Al the Tog’s Trip Down Under

I thought it was supposed to be a uniquely British habit - queuing. Maybe it was a hangover from the wartime queues for food rations, and more recently for petrol, but the British seem to have the patience and discipline needed to endure long queues. This patience was put to the test in the Chinese airports at Beijing and Shanghai, where we had to queue when we landed, only to be shepherded straight out to get on a plane to the next destination.

Travelling with the Barmy Army has taken it a step further. On Christmas Day, we had to queue for our barbeque (a good move as it turned out because we avoided a torrential downpour), then for our 4th Test match tickets, then for our “free” shirts and hats. On New Year’s Day, we had to go to the Coogee Oval where the Barmy Army was playing against the Fanatics in a charity match. This was the place where we could collect our 5th Test tickets, so we had to queue once again. The patience and resilience shown by all was truly wonderful to behold.

In between, we queued to get a good place to see the New Year fireworks at Sydney Harbour, and we have since queued for many other things. Now we’re about to get the bus to Sydney airport for the long journey home, with an overnight stop in Beijing - more queues await no doubt.

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire.

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

From Milton, a poem in two Books (1804-1808) by
William Blake.

If you are keen to read something of the background to the song/hymn, Jerusalem , look at the Wikipedia entry.

The year 1882 will be engraved on my memory for years to come, not that I was around at the time, of course. In case you didn’t know, 1882 was when a touring Australian cricket team first beat England on home soil. England, with the legendary WG Grace in their ranks, lost by seven runs, Aussie fast bowler Fred Spofforth taking 14 wickets for 90 runs.

(more…)