.... this is partly an experiment in using the embedding feature.

Beth suggested I post some footage of Barbara Windsor and Red Rum, both of whom appeared in my last post.

In fact, they are both great examples of Rule 2  in the unwritten "How to be British" manual.  You've got to be a bit of a character.

It wasn't enough for Red Rum to win the Grand National three times. No, he had to be trained by a second hand car dealer who kept him in a stable behind the showroom and exercised him on the beach.  He also had to win his first National in classic "underdog triumps from miles behind" stylee. 

Here's his obituary from the BBC archive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6R0V1ycQM&feature=related

and here he is winning the 1973 Grand National.  (It's worth bearing in mind that Crisp, who came in second, was a truly great horse).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiGaX0d_Pjk

As for Babs, she's what Tijo would call a Glamazon Warrior.  Here she is this April.   She admits to being 71 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHsXWj3XH_Q

And here she is in the 1960s in a famous scene from one of the cringe making "Carry On" films.  The exercise instructor is played by her gay best friend, Kenneth Williams.  Babs famously married a well-known gangster called Ronnie Knight then went on honeymoon with Ronnie, Kenneth and Kenneth's mum.  She is now married to a bloke who is 25 years younger than she is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0J9FdN8oqA