Would you rather be:
A crook Biggles was setting out to catch?A tiger Bertie was setting out to hunt?All in all, I would probably opt for being the crook. I could tell him I was turning over a new leaf and suggest that Algy be my parole officer....
Being a tiger Bertie was hunting would probably only end one way. Unless Ginger was somewhere blundering around in the vicinity and I could have a nice meal before the inevitable.
I was in stitches over the idea that I might be a tiger and get a meal of Ginger before being shot by Bertie, who undoubtedly would not miss.
ReplyDeleteI equally liked your idea of Algy being your parole officer.
But on balance, I'd be the crook and offer to pass information to Biggles at regular meetings in some bar... Where there's life there's hope...
well, if I chose to be a tiger I might end up as a rug in front of Bertie's fireplace. but like SA I'd be the crook turned informer. But I'd have to insist on passing information on to Bertie - wouldn't do to be seen too much in the company of Biggles, he's far too well-known and I might be bumped off!
ReplyDeleteTotally want Algy as my parole officer!! ;)
ReplyDeleteAlgy must have done some sort of hunting in his time as well. Wonder if he went in for big game stuff--or maybe just foxes?
ReplyDeleteNot so sure he would have done, Soppy. Fox hunting was expensive because of the horses needed and the cost of running a hunt. Big game hunting, nah! Can't see Algy being interested in that sort of thing at all. There's been no mention of him ever doing that sort of thing, so I think it simply wasn't in his line.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily. You hunt with the local pack and pay a subscription, or a cap if you are visiting. At that time I would think both Algy and Biggles were taught to ride but weren't that interested, Algy inquires 'Are we going riding?' when Biggles cuts a switch out of the hedgerow to find the angle of fire in a bullet holed aircraft. Bertie may well have been Master of Foxhounds at some time as he owns a hunting horn.
ReplyDeleteI would have thought that Algy, coming from Wales and being of a landed gentry family, might have hunted in the years leading up to 1917 when he went to France. His family would have had horses. Probably lots. Family carriage even. I suspect that members of an aristocratic family would have been expected to be part of the hunt in those days.
ReplyDeleteBut in Wales, some of the hunting might have ben on foot because of the mountains, like in the Lake District. And also, for much of the hunting season, Algy would have been at his public boarding school.
Bringing this post back to BERTIE.He was, I believe, joint master of a hunt at one point, and bred hunting dogs. He was a dab hand at big game hunting too, which is brings us back to the original post. Any tiger hunted by Bertie would definitely be dead and end up as a rug in his study.
ReplyDeleteAnd bringing this post back to the ORIGINAL question - I would choose to be the crook who would choose to pass information on to Biggles. Like SA observed, where there's life there's hope. Imagine the opportunities of meeting in a smoke enshrouded bar somewhere and blowing my cigarette smoke (through an elegant, slim, diamond encrusted holder) into Biggles' face as we shared a whisky chaser....
ReplyDeleteAs long as you realise I'd be there too... *big smile*
ReplyDeleteAll these women hanging around Biggles...better watch out Jane doesn't pop up and shoot someone with her pink gun!
ReplyDeleteAlgy I think would have definitely known how to ride and even if his parents didn't lead a hunt he probably would have joined at least one in one point in his life, considering the rich crowd he runs with.
Hunting was/is such a big social thing rurally (along with shooting, there's nothing else to do!) I am sure wherever Algy's home was they would have hosted at least one meet a year maybe even the hunt ball.
ReplyDeleteSo he probably hunted.
Which is why he's so fearless flying. :)
I'd be an arch villain. The thought of winding Biggles up appeals....
ReplyDeleteSo that's
ReplyDeleteCrook = Tons
Tiger = Nil
Now that TS has put the idea into my mind...I want to be a super villain as well. Imagine the look on Biggles' face when he keeps running into me and I keep getting away!
ReplyDeleteNo parole officer then, if youkeep running away. Parole officers are for people who have been to prison and are presumably trying to go straight. **evil grin**
ReplyDeleteBeing Biggles' archenemy and not killing him when I had the chance would probably earn loads of respect in Algy's book! He might even develop a grudging admiration for me :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder, FB, if the tally would be the same if it was... 'or a tiger GINGER was setting out to hunt'.
ReplyDeletePlus Sopwith, if you are an arch villain, you are obliged to capture Biggles chums. Tough job, could you handle it?
ReplyDeleteCourse she is. She'd capture Algy and Bertie, hand Bertie over to me and keep Algy prisoner herself! She probably wouldn't capture Ginger'cos he'd be lost.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say of course Soppy could handle it and is up to it!
ReplyDeleteTaking Algy prisoner is the one thing I've been preparing for all my life. I think I can handle that much.
ReplyDeleteBertie, though, you're going to have to get on your own.
Although, if I got Algy Biggles would be bound to come after him, so I would be getting 2 for the price of 1. Sorry, RSG :)
Funny, Sopwith :)))) See, I haven't lost my sense of humour! However, IF dear old Erich never managed to nab any of the Fab Four (originally Terrific Twosome, then the Troublesome Threesome), do you seriously think anyone could nab Biggles? i mean, he's totally awesome, cool, fearless, courageous, loyal, devoted to duty, straight shooting... I could go on forever.... If you think you could, then we should team up and you can keep Algy and I'll take Biggles off your hands....
ReplyDeleteWell, al I can say is, if they're both totally awesome how on earth are you two going to:
ReplyDeletea) Capture them in the first place
and
b) hang on to them, bearing in mind that Ginger and Bertie are still on the loose? And, Bertie, as you no doubt know, comes up with is
his best ideas when he's on the loose.
I just thought that all the Bertie fans out there would naturally nab Beetie - could all go shares in him :) Which jsut leaves poor Ginger....but he'd probably be lost. So... no worries :)
ReplyDeleteSorry - that should read "Bertie", not 'Beetie',,,,oooops!
ReplyDeleteWell, of course I would naturally nab Bertie, but that doesn't mean I would manage to nab him before he had a bash at rescuing Biggles and Algy. Depends on the circs. Whoever was nabbed first would be 'bait' for the others. I rather think we would have to have a combined operation here. Oh, dear, this is beginning to be too complicated. Think I'll just turn informer and demand Bertie as my contact.
ReplyDeleteRSG,share Bertie? Wash your mouth out! NEVER.
ReplyDeleteWell, while you're all having a punch up they'd all get away....
ReplyDeleteThey probably wouldn't come quietly, anyway.
ReplyDeleteSorry FB - I'll humbly withdraw my suggestion about sharing Bertie. But in the spirit of generosity and with the aim of nabbing the Fab Four, don't you think you could make some concessions....?
ReplyDeleteDon't wish to appear churlish, so, yes, in the spirit if generosity I'll make some concessions,in order to nab them But when it comes to dividing the spoils...well, you and Soppy have already staked your claims haven't you?
ReplyDeleteSince I'm the one doing the capturing it stands to reason that I would get first pick :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I like to think that I am slightly more intelligent than Erich, and his sole purpose of capturing the gang is to kill them off anyway (which is why the others keep coming to rescue them). Algy will be perfectly happy after being captured by me, so there will be no need to rescue him, a fact that will be broken to Biggles and anyone else who attempts a rescue mission (who would rescue someone from a fate of being happy??!!)
And then the rest of you can introduce yourselves and make some small talk to get things moving...
Biggles doesn't make small talk - and nor do I....
ReplyDelete