This Old Brit Proudly Presents

This Old Brit To Run London Marathon ...

2008-03-04T18:14:00.010Z

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Okay, now that the headline's caught your attention, we'll confess we've pulled a fast one.

You know, led you all right up the garden path.

Of course it's not 'This Old Brit '.

It's THIS (brilliant), old Brit.

It's none other than 101 year old Buster Martin.

Man, 101, to run London Marathon

Buster is counting down to the London Marathon on 13 April

A 101-year-old man has his sights on the London Marathon in a bid to become the world's oldest competitive runner.

Working plumber Buster Martin ran Sunday's Roding Valley half marathon in Essex in five hours 13 minutes, and is now focusing on London's 26-mile event.

And not only that, but ...

He also found fame when The Zimmers, who had a combined age of more than 3,000 years, scored a hit single last year. (Buster's on the drums in the centre.)

The bulldog breed or what?

Eh?

Read the rest of this Buster report.

*(Cross posted at "How This Old Brit Sees It")

About Barack Obama ...

2008-03-03T00:22:00.010Z

If we were American here's the man we'd be about to vote for.

For no better reason than we believe Barack Obama's the best of a bad bunch.

Our Extra Special Early Xmas Gift ...

2007-12-03T01:04:00.000Z

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Yeee-haa!

We're expecting a special early Xmas gift to arrive next week.

Super-Sophie's jetting in from Germany for a few days -- to stay with (doting), nana and granddad.

Yeee-haa!

We're already counting down and crossing off the days on the calender.

We can hardly wait!

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Obituary ...

2007-10-28T22:36:00.000Z

R. I. P.

LAURENCE.

Dearly beloved 'baby' brother of Richard, Harry, Margaret and Robert.

Taken from us, Thursday, suddenly.

"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
(READY FOR ANYTHING)

G'night and God bless, Lar.

We love you.

Our 'Trip To Turkey' Interactive Photo Album

2007-10-01T22:58:00.000+01:00

Taah-daah!

Well, let's hope this all works as well as it's intended to do.

If so, not only should you be able see the photo album we've put together but we should also be able to comment/question and answer 'there' as well as 'here'.

So what are we waiting for?

Click here and go.

But before you do, remember that I'm as new to this type of high-tech thingee as you are. So, don't ask me ....

... since right now I'm still finding my own way around & familiarizing myself.

Anyway, here's hoping ...

Just Joshin' ...

2007-09-01T21:30:00.000+01:00

I laughed out loud when I saw these signs for sale in a shop.

So I bought one.

Now it's stuck on my den door.
On the outside of course.
Heh.

Happy Birthday

2007-08-20T21:49:00.001+01:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to SOPHIE!

She's the most gorgeous granddaughter on the globe.

And by the way, a happy birthday to me too. Yep, really.

Now, can anyone beat that for the best bloomin' birthday present possible? What an absolutely beautiful birthday gift to get, eh?

Sophie's shown below with her doting grandmother/nana - Rhona - Mrs Old Brit.

Sophie's flown in from Germany for a fortnight, so that among plenty of pleasant other things we can share a super birthday celebration -- together!

And incidentally, Sophie flew over all alone;not for the first time either. Mum puts her aboard at the German end, and dad collects her at the UK end.

Kids today, eh? Born jet-setters. Nothing seems to phase them at all.

(Click picture to enlarge)

Oh, I almost forgot to mention.

Today, Sophie's 12.

And me?

Today, I'm older.

Recently Departed - Delwin M. Anderson

2007-08-08T22:42:00.000+01:00

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An American friend is mourning her dear old dad.

Here's his 'Washington Post' obituary.
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VA Social Work Head Delwin Anderson

Sunday, July 29, 2007; Page C08

Delwin M. Anderson, 91, who was director of social work programs for the Veterans Administration, died July 20 of pneumonia at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington County. He lived in Arlington.

During World War II, when Mr. Anderson was serving in the Army, he contracted hepatitis and was unable to join his unit during an offensive. When many of his comrades were killed or wounded in battle, Mr. Anderson determined that he would dedicate his life to helping veterans.

Delwin M. Anderson dedicated his life to helping veterans after he was sidelined by hepatitis while many of his comrades were killed or wounded in World War II. (Family Photo)

Special Report

He joined the Veterans Administration (now the Department of Veterans Affairs) in 1947 as a field social worker in Duluth, Minn. He held positions with the VA in St. Paul, Minn., Detroit and Columbus, Ohio, before coming to VA's central office in Washington in 1961.

In 1964, he became director of social work service in the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery. He supervised 2,600 social workers in 171 veterans hospitals and in hundreds of other facilities across the country. At the time, it was the largest social service program in the United States.

Mr. Anderson brought a new understanding of social work to the agency, emphasizing the social circumstances surrounding illness and disability. He helped design programs to enable injured or ill patients to return to their families and to productive lives in their communities.

At his retirement in 1975, he received the VA's Distinguished Career Award. He was the first person named to the Association of VA Social Workers Hall of Fame. In 1971, he wrote the entry on veterans services in the Encyclopedia of Social Work.

Mr. Anderson was born in Escalon, Calif., and grew up mostly in small towns in Minnesota. After attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., he transferred to the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1939. He received a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota in 1946.

Mr. Anderson was chairman of the Arlington County United Way's social planning committee and served on its executive committee. He was a member of the Health and Welfare Council of the National Capital Area and various commissions on mental health and retardation. He volunteered for many other organizations and provided tax services to the elderly for 25 years through AARP.

He was a member of Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington, where he served as deacon and lay minister. He chaired the church's Board of Social Action.

His wife of 42 years, Evelyn Anderson, died in 1984.

Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Caroline Hufford Anderson of Arlington; a daughter from his first marriage, Linda Anderson of Houston; four stepsons, Fred Hufford and Nick Hufford, both of Arlington, Steve Hufford of McLean and Mark Hufford of Hyattsville; a brother; a sister; and nine grandchildren.

-- Matt Schudel -- Washington Post --

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Some special dad, eh?

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So ... I sent my friend this.
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Do not stand on my grave and weep

I am not there I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glints in the snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am a gentle Autumns rain

When you awaken in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

I am the birds in circled flight

I am the soft stars that shine at night

So do not stand on my grave and cry

I am not there.... I did not die

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Our Personal Paradise Approaches - Again ...

2007-07-27T14:10:00.000+01:00

Holiday time looms large.

Roll on September.

We're counting the days.

Soon we'll be sailing again.

We can hardly wait. Could you?

Oh, I almost forgot to mention. All this talk's about Turkey.

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The Fantastic Lara Fabian Performs ...

2007-07-21T00:24:00.000+01:00

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A feast for one's eyes and ears.

Fantastic words and music.

Fantastic performer.

Fantastic performance.

Lara Fabian sings Caruso -- and how!

What a woman, eh?

Find more on Ms Fabian.

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(My) Memories Are Made Of These ...

2007-07-14T23:10:00.000+01:00

Just because ... they're all so special.

Especially ...

And so to my bed;to sleep, perchance to dream.

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Kenneth Williams: English Eccentric [Camp] Comic.

2007-07-14T01:52:00.000+01:00

Oh, yes, we remember Ken well.

The wonderfully wacky and so truly (camp) tragicomic, epitome of English eccentricity:the late Kenneth Williams.

Will the world ever witness Williams' like again?

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The Late Great Sir Laurence Olivier, Plays Richard 111.

2007-07-11T14:06:00.000+01:00

Sit spellbound as you witness a truly masterful performance by the greatest Shakespearean actor the world has ever known.

Sir Laurence Olivier as 'Richard 111'.

Well?

Was I right? Or was I right?

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From My Birthday Wish Want List

2007-07-11T13:21:00.000+01:00

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It's my birthday next month (August).

Vanity forbids me from saying which one.

However, here's something I'd really like to receive as a birthday present.

At least it's a picture of something I'd give the world to see happen -- and the sooner the better.

As 'Bloody Mary' sang in that marvelous old musical 'South Pacific' - " ... if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have your dream come true?"

If only, eh?

George W. Bush - The World's Most Dangerous Dope

2007-07-09T18:06:00.001+01:00

A fit and proper President of the USA?

A competent Commander in Chief of the planet's most powerful military?

The fellow with his finger on the button?

Heaven help us all. If it wasn't so frightening it would be funny -- but even then, only in a 'sick joke' sort of way.

A bloody good question; how, indeed.

*(Cross posted at How This Old Brit Sees It.

' IF ' by Rudyard Kipling

2007-07-07T01:14:00.000+01:00

Here's another Old Brit -- called RUDYARD KIPLING.

You may recall that old Rudyard wrote this:
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" IF " ...

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

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To which we'd like to add -- 'and a bloody good man, too'.

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Fondly Remembering Freddy Mecury ...

2007-07-06T20:05:00.000+01:00

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Remember the the fantastic, fabulous, and late lamented Freddy Mecury?

In the beginning:

Then there was this brilliant Barcelona blockbuster.

And sadly, came the end; far, far too soon..

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'This Old Brit Proudly Presents.' It's a scrapbook-blog ... of sorts.

2007-07-05T22:04:00.000+01:00

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Here's where what you see is what you get.

Where whatever you see will be something we're proud to present and to share - in public.

Here you can expect to see a mixture of various videos, plenty of pictures and photos, read some things we've read, and to listen to some of the same songs, tunes, etc, that we have -- and loved.

In fact, whatever we decide to share here, it should help show you who and what we really are.

First off - here's Sophie - the light of our lives. She's our lovely (and only) little 11 year old granddaughter.

Next, it's Sophie's Nana; Rhona, our marvelous missus; looking lovely, as always. Some special 'senior' -- eh?

No prizes for guessing who's coming up now.

Yup. It's yours truly.

See you again shortly.
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