D-Day 6th June 1944

After knocking out 3 photo albums (Provence, Paris, UK & Brunei - viewable on my Travel blog), it occurred to me this morning that it is way past time for a Blog post!  I have been neglectful but then, nothing has inspired me.  Not a lot of worth in pondering, deliberating, chewing over and thinking about nothing, although plenty do!

I wasn't inspired, until today that is!  On the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the focus of the world is on the beaches of Normandy.  As I browsed the news, I surprised even myself, I cried.  I cried for D-Day, I cried for the many who lost their lives, I cried for those who lost their mobility and I cried for those who lost family, mates and neighbours.   I cried for those who lost their faith in mankind because it is their very act which reminds us we must never lose our faith in mankind.  I cried because I felt humbled that so many risked their lives for liberty on that day, 70 years ago.

I wonder if they would think it worth it today?  I hope so.

Veterans, re-enactments, world leaders speeches, fireworks, ceremony and many tears, all marking the 70th anniversary of a pivotal mission, the beginning of the end of 6 years of wretchedness in Europe, and an event that was, in the words of Winston Churchill - "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place", a mission involving 3 million troops and costing 250,000 lives.  Many nations coming together with a common goal, we could learn from them today.

Most people of my generation cannot begin to imagine the horror and fear that comes with such a war.  Yes, today, we hear talk of terrorists, likely exaggerated and of course there is the occasional bomb blast and events in the Middle East, none of which is pleasant but imagine, walking out of your front door every day and not knowing if you will return.  For 6 long year's, not knowing if your house will even be there when you return.   Hell!!!  What about going to bed at night not knowing if you or yours will waken and survive tomorrow and if you do, what nightmare will it bring?  The smell of fire, the noise of the air-raid warnings, the bombs, the destruction and the stench of death.  Then the elation of victory, followed by the horror and the discovery of the death camps.  The recovery and rebuilding, reconciliation and forgiveness.

As France played host, I dried my tears and smiled at pictures of lunch and "The Top Table"!  Centre stage Francois Hollande, France's President, surrounded by Queen Elizabeth and Presidents Obama and Putin!  Who'd want to work out that seating plan!  Fortunately Queen Margrethe of Denmark, a very gracious and elegant lady helped even up the numbers and made boy-girl-boy-girl-boy look like the plan all along!

Pictures in the Huffington Post were haunting, images from today overlaying those of yesterday!
 
The stories from the veterans, especially those who took the opportunity to sneak out of their care homes to attend makes for another tear followed by a smile ...

Inspirational!

Eversley Street, Liverpool - my Mum is in the midst of the crowd here somewhere!  Just 2 years old.

Note: I hope the creator of the D-Day image doesn't mind my borrowing it, I could find no accreditation.

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They made a difference - Emily Pankhurst

cc by BBC Radio 4

15 July 1858 - 14 June 1928, age 69

Born Emmeline Goulden on 15 July 1858 in Moss Side, Manchester, educated in Paris and died, on 14 June 1928, age 69 in London, Emily Pankhurst was a powerhouse, a political activist and the champion of British suffragette's.

The eldest of five girls in a family of eleven children, with her maternal roots in the Isle of Man.  My own paternal roots also find themselves in the Isle of Man so it is amusing to fancy that a little bit of Emily's feistiness might also run through my own veins!

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Isle of Man was one of the earliest countries to grant women the right to vote in national elections, in 1881, albeit only property owners.

Much has already been written about Emily Pankhurst, so my intent is not to rewrite her biography, but rather post my own little tribute to a woman who dared to be different. By today's measures, Emily was a working mother with both a career and children, fighting her cause led to time in Holloway Prison and even hunger strikes in a bid to improve conditions for others, and this, long before Bobby Sands even took his first feed.

cc by Leonard Bentley

Emily's approach to women's suffrage took the movement in a different direction, after years of soft talking she encouraged a more militant approach. Their opposition to the draconian's of the time, including Winston Churchill often led to ridicule and casual references to "those ladies who are sometimes laughed at".....

No doubt her proposal to Richard Pankhurst that they enter into a free union was considered scandalous in their day, perhaps fortunately for Emily, he declined and so they wed in December 1879.

In 1914, Emily put aside her determined efforts and diverted her attention to war efforts, helping to recruit women into supporting roles and factories.  She expressed her desire to be consulted on matters of Government in a letter to the new Prime Minister, Lloyd George.
 
Through the achievements of women like Emily Pankhurst, women of Britain today can take for granted their right to vote. Without women like Mrs Pankhurst even the glass ceiling would be little more than a fantasy, we would still be oppressed, barefoot and chained to the sink, most likely pregnant!

In the United Kingdom in 1918, women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote but it was another ten years and a little over two weeks after her death before women were granted a franchise equal to that of men when the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 was finally given Royal assent on 2nd July 1928.

Thank you Emily Pankhurst!  You made a difference....

For more extensive history of related world dates .... Click here..... and for an interesting read about 'the story of Parliament and votes for women', try here....

Useless facts:

• Sun sign (astrology): Cancer
• Myers Briggs           : one can only wonder

cc by UK Government archives

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I Love London!!!

 So.... here's the truth.... I love London.... I love to visit London... I would love to live in London.... and this from a native of the North.... 

Here are just a few reasons why I love this beautiful city..... 

Buckingham Palace

The Royal Observatory at Greenwich

Time will tell but...

 

..... who hasn't heard of London Bridge or sung of it falling down? Rich in history, a leading global financial centre, a gateway to Europe and too many famous landmarks to count... not least, its latest addition The Shard.

London Bridge

Nowhere else in the world has anybody quite like our Royal family!!!  Our amazing Queen Elizabeth II and her truly dependable and patriotic husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with his own tale of history to tell.  Their children, Prince Charles; Anne, [my personal favourite] the Princess Royal; Andrew and Edward... and of course Prince William and his notorious but lovable brother, Harry.

Then, there's the shopping!!! And ... OH - is that the time?  

So recently home of the Olympic Games with its awesome opening ceremony created by Danny Boyle and the pageantry of the Royal Jubilee, what a great place to be in 2012....

Shopping!

Time!

The Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster, once the principal residence of the reigning monarch and now housing both the Commons and the Lords!  Almost blown up by Guy Fawkes, destroyed by fire in 1834 and rebuilt by 1870.... a survivor of the Blitz, home to British politics and the eternally famous and majestic Big Ben....MP's &  Politicians past and present and to name but a few, Margaret Thatcher, The Iron Lady, William Pitt, youngest ever Prime Minister and William Wilberforce the leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

A fairy castle?

St Paul's Cathedral

 The financial district, better known as simply "The City" and if you feel so inclined, take your pick of art galleries, museums & libraries!!!

A fairy castle or the London skyline from St James's Park?

Sir Christopher Wren's St Paul's Cathedral, scene of Royal Weddings including our very own ill fated Lady Di to her Prince, our Queen's Diamond Jubilee and host to the state funeral of our esteemed WWII leader, Sir Winston Churchill.

The London Tube!

Tower of London

Must be a sign!!

Who doesn't envy London its great transport system? The oldest underground railway network in the world.  But where to next?

Just flowers

Kensington Palace

Through the gate @ Kensington Palace

The West End

The Pageantry

City of flowers and gardens, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, over 40 West End theatres and home to over 8 million people!!!

How can you not love London, surely one of the world's greatest capital cities!??