Happy Australia Day

Just like to wish all those here from Down Under a happy Australia Day!

To those not familiar with this bit of Aussie history. Capt. Arthur Philips and his fleet of 11 ships arrived at what later became Port Jackson, on Sydney Harbour, and established the penal Colony of New South Wales.

How different are the origins of our two countries...

Years ago I visited Plymouth Colony, near Boston. It is an exact replica of the original colony and situated on the same site. About ten miles away is a replica of the original Mayflower on which the 'Pilgrims' arrived. Toured that, too. It was great fun.

Plymouth Colony is manned by history students and their professors from nearby universities. One of the rules is that they're not allowed to discuss any events after 1623 (the colony was founded in 1620 by Separatists from England). Americans today call them 'Pilgrims' but they were not so designated at the time. On the Mayflower I asked the 'helmsman' - a very colorful individual who swore a lot - what he thought of these 'pilgrims.'

"Pilgrims, you say! Ay, they're not pilgrims! They're bloody rebels!" was his reply. The whole thing was really quite entertaining. But I digress.

If you try to discuss any subject post-1623, they tell you they have no idea what you're talking about. If you persist they walk away, and so it's become a game amongst visitors to get them to acknowledge things and events which occured later than that date. I got one student good:

"See that butterfly over there?" He turned and looked. "Yes?..."

"No you don't. That's a European Cabbage Butterfly. European Cabbage Butterflies didn't arrive on this continent until around 1860. Look it up in Encyclopaedia Britannica. By the way, Encyclopedia Britannica was first published in 1768. That's about 145 years from now, hehe." He was so pissed he just glared at me and stalked off!

On the Mayflower were two ladies enancting the parts of Separatists. They were seated on a bench, sewing patches on shabby clothes and talking about 1623-era domestic matters, when I politely interrupted:

"Excuse me. Are you Separatists?"

"Well, yes, we are, and what about you? What's your name?"

I told them.

"What's your title?"

"I've no title."

"Owww, no title!" and then she loudly announced to the other tourists. "This one, 'ee's a pickpocket ee is! He's no title, not Goodman, not Freeman. Ay! Eee's a pickpocket! I'd stay away from this one, I would!!"

Embarrassed, I shot back:

"And what about you, dear lady? Here you are talking to strange men whilst your goodly husband is ashore with the other men, hard at work building you a proper home, and you! Here gossiping! What's your title, love? 'Tart?' I'd wager a bloody month's pay you've got fleas in the bargain, ay!" just as loudly. (all the original colonists had fleas. It was a fact of everyday life, even among the nobility).

"Well, I 'aven't as many fleas as Maaary!" tossing her head toward the lady next to her.

"Hmmph!"

I really get along with historical people.

At any rate, I'd like to wish our dear Aussie friends a happy holiday!