THE BRITISH THREAD II

A piss-take if ever I saw one. And there's more than one way to cause a public order offence. I was surprised that none of the TV reports drew attention to it. Interesting that four people here thought the same thing.

I don't like Lampard's nauseating antics, but he doesn't score many nowadays.
It'll be interesting to see if he stops doing it now.

If only such things were the most nauseating tactics we have to put up with.

What about the phone-tapping furore?

I must confess I'm a bit puzzled.
If a journalist, or anyone else, overheard a conversation in a pub, or through a keyhole, or anywhere else, he would not be criminalised for making use of the information thus gleaned.

I suppose opening sealed mail is an offence.
But how different is phone-tapping from an overheard conversation?

If Smorgs were here, which she's not, and if she could talk about her job at the burroo, which she can't, we could learn a lot.

For instance, when I was out today I saw a placard outside the paper shop: "Fight in JobCentre over benefits".

There must be a lot of that now, since the recent benefits "realignment".

I was expecting Smorgs' office (buroo, Labour Exchange, JobCentre, Dream Factory) to perhaps be the Bastille of the 2011 British Revolution. It could happen.

We have (here, in Germany) such regulated by our Basic Law (constitution).

In the UK, it's regulated by the Human Rights Act (1998) [and the Investigatory Powers Act (2000) - but that's another Pandora's box].

It's beginning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13011021

I had my cash on Backstage in last year's Grand National and it was brought down by a loose horse when cantering. So it's Backstage again for me.

What sort of a British Thread would pass the Grand National by without a mention?

Right, Spendi, it's always useful to beat a dead horse..

Well--I can't let a Grand National go by without recognising my debt to English Culture so I have to bet on something. And the race is sponsored by John Smith's Extra Smooth (Silk in a Glass) no nonsense beer. I wish I could drink more of it but, alas, I'm a bit allergic to alcohol these days.

I once tried to keep up with my pals and I ended up where I wasn't supposed to end up. There's a limit to how much one should loosen up.

Well, I don't bet and don't drink much but today I had my first beer of the year..

For almost as long as I can remember my first beer of the year was in my hand as the chimes of Big Ben heralded its coming. And I celebrate the anniversary every night.

Ladies' Day at Aintree today, God bless 'em.

The Grand National is tomorrow. I thought you would have known that, Spendy. Time enough yet for a comment. Last year's winner is top weight, I hear, but still good for a flutter. The going should be good. The ultimate test of horse and rider. Your cliche here.

I have drawn Tidal Bay in the pub sweep.

Was it a pretty drawing or more like graffiti in the toilet ?

It was very pretty actually. When Charlotte, our barmaid, held out the tub for me to draw a ticket from (£2 a draw) her loose top yawned open and she allowed me a good long look down her front. Very pretty. She really is a splendid example of young womanhood.

Nice one, Charlotte and Charlotte's blouse.

AP McCoy, he's yer man. He'll bring it home again.

Actually I think, though you know I'm not a racing man, that the National must be the hardest race to predict. So much luck is involved, with the loose horses and everything else.

Watch out for a sprinter called Black caviar next year spendi. Shes got something like 12 wins from as many starts

Black Caviar has now won five Group 1 races in succession. Australian racing has never had a galloper hold an unbeaten run as long as Black Caviar - and there are no serious challengers to her in this part of the world.
The trainer is then keen to take Black Caviar overseas to race against the world's best in the Hong Kong International Sprint at Sha Tin in December before an extensive international campaign next year, including races in Dubai, England and possibly Japan.

The flat, and the jumps, two different things, you Aussie pooftah.

Royal Ascot will be the main target I imagine.

We are so good we've got horses flying horse first-class at 400 mph 36,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Eating highly refined nutrient and bedded in medicated straw. Clipping clops of dungie dumplings ever so often. Being watched over with care and consideration.

When you think about it......well--we better not I suppose.

At least my donkey got round. 10th.

I used to know the owner of the winner.