> And the eastern tip belongs to Purtugal as a devine right granted by the
> pope ;-)

Pope.

.... and the Vatican City is a state in its own right (or equivalent),
constituted so in (afair) 1929 by Mussolini.
I don't think too many people (% wise anyway) have problems with that.

As you drive through far northern Italy you notice that the house
styles change from elsewhere in Italy and the whole feel of the place
alters. As you change into Austria the difference is far less vast
than it would otherwise have been. This is the Tirol - oft shunted
bagatelle twixt Italy and "elsewhere". If instead you turn right
through Slovenia for lunch (we did) and then into Austria you get an
immense double jump in culture, housing, food, clothing and much more.

Drive from Paris to I-forget-the-name-but-it-will-come on the edge of
Germany in one long magic day's drive. Cross the French German border
late in the day. Note the signs have changed to German. U turn for
obligatory photo. Drive. Note the signs have turned into French.
Search. never quite find the actual border. Magic!.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:
    To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
    We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
    In Flanders fields.

They did. He never would have imagined. A more fitting means of
working it all out than having no discernible borders, a common
currency, a shared space program, and all united (more or less) in the
same military system would be hard to find. If all the world's battles
and differences could be solved as these two mortal enemies have
solved theirs the world would be a far better place. Don't expect it
anytime soon :-(.

Drive from England down to majestic Raglan Castle in Wales.
The road wends to and fr amongst the hills.
On far right reaches the signs are in Welsh and then in English.
On left hand reaches the signs are English only. The border runs down
the middle and you cross to and from over it.

Camp high on the banks of the Severn looking down on the beautiful
suspension bridge that crosses from Wales to England. The lady
motorcamp operator was as fierce and bitter a Nationalist as any
you'll find anywhere. He hated the upstart English invaders with a
passion. Goes back to 'Braveheart' days. Unlike with the Scots Edward
did it properly with the Welsh. Destroyed their crown jewels, razed
their palaces and built his best castles on their sites.

But, not properly enough, apparently :-) .


                    Russell
--=20
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