Lovely – and thanks re. the Hawk. Is that an Aussie training colour-scheme then?

I think you’re right Sauron re. Lebanon, unrest sparks unrest – you only have to reflect on Eastern Europe in the late 80’s to see that; thank you Lech Walensa (sp?).

As to the wider question Ben, it’s a good one. I’ve been scanning my memory to see if I can think of a successful “diplomatic intervention” and I can’t (which doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened). I think of Chamberlain “peace in our time”, of Israel/Palestine, of the perennial conflict that has been and presumably will continue to be “Yugoslavia”, of various African countries, and see no success. I don’t know what to make of Libya (did it cave in to outside pressure or simply decide the issue was no longer sufficient to warrant pariah status?). Or Iran, need it listen to US or EU opinion and interests – no, only if it’s in its own self-interest – so on what grounds should it be admonished? Then there’s North Korea, I share the same distaste I’m sure many others do (to hereditary dictatorship) but it seems diplomacy has only a minor effect (is this because the powerbroking elite in North Korea is relatively immune to outside sanctioning effects?).

Good topic – Don

Ah – and dove (a white bird) as the past-tense of dive.

What happened to Keebird – did it catch on fire, or something like that?

I think Charley’s right – Cap Gris Nez is in my memory banks.

Although it is possible that had something to do with the Scharnhorst/Gneisnau channel dash – is there another image of German officers watching the air cover or am I muddling things?

The Science of Discworld, by Terry Pratchett , I´m so addicted with the Discworld series that I´m doing the effort of reading it in english , as there isn´t translation to spanish yet. Believe me, it´s hard for me!!

Also, I´ve started an Isaac Asimov´s biography

Good on you !!!

A famous song in a country famous for sheep (Aussies, hold your tongues!)
“clique go the shears boys, clique, clique, clique”

And Robbo – is there something about that wimpy I’m not up on? What are the aerials for?