'Having a Claytons' plus a visit to Cork

A thought struck me yesterday, while walking around the lovely city of Cork that the Brexit referendum is all a bit of a Claytons really. 

I am not sure if the expression relating to Claytons is still used in Australia, but for those people who do not know of it, I will explain.   During the 1980s, Claytons was a brand name for a non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage, coloured and packaged to resemble bottled whisky.  'The drink you're having when you're not having a drink'.  Claytons came to represent a fake substitution or lack of commitment, for example, a half hearted strike might be called a 'Claytons strike' or a partnership without a marriage ceremoney might be called a 'Claytons marriage.

I feel the expression very aptly applies to the referendum and to Boris Johnson's view of Brexit.

'A Claytons referendum'

David Cameron wanted to have a referendum, to keep some groups in parliament off his back, and show the people of Britain he follows up on promises made during the 2010 Conservative compaign.  

However no boundaries were set, no regulations on the level of turn out or what majority would be required to make it all legitimate.  No need for any of that.  It will not go through. But it did and it backfired for David Camerom.  A referendum when you are not really serious about the outcome and what to do about it if it goes differently than expected. A 'Claytons referendum' for sure.

As for Boris Johnson's Brexit.  He, who actively campaigned for Britain to leave the EU, and who made 'possibilities, not promises', also appeared to have no plan of action, other than aim for the top job.

A 'Claytons Brexit' for sure.  Lets have a Brexit but not really leave the EU.  

Boris wants Britain to be part of the single market, but he forgets that Britain will still have to adhere to the same strict rules, such as free movement of people across the EU.  No change there.

Boris thinks that Britain will still be in 'co-operation and partnership' with the EU in the fields of the arts, sciences, the environment and universities.  Unless Britain pays in some money there will be no subsidies, Boris.  So no change there either.

Boris thinks that British people will still be able to work, live, buy homes and 'settle down' in the EU.  But Britain will need to be part of the EU and abide by EU laws for this to happen.  So no change there also.

A 'Claytons Brexit' for sure.

I talk in jest but sadly for the people of Britain, those people who voted in good faith, it is not amusing.  

But on a very much lighter note.  A day in Cork, in sunshine.  A university city, a purposeful city, and very much a cosmopolitan city.  And mercifully lacking in all the people that throng to Dublin in order to spend their days getting drunk in the pubs.  It is a much cleaner city too.

The city area is very compact, so easy to spend a couple of hours strolling leisurely around, and be able to visit the same place a couple of times.

The English Market, which also had an interesting cafe upstairs and a coffee stand amongst the food aisles.  We went back there after lunch for an espresso.  

This market was delightful to walk through, such an assortment of food.

The huge array of fish was amazing.  But then Ireland is a country which specialises in its fresh fish.

The Irish Poundland store, same colours, same merchandise but everything was €1.50.  Cheaper in Britain.

Cork has had quite a bruising history.  Although it prospered during the 18th century, it was devastated by the famine a century later.  Cork, as a 'rebel city' played a key part in Ireland's struggle for independence.  The British were brutally repressive in Cork, and burned down much of the city centre.

The statue of Fr Matthew statue. Father Mathew was a temperance reformer, and I think founded the Total Abstinence Society.

A cute sculpture of a boy selling newspapers.  I know this sculpture has a significance but I cannot find the answer.

The National Monument which commemorates the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848 and 1867.

The grand Georgian main streets were beautifully paved and very wide.

The narrow old side streets held fascinating small shops and cafes,

I think I had a problem with angles yesterday.  Even Walter standing proudly in his new hoodie, is standing on a lean.

The Church of Sts Peter and Paul.  A beautiful church and very peaceful inside.

St Fin Barre's Cathedral, French Gothic with medieval gargoyles and sculptures.  It certainly stands out amongst the buildings.

St Fin Barre founded a monastery here during the 7th century, and by the 12th century the settlement had become the chief city of the Kingdom of Munster.

The cathedral is now Anglian, and charge to go inside, which we could not do, as there was a service in process in one of the side chapels.  This would not happen in a Catholic church.

A lovely little park, fairly new, built on the edge of the old city wall.

We walked back to the carpark, which was on the edge of the centre of the city, and drove back to the caravan in a very short time.  We will really miss the ease of travelling around by car.