Liberté, Fratenité, Egalité

My goodness, I just looked up a translation of the Marseillaise for fun and it really does make 'Flower of Scotland' look like a Peace song!! Marchons, Marchons is about the only bit you could quote without inciting violence and hatred! :D

btw, sorry late looking at your other blogs...they didn't come up on my list. That happens sometimes I've noticed.

That's okay, Karen...

...I've gone French.....
Marchons, marchons... ;))))

Am I missing something, has the miserable weather rotted my brain, or am I just thick? Eh? Me no comprend. Jx

think I'm missing something too ?

je nay comprehend pas hen!

I am rather partial to a bit of Liberté, Fratenité, Egalité. It's my Libran nature my favorite word is Equity. :)

a Libran eh? oh ho!

Bravo ma cherie........and all that, part French me!!

Whatever I've missed....pleased you are in a good mood :)))

Oh ho Pixi

GoY?

Yes, exactly Oji, Freedom, Equality and Fellowship on GoY...for ever! :D

Lol Still think you've been on the pop Karen. JX

How often I've wished for a more heart-lifting patriotic song to represent England - the Marseillaise says it all! Well done, Karenfrance! :o)

nice one Karen - glad we have google too lol

Another Libran here...well said Karen..just about sums it up :o)

Thank you everyone! I rather like the childrens' verse. :))

It does sum it up Karen... well put :-)

Enlighten me on the children's verse, KF - don't remember that bit. I do remember the bit about "Nos sillons sanglants" (our furrows running with blood), though it doesn't seem to appear in the Wickipedia version. Yuck!

Oh yes, don't worry, found the children's verse. OMG it's bloodthirsty, isn't it? And most of that was aimed at US!

Watch out, Goyers - don't cross her, she's got the cap of liberté on, one breast bared and she's gripping the tricoleur for all she's worth!!!! I think she means business! Anyone got an appropriate smiley for "Scared sh****ss"?

http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m89/pixieface_01/sketches/?action=view&current=scared.jpg

there ya go Gattina! lol

That'll do nicely, Pixi!

;)

Lol, Pixi ! :))
I'm thinking about going up to Paris to do a "cours de Bastille Cobble Lobbing"...
It's good for upper body toning, when wearing revealing revolutionary garments.

/:~¶. urghh

Where are the yeomen
The yeomen of England
Sealed with a ruddy tan
Gods air doth give a man
Free as the winds that span
The broad breast of England

And nations to east ward
And nations to westward
Though foe men did curse them
The yeomen of England
No other land could nurse them
Than their motherland
Old England
And on her broad bosom
Shall they ever thrive
Shall they eeever thrive.......

Not as gory but should be sung more often........

It's a good motto ...

How does the Welsh translate Hywel?

Pixi, your pictures are fab. Jx

Agreed, Pam!! :)))

Wherever did they come up with the words ruddy "tan", though??? lol!

I know that this is all gibberish, Jane...I will try to explain! xx

I might not be able to sleep until you do.................! Jxx

OMG my diaphragm hurts from so much laughing.

lol thanks :)

Pam, it's 'Rhyddid, Cydraddoldeb, Brawdoliaeth'

Is there not a Welsh one, Hywel? :))

...course, you'll have to translate! ;)))

erm...see reply above yours ! Lol.

Do you mean is there a national motto of Wales ?
There is, and it's 'Cymru am byth' ...'Wales for ever' ...lol

Good, Hywel! That's French, English, Scottish and Welsh sorted! :))))

Now...we really need a little input from Gattina, Nariz and Katarina...not to forget Lil and any others from beyond these borders!lol!!! :)))))

I'd love to hear Katarina's...if you're listening, Kat!!! :))))

Hmmmm, believe the local motto here is-

'Roll over pappy, you're crushing my smokes.'

Too crude though so allow me to submit this in its place-

'They can beat me, torture me, and even kill me. Then they will have my dead body, but not my obedience.'

;)))

Well, apart from "Vai Italia!" which just about covers all sporting events, and the rather jolly national anthem, "Fratelli", which is very good for jogging or doing aerobics to, there is the song of the Hebrew slaves, from Verdi's Nabucco, which lots of Ialians would like to adopt instead:-

"Va', pensiero, sull'ali dorate;
Va, ti posa sui clivi, sui colli,
ove olezzano tepide e molli
l'aure dolci del suolo natal!"

"Hasten thoughts on golden wings.
Hasten and rest on the densely wooded hills,
where warm and fragrant and soft
are the gentle breezes of our native land!"

(Not a very accurate translation, but better sounding than any I can come up with)

It has the advantage of a pretty tune, but isn't what you might call bloodthirsty or aggressive, but then, in general, Italians aren't. (If you don't count the ancient Romans)
There doesn't seem to be any national motto. :o(

Ok, being serious for a moment, our motto is-
"A Mari usque ad Mare" which means from sea to sea.

I'm afraid I have to claim ignorance on my adopted country's motto! Although with the 'Years of Hunger' not so far in the past, and from things I have gleaned since living here, I would think it to be along the lines of "Eat, drink, be merry and talk very loudly!"

I think we've formed a UN! Singing, eating, drinking jogging from sea to sea and killing the enemy! Don't know if we need much else really:)))

We have a couple of our own in Yorkshire..
"if tha ivver does owt for anybody,allus do it for thi'sen " and in English.."if you ever do anything for anybody,always do it for yourself "..or the one most used by us lot.."How much" ? :o)........

Lol! Thought it was us Scots that were mean, Bloomer? we keep moths in our purses...
...of course, I'm on a one-woman mission to explode that one.......................! ;))))

"ahhm a' chissit." strayed out of Gods owny country too Bloomer, along with ayup me dook

The motto of Carmarthenshire is 'Oni heuir, ni fedir'
It means 'If you don't sew, you won't reap'

Can I share your motto, please, Nariz? It's a good one.
If ever "Aahm a' chissit?" ever makes it out here, Pam, it will surely be followed up by "Ma! Mi prendi in giro!!!" (You're kidding me!!!) That's the clean version.

Lol,Karen..my moth escaped when I started going to garden centres..and took all my money with it ! :o) ..and I know it looks like we are mean...frugal is more the term..even though some would cut a currant in half! Lol.

Or alternatively Hywel "you reap what you sow".....

And, how true is that, Pam?? :)))

My moths have all made off with those 1/2 currants and have started a whole new colony in a better place, Bloomer! ;))))

And where would that be,Karen...? I'm throwing this back to you,as I can't think of anything to say !! no,I'm not ill...the half currant is in your court,so to speak..! :o))

I'd call it love all. Jx

Lol! I agree, Jane...Love All...well maybe, not all...you could get into loads of trouble...lol...! x

Pass that currant, Bloomer...I need it for my Xmas cake collection!!! :)))

I agree too..we need to start again on another totally useless thread..irrelevant to gardening ...as we know all too well :o)..I have the odd few remnants of some candied peel to go with the lonely half a currant,Karen....and Jane..you must think we are deranged ..:o))

Nah, I don't THINK you are derranged...................I'm fairly sure you are all certifiable. LOL. Karen, I think you could probably get into trouble on a Sunday School picnic - yay, girl after me own heart!!!
Girls read my new blog, took AGES to do. Jxx

PS Bloomer. does candid peel, go with candid comments. Naughty lol. Jx

I tell it how it is, !.Lol..and I've read it Jane..and commented..:o))

:)) Thank you. Yorkshire folk do tend to err on the side of brutally honest! jx

We do,Jane..best way sometimes..are you hankering after a share of the currant and candied peel ,by any chance? .I can get to your part of Yorkshire with my bus pass ..free delivery! much cheaper then posting it to Karen ..but then again,I did promise her..so maybe next time I have something lurking in my cupboard,I can live without ? just ask ! Lol:o))

Just away there now, girls!! :)))

Yep,up and running..seems we have another 'sensible' member now..I use that term loosely...:o)..wonder where it will take us this time? ..I love surprises !

Do you mean your bus pass, Bloomer...
...or a cookery book, "101 dishes from half a manky currant"...?? ;)

Whatever,Karen..only 101 ?...lots more if you add wrinkled candied peel..a piece of lemon,or orange would intensify the flavour..but don't over do it..one piece at a time.! :o))))

Soak in rum and enjoy.....slowl

Very slowly...

I can add a couple of vanilla pods, which I brought back from Bourbon more than three years ago and have been saving for special...

There's a lime in the fridge that I meant to throw out maitai's anyone.....

I've just been picking our entire crop of blackcurrants (it's not a very spectacular amount) and now have them macerating in alcohol, sugar and water to make cordial - it's ever such a pretty colour and the kitchen smells lovely. Should be ready by Christmas!

Oh, lovely...just give us a shout, and we'll be there...Gattina!

And how come I've only got four blackcurrants???

Recipé number one for half a currant, some peel, a manky lime, some rock hard vanilla pods, four blackcurrants and a bottle of rum:

Rum Arrangée

1. Open a bottle of cheap white rum.
2. Poke all the ingredients into the bottle, taking care to lose as little of the rum as possible.
3. Add four blackcurrants. Top tip - if you can cadge some blackcurrant cordial from a friend, this will greatly enhance the flavour but you may have to pour out a little more of the cheap white rum. Pour said cordial into bottle.
4. Put the top back on an leave for a minimum of two weeks.
5. Make sure that your friends drink more of it than you do...as it can affect your tidying up performance, next day.

Plum gin is just as easy but needs sugar and well plums and our old tree is looking decidedly odd

So...basically, we've just got the alcohol, Pam...

Aye Karen.....still its a good a start as any.....

I've just found a tin of liquorice allsorts from well...... god only knows, but they look pretty past their sell by date. Perhaps a hint of stale liquorice could add a hint of je ne sais quoi .
Bloomer I was kind of hoping for a tiny bit of that current. Thought it might look nice in a pretty frame on the kitchen wall. BUT...................(big sigh) no matter if you've already promised it elsewhere. I'll get over it eventually. Jx

Um, Jane, I think stale liquorice would add a hint of je sais absoluement quoi to the mix. :-)

lol or perhaps just quoi! :)

ooh,you are all going very upmarket...my poor little half..or now,a third of a currant..seeing as Jane wants some..is not going to release it's special aroma,lost in all that cheap rum and Liquorice allsorts (hope there are no blue bobbly ones),four Blackcurrants....a bit over the top ,Karen ..three would suffice....manky lime and stale vanilla pods sound fine....I think I should hold back on the candied peel... rawl plug substitute needed ...:o)

I could spare a jelly baby to the cause.....only the green ones though I've bitten the feet off the others so that thet can't run away

I think we need to think of something else to do with the liquorice, the peel and the jellybabies...

...there's something about seeing tiny green babies floating in cheap rum, makes me feel uneasy, somehow...

What about a nice canapé instead?

We could make a sort of citrus, jelly green bertie basset canape. Bound to catch on, huge commercial success becons. Especially when served with aforementioned rum cocktail. jx

Particularly if served in the sheep-dip jaccuzzi! Definitely on to a winner, there...

They'll be flocking from the four corners for that extra special experience!

OMG am counting the millions (£ not peeps) already. Sheep dip jaccuzzi - what a fab idea. Must tell mick to get it sorted asap. Jx

Nothing at all to do with this..only a link with sheep and fruit..not currants...bilberries ..shows how my unbalanced mind works....I used to go with my mum to pick them,on the moors,and had a box full in no time....not an easy task..and inedible...my box consisted of sheep 'shot,'and I proudly announced.."look mum,Rabbits eggs " !..now you know not to ask me to make canapes.:o) sorry,Karen,I can't do that little bit above the 'e'.Do I get the feeling,I will be the first one thrown in the sheep dip then ? ...thought so :o)

Not more ShOt....Lol
I will have to wear my Pepe suit again

That;s why I mentioned it Pimms..I was quite taken with your Pepe suit...I don't get out much ! :o)...on second thoughts,the doggy pic is better..Lol.

Umm Bloomer will have to put you on drinks duty at the grand spa opening. Your canapes are definately out. Sheep dip jaccuzzi if you don't mind lol................. !

Exactly Jane!! It's a fizzy sheep dip!!

Bloomer, I think that qualifies you to be in charge of the garnishes! lol!

YUMMY......................................!

We could market it as "rabbit caviare", mmmmm!

class that :0)

Oh,goody I'm still invited! ..thought I would be barred ...the possibilities are endless...Bugs Bunny spring rolls,Rabbit ravioli..Bobtail bolognaise..I must start planning my 'to do' list ! ..:o)

The crudites put a whole new meaning on sheep dip................... :)

Lol..sorry Jane..I get carried away a lot...and should be ! :o) ..I will definitely reply to your PM tomorrow,..promises,promises:o) xx..

Oh lord Bloomer, I'd forgotton I'd even PMd you. How bad is that. Perhaps not quite as bad as when I got into bradford, and remembered it was Skipton I was going to! Think it's an age thing. lol Jx

No problem,Jane..turned left instead of right,did you..or vice versa ? lol,that made me smile ! :o))

I could supply the chilli flavoured bunnies........

Used to keep shetland sheep at one time.......could I just point out sheep dips smell.......awful........as do rams.........can't get the smell out of the fleece ready for spinning without removing the lanolin.....good for keeping slugs at bay though

Ah Pam, but this isn't any old sheep dip you see. When I pointed out our 15 year old septic tank had never been emptied, but the nearby spring was rather brown, the daft idea started that I could become budding entrepeneur of the year and turn it all into an exclusive spa! We have an unused sheep dip tank that Karen thought would make an excellent jaccuzzi. Bloomer had 2 manky blackcurrants from another blog, that seem to have got included and it's sort of gone from there. Utterly bonkers I know, impossible to keep up with. It would appear you are now involved with the catering for the grand opening. Chilli bunnies it is - are they a bit like hot, cross ones!!
I definately agree tups, smell revolting, infact most things to do with sheep smell pretty awful, including Mick when he's been doing sheepy things. lol Jx

Chilli bunnies sounds delish...but might I suggest, served on sticks...no reason other than Chilli Bunnies on Sticks sounds kind of exotic!! :D

They are chilli because I lace my pots with chilli flakes but they must eat some the amount that I,ve used this past year........, with some of the big bucks you,d need a broomhandle.....

Lol! Giant Chilli-fed lollipops!!! Even more exotic!
One between...how many??

Looooooooooooooool. That's a long laugh, incase you were in any doubt. Jx

Wondering about what colour the towels should be in the spa and jaccuzzi area..I think the bursting bubbles in the Jaccuzzi zone will provide a certain je ne sais quoi. ?

I think shot brown is probably the colour to go for. cover up a multitude of sins.:o)

There was an offer of hens.....but I can,t remember who from I think the fumes are getting to me.....

Would that be for a hen-peck pedicure, Pam? I'm definitely up for that!!!

I prefer the term khaki, Jane...it's more exclusive...

And, Pim, the pièce de resistance...a witches butter wrap!!

Ouch Karen their beaks are pretty sharp you know.......Not sure I could face the fish either!

I know, Pam...they love me, but they can't tell the difference between me and what comes out of the bag on the end of my arm!!!

Not sure about the fish either...how do they know when to stop???

Like body butter..Full of minerals :)

Nostoc commune or Witches butter ? Hmm

Dang...that was it!!! might go back and try to change it...:)

Got to get it right...if this is an exclusive spa. I am thinking Jane, if this is going to be suc 'cess' ful..We have to go international... I am thinking Dead sea and floatation.

LOL. Well Pim, you would definately be floating after a while in the immersion pit - sorry tank, hopefully not face down. International eh, you could be on to something there.
We have the sheep, so can extract the lanolin from the fleeces, infact my Dad was an industrial chemist and that was exactly what he did, so we can rope him in. He's a bit doddery now, but will soon get back into the swing - and minerals we have a plenty!!!
Pam, what are you like at first aid? Think we might need someone to administer various life saving techniques.......and that's only after the cocktails and canapes. Or at least ring for the ambulance.
Off to enjoy the last of the evening sun and think about the new and various pissabolities just mentioned. jx

You're Dead right, Pim...why don't we introduce that idea worldwide!!

If it's international, will that involve the tractor?

Always thinking about the money J, Trust me to enter a deal with a york and a Scot !

We could put the tractor on expenses.!

Def and off set it against tax. it being an International Tractor an all. :)

We should register it in France.....They get a better deal !!! Unfair or wot?

We will have to use our french agent for that. knew she would come in handy. Other than her cocktail and canape skills. lol

All you need to do,is pay the French agent in Maltesers...sorted ! no hassle with tax,VAT.or tractors...well,depending how many she asks for..keep the tractor handy :o)

Oh lord, I think we're all mad. Agghhhhhhh!
I think I need a good spa retreat. Any ideas anyone?

First aid hmmmm. I got a certificate for swimming. And I can pick out horses hooves.......

Lolol! I missed all this!!

Away to find a tractor, this morning...I need it to mow the "lawn"...
...how are you at picking stones out of the grass, Pam?

Sadie's been carreering around out there...

...not to mention the shOt...oo, lolololo....idea! Shall I save it for the spa????

Pam, those are first class qualifications. Superb. :o)))))