More Sales for HMS Thunder Child Pastiche Story and the Growing Idea for a New Book Cover!

All fans of War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells have their own idea about the ironclad HMS Thunder Child. We know the brave little ship charged three Martian tripods to aid the escape of a paddle steamer.

In my pastiche story: The Last Days of Thunder Child by C.A. Powell, I always see the plucky little coastal defence vessel as obsolete. Even by 1898 standards. She still has short stubby muzzle loading guns. Of course the Royal Navy did away with muzzle loaders after the teribble accident aboard HMS Thunderer during a gunning excersise off Marmora in 1879.

For the pastiche story of HMS Thunder Child, the little ironclad ram has not been updated with breech loading guns. The ship is a misfit and ready to be decomisioned and broken up. The Martian consequence allows the ship a respite from the scrap yard.

I'm planning a more dynamic cover for the book, which has had several edits and new font work after opinions that print was too small. It has been edited with font setting to 250+ pages now. 

All that is needed is a more dynamic cover. This will be tendered out for competition soon with prize money for the winning entry.

I have been designing how I imagine Thunder Child to look on an art package. Of course the design will look more detailed and realistic when it is tendered out for competition on new cover idea. However, I hope the small designs and doodles would give a potetial artist an opinion of what I'm looking for in the new book cover. Also, I'll need bold eye-catching writing for the title and author name. At the back will be the short synopsis and brief which is already on the book.

I hope that gradually my vessel will inspire a talented book cover desiner or artist to have a go. The project will be launched on crowdSPRING in the new year.

Example of Contemporary Megatexts

Although I read next to no fiction these days, this caught my attention as an interesting example of contemporary megatexts. Author +colin powell has taken a small part of the plot of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds and turned it into a fully-fledged naval battle story.

colin powell originally shared to SF &/or Fantasy (Shameless promotion):

Print and ebook in USA



Amazon.com: The Last Days of Thunder Child eBook: C.A. Powell: Kindle Store

amazon.com

I was Shocked and Sad to Learn that Margaret Thatcher Passed Away Today

I was stunned by the news that Margaret Thatcher had died this morning on 8th April 2013. She was 87 years of age, but I still find it hard to believe. I thought she would live forever - then again, perhaps she will. There are people in the UK that passionately disagreed with her and those who are devoted to the icon that she often seems to be.

All I would like to say is this: Margaret Thatcher was a tough leader who had to make some hard decisions. She didn't get things wrong all the time despite what many might think. I often found fault with her as a youngster in my twenties. Perhaps I was a trendy lefty at times, but as I've got older and now own my own house (courtesy of Thatcherism) I find myself reflecting on more realistic issues. Real issues that she had the strength to confront on more then one occasion.

Well Prime Minister Thatcher - I'll always respect you and admit - you were right on many things that I thought were wrong at the time. Especially with trade unions, but today I humbly admit you may have been right on certain issues concerning ballots and holding the nation to ransom. In the long run you got it right on that issue. You were a very determined and fine Prime Minister and a very great Briton. 

I will not say Rest in Peace, because I can't think of such a determined person resting. I will say 'Echo in Eternity' for good and positive things that Margerat Thatcher is and will always be. For champions of trying and believing; she will live forever.

Richard Branson's Breath of Fresh Air Concerning UK in EU

It is very encouraging for fellow Brits to voice sensible arguments for the UK to try and help reform the EU from within. Richard Branson's blog was very well worded and simple in its good reasons for staying in the heart of the EU and fighting to change the present way Brussels and Strasbourg work. We (Brits) should not run away from this. All euro sceptics correctly point out a great many things wrong with the EU, but using a UK exit policy of the EU is very wrong indeed. 

Everything that Richard Branson states in his blog are sound reasons why. Mainly the future - the EU will sort this mess out and the coming years will look very promising if we stick together. I hope and pray that more substantial people of influence will make their voices heard for the United Kingdom to become more deeply involved with the EU.

I believe that other fellow Europeans in all other states would want to change and restructure some of the EU's bureaucracy, but the other states don't use running away from the problem as a solution. It is no good voicing correct points about a faulty apparatus and then running away from it. Get in there (all the people of substance from across Europe) and change it - make it more effective and seen to be so. We need more high profile Brits like Richard Branson delivering short, sweet sharp to the point messages like the blog he wrote below. 

Branson warns against British EU exit

A British exit from the European Union would be 'very bad' for British business and for the economy, said Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson.

Writing in his New Year blog, the founder of the Virgin Group said global business relies on large trading agreements created by regions, not by countries.

"The EU is the UK's biggest trading partner. Its combined market dwarfs the US and China. For that reason alone, the UK must stay in to help rebuild the EU," he wrote.

"Obviously Europe has had difficulties, but so has America and most other countries in the world. The tough medicine that countries like Ireland, Spain and Portugal have given themselves will result in Europe being in far better shape than America in a few years' time."

Looking ahead, he said Britain must be at the centre to help the EU forge new partnerships with the emerging markets of Latin America and Asia - and to renew and extend our relationships with the US and Canada.

"Those powerful economies want to trade with a market of 500 million people and not the UK's 60 million," said Branson.

"The UK must not become a peripheral country on the edge of Europe. This will be damaging to long-term prospects of British business and also in the country's ability to attract new international companies to set up and employ people in the country."

He urged the British government to get together with Germany to restructure Europe. "We are in a position where if we take a positive approach, Germany and ourselves could be the key two countries to the restructure of Europe.

"Unless we do all this, Britain could be an island completely adrift in 20 years."

Is there a Tenth Planet in Our Solar System? (The Gods From Planet X FREE MOVIE)

Whatever you believe or disbelieve; this is a very compelling talk. I don't think such a thing is real, yet there is a part of me that would like it to be so. Because of this, I enjoyed watching the talk. Just because I remain sceptical, does not mean I disrespect the believers. I don't and will continue to listen to such things. Maybe one day, there will be stronger evidence because it is not completely wrong to believe that we may have been visited or are visited and watched. Watch and enjoy.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Days-Thunder-Child/dp/1907140050

 

 

Web Site Value Calculation for

Web Site Value Calculation for

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Days-Thunder-Child/dp/1907140050

How Ancient Phoenicians Traded with Primitive Britain Using Bireme Boats to Travel the Seas and Collect Tin

Main areas of Phoenicians

The Phoenicians were a Mediterranean race of seafarers that travelled many seas in search of trade. They were among the first of the great cargo transporters developing complex international trade among the great and emerging civilisations of ancient times. The lands that these people came to occupy during their greatest era was Lebanon (mainly) but also parts of what is today, Israel, Palestine and Syria. The prominent times of the Phoenician sea traders were between 1200 BC and 800BC. After this time, the Phoenicians began to be swallowed up or ruled by other Mediterranean powers, though their seamanship skills were still hailed and used.

In their heydey; the Phoenicians sent out explorers to settle the various area and even went beyond the Mediterranean sea in search of trade. They were known to go along the west coast of Africa, Spain and France. It is also believed that some settled in Ireland too. There is also a strong belief that the Phoenicians began to trade with Britain for tin, which was abundant in Cornwall. Some historians believe that the tin was traded for in the north west of France as a secondary seller, acting for south west Ancient Britain - a sort of middle man. However, if a seafaring race like the Phoenicians know that tin can be got across a channel of water, it is very likely that seafarers would go directly to the source once known. I, therefore, believe that the Phoenicians and probably Israelites travelling with them might have come to Britain and traded for tin.

Phoenician Bireme used to travel across great seas

There are, of course, no written records in existence of Phoenicians visiting Britain because when Carthage fell, to the Roman Empire many of the historical writing of Phoenician explorers was lost in the destruction of the great city, long after the time of the great Phoenician trade routes and explorations.

Imagine what the Phoenicians might have thought of the Celtic Neolithic stones of Gaul, Ireland and Britain - especially Stonehenge, for I believe these Mediterranean traders would have seen such places. But then coming from lands of Pyramids and other great building feats of monumental achievement; perhaps the stones would not have been too amazing to such well travelled people.

I try to visualise the scenes of Ancient Britain through the eyes of a Phoenician sailor or Jewish trader looking for things of interest to buy and sell. The lands of North West Europe would have seemed very lush green and densely forested - a raw untamed view of mystical Celtic Britain via the eyes of a first time visitor.

   

The Most Beautiful Music In The World

This is very beautiful music that reminds me of Chinese garden scenes of imperil and historic times played on a bamboo flute with classical instruments in background. The sound is very dreamy and wonderful.

 

Why Mary Rose Ship of War Sank - Henry VIII & England's Tragic Pride



The Mary Rose



England was a land of virtual irrelevance during the 15^th century and was no more than a fringe island on the edge of Europe – a small nation that had spent years fighting a civil war of the Roses between House York and House Lancaster. This finally ended with the death of Richard III in battle and the accession of Henry VII of the Tudor dynasty. During this turbulent time, England had neglected her navy and had only constructed six ships for the crown in a period of eighty-seven years. The new king, Henry VII maintained a precarious peace with the dominant powers of Europe and managed to keep the island nation free from trouble allowing England a small time to establish breathing space and rebuild. At least, begin to rebuild.

Midship Section of Mary Rose

When Henry VII died his second son – became King Henry VIII. His first son, Arthur had died before ascending to kingship. Arthur had briefly married the Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon. In this day and age, Spain was the super power of the world and France challenging for dominance too. Because Henry VIII wanted to join a powerful Spanish alliance against France, he decided to marry his late brother’s wife Catherine of Aragon – he was six years her junior. By doing this, Henry the VIII had made a powerful enemy of France but had many strong allies including the Holy Roman emperor Maximillian alongside the superpower of Spain. Little England was trying to punch above her weight, but for those who dare; sometimes things work out. This did in the long run but in twisted ways that none designed or could have predicted at the time.   

Henry VIII had received the start of a navy from his father Henry VII, but early into his new alliance with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, his small country decided to start by showing ambitions to the navy. England had two large warships to boast of and they were the Regent and the Sovereign. Henry VIII decided to add two more substantial battleships of the day. One was called the Peter while the other would be the Mary Rose. After this, more ships were started and the beginnings of a Royal Navy ensued.

Inside Part of Mary Rose

The grand warship ‘Mary Rose’ was launched in the summer of 1511. She went to London and received adulation in a grand ceremony as she was towed up the River Thames. The glorious array of flags and streamers must have been a colourful sight to behold as citizens of London flocked to see the modern battleship. For the times, this ship was a real state of the art building and engineering, lovingly crafted from fine English oak and craftsmen who were very proud of the profession and able to work for the grand king and country.

Some people believe the name ‘Mary Rose’ came from Henry VIII sister, Mary Tudor and the Rose of the Tudors. However, eminent historians say that it was the fashion throughout Europe to name ships from everyday common Christian names. England was trying to play alongside the big boys of Europe now and tried to emulate them in all ways.

For twenty-five years the ship patrolled and did her national duties taking part in actions against the national enemies of France and Scotland. She had castle style protection at the stern and bow with a lower mid-ship section. She would have looked resplendent in this day and was brought back into dock for a major rebuilding and enhancement programme in 1536. She was to be upgraded from a 500-ton vessel to 700 tonnes. After this, the Mary Rose continued in her duties against the main enemies until a fateful day in 1545 when the grand ship of war took a lead to attack a French invasion fleet.

Before this battle, the grand ship had performed admirably during the first and second French Wars – this was the third French war when Mary Rose was to meet her fate.

The Mary Rose lay on the Solent bed for many years.

As the Mary Rose went into action, a Flemish eye witness had his version of events written down. He saw the Mary Rose fire all one side of her guns as the battle began – a salvo. Then as the grand ship manoeuvred to present her opposite side of guns, she was caught by a strong breeze which caused the vessel to extravagantly heel to her starboard side, where many of the lower deck gun ports were still open. These were water tight when shut, but during the confusion of the battle they remained open and were, of course, in use. The sudden intake of water caused the ship to heel further over to her broadside as the weight of the water intake caught the mighty ship off balance. All people on board would have been flung about. Heavy guns and other bulk items would have broken from their fastenings and slide starboard too, causing more weight on this starboard side. Men would have been crushed and killed during the horrendous twist of fate. Those that escaped being crushed would have been struggling in a blind panic as their world, inside the ship, turned upside down. It was all over, very quickly, as the Mary Rose capsized and sank in the Solent off of the Isle of Weight and from a crew of four hundred and more; only thirty-five men survived the capsizing of the Mary Rose. The vice Admiral George Carew went down with his ship and crew as well.

Salvaged part of hull in Portsmouth museum

This terrible event rocked the entire nation and the great battleship lay on the seabed for hundreds of years until she was raised by scientists in 1982 after being re-discovered in 1971. Many of her artefacts and much of her hull are on display at the Portsmouth naval museum today.

Scientists working on Hull Preservation

Queen Boudicca vs Queen Cartimandua (Ancient British Queens of Roman Times)

Queen Cartimandua of Brigante

Why is Queen Boudicca given this glorious celebrity due to her rebellion against the Roman Empire that lasted little more than a few months? She was disastrous for Britain and probably caused the deaths of thousands due to her killing spree and Roman retribution afterwards.

QueenCartimandua of the Brigante ruled from around 43 AD to 69 AD and was usurped by her divorced husband Venutius during the ‘Year of Four Emperors’ when Rome was in civil turmoil over which person would become emperor. The fact that this little-known Ancient British queen ruled for more than 25 years against Boudicca’s single year - if that; always baffles me. Surely Cartimandua was shrewd and successful during her time of rule for she was able to play off the wolf against the weasel for many years while she sat in the middle and kept Rome at bay for a quarter of a century.

Add captionQueen Boudicca of Iceni

Both ancient British queens had husbands; Boudicca’s collaborated with Rome, but when he died; the Iceni queen entered into conflict with the empire. Cartimandua, on the other hand, had a husband who wanted to rebel against Rome and she betrayed him and exiled the man in favour of Rome.

Boudicca echoes in eternity because of Roman historians who wrote of her murderous rampage, yet Cartimandua barely merits mention because she was the friend of Rome and played the empire off against her exiled husband Venutius who never gave up trying to claim the Brigante for himself. Cartimandua is often written off as a traitor, yet it could be argued that she protected her people from slavery and held Rome at arm’s length like this.

QueenCartimandua of Brigantes must have been shrewd to be able to rule and keep Rome at bay for 25+ years, but none of this seems to be acknowledged because Roman historians only wrote of valiant foes and not friends. For Romans; Cartimandua was not interesting enough, which is a great shame because this durable ruler must have had some tales to tell over a twenty-five year period of troubled rule. What was she thinking when Boudicca ruled the Iceni and it looked as though she would beat the Roman Empire and drive them from Britain?

Cartimandua’s exiled husband probably had sanctuary in Caledonia among the Picts to the north. The Brigante queen must have been in a desperate situation knowing if Boudicca defeated Suetonius and his last Roman soldiers to the south; she (Cartimandua) would have enemies on two fronts and none from Rome to help her. She must have prevailed through many desperate times. Was she an anti-hero?  Was the Brigante Queen Cartimandua evil or good? What perspective do we put her in?

There must have been many in the Brigante who had their liberty kept safe during her fraternisation with Rome, while many of Boudicca’s Iceni would have lost theirs because of the violent rebellion they were encouraged upon.

I’m not trying to condemn the Iceni for rebelling, because they may have had no choice and I’m not denying Queen Boudicca her monument for trying, but there was a cost that is overshadowed by the myth of Boudicca. Perhaps Cartimandua paid the cost of protecting her people by being derided as a traitor?

When Cartimandua was driven into exile by her returning divorced husband; the Romans persuaded her to go into peaceful exile in mainland Europe. Later, Venutius lost his great Brigante hill forts as the Romans spent the next forty years viciously putting the Brigantes down. Venutius as the King of the Brigante led his people upon the same path of doom as the Iceni. Eventually, they paid the same price, but not under Cartimandua who seemed to be able to keep Rome at arm’s length for so long.

Venutius was overrun by Rome in 71 AD. No one knows what happened to him, yet the Brigante people were in line for Roman retribution to come. They must have wished Cartimandua never left.

The Woodlands in Night (Gothic Music - The Eternal Forest)

Has anyone ever walked through woodland at night? Your mind starts to play tricks on you in strange and wonderful ways. It can be eerie and spiritual too. Your mind can drift a little and you think you've been to the place before in another time and place.

Tour de France -stage seven win for Brits Sky Team.

Chris Froome wins 'King of the Mountains' red dotted shirt

I sat spell bound by the fitness and energy of all the participants in the Tour de France bike race in this stage seven - Tomblaine to La Planches des Belles Filles. It was up a huge mountain pass - a gruelling uphill slog all the way by super fit bike riding athletes - each individual was super fit. I felt exhausted just watching it. There is a Team Sky - a Brit professional road racing bicycle team. As this race went on I was gripped, hoping Bradley Wiggins would steal enough points to go into an over all lead in the competition.

Then in the final sprint GB rider Chris Froome stole the show with a finishing burst that earned him the red polka jersey for 'King of the Moutains' point accumulation. Bradley Wiggins came third gaining enough point to wear the yellow over leading jersey. 

Bradley Wiggins wins overall lead up to stage seven of Tour de France and wears the yellow jersey during the next stage of the race.

King Xerxes I of Persia - His Dreadful Murder and Intrigue

King Xerxes, I was a famous Persian King who is known in the western world for his invasion of Greece. His huge army had a battle with 300 soldiers commanded by King Leonidas of Sparta. Because of this, King Xerxes has a demonised image among Europeans. This is because we view Greece as the mother of European civilisation and democracy. This is, of course, unfair on the Persian king and perhaps, the entire civilisation of Persia’s Achaemenid Dynasty.

This ancient Persian Dynasty is stooped in a rich history of which, the Greek invasion was a mere sideshow. That’s not taking away anything from the brave 300 of Sparta who all Europeans love and cherish.

King Xerxes, I of Persia lived from 519 BC until his death in 465 BC at the age of 54. His death and passing from this world is an affair of dreadful intrigue and murder. He was betrayed by a man called Artabanus and this man would try to rule in Xerxes' stead. Artabanus attempted to set himself up as regent after the death of the Persian King. He would almost destroy the declining Achaemenid Dynasty in the following months after Xerxes.

Before King Xerxes I was murdered, he is said to have had his brother and his entire family killed on the wishes of his wife and queen. One of his queens was named Esther, but the story of this queen was probably earlier in his reign. This Killing of his brother would obviously cause great tension in the royal household and make many jittery. His Queen Esther is celebrated as a heroine by Hebrews because she is remembered with affection for saving them from massacre and getting a high profile minister executed who was planning to have Jews killed in King Xerxes' name. This is a famous story, but such events and dealings within the Achaemenid household would cause tensions among other members. People who were, perhaps, less fond of this beautiful Jewish queen. The obscure lady who had risen to great power from the king's harem. When King Xerxes I was assassinated, there is no record of what became of Queen Esther. She may have died before hand or gone back to Israel or been slain too. The latter is unlikely, but if Xerxes is this powerful king with a harem of many women, perhaps Queen Esther had played her part in history and moved aside, drifting out of prominence yet leaving a wake of dissatisfaction for the king - whether she died, lived or left to fade from history. 

King Xerxes’ murderer, Commander of Royal Bodyguard – Artabanus, had come to the prominent position of the Royal Persian court. The Commander of the Bodyguard had gained strong religious support from Zoroastrian priests. He also acquired friends among the eunuchs – a powerful body of slaves that knew of harem intrigue and chatter. Artabanus also had seven sons who were put into prominent positions of the Royal Persian court. Artabanus was extremely calculating and very audacious in some form of planning and wanted to gain control of the Persian Empire and rule it directly. He had eyes and ears all about the court and access to much information. His ambition was outraged for good reasons. Despite not being related to the Achaemenid Dynasty; he might have had some distant blood line along the fringe that he thought to fashion into some legalised way of ruling. This would be once he had eliminated prominent Achaemenid persons of power. Perhaps he had heard of other relations resentful of their less prominent positions within the Royal Achaemenid family. Perhaps many were nervous of this queen who had seen murder done to the king's brother and family. There must have been a lot of tension and many might have thought Xerxes was losing his grip on his dynasty. 

King Xerxes, had an elder son who would succeed him called Prince Darius. Xerxes had many sons and daughters but Prince Darius was to be the successor. Another son, lower in line, was called Artaxerxes and it is possible that Commander of Royal Bodyguard Artabanus formulated a plan to eliminate King Xerxes and his eldest son Darius and somehow find a way to work through the younger Prince Artaxerxes.

Commander Artabanus got the close help of a powerful eunuch named Aspamitres and had King Xerxes I killed. It was then blamed upon Prince Darius as a parricide and he was quickly put to death. The vacuum of the Persian throne left Commander Artabanus as a regent dictator for a few months. History is not sure if Artabanus then tried to groom Prince Artaxerxes to his way. This would allow Artabanus to rule through the young royal or perhaps he might have tried to manipulate the young prince in some other way before taking total control over the Achaemenid Dynasty.

On the other hand, it is possible that the younger Persian Prince played along with the Commander of Bodyguard Artabanus, allowing him to eliminate all above. This would place an outside contender in direct line. It is not written so, but it could be. History is vague on this point. Whatever drove Commander Artabanus upon his ambitious crusade for power; it all went wrong when Prince Artaxerxes killed him. Some say, by personally stabbing the Commander of the Royal Bodyguard with his own sword. All of Commander Artabanus’ sons were quickly dispatched and put to death too. Then the eunuchs and priests, loyal to Artabanus, were killed. All who had supported the man were eliminated. None who tried to move and do things beyond their station in the Persian society could live.

After the death of the famous King Xerxes I of Persia and the brief interlude of a few months;  King Artaxerxes I reign from 465 BC to 424 BC began.

King Artaxerxes is seen as avenging the murder of his father King Xerxes I and elder brother Prince Darius. However, it is possible that the blame might have been put upon Commander Artabanus. It is difficult to imagine what Artabanus long term gain might be if he was not of Royal line. The society he lived in understood only things of nobility and bloodline. Was Prince Artaxerxes more involved in the plot? Or was he an unwitting pawn in over ambitious Commander Artabanus' plan?

Tony Robinson Reflects British Taxpayer's Anger About the UK Banks

In the UK, there is a new scandal that has blown up concerning British banks. This threatens to rock the core of the British banking establishment and may cause criminal investigations into unlawful interest rate fixing. The consequences of this will anger the British public who have seen tax payers foot the bill for these failing banks. Above Tony Robinson reflects the angry mood of the British nation in Question Time.

WWII Heavy Bomber Avro Lancaster in Colour R.A.F.

 

Colour footage of the Avro Lancaster bomber of WWII. I put this on the blog because the other day, when I was in my garden, I heard the extreme noise of propeller aircraft engines. There was an air display going on at Southend-on-Sea where I live. Suddenly, just above my roof, this WWII Lancaster bomber flew over. It was so low; I almost jumped out of my skin. I got a clear view of this classic plane as it flew directly above my garden and climbed into the clear blue sky. There is a two day air display every year in Southend-on-Sea and we often see old antiquated planes. I've seen Spitfires, Hurricanes, American Mustangs and German Me 109 from the more antiquated times. I've even seen a Fairy Swordfish or 'String bag' as sometimes called.  

 

Italy Mugs Germany - Euro 2012

Germany shell shocked by semi-final defeat

The fabulous German steamroller machine has been stopped in its tracks by the calm and almost modest Italian team. A say 'calm and modest' because that is how they seemed to walk out onto the pitch against this colossal looking German team of Euro 2012 tournament. I should have known that the Italians never do scared against Germany. They are the one nation that has always managed to throw a spanner in the works against German sides. To be fair, Italy deserved the win because they played wonderfully. Two fabulous goals in the first half from Mario Balotelli virtually killed Germany off. They looked shell shocked throughout the rest of the game and could not get anything against the strong defence of Italy.

Mario Balotelli puts Italy up 1-0

In the second half Germany came out and tried to attack but the Italian defence held firm and almost caught the Germans for a bigger goal deficit on several occasions in the second half. Germany got a consolation penalty in the dying seconds of the second half injury time to make it 2-1. That score flattered Germany in this particular game. I do not mean this disrespectfully against Germany because they are truly a great side. It was just this one game that went terribly wrong for them. As a neutral I was spell bound by the audacious Italians and could not help but admire the skill of this team - they were dynamic against an extremely prestigious German side.

Spain Book Place in 2012 Euro Semi-Finals

Xabi Alonso marked his 100th international appearance for Spain by scoring the two goals in his nation's victory over France in the Euro 2012 quarter finals. It was a fair result, but neutral observers and, perhaps, France might have expected better opposition. 

During the first half, France looked out of sorts, with the exception of Frank Ribery who I thought played with passion. Spain got a goal and took a comfortable lead. France were lucky to go off at half time only 1-0 down.

The Spanish were passing the ball about and looked good, though they were not put to the test. In the second half France looked a little better and started to put some moves together. Again Frank Ribery of France looked good, but the rest of the team still seemed lacking as though there was no belief. Spain got a spot kick in injury time and Xabi Alonso converted the penalty to make it 2-0.

I think France has played much better on other occasions and we are yet to see a team put the Spanish defence to the test. They face Portugal next and I think this will be a dynamic encounter.

Retro British Motor Car - Austin 7 Built 1929

Austin 7 built 1929

As Carole and I was walking back to Leigh-on-Sea from Chalkwell in Essex, UK; this little gem of a car pulled up beside us and out jumped the driver who had been giving the car plenty of TLC for a number of years. He said it was his Austin 7 and it was made in 1929. He was taking it to a car show. Obviously, it is a good old retro Brit car so why not have it here on the Retro Brit blog. You don't see such splendid machines every day unless you are the gentleman that owns such a grand little car. 

Britain During the Time of Ancient Druids

Ancient Britons tended to build round dwellings with mud rendering around wicker frames in the south. Further north, Britons would use stone instead, though still in round wall design. The thatched coned roof was also common. They did not use chimneys and would have a fire burning in the middle of the dwelling. The smoke would rise up inside the thatched and cone shaped roof to slowly seep through the straw and out into the open. This stopped birds and insects nesting in the thatch. Sometimes these dwellings were clustered within great hill fort Palisades and had done so for many hundreds, if not thousands of years. The Great Hill Forts were like market towns where people would come to trade farm produce and other manufactured items, like tools. The people were illiterate before the time of the Romans and would have spoken Celtic dialects like that of the Welsh, Cornish or even Bretons of North West France. They had a religious culture based on Druidism, which today is thought of in romantic and mystical ways, though it is possible they did practise human sacrifice on occasions. This adds a more sinister aspect to the druid priests.

In Gaul, today's France, young apprentices were sent to Britain to be schooled in the ways of druids. It must have been done through word of mouth and been a very hands on method of tuition if they were illiterate and they may have had some form of rune carving that meant certain things. This religion was all but vanquished after the first couple of hundred years of Roman rule, and when Christianity came it would have diminished further.

Many of the communities throughout Britain lived in such abodes seen above until the Romans began to build villas and great cities. 

Coming Home to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

I came home from my sister's farm in Lincolnshire and walked straight into my street's Diamond Jubilee Street Party to commemorate our Queen's reign of sixty years. If Queen Elizabeth II reigns for three more years, and I'm sure she will, her reign will exceed that of Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth II will be the longest ruling monarch of the UK.

In the above picture, I am at the back on the crowd's right, in front of the black car, in a white cardigan. Carole is in front of me and slightly to my left with copper coloured hair. Further to my left and at the back, by the side of the car is Lloyd, my first son, holding up a beer. And just down to Lloyd's left, in front of the dark haired boy waving, is my third son, Robbie. He is waving to the camera and has ginger hair with a dark top.