We were to be a crew of three, John, Adriane and myself. Adriane, however, using her keen feminine wisdom suggested we post an ad on the bulletin board in the American Church seeking a shipmate. An American student who was living in Paris for the summer made quick response.
Mary was a smart and pretty girl of twenty-one from an upper, middle class, Washington family. She was to return at summer's end to an executive training position with General Electric. Mary, obviously bright, had competed for that chance among several hundred applicants. We advised her to consider the proposition overnight. The following morning Mary arrived with her bag packed and ready to go.
Read more: PARIS TO LYON BY CANAL ON THE WANDERLUST II - Part 2
Born 113 years ago, Douglas Bader would grow up to be a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace responsible for more than 20 aerial victories during the Second World War.
But his success stalled in August 1941 when he was forced to bail out of his plane over France, and he was subsequently captured by the Germans, ending up at Colditz prisoner of war camp until its liberation in 1945.
Read more: Douglas Bader - hero , flying ace and an inspiration to reach for the sky
My father passed 8 years ago on the 4th of August. Needless to say. it will be like so many other days, a day of loss. Just before dawn the other night, there was the hint of a thunderstorm. Not big. Just a rumble in the sky and some distant lightning.
Mum ( Redhead) lay snuggled in bed with her male manx cat and he purred and asked for a reassuring rub on his belly and a kiss. A nudge from his head to remind her that he was there.
It took me back to the days when Dad used to say to wake up in the early hours and ask Redhead " Would you like a cup of tea? " and they would sit together and chat and enjoy the dawn hours together, with a nice cup of tea.
Read more: Purring. Protective and Passionate - a real furry fairy story
In October, 2022, after months of negotiation and speculation, the World’s Richest Man purchased “his favourite social media platform” for $44-billion US dollars — because he could, and because he could bring change.
The change he subsequently brought, was the change that was truly desired by a silent (but truly silenced) majority.
And it was Good…
…but he was not done changing…
Read more: FROM TWITTER TO X: Musk's Dark Vision for an "Everything App"
As sports descends into a quagmire of politics, trans rights, flag burning and racial divides, it seems to me that we need to look to historic events to be reminded of what sport is really all about.
To represent your country or town, school or community is an honour. It is a moment that should be filled with pride. Not only for the players, but also the spectators who fill the stadiums and cheer for their favourite.
I watched a film last night called " 83" - about the Cricket World Cup victory by India. What a story of sportsmanship, unity, mateship and determination. How sad that we now seem to be following 1984 from George Orwell instead of the inspiration of Kapil Dev's 1983....
Read more: 1983 was about Winners. 1984 is about Losers. Howzat for a headline?
A truly bizarre phenomenon is currently observable amongst Westerners. In truth, it has been apparent for some time, but it is now quite prevalent, and utterly perplexing. It is primarily witnessed on social media, although it undoubtedly exists beyond. The extraordinary concentration of users “hiving” on digital platforms has allowed for the recognition of common thought-patterns, ideological attitudes and behaviours; and detection is now relatively easy: there are anti-human humans amongst us, and they are none the wiser. This observable phenomenon, although complex in origin, can be both condensed and extrapolated from the simple idea of ‘Tribe versus Cult.’
To appreciate the real insanity underpinning and defining this cultural phenomenon, it is necessary to explore the notion of ‘Tribe’, and ‘Cult’ in the relevant context.
Back in the 1990’s I was asked to “ help out “ at an educational facility in the " balmy " southern city of Invercargill in New Zealand. Just a few months, over winter, to be a relief teacher for someone who was “ sick. “ I obliged.
When I fronted up, I discovered that my predecessor was on sick leave because of a nervous breakdown from teaching the classes that I was taking over. Strange how that fact was left out. As the cool April weather closed in, the days shortened and the southerlies blew in from Antarctica, I began one of the most memorable attacks of frostbite I have ever had. OK, chilblains, but you get my drift.
Read more: The Deep Cold of Down Under - a Tale of Rugby, Vampires and Boomerangs
I think it’s safe to say that adventures of the more daring kind are often hatched during enthusiastic exchanges fuelled by the romantic powers of the wine bottle. This little sojourn was no different.
A drunken sailor is part of folklore and on this particular night, I was a born-again landlubber turned pirate encouraged by the delights of the fermented grape.
Why did I say yes? You may well ask. But say Yes I did, and it began a journey that I will recount over the coming weeks. A journey that began in a conversation with a few friends.
Read more: On the Wunderlust II - Part 1. Come Aboard with Chaucer
Few blades hold as storied a history as the Kukri knife. Hailing from the rugged terrain of Nepal, this distinctive weapon has etched its mark across centuries of warfare and played a crucial role in the daily lives of the people as an agricultural implement.
The roots of the Kukri knife reach deep into the rich tapestry of Nepalese culture and traditions. It is believed that this unique blade design was first forged during the medieval period, with some evidence pointing to its emergence in the early 14th century. Drawing inspiration from earlier curved blades and machetes prevalent in the region, the Kukri gradually evolved into the formidable tool and weapon we know today.
My wife and I are rapt in long distance train travel. It is the only way to see another country in comfort. You live in a luxurious hotel on wheels in the company of other like-minded souls and do trips to the hinterland of wherever the train decides to stop for a sightseeing tour. No airports, no changing hotels.
In 2008 a mate of mine and our wives embarked on a trip to India run by the same English company that did the Trans-Siberian; GW Travel. The tour was called Viceroy of India Darjeeling Mail. The real attraction for me was the Darjeeling Mail part, the most famous steam train journey in the world and an item on my bucket list. The names of places we visited are all the old fashioned ones. I can’t come to grips with the more enlightened names of places I learned about in school and have stuck with me ever since.
India may seem a strange place to go as a tourist. At school we learned that India was a place of masses of, disease, poverty and pestilence. The text books were wrong. The bad parts are worse than that and the good parts are never mentioned apart from the Taj Mahal monument at Agra.
Read more: The Ultimate Steam Train Journey - an Indian Journey
When I was starting out in real estate sales, I learned a lot.
The first thing was being given the listing of the unsellable house. It is something that happens when you are new on the job: you are given a listing that no one else wants.
My unsellable house was a cracker. It had lime green shag pile carpet; a bright orange kitchen and covered in wallpaper with bold patterns of mission brown and orange. The toilets were red. Outside, there was a huge collection of garden gnomes.
It had been on the market for years and as soon as people saw the large collection of garden gnomes, they would not venture inside. The few that did waded through the shag pile green carpet into the kitchen, shook their heads and said " Move on. "
Please donate to
Swiftcode METWAU4B
BSB 484799
Account
Reference PR |
Please email me so I can thank you.
patriot@joomla.vps101246.mylogin.co
Wednesday May 22
As a young girl, I was instilled with a deep understanding of the importance of…
110 hits
Wednesday May 22
Expectations of the role of the government have been rising steadily over the last decade. They rose…
73 hits
Monday May 20
There just might be 74 million reasons environmental charities ignore eagles and whales, and reject…
100 hits
Monday May 20
What is happening in the US is happening everywhere in the Western world. As the…
76 hits
Sunday May 19
The term anarcho-tyranny, on its face, is an oxymoron, a glaring contradiction. Indeed, it’s the…
102 hits
Saturday May 18
William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," first published in 1954, remains one of the most…
97 hits
Saturday May 18
What is it that makes us remember things from our past and, for some inexplicable…
61 hits
Saturday May 18
The 16/17th May marks this most famous raid of WW2, the destruction of the Ruhr…
89 hits
Saturday May 18
Today's article is about Deception. Lies. Experimentation. Life. Death. Family. Love. Hate and Betrayal. It…
108 hits
Thursday May 16
I remember the days before computers changed our lives. When I was a lad, I…
107 hits
Thursday May 16
As the war raged on the Eastern Front, the Soviet Union was in dire need…
116 hits
Tuesday May 14
I am proud to pay tribute to a testimony to the power of coal. If…
90 hits
Sunday May 12
Some time ago I watched "The Man who shot Liberty Valance " - it should…
119 hits
Saturday May 11
I dedicate this article to the women who fought, died and tragically were lost. Alongside…
72 hits
Friday May 10
The concept of Mother’s Day as we know it in Australia began in the United…
93 hits
Friday May 10
Some time ago, I watched a documentary about a man who, by being a spy,…
78 hits
Friday May 10
" The benefits of government can vary depending on the specific form of government and…
74 hits
Friday May 10
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently put up a defense of its violation of its…
85 hits
Friday May 10
Our WEF-captured Australian Government is attempting to use the device of "violent men" to impose…
127 hits
Friday May 10
Have our Governments become backseat drivers in our lives? Telling us what to do? To…
105 hits
Sunday May 05
On 7 May 2023, Charles Windsor was crowned King Charles III of England and its…
154 hits
Sunday May 05
The Battle of the Coral Sea is regarded by some as the action that saved…
258 hits
Saturday May 04
I remember when I arrived in Australia, all those decades ago, I had an accent…
291 hits
Friday May 03
In 1984, our family was adopted by a cat named Billy. He was a tiny…
337 hits
Thursday May 02
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a Nurse. I…
234 hits
Wednesday May 01
No, I don’t believe for a split second that suddenly, college students all over America…
208 hits
Tuesday April 30
More than anyone else in history, Karl Marx exemplified trying to fix the world while…
262 hits
Sunday April 28
Each war seems to produce its own under-appreciated heroes who, for reasons that have nothing…
388 hits
Sunday April 28
Many years ago, a beloved mentor told me a story—a parable, if you will—about a…
301 hits
Saturday April 27
Remember the olden days when you made a phone call on what is called a…
306 hits
Saturday April 27
If all satellites suddenly stopped working, the consequences would be widespread and significant. Satellites play…
376 hits
Thursday April 25
A few nights ago, I watched a series on pay TV called " The Mill.…
339 hits
Wednesday April 24
I belong to the group known as Baby Boomers – the ones that were…
317 hits
Wednesday April 24
'So we marched into the sea and when we got out to about waist level…
334 hits
Wednesday April 24
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary…
301 hits
Tuesday April 23
My very first Dawn Service was at St Faith’s Church at Ohinemutu in Rotorua in…
223 hits
Tuesday April 23
The Last Post would be familiar to all Australians from an early age. It is…
299 hits
Monday April 22
Back a while ago, we published an incredibly interesting article about the life of one man…
348 hits
Sunday April 21
The young men who left for war over a century ago were full of hope…
309 hits
Saturday April 20
25 April is a very important day for Australians and New Zealanders. It is called…
300 hits
Friday April 19
A while ago, I watched a movie ( Australian ) called William Kelly's War. It was…
345 hits
Wednesday April 17
When our leaders and politicians sign us up to these global accords, declarations and agreements,…
316 hits
Wednesday April 17
It has been truly said that Australia arrived in Gallipoli as six separate States and…
315 hits
Tuesday April 16
Cats have been a part of ocean going ships since time immemorial being needed to…
397 hits
Sunday April 14
In 1942, my late Uncle was a metallurgist in Papua New Guinea. At the height…
388 hits
As a young girl, I was instilled with a deep understanding of the importance of…
110 hits
Expectations of the role of the government have been rising steadily over the last decade. They rose…
73 hits
There just might be 74 million reasons environmental charities ignore eagles and whales, and reject…
100 hits
What is happening in the US is happening everywhere in the Western world. As the…
76 hits
The term anarcho-tyranny, on its face, is an oxymoron, a glaring contradiction. Indeed, it’s the…
102 hits
William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," first published in 1954, remains one of the most…
97 hits
What is it that makes us remember things from our past and, for some inexplicable…
61 hits
The 16/17th May marks this most famous raid of WW2, the destruction of the Ruhr…
89 hits
Today's article is about Deception. Lies. Experimentation. Life. Death. Family. Love. Hate and Betrayal. It…
108 hits
I remember the days before computers changed our lives. When I was a lad, I…
107 hits
As the war raged on the Eastern Front, the Soviet Union was in dire need…
116 hits
I dedicate this article to the women who fought, died and tragically were lost. Alongside…
72 hits
The concept of Mother’s Day as we know it in Australia began in the United…
93 hits
" The benefits of government can vary depending on the specific form of government and…
74 hits
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently put up a defense of its violation of its…
85 hits
Our WEF-captured Australian Government is attempting to use the device of "violent men" to impose…
127 hits
Have our Governments become backseat drivers in our lives? Telling us what to do? To…
105 hits
On 7 May 2023, Charles Windsor was crowned King Charles III of England and its…
154 hits
The Battle of the Coral Sea is regarded by some as the action that saved…
258 hits
I remember when I arrived in Australia, all those decades ago, I had an accent…
291 hits
69 hits
No, I don’t believe for a split second that suddenly, college students all over America…
208 hits
More than anyone else in history, Karl Marx exemplified trying to fix the world while…
262 hits
Each war seems to produce its own under-appreciated heroes who, for reasons that have nothing…
388 hits
Many years ago, a beloved mentor told me a story—a parable, if you will—about a…
301 hits
If all satellites suddenly stopped working, the consequences would be widespread and significant. Satellites play…
376 hits