A nice recipe and the 'Bacon Sandwich'

First, Happy Birthday to Sarah and John (30 and 33 today). Sarah is in Mexico and has just phoned to tell us that James has proposed to her today! She accepted. John and Ruth, his new wife, would like to be in Mexico but have just bought a house and can't afford holidays for the next 100 years.

One of the joys of having a new daughter in law is that, because she is a vegetarian, we have had to extend our culinary knowledge base. Learn to cook plants. I used to think that the most potent argument against vegetarianism was 'THE BACON SANDWICH' (fanfare and pause for applause). But I have become enlightened and although 'THE BACON SANDWICH' (fanfare) is still a force to be reckoned with there are some very forceful counter arguments in the vegetarian camp. One being the Artichoke! You may stand aghast but try this recipe.....s'good....honest.

Got it from BBC - Sunday Kitchen by Celia Brown

Preparation time less than 30 mins. Cooking time 30 mins to 1 hour

Ingredients
4 large fresh globe artichokes
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, chopped
300g/10oz mixed wild mushrooms, especially morels, chanterelles and ceps, cleaned and chopped into small chunks
2 tsp fresh thyme or lemon thyme leaves
80ml/ 3fl oz vermouth
150g/6oz mascarpone cheese
salt and pepper
25g/1oz pecans, crushed
a handful of flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1 potato, boiled and mashed
olive oil
vinegar
Method1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil for the artichokes. Add a good glug of both vinegar and olive oil to the water and plenty of salt.2. To prepare the artichokes, snap off the stem and slice about a third off the top. Pull out what you can from the middle and use a spoon to scoop out all of the hairy choke. Place in the boiling water and cook until tender, about 30-40 minutes. They are done when a leaf pulled from toward the centre comes away without resistance. Drain upside-down until dry. Preheat the oven to 220C/400F/Gas 6.3. To make the stuffing, melt the butter on moderate heat in a wide frying pan and add the mushrooms, garlic and thyme with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. When they have absorbed the butter and begin to soften, pour in the vermouth and cook, stirring, until it has mostly evaporated. Finally, stir in the mascarpone. Allow it to melt and coat everything with its sweet creaminess.4. Spoon into the middle of the drained artichokes. Sprinkle with crushed pecans and bake for about 10 minutes, until heated through and golden on top. Finish with chopped parsley before serving. When eating, use the leaves of the artichoke to scoop out the creamy filling. Serve on a bed of mashed potato.

I found that the artichokes go black after cutting unless you coat them with lemon juice. I also put lemon juice in the water to boil the artichokes instead of vinegar.

Enjoy! I served it to Ruth (daughter in law) and her Mum (Jean) and they survived!!

Back to the 'BACON SANDWICH' (fanfare and wild adoration).

In April the BBC reported that scientists (from Leeds University) had, apparently, created a mathematical formula of how to make the perfect bacon butty and discovered the secret to the ideal sandwich lay in how crispy and crunchy rashers were.
They found that two or three back bacon rashers should be cooked under a preheated oven grill for seven minutes at about 240C (475F).
The bacon should then be placed between two slices of farmhouse bread, 1cm to 2cm thick.

Four researchers at the Department of Food Science spent more than 1,000 hours testing 700 variations on the traditional bacon sandwich (You see they are not a University just to waste their time!!).

They tried different types and cuts of bacon, cooking techniques, types of oil and a range of cooking times at different temperatures.

A shortlist was then tested with computers to measure the texture of each sandwich.

Fifty volunteers also judged each sandwich according to its taste, texture and flavour.

Dr Graham Clayton, who led the research, said: "Our research proves that texture and the crunching sound is important. While there was much debate within our taste panels on the smoked or unsmoked decision, everyone agreed that tough or chewy bacon is a turn-off."

The formula is: N = C + {fb (cm) . fb (tc)} + fb (Ts) + fc . ta, where N=force in Newtons required to break the cooked bacon, fb=function of the bacon type, fc=function of the condiment/filling effect, Ts=serving temperature, tc=cooking time, ta=time or duration of application of condiment/filling, cm=cooking method, C=Newtons required to break uncooked bacon.

I could have told them that

New Prime Minister today!!! S'funny I don't feel any different. Thought it was an impressive first speech outside Number 10. New Politics eh! I like that idea, let's see if it works. Pity Paddy Ashdown didn't see it that way. Best men/women for the job despite party boundaries -sounds good to me.

Oh yes the Artichoke recipe - next time.

Weekend away

Having returned from a productive weekend with the Flat Four Players I weighed myself to find I have lost 2lbs more. (14st 10lbs). I always loose weight over these weekends, must be the food or exercise.

Back home and John and Ruth have bought a house (hooray!), haven't seen it yet but apparently has all original features (Victorian, mid terrace) and nice garden with off road parking. Not far from the River Thames. So that's both John and Sarah settled (for a while anyway).

I'm working on a research project currently about the use of HDOT (High density Oxygen Therapy) as an adjunct to rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. I was amazed to learn that I had to get authorisation from the MRHA (Medical Health Regulating Authority) as well as normal ethical research approval. Apparently Medical Liquid Oxygen is considered a 'drug' as it is listed in the British National Formulary. It's odd that the gas we are going to use (high oxygen content, though it is) is considerd Prescription only Medicine, when Divers use Oxygen mixed with Nitrox without a prescription. Anyway, I've queried that with the MRHA and we'll see what they have to say. I sent off all the appropriate forms today and I have 20 days to wait for authorisation so I'll keep you posted. I mean I'll keep me posted because I don't believe any else reads this. But as I wrote earlier this blog is for me to keep some sort of order in my thoughts and not really for anyone else.



Working with my patients today and discussing their previous treatment. I am constantly amazed at the lack of information they are given by their surgeons (or medical staff) prior to, or post elective surgery. Nearly all the patients tell me how surprised they are at their lack of progress (before attending our unit of course) and didn't anticipate the weakness, lack of range of movement or lack of co-ordination they would experience post surgery. Go to surgery get fixed then I'll be OK. Well no, that's not how it works. You loose muscle bulk, strength and stability. There's scar tissue and wounds and pain and ....stuff!!!! Why don't the surgeons tell them this. It takes time for the body to heal for goodness sake.



Sorry going on a bit. Just that it's one of my pet frustrations. Another one is Bookshops that put price stickers over either the title or the dustjacket notes of a book you want to buy. STOP DOING IT!!
Ah well, back to work, see you.

Oh yes. I've got a great recipe for artichokes with a mushroom and vermouth filling. I'll put it in next time.

Waterloo

Today, 192 years ago, the Battle of Waterloo was fought in an area of just 3 miles east to west and 1.5 miles north to south. The opening battery commenced at about 11.25 hours and the battle was won by 22.00 hours. Wellington's army was 68,000 strong and Napoleon had 72,000. The Allied army is positoned on the north ridge sheltered, in the main, on a reverse slope sheltered from canon shot. 'Hedges of considerable size protect part of the British front, and the position is made stronger by the possession of three fortified points, the chateau, farm and woods of Hougoumont, the farm of La Haye Sainte, and the villages of Papelotte, La Haye and Frischermont'

The first attack, by the French, is on the Allied right directed at Hougoumont Farm and Chateau. Hougoumont is the western most outpost of Wellington's line and so important to keep to prevent his army being outflanked. First intended to be a feint to draw Wellington's strength from his centre the battle for Hougoumont lasts all day with an escalating amount of 10,000 French thown against the 2,500 defenders. It is never taken. Napoleon directs General D'Erlon against the Allied centre. He learns that Grouchy has not prevented the Prussians from marching to join Wellington. He deploys his reserves to guard his right flank against the Prussian threat. The farm of La Haye Sainte is taken at 5.pm. 'Of the original 678 men who had been garrisoned at La Haie Sainte only 42 managed to escape alive. Now the centre of the allied line was completely exposed to French attack.'

D'Erlon attacks the Allied right centre with 4 Divisions, Cavalry and Artillery. The action is saved by the heroic charge of the Household Brigade (English Cavalry) which sweep into the French lines. They attack the artillery but with their horses blown they cannot return and are destroyed by the French Lancers. 2,500 horsemen sustaining 1,000 casualties. But the main French attack is repulsed. The British position is desperate with fighting all along the line. Marshall Ney thinks the British are defeated and are retreating and attacks with massed cavalry unsupported by infantry or artillery only to find that the British have formed squares which repulse the attack. He attacks 12 times. The squares hold and this, arguably, proves the decisive phase of the battle.'Apparently towards the end everyone was so tired, the cavalry and the men in the squares merely stood and stared impotently at each other.' 4 p.m. and the Prussians are in site. They capture the village of Plancenoit on the French right. 2 battallions of the Old Guard repulse them stabilising the French position. Ney wears down the British centre by a series of co-ordinated attacks and begs Napoleon for fresh troops to finish the job. Napoleon delays for 30 minutes until 7 p.m. by which time Wellington has shored up the centre. The Old Guard are sent into battle. They have never been defeated. They are met by the resolute firepower of the Brigade of Guards. The Old Guard waver and retreat. Wellington, seeing this, orders the advance 'Now Maitland, now is your time!' The whole British line moves forward. The French are broken. Napoleon flees the field. Thousands of French are cut down. 47,000 are dead and injured on both sides.

'The ditches around Hougoumont were choked with bodies, and huge piles of corpses marked the area where the French cavalry had been cut down, and one could see the position of the 27th's square by the dead, still lying in that formation. Worse than that was the condition of the wounded, many of whom lay three days before being treated. Parties of Belgian scavengers toured the field, murdering and robbing the wounded; looters from both Allied armies scoured the area, stripping the dead and living alike. Over the whole field arose a continuous moan . Those who saw it acknowledged that the most sickening sight of all was in the Hougoumont enclosure, where a barn had been set alight, burning to death the scores of wounded, both French and British, who had been placed there.'

This is a much simplified account of my limited understanding of the Battle.

I urge anyone interest in the Battle to read 'Waterloo, A Near Run Thing' by David Howard. One of the most enthralling books I have read.

Some of my account is taken from: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~awoodley/regency/waterloo.html an excellent site dedicated to the Regency period. I urge anyone interested in this period to visit this comprehensive resource.

Saturday and Sunday

Lazy Sunday. Visited Benson Antiques and bought a photo frame. Cut lawn and sat in the garden enjoying the sun. 25 years since the Falklands War (I was at Akrotiri at that time) and there is a poignant reminder on the television. I can't remember much of what went on as it is all so remote now. I wonder if there will be similar commemoration of the Iraq conflict in 25 years. Somehow I doubt it. Tony Blair has only a few more days in power. What wasted potential. I hope Gordon Brown fares better. Heaven save us from the Conservatives. At least Dallaglio is back in the Englan fold (hoorah!). We might just get to the quarters! What price beating the Welsh on 4 August?
Saturday was spent in Oxford. There can be few things as pleasant as sitting in one of the old coffee houses in Oxford watching the tourists and students. Lots of activity with students wearing their examination robes cavorting, covered in food and paint and stuff, I guess to celebrate the end of term or at least exams. Parents loading cars down by Lincoln College. I enjoyed watching the kids enjoying life. Good for them. It is too easy to criticise 'the young generation'. In these students I saw hope and enthusiasm.

Then back home for a walk by the Thames (Goring Lock).






16/17 June 1815. Napoleon needed to swing from his engagement with Blucher and attack Wellington from the east. There had been a mix up with Comte d'Erlon's corp marching uselessly between Quatre Bras and Ligny. D'Erlon was now back under command and Napoleon should have attacked Wellington to prevent them withdrawing toward Mont St Jean. The Emperor did not sieze the chance and Ney did not hold the allies allowing a retreat northwards. The Prussians retreated to the north west to Wavre pursued by Grouchy. Napoleon wanted Blucher harried so that he could not join with Wellington but, in fact, with Grouchy hesitating at Gembloux, Blucher was nearer to Wellington than the two french armies were to each other..

Mercer was involved in fighting a 13 km rearguard from Quatre Bras. The weather had been characterised by thunder and heavy rain.

'The first gun that was fired seemed to burst the clouds overhead, for its report was instantly followed by an awful clap of thunder, and lightning that almost blinded us, whilst the rain came down as if a waterspout had broken over us. The sublimity of the scene was inconceivable. Flash succeeded flash, and peels of thunder were long and tremendous; whilst, as if in mockery of the elements, the French guns still sent forth their feebler glare and now scarcely audible reports - their cavalry dashing on at a headlong pace, adding their shouts to the uproar.We galloped through the storm for our lives.'

The retreat came to an end at the when the rearguard reached the low ridge running east to west across the road to Brussels. This is where the final stand would be made.

'The enemy finding us obstinate in maintaining our position, soon slackened, and then ceased firing altogether.; and we were immediately ordered to do the same, and establish ourselves in bivouac for the night'
The soldiers of all three armies would start the fight next day in a state of sodden cold, caked with mud and starving hungry.

Mercer writes 'Thoroughly wet - cloak, blankets and all - comfort was out of the question, so we prepared to make the best of it. Our first care was, of course, the horses......thus they,at least had plenty to eat.....For ourselves, we had nothing! absolutely nothing! - and looked forward to rest alone to restore our exhausted strength. Rather a bore going supperless to bed after such a day, yet there was no help for it.....We set up a small tent into which...we crept, and rolling ourselves into our wet blankets, huddled close together, in hope....of keeping each other warm....There was no possibility of sleeping...water pouring through the canvas in streams...so up I got and to my infinite joy found that some of the men had managed to maked a couple of fires, round which they were huddled smoking their short pipes in something like comfort'

At this point Mercer and a fellow Captain borrow a few sticks off the fires and light their own under a hedge sheltered by an umbrella ('which, by the way, had afforded some merriment to our people on the march'). They 'seated ourselves under it, he on one side of the stick and I on the other, we lighted our cigars and became - comfortable. Dear weed, what comfort, what consolation dost thou not impart to the wretched! - with thee a hovel becomes a palace. What stock of patience is ther not enveloped in one of thy brown leaves!

A Hanoverian soldier passes by and they offer him warmth by the fire. In return he gives them 'a poor half starved chicken. 'I got a leg for my share, but it was not one mouthful and this was the only food I tasted since the night before.

Despite what the Blog says I'm writing this on the morning of 16th of June

192 year ago the Battle of Quatre Bras started at 13.30 hours.

It is named after a hamlet in Brabant, Belgium, 32 km/20 mi southeast of Brussels.
The Emperor’s plan was to advance in three columns. The centre and right columns would attack the Prussian army, while Marshal Ney, commanding the left column, was to seize the Quatre Bras crossroads to prevent Wellington coming to Blücher’s assistance. Ney would then attack the Prussians in the rear completing the destruction of Blücher’s army.
Napoleon expected Ney to occupy the Quatre Bras cross-roads during the afternoon of the 15th June 1815. Ney failed to do so. A squadron of Polish lancers from Ney’s Corps reconnoitred the cross-roads, finding it unoccupied, but withdrew. Soon after the departure of the lancers, one of Wellington‘s officers, the Prince of Saxe-Weimar, arrived at Quatre Bras with a small force of infantry and some guns. Recognising the importance of the cross-roads Saxe-Weimar remained there.
During the night of 15th June 1815, Napoleon formulated his plan of attack on the Prussian army which was forming up around Ligny in Napoleon’s line of advance. Napoleon re-emphasised to Ney the importance of seizing the Quatre Bras cross-roads the next day.
In the morning the French army began its attack on the Prussian positions around Ligny. If Ney complied with his orders he would take the cross-roads and then launch a devastating attack on the rear of the Prussian right wing at the point when Blücher’s men would be fully committed dealing with the heavy French frontal assaults.
In spite of his instructions, Ney failed to act with urgency and it was not until late morning that he began his move on the cross-roads. By this time a substantial number of allied units had arrived from the Brussels area. Ney found himself unable to make any headway against the troops holding Quatre Bras. The fighting continued for the rest of the day. At one point Ney launched a charge by a brigade of Kellerman’s cuirassiers. The British 69th, 30th and 33rd Regiments of Foot were swept aside in the assault, suffering significant casualties, but in turn the French cuirassiers, unsupported, were repelled and retreated in confusion taking much of Ney’s force with them. The struggle was long and desperate and had Ney attacked earlier and with vigour he might have won. Trusting to his superiority in cavalry and artillery the French leader hurled his full force against the British battalions, each of which in turn bore the shock of an army. So furious was the assault that the Cuirassiers rode upon the solid lines of bayonets with shouts of "Down with the English! No Quarter!". Picton's division coming on to the field in hot haste found the Belgians retiring in confusion before the enemy. Without halt or pause the Black Watch dashed forward to the rescue, forcing a path through a field of rye that rose to the tops of their bonnets. The French were checked, but the gallant highlanders had pushed on too far, and mistaking the French Lancers for Brunswickers, were attacked, few escaping death or wounds. Rallying they formed in line with other regiments to receive and to repulse another charge of Cuirassiers who fell upon their shattered ranks with heavy horse and steel armour. The fight had lasted an hour before Wellington came upon the scene and ordered the Gordons to charge and Ney was unable to secure the position on which so much depended. Wellington's advantage, dearly bought, had to be abandoned. Blucher had fallen back and Wellington had no choice but to follow in order that the allies might no longer be exposed to separate attack.

Ney was unable to take Quatre Bras and his attack deprived Napoleon of a significant force that would have enabled him to defeat the Prussians conclusively, thereby preventing them from taking any part in the Battle of Waterloo.

Size of the armies: Approximately 25,000 allied troops against 24,000 French troops.

Casualties: 4,700 allied casualties against 4,300 in Ney’s force.

At Ligny on the same day (about 7 miles from Quatre Bras) Prussian Field Marshall Blucher with 84,000 men faced Napoleon with 64,000 men. The Prussian's held onto the line of the Ligny Brook for most of the afternoon until they eventually broke under a final attack by the Guard. Because their retreat was not cut off by Ney who was still at Quatre Bras, the Prussian's retreated northwards and were able to intervene, decisively, at Waterloo.

Reference: http://www.britishbattles.com/waterloo/waterloo-june-1815.htm and http://www.britishbattles.com/waterloo/quatre-bras.htm

Costello (who was a real life example of one of Sharpe's 'Chosen men') was at he rear of the Battle of Quatre Bras having arrived, with his Company, about 3 pm.

"It is curious to observe the confusion and uproar that generally exists in the rear of an army in battle, while all in front is order and regularity. Many people imagine the reverse. This, however, is generally to be imputed to the soldiers' wives and camp followers of all descriptions, who crowd in great numbers, making inquiries after their husbands, friends, &c., for whom they generally are prepared with liquors and other refreshments, I had no such ties, save my comrades, who now were too busily occupied watching their enemies, and with their own personal considerations, to have either time or opportunity to inquire after mine. The crowds of carts, horses, &C~ which thickly thronged the roadway, were greeted on all sides by anxious faces and earnest inquiries. But now and then as one of the vehicles hurried along, a burst of laughter hailed it, and indeed, it seemed to bear a load of a more enlivening nature than that which characterised the others. My sound legs, for my arm only was wounded and hung suspended in a sling, enabled me to approach the cart and scrutinise its contents. My surprise was soon dissipated, and wounds almost forgotten, in the merry features of my old friend, Josh Hetherington, who, having received a flesh wound in the leg. was now being borne to the hospital with other fellow sufferers."
The wives and camp followers were willing to approach close to the battle lines in order to ensure the safety of their men. Costello had just found one woman dead with her son beside her, killed by a stray bullet.

He descibed another incident:

"We remained very quietly where we were until the French brought up some artillery, and began riddling the house with round shot. Feeling rather thirsty, I asked a young woman in the place for a little water. She was handing it to me, when a cannon ball passed through the building, knocking the dust about our ears. Strange to say, the girl appeared less alarmed than myself."

Refrence:Rifleman Costello: The Adventures of a Soldier of the 95th Rifles in the Peninsular & Waterloo Campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars. Edward Costello. ISBN: 1846770009

Also an excellent website and reference guide to all things from the Regency period : http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~awoodley/Regency.html

Bluebells on 15th June 07

Still 14 st 12lbs. But that's O.K. I can be patient.

I inspected my garden this morning and was surprised to find (this is June for pities sake) a bunch of bluebells emerging. English Bluebells! The bulbs were given to me as a Christmas Present and I planted them in March and here they are!! They were not supposed to come up 'til next year. How lovely. Other than that our small cottage garden is quite lush (nice word that). It changes from blue to red/pink to white/ yellow as the year progresses. The orange blossom is wondefully aromatic and the honeysuckle, blossoming now, promises as much. The coriander is flowering and it will soon be time to harvest the seeds for cooking. In fact all the herbs are doing well this year (thyme, hissop, rosemary, sage, three kinds of mint, fennel, angelica, parsely and chives). I thought I might make a 'Victorian' herb garden but it would be really too formal for this tiny plot.

The village and surrounding area looks 'lush' (that word again).

That's not my place by the way, I just work there. Took it this morning.


Edward Costello was a soldier in the 95th Rifles. He recalls this day in 1815 the day before Quatre Bras.

'On the 15th of June, as I retired to bed, at the hour of eleven o'clock at night, I heard bugles sounding and drums beating through different parts of the city. Equipping myself as quickly as possible, and entering the marketplace, I found the whole of our division assembling. I then belonged to the 5th division, under the command of General Sir Thomas Picton. Being orderly non-commissioned officer of the company at the time, I received orders to draw three days' rations for the men; the chief part of this was left behind, as none but old soldiers knew its value, or felt inclined to take part with them; some of the men, however, cursed their hard fate for not taking away a portion. All things arranged, we passed the gates of Brussels, and descended the wood of Soignies, that leads to the little village of Waterloo. It was the 16th-a beautiful summer morning - the sun slowly rising above the horizon and peeping through the trees, while our men were as merry as crickets, laughing and joking with each other, and at times pondered in their minds what all this fuss, as they called it, could be about; for even the old soldiers could not believe the enemy were so near. We halted at the verge of the wood, on the left of the road, behind the village of Waterloo, where we remained for some hours; the recruits lay down to sleep, while the old soldiers comrnenced cooking. I could not help noticing, while we remained here, the birds in full chorus straining their little throats as if to arouse the spirits of the men to flesh vigour for the bloody conflict they were about to engage in. Alas! how many of our brave companions, ere that sun set, were no more! '



The Black Watch (The 42nd Highlanders).

On the 15th of June some of the officers and soldiers from the 42nd performed at the Duchess of Richmond's Waterloo Ball in Brussels whilst the rest of the regiments prepared themselves for battle. Then news reached Wellington that Napoleon's armies were marching through France. In the early hours of the 16th of June the 42nd left almost immediately with many of the officers still in their white dress knee-breeches to confront Napoleon, marching to the tune of "Hieland Laddie". After a gruelling journey in full marching order the 42nd arrived near to the French/ Belgium border at Quartre Bras by the Charleroi Road at about 3pm on the 16th of June and entered a 5 hour battle .

Interesting Developments

Weight update - 14 stone and 12 lbs (goin' the right way)

This Weekend:
John and Ruth visited, back from honeymoon. Both looked fit and well and seemed to have had a great time in the Peak District. Sarah had been to a ball at theOxford Golf Club. Interesting people my children and their partners. John is off to Amsterdam for a conference whilst Sarah is preparing to jet off to Mexico. But enough of that.

There was a programme about Wimpole Hall on TV last night. A friend of mine, Jenny Armstrong, works there on a voluntary basis. I mention Wimpole Hall because I once visited and found a contemporary map of the Battle of Waterloo in one of the rooms. Also, coincidentally, I visited Mont St John and climbed the Lion Mound Monument with Jenny and some other friends (Ian and Gillian, Derek and John). So I spent a fruitless hour watching hoping to see her. No luck. Then guitar practice - not much progress there. Well at least the weight is going the right way.

Oh yes, and my long lost half sister (Dawne) tried to contact me through Genes Re-United. I don't usually check my messages left there. I even found a message from Sarah left for me in 2003 which I hadn't opened. Cheeky young thing asked to borrow a fiver!!! I wonder what that is worth with 4 years of inflation.

Nearly Waterloo......I wonder what Wellington's 'infamous army' was thinking about now. Napoleon had sacked Europe for about 18 years and then about 1 year before Waterloo he had been defeated and exiled to Elba. The British had lived in fear of invasion for all that time and then suddenly they were safe. What must they have felt to hear that Napoleon had not only escaped, in March, but had, in record time, raised an army and regained power in France? There was no choice but to raise an Army and defeat him again. Europe united against him with armies from Germany, Russia, Austria, Prussia, Holland and the British. However, Napoleon moved with such speed to the Belgian border that only two armies, spread over a wide front, could move to meet him in time. Wellington's command was a mixture of 1/3 British, with the rest Dutch, Belgians and Germans. The other army were the Prussians under Marshall Blucher.

Napoleon having raised an army in northern France moved to divide the two armies and destroy them piecemeal. On 15 June the Armee Du Nord, which had collected in secrecy on the Belgian border crossed and thus began the Waterloo Campaign. As Napoleon advanced Wellington and Blucher were off guard. Wellington was writing a despatch to the Czar of Russia saying that he intended to take the offensive at the end of the month and Blucher was writing to his wife saying that 'we shall soon enter France. We might remain here for another year, for Bonaparte will never attack us'. Napoleon gathered 124,000 men almost within cannon shot of the allied outpost unsuspected

On 16 June he attacked both armies simultaneously, and defeated, the Prussians at Ligny whilst Marshall Ney attacked Wellington at Quatre Bras. Wellington held against Napoleon's Second in Command and withdrew to the ridge Mont St Jean near the village of Waterloo.

So Blucher retreats towards Wavre with 30,000 troops of Marshall Grouchy in pursuit. Napoleon moves to face Wellington. His army is divided - ironically the very state he sought to inflict on the allies.

Mercer's Battery (The Horse Artillery 'G' Troop was made up of 80 gunners and 84 drivers who drove 226 horses) formed part of the rearguard in the retreat to Waterloo from Quatre Bras. Thunder rolling over their heads and the French Cavalry charging their rear. He records being given the order to cover the retreat by Major M'Donald....'The Major looked rather conscience stricken as he made this avowal,so, to relieve him I begged he would give the devil his due and me mine. Accordingly all the others marched off.........just at this moment an amazing outcry arose amongst the infantry at he farm, who were running towards us in a confused mass, shouting and bellowing, jostling and pushing each other. I was sure that the enemies cavalry had made a dash amongst them, especially as the fire of the skirmishers became thicker and apparently nearer, when the whole thing was explained by a large pig, squealing as if already stuck, bursting from the throng by which he was beset in all directions. Some struck at him with axes, other with butts of their muskets, other stabbed at him with bayonets. The chase would have been amusing had it not been so brutal: and I have seldom experienced greater horror than I did on this occasion when the poor brute, staggering from the repeated blows...was at last brought to the ground by at least half a dozen bayonets plunged into him at once.

All this time the retreat was going on very quietly.....I had ample leisure to contemplate the scene of desolation around me, so stangely at varyance with the otherwise smiling landscape. Everywhere momentoes 0f yesterdays bloody struggle....the corn trampled down...plentifully sprinkled with the bodies of the slain ...... just in front of the farm of Quatre Bras there was a fearful scene of slaughter-Highlanders and cuirassiers lying thickly strewn about..................As I pushed through the thickets my horse, suddenly coming to a stand, began to snort, and showed unequivical symptoms of fear. I drove him on, however, but started myself when I saw, lying under a bush the body of a man stripped naked. This victim of war was a youth of fair form, skin delicately white, and face but a little darker, an embryo moustache decorated the upper lip and his countenance, even in death was beautiful. That he was French I conjectured... Seldom have I experienced such despondency, such heart sinking, as when standing over this handsome form thus despoiled and neglected, and about to become a prey to wolves and carrion crows-the darling of some fond mother, the adored of some fair maid.'

I've just found another blog interested in a movie of 'Waterloo' at http://jcminiatures.blogspot.com/2007/01/happy-new-year-waterloo-movie.html

'References:

Waterloo. A Near Run Thing. David Howarth. 2003. Windrush Press

The Battle. Alessandro Barbero. 2003. Atlantic Books

Wellington's Men. W H Fitchett . 1900. Smith Elder and Co

Wet day in Thame and other musings

Backtracking a bit.

A wet Bank Holiday Monday in Thame. James and Sarah have made a splendid decision to move to Number 31. A bigger house, closer to the town centre and 5 minutes walk to Sarah's place of work. Such a quiet area too. Just an old people's home at the end of the road so just the sound of wheelchairs and zimmer frames to disturb the tranquil air. We went for tea and cakes and had a lovely day. Didn't see Charlie the cat though. Hiding in splendid isolation in the bedroom. Well that was then.



Now is the end of a frantic week at work. Oh yes, the weight! It is my considered opinion that the scales are malfunctioning. How could I have put on 1lb? I have been trying, but I am ashamed to say that a night at 'Masooms' has undone me. This splendid Indian restaurant in Goring has the preternatural quality of making your eyes think that your stomach can absorb far more than it is physically capable. I shall avoid it (for the time being).

The guitar practice continues.

As it is nearly 18 June I thought it appropriate to re-read some accounts of the Waterloo Campaign. The Battle took place on the 18 June 1815 and the account of the battle by Captain Alexander Cavalie Mercer is, in my opinion, worthy of note. It might be considered as an excellent basis of a film about the Battle. The only previous film I know of is 'Waterloo' a Soviet-Italian film (1970), directed by Sergei Bondarchuk. It was the story of the preliminary events and the Battle of Waterloo, and was famous for its epic battle scenes.
It starred Rod Steiger (Napoleon Bonaparte), Christopher Plummer ( Duke of Wellington) with Orson Welles (Louis XVIII of France), Jack Hawkins as General Picton, Virginia McKenna as the Duchess of Richmond and Dan O'Herlihy as Marshal Ney.

But it is too epic and misses the intimate nature of the conflict.

The film I propose could be called 'Mercer's Campaign' (that's my working title). Mercer's account of the part his troop played in the Waterloo campaign is entitled "Journal of the Waterloo Campaign" published in 1870 after his death. Born 1783, the son of a General in the Royal Engineers. Commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1799. Promoted Captain 1806. He commanded G Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Waterloo. He eventually achieved the rank of Major General in 1854. Retired to Cowley Hill near Exeter. Died 1868. The film would be a far more personal account of the Battle. Mercer's prose is evocative, exciting and ultimately moving.

"The cavalry column now once more mounted the plateau. On they came in compact squadrons, one behind the other, so numerous that those at the rear were still below the brow when the head of the column was but at some sixty to seventy yards from our guns. Their pace was a slow steady trot. None of your furious galloping charges was this, but a deliberate advance, at a deliberate pace, as of men resolved to carry their point. They moved in profound silence, and the only sound which could be heard from them amidst the incessant roar of battle was the low thunder-like reverberation of the ground beneath the simultaneous tread of so many horses. On our part was equal deliberation. Every man stood steadily at his post, the guns ready, loaded with a round shot first and a case shot over it; the tubes were in the vents; the portfires glared and sputtered behind the wheels; and my word alone was wanted to hurl destruction on that goodly show of gallant men and noble horses. I delayed this, for experience had given me confidence. The Brunswickers partook of this feeling, and with their squares much reduced in size - well closed, stood firmly, with arms at the recover, and eyes fixed on us, ready to commence their fire with our first discharge. It was indeed a grand and imposing spectacle! The column was led on this time by an officer in a rich uniform, his breast covered with decorations, whose earnest gesticulations were strangely contrasted with the solemn demeanour of those to whom they were addressed. I thus allowed them to advance unmolested until the head of the column might have been about fifty or sixty yards from us, and then gave the word "Fire!" The effect was terrible. Nearly the whole leading rank fell at once; and the round shot, penetrating the column carried confusion throughout its extent. The ground, already encumbered with the victims of the first struggle, became now almost impassable. Still, however, these devoted warriors struggled on, intent only on reaching us. The thing was impossible. Our guns were served with astonishing activity, whilst the running fire of the two squares was maintained with spirit. Those who pushed forward over the heaps of carcasses of men and horses gained but a few paces in advance, there to fall in their turn and add to the difficulties of those succeeding them. The discharge of every gun was followed by a fall of men and horses like that of grass before a mower's scythe. When the horse alone was killed, we could see the cuirassiers divesting themselves of the encumbrance and making their escape on foot. Still, for a moment, the confused mass (for all order was at an end) stood before us, vainly trying to urge their horses over the obstacles presented by their fallen comrades, in obedience to the now loud and rapid vociferations of him who had led on and remained unhurt. As before, many cleared everything and rode through us; many came plunging forward only to fall, man and horse, close to the muzzles of our guns."




This is the only portrait of him I could find. Casting? How about David Tennant!

Today is a good day

Weight down to 15 stone 0 lbs (ha!)

Thank you for the days
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me
I'm thinking of the day
I won't forget a single day believe me
I bless the light
I bless the light that lights on you believe me
And though you're gone
You're with me every single day believe me

Days I'll remember all my life
Days when you can't see wrong from right
You took my life
But then I knew that very soon you'd leave me
But it's alright
Now I'm not frightened of this world believe me
I wish today could be tomorrow
The night is long
It just brings sorrow let it wait
Thank you for the days
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me
I'm thinking of the days
I won't forget a single day believe me
Days I'll remember all my life
Days when you can't see wrong from right
You took my life
But then I knew that very soon you'd leave me
But it's alright
Now I'm not frightened of this world believe me
Days, Thank you for the days
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me
I'm thinking of the days
I won't forget a single day believe me
I bless the light
I bless the light that lights on you believe me
And though you're gone
You're with me every single day believe me

Days

The Weekend and A Plan

I had a short week at work resulting from the pain and exhaustion of marrying off a son and the trauma of visiting my daughters new house. O.K. so neither was painful, exhausting or traumatic but I still deserved not to go into work. So on Thursday I went to see 'Billy Elliot' and what a great story, and music, dancing and acting. Friday off to Dorset and the deserted village of Tyneham. Like 'Billy Elliot' the village of Tyneham is about the destruction of a community by our Government. Two thoughts a). Tyneham should have been given back to the villagers as promised by Winston Churchill and b). The guilty pleasure of visiting somewhere so unspoiled (because no body lives there).

Returned home last night to watch Dr Who (don't know why as the current one has little to recommend it) although a friend of mine would possibly disagree because of the casting. Today, Sunday, visited Dad in Birmingham. Lots of repeated conversations, cleaning, washing, cooking and bad neck (pain +++). Got to get this fixed soon.

Oh the plan, try to keep a diary. Just write. Never managed it before. I feel I want to write something. 'We've all got a book in us'!! Well I want to get it out. Perhaps I can do it by just writing thoughts and eventually something will happen. The next J.K.Rowling! Diary of a nobody.

The other plan is to loose weight, which I have to do now it's on the web.

15 stone 4 lbs (I mean you only have to look at the photo's, and 54 yrs of age). Perhaps I should want a 25 year old woman, a sports car or motor bike. All I want to do is get to 13 stone and learn to play 'Days' on the guitar ( Kirsty MacColl's music dates me doesn't it ) and write a book.

What about?

I know about Physiotherapy, Hyperbaric Chambers, Traumatic Brain Injury, The battle of Waterloo, Acting and I'm learning to cook. You know this may be boring to read but I'm feeling happier already, so there.