[Romantic Old Bird]

Not strictly true cc10

The Dutch navy led by Admiraal M De Ruyter sailed up the Medway in 1667 and captured the Isle of Sheppey, sank the Kings fleet and destroyed the docks at Chatham.

As for the Euro, I know it's very emotive, but I have been won over by common sense, and being married to a Dutchman

Facts:

Money was developed as a form of making trade easier

We started with barter, and moved on.

In some areas, sea shells were currency

They moved on.

We rely on international trade to survive.

When I drove to Italy in 2000, I had to have pounds, French francs and Italian lire.

I had to work out what was what all the way, and despite my best efforts was left with odds and sods of change.

Last year I was supposed to go to Dublin, so I got some Euro's. This ferry was cancelled, so I didn't go.

Two weeks later I went to Holland and used the Euro's

In September I went to Spain, and used my left over coins.

I still have some Euro's, and I am keeping them til my next journey.

Listen, everyone went ballistic when we lost 12 pennies to the pound, threepenny bits, farthings, 2/6 coins etc. Now it's no bother.

The real thing that wipes out our individuality as a nation are companies like McDonalds, and cities all over the world with the same shops.

We don't need coins to remain British.