Thank you Lee,
Yes the bully boy, beloved of desperate politicians.
Comment is about Tackle (blog)
Original item by Lee Campbell
I'm not sure what it is you're trying to say MC.
Abuse, verbal or physical, of those who volunteer to place their lives in danger for a humanitarian cause, regardless of who is in danger, is truly despicable.
Those who knowingly and deliberately incite such abuse for nefarious ends are the lowest of the low.
Comment is about In Praise of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (blog)
Interesting how abuse is OK in certain directions, but not others.
The use of the RNLI (not the Border Force) is underlining the fact
that such use is making the RNLI unavailable for sudden need
elsewhere. To mention this is in relation to organised highly
paid illegality from safe shores is hardly "despicable". It can be forgotten
it's manned by volunteers who have to support themselves through their own efforts when not being used for this purpose.
Comment is about In Praise of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (blog)
Something rarely encountered was something to be treated with
suspicion and fear. Time has changed things to a more aware
attiitude and approach to the variety met in the human condition.
But the bully boy aptitude is to be found across the social
spectrum, more's the pity.
Comment is about Tackle (blog)
Original item by Lee Campbell
I wrote this poem today, in response to despicable accusations that RNLI rescuers were serving as a “taxi service for illegal immigration”; ...and as a response to the vile physical and verbal abuse which lifeboat volunteers have been suffering, which has included personal phone calls to lifeboat station personel, in which people said what they think of them bringing migrants in.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-57999224
Comment is about In Praise of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (blog)
I am a Jacques Tati fan ever since the BBC featured the films one a day at around 6am during Christmas week about 20 years ago. I subsequently book his DVD box set.
Jour de Fête appeared on a minor channel Talking Pictures a few days ago.
Comment is about Le Grand Jacques (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Ha ha, Graham. The argument for Brexit does seem to be “Let’s not talk about it”.
Comment is about DUCKWORTH-LEWIS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Ooooh! It was all going so well but you spoiled it with the last word 🫢
Comment is about DUCKWORTH-LEWIS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A touch of Auden in this fascinating poem, David. I am struggling to understand the context but it is an absolute joy to read.
(The 'cert' in the title is a play on words, perhaps?)
Comment is about The Leaving Cert (blog)
Original item by David Cooke
Certainly worth a re-post. And the Johnny Cash resonance is
always a solid basis for anything about trains.. 😎
I can hear that whistle blowing
Echoing down the track
That's where my memory's going
As those yesterdays come back!
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thankyou, Stephen. I can’t deny “Night Mail” was in my head when I wrote this. But I could happily give up my pen if ever I could write anything as remotely good as “shovelling white steam over her shoulder”.
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A masterpiece, Hélène. I know that feeling too.
Comment is about Just Sitting (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Good luck with it, John. The poetry seems to be pouring out, but the quality never suffers!
Comment is about Away with Words (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
A touch of 'Night Mail' in the last verse, John. One of those poems which brings back memories, even if you never had them!
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you for your kind comment, Manish. I tried to illustrate the pomposity and horror of war in rhyme - from a safe distance.
And thanks to Uilleam, RG, Nigel and Rudyard.
Comment is about Video Link (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks, Greg, Graham and Uilleam.
When the kids were little we used to ride from Pickering to Goathland and then walk predominantly downhill to Grosmont. It was about 3 miles. Just a lovely walk and not too arduous for them (and me!).
We went last year with my mother-in-law and father-in-law.to Whitby. A nice memory from before she died.
They do a wartime weekend in the Autumn although they shelved it last year as inappropriate.
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
So descriptive John; I can see myself on the platform with the noise and smell, and yes, the grit in my eye, as a kid waiting for the Blackpool "excursion" train.
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
The railway itself has been on the telly in a documentary in recent years, plus there's the money they must make from 'period' films. And the line has revitalised rail services into Whitby since its extension. A very jaunty way of extolling its virtues, JC.
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
You smell the smoke and oil
You close your eyes and then
Forget the years of passage
And you’re twelve years old again
If only!!!
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Been on that one JC. I seem to remember it was when my wife was into ‘Heartbeat’ on TV?
Comment is about THE MOORLAND TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This for me is a masterpiece, Stephen. Superbly written.
Thank you.
Comment is about Video Link (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Merci pour le message Kevin
Comment is about La fleur de l'éveil (blog)
Original item by Voice of the Soul
Thankyou Ghost, MC and Greg for your further thoughts. “One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure”, eh?
Merchant Navy and BoB engines on the SR or Castles and Kings from the GWR - these would have been rare and prized spots on the LMS. Evening Star and the other 9 Freights were the stuff of coal trains.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Brilliant, Peter. A good poem is built out of details, and this one is full of them.
Comment is about Woolies (blog)
Original item by Peter J Donnelly
With the cracking of historical crimes being the modern trend, I fully expect MC to nick you very soon Greg.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
It was all Merchant Navies and Battle of Britain class down in Surrey, although we were blessed with the sight of Evening Star from time to time. As for football specials, my memory is of a return trip from Leicester in the late 60s when the communication cord was pulled three times in the first five miles returning home. (Chelsea had won 4-1, so we were in a good mood). We were all turfed out at Kettering, boarded another train, then waited for ages outside St Pancras. At one point a fan jumped off the train, ran across the tracks, and tried to change the points. We were met by snarling police dogs at the ticket barrier, which was fair enough, in the circs.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
UoC - My opening words were a literary ploy that recognised
that its subject was always likely to be subject of comment far from complimentary and pointed the reader towards what
followed. All opinions are subjective depending on a personal
mindset and, unlike the basics of "evidence" do not require
corroboration. Cheers.
Comment is about NIGEL FARAGE AND DICK DEADEYE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Unlike the locos designed for the likes of GWR, LMS etc., Brits.
were produced under the wider BR "banner" and had their
sheds scattered across the country. "Vulcan" is the name of the
loco. that I recall used for the "Merchant Venturer" (what a great
title for a featured service between the capital city and that famous old seafaring port!)....along with "The Bristolian" famous
for its speed between the two cities back in those days.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
This reminds me of the wisdom heard from the late great actor
and raconteur Peter Ustinov who, when asked about his
considerable talents, replied that he learnt by listening, realising
that when you're talking you're not learning.
Comment is about Interpretation (blog)
Original item by Robert C Gaulke
Thanks again, Graham and Kevin, for your thought.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I think we should know what Greg’s favourite Brit was as he’s WOLs steam aficionado! 😃
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
My favorite, Graham, was Hereward the Wake. But perversely the most sought after spot was the unnamed 70047.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
O.K Saucy says barbecued breasts and tingling nipples comes to mind - - - Stephen.
Comment is about Sizzling to Blistering (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Newberry, Stephen, thank you for your comments.
I'm glad that you like the poem and thank you for your viewpoints.
I was a little afraid of posting my French poems, because I wasn't sure the they would be read because the majority of the poems here are in English, so your feedback is very welcome.
Comment is about La fleur de l'éveil (blog)
Original item by Voice of the Soul
70012 John of Gaunt a regular sight at Wellingborough station in my ‘spotting’ days. Last saw a Brit by chance at Llandudno pulling a ‘Special’ (with back up) three or four years ago. Still a magnificent beast!
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thankyou, MC and Stephen.
In my youth, MC, a Brit used to haul the 7o’clock fish train from Grimsby to London. It flashed by the bottom of our garden where dozens of kids would wait to spot it.
It seems in those days, Stephen, all football fans wore ties, smoked Woodbines and had missing teeth. Pre-hooliganism days.
And thanks for the Likes, Greg, Holden and Helene.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Uilleam and Stephen 😀
Thanks too for the likes Ruth, Steve, Helene, Holden and purplemoon. 😀
Comment is about Juju (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I like the way this 'opens out' to its conclusion, as the title suggests.
Comment is about La fleur de l'éveil (blog)
Original item by Voice of the Soul
A tender, moving poem, Mike. So well written and obviously heartfelt.
Comment is about Time (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
MC, I'm a self-taught writer, so I leave literary criticism to the "experts".
Your invitation: "You can say what you like about Farage".
My response: absolutely nothing.
Comment is about NIGEL FARAGE AND DICK DEADEYE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
A fine poem, JD, with a perfect concluding line.
Comment is about Ode to a Red Rose (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Beautiful and touchingly described, John. A real gem.
Comment is about Juju (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I'm glad the raucousness remained good-mannered, John. Nice memories.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Sat 29th Jul 2023 01:52
Thank you so much, John, I truly appreciate your kind comment! 😎
Comment is about Malevolent. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Greetings from Marylebone - sixty years later! It's a while since
I was last in the station (using the cash dispenser i seem to recall)
but I retain a recent memory of a "steam special" celebrating
something or other in the history of the terminus and the places
it serves/served. The building is a favourite location for shooting
period films, possessing an impressive facade that is perfect
for such projects.
P.S. I appreciated the accompanying
photo of the Britannia class BR loco.
It brought back fond memories of my
schooldays and hanging around Bath
Spa up platform for the London-bound
"Merchant Venturer" - often headed by
a Brit. class locomotive, surely one of
the more impressive steamers.
Comment is about THE SLOW TRAIN (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Hélène
Tue 1st Aug 2023 22:32
Powerful poem, reflecting inspirational resilience.
Comment is about Muscle memory (blog)
Original item by John E Marks