Alis Grave Nil

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Starsky & Hutch at the Commonwealth Games

Although I'm still getting over the trauma of a small child thinking I was his Grandma the other day, I wanted to keep you all updated on goings on at ground level at the Commonwealth Games in Parkhead, Glasgow.
 
According to my brother, Vasily, the whole area of Parkhead now looks like Northern Ireland during the troubles.  There are concrete barriers down all the main roads, checkpoints for cars going in and out of the area, hundreds of security guards.  Vasily was taking photos of it all when a policeman approached him and told him to stop.  He replied "I can take photos of what I want, I live on this street".  The policeman replied "Oh aye?  What number?" in a threatening manner.
 
Checkpoint Charlie, Parkhead, Glasgow July 2014
 
 
One of the main roads in Parkhead, Glasgow July 2014


 
 
There are CCTV cameras on every other lamp post and set of traffic lights, busy main roads have been closed and the locals are tearing their hair out at the major disruption.
 
There are unmarked police cars (which stick out like a sore thumb and everybody knows they are police cars) riding around doing their pre-large event practice, driving up to bus stops and jumping out like Starsky & Hutch and taking bemused old ladies' names and addresses. 
 
It amuses me the way they trail the Commonwealth baton round the world.  I just don't get that.  The news reporters take it all so seriously and I just think it is hilarious.  I saw a BBC reporter asking a young girl some questions about carrying the baton.

BBC NEWS REPORTER: "Was there any special training before you carried the baton?"

YOUNG GIRL: "Eh...no."

BBC NEWS REPORTER: "Was it difficult to carry?"

YOUNG GIRL: "Eh...no."

BBC NEWS REPORTER: "Right, moving on then..."


I will keep you updated if I can, mes amis.  My friend, Doreen, is taking part in the final ceremony so I will try and point her out if possible, when the time comes. 

.

13 comments:

  1. Trailing the baton around the world... with a message in it from the Queen! Fer feck's sake!

    Wouldn't be surprised if the authorities after the event, just left their new toys there, yet another nibble at our freedom. Talking about Big Brother, swing over to Bambi Basher's post http://bashingbambi.blogspot.com/2014/07/define-irony.html
    just so appropriate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hippo. I never cease to be amazed at the sheer F***wittery in this country. I will have a look at Bambi's blog.

      Hope Alex is feeling better.

      Best wishes from Carol

      Delete
  2. What is happening at Parkhead is just a trial run before Fuhrer Salmond exerts his evil will upon the entire Scottish nation. I have heard there is a move to have all Scots currently living in England repatriated. They will be needed to work in the new Edinburgh rock factories and in haggis production. You will have to wear a hairnet and a nylon housecoat with "Salmond" emblazoned across the back.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That actually sounds scarily true, YP.

    Of course there will be a huge brain drain if all the Scottish people living in England get repatriated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There will be plenty of English people heading home too Mollykins. They will be useful when it's time to clear up the huge Scottish brain drain planned for a little known hamlet called South Cave in East Yorkshire. It will be smelly work. but someone's got to do it.

      Delete
    2. You're a big meanie, YP! Please don't send me back oop there. It's far too cold and wet.

      Delete
    3. Me and my boys we'll round in the dead of night with our flaming torches and pitchforks. If you wear thermal long johns it won't feel so cold and a fashionable plastic mac should keep you dry. You will be able to skype Roberto weekly from the Alex Salmond Leisure Centre if you remember to queue up early.

      Delete
    4. Now you are really scaring me! Roberto doesn't have an effing clue how to Skype.

      Delete
  4. He probably thinks a skype is either a highland reel or a small Hebridean seabird. To "skype" someone also sounds like you're ripping them off. I am sorry if I upset you Molly - all that I said above was purely comical make-believe - so you can sleep easy! I bet that's a relief!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You didn't upset me YP. Don't you worry about me. The nightmares will stop after a few weeks and I'll get over it.

      Delete
  5. Is Vasily a shortening of Vaseline?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you been on the Boddyington's YP?

      Delete
    2. The Boddingtons? Better walking country than The Mendips or The Cheviots but not a patch on The Yorkshire Wolds.

      Delete