Lady Ophelia and the Beardy Belgians...

Week 6 of Darcy's Postcard Challenge sees Lady Ophelia visiting Belgium....a country that has only existed in it's own right for about 30 years.

The ruling monarch is Leopold II, who is at this time responsible for the violent suppression and death of millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, land acquired by Belgium with the assistance of Mr Stanley of "Dr Livingstone I presume" fame.

Belgium is also in the grips of the Socialist Revolution in Europe, with the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel in high demand.

Amid this upheaval, The Belgians decided it was time to rationalise it's football leagues, and in 1895 the Belgian National Association of Football was born.

(Doh...forgot to add the black to centre of poppy)

" My Dear Miss Lillian,

I am happy to report that Richard is much brighter this week. We were invited to a little town called Liege to watch the first match their team is playing since the formation of the Belgian National Association of Football. They are tipped to win the "Coup de Championatt" whatever that is! We accompanied HRH King Leopold II, a very sour-faced gentleman, not much fun at all. Richard was very respectful, although I suspect he did not truly like him.

We were later entertained by a Mr ADOLPHE SAX, who played the most peculular looking instrument, to be known as a "SAX-A-PHONE". For all it's strange appearance it does make a rather soothing melody.

Took a stroll out into the country-side near the town. This is such a beautiful little country, even in winter. Apparently, the surrounding fields are on ocean of Red Poppies in the summer.

Yours affectionately

Effie XXX"

" My Darling Effie,

How very "Working class" of you to attend such a function as a "football match". It would seem that Messrs Marx and Engel are certainly getting their way in that new "little country" as you called it. I am afraid I can be of no assistance with regard to "Coup de Championatt", as I prefer the more gentlemanly sport of cricket.

I would say I am surprised His Royal Highness also attended, but his popularity at this time is so low I suppose he has no choice but to curry favour with his people, and if Sir Richard truly has no affection for King Leopold, he grows higher in my estimations by the day!

You may recall, that as the daughter of a Missionary, I spent many years amongst the people of the Dark Continent, and am both angry and disgusted at their treatment under King Leopold's rule. Mr Stanley must be thoroughly ashamed of assisting him so.

You seem, at last, to be spending more time with your husband. A walk in the fresh spring air will have done you both the power of good. I look forward to listening to Mr Sax should he ever reach England. I am intrigued by this "Sax-a-phone" of his.

your ever-loving Governess

Miss Lillian xxx

p.s. Please pay closer attention to your tenses dear....if you "were" invited their team "were" playing, and the correct spelling is "peculiar"

Images on page: Top left King Leopold II of Belgium, top right Adolphe Sax, bottom left Friedrich Engel and Karl Marx and bottom right some pretty faeries playing in a poppy field from Dezinaworld :D(because I couldn't have a page of just grumpy looking bearded men)

Enjoy :D XXX