October obambulation...

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Weekend wandering. England, England, England. October 25th was - as you all know (ahem) - the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. The [in]famous two-fingered salute (V sign) is 'said' to have come from English longbowmen but according to Wiki "no written historical primary sources support this contention"...except (Wiki goes on...) "Medieval illustrations and tapestries, however, depict English archers giving the sign, as do tapestries hanging in Angers Castle, home of the Angevin (Plantagenet) dynasty." Hmmm, seems like there may be some 'primary sources'. That said, maybe it was just the V of Henry the Fifth (Henry V), what would have been had it not been for his 'unexpected' (convenient?) death...

Anyhoo...on to October 26th and the Rugby World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand's outstanding All Blacks. The V sign makes its return (image)! Best England performance EVER...and that's in 50 years of watching although early on in the 1960s I could hardly understand what was going on.  Love this: “New Zealand lose occasionally but they are never crushed. So this was a glorious first. Forget the scoreboard. They scored one lucky try and for the rest of the evening, they looked like little boys being bullied outside the sweet shop. They were lucky not to lose players to the bin and there was a time when Marius Jonker, the TMO, was a far bigger danger to England than the opposition." Stephen Jones for The Times quoted in Rugbypass. [my emphasis]



And so onto today, 27th October: the 100th year anniversary of the first performance of Edward Elgar's last major work, the tear-jerking Cello Concerto in E minor. "Most concertos take a little time to come to their main point. if they don’t make you wait until the slow movement – and many do – for their crux, they at least keep the listener waiting through a short orchestral introduction. Elgar was having none of it." [sic] A bit like England XV yesterday. [edit] And another V image - obviously the player makes the difference!



Unfortunately we won't have an all BREXIT rugby World Cup final but if it were so who better than Elgar to provide some Pomp and Circumstance.

October obambulation...

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Weekend wandering. England, England, England. October 25th was - as you all know (ahem) - the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. The [in]famous two-fingered salute (V sign) is 'said' to have come from English longbowmen but according to Wiki "no written historical primary sources support this contention"...except (Wiki goes on...) "Medieval illustrations and tapestries, however, depict English archers giving the sign, as do tapestries hanging in Angers Castle, home of the Angevin (Plantagenet) dynasty." Hmmm, seems like there may be some 'primary sources'. That said, maybe it was just the V of Henry the Fifth (Henry V), what would have been had it not been for his 'unexpected' (convenient?) death...

Anyhoo...on to October 26th and the Rugby World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand's outstanding All Blacks. The V sign makes its return (image)! Best England performance EVER...and that's in 50 years of watching although early on in the 1960s I could hardly understand what was going on.  Love this: “New Zealand lose occasionally but they are never crushed. So this was a glorious first. Forget the scoreboard. They scored one lucky try and for the rest of the evening, they looked like little boys being bullied outside the sweet shop. They were lucky not to lose players to the bin and there was a time when Marius Jonker, the TMO, was a far bigger danger to England than the opposition." Stephen Jones for The Times quoted in Rugbypass. [my emphasis]

And so onto today, 27th October: the 100th year anniversary of the first performance of Edward Elgar's last major work, the tear-jerking Cello Concerto in E minor. "Most concertos take a little time to come to their main point. if they don’t make you wait until the slow movement – and many do – for their crux, they at least keep the listener waiting through a short orchestral introduction. Elgar was having none of it." [sic] A bit like England XV yesterday. [edit] And another V image - obviously the player makes the difference!

Unfortunately we won't have an all BREXIT rugby World Cup final but if it were so who better than Elgar to provide some Pomp and Circumstance.

Oval outstanding...

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I very much doubt there is anyone in the whole world who bet on this? [BBC] "Their second try was an epic, a thing of rugby wonder" but a month ago not even Keita Inagaki's grandma would have put money on Japan winning their Rugby World Cup group: "Tears of joy for Japan, tears of despair for Scotland, tears of exhaustion for everybody else."

Oval outstanding...

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I very much doubt there is anyone in the whole world who bet on this? [BBC] "Their second try was an epic, a thing of rugby wonder" but a month ago not even Keita Inagaki's grandma would have put money on Japan winning their Rugby World Cup group: "Tears of joy for Japan, tears of despair for Scotland, tears of exhaustion for everybody else."

Oval onomatomania over onomatophobia...

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I am getting the irresistible urge to repeat certain words; Crusaders, Crusaders CRUSADERS. This is because of recent perceived fear of certain words...maybe. Super Rugby's Crusaders are by far and away - on present form - the best club in the world*. HOWEVER, "The Canterbury Crusaders are to lose their knight and sword logo following a review into the club's branding after the Christchurch mosque attacks in March". Now, apparently, the head of New Zealand Rugby Steve Tew said: "Even prior to 15 March, the Crusaders had signalled their intention to complete a brand review. While the events of 15 March have accelerated and escalated that brand review, we do not want this to be solely a response to that tragic event." Also,

"Any change must not be seen as a knee-jerk reaction to a single event."...OK; trouble is it sounds exactly like a knee-jerk reaction to a single event.

I don't know about you but when I see the logo I do not think of medieval European knights chopping up Muslims, no really, I don't. When the Canterbury kiwis originally chose the 'Crusaders' name it was based on the English nature of the city of Christchurch: [LINK: What's in a name (archived page)] "They believed the name Crusaders not only connected with Christchurch's British heritage but it defined the crusading spirit of Canterbury rugby." They have a theme song too: the "Conquest of Paradise" (Vangelis). My God, the Maori's won't like that will they? Their paradise was afterall conquested. And Canterbury in England means "stronghold of the Kentish men"! No! They'll have to change the city name too I guess, all that stronghold stuff could make people think of fighting and killing.



Now, juxtapose this rugby story with another rugby story: 'Israel Folau launches legal action over rugby sacking' [LINK] "No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion," Folau said. Does anyone think, even for a nano-second, that if he were a Muslim and said the exact same words, i.e. that God's plan for gay people was “HELL…Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God”, he would be sacked...anyone?



* In England the Exeter Chiefs and Saracens will have to watch out...actually, no, Saracens won't, will they? I mean God forbid some may recall it as a term [Wiki] not just for for Muslim or Arab but with
connotations: on a military mission, or sāriq, pl. sariqīn: "thief, marauder, plunderer"!

Oval onomatomania over onomatophobia...

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I am getting the irresistible urge to repeat certain words; Crusaders, Crusaders CRUSADERS. This is because of recent perceived fear of certain words...maybe. Super Rugby's Crusaders are by far and away - on present form - the best club in the world*. HOWEVER, "The Canterbury Crusaders are to lose their knight and sword logo following a review into the club's branding after the Christchurch mosque attacks in March". Now, apparently, the head of New Zealand Rugby Steve Tew said: "Even prior to 15 March, the Crusaders had signalled their intention to complete a brand review. While the events of 15 March have accelerated and escalated that brand review, we do not want this to be solely a response to that tragic event." Also,

"Any change must not be seen as a knee-jerk reaction to a single event."...OK; trouble is it sounds exactly like a knee-jerk reaction to a single event.

I don't know about you but when I see the logo I do not think of medieval European knights chopping up Muslims, no really, I don't. When the Canterbury kiwis originally chose the 'Crusaders' name it was based on the English nature of the city of Christchurch: [LINK: What's in a name (archived page)] "They believed the name Crusaders not only connected with Christchurch's British heritage but it defined the crusading spirit of Canterbury rugby." They have a theme song too: the "Conquest of Paradise" (Vangelis). My God, the Maori's won't like that will they? Their paradise was afterall conquested. And Canterbury in England means "stronghold of the Kentish men"! No! They'll have to change the city name too I guess, all that stronghold stuff could make people think of fighting and killing.

Now, juxtapose this rugby story with another rugby story: 'Israel Folau launches legal action over rugby sacking' [LINK] "No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion," Folau said. Does anyone think, even for a nano-second, that if he were a Muslim and said the exact same words, i.e. that God's plan for gay people was “HELL…Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God”, he would be sacked...anyone?

* In England the Exeter Chiefs and Saracens will have to watch out...actually, no, Saracens won't, will they? I mean God forbid some may recall it as a term [Wiki] not just for for Muslim or Arab but with connotations: on a military mission, or sāriq, pl. sariqīn: "thief, marauder, plunderer"!

Objurgatory oblectation...

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From probably the most copied piece of film ever: Hitler reacts to England Rugby World Cup selection, really very funny:

Objurgatory oblectation...

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From probably the most copied piece of film ever: Hitler reacts to England Rugby World Cup selection, really very funny:

Opiparous ocular oblectation...

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Indeed, what a sumptuous feast for the eyes and heart this weekend: two games, two codes, one country. After one of the most exciting games of Rugby League I have ever seen (England vs. New Zealand ended in such dramatic fashion: time up, a last minute try, the game tied, the last kick of the ball to tie or win a place in the World Cup final. Wonderful excitement with England 'seconds from victory' in a 'classic, absorbing match'; pipped at the post by the Kiwis [current World Champions]) I was relatively content. However, that was followed yesterday by an even more incredible and exciting game where the English didn't even have a dog in the fight yet what a fantastic, marvelous, brilliant game of Rugby Union: Ireland vs. New Zealand (a team who have never beaten the All Blacks versus a team unbeaten all year). The Irish built up a 19 - 0 lead, and although that lead lead dwindled they kept it right until the end, with the clock in the red, and guess what? Time up, a last minute try, the game tied, the last kick of the ball to tie or win! Such heart-wrenching and at the same time exhilarating stuff and for both games to end in the same amazing way: well worth watching (not the highlights, the whole two games).

Opiparous ocular oblectation...

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Indeed, what a sumptuous feast for the eyes and heart this weekend: two games, two codes, one country. After one of the most exciting games of Rugby League I have ever seen (England vs. New Zealand ended in such dramatic fashion: time up, a last minute try, the game tied, the last kick of the ball to tie or win a place in the World Cup final. Wonderful excitement with England 'seconds from victory' in a 'classic, absorbing match'; pipped at the post by the Kiwis [current World Champions]) I was relatively content. However, that was followed yesterday by an even more incredible and exciting game where the English didn't even have a dog in the fight yet what a fantastic, marvelous, brilliant game of Rugby Union: Ireland vs. New Zealand (a team who have never beaten the All Blacks versus a team unbeaten all year). The Irish built up a 19 - 0 lead, and although that lead lead dwindled they kept it right until the end, with the clock in the red, and guess what? Time up, a last minute try, the game tied, the last kick of the ball to tie or win! Such heart-wrenching and at the same time exhilarating stuff and for both games to end in the same amazing way: well worth watching (not the highlights, the whole two games).

Outstanding ounces...

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Saturday 7:30 p.m. BST: no, not ounces but Lions! Just seen the highlights: great win. A halfpenny: no, not the old 1/480th of a pound sterling but Leigh Halfpenny: 85Kg x 32.15 (troy ounces) = 2732.75 x USD1223.8  =  more or less US3,344,340 Dollars...yep, worth his weight in gold! And I doubt they'll be any arguments about him winning the Player-of-the-Series award either.

Outstanding ounces...

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Saturday 7:30 p.m. BST: no, not ounces but Lions! Just seen the highlights: great win. A halfpenny: no, not the old 1/480th of a pound sterling but Leigh Halfpenny: 85Kg x 32.15 (troy ounces) = 2732.75 x USD1223.8  =  more or less US3,344,340 Dollars...yep, worth his weight in gold! And I doubt they'll be any arguments about him winning the Player-of-the-Series award either.

O'Driscoll out...

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Obviously I'm a few days late with this but it's still hilarious: Hitler reacts to the news that Brian O'Driscoll has been dropped from the British Lions team for the 3rd test against the Aussies...

O'Driscoll out...

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Obviously I'm a few days late with this but it's still hilarious: Hitler reacts to the news that Brian O'Driscoll has been dropped from the British Lions team for the 3rd test against the Aussies...

Olamic oblectation...

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Eternal delight: forty years ago today we witnessed something wonderful. There were many before and after but this is regarded as among - if not the - best: that fellow Edwards; the Home Unions select side vs. New Zealand, or as we know it: the Barbarians vs. the All Blacks, January 27th, 1973, Cardiff Arms Park. In fact the whole match was fantastic; what you see in the video is in the first few minutes! Phil Bennett's agility, Edwards coming at pace from deep. All amateurs, all in heavy cotton kit (much heavier when wet, like the ball, like the boots!) no squad of trainers: look what happens after that try, a pat on the back if you're lucky. Rugby as it was, the greatest game ever invented. Some really good comments here.

Olamic oblectation...

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Eternal delight: forty years ago today we witnessed something wonderful. There were many before and after but this is regarded as among - if not the - best: that fellow Edwards; the Home Unions select side vs. New Zealand, or as we know it: the Barbarians vs. the All Blacks, January 27th, 1973, Cardiff Arms Park. In fact the whole match was fantastic; what you see in the video is in the first few minutes! Phil Bennett's agility, Edwards coming at pace from deep. All amateurs, all in heavy cotton kit (much heavier when wet, like the ball, like the boots!) no squad of trainers: look what happens after that try, a pat on the back if you're lucky. Rugby as it was, the greatest game ever invented. Some really good comments here.