Where’s The Plaque Gone?
Although, I can’t ever remember seeing it, it may have cropped up in conversations at home.
But I’ve finally found proof on this page of the British Listed Buildings web site, that there was a plaque at Oakwood station, indicating that the first land you’d hit if you travelled east was the Urals. This is the paragraph from the web site.
The booking hall originally had a plaque claiming that the station occupied ‘the highest point in Europe in a direct line west of the Ural Mountains of Russia’, a reference to the site being 300 feet above sea level.
I would like to see the plaque restored.
Gerard Depardieu May Become Russian
Who’d have thought Russia would be a tax haven, but this story says that it only has a personal income tax of 13%.
Putin seems to be welcoming Gerard Depardieu with open arms, but then I don’t think the French actor is a man, to whom a lot of the principles that guide most of us apply. He certainly seems very selfish and looking at his personal life, women are just toys in his life.
Incidentally, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a film.
Madonna Annoys The Russians And Quite A Few Others
I have never seen Madonna live or indeed any of her films, but her latest tour does seem to be getting its share of complaints. Read about it in the Independent. The Russians are even suing her.
She is also being sued by anti-gay activists in Russia for allegedly encouraging gay sex between minors at a show in St Petersburg. Lawyers are seeking millions in ‘moral damages’ after she called on Russians to respect gay rights and passed out pink bracelets to the audience.
But as a wag from Liverpool has commented on the article has said, “Hollyoaks does that!”, referring to encouraging minors to have sex.
Most of the complainants and Madonna herself should all grow up and be more responsible.
Larry On The Voice Of Russia
Apparently, it’s not just the Chief Whip that’s in trouble, but the Chief Mouser to! This article from the Voice of Russia, shows how the most important news get distributed around the world. Note the picture.
I suppose President Putin uses tigers in the Kremlin.
This post was prompted by a wonderful picture of Larry in today’s Times.
A Night At The Athletics
I went to see the athletics at the Olympic Park last night.
It was a gold-less night, but at least others have repaired some of damage Gordon Brown did by selling off our gold reserves too cheaply.
The Park and stadium are magnificent and hopefully will remain so, unlike Athens, Montreal and Moscow, which are the only Olympic stadia, that I’ve visited. One of the lasting memories in my mind, will be the glorious flowers. In Athens, all that’s left is weeds.
In fact this post could be titled something like Trees, Flowers, Water and Steel with a Few Sporting Events Thrown In. Only the British and perhaps the Irish, Dutch, New Zealanders and a few others would say that the legacy for the Games needs to be another park. Especially in a city like London, which is already endowed with many large and magnificent parks.
On the other and there is nothing worse in life, than tending a garden. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them!
My Most Expensive Ticket Ever!
I went to the Olympic athletics last night and I got some tickets for Thursday morning in the ballot. But I really wanted to see Mo Farah run on the last Saturday night.
I didn’t get a ticket in the ballot, so as I’ve finally sold my stud, I decided to try to buy a ticket for the Saturday night. But I couldn’t so I bought a ticket for the Friday night, to see some more finals.
I’ve never really paid a high price for a ticket and certainly, I’ve never paid over the odds. Although, I did buy an unwanted Senior ticket at Sheffield Wednesday for £10 instead of £11 from a tout at Sheffield Wednesday.
The most expensive ticket, I’d bought was one for about three hundred to see Ipswich play Torpedo Moscow in the Moscow Olympic Stadium. But I suppose it did include a flight from Luton.
I went on the official site and bought one for Friday night for seven-hundred or so.
Does that seem excessive? Probably at the moment, yes! But ask me again on Saturday!
Sochi 2014 Advertises On London Buses
I caught this advert for the Winter Olympics in 2014 at Sochi on a 56 bus.
Sochi 2014 Advertises On London Buses
No offence to the Russians and I did enjoy a day trip to Moscow once, but I won’t be going.
Skiing is just not my scene, except on the television.
Free Pussy Riot
This was the slogan on a placard objecting to President Putin’s policies in London today.
I do know what Pussy Riot is, but taken in straight English, it could be read another way.
Bye! Bye! Russia
I can’t say I’m sorry to see the Russians go home!
What price now that the Greeks vote for no austerity tomorrow? They will be backing on two miracles in a week.
England Think About Euro 2020
According to this report on the BBC, England are thinking about putting together a bid for Euro 2020.
The comments show most are sceptical, that we would win, due to FIFA/UEFA politics.
I also think England not bidding is what FIFA/UEFA wants.
After all if we don’t bid and the organisation in some neck-end ex-Soviet republic goes belly up a few months before the tournament starts, we have the stadia, hotels and infrastructure to stage it the next week. Probably only Germany, the USA and ourselves could do this!
After all, in a bankrupt London we did it with the Olympics in 1948, so we have form in this.
Incidentally, as the transport links between England and Germany will be more than excellent in a few years time, we could even stage it jointly with the Germans. Now that would be fun!
I’ve always felt that one of next two World Cups after Brazil will not be held in the designated host. Especially today, as Russia has been fined points for the behaviour of their fans as reported here.
The Anonymous Widower 