What was what like? London, of course. Much the same as it's ever been for the last few decades, with a few changes. Liverpool Street Station was greatly built up, I used to live there and it took a moment to recognize familiar landmarks. Downtown central's much the same as ever but with increasing hordes of tourists.
On the good side of the ledger, the Clubs are holding strong. Nice, bastions of civilization from a better age. Likewise, Green/Gay agitprop doesn't seem to be half of what it was a few years ago. Good, enough of the wretched rainbow flags already.
Seriously, a couple of years ago you'd be assaulted by Green/Gay propaganda posters as you walked through the interminably awful corridors of Heathrow's Terminal Horrible Three. These have gone, thank God, maybe this useless, despicable, deceitful fad's nearing its well-deserved sell-by date, please.
They/Them notwithstanding, there's a new fad in town, Re-Wilding. Yep, let your towns, cityscapes, roads, bridges, woods, fields, factories, houses and on revert back to nature. A bit like Detroit if you pause and think for a moment. Net result? Incredibly shabby verges and medians, and that unkept look which says virtue-signaling saves the local council money at the expense of your city looking like an abandoned slum.
No kidding, re-wilding, it's a thing; hey, gotta cut costs to afford all those immigrant votes. Whatever, here's two short anecdotes, both true.
The National Liberal Club: At the bar, reading the Spectator, and a crew swings in next to me. "Excuse me, sir." Quite all right, common ground. A little later it's revealed that my newfound neighbor's people built some great Sikh edifice in Birmingham. "Ah, Sikhs," I offered, "Sword arm of the Hindu faith." My new friend looked me in the eye and said, "If only," and we became friends. Not surprising, when you think on it, because we both went to the same school, all hail the Dragon, Oxford. At the end of old school conviv he asked me, "As a priest, what do you think of Islam?" I told him, in no uncertain terms, and he agreed. We'll meet again.
The Lamb & Flag: Covent Garden and here we are at this ancient pub, pints flowing freely, when lo and behold, a guy in red trousers, two breaster blazer, cigar in mouth and tinted glasses on eyes offers bystanders "delicious chocolates." Sure thing, thanks, fella. Next step? "Look here, guys, I know these people." Off you go then, and I did, "I like your crucifix," he had one around his neck, real gold thank you very much, "What's inscribed on the reverse?" He looked at me and I looked at him. "Deus Vult," he replied, the legend of the Crusade. Turns out my Turkish Mayfair pal, according to him, was one of the few families of his class to not kow-tow to Islam. I told him to go to the Brompton Oratory, hope he does.
Point being, the Lawless London Caliphate isn't lost, at least not yet. There's plenty of diversity which opposes it, from Sikh to Turk, Hindu to Christian, so don't lose hope. That said, indigenous natives might want to start having babies again. Word to the wise.
Kizmet,
LSP
Thanks for the report, LSP. I'm gratified that all is not lost and they haven't hauled down the Union Jack.
ReplyDeleteLL, I think there's hope for the old place yet. Close run thing though, has to be said. Gratifying to see far less of the Green/Gay/BLM nonsense, though re-wilding needs a kick in the pants.
DeleteLet the Reconquista begin in earnest.
ReplyDeleteRight with you, Wild. My feeling, for what it's worth, is that it'd fall within the divine logic to use Moslem converts to that end. Let's see.
Delete“The past is a foreign country.”
ReplyDeleteEspecially if it’s in a foreign country. I admire your ability to go back; it’s a skill I do not possess.
SP RN
Anon, I didn't go back for the longest time because I was too busy trying to raise a family and my life was here. But things are easier now and I can set up in central London for a couple of weeks in pretty civilized style. Makes a change from rural Texas and I can see old friends and walk around parts of town I've known since the '80s.
DeleteNostalgic? Yes, and fraught with ghosts, but still.
Nice cross and nice saying.
ReplyDeleteI've read reports that the Anglo/Norman/Saxons are returning to the folds of Christianity in England, even to conversions from the seemingly Godless CoE to Roman Catholicism.
I hope the faithful kick out the evil scrunts in the CoE and bring it back to a truly faithful church.
Side note: After asking for one for years, my wife finally got me, for last Christmas, a Cross of Jerusalem to wear. I am happily wearing it in the semi-God-less semi-communist city in which I live. Heathens and Heretics beware!
Beans, I think there's a movement towards trad catholicism there, and there's definitely a revival vibe unless you're a leftist.
DeleteI've been watching some interesting videos about how Mother Church purposefully took the majesty and magnificence out of the actual church buildings, thinking that the austere emptiness and industrial design would mold mankind's minds better. And how now many churches are going back to the old ways, either designing and building in the Romanesque (brought to France and England by the Normans, of course) and Gothic styles (central dome over the altar, naves and arches and all the glorious beauty of old-world architecture) or modifying/decorating their existing churches.
DeleteSome of this is coming from a most unusual start. People paid attention to when Notre Dame de Paris burned and was rebuilt, and how the cleaned and repaired cathedral is full of light, color and hope.
The trad revival in American Catholicism is expanding.
Now we need a Pope that supports traditional Catholicism and isn't a lover/apologist/favorable to Islam, but one that recognizes Islam for what it is and protects Mother Church and the faithful. And moves to make Vlad Tepes a martyred Saint. No. Not kidding on that last one. Vlad was a great Christian and died one.