ira, the English often applaud an effort that starts badly, bumbles along and then finally picks up some steam and crosses the finish line in the nick of time.

Degas,

Two thoughts come to mind:

Just like WW II

"There will always be an England."

Beautiful response. =D>

A smile?

No doubt ira wore his boater at a jaunty angle.

There are 14 year old and 74 year old women going topless on the beaches and the only ones who gawk are the Americans and the English. Not everyone, of course, goes topless.

As for men, the speedos are moving towards becoming museum relics -- not as fast as I would like them to. But the adolescents are taking to the American board shorts, and the older guys are, thankfully, following suit.

Re: those Speedos.
Don't see those on the natives in our part of New England, although I live on the coast. Many Canadian tourists visit our beaches. The Speedos seem to be the exclusive province of Canadian tourists, who come from a country with many government provided services, such as socialized medicine. So I had always assumed that Speedos were issued once by the government to each male citizen. They are issued to 6 year olds and worn for life. Tell me it's not true!

Degas & Ira! You made me spit wine from my nose, but in a graceful way! Ira, your story far out does my topless in Greece story so I won't even bother. You guys are such a riot! I "applaud" you both! Viva la Gran Britania!

Ira and Degas

That exchange was priceless.

Though I do hope, ira, that your partner was not thinking of England (as in, "lie back and think of England") at the time....:)

Gee, Sue

I forgot to ask.