bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 01:06 PM

"ducks,coots,moorhens and grebes"

Most people I know have never seen these birds, and certainly not in the heart of a metropolis. Extraordinary.

By the way, bubbly, I saw my first grebe at the age of 40 in Everglades National Park. An elderly lady came up to me and said, "Did you see the grebe? He's the cutest little fellow! Turn left at the second alligator, and you'll see him in the water."

Since then "turn left at the second alligator" has become a catchphrase in my family.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 09:38 AM

Leveller, so you are a republican, fine, you have every right to your view, but get your facts right. Whilst yhere are arguments both for and against a monarchy, as there are about a republic, don't bring 'money' into it. The crown estates that each monarch [since George IV] hands over to Parliament bring in an income that exceeds the Civil List several times over. In my view you belittle your argument for a republic by your personal attacks on the royal family. By all means make your point for an elected head of state, and though I totally disagree with you I would defend your right to hold, & speak them right to the end.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 09:20 AM

It is FAR too easy to mistake the meaning behind something on a screen , with NO Body language or Tone of voice to 'colour' the appreciation !
As Zen said , its a LOT more civilised to PM than to inflame a minor
disagreement into a slanging match !

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Dave Earl
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:04 AM

Leveller

I think what bubblyrat said was in fact refering to your phrase:-

"It was not for this that my father and grandfather fought in two world wars"

Was it Hyperbole?

"Hyperbole is overstatement or exaggerated language that distorts facts by making them much bigger than they are if looked at objectively."

I dunno - but lifes too short to get upset by such things.

Dave

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Zen
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:04 AM

I can certainly see the provocation which certainly wasn't justified but wouldn't that be better dealt with by PM? This forum has been littered with personal attacks in recent times (I'm not referring to posts by you in this context) and is none the better for it... I've said the same elsewhere.

Respectfully,

Zen

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: theleveller
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:49 AM

"Oh... please leave this kind of personal attack off this forum please. It's one reason I rarely post here anymore after ten years membership. "

Zen, if I am attacked by someone who makes up gross, defamatory and totally unfounded statements about me, my father and my grandfather, do you think I am going to sit back and let it go unchallenged? Please read what he has said in his previous posts, then decide who is launching personal attacks.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Zen
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:17 AM

...more verbal garbage from an inveterate and ignorant liar

Oh... please leave this kind of personal attack off this forum please. It's one reason I rarely post here anymore after ten years membership.

As it happens I'm a staunch republican too but I wish Bubblyrat the best on a day he obviously enjoyed and valued although it would not have been something I would have gone to myself. Tolerance for other peoples' views is also a mark of a civilized society.

Zen

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: theleveller
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 04:03 AM

"imagine his reaction to all these nice things that his father,etc,did not risk life and limb for !! But that's another story ! "

Ah, so you know that for a fact do you? Please elaborate - or is it just more verbal garbage from an inveterate and ignorant liar.What a total coward you are - making, yet again, unfounded allegations about people whose history you know nothing about. But that's typical of your blustering bombastic type who make up lies and spout them from a distance; all gob and no guts.

What bubblyrat seems incapable of understanding is that, by posting a topic on a discussion board he is inviting comment. If that comment does meet with his approval - tough. As he himself says, "if you can't stand the heat...."

What he also fails to understand is that there are many people, of all political persuasions, who regard the sort of junket he attended as a grotesque waste of tax-payers' money, especially when added to the obscene amounts of money that the degenerate, disfunctional , arrogant and unaccountable Windsor family is costing us – an amount that is increasing at a time when many people are suffering grave financial hardship. It is an amount that is far greater than the figure of 69p a head put out by the Windsor's vast PR machine.This is before we get onto the subject of the other obscenity of inherited privilege and its perpetuation of a discredited and unwanted social structure . As the Leader in the latest issue of New Statesman says: "There can be no constitutional renewal while a monarch sits on the thrones."

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 09:01 PM

Roger - Despite your disparaging comment about 'RAF' types being present at Buck House , I DO note your Father was a Crabfat !

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 06:32 PM

Oh yes !! And any of you out there are more than welcome to "Google" Number 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron, RAF,and take a look at my father,John Tudor Mills,and his pilot,Sqdn/Ldr Ralph Van Den Bok ,DFC **, and tell me if they look like killers !! ( They never killed anyone !!).Well, not in 1944-45, anyway ---Van Den Bok DID attack the "Scharnhorst" in 1942, and he WAS shot down over Belgium by Hauptmann Wilhelm Herget (he escaped,but the Nazis shot the son of the escape organisation, "Comete", that helped him),but otherwise I think their consciences are clear !!Just thought you'd like to know, Manfred !

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 06:11 PM

Dear Leeneia,
                Thankyou ! Yes, the gardens were truly lovely ,a beacon of hope and,dare I say it,continuity in theses troubled and angst-ridden times -----a bit like the Royal Family ,really,although some of our fellow Mudcatters would seemingly prefer otherwise !!
          There are beautiful trees,and shrubs,and flower-beds,and lawns,and a splendid lake in and on which ducks,coots,moorhens and grebes live and breed ! And the Queen's "Summerhouse" is quite delightful,and through its windows one can see some of HM's intimate things,like her Croquet -set,chairs,things to do with her dogs, etc.---really quite charming . Further on, one discovers a small garden porch,surrounding a bench,in a veritable bower,in fact,on which we saw an elderly couple sitting,wrapped up in each other's company,oblivious to our inquisitive glances;--- ,again,most charming !
A seemingly little-used tennis-court is the salient feature of the Hyde Park (and noisy )end of the garden, after which one is drawn back to the lake ,the predominant lake,once more.All of the trees,shrubs,and plants are labelled most comprehensively,and some are obviously of some great antiquity.In all, a most pleasant ,calming,and relaxing experience,and what a privilege to have been allowed to share it, although I am glad that " The Leveller" was not there ----imagine his reaction to all these nice things that his father,etc,did not risk life and limb for !! But that's another story !
   Meanwhile, I should like to say to "Manfred", that there was never ANY danger of my Father killing him, as 214 squadron did not drop bombs,at least in 1944-45----they only disrupted Freya and Wurzburg radars electronically,and dropped "Window" to confuse the enemy.I think my Dad was pleased about that (not killing anyone)---I know I am !How about you, "Leveller" ???

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Gervase
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 04:19 PM

Green Party? Bloody long-haired, work-shy, sandal-wearing, soap-dodging, tree-hugging hippies! And as for that Wedgie Benn...
Now where's my Daily Express?
;-)

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 04:00 PM

Leveller - nah...think GP might fall more likely in his other "trendy liberal" box (oh....unless communism interchangeable with trendy liberalism?) ...... :)

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: theleveller
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:34 PM

Oh, and by the way, as to "although why you are still here and not in Moscow, I cannot imagine !!!" I suggest that you keep up with what's happening in the real world - Russia is no longer a communist country. You have obviously totally lost your grip on reality!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:00 PM

Thank you for the wonderful description, bubbly. I can almost imagine being there.

Message to certain others here - do not use bubbly's happiness as an excuse for reviving the old hostilities.

Bubbly, were the gardens spectacular?

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Leadbelly
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 02:50 PM

"...my Father,who flew 18 Operations at night over Germany with 214 (FMS) Squadron..."

Bubblyrat, it's good, that Hitler-Germany has been defeated.
But it's even better that your father or americans didn't get and kill me in July 1943 in Hamburg-Hamm, which has almost totally been destroyed by bombs. I was born one month before. My parents told me about these horrible days and nights in Hamburg-Hamm...

Manfred (from Germany)

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM

Thanks for the sneak-peek of your day, bubblyrat! Sounds like it was fun and well-attended.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 02:32 PM

I'm baffled... where does it say Leveller's father/grandfather were motivated by Communism?

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 12:13 PM

Dear Mr Leveller-----My Grandfather,who fought in the First World War ,was gassed,and suffered from shell-shock,and my Father,who flew 18 Operations at night over Germany with 214 (FMS) Squadron,both volunteered to do so out of a profound sense of duty,patriotism,and love of their country, NOT to further the cause of Communism,which you appear to suggest was the sole motivating factor behind your own Father's & Grandfather's efforts.If they did,as you say,put themselves "in harm's way" in the cause of Soviet egalitarianism,a sad oxymoron if ever there was one,then good luck to them and good luck to you,although why you are still here and not in Moscow, I cannot imagine !!! You know what they say......"If you can't stand the heat......" !!!
               God Save The Queen !!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 07:34 AM

Is that as good as getting on Britain's got talent?
Have a good time,watch out for corgi poo!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: theleveller
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:50 AM

"Why do some people have to be so objectionable and try to spoil things for some of us ?? Beats me !"

Ah, you mean why do people have opinions that are different to yours on a public discussion board? Well, I think it's called free speech. As a staunch republican I abhor this type of arse-licking bun fight which supports an outdated, decrepit system based on inherited privilege. It was not for this that my father and grandfather fought in two world wars, putting themselves 'in harm's way'.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:37 AM

Silly me !! The flypast and National Anthem were at 1556, not 1456 !!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:25 AM

Thankyou so much,everybody,for your kind wishes & observations -Anyway,here is a description of the day's events !

On the Big Day ,Thursday 9th,we were in various states of stress / paranoia----Ok, well I was,anyway.Karen's new outfit,specially purchased in Tavistock ( well, we were at the Dulverton Folk Festival, !) was no trouble,but my trouserings required some last-minute adjustments and a press .We knew we couldn't take cameras,so posed in Karen's garden while her son took photties.
We left home (Marlow)about 1200,having checked 20 times that we had passports and tickets with us,and had a clear run,apart from Knightsbridge,to Hyde Park Corner,thence easily to Constitution Hill.The police saw our windscreen sticker,and guided us to a parking spot at Green Park. It being only 1315,we visited the bogs at Green Park station ( a long walk !),and finally started queueing outside the Palace main entrance at 1400.
            We were let in at 1435,but only as far as the inner courtyard (to clear the pavement outside !).Finally,we were allowed in to the Gardens at 1455,and Karen made straight for the Tea Tent ! We found a table,with another couple seated there,and joined them,she a charming Scottish lady,he a former Aircraft Handler.We made friends and stayed with them the whole time ! Tea was at 1530, the food was amazing,and we went round three times ! At about 1456,there was a big flypast of helicopters,then the National Anthem,and some Royals made their entrance.No Queen ,though----she got SOAKED at Tuesday's GP, and wasn't going to risk it again.
          At half past four, the catering staff moved amonst us with trays laden with tubs of Losely's ice-cream ( Yummy!), and we indulged in some "people watching"----I saw and spoke to some members of the Bournemouth branch of the Fleet Air Arm Association,of which I was Founder & first Chairman (they didn't remember me !!). We saw LOADS of people in uniform, of course---a large number of Senior Officers,of course,mainly aircrew,naturally,and lots of other ranks too,from Junior Naval Airman to Warrant Officer--it was nice to see the young ones enjoying the occasion,they revelled in it !! Also present were visitors from other navies---I saw a Maori CPO from the New Zealand Navy, an American sailor in "whites",and a US Marine Corps pilot.There was even someone from something called,apparently,the "RAF" !
    At 1700,the excellent catering staff circulated once more with trays of Champagne,instigating a frenzied scramble ! After a good glug,as per my name,I grabbed a refill,and off we went for our tour of the lovely gardens !At this point,we noticed that EVERYBODY was taking photos with their mobile 'phones ,so our friends Myra & Martin asked us to snap them (and vice versa ) ---later on, we posed for shots of us standing in front of helicopters near thePalace gates ; I will get Karen to do a Blue Clicky link tonight !
   Of course,all too soon it was over,& time to go home, but what a day !! What an experience !! We shall never forget that day,I can tell you !! I want to go again !!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 03:35 PM

Well done and all that from Charlie in Dunfermline.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Peace
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 07:43 PM

Ditto.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: skipy
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:23 PM

Congrats
Skipy

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:09 PM

I thought Richard's bit of disquiet reasonable, not venomous or objectionable.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 06:20 AM

I hope you didn't let the family genes down by inappropriate behaviour - after what happened at Henley... Us Flys and Rats have a reputation to uphold, you know.

Anyway, bet you had a great day.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: GUEST,royal marine
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 06:15 AM

hope you had a good as day as i did planty of champers on offer and even tho i didn't go in the ladies i was told they have staff that wipe the seat down after each lady
and hope your shoes were comfy my hat was killing my head
cheers royal

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Celtaddict
Date: 24 May 09 - 06:35 PM

Bubblyrat, have a great time!

And Geordie-Peorgie, I was not worried about 'wear comfortable shoes' until your comment, but now really need to know, what is carpet munching??

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 24 May 09 - 08:20 AM

They cut the crusts right off all the sandwiches, but the tea is good & strong.
Mrs. Knowles and I fell about when the Royal Marines band kicked off into 'That's Why The Lady Is A Tramp' as the Royal party came into sight.
I suspect the bandleader is in Afghanistan......or Iraq, or dead.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 23 May 09 - 06:20 PM

Just remember - sippers, NOT gulpers...

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 23 May 09 - 05:59 PM

By heck! The'll let ANY bugger gan te these do's now! Seriously BR, hev a canny time, bonnie lad. Give Phil The Greek the finger for uz!

Does Billybob knaah that 'wearing comfortable shoes' is a euphemism for 'carpet munching'?

Bubbly!!! Aah nivvor knew YOU swung that way!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 22 May 09 - 11:07 PM

Years ago my daughter visited London and The Queen did not invite her to tea. A year or two later The Queen visited Nova Scotia and I returned the snub by not inviting her over for tea either. We have not spoken since.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 May 09 - 10:36 PM

Squeak, take a gander (heh heh) at these pix. Three kinds of exotic bird, and the photog didn't even seem to be a birdwatcher.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/549607460VJAudu

Bubbly, if you are forced to wear morning dress, just tell yourself that you are a spring male in breeding plumage. It's nature's way.

I bet the gardens will be just beautiful. I have a photo I took near Buckingham Palace of a beautiful plant covered with blue blossoms. It is growing happily in a window well and under a grate. It can't have received any care at all, but it's thriving.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 May 09 - 10:15 PM

St James's pond is very nice and the exotic birdlife is pelicans. They're evil bastards and will mug you for sandwiches. Don't feed them. Queen Mother did once and now the buggers won't go away.

Enjoy the day, report back asap!

LTS

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 22 May 09 - 03:47 PM

Well,thankyou so much,leeneia ! Your interest is most gratifying.Naturally,I shall be happy to post a report of the proceedings,after the event.This particular Garden Party is not one of this year's scheduled ones,as per those on the 7th,14th,and 21st of July,but rather a "special" one being held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of British Naval Aviation ( I believe that last year's "special" was to commemorate the centennial of the Territorial Army ).So I might get away with wearing a Fleet Air Arm blazer & badge----if not, I'll have to hire a morning dress outfit from Moss Bros !!(which I do not fancy at all !).I like exotic birds (plenty of those in Hong Kong & Singapore !) so will check out St James's Pond if you think it's worth it !

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 May 09 - 01:39 PM

Congratulations, bubbly. (Can't bring myself to call you 'rat.') I'm glad your contribution is being acknowledged. I want to hear all about it afterward.

I've seen Buckingham Palace from the outside. If you have time, check out the nearby park (St James?), especially the exotic birds on the pond, which have been given to the Queen as gifts by other nations.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 22 May 09 - 11:33 AM

Just don't knock orf the silver collection. !! I have pee'd down the very same bog as Phil.I think he flushed it first.

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: billybob
Date: 22 May 09 - 10:24 AM

Any chance of using the ladies loo in the "house"? My mother did and dined out for ages by saying she had sat on the throne!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Peace
Date: 21 May 09 - 09:57 PM

Bubblyrat: you go, enjoy yourself and have a great day. It'll be a moment you'll remember for a long time to come. I think it's wonderful that you've been invited. In the vernacular, 'blow 'em away'.

Bruce

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: My guru always said
Date: 21 May 09 - 05:21 PM

Get Karen to do a good inspection of the Ladies toilets & report back please. You can do the Gents too if you like.....

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 21 May 09 - 03:35 PM

Lots of standing around ??You'll be telling me next that there's NO BAR !! Oh dear ! And I suppose I'll have to wear a TIE as well --Uggggh !

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: billybob
Date: 21 May 09 - 11:16 AM

Enjoy, and wear comfortable shoes!! Lots of standing around!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 May 09 - 10:32 AM

Pay him no mind, Roger. Go have a good day and thanks for letting us know. I'd be thrilled to bits were I you! AND< I expect to *hear* all about it, afterwards!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 21 May 09 - 10:15 AM

Congratulations. My wife attended a garden party at the Palace [many years ago], the thing that impressed her most, besides staning next to John Hert, was the Ladies toilets!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 21 May 09 - 09:59 AM

Do you know, evereyone, I wish I hadn't said anything now ! Why do some people have to be so objectionable and try to spoil things for some of us ?? Beats me !

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: bubblyrat
Date: 21 May 09 - 09:51 AM

Dear Richard B ,
enough of your venom, I say ! I would happily chuck hand-grenades,let alone rock-cakes,at the BNP,who have brought shame and dishonour on the cause of English patriotism. I DO NOT support the BNP in ANY way, never have done,and have no intention of ever doing so.
My concerns for the ability of my beloved land to support and maintain a lunatic policy of unrestrained and seemingly un-regulated immigration lead me to express,on occasion,opinions that SOME people,including yourself,apparently,find distasteful and out-of-kilter with their,and your,trendy liberal philosophies.
   As it happens, the BNP leader,if still "in the frame",is due to attend a similar function on the 21st July ,or thereabouts,NOT the 9th,thus being denied the pleasure (but not for long!) of a meeting with me.
    Meanwhile, I look forward to meeting with kindred spirits who have got off their arses,fought for or represented their country,taken risks,been exposed to danger,found themselves in harm's way,and generally left their mark in this troubled world. I await a synopsis of your record of patriotic service with interest.
                Respectfully, (really)
                     Roger....

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: My guru always said
Date: 21 May 09 - 08:55 AM

Ah, autographs on offer from now on then? Do say Hi to Her Liz-ness for me, won't you? Distant though it may be, if I'm related to her Mum's family, I guess I'm related to her too. Haven't had an invite myself though *grumble, grumble* Good luck at the hat shop & enjoy!!

Subject: RE: bubblyrat @ Buckingham Palace
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 21 May 09 - 08:06 AM

Hope you have an enjoyable and memorable day. There will be a dress code of course but make sure that you both are comfortable as well!