It
seems that the binge drinking that's an engrained aspect of British
culture is down to the Dutch. Years ago, the Brits had no word that
meant to drink to excess. But then they discovered the (Middle) Dutch
word busen – meaning exactly that - and it was all downhill from
then on, as the British decided it was an attractive proposition.
And so the word 'booze' was born. From which it was only a hop, skip
and a prat-fall to binge drinking.
I'd
half-expected to see today's Grand National on the TV on the boat
over from Portsmouth, since our arrival in Santander was scheduled
for 4.30 British time. But, no, just this once the boat was an hour
and a half ahead of time. So, as the steeplechase was being
run, we were all sitting in our cars waiting for the bloody ramps to
go down.
Nor,
of course, did I get to see the Scouse girls on their Ladies Day at
Aintree on Thursday. But reader Perry kindly sent me this in
compensation. It's a tad disturbing – and annoying – that the BBC
seems to think Liverpool is in Manchester. Well, one Northern city is
the same as the next to them, I guess. Anyway, here's some more pix.
And
my old scouting friend, KK, has suggested the SALTAC brewery on the
Wellington Hotel window was probably Thomas Salt & Co. Which is surely right.
Finally
. . . I stopped off in (Royal) Leamington Spa on the way down to
Portsmouth. On leaving it, I clocked the offices of a couple of
solicitors called Wright & Hassal. Appropriately enough.
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