ABC Wednesday, J, Jersey, John Nettles

Reader Wil

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

ABC Wednesday, J, Jersey, John Nettles

Mont Orgueil was built in the 13th century to protect JERSEY from French invasion.
Mont Orgueil (Jerriais: 'Mount Pride' or 'Haughty Mount') is a castle in Jersey that overlooks the harbour of Gorey. It is also called Gorey Castle by English-speakers, andlé Vièr Châté (the Old Castle) by Jèrriais-speakers.
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The island of JERSEY and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. JERSEY lies in the Bay of Mont St Michel and is the largest of the Channel Islands. It has enjoyed self-government since the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204.
 
 


I have never been on JERSEY, but I always watched the TV series Bergerac, which was a British television show set on JERSEY. JOHN Nettles (who later starred in the British crime series Midsomer Murders as Tom Barnaby) played the part of JIM Bergerac.

JERSEY has been an island for approximately 8,000 years . The earliest evidence of human activity in the island dates to about 250,000 years ago when hunters used the caves at La Cotte de St Brelade as a base for hunting mammoth. The Neolithic period is marked by the building of the ritual burial sites known as dolmens. Archaeological evidence shows that there were trading links with Brittany and the south coast of England during this time.

 

Although part of the Roman world, we know very little about the island until the 11th century. The Channel Islands, then called the Lenur Islands, were occupied by the Britons during their migration to Brittany (5th-6th century).Tradition has it that it was Saint Helier from Tongeren in modern-day Belgium who first brought Christianity to the Island in the 6th century, and Charlemagne sent his emissary to the island in 803.

Normans
The island took the name JERSEY as a result of Viking activity in the area between the 9th and 10th centuries. The Channel Islands remained politically linked to Brittany until 933 when William Longsword, Duke of Normandy seized the Cotentin and the islands and added them to his domain; in 1066 Duke William II of Normandy defeated Harold at Hastings to become king of England; however, he continued to rule his French possessions as a separate entity.

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with J. 

Monday, 7 March 2016

ABC Wednesday, that's My World, I for International Women's Day.

 

 

 

On 8th March we celebrate International Women's Day by supporting those women who are 

 living in very difficult  circumstances all over the world.

 

 I wrote about IWD some years ago. Here's a comment I got then from a Greek man:

In Greece women feel like going out on March 8 with their girlfriends, no husbands or boyfriends. They eat, drink and dance till the early morning hours. In my country women are treated as equal to men. They're in politics, they're fire fighters, they're everywhere. But I can't understand why they need to celebrate so much on March 8 with just girlfriends! I guess I'll never understand women!

 My answer then:

 

 Thanks for your comment.Women celebrate IWD because even if your country and mine might treat men and women as equal partners, there are many women who are considered to be inferior to men. In many African and Asian countries women don't get equal schooling, sometimes no education at all. The Taliban in Afghanistan forbids girls to go to school. They, don't get medical help, they are not allowed to work. This is so stupid, for women are half of the population of the world, they have the same talents, brains and potential powers as men. Even in my country we have to deal with religious groups who forbid women to vote, to work outside the house, to study more than only elementary education. In Africa women work hard they have to look after their husband and children, to walk miles to fetch water, to walk miles to go to market and sell products of their fields. We celebrate IWD because we support  women all over the world. It's not so long ago, that it was discussed if women had souls.In the women's concentration camp we noticed that it was normal for soldiers to beat women. And we felt it ourselves. One of our women didn't take it lying down and beat the soldier back.That was bad for her. The soldier was surprised and not used to that. Greece and many European countries are better but the fact that you say:" I don't understand women, because they have equal rights".. means that you have never realised, THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE WOMEN  HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT.

 

I now can add that if you don't understand women, you can't understand men either. When do humans see men and women as people, who are two equal parts of humanity, who have to work together , and therefore respect each other. Respect for women! That's what we miss..

Some time ago a young woman was raped in a bus by a group of men . Nobody helped her and she died. It still happens, that a woman who gets raped, is punished by flogging.

Does it matter where this happened? No!IT HAPPENED!! Some days later a six-year old girl was raped by a group of men and left on the streets more dead than alive. Does it matter where it happened? No! IT HAPPENED!

 

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Welcome to Our World Tuesday! This meme continues in memory of the work of Klaus Peter, whose "that's My World" brought people together from around the world every Monday to share the wonders therein--big and small.Please click on our new logo for "Our World Tuesday" in the sidebar. 

 We thank Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and we must thank Roger too for the weekly job to find  ten bloggers for each of the ABC Team members  to visit and to read their posts. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words    beginning with I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

ABC Wednesday, H for Hauteville House. Victor Hugo

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with H.

Victor HUGO was born in 1802 in Besançon and lived in France for the majority of his life. However, he was forced into exile during the reign of Napoleon III — he lived briefly in Brussels during 1851; in Jersey from 1852 to 1855; and in Guernsey from 1855 to 1870 and again in 1872-1873. There was a general amnesty in 1859; after that, his exile was by choice. Victor HUGO, who was the author of "Les Misérables, and " Notre Dame de Paris" ( The HUNCHBACK of Notre Dame) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights activist and exponent of the Romantic movement in France. He died on 22 May 1885.

The house where Victor Hugo lived in Guernsey.
When we were staying in Guernsey we saw this magnificent house.

The interior of the HAUTEVILLE HOUSE is from floor to ceiling decorated with a lot of wood work carved by highly skilled wood engravers of the island. Victor HUGO, himself, often made the designs for the wooden panels, the wall paintings and the tapestries on the walls. He bought old furniture, which he dismantled and used for decoration. He had old doors carved and used them as the tops of tables. The house is a unique museum, and worth while seeing, whether you like the interior or not. From March 1862 on, a weekly meal was held in this house for deprived children. He started with twelve, but the number rose quickly to forty.

 

 

The Red Drawing Room

The Dining Room

Victor Hugo's Bedroom

The Studio

Thr Blue Drawing Room

The Tapestry Room

We saw this house when we were staying in Guernsey and also admired

    the garden around it.

  

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

ABC Wednesday, G for Guernsey

 

Outside our unit in Quernsey

In May 2006, my sister, her husband and I went to spend a week's holiday on Guernsey.We walked a lot and spoke to many islanders, who told us interesting facts about Guernsey. The island is small but has a long and eventful history.

 

Walking in the forest we enjoyed the sight of the blue bells

 

Although Guernsey is geographically closer to the Normandy coast than to the south coast of England it is a dependency of the British Crown.

So why does Guernsey remain loyal to Britain, rather than France her closest neighbour?

It all began in 933 AD when the Channel Islands became part of the Norman Realm. In 1066, the Duke of Normandy landed his army in Sussex and became William I of England. The Channel Islands, however, remained part of the Duchy of Normandy and continued to be governed as such.

When Continental Normandy was lost in 1204 the Channel Islands remained loyal to the King of England as the King promised to rule the islands as though he was the Duke of Normandy (i.e. observing the Duchy’s laws, customs and liberties). This arrangement has been confirmed in charters of successive sovereigns that have secured for the islands their own judiciaries and freedom from the process of the English Courts. Indeed the Islands are independent in all matters with the exception of international representation and defence for which the United Kingdom is responsible.

 

The islands were the focal point of strife between England and France for many years due to their allegiance to England. At times, the French raided the islands and gained temporary footholds and, as a consequence, there are castles and fortresses around Guernsey that were originally built as a protection against invaders.

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with G.

Tuesday, 16 February 2016

ABC Wednesday, F for Flatlife.

Living in an apartment in a block of flats which is so small that you can hardly move, makes one inventive. See for yourself! These drawings are again made by Heath Robinson.

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created the ABC meme.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with F.

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

ABC Wednesday, E for English broken here

  This post is an "Oldie", because these past few weeks have been very hectic.

The books I used for teaching all kind of skills in English, such as listening, conversation, reading, and pronunciation

 

                   

Some of the English books I used in various classes from beginners to advanced students.

It stands to reason that people whose native language isn't English keep making mistakes in this language. We try to use certain expressions, but this can sometimes turn out to be very funny. Even if we do our utmost to speak English correctly, there comes a moment that we say something wrong. Here are a few examples of people whose mother tongue is certainly not English!

IN A PARIS HOTEL ELEVATOR: Please leave your values at the front desk.

IN A HOTEL IN ATHENS: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m daily. 

OUTSIDE A HONGKONG TAILOR SHOP: Ladies may have a fit upstairs.

ON THE MENU OF A SWISS RESTAURANT: Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.

And what to think of this ?
IN A BANGKOK DRY CLEANER'S: Drop your trousers here for best results.

Here another indecent proposal!
IN A ROME LAUNDRY: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time!

More indecencies!
IN A ZURICH HOTEL:Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

It's going to be dangerous if you want to go to Rhodes!
IN A RHODES TAILOR SHOP: Order your summers suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.

IN THE LOBBY OF A MOSCOW HOTEL ACROSS A RUSSIAN ORTHODOX MONASTRY: You are welcome to visit the cemetry where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday.

And what does this mean???
IN AN AUSTRIAN HOTEL CATERING TO SKIERS: Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.
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ABC is created by Denise Nesbitt. It has been an enormous success. See more lovely and interesting ABC posts.Click on the logo in the sidebar.We are looking for words starting with E

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

ABC Wednesday, D for Didgeridoo

The didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northernAustralia potentially within the last 1,500 years and still in widespread use today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or "drone pipe".
There are no reliable sources stating the didgeridoo's exact age. Archaeological studies of rock art in Northern Australia suggest that the people of the Kakadu region of theNorthern Territory have been using the didgeridoo for less than 1,000 years, based on the dating of paintings on cave walls and shelters from this period.^[2] A clear rock painting in Ginga Wardelirrhmeng, on the northern edge of the Arnhem Land plateau, from the freshwater period^[3] (that was begun 1500 years ago)^[4] shows a didgeridoo player and two songmen participating in an Ubarr Ceremony.^[5]
A modern didgeridoo is usually cylindrical or conical, and can measure anywhere from 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) long. Most are around 1.2 m (4 ft) long. Generally, the longer the instrument, the lower its pitch or key. However, flared instruments play a higher pitch than unflared instruments of the same length.
David Hudson demonstrates how to play this wonderful instrument in various ways. It is an excellent tutorial on Didgeridoo playing.(see You Tube)

The Didgeridoo is a traditional instrument of the Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land in Northern Australia. It was originally known as a Yirdaki in the traditional language..

An uncle of my daughter's ex husband made my didgeridoo. In order to find the right material he went to the forest and tapped on some thin tree-trunks until he found one with a good hollow sound. He then cut the tree, blew the termites out of the hollow pipe, and prepared it for its final shape.

Termites are needed to make tree-trunks hollow.

The first time I heard the sound of the digeridoo, I got goose-pimples and was highly impressed by its deep sounds. I love the way  animal sounds are imitated.

Sorry my video doesn't work, but on the photo you can see my didgeridoo leaning against the cupboard

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created the ABC meme.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with D

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

ABC Wednesday, C for Calendar

Almost every year around Christmas I get one or more calenders.This year my eldest daughter made me one, which was a lovely surprise. She is a technical designer, who has to draw machinery and engines for an American factory. Last year they made a huge engine for New York for recycling all kind of plastic of the whole city. But in her spare time she draws illustrations for among other things, calenders. One of them is the one my daughter made.

A selfie of my daughter

A number of prehistoric structures have been proposed as having had the purpose of timekeeping (typically keeping track of the course of the solar year). This includes many megalithic structures, and reconstructed arrangements going back far into the Neolithic period.

A mesolithic arrangement of twelve pits and an arc found in Warren Field,Aberdeenshire, Scotland, dated to roughly 10,000 years ago, has been described as a lunar calendar and dubbed the "world's oldest known calendar" in 2013

January

Most of the oldest calendars were lunar calendars, based on the time interval from one new moon to the next—a so-called lunation. But even in a warm climate there are annual events that pay no attention to the phases of the Moon. In some areas it was a rainy season; in Egypt it was the annual flooding of the Nile River. The calendar had to account for these yearly events as well.

• History of the Lunar Calendar
• History of the Egytpian Calendar
• History of the Roman (Julian) Calendar
• History of the Gregorian Calendar
• Adoption of the Gregorian Calendar

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created the ABC meme.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with C and then we will have begun Round Eighteen