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.

Germany Euro 2012 Team Look Awesome

I sat down and watched the Germans play last night, and for a long period, in the first half ,the Greeks seemed to be holding them off in a haphazard sort of way. Plus; when the Germans did get opportunities; they were squandered. I dared to think, 'perhaps Germany might drop the ball,' and Greece would pull off another one of its team's remarkable abilities to frustrate sides that are superior to them. I don't mean this disrespectfully to the Greeks, but they are a good side that can often achieve results like this. It has enabled them to punch above their weight and in 2004, they won the competition doing this - total respect and it has worked for them in the past. It could have meant a big gun dropping out cheaply and any other nation fancying their chances for such a prestigious trophy. 

Germany did get a goal in the first half and to be fair, they deserved it. Then in the second half the Greeks needed to chase the game and for a short time they did. They scored and made it one - one. I could barely contain my excitement for I thought Greece was going to do it again and perhaps the Germans would become unsettled. No way!

Germany's response was devastating and awesome. The great German team machine clicked into gear and responded. Credit to Greece, they tried and made a game of it too, but Germany was far too strong and they won by four goals to two - five of the match's goals were scored in the second half. Greece were eventually four - one down but got a consolation goal at the end from the penalty spot to go out of the Euro 2012 competition 4-2. 

Germany's goals were excellent as her players really began to show what they are made of. Any team watching this side will be awe struck by what the Germans can do. However, there are so many good sides in this competition.

One Sunday 24th of June, England and Italy must compete to play the awesome Germany side in the semi-finals. I obviously would like to see England overcome Italy, but the Italians are a great side too. Of the sides left Germany, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and England. I think England might be the least favourite of these great teams at the moment, but on a given day; they could have the capability.

If I had to lay odds or gamble; I would go for a Spain v Germany final.

Ronnie Barker - Mispronunciation Comedy

Mispronunciation is always a cause for a giggle, but if you can do it and keep a straight face it becomes so much more laughable. I think British retro comedians explored these things and exploited them wonderfully. We still have fine comedians today, but much is based on cheap and vulgar hits on people, or so it seems. I'm not saying they were not vulgar in the past; but they often used more clever innuendo to soften the blow.

The Two Ronnies - Four Candles - Accent Confusion

This particular sketch from a British comedy show called 'The Two Ronnies' is one of the many retro classics that people always talk about. There are so many different types of accent across Britain and you only need travel 70 miles along a motor way to hear the difference in local dialect. Sometimes it is easy to misunderstand someone. In this sketch the point is really stretched and causes much laughter, because you can see the shopkeeper's point of view, yet understand the ignorant cockney who can't be too bothered by the store man's dilemma.