Things British....

Have you heard of a Dark Sky Sanctuary? Well, we have been to a couple during the years but not to this one.

Earlier this year a Welsh Island called Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) became the first site in Europe to receive the designation of an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, joining just 16 others in the world.
The island, which is 1.5 miles long and half a mile wide, has only two year-round residents and about a dozen during the summers.


If interested, follow the link to find out where the other dark sky sanctuaries are located:

https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places/
 

Ever been puzzled by British humour? Well… a couple of my acquaintances asked me to explain… this video does a pretty good job….
Much of British humour is the unsaid, gesture. There was a very popular sitcom on television that went by the name of Porridge. That title, in itself, needs explaining. Porridge was also commonly used as prison breakfast for inmates in the British prison system during the 19th century and early 20th century, and so "doing porridge" became a slang term for a sentence in prison.

In one of the episodes the leading two roles, one young and the other middle aged, are prisoners, they have to share a cell. The older one sees the younger doing press ups on the cell floor. "Anyone I know," he quips. An Egyptian fellow that I worked with at the time had seen the episode and asked me what the joke was. He didn't get it even after I had explained that the older one is implying that the one doing press ups is actually fantasising about having sex, hence: "Anyone I know?"
 
Much of British humour is the unsaid, gesture. There was a very popular sitcom on television that went by the name of Porridge. That title, in itself, needs explaining. Porridge was also commonly used as prison breakfast for inmates in the British prison system during the 19th century and early 20th century, and so "doing porridge" became a slang term for a sentence in prison.

In one of the episodes the leading two roles, one young and the other middle aged, are prisoners, they have to share a cell. The older one sees the younger doing press ups on the cell floor. "Anyone I know," he quips. An Egyptian fellow that I worked with at the time had seen the episode and asked me what the joke was. He didn't get it even after I had explained that the older one is implying that the one doing press ups is actually fantasising about having sex, hence: "Anyone I know?"
Have never watched "Porridge'"... couldn't stand the show.
 

More than 25,000 lamplighters used to roam the streets of London, now there are only five.

Gas lights and lamplighters

The early lamplighters carried their ladders, wick trimmers and whale. Setting out just before dusk, dressed in hat and coat, with a cheery whistle or song to let the public know that they were in the vicinity, they undertook their essential role and then returned at dawn to extinguish the light.

The role didn’t change much with the onset of gas lights except they had to take care not to get blown off their ladders from a build up of gas in the bowls.

The last remaining lamplighters of London - BBC Reel
 
The royal family has been banned from hunting on the Scottish estate near Balmoral Castle, bringing an end to their 175-year-old tradition

Since 1852, the royals have spent time shooting, deer stalking, and fishing on the Abergeldie estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

It’s a pastime that has been in the family since the Balmoral estate was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, which subsequently granted them access to the 4654 hectare plot.

After the estate went up for sale in 2020, the new owner has ended the royal lease, which means King Charles and his family are no longer free to use it.




Jolly good… I say!
 
This is my land and my tree “ said Robin Hood (Kevin Costner in the movie the Prince of Thieves)…

Sadly the ancient sycamore tree at Hadrian’s Wall no longer exists. It was cruelly chopped down by someone with a damaged mind.

For centuries, the Sycamore Gap tree stood near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, northern England, where it had been growing in a large dip in the rolling landscape. It had been standing there for about 300 years.

This beautiful gem of nature has been witness to countless historic moments which connected it to medieval times.


When our children were young we did a Sycamore Gap Walk. The point of the walk was not only to experience the history of Hadrian’s Wall but also to touch the tree.
The tree holds a special place in our hearts. I remember kissing the tree and feeling something wonderful stir in my soul… I am heart broken :cry::cry:
 


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