stuff and nonsense!

The genesis of a Gabba Gabba

2011-12-26T10:21:00.001Z

Hat tip Hari Howell for discovering the genesis of the immortal "Gabba Gabba Hey" chant . Vintage ramones from a much older vintage. From the film "freaks" by Tod Browning. 1932

Angharad 'Hari' Howell Chris Howell

THIS is where gabba gabba hey comes from >>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN608oCEqqM

Ramones Gabba Gabba Hey!! Freak Gobble Gobble.

www.youtube.com

Ramones. Gabba Gabba Hey!! Freak.

Movember

2011-10-29T12:18:00.003+01:00

Please visit:

My Movember Charity Page

To support me in raising money for Prostate and Testicular cancer research.

I'm going to look silly for a month :-)

Hitler gets angry about iPhone 4S

2011-10-05T22:52:00.000+01:00

the last one! I promise! Honest!

The Ghan

2011-10-02T22:49:00.001+01:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14897977

kindling the flames

2011-10-02T13:55:00.002+01:00

I followed my own advice to Nick, and added a Kindle to my Amazon wishlist. Lo and behold, a beaut of a Kindle Wireless Reader 3G Wifi Graphite turned up today, thanks to my lovely missus & family

It's even better than i thought, and now it's linked to Kim's account, I can read all her books, too.

Smashing!

Hitler Hears of the New Star Wars Blu Ray Release Changes

2011-09-19T22:28:00.000+01:00

Genius

Ali G - Speaking Welsh

2011-09-17T13:46:00.000+01:00

classic

Swansea to Libya

2011-09-17T13:00:00.001+01:00

Epic Libyan Swansea Man!

Ramones - It's Alive (The Rainbow) 1977 HQ

2011-09-16T17:47:00.000+01:00

Dave Pemberton & I saw them at Cardiff Uni the same year. Fantastic!

Claude François ( Hey Potatoes ) 1962

2011-09-16T17:46:00.000+01:00

It's who we are, it's what we do

2011-08-24T22:17:00.000+01:00

Ed Sheeran - The A Team (Official Music Video) OUT NOW!

2011-08-24T09:01:00.000+01:00

Wow! Didn't think pop did edgey any more.

old dogs

2011-06-05T22:20:00.000+01:00

greatest scrum half of all time?

US3 ELeven long years

2011-06-02T11:16:00.000+01:00

today's favorite track - Horace silver's voyage around my father, and then some...

iPad Garageband - Guitar Jam Improvisation

2011-05-27T18:15:00.000+01:00

Gaddafi - Our Best Enemy (FULL)

2011-05-26T19:53:00.000+01:00

The Rapture

2011-05-20T21:02:00.000+01:00

Sneak preview of "that wedding" rehearsal

2011-04-16T12:24:00.002+01:00

Hat-tip Nick

The Housemartins - Happy Hour

2011-04-02T12:23:00.000+01:00

On-Line petition works!

2011-03-17T21:18:00.002Z

I'm blown away - again. When I signed this petition, I thought it was just the right thing to do, but lo and behold, it worked!

"Better to light a candle than curse the darkness"

"Dear chris,

A small group of lesbian activists from the poverty-stricken townships of Cape Town walked into South African parliament on Monday and convinced their government to finally start fighting the country’s decades-old scourge of "corrective rape" -- where men rape lesbian women to "turn" them straight. You made that moment possible.

Late last year, these activists called on the world to help them pressure their leaders to take action on corrective rape. We answered their call, and more than 170,000 Change.org members from 163 countries joined with them, making this the largest campaign of all time on Change.org.

Three and a half months later, they succeeded. Teaming up with 23 major South African organizations, they got some of the most powerful officials in the country to agree to bring together various government arms and civil society groups to develop and implement a national action plan to combat corrective rape.

The ministry officials asked for details of specific cases in need of immediate attention, committed to a series of meetings beginning in six weeks, and promised to present concrete proposals to prevent corrective rape by the next meeting.

It’s an astounding victory, far beyond what we ever could have imagined when we set out late last year. Now these activists need your help holding the government accountable for its commitments.

If there was any question about the effect you had, the chief of staff himself confirmed it: At one point in the session he explicitly said, in a pleading voice, "Please don't petition us again."

But that’s exactly what we need to do. The government is making a series of urgent decisions on sexual violence legislation in the next few weeks, and South African activists need your help in pressuring them to follow up their words with tangible action:

http://www.change.org/petitions/south-africa-follow-words-with-action-against-rape?alert_id=aDwQnnErnm_iYUAzpBTXp&me=aa

Your work led to overwhelming international press coverage of the campaign, taking corrective rape from an unspoken epidemic to a prominent international issue. In the last two weeks alone, the campaign against corrective rape has been covered by Time Magazine, the Washington Post, USA Today, Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, Miami Herald, Seattle Times, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, MSNBC, Dan Rather, Forbes, Yahoo! News, Salon, and dozens of global outlets from Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Spain, and even a Finnish tabloid.

An elated Luleki Sizwe Founder Ndumie Funda (pictured to the right, alongside the chief of staff from the Ministry of Justice) called it "an incredible achievement…I humble myself to the 170,000 people from all over the world who made this possible. It was about time this happened."

There is still much to be done, but every Change.org member should be proud about what has been accomplished here. In just 100 days, a tiny group of township activists have managed to mobilize more than 170,000 people from 163 countries and engaged the highest levels of government to address their demands. That’s incredible.

Thanks for lending your voice.

- Weldon and the Change.org team"

Bobbin' Apples - How to ressurect an iPod

2011-03-17T19:10:00.005Z

Bobbin' Apples - How to ressurect an iPod touch

I'm amazed!

Kimmy washed Dyl's iPod at 40 deg C on the "Synthetic" cycle. It died.

I googled how to repair a washed iPod, and was advised to dry it off as well as I could, DON'T SWITCH IT ON, and then put it in a bed of rice. Rice is hydrophillic, and will draw out the remaining moisture. I was sceptical.

I did this, 2 days later, I tried it, and it switched on. 2 more days in the rice, and the screen looked better, but the battery status still said empty - it ran on mains power, but looked at the bottom of it's charge level. 1 more day in the rice, and the battery had come back to life! It showed full charge, and works without the mains supply!

So I now have a live iPod, with a slightly blotchy screen, but have saved throwing it away.

Ween - I Gots a Weasel (Original Version)

2011-03-09T10:07:00.000Z

Priceless!

News from A Welsh Born Icon

2011-03-08T10:53:00.002Z

Lifted directly from the excellent A Welsh Born Icon :-

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

You Did it to Me

A huge and iconic stained glass window hangs in a church in the US state of Alabama, paid for by the people of Wales, after the church was destroyed by bombers in 1963, killing four little girls.

In 1963, racist bombers blew up the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The murder of children marked another low in the violent resistance to civil rights.

News of the bombing was broadcast worldwide. Welsh sculptor John Petts heard about it on the radio as he worked in his studio and wanted to do something to help. He contacted The Western Mail, and a campaign was launched to raise money to help rebuild the devastated church. No one was allowed to give more than half a crown – to ensure that no rich benefactor could take credit for the money raised. There were reports of children, black and white, queuing up in Cardiff's Tiger Bay to donate their pocket money.

Tens of thousands of people contributed to the fund. With the money that was raised, Petts was commissioned to create a new stained-glass window for the church. Grand in scale, it depicted the crucified Christ as a black man.

The window is now a focus of worship and has become one of the most famous pieces of art to come out of the darkness of the civil rights period. At its foot is a simple message: "Given by the people of Wales".

Read more today, and listen on Thursday 11.30am-12.00noon BBC RADIO 4.

Charlie Brooker vs. Colonel Gaddafi

2011-03-06T20:11:00.000Z

IAN DURY - By those that really knew him

2011-03-01T23:44:00.001Z

I was there!

Protesters in Tripoli, Libya destroy gaddafi Billboard - Feb 25th

2011-02-26T19:46:00.000Z

Al Jazeera

2011-02-22T13:56:00.001Z

Amazing text coming from Al Jazeera:

"Post-colonial Arab regimes, including those that rode the waves of or even at one point genuinely represented anti-colonial resistance, have had to resort to a reliance on secret police and draconian laws to subordinate their subjects. The lesson is clear: Without a representative democracy, Arab republics have metamorphosed into ugly hereditary dynasties that treat their countries like their own private companies.

While trampling over the interests of his own people, Gaddafi has modeled himself as the champion of the Palestinian cause, reverting to the most fiery verbal attacks on Israel. But this is a recurring theme in a region where leaders must pay lip service to the plight of the Palestinians in order to give their regime the stamp of 'legitimacy'. Gaddafi's 'support', however, did not prevent him from deporting Palestinians living in Libya, leaving them stranded in the dessert, when he sought to "punish the Palestinian leadership" for negotiating with Israel."

Read more here

The dawn of a new age in human history?

2011-02-22T11:53:00.002Z

An interesting Quote from the reader's views section of yesterdays Guarniad:

"What we are witnessing is the dawn of a new age in human history, a new enlightenment, where people are learning their power and their aspirations are far higher than their situation. There is only one reason for all this, namely the communication revolution that the internet and mobile phones have brought about. This is another step in the evolution of our species, like the printing press that brought about the first enlightenment and the post service that brought the French revolution.

This will become a global phenomenon not just a Middle Eastern one. Mass communication is bringing peoples all over the world a sense of freedom that they have never had before, this is evolution, it is an interactive technology not dictated from the top down like TV but from the bottom up by individuals, it is empowering to the mind and to the individual and yet is conversely is creating a international solidarity never seen before."

I hope so

Professor J F (Jack) Richardson OBE FIChemE FREng, 1920 - 2011

2011-02-11T23:23:00.001Z

Professor J F (Jack) Richardson OBE FIChemE FREng, 1920 - 2011

Professor J F (Jack) Richardson who died on January 4 2011 aged 90 was a pioneer in the development of Chemical Engineering in Britain.

He led Chemical Engineering at Swansea University from 1960 to 1987 establishing a vibrant and internationally recognised Centre of Excellence that still benefits from his legacy today. Long after he retired he continued to inspire colleagues and students with his enthusiasm, not just for process engineering, but also for life.

Jack’s first connections with Swansea were in the Second World War when came down to Swansea from London to study fire and explosions of oil. After working at Imperial College, Jack came to Swansea University in 1957 to take up a Chair in Chemical Engineering. He was an excellent teacher, effortlessly able to explain the most difficult concepts to his audience. He could give a key note lecture at a conference and keep an audience of distinguished professors and industrialists mesmerised with his discussion, without the aid of notes, just his charismatic smile.

As well as an international reputation in chemical engineering research and in the chemical engineering profession, perhaps his most enduring achievement was being the co-author and editor of the comprehensive textbook “Chemical Engineering”. This standard textbook is used for teaching chemical engineers world-wide and for over 50 years has been translated into many languages and is still the most comprehensive work of its kind.

Many students and visiting academics would knock on his office door to meet Jack, the author of textbooks that had taught them the intricacies of chemical engineering.

After retirement, he was an active emeritus professor at Swansea University who was still involved in teaching and research into his eighties. Since his death, Engineering staff at Swansea have been contacted by numerous UK and international universities expressing their condolences and admiration for Jack.

Professor Javier Bonet, Head of College of Engineering, Swansea University

An obituary to Professor Richardson appeared in the Daily Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/8302156/Jack-Richardson.html

Support the People's Revolution in Egypt ساند ثورة الشعب في مص

2011-02-10T21:23:00.001Z

Dear chris,

Ten days ago, when the government turned the phones back on for a few hours, two young Egyptian street activists called us from Tahrir Square: Mahmoud Salem, a well known 29-year-old Egyptian activist and blogger, and Gihan Ibrahim (pictured to the right), a 24-year-old activist who calls herself “Gigi.” The two of them dictated the text for an international campaign over the phone.

It’s become one of the top petitions ever on Change.org. You can add your name here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/support-the-peoples-revolution-in-egypt-?alert_id=EVTdCNXGMB_DPkQmYRgJC&me=aa

Earlier today, we spoke with Gigi and Mahmoud again. Here is their dictated letter to you:

Dear fellow Change.org members,

We've been in Tahrir Square -- at the epicenter of the Egyptian revolution -- day and night since January 25th.

People here are tired. We’ve been beaten, shot at, tear-gassed, rained on, denied medical access, and have lived in a public square for more than two weeks. Mercenary thugs on horses have attacked us with whips, swords, and knives. Hundreds of people have lost their lives and thousands are hurt or missing.

But when we tell people here that more than 41,000 people from 120 countries have added their voice to our campaign, it gives them a sense of vindication, telling us that we are not crazy and what we are asking for is something that all human beings deserve.

The revolutionary feeling here is incredible. Every day this square is full of peasants, workers, students and professionals, engineers, teachers, singers, writers and celebrities, Muslims, Christians, young, old, rich and poor.

We are demanding things which everyone can agree on: an end to corruption, dictatorship and oppression; the ability to vote in free, fair and democratic elections; freedom, dignity and social justice to all citizens.

Yet many governments around the world still do not support us. They call for "stability" in the region, even when we lack democracy and human rights in a "stable" country.

This is why your solidarity is so important. It sends a simple message to those in this square who are risking their lives to support democracy: Even if the governments of the world aren’t with us, the people of the world are.

After just two weeks of protest, President Mubarak has called off his brutal police forces, modified the constitution, and promised to step down ahead of upcoming elections.

But these are only baby steps, which should happen as part of open negotiations after the president's resignation, not instead of it. We are dealing with a corrupt, brutal government led by a dictator of 30 years. This has to stop, it has to change, and we will not leave until he does.

Are you with us?

http://www.change.org/petitions/support-the-peoples-revolution-in-egypt-?alert_id=EVTdCNXGMB_DPkQmYRgJC&me=aa

أشكركم على تضامنكم (Thank you for your solidarity)

Gigi Ibrahim and Mahmoud Salem
The January 25 Movement
Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt

Better to light a candle?

2011-02-04T11:08:00.002Z

Vote Of No Confidence

Vote for real change

We have a real problem... we have a government who have gained power even though they were not voted for by the electorate! A government who are making decisions that are affecting all sectors of our society. But, before I go any further, you need to know this... I am not a left wing activist, neither am I a right wing fundamentalist and I have no intention of inciting a riot or, even worse, a rebellion! I am a very concerned British citizen who is exercising his fundamental democratic right to bring about REAL change by voting for it. There is only one way that we, the public, can do this legally and peacefully and that is by sending a message to the government that we have no confidence in them and, most importantly, in what they are doing!

I've gone over to the Dark Side

2011-01-30T22:56:00.002Z

At long last, I have gone over to the Dark Side, and bought an iPod touch 64gb.
It's beautiful!
It does so much and more, effortlessly. From the initial packaging, to the detail of how it displays tracks full screen, everything is so stylish!
I love the "find your iPod" which uses GPS to locate your lost iPod, and can remotely lock it, or even erase all the data. seamless integration with email and social network sites.
My old Zen was just a MP3 player. I haven't found all the features of the iPod yet.

Delighted of Swansea

Puddle Of Mudd - Control

2011-01-28T14:52:00.000Z

Dude, Seroiusly, Bro....

Killer Anthem - I love it.

iMovie taster

2011-01-28T09:56:00.000Z

Easy! Part of the justification for buying my new iPod touch was to "stay current".
I HAVE to keep up with the kids I teach. :-)
You decide....

lucky stars

2011-01-27T10:04:00.001Z

j

What can I say?

Awsome and Random (sic)

2011-01-25T21:19:00.002Z

My 9 year old announced this evening that he wanted a website.

He found Blogspot by remembering the logo here, and duly signed in. All I had to do was to give him my mobile no. to verify he was human (?) and he did the rest. I'm quite impressed. I guess it goes to show that he has no fear of new tech in the way that we had no fear of video recorders when we were young.

http://awsomerandom.blogspot.com/

I even like the way he can't spell awesome :-)

Polly on the money (again)

2011-01-21T22:31:00.001Z

Excellent article in the Gruaniand:-

"As the Cameron/Osborne economic policy takes on a distinctly 1930s echo, alternatives begin to look credible. People open their ears to why it need not be this way, why growth is a better deficit cure than cuts. As Larry Elliott points out, growth at 1.1% was picking up fast in Labour's last quarter last year, buoyed by Keynesian stimulus – such as the car scrappage scheme and building schools for the future: that growth made the deficit fall £30bn faster than Treasury forecasts and unemployment was falling, not rising.

Compare that with the third quarter of the same year – growth falling to just 0.7% – and predictions that the fourth quarter will drop to 0.4%. Will he apologise? He told the World at One , "We didn't get everything right", but then listed successes with a gusto that has been missing so far from Labour's story. Half apologies work well: every time Cameron says Labour failed to regulate the banks, quote back to him his clamour for less regulation. Every time Cameron accuses Labour of over spending, remind him that he pledged to stick like superglue to all Labour's spending plans. Facts can't be denied indefinitely, and Ed Balls will make sure they are broadcast far and wide."

Rowan Atkinson The School Master

2011-01-21T21:47:00.000Z

Carpet Snake Dreaming

2011-01-17T13:21:00.001Z

Carpet Snake Dreaming

stunning art from :

Toby Brown Tjampitjinpa

Carpet Snake Dreaming, 1976 (detail), Toby Brown Tjampitjinpa.

Anmatyerr language group
about 1920–86

Tjampitjinpa was a member of the Aboriginal Arts Board and an artist for Papunya Tula Artists in the mid-1970s. From 1975 or earlier he lived in town camps on the fringes of Alice Springs and was an important figure in campaigns to improve camp amenities. Most of his paintings for Papunya Tula date from 1976 to the late 1970s. He travelled to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in the 1970s as a representative of the Aboriginal Arts Board and Papunya Tula Artists.

Fish Fight!

2011-01-16T10:55:00.001Z

Navman Review

2011-01-14T20:59:00.000Z

Check it out here:-

http://www.halfords.com

Now there's a frood who really knows where his towel is!

2011-01-13T23:29:00.001Z

Chris Howell
N 51 deg 35.094' W 4 deg 00.998'

la plume de ma tante

2011-01-09T21:38:00.002Z

My Famous Aunt (the competition winner)

won the latest short story competition @ Cooldog publications with the following entry:

Welsh Rarebit

Margaret Thurgood

(2900 words)

Why do people assume I'm Welsh because I'm called Tom Jones? I don’t have his voice or his stage-presence. I'm tone-deaf and only a sex-bomb when I’m primed. I hate rugby, leeks, hymn singing choirs and sheep-strewn mountains. My joints ache in damp weather and the last time I visited it poured and the food was abysmal. I care about food; it’s my profession, but it’s also my passion. I'm an inspector for a well-known Hotel Guide. So, what do you think my employer does? You’ve guessed, haven’t you? That’s right - sends me on a tour of Welsh country house hotels.

“I'll go anywhere,” I tell her, “Outer Hebrides, Aran Islands, Scillies, Orkneys even - wherever you like – but don’t send me to Wales.”

“Get on with it,” she replies, her eyes half closed, “it has to be done, don't waste my time.”

Amber is half my age. She has a TV chef husband, who’s always travelling, four children, a nanny, and a four-storied house overlooking the Thames in Cheyne Walk. I never argue with Amber. She knows more about hotel management than I know about food. I can tell, for instance, when a lobster's been re-heated rather than freshly cooked, but she moves kitchen units and beds from walls to check for dust on the skirting board.

“That Anne Robinson was right,” I say.

She glares at me. She doesn’t own a television; it would clutter her lifestyle and remind her kids that somewhere they have a father.

“What are you moaning about now?”

“The Welsh,” I explain. “She said what's the point of them?”

“What’s that got to do with it? Just think how many people visit Wales, and how many guides we sell there, Dummy,” she says, tapping me on my bald head with a brochure entitled ‘Welsh Rarebits.’ “I’ve marked the ones with new chefs. Check them out. Choose your own route and get the office to book. Don’t you dare miss any.” And she drops it in my lap.

I drive first to Beaumaris, on the island of Anglesey, one of the most northerly of the inns she’s circled. I reason that if I’m on my way home it’ll make the trip bearable. “Ye Olde Bulls Head” is fifteenth century and half-timbered, though re-built. It has creaking floors. My room overlooks the main street and is charming, if small, with a brass bed, but it is noisy, as yachtsmen in a regatta mood are out on the town on a Saturday night. Amber, I know, is at a dinner party with our publishers in Kensington, and my wife is, most likely, uncorking one of my best bottles of Beaujolais after her bath. It’s as if she celebrates me being away. But even talking perennials and mulch with her would be better than eating on my own. The wild boar with red currants is robust and well cooked, but will disturb my sleep if I finish it. The steamed sea bass with samphire would be a better choice, but it’s not enough of a test for the chef. The staff looks after me well, the waiters don't ignore me or seat me in a corner and they know what they’re talking about when I grill them about the terrine and the soufflé.

After a lie-in and a late breakfast of squeezed juice, a perfect poached egg and lean bacon with warm toast, I enjoy the complimentary newspaper and sign for my bar bill. The room has been pre-paid, so I set off across the bridge over the Menai Straits. It has rained overnight, as it always does when I visit. I call in on Ty’n Rhos, a farm guesthouse with a new restaurant, close to Caernarfon. I write my comments in a slim notebook tucked inside a newspaper and relax with a gin and tonic, served by a rather striking waitress, and elaborate on my previous night’s entry. My next destination looks close on the map, but I see there’s a barrier of mountains to cross. I have no desire to step outside and look at them, for one’s the same as another to me, but I can’t avoid the damn things. I drive through a misty pass, skip lunch as I’m eating on expenses later, and arrive with time to spare before dinner. The evening has turned balmy and I’m looking forward to a bath and perhaps an hour’s snooze before my meal.

“You mean you’ve no reservation at all?” I cannot believe the receptionist.

She shakes her head.

“You’ve had no confirmation? You’ve taken no deposit from my company?”

“No, sir.”

“They’ve sent me to the back-of-beyond and have forgotten to make a booking.”

“Afraid so.”

To make matters worse, Amber’s not answering her phone, so I try her mobile. Nothing. She hauls her kids around galleries and museums on Sundays. Damn the woman! I take it out on the girl behind the desk.

“What do you expect me to do then, sling a hammock? Shall I sleep in the laundry room, or on the beach?”

She could react but she’s been well trained. She inhales deeply and controls her temper.

“I appreciate how annoying it must be for you. We are busy, but not full, Mr Jones. You could have the honeymoon suite or one of the superior doubles; they’re vacant. But, if you can allow me fifteen minutes to deal with these residents, who’ve been waiting patiently, then I'm sure I can find you something smaller and simpler. Would you leave it with me? I’ll sort it out well before dinner.”

I dump my overnight bag in a corner, stalk outside to blow off steam and start walking. The hotel complex contains an Italianate village, which I’ve not visited before. There are pastel-coloured houses, varying in style and available to rent. Weekly rates I guess, but surely one will be empty? They are on different levels, tucked into lush gardens in a steeply terraced valley, overlooking a broad estuary. When I’ve unwound I return to the white painted hotel.

The desk clerk says, “I’m sorry for the delay, Mr Jones, but I have found you a single in the main building.”

“Good.”

“And, because it’s a Sunday, we can offer you a half-priced deal. Would you like that, sir?”

I accept, and celebrate by going into the lobby bar and ordering a Campari and soda. Yes, I think, licking my lips and watching the barman spearing a slice of orange, Amber will not know of the offer. I play with a coin on the polished counter top, wondering whether to tell her or not. If I pay by card, I think, I can say it cost the regular rate and pocket the difference. The barman disappears.

“Heads or tails?” a woman asks.

I haven’t noticed her. She is sitting on a stool at the other end of the bar. She’s not young but she’s attractive, with sparkling black eyes. Her snub nose reminds me of our spaniel, her curls are dark and she’s drinking a small beer. Definitely a local, I decide.

“Forget it,” I say, scooping the pound and slipping it in my pocket, not wanting to be thought indecisive, “it's not important.”

“Gambling can be fun, can’t it?” she says, sliding a bowl of nibbles in my direction.

“No thank you. Salt desensitises the palate.”

Something I’ve said has amused her, as she does not smile exactly, but her nostrils flare and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes crinkle. She would not stand out in a crowd, I think, but there’s a plump peachiness about her that draws the eyes.

“Do you often make decisions that way?” she asks.

“No,” I look down, feeling awkward, “I rarely have doubts.”

Her legs are short and the tips of her toes are tucked behind the footrest. She follows my glance and crosses one leg over the other, arching her instep. It has no effect on me, for at that moment I decide that Amber shall reimburse me with the full rate. Because her secretary messed up the booking she cannot insist on an itemized receipt. I’m free to indulge myself, for once. She’ll have to apologise too and that’ll be satisfying. She’s so seldom wrong. I break the habit of a lifetime and select a black olive from the bowl, noting that the woman's figure is as curvy as her legs.

“Are you staying or just dining?” I ask.

“Both.”

She must be well pretty well paid, I think.

“And you?”

“Just for the night. I’m going to Oswestry tomorrow, wherever that is. Have you ordered?”

She wrinkles her nose. “I can’t decide. I had a lunch. I'm not that hungry.... and there's nothing that particularly tempts me.” She hands over the menu and returns to her book.

I've lost her. Damn! I should have chatted her up more. I’m trying to think of what to say next when she says.

“Is there anything you fancy?”

Her voice is soft and lilting and the question’s seductive. I stare at the menu, wondering if she knows what she’s just said, but she looks straight into my eyes and there’s no hint of innuendo. I flip the pages, ignoring the steaks and grills and anything too easily prepped: it's my job to irritate chefs.

“They’re making a big fuss about this Welsh Black sirloin, don’t you think?” I say. “Have you tried it?”

“No. I'm vegetarian.”

She’s thrown me again. She doesn't look the type. The veggies I know are scrawny creatures, like Amber and her crew, not shapely country girls. I see that half-smile appearing again as she turns to the bar mirror and strokes her neck. She marks and closes her book and slips it into her handbag. Her fingers are short, the nails tapered, not spades like Amber's, nor nibbled like my wife’s. She may be a provincial, I think, but she’s not naive. She remains calm and poised when I mention my wife in passing, as I always do. I never mislead women you see; I have my principles. I cannot bear unpleasant scenes. Life’s too short.

The barman returns and interrupts my thoughts. “Another Campari and soda, Mr Jones?”

“Yes. How about you?” I ask her.

It takes two more rounds of drinks and an hour of coaxing to persuade Olwen, for that’s her name, Olwen Owen-Jones, to join me at my dining table. What succeeds eventually is giving her the opportunity to critique the food. Flattery, I find, is such a useful tool. Most women think they know everything about food. A few do, but not many. I have no intention of using her views, of course, but a shared opinion brings people closer.

When she excuses herself to visit the cloakroom just before we are called to our table, I slip out too and have a quiet word with the receptionist. I switch my booking from a single to a double room with a sea view and a four-poster and arrange for an early morning call. I decide to tell Amber that it’s the only room left. She won't know any better.

“My wife has joined me,” I say and see the girl enter “Mr and Mrs Jones” on the register as she hands me my key. She summons a porter to take my bag to the room. It is all settled before my dinner guest returns. The name Jones in Wales, I think, is like Smith in Brighton.

I select noisettes of salt marsh lamb, pink and tender, with a pea risotto and Olwen the penne with roasted vegetables.

“It’s good but slightly unseasoned,” she says, blotting oil from her lips. There’s a finesse about her I’m beginning to find entrancing.

The apricot tart with cinnamon cream is crisp and delicate, but the shavings of crystallised ginger leave too strong an after-taste. I make a few notes, adding her comments, as I am charmed by her undivided attention. My wife multi-tasks when I'm around, it’s most annoying. We talk mostly about me - and my interests, but I do remember to ask her about her job.

“I’m a librarian, but I travel a great deal.” She talks about poets, novelists and book conferences I've never heard of, for my reading is confined to newspapers and trade journals. I change the subject. She is knowledgeable about food, and from what she says is an adventurous cook. A tasty morsel, I decide, a delicious Welsh Rarebit. I persuade her to forego the Llanboidy for some Pont L’Eveque; so ripe it oozes on the board.

“Do try it,” I say. “It’s a luscious cheese when it’s stored correctly and it’s better than that farmhouse product the waiter’s plugging.”

I wave away the biscuits and insist on warmed bread and can tell by the twitch of her nostrils that she approves. When, over our decaffs, she fingers the room key I've left on the table, gives me a lopsided smile and says, “I must go to bed,” I almost flush.

“Don’t worry.” I murmur. “I’ll sort out the details,” and think of “Tom Jones,” a favourite film from my youth, where a couple share a feast before a night of abandon.

After my bath I throw on a dressing gown and turn off all the lights. I stand on the balcony, my eyes slowly adjusting to the luminosity of the river and the shining sands of the estuary. There’s the softest tap as she slips in through the door I've left on the latch. Our shoulders touch as we lean on the parapet and I take her hand in mine. The reserve she has shown in public has vanished. When I wrap her in my arms she’s silky and perfumed and when we kiss she responds warmly. I’m not able to carry her to the bed as I have a dodgy back, and my knees creak under strain, but soon we’re sinking into clouds of cotton. Her skin glows in moonlight as she arches and stretches. As dawn breaks we lay curled, recovering, watching the tide flooding the inlet. For once, I think, I am mistaken about Wales, then she rolls away and sleeps, like our Cavalier after a scamper through the park.

When the phone call comes I find my dream has flown. She has slipped away as silently as she has arrived, and I am relieved. Some women have the gift of knowing when a man needs space. For when it comes down to it there’s nothing to talk about. It has been a delightful interlude someone like Amber, tied to an office routine, or Ann Robinson, tied to a television studio, can never experience. I’m exhausted and would dearly love a long lie in, but decide it would be churlish not to breakfast with her after such a night. I feel I should stick to my story with the hotel too, but as I shower I change my mind. What does it matter? Do I care what the hotel staff thinks? It happens all the time, I’m sure. My priority is to reach the next inn by lunchtime and it’s going to be an interminable drive over more mountains.

It's easy for women, I think; they don’t have to make the decisions. It’s we who choose whether to see them again and risk upsetting our domestic life, or drive away regarding the episode as one of life's pleasures. I don't think for long. I don't feel guilty; I’ve used no pressure. I desired her, what man in my place would not? We had enjoyed a mutual passion, but she was the one who’d made the first move. It may have been a reduced price room but it was not a cheap meal. She might have done the same thing before. I pack and go to settle my account.

The Manager is on duty.

“Good morning, sir. I do hope you and Mrs Jones have enjoyed your stay?”

I nod, in a hurry to be gone. “Thank you. The bill please. I just need the total.” I put my credit card on the desk and search in my pockets for my sunglasses.

“Of course.” He presses a few keys and hands me an invoice for four thousand, three hundred pounds and eighty-three pence.

“What the hell?” I say, knowing with sickening certainty that Amber will never compensate me for anything approaching that figure. “Two dinners and a double room at half price, you’re conning me!”

“But Mrs Jones, has been here for three weeks, sir,” he cooed. “When she asked for her card after you’d retired last night, she explained that you'd be settling her account. She asked us to ensure that all was ready, as you were setting out in different directions.” He feeds my card into the machine, which prints out a receipt as I stand there, dumb and gaping.

“Now, if you'd insert your pin number.... Just.... here - sir?”

This defies logic - go on, have a look!

2011-01-07T10:42:00.001Z

The Double-Slit Experiment

"How can The Act Of Observing Things Produce Different Results" for dummies.

Don't ask me - I'm only a Physics teacher :-$

Thanks to High Existence

AudioConverter Studio

2011-01-02T22:50:00.007Z

Wondering how to convert Flac files to MP3's? look no further than AudioConverter Studio

A nifty little programme that effortlessly converts with the click of a button.

I found some stuff on the net, but it was in a "FLAC" format. I had no idea what it was, so Wiki'd it:-

Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) is an audio compression codec primarily authored by Josh Coalson and Ed Whitney. FLAC employs a lossless data compression algorithm; a digital audio recording compressed by FLAC can be decompressed into an identical copy of the original audio data. Audio sources encoded to FLAC are typically reduced to 50–60% of their original size.^[2]

^{I downloaded AudioConverter Studio from Here, which also gave nifty instructions on how to proceed.}

^{Moments later, I had my FLAC files in MP3 format. Niiiiiiice.}

^{The trial version was good, but only allowed 10 files to be converted at a time. I'm now toying with the idea of shelling out some hard earned to buy the full version. Having a quick noodle around, it looks as if it plays lots of different format files, and burns CD's, too. It has a nice clean interface, and is quick to pick up how to do what you want.}

^Recommended

All Time, Life, Things here

2010-12-29T11:43:00.002Z

A brief summary of everything. Thanks to the Brights

Johnny Cash - Ain't No Grave [Official HD] - The Johnny Cash Project

2010-12-28T12:46:00.001Z

Thanks to Nick for his & the Bomber's visit yesterday.
To commemerate this, Here's Nick's blog post for yesterday.
A truly amazing project.
Cheers dude

The year in Cartoons

2010-12-25T09:50:00.003Z

Some super cartoons summing up the year from The Guarniad's Martin Rowson

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!

Official Santa Tracker

2010-12-24T12:44:00.002Z

If you have Kids, this is essential!
Follow His progress here

Caganer

2010-12-23T10:19:00.003Z

A great story from the BBC today : Catalan Christmas tradition

If you need one, you can buy one Here

Merry Christmas!

Berandal (teaser) trailer 2010

2010-12-14T12:52:00.001Z

I've just finished watching the excellellent Merantau by Gareth Evans. Long overdue, but there aren't many opportunities to be here, with no kids, no Mrs. no work, and 2 hours to spare. All I can say is that I'm glad that I chose this over KillBill 2 - it was superb. A great plot, convincing acting, great martial arts scenes ( & not too many for me) all hung together to make a great movie.

I'm saddened to find that I'll have to wait another year for G.H.'s next effort, perhaps if I have a word with I.D., I may see an early copy :-)
Until then, here is all I could find on the net.

Fun with Chiropractors AND xtranormal!

2010-12-13T08:12:00.002Z

From the excellent Welsh & Grumpy:-

traditional chiropractic appointment

We got an App for that!

2010-12-11T11:30:00.004Z

Not anymore Christopher, not anymore

It seems that mine became tetchy, then troublesome, then downright rotten, and was hastily shown the door to Hell's Fire aka the incinerator, last tuesday in the wee small hours.
However, it had managed to poison the other good organs of it's nieghbourhood with it's insidious seditions, and they needed a good old dose of Dr Flemmming's best to push them towards the straight & narrow. I hope they get there soon.

On the plus side, I'll never have appendicitis again, or Appendix cancer :-)

Whisky Galore - drinking song

2010-12-04T16:36:00.001Z

a little ditty for the festive season

mine's a Macallan!

Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair - the whole debate

2010-11-28T20:16:00.003Z

the whole debate here

Starts at about 5 mins into video 2.

Hat tip - Colin

section 5 isn't good quality. this one is better: Episode 5

Paper parcour?

2010-11-28T13:04:00.000Z

Check this out

Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair

2010-11-27T11:54:00.002Z

From The Grauniad:-

Staunch atheist wins over audience in debate with Catholic convert over whether religion is a force for good in the world

In theory it was not an event that should have created a stir: a philosophical debate on the moral merits of religion. In an age of reality TV drama and Hollywood blockbusters loaded with special effects it would seem hard to get the masses to flock to witness such an old-fashioned, high brow spectacle.

But when the two debaters are the world's most famous recent Roman Catholic convert in the shape of Tony Blair and the charismatic yet cancer-stricken sceptic Christopher Hitchens suddenly it becomes easier to sell tickets.

Two thousand seven hundred tickets to be precise. For that was the size of the crowd that packed the space age-looking Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto late last night to watch the two ideological foes – when it comes to religion – spar and trade verbal blows.

The occasion was part of the Munk Debate series, organised by the Aurea Foundation group, and the motion was simply: "Be it resolved, religion is a force for good in the world".

Both men were unabashedly stalwart in their positions. Hitchens, one of the leading "new atheists" and author of the hit book God Is Not Great, slammed religion as nothing more than supernatural gobbledegook that caused untold misery throughout human history. "Once you assume a creator and a plan it make us subjects in a cruel experiment," Hitchens said before causing widespread laughter by comparing God to "a kind of divine North Korea".

Blair, perhaps not surprisingly, was a little less forthright. On the backfoot for much of the debate he kept returning to his theme that many religious people all over the world were engaged in great and good works. They did that because of their faith, he argued, and to slam all religious people as ignorant or evil was plain wrong. "The proposition that religion is unadulterated poison is unsustainable," he said. Blair called religion at its best "a benign progressive framework by which to live our lives".

Throughout the 90-minute debate Hitchens seemed to have the crowd's sympathy. That might have been to do with his ill appearance due to cancer, but was far more likely to be down to the sharpness of his verbal barbs and the fact that 57% of the audience already agreed with his sceptical position according to a pre-debate poll, while just 22% agreed with Blair's side. The rest were undecided.

But the true winner of the debate was most likely the organisers. The high-profile debaters and controversial subject matter ensured not only a packed hall but an overflow location where people who could not get tickets were able to watch it on TV monitors. Tickets sold out weeks ago and were selling on eBay for several times their cover price. The debate was also trailed on the front pages of some Canadian newspapers and covered by local television.

It even attracted a small but vocal knot of anti-Iraq war protestors accusing Blair of war crimes. Demonstrators unveiled placards that read "Arrest Blair" and "War criminals not welcome here", proving that, as with the merits of religion, some arguments are unlikely to ever be settled with a single night's debate.

Cameron reacts to student protests

2010-11-25T00:02:00.000Z

Secretary Of State has launched a vicious assault on teachers

2010-11-24T18:38:00.001Z

Secretary Of State has launched a vicious assault on teachers to deflect from an agenda of savage cuts and elitism

Commenting on the statements from the Secretary of State for Education in advance of the publication of the education White Paper today, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“We are today witnessing a vicious assault by the Secretary of State on teachers’ commitment and professionalism to deflect attention from the Coalition Government’s policy of savage cuts to education, its elitist agenda and its free market ideology.

“The Secretary of State’s statements are a disgraceful denigration and misrepresentation of the performance of schools and teachers.

“Teachers will be doing today what they do every day: working hard to ensure that all children and young people succeed.

“But all they will hear from the Secretary of State is that their qualifications are not good enough, they shouldn’t have been in the classroom in the first place, they need to be subject to more monitoring because they can’t be trusted and they must be told how to teach because they have been short-changing pupils.

“Children and young people’s hard work and achievements over the last decade fair no better.

“The NASUWT and teachers are not afraid of change in the education system.

“Any change, however, must meet the tests of raising standards, fairness, equality and social justice, which are at the heart of successful state education.

“This White Paper is history repeating itself.

“The last time the Tories were in Government they left behind the worst teacher recruitment and retention crisis in history, a totally demoralised profession and thousands of young people abandoned by a Government indifferent to their needs.

“We are now witnessing the plans for another lost generation of young people.”

con

2010-11-23T17:51:00.002Z

Message from South Wales Police via Neighbourhood watch:
If you have a card pushed through your letterbox from "DPS" saying you have a parcel, DO NOT PHONE THE NUMBER - it could cost you up to £400.

Liz is online

2010-11-17T18:04:00.000Z

Thanks Nick, if it wasn't for you .....

Take Action

2010-11-15T20:26:00.001Z

Please visit below. You know it makes sense.
better to light a candle etc etc...

http://www.righttorecall.co.uk/

S I

2010-11-13T17:08:00.000Z

this is what I mean:

Youthful irony

2010-11-13T16:56:00.001Z

Just in case you can't remember them, on the day Wales were robbed by South Africa:-

Come back spitting image. please?

2010-11-13T16:51:00.002Z

Footie "in jokes"? anyone?
The heirs to spitting image?
If so, please come back & focus your cutting satire on the Condem's, please? Where are you when your country needs you?

welshandgrumpy: Hitchens - Religion Poisons Everything

2010-11-07T10:33:00.001Z

Hat tip Colin, of welshandgrumpy: Hitchens - Religion Poisons Everything: "Amusing Hitchens speech 'Religion Poisons Everything' from the Festival of Dangerous Ideas."

"above all, we are in need of a renewed Enlightenment, which will base itself on the proposition that the proper study of mankind is man and woman [referencing Alexander Pope]. This Enlightenment will not need to depend, like its predecessors, on the heroic breakthroughs of a few gifted and exceptionally courageous people. It is within the compass of the average person. The study of literature and poetry, both for its own sake and for the eternal ethical questions with which it deals, can now easily depose the scrutiny of sacred texts that have been found to be corrupt and confected. The pursuit of unfettered scientific inquiry, and the availability of new findings to masses of people by electronic means, will revolutionize our concepts of research and development. Very importantly, the divorce between the sexual life and fear, and the sexual life and disease, and the sexual life and tyranny, can now at last be attempted, on the sole condition that we banish all religions from the discourse. And all this and more is, for the first time in our history, within the reach if not the grasp of everyone".^[104]

Flight Of The Conchords - Ladies of the World (video)

2010-11-03T20:01:00.000Z

Captain SKA - Liar Liar

2010-10-29T12:37:00.000+01:00

David Bowie - Sorrow

2010-10-24T10:05:00.001+01:00

Perhaps It's time I added some early Bowie to my MP3 collection.
Pin - Ups, eh?

Tomorrow, I shall break my fast here

2010-10-23T12:30:00.000+01:00

View Larger Map

Oh Gideon....

2010-10-18T19:55:00.000+01:00

No more broken promises?

2010-10-10T23:01:00.000+01:00

Religous debate? Catholic vs. Protestant

2010-10-09T11:38:00.001+01:00

very funny stuff, indeed. Hat tip Nick.
We've used the xtranormal site to make intros for coursework for the kids before, but nothing as funny as this :-)

!Feliz Cumpleanos!

2010-10-02T12:36:00.000+01:00

The Howell's, The Aces, The Marvelley's and The Miles's Celebrated my half century last night @ The Bay View. Serenaded by Plastic Sam, DJ legend of my youth, named after the Dr. Feelgood Logo.
Then we got home, & my lovely wife bought me Madrid!
la vida es bella!

Plastic Sam Stargazer Cowboys at The Brunswick Sept 2010

2010-10-02T11:44:00.000+01:00

Dr.Feelgood-Going Back　Home

2010-10-02T10:02:00.000+01:00

That Ed's speech in full - judge for yourself

2010-09-28T18:54:00.003+01:00

Good to see, at last:
1. Someone list the achievements of the last Labour years.
2. Someone recognise that we lost the election by not connecting with the voters & losing 5 million votes.
3. Someone who can honestly say he was against the Iraq war, and was not sullied by the expenses scandal.

I hope he's the man who can put us back in power, and lead to a fairer Britain.

Matt Cardle's X Factor bootcamp challenge (Full Version) - itv.com/xfactor

2010-09-27T19:06:00.000+01:00

NHS Privatisation

2010-08-11T11:23:00.000+01:00

Rob? How true is this?
What does it mean for the average Joe?
Is this the end of the NHS?
" A Good Thing" or "A Bad Thing"?

Scotland's birth certificate

2010-08-11T09:03:00.002+01:00

Some great scottish history from a great presenter.

The Kingdom of the picts.

Thanks BBC!

My vote for best voice of all time

2010-08-10T12:03:00.000+01:00

Unforgetable - Nat King Cole - exactly what it says on the tin.
(and, coincidentally, my Grandmother, Violet Terry's fave, too)

What's your's ?

The Boys from GLC's retort : NEWPORT STATE OF MIND (YOU'RE NOT FROM NEWPORT)

2010-08-09T11:24:00.001+01:00

You're Not From Newport

Newort by Newportonians

The Lads from Goldie Lookin' Chain put the record (?) straight. Classic.

TINA

2010-08-08T12:14:00.001+01:00

Now where have I heard that before? a clue?

The Beat

Brecona Vista Social Club

2010-08-08T11:07:00.009+01:00

We saw the unique Buena Vista Social Club perform live @ the resurrected Brecon Jazz Festival last night, and they were magnificent.

There were only 5 members of the group of vintage greats collected by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and made famous by Ry Cooder & Wim Wenders, but the others had been replaced by younger torch carriers who will hopefully keep this fantastic music alive over the years.

Hats off to:
Omara Portuondo
"Bárbaro" Alberto Torres Delgado
Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal
Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos
Manuel Galbán

Great photo's of the lineup we saw on a romanian? blog - hat tip Kimmy.

BVSC official site

A fitting tribute to:
Manuel "Puntillita" Licea (vocals) (d. 2000)
Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz AKA Compay Segundo (vocals, tres) (d. 2003)
Rubén González (piano) (d. 2003)
Ibrahim Ferrer (vocals) (d. 2005)
Pío Leyva (vocals) (d. 2006)
Anga Díaz (percussion) (d.2006)
Orlando "Cachaito" López (double bass) (d.2009)

Henry 8.1

2010-08-03T12:39:00.001+01:00

Le Relais de l'isle

2010-08-02T22:26:00.001+01:00

Superb!

Metro stations on the river?

2010-08-02T22:25:00.002+01:00

Paris

2010-08-02T22:20:00.003+01:00

Paris, by Eurostar

3 days of Detox at Hotel Gabriel

Handbag stolen @ Chartier

Visite Monet & the impressionists @ L'Orangerie

Stunned by Sainte Chapelle

Superb!

Newport - State of mind

2010-07-25T21:44:00.001+01:00

hat tip NJB, and all @ facebook - a great meme

Follow Le Tour

2010-07-10T13:12:00.003+01:00

Geraint Thomas - Born in Cardiff - leading the youth section, and 8th overall at the moment

virtual "as its happening"

Homepage

Party Political Broadcast By The Conservatives 30th Apr 1985

2010-07-04T00:08:00.000+01:00

England "tired out"?

2010-07-03T10:43:00.002+01:00

interesting stats from the beeb

Please sign if you think 20% VAT hits the poorest

2010-07-02T23:26:00.001+01:00

From Harriet Harman:-

Dear Chris,

You must be as angry as I am about the effect on the country of the Tory-Lib Dem Budget.

The spending and tax decisions taken by David Cameron and Nick Clegg are cutting 1.2 million jobs, raising VAT to 20 per cent and abandoning Labour’s plans to invest for growth and economic recovery - reckless policies that we warned about in the election and that the Tories and Lib Dems denied.

Today I am asking you to get directly involved in opposing the Budget and campaigning to get the 57 Lib-Dem MPs to vote against the unfair increase in VAT to 20%. Please sign our online petition and ask your friends to sign up too.

Labour's MPs are going to make sure that the House of Commons has a full debate and a vote on the VAT increase. That crucial vote will happen later this month.

Labour councillors – especially in areas where there is a Lib Dem MP – will be tabling a motion for their council backing local people, pensioners, community groups, businesses and charities who will be hit by the increase and calling on their local MPs to vote against the VAT increase when it comes before Parliament.

Today I am asking you to add your voice to the campaign to persuade Lib-Dem MPs to vote against the VAT increase, by writing to them, writing to your local papers, and signing our online petition.

The VAT increase is unfair – especially for pensioners. Lib Dem MPs were elected fighting against a Tory VAT bombshell. Surely they can’t vote for it now. Let’s make them think again and keep their election promise.

25,000 new members have joined the Labour Party since the general election – including many former Lib Dem supporters. With our new members joining our team Labour is energised, mobilised and fighting back.

This is the party’s first major campaign since the election and we can make a difference, so get involved and fight for fairness - just click here.

Yours,

Harriet

John Clark's spin on the BP Oil Crisis. - The Front Fell Off 2010

2010-06-28T23:09:00.002+01:00

remember "the front fell off"?

front-fell-off-interview

LibDem hipocracy (2)

2010-06-25T16:51:00.001+01:00

stop the vat campaign

Lego World Cup 2010 England vs US

2010-06-23T19:33:00.001+01:00

How to gain promotion in the Army?

2010-06-14T17:46:00.002+01:00

A forlorn hope is a band of soldiers or other combatants chosen to take the leading part in a military operation, such as an assault on a defended position, where the risk of casualties is high. The term comes from the Dutch verloren hoop, literally "lost heap", and adapted as "lost troop".^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] The Dutch word hoop (in its sense of heap in English) is not cognate with English hope: this is an example of false folk etymology^[5]^[6]^[7], supported by the word in modern Dutch also bearing the meaning "hope".

In the days of muzzle-loading muskets, it was most frequently used to refer to the first wave of soldiers attacking a breach in defences during a siege. It was likely that most members of the forlorn hope would be killed or wounded. The intention was that some would survive long enough to seize a foothold that could be reinforced, or at least that a second wave with better prospects could be sent in while the defenders were reloading or engaged in mopping up the remnants of the first wave.

A forlorn hope was typically led by a junior officer with hopes of personal advancement. If he survived, and performed courageously, he was almost guaranteed both a promotion and a long-term boost to his career prospects. As a result, despite the risks, there was often competition for the opportunity to lead the assault. The French equivalent of the forlorn hope, called Les Enfants Perdus or The Lost Children, were all guaranteed promotion to officers should they survive, so that both men and officers took up the suicidal mission as an opportunity to raise themselves in the army. By extension, the term forlorn hope became used for any body of troops placed in a hazardous position; e.g. an exposed outpost, or the defenders of an outwork in advance of the main defensive position. This usage was especially common in accounts of the English Civil War, as well as in the British Army in the Peninsular War of 1808-1814.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forlorn_hope

Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a 1000 Men

2010-06-10T22:31:00.000+01:00

True Stories

2010-06-09T16:31:00.002+01:00

Stories of real bravery

link

More Purchasing opportunities!

2010-05-29T19:25:00.004+01:00

Our new "weekend" tent :-)

stuff and nonsense!

The genesis of a Gabba Gabba

Hat tip Hari Howell for discovering the genesis of the immortal "Gabba Gabba Hey" chant . Vintage ramones from a much older vintage. From the film "freaks" by Tod Browning. 1932Angharad 'Hari' HowellChris Howell

THIS is where gabba gabba hey comes from >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN608oCEqqM

Movember

Hitler gets angry about iPhone 4S

The Ghan

kindling the flames

Hitler Hears of the New Star Wars Blu Ray Release Changes

Ali G - Speaking Welsh

Swansea to Libya

Ramones - It's Alive (The Rainbow) 1977 HQ

Claude François ( Hey Potatoes ) 1962

It's who we are, it's what we do

Ed Sheeran - The A Team (Official Music Video) OUT NOW!

old dogs

US3 ELeven long years

iPad Garageband - Guitar Jam Improvisation

Gaddafi - Our Best Enemy (FULL)

The Rapture

Sneak preview of "that wedding" rehearsal

The Housemartins - Happy Hour

On-Line petition works!

Bobbin' Apples - How to ressurect an iPod

Ween - I Gots a Weasel (Original Version)

News from A Welsh Born Icon

Lifted directly from the excellent A Welsh Born Icon :-

You Did it to Me

Charlie Brooker vs. Colonel Gaddafi

IAN DURY - By those that really knew him

Protesters in Tripoli, Libya destroy gaddafi Billboard - Feb 25th

Al Jazeera

The dawn of a new age in human history?

Professor J F (Jack) Richardson OBE FIChemE FREng, 1920 - 2011

Professor J F (Jack) Richardson OBE FIChemE FREng, 1920 - 2011

Professor Javier Bonet, Head of College of Engineering, Swansea University

Support the People's Revolution in Egypt ساند ثورة الشعب في مص

Better to light a candle?

Vote Of No Confidence

Vote for real change

I've gone over to the Dark Side

Puddle Of Mudd - Control

iMovie taster

lucky stars

Awsome and Random (sic)

Polly on the money (again)

Rowan Atkinson The School Master

Carpet Snake Dreaming

Toby Brown Tjampitjinpa

Fish Fight!

Navman Review

Now there's a frood who really knows where his towel is!

Chris Howell N 51 deg 35.094' W 4 deg 00.998'

la plume de ma tante

This defies logic - go on, have a look!

AudioConverter Studio

All Time, Life, Things here

Johnny Cash - Ain't No Grave [Official HD] - The Johnny Cash Project

The year in Cartoons

Official Santa Tracker

Caganer

Berandal (teaser) trailer 2010

Fun with Chiropractors AND xtranormal!

We got an App for that!

Whisky Galore - drinking song

Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair - the whole debate

Paper parcour?

Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair

Cameron reacts to student protests

Secretary Of State has launched a vicious assault on teachers

Secretary Of State has launched a vicious assault on teachers to deflect from an agenda of savage cuts and elitism

con

Message from South Wales Police via Neighbourhood watch:If you have a card pushed through your letterbox from "DPS" saying you have a parcel, DO NOT PHONE THE NUMBER - it could cost you up to £400.

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Youthful irony

Come back spitting image. please?

welshandgrumpy: Hitchens - Religion Poisons Everything

Flight Of The Conchords - Ladies of the World (video)

Hat tip Hari Howell for discovering the genesis of the immortal "Gabba Gabba Hey" chant . Vintage ramones from a much older vintage. From the film "freaks" by Tod Browning. 1932

Angharad 'Hari' Howell Chris Howell

THIS is where gabba gabba hey comes from >>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN608oCEqqM

Chris Howell
N 51 deg 35.094' W 4 deg 00.998'

Message from South Wales Police via Neighbourhood watch:
If you have a card pushed through your letterbox from "DPS" saying you have a parcel, DO NOT PHONE THE NUMBER - it could cost you up to £400.

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