Wednesday 30 June 2021

Erebus, Terror & Palin

 

 
This is a good book, well worth reading.  
It contains historical research, 'Boys own' adventures, detailed examination of the Ship and the men who crewed her, and is very well written.  
I first attempted to read this book during lockdown and just could not be bothered with it at the time.  Recently I picked it up again and on this occasion I could not put the book down.  The story raced along and indeed by the end I found myself wishing the author had got another book ready for us.  A very good read indeed.
HMS 'Erebus,' was built in 1826 in Pembroke Dockyard and commissioned into the Royal Navy.  Known as a 'Bomb ship' she was not a sleek vessel, indeed she was a plump small, tough ship, which as it turned out, was ideal for exploring the polar boundaries.  She was given the name 'Erebus,' a Greek word for the dark regions of Hades.  That's a good start!
 

  
With British victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 (Don't tell Blucher) war disappeared from Europe for a few years.  This, mixed with the Victorian quest for knowledge and exploration, adding to the desire for nationalistic heroes saw the Royal Navy play its part by sending ships on exploration and scientific journeys around the world.  Much of the world knowledge we possess today began during these, often daring, voyages.  However, for a year or two she was used on routine naval duties patrolling the Mediterranean Sea.  After this she lay unused until the James Clark Ross expidition to the Antartic regions.
 
 
During their Artic adventure in 1831 James Clark Ross, accompanying his uncle James Ross commanding the mission, reached and discovered the North Magnetic Pole, very important in the shipping world.  During 1839, this time in command, James Clark Ross sent off in search of the Southern Magnetic Pole, and to survey and discover what lay at the southern end of the planet.  Several, including French and American ships, had already ventured south but the magnetic pole had not been discovered, Ross was intent on finding fame, fortune and the magnetic answer at the Pole.
 
 
Here we see the adventure.  The 'Erebus' accompanied by HMS 'Terror,' no exploration was carried out by one ship alone, arrived in Van Deiman's land, now called Tasmania, Ross met another Arctic adventurer Sir John Franklin.  Now inserted as governor of the colony Sir John really wanted to be out there exploring the polar regions once again. This far off prison colony, now receiving many more prisoners as Botany Bay was no longer being used, the routine of such life must have bored him.  After Ross and his crew had enjoyed their time ashore the 'Erebus, accompanied by the 'Terror,' headed south.
 
 
Palin's writing makes this an exciting adventure.  It is one of those books where you can feel yourself on the ship with the men.  You see the ice cliffs towering a hundred feet above them, you feel the minus 24 cold, you taste the various birds, seals and fish caught for scientific experiments and then used for food, you go up with each rising wave and down as it descends, and never once suffer the seasickness.  This may be because of your safe seat, warm coffee, and being in a building that does not rise and fall with the tides.  
Ross sailed through the ice further south than any known human had done before.  The scientific work continued, even if eaten, drawings were made, papers logged, measurements taken, and the coast, if it could be found among the ice, recorded.  Many areas in that region now bear his name, though the two distant volcanoes the party noted were named after the ships.
Three times Ross took his ships beyond the Antartic circle, on one occasion almost losing them between two moving ice flows, all this in the dark!  In between they rested in Tasmania or the Falkland Isles before returning home to cheers, and work away from the sea!  The Magnetic South however, he never reached.  It would require a journey of over 300 miles over the ice to achieve this, and that took many more years.
 
 
While many of the men who undertook the South Pole trip returned to a more normal life the ships were not retired.  The Southern adventure had been successful but the Royal Navy, or at least those in charge, were determined Arctic explorers.  They wished to discover the great prize, the North West Passage, and set out to do just that.  
Again the 'Erebus' and the 'Terror' were called for.  Their squat shape made them ideal for such work.  Many advances were added to the ships, supplies abundant also, and now with Sir John Franklin, the experienced Arctic explorer in charge, and much relieved to be out of Tasmania, even though he had been removed by the London government, it was expected to be a success for English pride.  'England' was always the word used, never 'Britain' notice.
 
 
Setting off in a blaze of glory the two ships headed north.  They reached Greenland and wintered on a place called Beechey Island.  Here three of the crew were buried.  No sailor, bar an accident, ought to have died in a well stocked, well run ship, within such a short time.  Only some 6 months had passed when these men died.  A mystery that has entertained many since the time though the tinned food, hastily prepared and packed may have been one cause. 
However, three years after the ships sailed there had been no word from them.  They disappeared from sight.  Search parties found little to help them, the graves alone were discovered.  Over the following years many searched for evidence of the two ships, with information from the local Innuit some idea of the struggles aboard began to appear.  It seems a party left the ship and tried to move south, possibly they asked help from the innuit, who would have given it, possibly national pride and superiority stopped them doing this.  They were after all, 'Englishmen!'  
Evidence of the disaster has slowly accumulated, though it is as yet impossible to know all the facts.  However, 129 men went out seeking fame, and did not return.  In the middle of the Victorian age this was deemed a major disaster, indeed, a national disgrace.  It was only in 2014 that the wreck of the 'Erebus' was discovered underwater.
Michael Palin knows the areas he has written about, he is well versed in travelling the globe.  His account of the two ships adventures is enthralling and informative.  The writing holds the reader and it is difficult to put the book down.  
I recommend it.
 
 

Tuesday 29 June 2021

Football, Harrassment, Funeral

 
I woke this morning to find the Twitter feed stuffed full of 'England expects' jingoism.  The media full of this imperialist pomp.  England, inadequate at heart and desperate for a role now the UK has been destroyed by Brexit, has the Brexit generation seeking an enemy, and Germany, a footballing nation they cannot defeat, are the main enemy.  Desperate for a purpose they are reduced to crowing about 'Two world wars, and one world cup.'  Such sentiments ignore the role the French, Australians, Canadians, Indians, Russians and many other played in the Great War.  It emphasises the role of 'standing alone,' though Canada, Australian, India and others stood with us, and ignore the role of the Soviet Union in carrying the bulk of the fighting on land until 1944.  As for a 'World Cup,' we can merely state 'The ball did not cross the line,' and let them bleat.
The crowds will return to Wembley tonight to worship England.  Hopefully England will be thrashed causing many of us to sleep well tonight.  The flags adorning so many cars today will be piled up in the bins by morning, pub windows broken, police assaulted, and the usual peaceful England gatherings noted.   Oh, and the indian variant found wandering through the crowds also.
However, the usual suspects, putting English football to the back page, lie about Sajid Javid bringing lockdown to an end in July.  It must be said that the 'Daily Mail' is hammering the need for an end to the lockdown for a reason.  The reason being their boss, one Lord living as a tax exile in France, also owns the 'Metro.'  The 'Metro' is the free paper found in railways stations and on buses, this means that lockdown has removed his audience and the 'Metro' sales are now down by 80%.  No sales, no advertisers, no advertisers no money for the absent Lord.  Hence the 'Mail's' coverage.  The 'Daily Express' also offers such hope, more for themselves than their owner.  This while the majority of their staff, at least those not yet made redundant, work from home.   
Will Lockdown end?  The Indian variant is rampant in the nation, it must not end yet.  Will rising sickness numbers and a higher death count force a continuation? It ought to, but the Tories worship cash, not people.  

 
Chris Whitty, the somewhat sombre government health advisor, was once again harrassed by yobs yesterday.  This is not the first time he has been attacked this way, though the last time was by an adolescent who suffered his mother wrath for his rudeness.  It has become the thing these days to harrass those you disagree with.  Kim Leadbeater, the sister of the MP Jo Cox who was murdered by a right wing looney, was harrassed by a group of Muslims the other day.  These came  from outside of Batley, the town where a by-election is under way.  These are well known Muslim activists and were freinds of George Galloway, a wayward attention seeking failed MP, once tipped as leader of the Labour Party, now a mere 'dog-whistle' at every by-election.  His chance of succes is nil,  Kim Leadbeater has a good chance of taking the seat, and the outsiders harrassing her may well have helped, not hindered.  Whether she would be any good as an MP is irrelevant these days, back benchers just do what they are told.  The need to hassle and mob those you dislike will continue under this government, Boris himself always under a mob abusing him whenever he appears, not the sign of a successful PM.   It must be remembered that Chris Whitty's father was dragged out of a car in Athens while working for the British Council and murdered by Abu Nidal terrorists in 1984.  It is no wonder Chris comes over as he does.  Such experiences will not help a man such as he.


A very interesting experience yesterday, I watched a funeral in London from home via 'Zoom.'  'Zoom,' is proving its worth these days.  With people spread out across the world 'Zoom' is a real benefit.  The deceased had been laid to rest in the family grave and then there gathered here many to pay respects and hear those, often untold, stories regarding her life.  Memories come rushing back when  people speak as do memories of those spoken about.  Situations that arose and their results, family history and background.  All good and proper.  Beginning at 3 pm, well usual church time of thirty minutes late, it was clear, as the son spoke of his mother, that we would not see the 5 pm kick off at the Euro's.  As the preacher spoke, recounting her early life and his experience of her when taking charge of the church 50 years previously, we realised we might not see the 8 pm kick off!  
However, all went well, the zoom camera worked, the sound was obtained, and occasional people were recognised at a distance.  Zoom put to good use, but hopefully not being used in this way again for some time.     

Friday 25 June 2021

Stolen, but Funny

 

Found on Twitter, not sure where it started from.


Wednesday 23 June 2021

Tuesday 22 June 2021

Not Quite as Dreich a Day

 

The sky has been gray all day.  However, exercise was taken, twice!  This entailed walking around town and across the park and home again.  Later in the day I vetured out in similar fashion and now wish to sleep for 14 hours.

 
I wandered through the Public Gardens, having noticed these Bees outside the Congregational Church enjoying the flowers.  There were quite a few Bees crawling on the pavement looking the worse for wear also.  Possibly the weather, possibly they are reaching their end.  Lying so small on the pavement will not help them.
 



The gardeners, all volunteers, were being ordered about by the female sergeant major as I passed.  Interesting how I see no Butterfly's these days.

 
I mentioned to one that I had not seen this type of Poppy before.  There were many around, tall and colourful in the gray air.  It is a pity there was no sun as these would look very good in sunshine.   The sergeant interrupted and the woman, like the rest, all retired folks I suspect, hastened back to work.
 


Since the actual gardener retired some years ago a company has been employed a couple of days a week to tend the gardens.  I am not sure who opens and shuts them on other days.  However, whoever is responsible has done a great job in continuing the varied plants on show, colourful and always worth a look.  Especially when the mums have got the little brats out of the way.

 
At the War Memorial I noticed all the wreaths from last November had been cleared away.  What remained however, were the stones left by schoolchildren.  It appears to be the thing these days to paint stones for a variety of reasons, schools here encourage kids to do this for Remembrance Sunday. 
I think this a great idea, simple, enjoyable, and remains in the memory for the kids.  It is also cheaper than a wreath!




Now it is time for the football.  I am full of confidence, actually it is Haddock but that's another story...
 


Monday 21 June 2021

Dreich Day

Today, as you know, is the first day of Summer.
It rained all day, clouds cover the earth, 
and may do similar tomorrow.



 

Saturday 19 June 2021

The Auld Enemy

 
It is quite normal for Scotland to go down to Wembley and win.  After all we have been doing that for almost 150 years and as we invented the game, developed it through 'scientific football,' and provided the best players the world has ever seen, though Pele, Eusebio and Maradonna were all right, if you like that sort of thing, it will come as no surprise to see us put the arrogant imperialists back in their box.  So, needing to win at Wembley last night was not something to worry us.  However, having displayed all the intellect of one of Boris Johnson's cabinet members, we threw away our chances of going through by losing badly to the Czech's a few days before.  Therefore, we needed at least a point and in the end hard work, team work, and individual brightness brought us a no score draw, and I think this was two points dropped.  
England, as the English press have it, were not very good.  Nothing is said re Scotland outplaying them?  England, the manager tells us, "Got the point that ensures qualification," which is true.  What manager Gareth Southgate did not mention was the vermin of the English press would have savaged him, a decent bloke, had he lost to what they consider an inferior product.  His team and tactics reveal a sensible man.
However, this is just England.  The game used to mean a great deal, not now.  From 1872 until 1972 the Scotland v England clash provided an outlet for national pride, now it means little.  Scotland has long lost interest in these games apart form the points. Certainly we wish to win, but for me Scotland require to develop a team that can take on European sides and win, beating a 'British' side like England means little.  Our loss to the Czechs showed we need to play a style that can beat such sides, power and strength against England means little.  The game against Croatia, who desparately need to win to avoid the wrath of their own fans, will reveal both our managers tactical ability as this level and our ability to play against such teams.
Forget England, Scotland requires to amend the league structure, change the way TV covers the game and how such cash is used, and develop young players who can make it at international level.  We need to get players once again who can get the ball down on the grass and beat the opposition, players like Bobby Walker, Tommy Walker, Jimmy Johnson and Jim Baxter.  We are way short of this today.
We also must ask, how do Wales do it?  No league of their own to speak off, players spread across many nations, yet they continue to play in all tournaments, qualifying more often than Scotland.  Having one man earning £600,000 a week in Spain cannot be the reason, he is only a part of that.  
Scotland must ask why Wales are better than us?
  

Friday 18 June 2021

Nothing to Say


Nothing has happened.
Football is taking up too much time.
Rain is falling.
Nothing to say...
 

Tuesday 15 June 2021

Tummy Trouble


I have been very careful concerning what I eat these days.  Now my being slightly under 16 stone rather than well over it is in my opinion a good thing.  A not so good thing was one of those NHS online things that claim to tell you what you ought to way to avoid disease or instant death, this claimed I was 4 stone overweight.  Surely, thought I, only 2 stone?  
A study of their healthy breakfasts, lunches and so on convinced me I was going in the right direction.
However, it is clear these meals were prepared by a middle class women with lots of fancy kitchen gadgets, not just a pot or two and a microwave.      
My carefully controlled diet went a wee bit off course last night as I was invited out to the SPAM meeting at the local Liberal Club.  Spam, as you know, is the church men's meeting, or at least those men who's women allow them out at night.  This club is not a political club, just a place to gather in safety among decent folks.  Many of the men know their wives can drop in at lunchtime in perfect safety here, and they do, gossipping always being on the menu.
Now of course Covid restrictions are in place and we cannot wander about the club as before and so now table service has been introduced, this makes it even better!  No more going back and forth to the bar, she comes and delivers.  Then at the end off the night she asks you for the money.  Good idea, saves handing too much cash and after a drink or two who cares about the cost?
The main problem last night however, was Ian!  
Ian has always been keen to get everybody enrolled into this club, last night, before I had sat down, I found myself filling in a form promising to spend £20 for a years membership.  In my opinion this means I now must make my way to the bar club daily when I have better things to do.  You see, if I have paid £20 I must get my money's worth from it and that means breaking my routine to go outside and meet people.  Well, I may avoid that part...
 
Look!  Football is on! 

Friday 11 June 2021

Grumble...

While reading that Microsoft are close to Windows 11 release I find they have updated Win 10 and now have inserted an uncalled for addition to the page.  At the bottom right we see the weather offered, click on this and a whole new experience of needless rubbish is thrust at you.  
I ask for this?  
Will I use it?  
No, there is nothing on it I do not already have or in fact require.  
Do I need a lot of celeb stories?  
Do I need info on the money markets?  
Who decides what a 'Top Story' is?  It certainly isn't a grown up.
Why do we have such useless rubbish dumped on us unwanted and of no use to anyone?  Surely if they wish to alter Win 10 all they have to do is ask - preferably someone over 45.
 
The heat is having an effect round here....
 

Wednesday 9 June 2021

Wednesday Wittering

 

 
Just on Nine I slogged my weary way to Sainsburys this morning in 67%F of heat (that's about 19C to foreigners).  Three days in a row the sun has shone, this, as you will realise, is a clear indication of a storm to follow.
At the supermarket I took a basket as always and perused the shop for the few items I needed.  The picture above claims to be representative of the most popular trolley in supermarkets.  I always take a basket, partly because these days I can only carry so much but also because it makes progress around the store much easier and quicker.  To pass aged men with no idea what they are doing, bar obeying orders of 'she who must be obeyed,' and women with trolleys packed with expensive shopping most of which they could easily avoid, you require a basket.  For many years this has speeded up the shopping trip.  Certainly it can get heavy, but a well organised basket can carry a fair amount, at least that is what the cost at the checkout indicates to me!  £20:18 for that lot?  There again this is cheaper today because of the diet, without the cakes, beer and other fattening items omitted once again I am saving money.
Once again I noted the indifference to the checkout operators from those pedalling vaccines.  There ought to have been an urgent requirement for such as these to be vaccinated first.  These people meet the public daily, as indeed do postmen, bus drivers (several of whom died from the virus) and dustbin collectors alongside other council workers.  We realise NHS workers and care staff ought to have been offered the 'jab' first, but how many received it?  In Scotland they did do the care homes first, one good thing from Nicola, but how many missed out?  It is 'unfortunate' that these other front line workers, who face us daily, are considered so unimportant.
 

We can ask here how many missed out taking the 'Jab' because they believed the anti-vax nonsense spouted by many who fell for conspiracy movements?  Why do people think a virus would contain a bug that transmits your details to Bill Gates?  He already has all your details through Microsoft, as indeed has Google, Facebook, and all sorts of other organisations, let alone those 'official' government departments that can look you up if required.  Why believe the Bill Gates lie?  Do you really think he needs to know about your boring life?  
This I suppose belongs to the politicians need to polarise the world to advance their personal position.  One of the oldest political motives, 'divide and rule,' this has been around since the dawn of time.   How many have died by avoiding the 'jab' because of such polarisation? 
 

One of the most obvious examples of 'Divide & Rule' is found here, with Rupert Murdoch.  He, in all his grubby papers, along with the 'Daily Mail' and 'Daily Express,' have encouraged their readers to believe the country was flooded with immigrants, all the fault of the Labour Party, and that such immigrants were given priority over housing, benefits, and opportunites, all of which were being denied to the indigenous white 'working class' population.  
This has worked.  
In similar fashion lies re the EU has led to many Labour people voting to 'Leave' because they felt hard done by.  However, the benefits regarding tax dodging for the owners of such papers was not made clear, or ign ored altogether.  Now, a collapse of the UK economy which will hit the white, and indeed immigrant, population very hard indeed has arrived, will the Brexiteer white understand why he is laid off?  Or will he blame the pandemic?
We see how successful 'Divide & Rule' has been.  The areas of northern England, once industrial heartlands, now desert like places, has seen the Labour voting population not just die off but change their voting habits and support the new incoming Conservative member, why?  Do they agree with Tory policies?  Do they know what those policies are?  This is highly unlikely, however, they have heard that the Tories will 'Control immigration,' and protect the local natives from a Muslim takeover.  
That is all that was required.  
Lies about Muslims, frequent in the 'Yellow Press,' re immigrants, mostly black, and the EU citizens flooding in also, (no comment ever made re the 3 million UK citizens in the EU by the way) all added up to a fear campaign that benfits the Tory party but not the voter. 
The result of this lie, added to the inept situation in both the Conservative and Labour Parties has led to a feeble government since 2010.  With no opposition bar the SNP who cannot have sufficient influence in the Hosue, and the dead Labour Party, there is nothing to stop the Tories doing whatever they wish.  Add also the instability withing the party producing Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and we are left with a chaotic situation unsurpassed in UK history.  It times of strife in the past serious politicians came to the fore, today none can be found.    
I have just discovered what the amendments to the constituencies will mean if allowed to go through, a vast number of increased Tory seats, and Boris and his mob ruling for ever!
Glory?
 

 

Sunday 6 June 2021

Psalm 36

 

 Psalm 36
 
 Psalm 36 For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD.
 
An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: [1] 
  There is no fear of God before his eyes  
For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; 
  he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
Even on his bed he plots evil; 
he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. 

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, 
  your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, 
  your justice like the great deep. 
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
  How priceless is your unfailing love! 
Both high and low among men find [2] refuge in the shadow of your wings.
  They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
  in your light we see light.

Continue your love to those who know you, 
  your righteousness to the upright in heart.
May the foot of the proud not come against me, 
  nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
See how the evildoers lie fallen-- 
  thrown down, not able to rise!

    [1] Or heart: Sin proceeds from the wicked.
    [2] Or love, O God! Men find; or love! Both heavenly beings and men find