Foggy Dewhurst

Foggy Dewhurst

Paul and I have a name for those amazing total enthusiasts: Foggy Dewhurst. This is the wonderful character from Last of the Summer Wine, magnificently portrayed by the late, great, Brian Wilde. We just love the energy expended by these people on their particular pet projects. We remember one with great affection. A few years ago we went to Bagington Airport in Coventry with the British Berlin Airlift Association. Air Atlantique had an open day, showing off their wonderful collection of old planes. The group was divided into smaller groups and each given a guide.The one we had bore an amazing resemblance to the original Foggy Dewhurst, even down to the 'regimental' scarf, and he did not disappoint. We got back to base at least 30 minutes after everyone else, and we knew the colour of the underpants worn by the last pilot to fly the plane in anger - or at least it seemed like it! But we had a wonderful afternoon, thanks in part to him. Long may he continue to delight visitors with his enthusiasm.  One of the highlights of the tour was a Dakota. This was special because it was the plane my father flew in as a navigator during the Berlin Airlift. I had the delightful experience of a flight in one at an Air Show in Shropshire. The flight was enhanced by a crowd of 'Foggy Dewhursts' who had all flown the plane at one time or other in their military careers.The plane was a 'working'


Dakota

 one, so no steps up, just the original ladder. I was last on, and first off, so, as I stepped off,  I turned to watch the veterans following me. Each and every one of them was grinning from ear to ear. They had had a wonderful time. I was so glad to be part of it.

What brought this to mind was a remark made by a fellow student at my Latin class last night. She commented on the sheer enthusiasm of our teacher, the splendid Clive. His 'day job' is teaching first year undergraduates, and he gives up one evening a week t teach a very mixed group of, to put it politely, 'mature' students, most of whom have not the first idea about Latin. A few have dropped out since it started, but surprisingly few. It's free, so no incentive to continue on the grounds 'I've paid for it so must get my moneysworth.' I put this down, in no small measure, to the patience of Clive, and his aim to instill his enthusiasm for the ancient world and its language to all and sundry. He never makes anyone feel stupid, fields basic (and stupid!) questions with aplomb, and generally makes everyone feel they can be a Latin scholar, even me. I have had so many problems with languages in general over the years that I had long ago decided any language except English wasbeyond me. It says a great deal about Clive that I feel that, while I might not be the world's best, at least I can achieve my ambition of readinbg that old gossip Suetonius in his original Latin! I might even have got the name on this blog right if I had felt confident enough to scour the Latin before I jumped in with both feet - only to find its impossible to change!

Talking of Suetonious, I succumbed to the multiple reminders I had from Blackwell's about their offer on Loeb's! I am now the proud owner of both volumes for my sins. Then, to add insult to injury, Blackwell's informed me they were extending the dead,ine! Fatal. So now I also own a beautiful pair of Pliny's Letters! I am so pleased the deadline has nowpassed. Iwas looking seriously at a couple of Tacitus' offerings (or should that be Taciti?!) and there is always room for more Cicero, though he is a bit of a prosy old bore! (I know this is sacrilege, but he does waffle on!)


I do fancy this though. My Latin class, led by the splendid Clive, is based on Horace. I did once meet a specialist on Horace - his name escapes me at the moment. I told him I had a soft spot for Horace and rather liked him. He was mildly surprised because 'usually it's men who prefer him. Women usually prefer Ovid or Catullus.' I was faintly offended by this, finding it a touch patronising. One of these days I just might invest in this, without the benefit of discount! Perhaps a hint to one of my children in time for my birthday in April? If any of you are reading this, try Amazon - or even Blackwell's website:))

Winter drags on.

Piece Hall, Halifax.

This is the Piece Hall in Halifax, a unique architectural survival from the 18th century. Built as a cloth hall, it is a true Enlightenment building, incorporating as it does the neo-classical orders for it's columns, built as a huge statement by the cloth merchants of Yorkshire. Isn't it stunning. I caught a short piece about it on television recently and it has jumped to the top of my 'must see' buildings that are actually feasible! It gives me something to look forward to during the long cold winter evenings! And a reason to go up and see my brother (apart from the joy of seeing you Graham, just in case you read this!) who lives in that neck of the woods.

I just wish the winter would get on with it! After last year I had girded my loins for the snow again - but nothing happened! Then the forecasters kept saying it was on it's way - still nothing! Now it's coming at the weekend. (Don't hold your breath!) It's making me edgy and impatient. Example. I always thought I was a bit of a Luddite who wouldn't miss lots of the modern technology I use. Mmmm! Today the car is in for a service. The 'man from the garage' lives in Alcester, so he suggested picking it up on his way to work (7:30!) and dropping it on the way back (6'ish) No problem I thought. We just don't book anything for today - and we didn't. So what's the problem? The fact that I can't go out beyond walking distance even if I want to! I've realised how important an element of choice is.It's the same if I have a problem with my email. Nothing, but nothing, in my life is so important it can't wait another day. But - if my email is down I fuss, and mutter, and moan and groan until it's up and running again!

On a happier note the Latin is coming on - slowly! Yes I know, don't all shout at once, the name of the blog is incorrect! And I can't change it. Or at least I haven't found a way to do so. But the classes are enormous fun, partly due to the splendid Clive, who gets the pace right, and partly to my table mates, Dorothy and Jain. We support each other so well, and cover up each others shortcomings! I am finding the sort of class with lots of people, face to face, and regularly, much better than the isolation of distance learning. For a language anyway! I was really thrilled when we went to see Written on the Heart at the RST on Paul's birthday. There was a scene, part of which was in Latin. And I could understand some of it! Paul was terribly impressed!

Apropos the weather, it is having a decidedly bad effect on my housework! Gypsy, large, black, and very hairy, doesn't know what time of year it is due to the fluctuating weather and the central heating. As a result her coat is very thick, and falling out all over the carpet, where it sticks! The vacuum cleaner isn't strong enough for the magnetic effect! Happily she is going to the dog's beauty parlour next week to be shorn! I just hope she doesn't freeze as a consequence. Ozzy is short and white, and they don't seem to stick quite so much. However, they do show on a pair of black trousers!

We have had a few scares this month. Paul's mother has been in and out of hospital with pneumonia, a broken rib, and the result of various falls. At 91 she is not the most robust of people. However, happily she does seem to be responding to treatment now. It does, however, make one think of one's own future. Do what you can, while you can, seems to me to be a very good mantra.

So what is the overall feeling for January? Halfway between cuninculus laetus sum and cuninculus laetus non sum! (Thanks for that Anthony!)

Bah Humbug!

Well, that's over for another year. I can't make up my mind if I love or hate Christmas. It's one long rush from about the beginning of December (if you are lucky) then a couple of days and it's all finished. So there you are (or I am anyway) considerably lighter in the pocket, absolutely knackered, and with more than a few extra pounds to shift in the New Year. Why do I do it, every year, without question?

Part of it, of course, is that it is expected of one. I have children and, more importantly at this time of year, grandchildren, who expect something from Granny! What seems to get forgotten with amazing regularity, is that Christmas is essentially a Christian festival. It is not intended to be a massive exercise in excessive consumerism. As most of my side of the family have little or in fact any religious beliefs, this should excuse my participation, except to send greetings to my husband's family, who do have strong beliefs. But of course it is more than that now. It is an excuse to show the people you love that you do love them. To put some thought into gifts they would actually like, not to fall back on the "usual suspects". To make contact via carefully chosen cards with people you may not have contacted since last Christmas. "I do think of you. Let's make the effort to meet up this year." Of course you don't always follow up, but some of them you do. Friends are at times more important than family. Family can be taken for granted (though this is not to be recommended!) but friendship has to be worked on.

Christmas Day itself was quiet, just Paul and I for lunch, and a visit to mother in law in the afternoon. She has given us a scare recently, having spent about 3 weeks in hospital up to Christmas Eve with pneumonia and a cracked rib. She is still not well. I just hope this was not her last Christmas. That would be sad. Boxing Day was more lively, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with daughter and family. Well done Hayley for your performance on my brand new Wii Fit!

Now 2012 is here thought has to be given to the dreaded New Year's Resolutions! The Wii Fit will help - losing weight and getting fit is top of the list as usual - but more cerebral aspirations make their appearance. Top of this particular list is the pursuit of Latin. Not too much has been done over the holiday - but I am resolved to do a little EVERY day, not just when I 'have time'. The freebie lessons start again soon with the wonderful Clive. I WILL conquer it, I will, really! And I am going to play more golf this year. Last year was affected by the dreaded op (I'm avoiding the h word!) but I have no excuse this year.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2012. There is to be a wedding in the family - Paul's niece Nikki is to marry Phil, either in June or September. Good wishes to both of them. We will get to it, having missed her brother David's wedding to Deb due to Paul pranging the car on the way (damage to car, nothing to people thankfully!) I also have a school reunion in May. Given my advanced age this is amazing! St Hilda's School for Girls in Otterhampton, Bridgwater, Somerset closed in the 70's, but we still have biannual get togethers. A robust lot the old girls! Each year we 'do' something, sportsday, the Nativity Play (in a very hot June!) the school fete. This year we are going on a 'school picnic.' I hope it is as eventful as one or two I can remember!

Well, here's to another year.I wish you all health and happiness - in no particular order.

A bit of a scheduling problem!

I had a bit of a dilemma. Should I spend an evening with the ladies section of my golf club for the annual Autumn Supper and Prizegiving, plus AGM, or should I spend an evening with the maenads at the local grammar school where I go for my Latin lessons? Either way it was going to be a bit noisy! Fifty plus ladies all trying to outshout each other, leavened by outbursts of clapping the prizewinners with no hope of being one of the recipients? Or a group of adolescent young men dressed up as women yelling fit to bust? In the end it was no contest. The young men would be quieter!  It turned out to be a good choice. The King Edward Grammar School production of Euripides The Bacchea was very well done, and very entertaining. Dionysus was an arrogant sod, and Pentheus a suitably 'civil service' pen pusher who wore the woman's clothing with aplomb. There was even a licenced bar where wine was flowing! Any theatrical production in Stratford upon Avon has a lot to live up to, and this one did not disappoint. Shakespeare's school.

I had a double dose of 'Classics' with a visit to the British Museum for a 'Septimius Severus Day', run jointly by the Roman Society, and the Association of Roman Archaeology. The day itself did not start well. We caught the train at Warwick Parkway on the first Christmas Shopping Saturday of the year. By the time the train reached us it was already standing room only, with nearly an hour and a half to go. For some reason the company had decided three carriages was enough! To be fair - sort of - the guard did apologise several times for the overcrowding. The reason given was that there were only three and not four carriages! No explanation as to why this was so, but at least he tried! The result was two very weary people by the time we reached London. Lunch was the first order of the day, at the magnificent Court Restaurant at the BM. Thank you Simon and Stanley for a wonderful meal. Then a quick scoot around the Grayson Perry exhibition. Let me say at once, the time available was nowhere near enough. If anyone has the chance to see it, please do. It's clever, quirky, and thought provoking. As for the lectures on Septimius Severus, they were well worth the effort to get there. There were three lectures, Dr Philip Kenrick on Severus' background in Libya, Dr Nick Hodgson on his exploits in Britain, from a Roman point of view, and Dr Fraser Hunter on the effect he had in Scotland, from the Scots point of view. I came away wanting to know more, and lamenting that I hadn't gone to Lepcis Magna when I had the chance.                                               I did have a strange experience though. At tea time, waiting in the queue, I started talking to the person next to me, only to discover it was a fellow OU'er I had 'met' several times 'on-line'. Life plays little games with us at times, and this was one of the better ones. Good to put a face to a name.

Well. I am improving! I've managed to get a couple of pictures in this! Gold star to me!

Beginnings.

Why did I do this? Who knows. I decided it was about time I actually had a go, so here goes.
First - very basic so far, I haven't had a chance yet to explore and personalise. That will come later - I hope! Second, no pictures until I've worked out how to introduce them. (I will, even if  #1 son has to come over and give me a lesson!) Third, this will be very short as it is very much a practice (or should that be rehearsal? I understand you practice alone, but rehearse together. I am sitting alone, but if anyone reads this it can be construed as 'together')
The next question why the name optimaematris? Well, my interest is the JulioClaudian women, of whom Agrippina is the most interesting (in my opinion anyway, and on here that's what counts!) I thought that was a bit pretentious, but, on second thoughts, decided to go even more in that direction. Optimae matris is the password Nero gave his soldiers on the night he became emperor, and it means 'best of mothers.' Well, I'm a mother, and I keep telling my children how great I am - so....! I'm not sure I've got the endings right - my Latin lessons are still at a very early stage - but if anyone reads this who knows better I am sure they will let me know!
I'm not sure yet how often I will post. Perhaps regularly, probably only when I feel I have something to say. That is all in the lap of the gods.