With regard to the "George Medal" post below, I think it also deserves pointing out that St Andrew is hardly quintessentially Scottish. As a Patron Saint, we share him with Russia, Romania and Greece, as well as Byzantium / Constantinople / Istanbul1 - places where, unlike Scotland, he may have actually had an evangelical connection. Whether as a Jewish fisherman in Roman-occupied Galilee or as the First Apostle, his connection with our lovely country is, at best, post mortem2 and, as it seems to be based on the dubious authenticity of medieval church relics, probably entirely hypothetical.
Also, Mrs S-E wishes her loyal public to note that she has decreed that from times henceforth, minature bottles of alcohol, those being 5cl of spirits, 18.75cl of wine or 20cl of champagne3,4, shall be known as "sheridans", in honour of Gail of that name.
1. And Prussia, keeping my prior habit of citing regions.
2. Although the myths of St Andrew indicate he is supposed to have preached in Scythia and the Declaration of Arbroath does claim the Scots came via "Greater Scythia", so he might just have run across us.
2. Although the myths of St Andrew indicate he is supposed to have preached in Scythia and the Declaration of Arbroath does claim the Scots came via "Greater Scythia", so he might just have run across us.
3. Although anybody approaching her presence with champagne in volume less than a normal bottle* will be hung, drawn and quartered, just to make the point.
4. Or similar sizes. She's not a Eurocrat.
* And to be full (at least until you pour her glass), and to be left in an appropriate cooling bucket within easy reach. Thank you.
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