

Blankney In Autumn

The season changes once again
The fields look bare and thin
Softened now by Autumn rain
The harvest gathered in
Summers green gives way to gold
The ploughman earns his living
And in the church, both young and old
Gather for thanksgiving
Woodland walks show us now
The village at its best
Cascading leaves, shed as trees
Prepare for winters rest
Tall chimney pots puff smoke again
As through the gathering gloom
Firelight flickers on window panes
To light a cosy room
So hurry home with hastened stride
The hooting owl is calling
There's no place like a fireside
When Autumn leaves are falling

Rodney Garlant




Maxine's World

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Thought For Today

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the first.
Albert Einstein

Anjana

(Click on image to enlarge)
Anjana the chimp, with her new friends two
white tiger cubs, pictured with a staff member
at the 'Tigers' reservation, South Carolina.


Uncanny Anagrams

Yesterday I published some uncanny anagrams, with the promise more would follow today. Well, here they are, what makes them so interesting is that the new words are all relative to the original words.

ANIMOSITY becomes IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS becomes LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

MOTHER-IN-LAW becomes WOMAN HITLER

SNOOZE ALARMS becomes ALAS! NO MORE Z'S

A DECIMAL POINT becomes I'M A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES becomes THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO becomes TWELVE PLUS ONE

PRESIDENT CLINTON OF THE USA
becomes
TO COPULATE HE FINDS INTERNS

How weird are those!




Czech Your Aim!

Two artists have offered Czechs angered by politics the chance to take revenge on their lawmakers by shooting them literally in the face, by turning their photos into air gun targets.
The picture on the right shows a visitor adjusting an air rifle whilst the girlfriend finds their disliked politician at the 'Kill Your Politician' exhibit at the Roxy/NoD Gallery in Prague. Portraits of all 200 members of Czech Chamber of Deputies are displayed at the exhibition where people are allowed to shoot the politicians they dislike.
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We don't do that in England. We just let them shoot themselves in the foot!



Kitchen Tips

Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink. All your pains will go away.

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Today's Smile


Who Am I? - Yesterday's Answer

The answer to yesterdays
Who Am I? puzzle
was

Lembit Opik

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Monday 27 April 2009

Uncanny Anagrams

It really is uncanny how often you can rearrange the letters of a single word, or even several words, and still have a meaning relative to the original word or words. Here are some of the most intriguing ones. Enjoy.

DORMITORY becomes DIRTY ROOM
PRESBYTERIAN becomes BEST IN PRAYER
ASTRONOMER becomes MOON STARER
DESPERATION becomes A ROPE ENDS IT
THE EYES becomes THEY SEE
GEORGE BUSH becomes HE BUGS GORE
THE MORSE CODE becomes HERE COME DOTS
SLOT MACHINES becomes CASH LOST IN ME
Watch out for more 'Uncanny Anagrams' in tomorrows Journal!

Latest Lorry Art

(Click image to enlarge)
This is the latest picture from our Lorry Art series. European trucks with their sides and backs painted. This one is of a bookshelf with books lined up in it and a post-it-note with an advertisement on it, probably for the company who sell the books.

Brainteaser - Yesterday's Answer

Did you get the correct answer to yesterday's brainteaser. The correct answer was:

The farmer had three sheep!
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Someone's Going To Get Into Trouble!

(Click image to enlarge)
So, that's what the 'P' stands for!

Who Am I?

Why not take a coffee break while you unravel the ten clues that lead to our mystery celebrity.

01 My birth date is 1965
02 I was born in Bangor, N.Ireland
03 My parents came from Estonia
04 I took a degree in philosophy at the University of Bristol
05 I went to work for Procter and Gamble in 1988
06 I stood as a candidate for Newcastle in the 1992 general election
07 I was elected MP for Montgomeryshire in 1997
08 I then became leader of the Welsh Democrats in 2001
09 I love football and support Leicester City
10 Past girlfriends have included a weather-girl and a pop-star

Can you guess who I am? Answer in the Journal tomorrow!

Good Planning!

(Click on image to enlarge)
There's nothing like putting your personal affairs in order. This 84 year old lady started organizing her affairs early on in life. Enlarge the image to see what I mean!

Sunday 26 April 2009

Brainteaser




A farmer walking his sheep to market was asked how many he had. The farmer replied, "When they are walking in a line there are two sheep in front of a sheep, two sheep behind a sheep, and one sheep in the middle." How many sheep were there?

Horseracing

Another point evaporated from our Profit/Loss account yesterday when American Triology could only finish third at Sandown. The gelding lost any chance of winning when hitting three out
and was then not fluent two out. He is a good horse and is sure to bounce back again next season.

Profit/Loss + 1.35 Points

Bull In A China Shop

I am sure you will be familiar with the old saying 'bull in a china shop', well this BBC video clip is not quite that. Nevertheless, take a look at the clip, it will certainly entertain and amuse you!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8017391.stm

(Watch with sound on and full screen mode)

Anjana

Another wonderful picture of Anjana and her adopted
children, two white tiger cubs, who were separated
from their mother during hurricane Hannah.

Illusion

What do you see in this picture?
A beautiful young maid
or
An old hag!
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What Will I Be When I Grow Up?











Maxine's World

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Saturday 25 April 2009

St George And The Dragon

Last Thursday, 23 April, was St George's day, but as it is customary these days to celebrate at a weekend many people around England will be marking the event today. George himself was a Roman soldier, like his father before him, and came from a christian background. In legend St George became famous for slaying a dragon, but how many people know the story behind the legend. There is little doubt that Saint George existed but little faith can be placed in some of the fanciful stories about him. The 'George and the Dragon' myth was brought to England by returning crusaders. This is how the story was retold.

Towards the end of the third century, a dragon makes its nest at the spring that provides water for the city of Silene in Libya, or the city of Lydda, depending on the source. Consequently the citizens have to dislodge the dragon from its nest for a time, in order to collect water. Each day they would offer the dragon a sheep. If no sheep could be found then a maiden would be offered instead. The victim was chosen by drawing lots. One day, this happens to be the princess. Despite the monarch begging for her life to be spared, she is offered to the dragon. At this moment, our knight in shining armour appears, St George who happens to be on his travels, arrives on the scene. He faces the dragon, protects himself with the sign of the cross, slays it and rescues the princess. (Loud cheers from the crowd). The grateful citizens abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity. So, there we have it, a Roman soldier carrying out heroics in the Middle East, not much to do with England has it? Never mind, it makes an interesting tale. I hope there are not too many old dragons celebrating around the country tonight.

To watch a trailer of the 2004 film 'George and the Dragon' click on the following link:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2477326617/

Horseracing

We have a strongly fancied horse running today and we are going to make it a 'best bet' selection. It runs in the Bet365.com Hurdle, a Listed race run over 2m. at Sandown (1.35). The horse in question is American Triology, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh. Winner of the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before going to Aintree where he was second to El Dancer, beaten a neck, giving away 8lb. Looks too good for today's rivals.

Saturday 25 April 2009
Sandown 1.35
American Triology
The best of luck with this selection!

Long In The Tooth - Wise In The Head

(Click image to enlarge)

Today's Smile

T

Looking Back - Hitler Diaries Published

On this day in 1983 the German magazine, Stern, published the first instalment of the controversial 'Hitler Diaries' - an account of World War II allegedly written by the fuhrer himself. From the outset there had been considerable doubt about the authenticity of the material. A news conference held by the magazine in Hamburg erupted in extraordinary scenes as Lord Dacre, the eminent British historian who authenticated the diaries a few days before, announced he was having second thoughts. At the news conference a Stern journalist Gerd Heidemann, told the story of his scoop. He maintained he had traced the diaries to a hayloft in East Germany. He explained that an East German general had rescued them from a crashed plane in 1945 and they had lain in the hayloft since that time. The diaries were produced by Stern at the news conference - the first time they had been seen by members of the general public. The magazine was said to have paid $5m for the diaries. In turn the Sunday Times had paid $400,000 for the English serialisation rights. Lord Dacre, a world class expert on Hitler was the only historian to have closely examined the diaries. Having claimed a few days earlier the diaries were genuine, he announced, in front of horrified Stern executives, that he now had doubts due to not being able to establish a link between the crashed plane and the diaries. The alleged diaries covered the period from 1932 to 1945. A spokesman for the Times newspaper group said further investigations would be carried out to establish the validity of the diaries. Shortly afterwards Dr Julius Grant, a chemicals expert, proved that the paper in the diaries was not in use until after World War II and that the glue and ink were modern. Later, Gerd Heidemann admitted he had obtained them from a dealer in Stuttgart. Both men were found guilty of fraud and forgery in 1985 and sentenced to four and a half years in jail. Lord Dacre died in 2003, his reputation badly tarnished and inextricably linked to the forged Hitler Diaries.

Friday 24 April 2009

Characters From Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens (1812-1870), pen name 'Boz', was the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era. The popularity of Dickens's novels and short stories has meant they have never gone out of print. One of the delights of Dickens's writings was the wonderful names he gave to his characters. Here we recall some of those characters with a short note as to who they were.

URIAH HEEP (David Copperfield) - A hypocritical clerk of Mr Wickfields who is continually citing his humbleness. He deviously plans to ruin Wickfield but is later undone by Mister Micawber.

FAGIN (Oliver Twist) - A crafty old Jew who runs a thieves school near Field Lane in Saffron Hill. Oliver falls in with Fagin's band when he runs away from the undertaker Sowerberry.





FEZZIWIG (A Christmas Carol) - Scrooge was apprenticed to 'Old Fezziwig' in his youth. Scrooge visits his old employer with the 'Ghost of Christmas Past' and is reminded what a kind generous man he was.




MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT (Martin Chuzzlewit) - Grandson of Martin Sr. he has a falling out with his grandfather over his love for Mary Graham. Becomes a pupil of Pecksniff who, because of pressure from the grandfather throws young Martin out.







SETH PECKSNIFF (Martin Chuzzlewit) - Sanctimonious surveyor and architect, who has not designed or built anything, and one of the biggest hypocrites in fiction. Father of daughters Mercy and Charity.


Footnote
According to John R. Greenfield in his 'Dictionary of British Literary Characters', Dickens created 989 named characters during his career.
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Anjana

The third picture in our series about Anjana, a chimp who acted as surrogate mom to two white tigers, separated from their mother during hurricane Hannah. Anjana and her adopted children are in the 'Tigers' animal reserve in South Carolina.

Brainteaser - Thursday's Answer

Yesterday's brainteaser was one simple, or maybe not so simple, question. The question asked was 'When did the mechanic fit the new dynamo?'

The answer was ....... Monday (Anagram of Dynamo)

Well done if you spotted the clue!

Amazing Lorry Art

Our fifth European truck with it's sides and back painted. This one is of an aquarium with fish swimming in it.

Today's Smile




Looking Back - IRA Bomb Devastates London

On this day in 1967, a massive bomb ripped through the heart of London, killing one and injuring 40.
The home-made bomb, containing about a ton of fertilizer, was the second to go off in the same area within a year. The first bomb devastated the Baltic Exchange in the Bishopsgate area. Repairs to the Exchange had just been completed, and the building re-opened, when the same banks were damaged again in the second attack. Two churches in the area were destroyed, the medieval church of St Ethelburga's collapsed; another church and Liverpool Street underground station were wrecked.
Following a coded warning, police were still evacuating the area when the bomb went off. Among the injured were security guards, builders, maintenance staff and office workers. The bomb had been hidden in the back of a blue tipper truck.
The damage caused by the Bishopsgate bomb cost £350m to repair. Huge insurance pay-outs contributed to a crisis in the industry and brought about the near-collapse of the worlds leading insurance market, Lloyds of London.

Thursday 23 April 2009

Maxine's World


School Reunion

School reunions can sometimes be a little dull. But not this one! Want to know why? Click on the following link and see what I mean.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=13104607

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Yahoo! Video

500 Not Out


As the humble Blankney Journal host
This is my five-hundredth post
If I've made just one person smile
All the efforts been worthwhile
**************
MANY THANKS TO ALL READERS
WHO HAVE SUPPORTED
THE BLANKNEY JOURNAL
**************

Today's Smile




Soap Gossip

Being a fan of the 'soaps' I found the following two stories interesting, but I have to say for different reasons.

Emmerdale
I was shocked by this report. Luke Tittensor, who plays Daz Eden, has been sacked from the show. I was not aware that the 19 year old actor had made a court appearance in March, when he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, fracturing a teenagers jaw in the process. He is due to be sentenced on 29 April. Tittensor makes his last appearance in the soap on Friday. His victim had been left badly injured and needed surgery following the attack. The actors contract with ITV had been terminated because the television company 'could not condone criminal behaviour'. Whilst agreeing that the company were right to take the action they did, I think it is a pity this young man, who has been in the soap since he was thirteen, is having to leave, as I always felt he had the ability to become a very good actor. I hope in time he can put this nasty incident behind him and continue his career.

Coronation Street
On a happier note, I see that Samia Smith, who plays pregnant Maria Connor in Corrie, has announced that she is expecting a baby in real life. The 26 year old actress and husband Matt are due to become parents in October. The actress, who lost her father a few weeks ago is reported as saying "I am so pleased that we were able to tell my dad about the baby before he died." Adding "I have been pregnant on screen for the best part of the past two years and as soon as I get rid of the fake baby bump, I will have a real one."
I don't know what it is about the set of Coronation Street that affects hormones but Samia's new arrival will be the 10th Coronation Street baby to be born in the last 18 months.

Brainteaser

Can you work out the answer to today's brainteaser? I think this is quite difficult, see how you get on.

When did the mechanic fit the new dynamo?

Think about it!

Kitchen Tips

When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Go to the bakery! Heck, they'll even decorate it for you!

Wednesday 22 April 2009

Heavens Above!

After flipping his boat Jesus leaves before his father finds out.
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(Thanks to reader Roy Bellamy for sending this in)

Poem - Blankney Hunt

The annual meet of the Blankney Hunt takes place in the village each November. Horses and hounds come together at the entrance to Blankney park, whilst refreshments are laid-on for riders and followers in the old Blankney schoolhouse.

Blankney Hunt

A bright and crisp November morn
The Hunt will meet today
To answer the call of the huntsman's horn
Another fox to slay
But first the meet in Blankney school
Where lessons no longer taught
Have never been learned by those
Who gather for whisky and port
Sense the excitement
At the gates of the park
As the horses grow restless
And hounds start to bark
A magnificent sight for all to behold
As riders in scarlet and black
Set off, for the chase is about to unfold
The quarry pursued by the pack
This country pursuit with its splendour and pomp
A tradition it has to be said
Enjoyed by all who took part in the romp
Except for the fox who lies dead

Rodney Garlant

Amazing Lorry Art

Continuing our series on Lorry Art. This is the fourth European truck to be featured. At first glance the lorry looks to be travelling from left to right, but on closer examination you will see it is actually travelling from right to left. A windscreen has been painted on the back of the vehicle. together with a driver in the driver's seat looking back over his shoulder to appear like he is driving backwards. Amazingly clever stuff!

Today's Smile


Tuesday 21 April 2009

Thought For Today

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
Mignon McLaughlin

Anjana - Another Fantastic Picture

Yesterday I published an article about Anjana, a chimp at TIGERS in South Carolina, who became surrogate mom to two tiger cubs separated from their real mom following hurricane Hannah. Above is another wonderful picture of this most unusual bonding.