/pub/robinhorsfall/p/somwhere-quiet?
Somewhere Quiet.
There is something uncanny or foreign about a true natural silence the first time one hears it. I thought I lived in a quiet place in the valleys of South Wales but even there I hear the sounds of life, of dogs barking, the train passing through the station late in the evening. But here in the Hebrides islands when the wind drops and the sun shines, there is no sound, not the waves nor the branches move. There is movement, the clouds drift across the mountain tops and the breeze disturbs the surface of the sea but there is no sound. Sail is preferable to engine in the lochs.
Later the Goldfinches will gather in the tree beside the cottage and kick up a racket declaring their ownership of the end of season fruits, but until then there is only me, an alien in a land of eerie silence.
It's a good place to write and drink coffee, a good place to let the stresses of life wash off down into the shiny, wet grass, where they belong.
We are not meant to live in constant noise, we should all spend some time in nothingness, no wonder we feel messed up. We need to escape the TV, radio, internet, people’s problems, worries and concerns and just sit among a natural nothing for a while and look inwards at ourselves and outwards at something beautiful in the world. Give ourselves time to consider whether we are spending too much energy worrying about stuff we cannot fix, problems that are not ours, and issues we can’t change.
I can hear the ferry approaching, it’s an exceedingly small boat and holds about ten cars. It’s still two miles offshore. I swear if the church bells rang in Oban, ten miles away, I would hear them.
People can be so adorable when they aren’t constantly under pressure. ‘Chilled’ what a great expression that is. Cool, unperturbed, unphased. Leave it until tomorrow.
Oh, course I cannot remain here forever, there is stuff to do, things to fix and people to care for, but for today.
Ah! The Goldfinches have arrived.
Who Dares Shares
Robin Horsfall
Goodbye Mister Chips.
He had been famous once. Over twenty-five years he had taught children martial arts. At its peak he had more than one thousand children in his club in London, aged from four to sixteen. Like any headteacher he had known all of their faces and names. Over the years more than ten thousand children had passed through his doors. Wherever he went in south west london a child or parent would stop him.
He was 'Sensei' to one and all. Even abroad on holiday, in remote parts of the world on beach a child or former student would shout to him and after catching his eye they would make a formal bow (or children's nod) and say how pleased they were to see him. He was as proud to know them as they were to see him. Once a parent had asked him how many children he had. Without pause he answered 'about a thousand'. No said the questioner smiling, I meant you and your wife.'
When he was fifty-four he broke his neck and was forced to take a different path. Fortunately his oldest son Alex who was twenty-seven at the time was capable of taking on the role of Chief Instructor.
Now, fifteen years later he receives an occasional message from a former student from New York, Dubai, Tokyo and London asking if he remembers them. He does of course, but as smiling children with big eyes. They tell him about their achievements, marriages and children. Most of all he remembers the names from taking weekly registers. Now Alex takes the names and teaches the children of the children he used to teach.
It is Alex who is Sensei now. It is Alex who is stopped in the street and in the airport. Once, when they were travelling together a parent looked sideways after shaking Alex's hand and said 'I know you. You're Alex's dad aren't you?' 😀 😎 😁
Robin Horsfall
Who Dares Shares.
Good News For Ukraine.
The former President of the USA is now a convicted felon. Guilty of 34 felonies, held to account by a jury of his peers, convicted on sound documentary evidence.
This is good news for Ukraine, it reduces the likelihood that Trump will return to the White House. It will stifle Putin's hopes that his 'asset' will return to power and crush all hopes of a Ukrainian victory. The increased chances of a continued Democrat Government with majorities in both houses lies with the moderate citizens of the USA. If they come out and vote in November, if they stand in queues and carry their own seats and water, if they refuse to be brow beaten and intimidated by extremists then they will get the Government they deserve. A government that supports democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Where Ukraine is concerned a Biden victory will ensure continued support. Combined with increasing European firmness Putin will find that there is no escape from his corner other than withdrawal. The Soviet Union could not outspend the western alliance and eventually collapsed. Russia cannot outspend or outfight the democracies. Putin's only hope is, or was, Trump. I wrote on January 1st this year. that Trump was the greatest threat to a Ukrainian victory. That is still the case until he is thoroughly defeated in an election.
This crushing verdict is not only a victory for the rule of law, decency and democracy, but it is also a victory (albeit tentative) for Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini!
Who Dares Shares.
Robin Horsfall
Poem from Warrior Poet: A Soldier's Songs., 2021
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!
If the International Olympic Committee consider Russia to be eligible for the Olympics in Paris in any guise, then we must all agree that they have no ethical standards. Money for them is the only motive for mounting the games; profit is more important than life. Pretending Russians are not there by allowing them to compete as 'individuals without a flag' is a weak and pathetic position to take.
For Ukrainians to be forced to compete against people who have supported and in some cases actively participated in murdering their own countrymen is unacceptable. If Russian athletes are allowed to participate in France then I for one will not be showing an interest, and I encourage others not to attend, not to watch on TV, and not to buy the merchandise.
If we truly believe that the aggressive invasion of Ukraine was wrong, that the murder of civilians in Bucha was one of many war crimes committed by Putin and his armies, then we must all stand together in our own way.
We can all contribute by taking a principled stand. Switch off, do not attend, do not satisfy the advertising companies.
Alone, we are mere drops in the ocean, together we can become a tsunami that can send a crushing message to Russia.
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!
Slava Ukraini!
Who Dares Shares.
If you agree press the like button.
Robin Horsfall
May 5th is the 44th Anniversary of the Irainian Embassy Siege.
I was one of the assault team who assaulted the embassy in 1980. For 22 years none of us spoke about the day when we, B Squadron 22 SAS broke onto the public arena on live television and rescued nineteen hostages from six armed terrorists. In 2003 I wrote my account of that day in my autobiography 'Fighting Scared'. Sadly, I am the only SAS survivor from the BAFTA winning BBC documentary 'SAS Embassy Siege' by Louise Norman and Peter Taylor. The only accurate report ever on operation Nimrod.
Here is a short clip from that report. Anyone who would like a signed copy of my book or a signed picture from that day should go to my web site /shop
and wander through the shelves and stories.
Who Dares Wins.
Robin Horsfall
Stormy Weather.
DJT is currently facing some Stormy weather. However, I am sure he is staying largly abreast of the situation. People have been known to bend over to assist him to reach his intended targets. He often comes up short but is renowned for never giving in (or was it getting in). DJT is known as a man who is quick to stand up in front of an audience and equally quick to slack off when he has finished. Once he has 'arrived' his performance has always been considered lacking in vitality and in some cases has gone unnoticed. Still with his in depth knowledge of the bible he will be famililiar with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and take precautions. 😎
England Grand Slam!
Well played the Red Roses England Rugby team. An awesome match against a very good and courageous France team. The Roses got ahead in the first half and had to defend ferociously to hold onto that lead for the whole second half.
Brilliant rugby from both teams and a marvelous win for England.
😁
Power lies in the votes of the uninformed.
I posted a warning on Jan 1st, 2024 saying the DJT was the greatest threat to world peace. He still is. The platform that social media provides for his fascist agenda sits outside the control of US law, even if 'justice matters'. Money, combined with corruption in the USA, (they are not alone in that regard) ensures that rich people almost never face imprisonment.
Trump outside jail will continue to be a threat to democracy. He hopes that people will rise up on his behalf. They tried once and failed. They will try again unless SCOTUS finds some integrity. All current cases with DJT will end up with SCOTUS, no matter what the verdicts are.
The main weapon in the war against this type of tyranny is counter propaganda. It must be as determined and persistent as the MAGA message. The courts are holding back the tide, it is up to others to fund groups that will flood the world with anti-fascist (DJT and Putin) memes to inform the ignorant and blind that they are being lied to. Power lies in the votes of the uninformed.
It is not only Russia, Iran, North Korea and China that threaten world peace and stability. It is DJ Trump, S Bannon, MT Greene, R Stone and M Flynn too!
Who Dares Shares!
Slava Ukraini!
Robin Horsfall
P's little puppet.
P's little puppet played on the hill.
She knew what she did, would do her country ill.
She roared and she ranted, she never recanted.
But deep down inside her honour had died.
Her message was clear, to lie and to smear.
To hurt and to damage, on behalf of a savage.
But now time has changed, her power has waned.
The brave and the free rose up from their knees
And called for a vote to ram down her throat.
To made Margorie, eat fresh made - democracy!
Slava Ukraini!
Robin Horsfall
