Summer holiday
It’s lovely to live in an attractive part of the world, though it can be a disadvantage if hordes descend upon it for their summer holiday. Generally, it’s the coastal regions that spring to mind, but there are other bucolic areas that attract holidaymakers.
I have no wish to mention the name of one particular American visitor to the unspoilt loveliness of the Cotswolds. He has as much right as anyone to a vacation, though I understand he has had several already since being appointed to his role as 2iC USA. He and his family and a large cohort of security ‘people’ have descended upon Dean, a picturesque hamlet in Oxfordshire. It and its environs are home to many slebs, including Jeremy Clarkson, David Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres, and former Prime Minister David Cameron. The locals are accustomed to seeing ‘famous’ faces and are unfazed by them.
However, 2iC’s advent has caused enormous disruption in the area, with public access being closed and local residents having to prove their identity as they attempt to go about their daily lives. Though it may only be for a few days, it has drawn attention to 2iC in a quite remarkable way, inflating his profile, as he travels from A to B in his 29-vehicle motorcade.
To put it into some sort of perspective, 1iC, the Orange One, has a circus of forty or fifty vehicles. Putin has around twelve vehicles and Xi Jinping about ten (in China) The French President has three to five vehicles, while the German Chancellor has around six. The Japanese Emperor has three to five vehicles, and the Dutch Prime Minister has one of two, or perhaps a bicycle.
As the UK Prime Minister fulfils his duties, his motorcade consists of four to six vehicles, though that number may increase for high-risk situations or state visits.
Meanwhile a typical Royal motorcade would involve between three and six vehicles, with more for state occasions and visits.
The question that comes all too readily to mind is whether 2iC is practising for a more significant role in the future?
I would be a very unhappy about 2ic US upsetting my town. The number of cars sounds absurd, which led me to see what the situation is here, for our PM, Governor General, Governors and Premiers. A blog post will appear in good time.
ReplyDeleteWhy go safely incognito when you can draw attention to yourself with a parade?
DeleteUgh let's hope not! I would be tempted to say keep him lol but that would just be unkind. I hate to say it, but they just seem to think they are entitled and the rest of us should bow down or move aside.
ReplyDeleteHe's on his way to Scotland now. They must be fed up - they had the Orange One there recently. All the local security has to be paid for by the local residents through council taxes.
DeleteHi Janice - I sincerely hope not ... creepy to put it mildly. Ghastly to look at ... almost worse than orange man - OTT ... I'm glad we're not nearby! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWhy do American voters not have a better choice of candidates? There's too much money wrapped up in politics and it's beginning to develop like that in UK. End of rant!
DeleteHow could being in a 29 car motorcade be described as a holiday and enjoying the beauty of the Cotswolds. I wonder how many people are needed to escort 2ic if he ever ventured out on a walk.
ReplyDeleteHampton Court Palace was shut to the public so that he could visit it. Apparently, men in black suits were noticed in the fields near Daylesford Farm - they stuck out like sore thumbs. Talk about drawing attention to oneself.
DeleteWhile it’s fair that anyone famous or not deserves a holiday, a 29-car motorcade through a peaceful village does feel a bit… Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteThe locals may be used to spotting celebs, but roadblocks and ID checks are another story.
I would be incensed if I had to prove my identity to access my home.
DeleteThey appear to live on some other planet while enforcing their fantasy world on the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteIt certainly paints a striking picture of how security and status can transform even a tranquil village into a hub of disruption and spectacle
ReplyDeleteThere were some minor protests against him, which he probably didn't see, but no real threats.
DeleteThey truly have no idea how most people live.
ReplyDelete. . . and probably don't care!
DeleteHe seems to be rather hideous, inside and out.
ReplyDeleteHis public pronouncements don't indicate a very pleasant personality. Maybe he's an absolute pussy cat in private. 😟
DeleteHow many vehicles?? That's ridiculous! Same for his boss. I'm quite convinced he took on this 2IC job simply because it allows him to zip around the globe holidaying instead of actually working.
ReplyDeleteHe's certainly making the most of it. I wonder what intelligent people make of him.
DeleteEndorse River's comment. Somehow it is rather funny the thought of 20 limousines swishing their way down our narrow country lanes. Who backs up first??
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh!
DeleteGood grief. I can see why the village would be irritated by the visit. WTF does he think is going to happen to him there.
ReplyDeleteA pheasant might fly up in his face . . .
DeleteI agree it's totally wrong for anyone to wield so much power that he can make the local people have to cower in their own houses. Here vice president wanted to float his kayak on a river in my state. He had the US Army Corps of Engineers closed the dam and back up the water so it would be deep enough for him to play on his 41st birthday. Disgusting disgusting disgusting
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe that when I read it. What a disgusting waste of the Army's time and expertise, all for an overgrown toddler to play in his own private waterway.
DeleteAmericans eh?
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteWe thought perhaps Canada would like to stage a coup to take over the northern states of America.
Russia can sue for Alaska, and Texas can become independent again.
I like the slang word "sleb". It reminds me of plebs and slugs. As for 2iC, I understand he hopes to secure the "Tosser of the Year" mantle previously held by Boris Johnson, Prince Andrew and Robert Mugabe.
ReplyDeleteThat would be after the eventual departure of the Orange One, of course, if he ever does depart.
ReplyDeleteHe would be as bad as the Orange One!
ReplyDeleteHe could be worse - younger, more energy . . .
DeleteHow awful -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteNot fun at all.
ReplyDeleteI love the protests against your visitor. Freedom of Speech hard at work.
ReplyDeleteA very small protest, probably not seen by the intended target, but very telling.
DeleteIt will be illuminating to see what happens when the Orange One has his official UK visit in September, which so many of us are furious about. We didn't want him here first time round and he was so disrespectful to the Queen.
I read about the police knocking on doors this morning, and saw the long car escort going through a picturesque village. I actually checked on ChatGPT to see if it was true because frankly I wondered. Yes it's true and they had a lot of reputable sources to back it up. I keep thinking of what my dear grandmother used to tell me. If you roll your eyes up to the ceiling that much, they're going to get stuck! I wish I had my granny to remind me now!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm in a permanent state of eye-rolling . . .
DeleteHe is a particularly odious fellow and I can only apologize that the voters of this country have put him in a position to disrupt life in the lovely Cotswolds.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dorothy. Hopefully his reign will be a very short one.
DeleteThat seems a bit over the top. But when the Orange one comes anywhere in the US whole streets and establishments are blocked off and people can't use them while he's there. It's crazy.
ReplyDeleteYou have to wonder if it's for protection or advertisement! 😁
DeleteThe good thing is that he didn't stay long, and now the Cotswolds folks can get back to normal. But now the Scots have to put up with him.
ReplyDeleteThe Scots are quite a lot more vocal in their disapproval. I feel sorry for his children, though - it can't be nice to see their daddy being treated so.
DeleteYou do live in a beautiful area.
ReplyDeleteWe are very fortunate.
DeleteWho the hell does he think he is? Too bad the village didn't organize a protest. Yankee go home. Though we don't want him either.
ReplyDeleteThere was a small protest, but then it's only a small hamlet. Scotland's got him now - lucky them.
DeleteJust love the first image you've used for this post ... who wouldn't like to enjoy a walk there.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It's very inviting, isn't it? I really enjoy walking through woods - not so good in a howling gale, though. 😂🤣
DeleteNot everyone chose to live there - some really are OF there and while 'there' might benefit economically from slebs and their hangers-on, there comes a point when it isn't worth the invasion of an every day existence to have these aliens burn their way through without a care for culture, tradition, environment, and the personal and work space of those to whom 'there' belings.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that the children of those who live there cannot afford the inflated prices of the houses. The area becomes less than it was and something else entirely.
ReplyDeleteIt's all very well being used to seeing famous faces, roadblocks and having to prove ID is a totally different, and quite unacceptable level.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many vehicles our PM is entitled to. He's just been photographed with elephants while on holiday, which is getting a lot of negative comments. xxx P.S. Love the new blog header!