Kipling, I love a bit of kipling

[Pericles]

Norman and Saxon
A.D. 1100

"My son," said the Norman Baron, "I am dying, and you will
be heir
To all the broad acres in England that William gave me for
share
When he conquered the Saxon at Hastings, and a nice little
handful it is.
But before you go over to rule it I want you to understand this:--

"The Saxon is not like us Normans. His manners are not so polite.
But he never means anything serious till he talks about justice,
right?
When he stands like an ox in the furrow--with his sullen set eyes
on your own,
And grumbles, 'This isn't fair dealing,' my son, leave the Saxon
alone.

"You can horsewhip your Gascony archers, or torture your
Picardy spears;
But don't try that game on the Saxon; you'll have the whole
brood round your ears.
From the richest old Thane in the county to the poorest chained
serf in the field,
They'll be at you and on you like hornets, and, if you are wise,
you will yield.

"But first you must master their language, their dialect, proverbs
and songs.
Don't trust any clerk to interpret when they come with the tale
of their own wrongs.
Let them know that you know what they are saying; let them feel
that you know what to say.
Yes, even when you want to go hunting, hear 'em out if it takes
you all day.

They'll drink every hour of the daylight and poach every hour
of the dark.
It's the sport not the rabbits they're after (we've plenty of game
in the park).
Don't hang them or cut off their fingers. That's wasteful as well
as unkind,
For a hard-bitten, South-country poacher makes the best man-
at-arms you can find.

"Appear with your wife and the children at their weddings and
funerals and feasts.
Be polite but not friendly to Bishops; be good to all poor parish
priests.
Say 'we,' 'us' and 'ours' when you're talking, instead of 'you
fellows' and 'I.'
Don't ride over seeds; keep your temper; and never you tell 'em
a lie!"



For all Englishmen, who love their land, from http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/

Pericles :D :D :D :D

[masalai]

And now for an Australian poem

The Man from Snowy River and other verses by A. B. (Banjo) Paterson
Entered/proofed by Alan Light, alight@vnet.net
Sheridan Ash did a second proofing
HTML layout by Peter Schmidt at OzLit
This Classic Australian E-text would not be without the patronage of Vicnet

The Man from Snowy River

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.

There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup,
The old man with his hair as white as snow;
But few could ride beside him when his blood was fairly up —
He would go wherever horse and man could go.
And Clancy of the Overflow came down to lend a hand,
No better horseman ever held the reins;
For never horse could throw him while the saddle-girths would stand,
He learnt to ride while droving on the plains.

And one was there, a stripling on a small and weedy beast,
He was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony — three parts thoroughbred at least —
And such as are by mountain horsemen prized.
He was hard and tough and wiry — just the sort that won’t say die —
There was courage in his quick impatient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye,
And the proud and lofty carriage of his head.

But still so slight and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay,
And the old man said, ‘That horse will never do
For a long and tiring gallop — lad, you’d better stop away,
Those hills are far too rough for such as you.’
So he waited sad and wistful — only Clancy stood his friend —
‘I think we ought to let him come,’ he said;
‘I warrant he’ll be with us when he’s wanted at the end,
For both his horse and he are mountain bred.

‘He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko’s side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough,
Where a horse’s hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many horsemen since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen.’

So he went — they found the horses by the big mimosa clump —
They raced away towards the mountain’s brow,
And the old man gave his orders, ‘Boys, go at them from the jump,
No use to try for fancy riding now.
And, Clancy, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the mob in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills.’

So Clancy rode to wheel them — he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place,
And he raced his stock-horse past them, and he made the ranges ring
With the stockwhip, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded lash,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the stockwhip with a sharp and sudden dash,
And off into the mountain scrub they flew.

Then fast the horsemen followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their tread,
And the stockwhips woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild horses held their way,
Where mountain ash and kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, ‘We may bid the mob good day,
No man can hold them down the other side.’

When they reached the mountain’s summit, even Clancy took a pull,
It well might make the boldest hold their breath,
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.

He sent the flint stones flying, but the pony kept his feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat —
It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride.
Through the stringy barks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound,
At the bottom of that terrible descent.

He was right among the horses as they climbed the further hill,
And the watchers on the mountain standing mute,
Saw him ply the stockwhip fiercely, he was right among them still,
As he raced across the clearing in pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges, but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside the wild horses racing yet,
With the man from Snowy River at their heels.

And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain pony he could scarcely raise a trot,
He was blood from hip to shoulder from the spur;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was mountain horse a cur.

And down by Kosciusko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around the Overflow the reedbeds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The man from Snowy River is a household word to-day,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.

[masalai]

Old Pardon, the Son of Reprieve
You never heard tell of the story?
Well, now, I can hardly believe!
Never heard of the honour and glory
Of Pardon, the son of Reprieve?
But maybe you’re only a Johnnie
And don’t know a horse from a hoe?
Well, well, don’t get angry, my sonny,
But, really, a young un should know.

They bred him out back on the ‘Never’,
His mother was Mameluke breed.
To the front — and then stay there — was ever
The root of the Mameluke creed.
He seemed to inherit their wiry
Strong frames — and their pluck to receive —
As hard as a flint and as fiery
Was Pardon, the son of Reprieve.

We ran him at many a meeting
At crossing and gully and town,
And nothing could give him a beating —
At least when our money was down.
For weight wouldn’t stop him, nor distance,
Nor odds, though the others were fast,
He’d race with a dogged persistence,
And wear them all down at the last.

At the Turon the Yattendon filly
Led by lengths at the mile-and-a-half,
And we all began to look silly,
While her crowd were starting to laugh;
But the old horse came faster and faster,
His pluck told its tale, and his strength,
He gained on her, caught her, and passed her,
And won it, hands-down, by a length.

And then we swooped down on Menindie
To run for the President’s Cup —
Oh! that’s a sweet township — a shindy
To them is board, lodging, and sup.
Eye-openers they are, and their system
Is never to suffer defeat;
It’s ‘win, tie, or wrangle’ — to best ‘em
You must lose ‘em, or else it’s ‘dead heat’.

We strolled down the township and found ‘em
At drinking and gaming and play;
If sorrows they had, why they drowned ‘em,
And betting was soon under way.
Their horses were good ‘uns and fit ‘uns,
There was plenty of cash in the town;
They backed their own horses like Britons,
And, Lord! how we rattled it down!

With gladness we thought of the morrow,
We counted our wagers with glee,
A simile homely to borrow —
‘There was plenty of milk in our tea.’
You see we were green; and we never
Had even a thought of foul play,
Though we well might have known that the clever
Division would ‘put us away’.

Experience ‘docet’, they tell us,
At least so I’ve frequently heard,
But, ‘dosing’ or ‘stuffing’, those fellows
Were up to each move on the board;
They got to his stall — it is sinful
To think what such villains would do —
And they gave him a regular skinful
Of barley — green barley — to chew.

He munched it all night, and we found him
Next morning as full as a hog —
The girths wouldn’t nearly meet round him;
He looked like an overfed frog.
We saw we were done like a dinner —
The odds were a thousand to one
Against Pardon turning up winner,
‘Twas cruel to ask him to run.

We got to the course with our troubles,
A crestfallen couple were we;
And we heard the ‘books’ calling the doubles —
A roar like the surf of the sea;
And over the tumult and louder
Rang ‘Any price Pardon, I lay!’
Says Jimmy, ‘The children of Judah
Are out on the warpath to-day.’

Three miles in three heats: — Ah, my sonny,
The horses in those days were stout,
They had to run well to win money;
I don’t see such horses about.
Your six-furlong vermin that scamper
Half-a-mile with their feather-weight up;
They wouldn’t earn much of their damper
In a race like the President’s Cup.

The first heat was soon set a-going;
The Dancer went off to the front;
The Don on his quarters was showing,
With Pardon right out of the hunt.
He rolled and he weltered and wallowed —
You’d kick your hat faster, I’ll bet;
They finished all bunched, and he followed
All lathered and dripping with sweat.

But troubles came thicker upon us,
For while we were rubbing him dry
The stewards came over to warn us:
‘We hear you are running a bye!
If Pardon don’t spiel like tarnation
And win the next heat — if he can —
He’ll earn a disqualification;
Just think over that, now, my man!’

Our money all gone and our credit,
Our horse couldn’t gallop a yard;
And then people thought that we did it!
It really was terribly hard.
We were objects of mirth and derision
To folk in the lawn and the stand,
And the yells of the clever division
Of ‘Any price Pardon!’ were grand.

We still had a chance for the money,
Two heats still remained to be run;
If both fell to us — why, my sonny,
The clever division were done.
And Pardon was better, we reckoned,
His sickness was passing away,
So he went to the post for the second
And principal heat of the day.

They’re off and away with a rattle,
Like dogs from the leashes let slip,
And right at the back of the battle
He followed them under the whip.
They gained ten good lengths on him quickly
He dropped right away from the pack;
I tell you it made me feel sickly
To see the blue jacket fall back.

Our very last hope had departed —
We thought the old fellow was done,
When all of a sudden he started
To go like a shot from a gun.
His chances seemed slight to embolden
Our hearts; but, with teeth firmly set,
We thought, ‘Now or never! The old ‘un
May reckon with some of ‘em yet.’

Then loud rose the war-cry for Pardon;
He swept like the wind down the dip,
And over the rise by the garden,
The jockey was done with the whip
The field were at sixes and sevens —
The pace at the first had been fast —
And hope seemed to drop from the heavens,
For Pardon was coming at last.

And how he did come! It was splendid;
He gained on them yards every bound,
Stretching out like a greyhound extended,
His girth laid right down on the ground.
A shimmer of silk in the cedars
As into the running they wheeled,
And out flashed the whips on the leaders,
For Pardon had collared the field.

Then right through the ruck he came sailing —
I knew that the battle was won —
The son of Haphazard was failing,
The Yattendon filly was done;
He cut down the Don and the Dancer,
He raced clean away from the mare —
He’s in front! Catch him now if you can, sir!
And up went my hat in the air!

Then loud from the lawn and the garden
Rose offers of ‘Ten to one on!’
‘Who’ll bet on the field? I back Pardon!’
No use; all the money was gone.
He came for the third heat light-hearted,
A-jumping and dancing about;
The others were done ere they started
Crestfallen, and tired, and worn out.

He won it, and ran it much faster
Than even the first, I believe
Oh, he was the daddy, the master,
Was Pardon, the son of Reprieve.
He showed ‘em the method to travel —
The boy sat as still as a stone —
They never could see him for gravel;
He came in hard-held, and alone.

. . . . .

But he’s old — and his eyes are grown hollow;
Like me, with my thatch of the snow;
When he dies, then I hope I may follow,
And go where the racehorses go.
I don’t want no harping nor singing —
Such things with my style don’t agree;
Where the hoofs of the horses are ringing
There’s music sufficient for me.

And surely the thoroughbred horses
Will rise up again and begin
Fresh races on far-away courses,
And p’raps they might let me slip in
It would look rather well the race-card on
‘Mongst Cherubs and Seraphs and things,
‘Angel Harrison’s black gelding Pardon,
Blue halo, white body and wings.’

And if they have racing hereafter,
(And who is to say they will not?)
When the cheers and the shouting and laughter
Proclaim that the battle grows hot;
As they come down the racecourse a-steering,
He’ll rush to the front, I believe;
And you’ll hear the great multitude cheering
For Pardon, the son of Reprieve.

[nordvindcrew]

well, seeing as we now have a poetry thread going, does anyone do a bit of writing besides me? (definately no Kipling!) If so, how about sharing some?

[safewalrus]

Never mind the bloody poetry, today is a Historic day in the history of the world THAT UNELECTED TRAITOR BROWN HAS SIGNED AWAY THE RIGHTS OF ALL BRITISH (English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish, to say nothing of the Manx, the Cornish and other fringe people of these once great islands) TO SOME FOREIGN EUROPEAN UNION MADE UP OF ALL THE ENEMIES OF BRITAIN OVER THE YEARS!

Sorry guys rant over, One very peed off Walrus

great things may soon be happening in this country, ther again they may not!

[masalai]

10 pound immigrants are still accepted in this colony of convicts. But then again if you live on your boat and are "independant" India prides itself as often being more British than the English - a touch of home?

Lots of Poms in Aus, pension is still paid and goes further than in Londonium.

[nordvindcrew]

Walrus, I'm not aware of the specifics of what the tratiorus person; Brown, did, but this whole world government thing sucks! I don't want some fat Belgian bastard deciding if an American or British soldier has committed a "war crime" and then sending them to prison for life. War sucks and is a crime by definition and horrendous things do happen when a soverign country protects itself. tough crap to the lilly livered people! go cry baby about it to someone who cares. Rant Over!

[masalai]

Does poetry induce groan (deliberately spelt that way) men to fight? Be a pacifist and join the forces as a volunteer - I ******** did! Deef as apost in my right ear from fireing my big gun (40mm, and 2 rounds a second delivering a 2 pound high explosive some two miles with deadly accuracy. I am waxing lyrical, and it is the poetry thread - still on track...

[safewalrus]

Mr Lee not made by 'bofors' by any chance/ - nice bit of kit but as you say somewhat noisy, still it worked (in all it's many variants) and did the deed to nasties! and Nord I don't give a 5H1T if you care or not (tho I suspect you do!) I gave my view (and will continue to do so if need be)! End of!

[masalai]

Yes, but the Aussy version. electric powered (batteries under the ammo racks) The Brits at Changi had hydraulic powered interfaced with a shitty radar control system.

In testing for surface to surface use for deployment in Malaysia during "confruntasion". I think the Bahasa spelling was like that?. I shot out the tow cable a couple of times after knocking out the watersplash target. Good fun at the time.

[Pericles]

The Kipling I posted, is to rally my countrymen to remember who and what we are. At some stage, we'll get very pissed off with the scumbags who sold us out and then the ordure will hit the fan.

Pericles

[masalai]

I did apologise for capturing your Kipling thread but the challenge was too great, I had to put some Aussy poems up.

I was tempted to present a full broadside, but thought guilty at stealing your thunder from "an adventurer" to India who introduced me to many wonderous stories and scouts (via cubs).

Seasons salutations Pericles, and may santa fill your sails, and hammock, with delectable live eye-candy.

[Pericles]

Masalai,

No worries sport.:D

Season's greetings to you.

Pericles

[Frosty]

Mr Kipling does make exeedingly good cakes.

(British thing)

[Frosty]

The Kipling I posted, is to rally my countrymen to remember who and what we are. At some stage, we'll get very pissed off with the scumbags who sold us out and then the ordure will hit the fan.

Pericles

I sympothise with your disgust. I heard today that 20,000 Brits leave uk every month. They sell their expensive overvalued houses and retire in the east.

I am really surprised the Queen has'nt said something, but I think she is on thin ice too.
But then I hate the tattood Brits with there shaven heads walking round supermarkets here laughing at stuff,opening jars and smelling the contents then put them back. Who do they think they are? Horrible people.

When will we get some proper judges, instead of the geriatric affluent ****** we have now.

Kosovans and Poles trying to get into prison to get free dental and sleep somewhere warm. All the Prisons are full at Christmas, they get turkey, as the pensioners die of hyperthermia huddled in front of a 1 bar electric fire they can barely afford.

STUPID STUPID place.

[safewalrus]

Rant you might Snowball, but I bet your keeping your British Citizenship up to date so you can sneak back for FREE Medical and Dental Care!

And for somebody who supposedly hates the place you can't half go on about it! Homesick are we (but IF he comes back no doubt the nasty polis will want to talk to you!!)

[safewalrus]

Mr Lee

The ones I played with we used to switch off and do the moving by hand "for the hell of it!" Got some stick at times from the GDP but what the hell! Remember that 'fancy dress' the Brits used to wear (anti flash and hard hats) well one particular exercise it was a nice day in the Med, so we closed up in shorts and not much else! (being on a 'carrier port side the GDP up on the island couldn't see you!!!) Chose that day to have a jammed gun! Wel you know what it's like blasing away and you just keep emptying the letter racks!! Well 47 rounds later (single burst double barrelled)! The Goonery Indtructor went ape, said something about if it happens the aimer should turn round and belt the loaders over the heads (wearing 'ard 'ats) with his tin 'at..........sheepish grins, turning to laughter as he left! (who the fcuk wears those things?)

[Frosty]

Bit senile are we Walrus, forget stuff now and again and again???

How many times do I have to tell you I dont ever return for dental and health. Not only would I not take my dog there I don t want to.

Yes I would give my passport up,---IF I could get another. You seem to be uder the impression that all counties like Uk give out passports freely.

Being patriotic is not financed driven, It is where I was born and have paid a lot into it. It holds childhood memories which can not be erased.

20.000 Brits leave England every month to take an early retirement.

Maybe if you got some information from else where than the tap room in the Pig and Whistle you would be more interesting to talk to.

Enjoy your little straw chewing life sitting on a wall drinking cider with the town bobby down in Cornwall oblivios to whats happening elswhere.

[Pericles]

For old soldiers, expats and the curious, go to http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/ to read what the Euro loving MSM will NOT tell you about the feelings of the British people, who want out of the Communist European Union. Love Europe, hate the EU.

Other site include:

http://defenceoftherealm.blogspot.com/

http://thehuntsman2007.blogspot.com/

http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php

http://www.order-order.com/

http://umbrellog2.blogspot.com/2007/09/links.html

That should keep you all interested for some time.

Regards,

Pericles

[safewalrus]

Snowball, Yes I know that you mentioned that you don't want to come back but then again you DO tend to go on about it like some bloody metranome, tick bloody tock bloody tick! 20000 Brits leave Britain every month Ok but unlike you the other 19999 don't keep whinging on about how terrible it is - noe IF you just could shut up about it for a few minute the whole world would be eternally greatful! But there ain't much chance of that so I'll keep reminding you! ;)

[masalai]

How goes that rallying call of the lower ranks when fully charged but not yet on a charge? Oh yes "F... em all, F... em all, The long and the short and tall, Ef all the officers and WO1's etc...... same applies to most politicians and "heads of industry".

Frosty this one upset you too?

[Frosty]

So the new Uk immigration laws came in yesterday,--great --what good is reducing the 6 month stay permit to 3 months?. Once they get in they dont go home so what good is that.

Also non EU visitors have to have a family member pay a bond. Its the EU members we want to get rid of.

Strange this EU thing we are suppose to be all equall but every one still jumps onto a car ferry across the channel for cheap booze at christmas.

You cant go buy a house anywhere!! Switzerland for example.

Good ole Blighty,-- any old Knob head can turn up and buy what he wants,-- anywhere. Even wanted criminals can buy a football team.

You stick your head in the sand Walrus --leave the crap for your kids to clean up.

Human beings are racist --we have to be to keep pure,--its all part of evolution. However it can be accomodated if we are sensible.

Being sensible does not include mass immigration,--it wont work.

You mix water to the acid ,--never acid to the water

You wouldnt want a black man marrying your sister,--and Im sure a black man wouldnt want me marrying his.

What me racist???? ive lived abroad all my life,--Im a foreigner.

[Pericles]

Courtesy of the European Court of Justice ECJ, it would appear that Social Dumping is now acceptable. The ECJ has found in favour of a Swedish construction company which employs cheaper Latvian workers rather than indigenous Swedish workers (or Latvians at Swedish rates).

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The EU's highest court has delivered a blow to the Swedish system of collective bargaining – seen as underpinning the country's highly successful social model - by ruling that Swedish unions cannot force a foreign company to observe local pay deals.

In a keenly awaited judgement, the court said that a trade union blockade which forced a Latvian company using cheaper Latvian labourers into bankruptcy was illegal.


"Such action in the form of a blockade of sites constitutes a restriction on the freedom to provide services, which, in this case, is not justified with regard to the public interest of protecting workers," said the court.

The case arose in 2004, shortly after eight central and eastern European states with cheaper and more flexible labour forces, joined the European Union and was seen as a testing ground for member states with a more rigid and socially protected workforce.

The dispute centred around wages with the trade unionists urging Latvia's Laval - building a school in the Swedish city of Vaxholm - to pay higher Swedish construction sector wages to its Latvian workers.

The company refused leading the unionists to block the site eventually forcing Laval to leave.

But the court said that while such collective action can sometimes be justified under community law to protect against social dumping – using workers with less social rights and lower wages - it cannot be used to force a company to enter into negotiations on pay where it is not clear what the outcome will be.

"Collective action cannot be justified with regard to the public interest objective of protecting workers where the negotiations on pay (…) form part of a national context characterised by a lack of provisions," said the court.

The court also said that union action forcing foreign companies into wage negotiations of "unspecified duration" is liable to make it "less attractive or more difficult" for a company to carry out construction work and "therefore constitutes a restriction on the freedom to provide services."

The freedom to provide services is a key pillar of the EU's internal market rules.

In a more positive note for trade unions, it said that if collective action is aimed at giving workers rights, which are already defined in national law, then it is justifiable under EU law.

The Nordic social model
The Nordic states say the collective system is the basis for their highly successful Nordic social model, which sees high employment and high social protection.

Reacting to the case, leftist Danish MEP Soren Sondergaard said it was a "catastrophe for the Nordic model, where trade unions have the right to protest against employers to secure decent collective agreements."

The Laval case stirred an impassioned debate in the EU as it was seen not only as a fundamental dispute between 'old' and 'new' member states but also whether the EU's internal market rules would trump rules on social protection.

At the time, internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy caused outrage in Sweden by saying that he would argue against the country in the court case.

Reacting to the judgement, the commission on Tuesday said it was a "very nuanced" ruling and that it would analyse it "very carefully."

But it drew attention to what is set to be a key part of the ruling which states that organisations in one member state must take into account collective wage agreements of a foreign company "irrespective" of their content, or risk breaching EU law.

http://euobserver.com/9/25359

Here is another report http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/ which also has the benefit of a comments section. http://www.eureferendum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5545

Bearing in mind that PM Gordon Brown spouted off on about British jobs for British workers,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7097837.stm

we already know that more than half of new jobs created under New Labour since 1997 have gone to foreign workers - more than previously stated.

NOW, it is going to get much, much worse.

Pericles

[Pericles]

Hell's teeth, things are moving fast.

Dominating the BBC news this morning was the imminent arrival of the government's proposals for a new healthcare directive, although the BBC website now tells us that Brussels has actually delayed releasing its "controversial proposals".

Patients will find it easier to escape NHS queues and head across the Channel for treatment under an EU blueprint for European health tourism to be published tomorrow.

It will guarantee that, in most cases, treatment within the European Union will be funded by the taxpayer. The move will open up competition between the NHS and European health services and is being hailed as a big step towards an open market for public healthcare.

But, as we all know, the EU has no real interest in the functioning of health care services – all it is interested in is having them at a European level. And, given its disastrous management of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy and, latterly, its flawed rules on waste recycling, the only thing you can guarantee is that, however bad the current National Health Service is, under EU direction it would be even worse.

http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/

[safewalrus]

Whats this "we" Frosty, you ain't one of us you keep saying?

Pericles - the interesting bit is going to come when some European copper come down your street and ses "I arresting you, you waz in holiday in our country and dropp litter" - There again we now have a Manager of one of our National Sports who can't even speak to his players - he no speaka de langige!

[Pericles]

Aye and what's more, the bastard will be carrying a gun to enforce the European Arrest Warrant.:mad:

Pericles

[Bergalia]

You cant go buy a house anywhere!! Switzerland for example..

I don't think Switzerland is a member of the EU, Frosty. However you could buy a really large Cuckoo Clock and use it as a residence...Pop out on the hour, every hour, as it were...I think it would be most suitable....:)

[Frosty]

Switzerland not part of EU???

but Poland is??? what the F

Wlarus its quite likely the policeman from Brussels will speak and write better than you. Your spelling is terrible, if you trying to make yourself sound cute with a little Western country twang,----its not working.

[Bergalia]

Switzerland not part of EU??? but Poland is??? what the F


Swiss application on hold I believe. Anyway, they're boring....Whereas the Poles eat gherkins...:(

[Frosty]

What ferkin gherkins?

Psssst I wouldnt have spelled it that way if Berg had'nt have done it first

[lazeyjack]

Masalai,

No worries sport.:D

Season's greetings to you.

Pericles

please take no notice of those ANTIPODEAN PEASANTS
they know not Kipling
Be in Lon 28th. Share a tipple/

[masalai]

So you don't have to yell I am deaf not blind. Kipling couldn't even spell flannery. Oh but that is for those on remittance in Paris.

Kipling is also a belgian brand so watch your tongue it is probably copyright. The books, - just so stories, - The jungle Book & other works are probably free of copyright. Much of his work is freely available as print or "spoken texts" from the net & most good libraries. (for the benefit of poms & septics wot can't read).

[Bergalia]

please take no notice of those ANTIPODEAN PEASANTS they know not Kipling


Absolute rubbish Jack as you well know. Hardly a day passes without a kipple taking place down-under.

[nordvindcrew]

ok, I'm going to post this and then head for the strom cellar because I expect some will rip me a new --hole, then again, maybe some one will enjoy this.

A Small World The cold winters' night settles over Massachusetts Bay. In my truck, I'm warm, parked there by the sea-wall. Gazing out to sea as the night overtakes the day. Dark clouds hide the rising moon as my eyes strain to watch and see it all. quietly searching, knowing I'll see something soon. A silent shadow with lights of white red and green/ The distant lights tell of a tug with barge in tow. A small world traveling slowly south, largely unseen. On the bridge, the captain and mate are the crew. An engineer and cook do their work down below. Back on the tow,barge crew,one man, maybe two. A small world travling south, slowly passing by.
Noted by just a few who watch and read the lights, And understand the message written in the winter sky.

[Frosty]

Beautifully written there nordvin, Yes a lovely bit of word juggling but----


red white and green could be seen, All at once?

Or was'nt that suppposed to be of any importance in the story.

[masalai]

one tug going forward, another going astern, both pushing/pulling a barge?

Ask a s.... get a s.... answer from a s... source? Paints a pretty picture in words though. This is a case of a few words making a thousand pictures.

nordvin, If that was a typical sample of your prowess in prose, please wax lyrical wherever you please.

[Frosty]

That would be 2 greens, red and a white or 2 reds and a green and a different white?

Depending on which tug was pushing or pulling and if the barge was being pushed or pulled.

Awww hell its christmas eve, just a bit more typing and im goin down pub.

[masalai]

Is that being pedantic or a pedantic prick? Good laugh though! :D

[Frosty]

Pedantic is that like ambiguous then a bit.

Seems clear to me Ille bet Walrus knows. He used to do all this stuff you know --Oh yes he was a desert rat you know? he got a medal for penti--pedatic---what you said.

Oh yes ille bet he will know,--- if he does'nt know I will show my arse in the police station steps.

Jeees its 4.20 --Im going down pub.

[safewalrus]

Sounds like a pilot boat to me, so OK maybe the tugs ain't got no lights!! or his 'special ops' has a white out!

Or its normal under 50 metres steaming with the skipper standing on the bridge wing having a cigarette (that glows red!)

[masalai]

Any further drivel here is difficult to justify. drivel, drivel, drivel..... The "Garrison Kielor Radio Show" from septic land is unusual, it is sort of good???

[Frosty]

Damn now I have to show my arse on the police station steps.

[masalai]

Just edit out the promises that cannot be honestly kept (with out witness or photographic proof) :D :D ;) :P

[Frosty]

Damn now I have to show my (delete) on the (delete) steps.

[masalai]

Thank goodness he found a way out of that promise. What an ugly sight it must be, and a groan man too.......

[charmc]

Red white and green ... all normal when the tug is headed toward the observer.

Geeeeeeezzzzzzz, the nits some of you guys want to pick!

Give the man credit for a good job, creating a sea scene in a few well chosen words.

Good work, Jeff.

[Frosty]

Well er --we ahem-eeerr I did mention that it might not have been important but he didnt say anything.

Nit picker I may be but Mr grumpy I am not.

[murdomack]

Here's some seagoing Kipling for your Christmas

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_mcandrew.htm

[safewalrus]

OK Charlie, your right of course! we all presumed...... you should never presume!

Mind you small tug, small tow with only one white light - could be anything powered really (is the tug a red herring or is it early evening with still a small bit of light? who knows? I ain't there so who cares, it won't endanger me!! Anyway have a good one!! And keep Frosty off those steps!!

[Frosty]

Bit quiet---------------isnt it-----------------

SILENCE-----------






Ive said it before that most people just use this forum to get over the boredom of work----------------










Very quiet today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nordvindcrew]

never claimed to be an expert on the rules for lights on tugs and barges. Poetic license might be too strong an alibi, but the picture was what I wanted to paint, leaving it up to those far more knowledgeable than me to straighten out the nuances of what lights might or might not be visable. My apologies to all the "saltier than thou" types who may have been offended by my lack of thourough and complete knowledge of the subject.

[masalai]

Don't apologise Nord, Your poetic licence is perfect, its just some grumpy old bastards get bored. Even those who deny they are grumpy :D Your word picture brightened the days of more people than you can imagine, even vicariously.

[Frosty]

Grumpy bastard???? (raising head off pillow) Someone call me?

[safewalrus]

So I see ahead of me a single white light! come on, oh you experts what is it?

[Bergalia]

So I see ahead of me a single white light! come on, oh you experts what is it?


It's what they see in those movies when death is imminent.....:(

Or - you might have taken the wrong turning when leaving the pub.....:D

[masalai]

Please Sir, Please Sir, I know, I know!!!!

1 . . It is from where the sun never shines?
2 . . A small yacht at anchor
3 . . A distant lighthouse (you will see the "flashing" if you stop blinking)
4 . . Some idiot with a torch on his boat after discovering the batteries are flat & engine won't start
5 . . A swimmer sitting in an inner tube with a head-band torch, reading a book & drifting in the ocean at night
6 . . A bright star/planet low on the horizon & you are too pissed to tell otherwise

Sex, oh, that reminds me of other things to do.. .. .. .. ..

[safewalrus]

Hint - your lying on your back..............................................and theres a strong smell of alcohol Happy and Prosperious New Year to you all







and of pee

[masalai]

Death is the only occasion when one should lie on ones back. Avoids the mess associated with a vertical chunder & bar empty/banned from bar. No offence ment to the soldiers doing heroics beyond normal duty.

Reminds me of a tug captain who was called Chuck Chunder around the pubs of Dampier, who parked his tug under a wharf at the bottom of the incoming tide whilst working for "Dougies Tuggies"

[safewalrus]

If you chunder whilst lying on your back Death is invariably the result!! But the good thing about death is the fact that it is not habit forming! Most of us only get one crack at it!!

[longliner45]

holy crap ,,,Ive found the Englishmans drival thread,,,,,longliner

[masalai]

hose a pukin englishman, I don't and I ain't. I tole yew I m n au c.... c?

Hay Longie, Contribute to this intellectual diatribe and demonstrate your infinate capacity at delivering fundamentally flawed 5hit........ :D

[safewalrus]

only one word swings into view, that old sailors term (keeps this on topic) meaning, roughly "I disagree with your view" word, ********!

[charmc]

Here's some seagoing Kipling for your Christmas

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_mcandrew.htm

Good one, that. Thanks, Murdo, and a good year to you!

[Frosty]

while I sit here and type I kid you not my missus is making be sausage ,beans on toast. ---Im bloody starving.

[masalai]

Paul Keating used to be the treasurer and then prime minister of Australia. . . He. . .puts on glasses, - - Oh bugger, Kipling, sorry wrong thread again.

[safewalrus]

Same fellah, wrote some good stuff (spade or shovel work), interspaced it with ****! Just in Kipling's case it was more shovel than ****! and in Keatings case it was more.........

[masalai]

Yes the master of ... had a pig farm, liquid & more of it, not the same as ******** but nevertheless......

[safewalrus]

Aromatic kinda place? ideal breeding ground for a politician!

[masalai]

Somehow I don't think current PM can be identified as such. . . The ex-pig-farmer, ex-PM (business sold & erection lost) denies the new boy is a true "Labour Man".

I have to defend him as he is a local boy from the Sunshine Coast, as is the Treasurer!

[nordvindcrew]

A lobster-mans' clothes, I think, never ever cease to stink. There's bad things in lobster bait: fish guts, pogies and very dead skate. You can try as hard as you will, but there's no escaping the swill. Doesn't matter if you're careful or hurry, you still get covered in gurry. When they come home for a while; at the back door, clothes in a pile. Nothing will touch the terrible stink: not sunshine or bleach in the sink.Even when they're clean, you can tell it's a lobster-man by the smell. They go out and fish in cold and heat so you can have your gourmet treat. Sea-side diners laugh and say "there one goes". He's looked upon with up-turned nose. The diner goes to work as a hired man. The Lobster-man sails under his own command. My nephew worked as a mate on a lobster boat, this is first hand knowledge on my part.

[safewalrus]

Yep! Both sides of the 'pond' too