THE BRITISH THREAD II

I'll stick my neck out, and don't forget my pal George has played darts with Ricky Hatton so I'm biased, and say that if Hatton survives to Round Five then he will win.

Let's not forget the size of the task confronting our boy. He is facing a bigger opponent who usually fights at a greater weight than Hatton, and is a very talented boxer, an undefeated world champion. He is rated as the best boxer in the world, at any weight.

No pressure on wee Ricky from Hyde then.

Why are there absolutely no posters today?

What the stuffing hell is going on?

Has everybody else been getting a life or something?

More ace potatoes in prospect tonight, this time in the style dauphinois. My BIL the whirlwind chef from Germany is visiting, so I am not required in the kitchen. I have brought the wine up to warm.

Perhaps the Brits are all over here.

Spent a very pleasant weekend in Manhattan last week. The hotels and restaurants were loaded with Brits evidently over here to enjoy the sights and favorable currency exchange rates. Lots of stange Scottish, Midlands and even a few plummy accents to be heard in the elevators, hallways and nearby tables at meals.

Well, it's actually cheaper to do the christmas shopping in New York than elsehwere - Lufthansa had to use larger commuter planes from our local airport for all the Christmas shoppers going on three-day-shopping tours (sic!) to NY. (Less than 500 Euros all inclusive. Well, no presents, I think.)

Didn't see any Germans. However, since they are - as you have noted - the largest single ethnic group here, I might not have noticed them. :wink:

I think they would find better bargains in Chicago or even San Francisco.

Tax is higher in Chicago - and it takes an hour more.
(Though Chicago is best, I agree.)

Irish-Americans, Westphalians, and Jocks today.

I hereby re-christen this thread The Motley Crew Thread.

May God bless her and all who sail in her.

I hope our sporting travelling fans did not smash up Las Vegas before they went home.
Presumably they remembered that US police have guns on their hip, and were good as gold.

This is good, for those of you who like this kind of thing. From yesterday's paper:

Reader D Harrison sends in a brilliant palindrome for this week. You have to remember that ATOL is the travel agents' insurance organisation: "A man, a plot, a kayak, ATOL: Panama!"

Bad telly, nighmare parking, espensive dentists binge drinkers everywhere ... In today's The Guardian: The return of the native

Sounds just like life in south Manchester.



Walter, if you post a few more articles you could save me 80p.



Where the hell is Smorgie? Doesn't she know she has an obligation to her people here? She's probably gone off on a week-long bender with Amy Winehouse.

Well, mine is the

That would save you a lot more

It is crap writing Walt.

Cliched. Repetitive. Boring. No soul. No style. Solipsistic. Writing on the backside of advertisements.

Alf been in?

Okay then, I'll just keep posting on my own.

I miss those big Christmas TV spectaculars we used to get from America, starring Andy Williams or Perry Como or even gawd ellpus the Osmond Family or the Crosby family and friends.

Or maybe I'm just missing my youth.

Anyway I think you can't beat a big dose of schmalz and glitz at Crimbo.
Genuine insincere nostalgia, that's what we need.

Well there are certain offerings today that go a long way to restore the christmas spirit.

I saw an excellent episode of South Park last night in which Cartman decides to be good so Santa will bring him a certain toy. Anyway they set off for Santa's grotto but Santa's sled gets brought down over Baghdad by small arms fire. So Mr Hanky, Jesus Cartman and Kenny set off on the Poo Poo train to resucue Santa. Jesus restores Santa's amputated legs but unfortunately gets a rocket propelled grenade round through his thorax. As you might expect it all ends happily with Cartman getting his present, but realising the shallow material values are not enough if other children get the same toy.

Mornin' all. It's a bit quiet round these parts just lately.

Well, minus 4c out there at the moment, and sods law dictates that I'm investigating a leak on a flat roof today. If the wind whips up like yesterday, I think I'm going to freeze my balls off by mid afternoon.

OK, where have you all disappeared to then?

I think they are just keeping their balls warm!

That could be true, Francis. I have several of those pocket warmers from years back, that look like a metal cigarette case into which you put a small piece of lit charcoal.
I used to use them all the time when I was working on the motorways, but couldn't even tell you where they're stashed right now. I'll have to go on a hunt soon, as they used to keep all the important parts in good warm working order in weather like this.

Do they still sell them nowadays, I wonder?

3.95 EUR, incl. VAT and coal