To round off our enjoyable Christmas holiday we visited Trafalgar Square in central London on Jan 3. The Square is a famous tourist location and landmark which commemorates a famous sea battle in 1805. The British Royal Navy was victorious against the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies, during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815).
Twenty-seven British ships of the line led by Admiral Lord Nelson aboard HMS Victory defeated thirty-three French and Spanish ships of the line under French Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve off the south west coast of Spain, just west of Cape Trafalgar.
We wanted to see the giant Christmas tree which every year. The tree is donated to the people of Britain by the city of Oslo each year since 1947 to thank Britain’s assistance to Norway in World War Two (WW2) & is prominently displayed in Trafalgar Square from the beginning of December until 6 January. Jean was happy to see that the giant Blue Cock still occupied one of the four plinths. We enjoyed the views and watching the various street entertainers too.
As promised many moons ago, here are pictures of the Blue Cock in its full glory atop the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. The sculpture was by a German artist, Katharina Fritsch. Katharina hoped the French were not unduly upset that that a representative of their nationa emblem was in the heart of London
London Mayor Boris Johnson said in his inimitable way “I hope French people will not take it as excessive British chauvinism – but for me it stands for the recent British triumph in the Tour de France, which we have won twice in a row … it is a symbol of French sporting pride, brought like a chicken to London. We have mounted this French cock at the heart of our imperial square.”
The Cock will be in place for 18 months.
Hmm searching for the term ‘Blue Cock’ in Google etc, may yield very interesting results hopefully not a visit from the ‘cyber boys in blue’ (police) 😉
At least, our national hero Admiral Lord Nelson (statue) atop his splendid column is facing the other direction. 😉
This giant blue cockerel looks interesting. I might drag my hubby to go see it this weekend. The last time we were there at Trafalgar Square was last spring. I remember seeing at that time a giant glass bottle with a ship inside it. Oh, I get it now, it was a pun Bottle ship for Battle ship! LMAO!!! appropriate for the Fourth Plinth at Nelson’s Column!!! At that time I thought it was such a kitschy thing. I shall try to dig out photos we took.
By the way, what is the point of having a mayor in London when a simple thing like ensuring respect is accorded a national hero, Nelson, is ignored. He employs thousands in his office, surely someone would have noticed that a French cock against Nelson’s Column is hugely inappropriate. (This sounded rather rude and kinky!!! LMAO)
In todays over politically correct, health & safety conscious Britain and England, what would happen if this parlous state of affairs existed at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar thereby driving our greatest seaman to utter those famous last words. 😉
Nelson: “Order the signal to the fleet, Hardy.”
Hardy: “Aye, aye sir.”
Nelson: ”Hold on this isn’t what I dictated to be sent. What’s the meaning of this?”
Hardy: “Sorry sir?”
Nelson (Reading aloud): “England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability. What gobbledygook is this for Gods sake?”
Hardy: “Admiralty policy, I’m afraid sir. We’re an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil’s own job getting ‘England’ past the censors, lest it be considered racist.”
Nelson: “Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco.”
Hardy: “Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free environments.”
Nelson: “In that case break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main-brace to steel the men before battle”
Hardy: “The rum ration has been abolished Admiral. It’s part of the Governments policy on binge drinking.”
Nelson: “Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we’d better get on with it, full speed ahead.”
Hardy: “I think you will find there is a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water sir.”
Nelson: “Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow’s nest, please.”
Hardy: “That won’t be possible sir.”
Nelson: “What?”
Hardy: “Health and safety have closed the crow’s nest, sir. No harness; and the said that rope ladders don’t meet regulations. They won’t let anyone up there until proper scaffolding has been erected.”
Nelson: “Then get me the ship’s carpenter without delay, Hardy.”
Hardy: “He’s busy knocking up a wheelchair access ramp to the foredeck Admiral.”
Nelson: “Wheelchair access? I’ve never heard anything so absurd.”
Hardy: “Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier free environment for the differently abled.”
Nelson: “Differently abled? I’ve only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn’t rise to the rank of Admiral by playing the disability card.”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under-represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency.”
Nelson: “Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons.”
Hardy: “A couple of problems there too, sir. Health & Safety won’t let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don’t want anyone breathing in too much salt – haven’t you seen the adverts?”
Nelson: “I’ve never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy.”
Hardy: “The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral.”
Nelson: “What? This is mutiny!”
Hardy: “It’s not that, sir. It’s just that they’re afraid of being charged with murder if the actually kill anyone. There a couple of Legal-Aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks.”
Nelson: Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, we’re not?”
Nelson: “We’re not?”
Hardy: “No, sir. The French and Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn’t even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation.”
Nelson: “But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the Devil.”
Hardy: I wouldn’t let the ship’s diversity coordinator hear you saying that sir. You’ll be up on a disciplinary report.”
Nelson: “You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King.”
Hardy: “Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it’s the rules. It could save your life.”
Nelson: “Don’t tell me – Health & Safety. What ever happened to rum, sodomy and the swift lash of the whip?”
Hardy: “As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there is a ban on corporal punishment.”
