Dim Cwrw'r Wythnos - Gout Stopped Play

 

Ddyd Dewi Sant

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! 

I wish I could speak Welsh - although not enough to do anything about it. 

Follow the money

France can support 14 top tier rugby sides

England 10  - Soon to be 12

Ireland 4

Wales 4 - Soon to be 3

Scotland 2

Italy 2

(The last 4 in the URC)

Where is the money going in Wales?

What Matthew did next

Fresh from promoting the Welsh National Theatre by touring his one man show "Playing Burton", (Read the Programme here) the great man is now promoting Welshness to the Yanks.

The star of "The Americans" and "The Beast In Me" chose to not buy a struggling Football League side, but to shout about Welsh Cculture from the rooftops. Hat-tip Matthew. Not bad for a Taff.

From  BBC News - You owe us for rich history, proud Welshman Matthew Rhys tells United States

Swansea Jack

Indy & I paid our respects to Swansea Jack this morning. Probably Swansea's second most famous dog, after Snoop Dogg, of course. 

We were too late to hat-tip The Snoop, unlike 20300ish rabid Swansea City FC supporters on Tuesday night. 

The cult of personality separated by a century. I know who I admire more. 

Want to know Swansea Jack's story? From Wiki:-

Swansea Jack (1930 – October 1937) was a British dog who rescued 29 people from the docks and riverbanks of Swansea, Wales. 

wiki/Swansea Jack

Want more on snoop? 

BBC News - Snoop Dogg performed private gig in our canteen

He even seems to have calmed the Swansea v Cardiff rivalry according to this TikTok account

York? On the coast? and wandering battle sites...?

York? On the coast? Well I never! 

I was surprised to see this map purporting to show these sceptred isles in 878, with the East coast looking decidedly different from the present coastline. I knew lots of East Anglia and the fels have been reclaimed, but was unaware that the coast furter north had also been. Bloody great lumps missing as they were marshes & shallow seas.

This map was included in an article about the Battle of Bruanburh, and its consequences for the political genesis of these lands. I love the mention of King Owain of Strathclyde, a Welsh kingdom at this time, which has always fascinated me. Including Edinburgh, or Dunedin to give it it's Welsh name. I wonder how many people realise that this was a Welsh realm 1200 years ago.

I'd also assumed that this battle had been near Bamburgh Castle, but it's a lot more complicated than that, with up to a potential 40 sites identified!

From Wiki:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brunanburh

the location of the battlefield is unknown[18] and has been the subject of lively debate among historians since at least the 17th century.[49] Over forty locations have been proposed, from the southwest of England to Scotland,[50][51] although most historians agree that a location in Northern England is the most plausible.[52][53]

Wirral Archaeology, a local volunteer group, have searched for the site of the battle near Bromborough on the Wirral.[54] They found a field with a heavy concentration of artifacts which may be a result of metal working in a tenth-century army camp.[55] The location of the field is being kept secret to protect it from nighthawks. As of 2020, they are seeking funds to pursue their research further.[56] The military historian Michael Livingston argues in his 2021 book Never Greater Slaughter that Wirral Archaeology's case for Bromborough is conclusive, but this claim is criticised in a review of the book by Thomas Williams. He accepts that Bromborough is the only surviving place name which originates in Old English Brunanburh, but says that there could have been others. He comments that evidence of military metal working is unsurprising in an area of Viking activity: it is not evidence for a battle, let alone any particular battle.[57] In an article in Notes and Queries in 2022, Michael Deakin questions the philological case for Bromborough as Brunanburh, suggesting that the first element in the name is 'brown' and not 'Bruna'. Bromborough would therefore be 'the brown [stone-built] manor or fort'. The corollary of this argument being the early names of Bromborough cannot be derived from Old English Brunanburh.[58] Michael Wood, in an article in Notes and Queries in 2017, discusses the alternative spelling Brunnanburh 'the burh at the spring or stream', found in several Anglo-Saxon Chronicle manuscripts.[59]

The medieval texts employ a plethora of alternative names for the site of the battle, which historians have attempted to link to known places.[60][61][62] The earliest relevant document is the “Battle of Brunanburh” poem in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (version A), written within two decades of the battle, which names the battlefield location as “ymbe Brunanburh” (around Brunanburh).[63] Many other medieval sources contain variations on the name Brunanburh, such as Brune,[64][65] Brunandune,[66] Et Brunnanwerc,[33] Bruneford,[67] Cad Dybrunawc[68] Duinbrunde[69] and Brounnyngfelde.[70]

It is thought that the recurring element Brun- could be a personal name, a river name, or the Old English or Old Norse word for a spring or stream.[71][13] Less mystery surrounds the suffixes –burh/–werc, -dun, -ford and –feld, which are the Old English words for a fortification, low hill, ford, and open land respectively.[71]

Ancient artesian spring at Barton-upon-Humber

Not all the place-names contain the Brun- element, however. Symeon of Durham (early 12th C) gives the alternative name Weondune (or Wendune) for the battle site,[33][72] while the Annals of Clonmacnoise say the battle took place on the “plaines of othlyn”[73] Egil's Saga names the locations Vínheiðr and Vínuskóga.[74]

Few medieval texts refer to a known place, although the Humber estuary is mentioned by several sources. John of Worcester's Chronicon (early 12th C),[35] Symeon of Durham's Historia Regum (mid-12th C),[72] the Chronicle of Melrose (late 12th C)[75] and Robert Mannyng of Brunne's Chronicle (1338)[76] all state that Olaf's fleet entered the mouth of the Humber, while Robert of Gloucester's Metrical Chronicle (late 13th C)[77] says the invading army arrived "south of the Humber". Peter of Langtoft's Chronique (ca. 1300)[78] states the armies met at “Bruneburgh on the Humber”, while Robert Mannyng of Brunne's Chronicle (1338)[76] claims the battle was fought at “Brunesburgh on Humber”. Pseudo-Ingulf (ca. 1400)[79] says that as Æthelstan led his army into Northumbria (i.e. north of the Humber) he met on his way many pilgrims coming home from Beverley. Hector Boece's Historia (1527)[80] claims that the battle was fought by the River Ouse, which flows into the Humber estuary.

Few other geographical hints are contained in the medieval sources. The poem in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says that the invaders fled over deep water on Dingesmere, perhaps meaning an area of the Irish Sea or an unidentified lake or river.[81] Deakin noted that the term ding had been used in the Old English Andreas (poem) where it is suggested to have been used metaphorically for a grave and/or Hell. His analysis of the context of lines 53–56 of the Brunanburh poem suggest to him that dingesmere is a poetic and figurative term for the sea.[58]

Egil's Saga contains more detailed topographical information than any of the other medieval texts, although its usefulness as historical evidence is disputed.[41] According to this account, Olaf's army occupied an unnamed fortified town north of a heath, with large inhabited areas nearby. Æthelstan's camp was pitched to the south of Olaf, between a river on one side and a forest on raised ground on the other, to the north of another unnamed town at several hours' ride from Olaf's camp.[74]

Many sites have been suggested, including:

Bromborough on the Wirral[b]

Barnsdale, South Yorkshire[c]

Brinsworth, South Yorkshire[d]

Bromswold[e]

Burnley[f]

Burnswark, situated near Lockerbie in southern Scotland[g]

Lanchester, County Durham[h]

Hunwick in County Durham[i]

Londesborough and Nunburnholme, East Riding of Yorkshire[101]

Heysham, Lancashire[102]

Barton-upon-Humber in North Lincolnshire[j]

Little Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire.[103]

Bourn in South Cambridgeshire[k]

Who's Land(rover)

Good old British Land Rover, Sponsor of the Six Nations, as British as fish & Chips?

Think again.  Owned by Indian Tata Motors, built in Slovakia.

Try Grenadier? 

Owned by Ineos, used to be ICI until the racist Jim Radcliffe took his lily arse & £4bn tax bill off to Monaco, Located his manufacturing site in an old Mercedes plant in France, in a joint venture with some Austrians.

Rule Britannia indeed. The rot started by the princess of darkness herself, Maggie (the rat in the kitchen) Thatcher, decimator of British manufacturing, the mines, and seller off of the countries assets to 'free enterprise'. 

How did that go for Thames Water? A fudiciary duty to make money for shareholders, & huge salaries to "attract & retain the best management" Fuck off.

Dim Cwrw'r Wythnos

 

Dim Cwrw'r Wythnos - cymalwst

Waaaaaales!

A wholeheartedly better performance by our boys yesterday against the Jocks. Lake played a captain's role, Costelow was solid, Wainwright won the loose, James played well. We have hope again. 

It reminded me of the days in the 70's & 80's , when matches were close, we competed, but the difference being we usually won. 

Remember Cardiff 1986? Wales leading 16 - 15, against the Jocks? A 23 year old Paul Thorburn kicked a 70 yard monster to seal a win? 

Watch the video here (BBC). Still the longest recorded international goal. Chapeau indeed.

Or here (you tube):-

 

Gout! By Jingo!

 You may now call me "Uncle Podger" 

Off to buy a yellow waistcoat. 

I will never tire

 The beauty never ceases to take my breath away. Do they have this on other worlds? Other planets?

Are there oceans of Methane? Carbon Dioxide? Mercury? where other life forms have evolved to admire their beauty? 

It's Right Royal Knockout

 

£132.1m/ 69.3m = £1.90

£500m/ 69.3m = £7.21

Per person, any age, any income in the UK.

Granted to them because they are our masters. Anointed by God. The likes of Prince formally known as Randy Andy.

What bullshit.

What could £500 million be spent on instead? Or just cut taxes to the people.

The cost of exercise

Following on from my post, it turns out that I have torn my ligaments on top and underneath my left foot. I guess that it was too much to go from hero to zero in one go. So now I'm looking at 2/3 weeks recovery. Dagnabbit 

Update:

Could this be Gout?

When you have nothing to say

 See above

Surfside to Surfside

Today's dog walk allez et retour. Some of the best views on the Gower, and a change to my usual route.

Wild & windy, but dry.  Rewarded with a bacon butty & a flat white. 

Smoother coffee than in Surfside Rotherslade, who use Gower Coffee Company. I think Caswell uses Segafredo. 

Cwrw'r Wythnos tri deg pedwar

 Hat Tip Berto for this one.

What have the Romans done for us?

Following on from yesterday's post, I thought I'd find out what have the Romans Labour party done for us? 

According to https://whathaskeirdone.co.uk/results

They have:-

NHS
Secured £400m investment to boost clinical trials, improving NHS services and driving growth.
Announced that over 1,000 more GPs will be recruited this year, supporting NHS services.
Set out his long-term plan to rebuild our NHS for good and transform services over the next 10 years.

Transport
Ended train strikes, delivering for passengers.
Launched new legislation to bring the UK's railways back into public ownership which will improve rail services.
Given communities more power over their local bus services.

Housing
Banned no-fault evictions and introduced new protections for renters.
Delivered planning reform to build the homes we need.
Announced ‘Homes for Heroes’ - a programme to ensure all UK Armed Forces Veterans as well as domestic abuse survivors and care leavers have a roof over their head.

Crime and Border Security
Kickstarted a plan to restore neighbourhood policing.
Scrapped the wasteful Rwanda scheme and launched a Border Security Command to smash the criminal smuggling gangs and improve the UK's border security.

Education
Launched a Curriculum and Assessment Review to help improve schools.
Started the drive to recruit 6,500 teachers nationally, improving the education system.
Launched Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
Scrapped single headline Ofsted grades in schools in landmark school reform.
Overhauled apprenticeships through a new Growth and Skills Levy.
Supported parents by announcing the first stage of the government's plan to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries.
Announced the Children's Wellbeing bill which will remove barriers to opportunity and make sure the school system is fair for every child.
Kickstarted the rollout of free breakfast clubs for all primary school children through an early adopters scheme.

Economy and employment
Unveiled new measures to support small businesses impacted by late payments.
Scrapped the ban on onshore wind and unblocked solar schemes to deliver lower bills and good jobs.
Announced improved employment rights for workers, with a package of reforms that will Make Work Pay - including ending exploitative zero hour contracts, providing statutory sick pay from day one, and ending fire and rehire.
Secured a record 131 new green infrastructure projects which will create jobs and drive growth.
Announced a new National Wealth Fund to unlock private investment.
Introduced a new Fiscal Lock Law to deliver economic stability and protect family finances.
Announced new Covid Corruption Commissioner to get back what is owed to people.
Launched landmark pensions review to support pensioners.

Environment
Launched a new Floods Resilience Taskforce to turbocharged flood preparedness and support delivery of flood defences.
Delivered new measures to penalise water bosses who pollute waters.
Announced a new deal for farmers, which will go further to support farmers, boosting rural economic growth and strengthening Britain's food security.

Cost of living
Launched the Warm Homes Plan to deliver lower energy bills and lift over one million households out of fuel poverty.
Established the Child Poverty Taskforce, working across government departments to tackle child poverty.
Working to drive up Pension Credit applications.
Extended the Household Support Fund to support struggling households with bills and essential costs over winter.

Defence
Launched a new Armed Forces Commissioner who will be a strong, independent champion to improve life for UK service personnel and their families.
Awarded our armed forces the largest pay increase in decades which will renew the nation's contract with those who serve.

The Tories presided over 14 years of decline, undermined our public services, and wrecked our economy.

Turns out quite a bit, then. 

Don't Read All About It!

I have wondered recently what the Labour Party was actually doing, until my lovely wife pointed out 3 pieces of legislation going through parliament at present:-

1. Lowering the voting age to 16 in General Elections 

2. Making it illegal for MP's to have 2nd jobs

3. Banning foreign funding of UK political parties. 

All good news imho, and yet the 'i' leads with:-

Not a mention about these 3 changes by any of the mainstream newspapers:-

Today's papers

PS, Kim pointed me to this one, too:-

A 'Don't lie to the public' bill

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train)

They don't write lyrics like this any more:-

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train)

She stayed with me until she moved to Notting Hill
She said it was the place she needs to be
Where the cocaine is fair trade, and frequently displayed
Is the Buena Vista Social Club CD

I thought she’d be back in three weeks and we’d go wandering the Peaks
Sojourn in my Uncle Joe’s ashram
For when you’re in Matlock Bath you don’t need Sylvia Plath
Not while they’ve got Mrs. Gibson’s Jam

Alas I’m brooding alone by the runnel
While she’s in Capri with her swain
And the light at the end of the tunnel
Is the light of an oncoming train

Well we both grew up in Eyam and strange as it may seem
Neither of us thought we’d ever leave
But the beak in Leek is weak
And she’s moved in so to speak
With featureless TV producer Steve

And now it’s all Eva Cassidy and aphids in Picardy
And so I can only ascertain
That the light at the end of the tunnel
Is the light of an oncoming train

No frills, handy for the hills, that’s the way you spell New Mills
Brooding alone by the runnel
While she’s in Capri with her swain

And the light at the end of the tunnel
Is the light of an oncoming train
Is the light of an oncoming train
Is the light of an oncoming
Old time religion
Gimme that old time religion
Gimme that old time religion
It’s good enough for me.

I didn't know this:- swain/sweɪn/  noun 

literary

a young lover or suitor.

State of the Nation(al Rugby Team) ii

Over £1,000,000 in salaries for top 3 executives in WRU. 

£500,000 spent on consultants

£5,000,000 lost ticket sales

Balance that, Abi, you uncivil servant

What on earth are these people doing to Welsh Rugby?

UPDATE:-

:-(

Play Misty for me

 Misty moody walk today, pre-trip to BOA for El Grupo Libros 2.19

 

Robin wasn't impressed 

Its life, gym

6th session in 3 weeks now. Perhaps this is becoming a habit.

https://www.swanseabaysportspark.wales/

State of the Nation(al Rugby Team)

Just had a screenshot from a mate highlighting the attendance for the home Wales matches. HatTip StevieG. 

I've heard there are 50,000 unsold tickets @ £100 average = £5,000,000 lost income.

Corroborated on WRU website today. Green shows unsold seats, in all 3 matches:-

It used to be that you would have to call in favours to get a ticket for home internationals....

We need a reset now. Clear out all the WRU management, and get in a new set. Please. 

Cwrw'r Wythnos tri deg tri

 

Red Right (or Left) Hand

One of my favourite all time songs is Nick Cave's Red Right Hand. A superb bass line, haunting atmosphere and menacing vocals. I will never forget a 10 (?) year old Hari, dressed in horror garb, performing her interpretative dance to this in Mark Warner Paleros's kids talent show. Must have been about Y2000. Fab. 

Then, of course it was famously used as the theme song for the excellent 'peaky blinders'

Vengeance & retribution indeed. 

This of course is mixed up with radical protestantism in Northern Ireland, and is still on the flag of Ulster, but comes from deep in Irish Mythology.

 I wonder what Nick was thinking when he penned it. He is of course Australian. 

According to Google AI:-

Nick Cave's relationship with religion is complex: raised Catholic, he's deeply influenced by the Bible, especially the New Testament, finding profound inspiration and meaning in Christian stories and figures, particularly Jesus, though he often explores faith as a risky, existential quest rather than dogma, viewing it as a source of creative freedom, artistic inspiration, and solace amidst chaos. He separates personal faith from organized religion, focusing on the "Wild God" and the powerful, often dark, narratives within scripture. 

Also:-

Key Aspects of His Religious Views:

Christian Influence: Cave is a voracious reader of the Bible (especially the King James Version) and frequently discusses Jesus as a central, inspiring figure in his work.

Inspiration & Art: He views love songs as songs for God and connects his shift towards more mellow music to focusing on the New Testament. Religion provides immense creative fuel and a framework for exploring deep human emotions.

Faith vs. Dogma: Cave emphasizes a personal, adventurous, and risky faith, contrasting it with the comfort of organized religion or "Christendom," drawing parallels to Kierkegaard.

Search for Meaning: He finds solace in Christianity as a way to navigate a chaotic world, seeking meaning and connection through faith, even as an agnostic or someone questioning conventional beliefs.

The "Wild God": His faith embraces tension, the disturbing, and the "fecund place of terror," focusing on a powerful, untamed divinity rather than simple moralizing. 

So, a nutter, then.

Then again, he may just be a fan of Indian cuisine, & taken a gander at the Tandoori Chef's hands. 

Cwrw'r Wythnos atodol

A special mention. 

All the way from  Lervig Brewery, from Stavanger, Norvege,

The most amazing imperial stout I have ever tried. Wow indeed. Its a pity its on draught, as I'd have bought all their stock. 

Glock 17 or 19?

 I'm trying to work out which of these two our boys away team fired off in Florida last year...

Glock 19

Glock 17

I was so impressed that I bought the hat.....

(Beer Riff pot included for size comparison only, not a recipe suggestion)

Olympic Games

Back in 2005, I blogged this:-

Im amazed that I remember doing this! Grey cells can't be that wasted by beer, yet...

Now, 20 years later, I might have the answer!

From https://greekreporter.com/

Was Olympus a Mountain or a Divine Realm in Ancient Greek Belief?

Snow on Mount Olympus.

Homer describes Olympus as a place unshaken by wind, untouched by rain, and free of snow, where the gods dwell in everlasting serenity and splendor.

Neither Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey, nor Hesiod in Theogony and Works and Days, directly equates Olympus with a geographical mountain. 

Olympus is widely recognized today as the mountain home of the ancient Greek gods—a majestic, cloud-topped peak reigning over the mortal world. But is this modern conception how ancient Greeks themselves envisioned the divine dwelling place? Did they believe a mountain to be the abode of the gods, or something else?

Olympus in early Greek literature

This may come as a surprise to modern readers but no ancient Greek writer before the Hellenistic period would ever associate the place of the gods with mountains. Contrary to popular belief, early Greek writers such as Homer and Hesiod never explicitly described Olympus as a physical mountain. Instead, their references suggest a far more mystical and metaphysical interpretation of the gods’ celestial abode.

Neither Homer in his epics, nor Hesiod in Theogony and Works and Days, equates Olympus with a geographical mountain. In reality, Olympus is a radiant, divine realm beyond mortal reach. It is a plane of eternal light, tranquility and immortality. Many claim that the name ”Olympus” itself literally translates as ”all-shining”. In the Iliad, Homer describes Olympus as a place unshaken by wind, untouched by rain, and free of snow. There, the gods dwell in everlasting serenity and splendor:

“Neither shaken by winds, nor ever drenched by rain, nor does snow approach it,

but a clear and cloudless sky stretches above, and a brilliant radiance spreads everywhere.”

This portrayal aligns more closely with a metaphysical plane of existence than with a specific physical location.

Homer places Olympus in the sky

Homer also references the giants Otus and Ephialtes, two formidable figures in Greek mythology. They attempted to reach Olympus by piling mountains upon each other. This myth, found in the Odyssey, underscores the idea that Olympus was not a mountain itself. Instead it was a transcendent realm beyond physical access, connected with the sky. The futility of their endeavor suggests that Olympus was not a tangible place. It was a divine domain inaccessible to mortals or even the mightiest of giants.

Hesiod’s Theogony reinforces this interpretation, presenting Olympus as the dwelling place of the gods, characterized by eternal light and harmony. The gods’ unchanging and immortal nature mirrored the cosmic stability attributed to Olympus. This suggests a symbolic representation of divine order rather than a physical mountain.

So there!

A Dry DAAAAAAAY!

YaaaaaaaY! 
My Mindful Motorbiking resumes!

A beautiful day in the land of my fathers

Kim says I've lost weight.....

You can just make out Caldey from another angle, (no, not Angle, angle)