The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome all to the new pub. Hopefully the traditions from the last 606 will continue here in our new home. The only new rule I have really is, see that Tommy Bowe signed picture there above the bar? If anyone defaces that, they're barred. There'll be banter, indepth discussion, some rambling but above all mutual respect as always. It all looks very swish, but we still serve traditional beverages and food. So what'll it be?

Oh if you have any complaints by the way, don't look at me - speak to rugbydreamer cause she's a mod!





Now to fire up the jukebox...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98W9QuMq-2k

Fair enough on your part as you say Munsty. I'm sure they understand really.

Meh. Come back when the democratically elected Irish President meets the democratically elected British President. Then I'll get excited.

The only real interest of this trip is the increased traffic congestion as a result of faux bomb threats.

Whatever happens in British democracy is not really anything to do with me Notch but as someone who comes from the Republic of Ireland, I see this as a massive step in the right direction. To get to the stage where this has happened and after so long, 100 years, is a big thing.

This song has to be sung on the weekend::!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siQtzrI5w88

Well, I'm pleased about it. But really it's a bit of a hassle with all the security alerts.

Mary McAleese is the best thing to come out of Belfast since Humphreys left boot, mind you. The amount of work she's done to make this happen is amazing, as is the amount of work her and her husband have put into the peace process.

I just do not, and will not, ever have any respect for any unelected head of state.

Ah Prop. I think I can just about listen to that song by next Paddys day after hearing it so many times this past one.

Notch,

People will forget about the traffic hassles in a few days or weeks but it will be a long time before they forget this momentous occasion.

Mary McAleese is a fantastic head of state. While I'm not too happy with the Taoiseach, I doubt I could be happier with her. She does an awful lot of unseen work and seems to be really proud to be Irish.

I don't agree with a divine right to lead a country because of the family you're born into but I do respect the Queen as a person as I think she puts a great face to the country and upholds its reputation.

That's a bit of an overstatement surely? There's probably quite a lot of people who couldn't care less. I'm proud to be Irish but I don't really care about this.

This is quite a lot less important in the relationship between Ireland and Britain than the loan from the British Exchequer. This is just the formalities of a relationship between two countries that's been normal for a long, long time. Since the mid-nineties. Nothing's changed. It's just a nice ceremony for the media.

Typical! The night before The Big Weekend, I try a new moisturiser and get an allergic reaction. Blotchy face now

I admit that maybe I might have gone a little too far but I think you might have gone the other way.

It might not mean much to you or a lot of other people but for me and also a lot of other people there was something terribly wrong about the idea of the Head of State of our neighbours and strongest companions in the world not having visited since our Independence.

Anyway I've washed it off and taken an antihestamine. Off to bed now. See you all tomorrow some in person!

Went to the International Slavery Museum today in Liverpool. Very interesting stuff, especially the photography exhibition on Apartheid. What was most fascinating for me was going with my Angolan housemate and wondering how differently she must have engaged with the whole thing.

Especially the bit where we looked more at the history of slavery and racism.

I also learnt for the first time today about the Angolan Civil War. Felt bad that I did not know about it.

I agree with Munsty. Before Queenie arrived I deemed it to be a waste of money and a bit of a non event. But I had it on in the background when the Queen and President McAleese were doing speeches and when Liz opened with "A Uachtarain agus a chairde" I actually got a little chill in spite of my self.

Its a symbolic thing. Notice that its not our Prime Ministers meeting but our President and their Queen - I consider both to be figureheads, symbolic roles.

Years ago, Munsty I went to the slavery museum in Bagamoyo. It's on the east coast of Tanzania and was the main slaving port on East Africa.

Bagamoyo was the spookiest place we went to in Tanzania - totally freaked us. Very sad place. Really bad vibes, especially when you got down to the port and the pillar that slaves were tied to was still there ....

Over the years I have been here in the UK, I have had some problems with the Queen, but overall I must say I have a lot of respect for her. She does a **** job really well.

As for Mary McAleese, the only thing I don't like about her is that utterly ridiculous portrait of her hanging in QUB - you know the one Notch, where she looks as if she has a halo around her ... yuk!

Agree Stag, When Queenie came out with "A Uachtaráin agus a chairde" it really bowled me over.

Cari, sorry to hear about your moisturiser problems. Mrs G has a similar thing if any perfume she uses has alcohol in it. Not many don't unfortunately.

Penblwydd hapus Pete. Happy birthday.

Stag. Nice to see you. I have been in for a bit. From what I've seen the pub is as was and outside is maturing a bit with some familiar names popping up. Strange to say a bit of needle or wummery might just create an interest which keeps people signed up. As to your question re journalism, plain facts are boring, insight is key. If you can look at the same game as everybody else but see what they don't, if you can avoid cliche or accepted wisdoms and make your own mind up, if you can avoid vested interests or hidden agendas, then you will gain respect. For example, for me Ulster lost to Leinster due to an over reliance on the inside pass by Humphries. Leinster had it covered. However, that meant that there was a gap elsewhere, there had to be. The only person to mention this I have seen? Notch.

Munsty, I respect your youthful idealism. You are not wrong. A little cynicism if not scepticism of politics and politicians leads to a healthier democracy. That financial assistance was not a free lunch. We live in interesting times. We cannot afford for your country to fail economically, but may not be able to afford to stop it either.

Anyway, to bed - got a few friends coming for the weekend.

Sausages 20 traditional + 20 Lincolnshire
Bacon - loads
Eggs plenty
Mushrooms 1.4kg
White pudding - must take out of freezer
Hogs pudding (Cornish variety of whte pudding) - in freezer
Soda bread - make in the morning
Large curry - made
Beds - all made up and ready for flopping into
Beer - to be bought tomorrow
Cider - maybe ...

Guess we are ready

On the slavery thing a trip to the Slave Castle in Cape Coast, Ghana (Gold Coast) was such an eye opener. When we reached the solitary confinement area for rebellious slaves the tour guide switched off the light and locked us in for a minute or two. It was horrible. When we came out he said "That was 90 seconds the slaves faced 3 months of that".

red_stag wrote:I agree with Munsty. Before Queenie arrived I deemed it to be a waste of money and a bit of a non event. But I had it on in the background when the Queen and President McAleese were doing speeches and when Liz opened with "A Uachtarain agus a chairde" I actually got a little chill in spite of my self.

Its a symbolic thing. Notice that its not our Prime Ministers meeting but our President and their Queen - I consider both to be figureheads, symbolic roles.

But Enda Kenny and David Cameron did actually meet and have a discussion in Dublin Castle yesterday as part of the visit, whilst the medias eyes were focused elsewhere. That for me is probably a much bigger and more important story but the meeting of the two prime ministers was a mere footnote in the media coverage. I'd rather know what they were saying!

I think the best thing that can come out of this is a change in the way the Irish perceive the British. But those who hold biased views and grievances against the Brits won't dismiss them just because of one state visit. I'm playing devil's advocate a bit here of course, I do like to argue a point for the fun of it, but there is an argument that the state visit is merely symbolic as Stag says. However I think it's a very welcome event, and it has been great for Anglo-Irish relations.

Thought this was interesting reading- not a good move by the Waratahs press office!

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/fans-savage-fragile-mediocre-waratahs-20110519-1ev71.html#ixzz1MqFomizn

It should have happened years ago, Notch.

The "British" are blamed for an awful lot of what happened in Ireland. But people forget that a huge proportion of the Army in Ireland were Irishmen. Over 30% pf Wellington's army against Napoleon was Irish; by the midlle of the 19th century, 40% were Irish.

The "British" Army which fought against the 1916 IRA were mostly Irish regiments ...

Irishmen joined the army for all sorts of reasons, but the most compelling one was that they did not see the army as "British" but simply as "The Army", so why not join it.

I could go on, but I think you get my point. We need to be a bit more realistic about our role in these things. We also need to accept our role in the expansion of the "British" Empire. An awful lot of the unpleasant colonial practices were carried out by Irishmen.

What do people make about Laurie Fisher partnering up with Jake White at Brumbies? I think its a good appointment,

Yep, that's exactly what I think the importance of the visit is Kia. But rather than being a catalyst for change, I feel it merely reflects change in people's attitudes that has already taken place.

Hopefully it is a case of providing a further catalyst for change in attitudes as well as reflecting the change that has already happened.

The trouble is, Notch, the eejits who were protesting will NOT recognise the realities of history, and until they do we will keep have stupid idiots threatening everyone with their silly playground antics.

Irish history as I was taught it was a distortion, it was the Nationalist reading of it which was akin to the Whig version of Englishhistory (you know the one - A Godly country and God was an Englishman; protestant work ethic etc etc). That too was a distortion. We have to learn waht really happened and ACCEPT it. People did things for valid reasons back then. The question we must ask is what would we have done if we had been in their situation?

Anyway, I really must get to bed ...

Notch-

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/05/20/waratahs-forum-is-the-sign-of-more-to-come/

From the horse's mouth.

MBTGOG wrote:Wouldn't agree with it all but a very good write up comparing the two packs for this Saturday-

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/05/20/leinster-v-northampton-saints-the-heineken-cup-forwards/

Musty, thought that was an excellent read, altho as you say, not quite 100% accurate - thought comments on Jennings, Hines and Lawes were a touch wide of the mark. I actually believe that the Saints scrum is not as potent a weapon as it is generally made out to be, particularly up against a smaller, technically sound tighthead - have witnessed that twice in person with Saints vs Exe this season

KiaRose wrote:It should have happened years ago, Notch.

The "British" are blamed for an awful lot of what happened in Ireland. But people forget that a huge proportion of the Army in Ireland were Irishmen. Over 30% pf Wellington's army against Napoleon was Irish; by the midlle of the 19th century, 40% were Irish.

The "British" Army which fought against the 1916 IRA were mostly Irish regiments ...

Irishmen joined the army for all sorts of reasons, but the most compelling one was that they did not see the army as "British" but simply as "The Army", so why not join it.

I could go on, but I think you get my point. We need to be a bit more realistic about our role in these things. We also need to accept our role in the expansion of the "British" Empire. An awful lot of the unpleasant colonial practices were carried out by Irishmen.

KIA, that is interesting - I've seen similar stats bandied around about Scots - not so much re involvement in quelling Irish uprisings, but certainly when it comes down to contribution to the British Army, and also with respect to the empire - seems you couldn't move in far flung places in the old days but for tripping ove r a Scottish engineer or whatever

New day, new topic.

It's arrived. Amlin day, European final weekend. Stag may the ticket nymph smile at you. May you all have pleasant, uneventful journeys to Caerdydd. May the wind be at your backs and the sunshine light your way. (its going to have to be a clever wind given you're all coming from different directions, but stick with me its a metaphore) May we see some decent rugby in the company of mainly decent people (decent for most of the time anyway). May this be the stuff of which memories are made and finally may the ref not spoil... Sorry, may the best teams win.

Flip hell sheep are stupid bar stewards. Flip lamb pushed itself through a drainage pipe into a fenced hedge area. Would it push itself back? Would it Flip! I've had to catch the Bar Steward single handed in gorse, blackthorns, thistles and brambles. Flip!

Jedward are going to play for Obama.I think I am going to vomit.

Morning Regz

Now isn't that bloody typical. The forecast looked good yesterday and now it's gone awful dark like the heavens are about to open. Hopefully it'll pass quickly whatever it is.

Going to meet up with a few from their trains later on and possibly go to watch the Amlin.

First, breakfast!

Thom - that's rubbish! At least the queen had Westlife and Riverdance!

Morning all

Cari, the forecast today is for showers and tomorrow day looks okay but rain is going to come in later on. I'll be bringing a coat with a hood with me!

Leinster fans, look away / start praying now:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13462235.stm

'Brian O'Driscoll still a doubt for Heineken Cup final'

Lucky - well at least you'll spot the Welsh regs - they'll be the ones in cagoules!

Ah don't worry Leinster. I still say BOD will come on later. McFadden's not bad to start with. Don't panic Captain!

Ah I don't mind what the weather is like as long as I get to meet all you guys and my family.

Just to warn you all that I shall be taking a lot of pictures.

Asbo,

I would agree with you that I think that the Saints scrum is slightly over-rated and I do believe that Mike Ross will nullify Tonga'uiha.


Watching the Super Rugby now between Blues and Stormers. Anyone want the link?

It'll be good to meet up with the folks Munsty.

I'm sure there'll be lots of candid videos and photos going on. I'll have my phone and my camera with me for piccies too.

Wonderful counter-attacking try by the Blues with Matthewson finishing it off.

Just so we're clear, I won't be wearing a Dragons jersey tomorrow. But I've got a Dragons fridge magnet, so I'll bring that with me!

Cari wrote:Morning Regz

Now isn't that bloody typical. The forecast looked good yesterday and now it's gone awful dark like the heavens are about to open. Hopefully it'll pass quickly whatever it is.

Going to meet up with a few from their trains later on and possibly go to watch the Amlin.

First, breakfast!

Thom - that's rubbish! At least the queen had Westlife and Riverdance!

You're telling me! We mowed silage last night

Started raining here about 5 am. Opening out with blue skies now. It'll be fine later on.

Oh yeah, if I call people by their 606 moniker, please don't take any offence by it.

If BOD is fit, he'll surely start. They aren't going to have him on the bench. Wonder if he's been back to Spala under his alias.

Morning all. Just got to go and photocopy some things for my house and then try get some insurance. Should be straightforward enough.

Still no word on whether I have a ticket for presentation evening tonight. Warren Gatland is the speaker. He's spending so much time in "Gwent" now that he must be starting to love the place.

Munsty, I understand you can't call me darling today.

Munsty - Gibbo calls me Cari all the time on the phone, and uses my real name on here. It's quite amusing, if somewhat schizophrenic...but I'll probably do the same. It's hard not to call you lot by your real names on here sometimes. We should've done what the two Micks did!

Thanks for your understanding Rev.

Bit cloudy here still but sun is trying to break through. Hate having to look out at it from my office...oh well come 15.45 i'm outta here and i don't think the first cider is going to touch the sides!!

Here it is, as promised

https://www.606v2.com/t5213-penfro-s-live-tv-guide-to-sun-22-05

I answered on Ye olde 606 too Penfro

Penfro - can I ask what the links are for? Is it streams of the games and if it is, are they legal?

I've had two posts removed on the old 606 this morning, the bar stewards! They weren't even offensive!

The Blues v Stormers game sounds like a cracker (I have a live update on twitter every few seconds!)

Hobo wrote:Penfro - can I ask what the links are for? Is it streams of the games and if it is, are they legal?

They're links to various articles & previews on the relevant sites. There is absolutely NO 'Live streaming'