End of the Red Duster ?

[Twister_Ken]

Astonishing number...

...of superyachts are red-dustered, though.

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[tcm]

Duster-wise, if you see an EU flag in the Med it is normally safe to assume that the owner is German who (like many) doesn't want to be German - "We're Bavarian!" Otherwise they are Belgian or Dutch - sick of the flag being mistaken for France/Germany. French boats normally carry no flag which may reduce the likelihood of being stopped for a quick check on whether the sailing taxes have been paid. The only check of this is in the original orange registrstion document - a little ticket is sent by return once you have paid for you to fix in the book, and stamped once inspected.

Just returned back from france, where several shopkeepers who found i was english volunteered that they hate the Euro. I think many people would like an answer to the question posed by John Major in 1997/8 - "What is the destination, the final goal sought by the EU?" Superstate, Federation, what?

I can't help feeling that most of us will live to see some siginifcant falling out of member states. If Germany and France held new referenda, they'd vote against having the euro. Most good ideas look okish from a distance, and once the decision is taken they all work out very well - so that more people will then agree that they should have been more enthusiastic beforehand. This is not the case with the EU.


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[tcm]

Re: Euro in 2004

There is surely not a hope in hell of this? He could have done it in July 1997, not now. Gordon Brown will announce "not quite right again" in April and Blair will sit on his hands as so many around him talk excitedly about Europe cos they love going on aeroplanes and feeling important. One more health scare will see Brown replace Blair, and Brown will gabble himself to a narrow loss in the general election the following year. In power, Howard will increase dole and pension payments but simultaneously reduce their scope, and destaff, a bit. The flat housing market will recover to give a second victory in a 2009 election.

IMHO.


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[Twister_Ken]

The French, the Euro and the 35 hour week

Spent last weekend at Madame's class reunion in rural Burgundy. About 15 assorted French around the table. I heard no criticism of the Euro at all. OTOH they were all whinging about the 35 hour week. Oh, and there were no hard feelings about the rugby, either.

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[AndrewB]

British - or TAX-DODGER?

<<"Ensign is my way of saying I'm British.">>

It doesn't though. There must be getting on for as many foreign yachts with UK registration and flying red ensigns as there are British ones. What it does say, in most parts of the world, is "I'm a tax-dodger".

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: knickers .....

wud ye still hae the auld yin? there's a couple o ma fushing flies in yon which i nivver goat oot ....

ah'm verra pleased tae donate ra fiver. are youse yin o yon charities - age concern maybe? jist fer ra tax, youse ken ....

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[tcm]

Re: The French, the Euro and the 35 hour week

agreed reagrding the rugby. The euro winges are praps more in a business setting. Rememeber, the promise was that EMU members would be powering ahread and overtaking the yanks by now, since (as they said) the yanks have 260 million in their market and the EMU has 340million or so. No chance, ever.

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[neutronstar]

I fly both all the time as a show of respect for both governing bodies that effect us. (European cash has contributed to the building of many marinas in the UK).

The 'flag' should be flown to signify the country of registration and whether the owner (or his representative) is aboard. Many people feel very attached to it as a show of nationality, I could feel more that way if only we had made more of an effort to keep a decent sized merchant fleet !

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[Aja]

Re: End of the Red Duster -no

...but is it legal for other parts of the Great British Empire to fly flags other than the red duster. Dont get me wrong, I sneer at the mess some of the people in Scotland make when cobbling St Andrews flags or Saltires with a red bit (whats it called? fly?)

. of course most of these boats names are 'Brigadoon, Dorus Mhor, Ceilidh Mara' etc.

Donald

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[neutronstar]

Re: End of the Red Duster -no

I know the duster MUST be flown by UK reg. vessels, but the finer pionts of law are an area I try to stay away from as 'the law' thrives on grey areas and conflicting issues.

(how could anyone make much money out of it if it was crystal clear?)

I can't see how someone could reasonably object to both flags flying but PBO recently had evidence that some european officials were fining british vessels for things like defaced blue rags (due to them not being an officially recognised flag !!)

There was even an issue of flying the 'blue and gold' without a national pennant in the top corner !!!

I suppose where on the spot fines are involved its open season, .... shame really.

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[Sybarite]

<< The 'flag' should be flown to signify the country of registration and whether the owner (or his representative) is aboard.>>

This is not necessarily the rule in France. My boat is registered (only) in France but I am not allowed to wear the French tricolour as I am not of French nationality.

John

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[Sybarite]

Re: The French, the Euro and the 35 hour week

<< I heard no criticism of the Euro at all.>>

I would agree with this too. I have heard nobody complaining, just the reverse in fact when people travel and you don't need to bother converting your cash.

The 35 hr week was brought in because the Left asked themselves "What can we promise people that will get us elected? Oh, I know, less work for the same pay..."

Just like the Conservatives (Hague and IDS) " Let's wave the spectre of Europe and losing our beloved Sterling and play on peoples' prejudices..."

John

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[Sybarite]

Re: The French, the Euro and the 35 hour week

Remember the Yanks have had a couple of centuries and a couple of wars to sort out their differences.

(But remember all the criticism that the Euro had when it fell off against the $ three years ago - there is less talk now when it has more than regained its launch rate).

Big business and governments put their money where their mouths are !

John

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[Birdseye]

" Quote from Merchant Navy Association chairman Captain John Sail :-

'It is terrible that they should try to alter such a symbol of British success. The EU has nothing to do with our history of extreme bravery during cinflict' "

I'm astounded. The British merchant fleet almost down to 2 park rowing boats is described as "british Success". And how could the EU have anything to do with the 2nd world war (presumably what he is referring to) since it was born out of that conflict.

IMHO there can be no future for the UK other than as a giant historical theme park if we continue to delude ourselves like this. We're a bit like the old spinster living in the big house and dreaming of her youth in high society. How often, for example, have you read about the NHS being the envy of the world. This is laughable to anyone who has been in hospital almost anywhere in the civilised world.

What matters is the future. Open your eyes, look around, see all the industry going to the far east, see the new inventions / developments coming from elsewhere, see how other countries have long overtaken us in living standards. Lets plan for future success. The Arctic convoys are as relevant today as the Dardanelles campaign or the Boer war

Rant, rant.





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