Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian


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Jobs of Days Gone By #18. – the parkkeeper

THE PARKKEEPER

Also called Parky

kept an eye on visitors

wore a uniform


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Did I miss something?

I am an immigrant to the USA. I came to the United States of America while employed by Lufthansa German Airlines. As it turned out, by the time my visa was approved I actually started to work for Air France when I arrived in the USA. This was because Air France needed a French speaking employee. It’s a long story so I’ll spare you the details.

One of the first actions I took on arrival was to register myself (required by law) for the draft. My draft number was 252. Later I received a letter to tell me that my draft status had changed due to prior service in NATO and that I was now head of family. The Vietnam war however, continued.

It took me a while to settle in to the American way of life. There were many wonderful things to get used to.

I should mention that did not opt to leave the U.K. for discontent, simply that I was sked if I would like to go where I could be helpful. I had previously worked in Hamburg for the same reason.

Now to the point f this posting; America was a Great Country, a world leader, a great participant in world affairs and a great contributor and supporter of Democracy and the fight against Communism, poor health and poverty.

So it was with some reason to wonder why Don the Con launched his presidential bid with the slogan to Make America great Again.

Looking back on the events of this past week clearly demonstrates that this was ot his goal. In fact, the opposite has happened during his presidency: the USA is the laughing stock of our former allies throughout Europe and Scandinavia in NATO. The USA is the talk and mirth at vodka drinking parties hosted by Vladimir Putin about how that managed to compromise a a future resident to the point of treason. Donald Trump is a disappointment! He is clear and present danger.

And yet I have friends who still say things like, Yes but what about Hilary Clinton’s emails and one who says, what about ANTIFA – anti first ammendment.

Gimme a break. Did I miss something?


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4th September 1949

Seventy-one years

Since the Brabazon took flight

Test pilot, Bill Pegg

Footnote:  I wrote this in April and scheduled it for publication on September 4th, the anniversary of the maiden flight. In the meantime, WordPress changed its format nd my scheduled post disappeared. So here it is resurrected.


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Krek waiters peak bristle

Another departure:  Some (many) years ago  a book was written, I’ll find the author’ s name one of these days. which spoke about the way people from Bristol speak.

One of the curiosities of the Bristol dialect is the propensity of Bristolians to add an “l” to a final “a” in place of a glottal stop. This curious fact has led me to this post in light of the pandemic now about us;  Has anybody from Bristol  heard the word Coronavirus pronounced “coronalvirus?

Note: The title of this post is the aforementioned title of the book. It translates as, The correct way to speak  Bristol.


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Unusual U. K. place names 83. – Nailsea

NAILSEA, Somerset

Early coal mining

occupied by the Romans

Known for Nailsea glass

 


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Unusual U.K. place names 62. – Petty France

PETTY FRANCE, Gloucestershire

Not remrkable

not much history to tell

not written, that is.


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Unusual U.K. place names 63. – Stow on the Wold

STOW on the WOLD, Gloucestershire

\Where the wind blows cold

Town’s patron was St. Edward

\Once called Edwardstow


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Unusual UK place names 61. – Over

OVER,  South Gloucestershire

Over Court burned down

The White Lady of Over

Haunts each New Year’s Eve

 

 

 


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Unusual U.K. Place names 58. – Awre

AWRE, Gloucestershire

Name from Old English

meaning sour water meadow

Cows had long faces