Monday 14 November 2011

Greatest living Englishman?


On a dreich November Sunday, what better way to spend the morning than snuggled up on the bed with Gail, watching 'Frozen Planet' again on BBC iPlayer, and channelling one's inner wolf.


I don't know if my friends outside the UK will have had the privilege of seeing this latest series of wildlife programmes from our incomparable David Attenborough.

If not, perhaps you would like to watch a clip (click here).


Gail wants to know if any readers can think of a more admirable citizen of this country than the eighty five year old Sir David Frederick Attenborough, OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, FZS,FSA?

She says, forget about all the no-talent celebrities, the bankers, the politicians, the tabloid reporters, the prima donna footballers, and think for a moment about a man who has truly enriched lives of TV viewers in the UK and beyond for nearly sixty years with his gentle and intelligent enthusiasm, making programmes about the natural world that never fail to enthrall us whilst we also learn much of enduring value.

Now we are not at all sure if Sir David is a 'dog person'. We googled 'David Attenborough dogs' and the best we found was a video of him talking about dissecting a spaniel. What we do know is that anyone whose love of his subject is so great that he will, in his ninth decade, go traipsing around the Polar regions with a camera crew, still full of vigour and sparkle, creating television of matchless quality, should be celebrated and treasured.

I am just a young pup and Gail insists that she is relatively young too(!) We look at Mr Attenborough and feel inspired but also humbled.

21 comments:

  1. I think you're spot on there Bertie. The man is a genius. If only I had half his energy, but that is unlikely given that I am a greyhound. Hehe! Actually I missed the last episode, so I think I might watch it now. Deccy x

    ReplyDelete
  2. He must be a dog person . Bertie - FYI Snowy is called Milou here and Struppi in Germany . Do you think that you'd be called Hector if you were French ?

    ReplyDelete
  3. he is incredible. The Frozen Planet is being aired here now.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Bertie, we have watched programs with David Attenborough too and they are truly amazing. We love David Attenborough. I think he would love all the creatures on earth. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, look at that picture of the buffalo (?) I think anyway. Sounds like a great program!

    ReplyDelete
  6. We have seen some of his programs.
    They are always superb!!!

    PeeS... do you get a bowl of Poppy Corn to nibble while watching???

    ReplyDelete
  7. We know the name and have seen some of his work -- but hadn't considered where he fits into the pantheon of English greats. So we will take the word of our foxy pal and his very astute human!!!

    Wirey woofs,

    Jake amd Just Harry

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh I wish we could watch that series!

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Count me among those who have great admiration for Sir David (not knowing what ALL those initials are behind his name, I will just stay with Sir!)

    With his great enthusiasm for our natural world, I hope he carries on for many, many more years.

    Cheers,
    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, his shows are great! I love Planet Earth...that's my favorite. Did you howl at the moon after watching?!?
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

    ReplyDelete
  11. We haven't seen his show but is does look very interesting. We like the pics of the wolves and buffalo too.
    Wags
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica,Lucas

    ReplyDelete
  12. We were going to say you were the more admirable citizen but we have to agree with Gail on this one
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  13. hey Bertie,

    Excellent choice! My human has long been an admirer of his, and anyone who promotes the inner wolf is a hero of mine!!

    We know the English and Scottish have had many great men throughout history, but we agree with you that he ranks right up there. Brilliant! We have not seen FROZEN PLANET but it looks wonderful, and I am sure it is also very educational.

    My human watched the 1969 series CIVILISATION last year and was blown away. Amazing. It is on her Christmas list this year. :->

    Great post, Bertie!

    Suka

    p.s. Very funny putting "(!)" after Gail's young age. BOL!

    ReplyDelete
  14. FYI - David Attenborough developed CIVILISATION. :->

    Suka

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sir David would certainly make our Top Ten. A lot of his programs air on our PBS stations, but probably after they air in the UK. We haven't seen this one, but we've seen dozens of his earlier programs.

    We are personally grateful to be able to snuggle up where it's warm and dry, on nice soft beds, while mama dishes up our kibble and serves it to us, instead of having to freeze our tushies off chasing down bison. We're interested in wolves the same way mama is interested in Otzi - purely in an academic way, with no desire at all to actually live that life. Do you think that is why our civilization is declining?

    Jed & Abby, spoiled and proud of it

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sir David is absolutely amazing. The Frozen Planet is just something else!

    Big nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey Bertie, my mum's friend lives next door to David A. in Surrey. That's exciting. But mum didn't spot him when she was there visitin'. Anywho - that series is being shown here in Australia at the mo - in fact another episode is on the TV right now - gotta go!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Here, here Bertie, we have been watching The Frozen Planet its a lovely programe, Tess thought the wolves were around the back of the TV she was very funny to watch lol.I must tell mom to try and get it on video :)

    I had to laugh at your last post Hand me downs, Tess has been saying she is fed up of mine lol
    Thanks for you visit and comment
    See Yea George xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Bertie

    Our hoomans love this series too. They always watch anything to do with David Attenborough. So knowledgeable and so enthusiastic and to have travelled to the places he has been to.

    To have a profession you feel so deeply about must be amazing.

    Right off to enjoy my role in life... digging holes. Wonder if I will ever meet David at the end of one of my holes one day.

    Molly.

    ReplyDelete