Sorry for the slight delay in writing another blog, but I have been busy, busy, busy – and more besides. As I grow older, I have begun to realise that perhaps I won’t read all the books I own, or all the books I want to – which is a shame.
My father used to always tell me to read Dickens, Dickens, and more Dickens – but I’ve only read one of his books. However, I have read many classics in literature – including books from the Brönte family, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, and many others – but not enough. However, we can’t forget that there are many years of modern literature out there too! I have loads of Agatha Christie and PD James, but I never have time to read them.
However in addition, I want to read about my favourite subject – history. I love the Tudor and Stuart period; and ancient civilisations throughout the world. And, these kind of books take longer to read too.
All this lack of reading (my favourite past-time) is starting to drive me mad, so I’ve come to a conclusion: I am now going to ban TV for one night a week, so I can just read. Let’s see how that goes – I’ll update you in my next blog, including details of what I’ve read. Bye for now.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Friday, 2 July 2010
June - Half Way
We're all half way into 2010, and I've no idea where my path is leading. I've been so terribly busy with so many silly and pointless things - so I've no idea where the time went. I'm nearing 70 this year, and I want it to slow down. Men don't last very long and women completely outlive us, so our time is more precious.
Talking of time - have you looked at your family tree any time soon? See here - amazing service. I can't tell you how much they showed me about my ancestors history. I was so impressed.
Finally, I was starting to like Gordon Brown (our former Prime Minister), but now we have this strange government that no one voted for. I heard someone yesterday call them the ConDem government. How potentially apt. Unfortunately, they are a populist movement at the moment, so it'll be a couple of years yet, till we see how rubbish they are. But, then maybe that's all politicians? I mean, we all know Blair was rubbish now, don't we? Terrible person.
See you soon!
Talking of time - have you looked at your family tree any time soon? See here - amazing service. I can't tell you how much they showed me about my ancestors history. I was so impressed.
Finally, I was starting to like Gordon Brown (our former Prime Minister), but now we have this strange government that no one voted for. I heard someone yesterday call them the ConDem government. How potentially apt. Unfortunately, they are a populist movement at the moment, so it'll be a couple of years yet, till we see how rubbish they are. But, then maybe that's all politicians? I mean, we all know Blair was rubbish now, don't we? Terrible person.
See you soon!
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Happy New Year
Happy New Year to everyone around the world. 2010! It seems strange that we're now at this milestone of a year - it seems only yesterday that we were celebrating 2000! Ah well. As usual there seems to be a debate about whether we have started a new decade (which I believe we haven't). In the end though - who cares?! Have a look at one such debate here. This guy makes a very valid point, but I still don't care!
Grumpy Old Man has returned.
Grumpy Old Man has returned.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
70 years since the start of WWII
I promise to write more interesting things in the near future, but my son has recently got married, and I've been very busy with organising it with him, and his new wife! However, I thought it was important that I mentioned this sad anniversary - 70 years since the start of WWII. My favourite blog has written about it, and so I thought I would let you go and have a look there....
Thursday, 21 May 2009
The Gurkhas win their rights to settle in the UK
I am very pleased with the news that the brave Gurkhas (pre 1997) who fought for our country are to be granted the opportunity to settle here. This started because Gordon Brown LOST a Commons vote on the matter (the first for a long time in Parliament) and has now finally granted them this wonderful justice.
The Government's response was as follows: "For many years, the Brigade of Gurkhas have shown bravery, commitment and dedication in serving this country, and continue to do so on operations today.
This Government has done more for Gurkhas than any other. It was the first Government to grant settlement to Gurkhas and the first to equalise pay and pensions, with over 6,000 former Gurkhas and their families already given the right to live in the UK. In April we took steps to increase the number of Gurkhas eligible to come to this country by 4,000 or, including families, 10,000 people.
The House of Commons has now expressed a clear view that all Gurkhas should be entitled to settle in the United Kingdom if that is what they wish.
This Government respects the will of the House of Commons and recognises the strong feeling and public support for this cause. Consequently, we have announced today that all former Gurkhas who served for longer than four years will be eligible to apply for settlement in the United Kingdom. They will also be entitled to bring their spouses and dependent minor children. There will be no time limit on applications.
This scheme recognises the unique nature of the service given to the UK by the Brigade of Gurkhas and is offered to them on an exceptional basis.
We believe that in announcing the new policy today, we have met their concerns and those of Parliament." See here.
Whether we can believe their statement about doing more for the Gurkhas than any other government or not, we know that common sense has finally prevailed.
The Government's response was as follows: "For many years, the Brigade of Gurkhas have shown bravery, commitment and dedication in serving this country, and continue to do so on operations today.
This Government has done more for Gurkhas than any other. It was the first Government to grant settlement to Gurkhas and the first to equalise pay and pensions, with over 6,000 former Gurkhas and their families already given the right to live in the UK. In April we took steps to increase the number of Gurkhas eligible to come to this country by 4,000 or, including families, 10,000 people.
The House of Commons has now expressed a clear view that all Gurkhas should be entitled to settle in the United Kingdom if that is what they wish.
This Government respects the will of the House of Commons and recognises the strong feeling and public support for this cause. Consequently, we have announced today that all former Gurkhas who served for longer than four years will be eligible to apply for settlement in the United Kingdom. They will also be entitled to bring their spouses and dependent minor children. There will be no time limit on applications.
This scheme recognises the unique nature of the service given to the UK by the Brigade of Gurkhas and is offered to them on an exceptional basis.
We believe that in announcing the new policy today, we have met their concerns and those of Parliament." See here.
Whether we can believe their statement about doing more for the Gurkhas than any other government or not, we know that common sense has finally prevailed.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
...by the way
...Family Grows on Trees who did some excellent genealogical research for me are still writing excellent blogs: http://familygrowsontrees.blogspot.com/
Do have a read of them!
Do have a read of them!
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Duke of Edinburgh
After proudly discussing our wonderful Queen in one of my Blogs, I hadn't realised that her Consort, the Duke of Edinburgh was nearing a record himself.
Prince Philip has become Britain's longest serving royal consort and has overtaken the record of 57 years and 70 days set by Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.
Although she is a record breaker, poor Charlotte did not have a happy time as Consort, because she had to look after her husband. George suffered from “madness” for a long period of his life, which is now believed to be porphyria. She remained supportive of her husband until her death on 17 November 1818, though she feared him every time she visited. George died, blind, deaf, lame and insane, fourteen months later.
Their lives are certainly not similar, and Prince Philip has worked tirelessly with his wife for the benefit of the UK, and the Commonwealth, since 1947. And, they have clearly been in love for many years, see below.
Philip was made the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich by King George VI shortly before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth in 1947. The Queen made Corfu-born Philip a Prince of the United Kingdom 10 years later.
Even after so many years of service to the country, Prince Philip shows little sign of slowing down. He undertook more than 350 engagements in 2008, and is patron or president of some 800 organisations.
Well done, Philip. Keep up the good work.
How they got together:
Elizabeth—who was Philip's third cousin through Queen Victoria, and second cousin, once removed, through Christian IX of Denmark—fell in love with Philip and they began to exchange letters. Eventually, in the summer of 1946, Philip asked the King for his daughter's hand in marriage. The King granted his request providing any formal engagement was delayed until Elizabeth's twenty-first birthday the following April. The engagement was announced to the public in July 1947.
Louis Mountbatten urged Philip to renounce his Greek and Danish royal titles, as well as his allegiance to the Greek crown, convert from Greek Orthodoxy to the Church of England, and become a naturalised British subject, all of which was done by 18 March 1947. Philip adopted the surname Mountbatten from his mother's family. The day preceding his wedding, King George VI bestowed the style His Royal Highness on Philip, and on the morning of the wedding, 20 November 1947, he was made the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich of Greenwich in the County of London.
How complicated, but I suppose he did it for love (and safety!).
Prince Philip has become Britain's longest serving royal consort and has overtaken the record of 57 years and 70 days set by Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.
Although she is a record breaker, poor Charlotte did not have a happy time as Consort, because she had to look after her husband. George suffered from “madness” for a long period of his life, which is now believed to be porphyria. She remained supportive of her husband until her death on 17 November 1818, though she feared him every time she visited. George died, blind, deaf, lame and insane, fourteen months later.
Their lives are certainly not similar, and Prince Philip has worked tirelessly with his wife for the benefit of the UK, and the Commonwealth, since 1947. And, they have clearly been in love for many years, see below.
Philip was made the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich by King George VI shortly before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth in 1947. The Queen made Corfu-born Philip a Prince of the United Kingdom 10 years later.
Even after so many years of service to the country, Prince Philip shows little sign of slowing down. He undertook more than 350 engagements in 2008, and is patron or president of some 800 organisations.
Well done, Philip. Keep up the good work.
How they got together:
Elizabeth—who was Philip's third cousin through Queen Victoria, and second cousin, once removed, through Christian IX of Denmark—fell in love with Philip and they began to exchange letters. Eventually, in the summer of 1946, Philip asked the King for his daughter's hand in marriage. The King granted his request providing any formal engagement was delayed until Elizabeth's twenty-first birthday the following April. The engagement was announced to the public in July 1947.
Louis Mountbatten urged Philip to renounce his Greek and Danish royal titles, as well as his allegiance to the Greek crown, convert from Greek Orthodoxy to the Church of England, and become a naturalised British subject, all of which was done by 18 March 1947. Philip adopted the surname Mountbatten from his mother's family. The day preceding his wedding, King George VI bestowed the style His Royal Highness on Philip, and on the morning of the wedding, 20 November 1947, he was made the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich of Greenwich in the County of London.
How complicated, but I suppose he did it for love (and safety!).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
