The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Friday, April 9, 2010

U.K.,,the nation's pubs,..[ 857 ]

How pub quizzes are all the rage

Pux quizzes: everyone wins when know-alls take on know-nothings for fun.

By Adrian Tierney-Jones
Published: 6:55AM BST 09 Apr 2010

Pub quizzes: There is a beer to suit every taste

There is a beer to suit every taste Photo: CHRISTOPHER JONES

Beer may be the main attraction in the nation's pubs, but pub quizzes are proving an increasing lure – flying in the face of those doom-mongers who warn of communities fragmenting as solitary internet surfers stay at home to work their mouse instead of their memory.

Quiz nights come second only to darts as the most popular activity in British pubs. The Daily Telegraph has played its part with the launch of the Weekend Pub Quiz. This has been a phenomenal success with landlords taking up the challenges set by question master (and ex-Mastermind champion) Gavin Fuller.

Most pub-goers like the idea of a brain-teaser and a pint, even if many of us struggle to answer the question, "What is added to beer to make the cocktail Dog's Nose?" That these events generally raise money for local charities helps the beer slip down more easily.

Greg Mulholland, MP and Chair of the Save The Pub Group at the House of Commons Sports and Social Bar, is keen to press the point. "It is also a good way to raise the profile of the pub. Millions of pounds are raised by pubs for charity: I think that is sometimes forgotten."

Landlady Rachel McDonald at the Bridge Inn, Dulverton, couldn't agree more. "We hold a quiz night every fortnight and it's a great way to raise money for local community projects, while giving people a really enjoyable evening."

Last week, the self-styled World's Biggest Pub Quiz took the concept to a whole new level when hundreds of pubs around the country invited regulars to pick up their pencils in support of the Family Holiday Association, a charity that helps seriously disadvantaged families take a much-needed break. The event raised thousands, revealed that it's gin that is added to beer to make a Dog's Nose and once again underlined the fact that pubs are more than drinking establishments – they are the oil in the social machine that for hundreds of years has been at the heart of British life.

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