Oliver's Twist

Sunday 6th April 2008

Next April it will be exactly 500 years since the birth of Oliver Cromwell - Lord Protector of England, Commander of the New Model Army...and general all round spoilsport. The puritanical cove banned festivities in general and Morris dancing in particular. Just why he considered prancing peasants waving handkerchiefs with bells round their ankles a particulary potent threat to national security heaven only knows. Thankfully, this colourful troupe performing on Endeavour Wharf, Whitby are in danger of losing nothing more than their dignity! Despite the cold winds and intermittent snow showers, sights such as these signal the start of the tourist season. Soon the the streets will echo to the sounds of street musicians, folk singers and dancing marionettes.

Almost as complex, it seems, as Morris Men syncronizing hankies or sticks, is keeping giddy dogs tangle free...but then again, there's no law against it!

One Good Tern Deserves Another..

Grand National day here in England. Pen tops are chewed studiously and chins stroked intently as millions of us savour the prospect of easy money courtesy of little men in harlequin silks astride half a ton of graceful muscle. Hence I retired to 'The Duke of York' in Whitby to study the form and seek inspiration. As I approached the Inn I saw this seagull 'studying the form' of a rubbish bin and the treasures within. An omen perhaps? A portentious hint from the deity of fortune?

I watched a while longer as the tenacious tern rummaged and ransacked to the exclusion of all else - tourists, dogs...even a nearby pneumatic drill! I left the gull to its toil and sought the warmth of cold beer in the pub. I studied the form guide in my newspaper but nothing caught the eye nor the imagination
.
On the way out the gull was still there and seemed to be assessing the meagre fruits of its labour...Eureka! (My Horse came forth and I won £4.00 - not a fortune by any means, but enough to buy some fish & chips...now...where's that seagull gone...?)