The Lighter Side: Greetings to my UK and International PMR / GCA Friends on an 'Early May Bank (Public) Holiday' here :-)

[markbenjamin57]

Well, ok ok ok. I've only lived in the UK for 61 years and have grown-up (and old) without ever questioning the reason behind the accepted tradition of the term 'Bank Holiday' here.

So, I Googled the term 'Bank Holiday' and this is a sample of what I got:

'..After a month-long run on American banks, Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed a Bank Holiday, beginning March 6, 1933, that shut-down the banking system. When the banks reopened on March 13, depositors stood in line to return their hoarded cash'.

Next..

'..According to William L. Silber: "The Emergency Banking Act of 1933, passed by Congress on March 9, 1933, three days after FDR declared a nationwide bank holiday, combined with the Federal Reserve's commitment to supply unlimited amounts of currency to reopened banks, created 100 percent deposit insurance'.

And then..

'..The first Monday of May is a Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom. It is called May Day in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is known as the Early May Bank Holiday in Scotland. It probably originated as a Roman festival honoring the beginning of the summer season (in the northern hemisphere)'.

Confused.com? Make what-you-will of the term of 'Bank Holiday' and the traditions behind it. The main thing is that you enjoy them, see them as at least a bit symbolic, and don't get Brain Fog trying to work it all out

For my part: this Bank Holiday I'll be busy moving into the newly refurbished, coastal-facing West Wing of Benjamin Mansions. Much lifting, shifting and humping (no jokes please..). All of this with PMR? But, as you know, I like a Challenge.. Ha!

The most exciting thing is this: my main, Westerly Outlook will be towards THE ATLANTIC OCEAN - and in direct line-of-sight of the Eastern Coast of the USA (if my eyesight were good enough). If I'm correct, there are some suggestions that one of the original 'wire / cable' connections between Europe and the USA was via good-old Weston super Mare too. How cool is that in the Digital Age?!

So, theoretically, I could soon be waving (or blowing proverbial but well-intentioned 'Raspberries' to a few of You Lot in 'Noo Yoyk', 'East Manhaddenn' or Whaadever (please excuse the cheesy send-up of American accents - in fact, I quite like them!) - and vice versa. If so, I'll blame (or better still, thank) You USA PMR / GCA Lot for giving me a couple more days-off from work each year than I would have otherwise enjoyed. I bow with humility..

Ok, that's it, other than to let You Lot know that the infamous Tedski has at last returned with the Limo, all intact and with a cheeky smile on his furry face. Maybe the enigmatic Olesia is having a good influence on him? We'll see..

Keep smiling on the PMR / GCA Journey, and enjoy your weekend wherever you are..

'Uncle' MB

[ConventCassie]

Coastal view!?!! I want to move in!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to ConventCassie]

Ha, Cassie!

I'll put you name down, but you'll have to join a long queue for any kind of residence at Benjamin Towers West Wing because Tedski is a very protective 'Manservant' annd Bodyguard / Personal Security Advisor

[ConventCassie in reply to markbenjamin57]

Oh my!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to ConventCassie]

Well, I'll see what I can do to intervene..

[Marymon]

Me too. Do you think Tedeski would butler for us? won't complain about his insubordination as long as he keeps car and bar running smoothly. So want a seaview.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Marymon]

Yep Mary, but he doesn't come cheap (since I trained him) But he and I are passionate about caring for cars - and their owners.

As for the WSM Sea View... it really is spectacular in all seasons, the sunsets especially. Some pics to come in the next couple of days hopefully.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

When you can see the sea - even with binoculars it can be difficult...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Ha! Ok PMRpro. So the gloves are off. Soon I'll send you / Post here some pics of WSM at its best. Admittedly, the Proper Atlantic is a bit of a distance away. But.. I can just about see it unaided. That reminds me, my annual appointment with Specsavers for an eye test is a bit overdue..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

Sure it isn't a figment of your imagination?

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro, please keep up. You should know by now that I AM and my entire Life are a figment of my imagination!

Back to the Atlantic watching for me.... Yawn... Sleep... Dream...Snore loudly (as usual)...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

I meant the sea - and that at WSM IS real, I've seen it myself. It was right up to the sea wall once...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Yep, and sometimes (e.g. at high tides) over the sea wall

[ConventCassie]

Yes. The bar. Most important.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to ConventCassie]

Of course...!

[Marymon]

Already blotted my copybook with Tedski, as mid spelt his name. Perhaps he will me to mitigate on my faux pas, by saying I have a Russian speaking cousin, who he may meet for cheery glass smashing sessions, so please dear Teddy Bear, would have said in his language, but my phone doesn't have Cyrillic keyboard.

Expect he is tucked up now, night night.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Marymon]

No worry Mary, most people do ;-). Ohh, I once tried to learn Russian (the reason - a long story / adventure for another time) but found it incredibly difficult. Tedski likes the traditional Russian rituals

[Sandradsn]

I want a sea view😠! My son is getting married in June and is moving to WSM ,I think he will have a sea glimpse 😄without a west wing🐠🦀🌅.I used to work in a bank so bank holidays were special 😁have a goodun .

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Sandradsn]

For all the usual jokes about WSM (e.g. the tide goes out 2 miles, only comes in twice per year, etc!) / the North Somerset coast is spectacular in all seasons. I think it's the northerly aspect combined with a lot of light bouncing off the Bristol Channel. They say JMW Turner used to come here to paint the stunning sunsets....

Have a Good Un too!

[Hidden]

Ha Mark, obviously the book is selling well and you are splashing out, so congratulations all-round. However. I have got a few spare marbles if you want them. 🤔

Don't overdo the humping and keep well.🤗

Pete 😀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Second thoughts Mark, they are not spare, I wondered what was wrong with me! 🤔😎

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pete! Well, just waiting for a call from the BBC to ask me to appear on 'Meet The Author' - in my dreams.... As for marbles, no, I keep losing them. As for the humping, better not comment here..!

MB

[Hidden]

What sea is this Mark. I've never seen it at WSM. Assumed it was a large painting on the sands!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Yes Pepperdoggie, it's a bit of a musical hall joke (tide goes out 2 miles / only comes in twice per year, etc). But for all that, the WSM coastline does have some hidden charms - a bit like me?

[Rokerman]

Are you sure you can actually see the sea? I thought Weston had about a mile of sand before you get to the wet stuff?! Good luck with the move and don’t pull any vital muscles........!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Rokerman]

Oh, Paddy, you really should 'sea' it for yourself (ha ha). See my reply to the others here about the unusual coastal conditions.... Thanks for the thumbs-up re. the move. In fact it's only next door in Benjamin Mansions, so quite easy logistically. That said, after some heavy lifting, shifting etc all day (Chippendale furniture, antique Marble Statues, my Beano collection etc..) I'm truly Cream Crackered! Round Two tomorrow, if I'm still alive

[Sho-Sho]

All the best with the move. View sounds great!

[Insight329]

Ohhh, boy...these blue eyes just turned green. Sea view! Sounds lovely! (The closest option I have to a water view is the Missouri River — and they don’t call it ‘Muddy Mo’ for nothing. Ok, that’s not quite fair, it does have some charm. But it’s not the ocean!). How exciting for you!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Insight329]

Thanks Joy. Well, this part of coastal North Somerset UK does have some unique charms as far as the light and skies are concerned (see replies to others here). Yep, this narrow-ish end of the Bristol Channel / Severn Estuary is probably a bit like your Muddy Mo. Not a chocolate-box sea view, but captivating all the same. In the space of 24 hours you can sometimes see all 4 seasons in the sky. I'll try to send some pics when I settle in to the New Wing...

[bunnymom]

I'm waving to you from land locked Illinois. Can you see me? ✋

[markbenjamin57 in reply to bunnymom]

Yep, I think I've got you. Do you look like a seagull..?

[markbenjamin57]

Ohhh, sho-sho confusing....

[Pi1234]

I think Uncle MB you should have my Pi for next weekend in trade for Tedski. He would love for you to walk him and I can keep Tedski behind my sofa for the day. And see if he gets up to mis chief? ???? X

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Pi1234]

Pi...? Surely he / she / it can't be more mischievous than Tedski?