tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post7908990213850346691..comments2024-03-28T13:06:29.793+00:00Comments on conradwalks: Latest "round-up"Sir Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17908756392825206914noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-56851286846805328102017-12-21T12:21:53.422+00:002017-12-21T12:21:53.422+00:00Happy fifteen days after your birthday! No excuse ...Happy fifteen days after your birthday! No excuse for being so late (not even the fact that we were travelling back from Spain on the day in question - we had good wifi even crossing the Bay of Biscay), as your birthday is one stored in my head by virtue of falling between my sister's and my gran's. <br /><br />I rather like the crook. We noted in norther Spain that there were far more wooden staffs being toted by walkers than modern walking poles, and with or without a crook on the top, they're indisputably more characterful than modern walking poles (although perhaps not quite as practical for all situations). Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648378503343413924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-38249440603206833792017-12-19T16:50:53.274+00:002017-12-19T16:50:53.274+00:00Just catching up with The Crown. It was Anthony Ed...Just catching up with The Crown. It was Anthony Eden who spoke to the Etonians and he can't be blamed. Instead blame the system for allowing 16 out of 42 UK prime ministers to come from Eton. Macmillan was the other moustache who stabbed Eden not in the back but in the front at the beginning of the cabinet meeting. A good strategic decision. Had he waited until the meeting was under way lethargy might have descended, inhibiting all action good or bad.Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-1951257044545271022017-12-13T10:47:24.808+00:002017-12-13T10:47:24.808+00:00RR - I researched "addict" and I fear HB...RR - I researched "addict" and I fear HB was out of order, but I'm all for a bit of poetic licence. I read up on him via Wikipedia. I don't think I would like to have got into a debate with him.Sir Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908756392825206914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-33070175790434281572017-12-13T07:47:34.868+00:002017-12-13T07:47:34.868+00:00Who needs the book? I can quote so many passages b...Who needs the book? I can quote so many passages by heart (or could - the skill is ebbing) As to:<br /><br /><i>The chief addict of Henry King<br />Was chewing little bits of string.<br />At length he chewed some which tied<br />Itself in ugly knots inside</i><br /><br />I worry about giving "addict" that meaning as a noun. Perhaps it's obs.<br /><br />Moving on smoothly to:<br /><br /><i>Matilda told such dreadful lies<br />It made one gasp and stretch one's eyes.</i><br /><br />Many would conclude it's the hard-heartedness of the verses that matters. True. But they would never have survived without impeccable rhymes and rock-solid rhythms.Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-77444784699921672622017-12-11T09:57:20.667+00:002017-12-11T09:57:20.667+00:00RR - I've just watched the first three parts o...RR - I've just watched the first three parts of the new release of The Crown - there is a really cringy scene where Harold MacMillan is addressing the boys at Eton justifying the long imposition of many of our prime ministers coming from that establishment - reminiscent of the Belloc poem you quote.<br /><br />Who ended up with our tattered copy of Cautionary Tales for Children, It isn't with me.Sir Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908756392825206914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-3499123745414820602017-12-11T09:28:52.427+00:002017-12-11T09:28:52.427+00:00Mountaineers (Does anyone still claim to be one?) ...Mountaineers (Does anyone still claim to be one?) tend to regard themselves as a race apart, somehow ennobled by scrabbling up Difficults, brought closer to an understanding of all things as a result of edging upwards at weekends, constantly harping on about the metaphorical liens between 5 mm. perlon and the umbilical cord. I know, I was just such a one, striking heroic poses at the foot of climbs I had no intention of ascending and prone to purple-passaging at the drop of a piton. Imagine if shot-putters went on like that, people would, as Thurber puts it, "simply walk away". Thank goodness chronic gout caused me resign my membership.<br /><br />Belloc should stick to his last. Brilliant at summarising the ruling classes, as when the Duke addresses Lord Lundy for constantly bursting into tears:<br /><br /><i>Sir! you have disappointed us!<br />We had intended you to be<br />The next Prime Minister but three:<br />The stocks were sold; the Press was squared:<br />The Middle Class was quite prepared.<br /> But as it is! . . . My language fails!<br /> Go out and govern New South Wales!</i><br /><br />Even better in "Do you remember an inn, Miranda?"Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-5140067191846052112017-12-09T10:06:49.971+00:002017-12-09T10:06:49.971+00:00JJ - Good to hear you are back from the other side...JJ - Good to hear you are back from the other side - a bit of an uncertain place to be these days.<br /><br />--------------------<br /><br />Phreerunner - no plans yet, but you are always welcome for a brew if I'm around.Sir Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908756392825206914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-45105671070502572322017-12-08T22:37:06.461+00:002017-12-08T22:37:06.461+00:00Looking forward to seeing you with that crook some...Looking forward to seeing you with that crook sometime over the Xmas period. Are you around on NYD?Phreerunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08551842487502221703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-211976748435683142017-12-08T11:21:47.615+00:002017-12-08T11:21:47.615+00:00Looking good Conrad!Looking good Conrad!John Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07569413172924501491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-52796348874393815712017-12-07T22:44:25.684+00:002017-12-07T22:44:25.684+00:00The Crow - Hi Martha. Thank you for your greetings...The Crow - Hi Martha. Thank you for your greetings and good wishes and I wish you all the best for the "joyful holiday season" and the New Year.<br /><br />----------------------------<br /><br />Bowland Climber - Yes, it is so true. I hoped the photo had something of the air of self deprecating mediocrity in the dingy hall and with my semi-shambolic appearance.Sir Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908756392825206914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-83781620644509996952017-12-07T21:04:45.383+00:002017-12-07T21:04:45.383+00:00Belloc was very perceptive there. I recognise that...Belloc was very perceptive there. I recognise that look in people who have spent their lives outdoors, with or without sheep. There are several such lovely blokes in my village who mesmerise me in conversation. They never seem to wear spectacles, whether they need them or not, so the effect is so transparent. <br />Hence alas you may never achieve that status unless you take to blue tinted contact lenses. No.<br />Nevertheless very smart attire in the photo. <br />Good progress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365582190126322848.post-8272571233322141652017-12-07T18:01:51.220+00:002017-12-07T18:01:51.220+00:00Your crook should be a good conversation-starter! ...Your crook should be a good conversation-starter! Hope your recovery continues at a speedy pace, with only a modicum of discomfort.<br /><br />Should I not pass this way again before the end of the month, I wish you and you extended families a joyful holiday season. May the coming new year be even better than the spent one now passing!The Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846997590157958766noreply@blogger.com