The RAF ensign
21st June is usually the longest day in the northern hemisphere. It precedes Midsummer's day which is celebrated around 24th June. But for me it is the night my father was shot down from his aircraft when returning from a bombing raid on Germany in 1943. He survived thanks to his ingenuity and the help of brave young Dutch resistance heroes. I wrote about this last year and you can read it here.He survived, married the young woman who became my mother, and served as an RAF career officer travelling his young family around the world including Australia. He died aged 73 suffering from Parkinson's disease. My mother was the love of his life as he was hers. My loyal followers will know from reading my blog recently, that she is now 90 and currently in hospital and recovering well from her second hernia op. The white rose is flowering beautifully and we shall take it to my father's grave as soon as she is sufficiently recovered.
And as for spoilt cheating millionaires pretending to play for the honour of representing our country and not the £150K per week they earn for running around a field being outsmarted by third world teams paid peanuts but who love the game ( and the honour etc).
"Football is a gentleman's game played by ruffians, and rugby is a ruffian's game played by gentlemen."
The England football team is a disgrace, especially to hundreds of fans like my own daughter and friends who have saved and spent thousands of £pounds to fly to SA to support the home team only to watch a laughing stock. Thank goodness SA offers more to enjoy as a holiday destination than the p**s poor showing of most of the leading national teams in the World Cup.Watch the cricket and the rugby say I! No falling over in agony because an opponent player breezed close by. It's unbearable. Watched Brazil and their dirty players against the Ivory Coast and theirs, this evening. Brazil should be ashamed at their tactics, Ivory Coast - I shall be buying your bananas! You did well and could probably beat "Engerland" who have yet to score in this dismal contest.
6 comments:
Hear. hear. I wish your mum a speedy recovery. Parcel will be posted today.
Your father sounds a proper British hero :)
Unlike the shambles that call themselves a football team - I don't even follow it but have heard enough about their lack of talent.
Would much rather watch rugby - better legs ;)
Dear Elegance, I loved reading about your father and his brave escape, I will share it with my boys, as they have been learning about WW2 at school. So sad about his colleagues that died. Bx
QUITE!
Tracey
I groan when I hear footballers described as "heroes" when all they do is play a game for which they are are overpaid.
Your dad was a real hero.
Jayne
Wonderful story about your father. I'm supporting the Dutch team anyway, I always do.
I do think this has been the most wonderful World Cup as SA and all of Africa have delivered probably the best event ever.
As for pricey headbands mmmm one can dream and then go to Primark!
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