Messages

1

BeNeLux Royalty / Re: TRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume & Stephanie de Luxembourg

« on: May 11, 2020, 07:58:17 AM »

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume's first child arrived yesterday morning (most appropriately on Mother's Day) and is called Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume. Mother and baby are both fine, so after eight years it really is fantastic news. Cheers, GREENOWL

2

The Habsburgs / Re: Help with Photo Identification, Question or Caption

« on: August 29, 2019, 02:21:22 PM »

I totally agree that the subjects of the portraits are definitely NOT Archduke Franz Karl and Archduchess Sophie. However, I have no idea who they might be,
Cheers,
GREENOWL

3

The Windsors / Re: Prince Henry/Prince Harry of Wales

« on: May 08, 2019, 01:32:54 PM »

Wonderful news!

I believe that the new baby will be called Archie Harrison.

Cheers,
GREENOWL

4

Having Fun! / Re: The Enid Blyton Thread

« on: December 10, 2018, 04:15:00 PM »

In Germany, Enid Blyton is HUGE, and they continued some of her series with German writers. I always loved Malory Towers, the Adventure series, and some of her stand-alone books about families - Five Bad Boys, Those Dreadful Children and the Mistletoe books. I still re-read my old Enid Blytons, there is nothing better for those escapist evenings... ;-)

She was also a great nature writer. Her books about animals, insects and plants are wonderful. She was an interesting, complex woman, and I also read her biography and saw the mini series with Helena Bonham Carter.

Her books may be formulaic and full of prejudice against anyone not belonging to the "core group" but they turned many children into life-long readers.

I totally agree about the stand-alone books as "The six cousins at Mistletoe farm" is my very favourite Enid Blyton book and I actually still read it from time to time. Her books bring me back to the simpler days of my childhood when I first read them. Although there are no televisions, computer games or mobile phones in them my son also enjoyed them when he was younger. Enid Blyton was a very complex person and I think that for her, writing the books and "inventing" an ideal world was a means of escaping from the more unpleasant realities of life. By coincidence, 28th. November marked the 50th. anniversary of her death.
Cheers,
GREENOWL

5

Having Fun! / Re: The Enid Blyton Thread

« on: December 08, 2018, 05:12:38 PM »

I loved the mystery and adventure books as a child, especially "The Five Find outers" series. I was less impressed with the better known "Famous Five" and "Secret Seven".
Cheers,
GREENOWL

6

The Windsors / Re: Prince Henry/Prince Harry of Wales

« on: October 18, 2018, 08:45:27 AM »

Wonderful news! I believe that the baby is due in the spring.
Cheers,
GREENOWL

7

The Final Chapter / Re: One Hundred Years On

« on: September 29, 2018, 10:38:14 AM »

I recently read an article about the problem in a scientific journal, in which the internet was described as a "Pandora's Box" as most parents are unable to assess whether or not the information they find there is factually correct, with the result that many believe they are doing their children a favour by refusing to have them vaccinated. Seemingly a baby in the UK recently died from measles, which is the first measles-related death in the UK for over ten years....

8

The Habsburgs / Re: Emperor Franz Joseph

« on: July 11, 2018, 10:57:53 AM »

No 10 is an excellent description of me!!!

Cheers,
GREENOWL

9

The Habsburgs / Re: Emperor Franz Joseph

« on: June 25, 2018, 05:08:52 PM »

Nice idea!

I admit to 2, 7 and 8!!!

Cheers,
GREENOWL

10

The Windsors / Re: Prince Henry/Prince Harry of Wales

« on: May 20, 2018, 01:38:53 PM »

I really enjoyed watching the royal wedding. I think that the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a perfect couple and wish them both every happiness.
Cheers,
GREENOWL

11

The Windsors / Re: Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

« on: April 27, 2018, 07:27:20 AM »

My name guess: Albert Charles Michael

Good guess! But it is Louis Arthur Charles. I was disappointed that they did not include Philip (or Philip instead of Charles, especially as Charlotte is a female version of Charles).

Cheers,
GREENOWL

12

Having Fun! / Re: What's the weather like at your place?

« on: April 20, 2018, 09:46:02 AM »

It is unusually hot for the time of year in the south west of Germany...+26.3 degrees as I write. It feels like summer as opposed to spring. However, I expect there will soon be a thunder storm and then the cooler weather will return!

Cheers,
GREENOWL

13

The Habsburgs / Re: Crown Prince Rudolph--controversies, affairs & his death, Part II

« on: February 07, 2018, 03:09:05 PM »

I read the book at Christmas and would totally recommend it. I find the conclusion in Chapter 19 very plausible and I noted one interesting fact that has been glossed over or disregarded in other publications on the subject. However, I want to read the chapter again before commenting on it (and I also don't wish to spoil the book for those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading it).

The book highlights the shocking fact that although so many members of the imperial family were aware of the Crown Prince's mental state and were even afraid of him, no action was taken and when Crown Princess Stephanie mentioned it she was ignored and made to feel that she had done something wrong.

Cheers,
GREENOWL

14

The Windsors / Re: Prince Henry/Prince Harry of Wales

« on: November 29, 2017, 09:55:56 AM »

I agree Royal Watcher, it really is fantastic news.
Cheers,
GREENOWL

15

The Habsburgs / Re: Crown Prince Rudolph--controversies, affairs & his death, Part II

« on: November 05, 2017, 03:44:06 AM »

That probably applies to Germany as well, but for some reason I had December (and Christmas) in mind since I first heard about the book, so I am not too disappointed about having to wait for an extra four weeks!

Cheers,
GREENOWL