Volcanic eruptions – The Anna Raccoon Archives

by Thaddeus J. Wilson on April 16, 2010

Almost there!

It’s surprising who’s been affected by this disaster, really:

The eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano has closed airports and canceled flights in Europe, leading to the suspension of equine frozen semen shipments at the height of the breeding season.

Jamie Anderson of Equine Reproduction in Berkshire, England, said that his and other companies are having difficulty getting frozen semen to clients.

“People in the U.K. were hoping to order chilled semen from Baloubet du Rouet (from Belgium) today,” said Anderson, “but that was not possible because of the canceled flights. Luckily, we have a reserve of Baloubet du Rouet frozen semen in stock, and so have been meeting the UK demands that way.”

I hardly know where to begin dissecting this and I suspect it may completely overwhelm me.

On the other hand, I’m not anywhere near as unhappy in my job as I was before I started reading this!

{ 22 comments }

lenko April 16, 2010 at 12:56

Oh Dear… The Baloubet du Rouet was NOT a good vintage, coming (as it did) from sires kept in the North paddock. All the good stuff was commandeered by the Brown government, who needed something to fill all their bollocks.

What a shame there is no alternative method of transportation. I remember, back in the old days, we used something called — I think it was a SHIP.

Saul April 16, 2010 at 13:06

It has come to my attention that the cloud covering UK Airspace is not coming from a Volcano. I have it on reliable authority that industrial cleaners have been cleaning the trophy cabinet at Sid James Park so that Newcastle United can receive the Coca Cola Championship trophy. The resulting dust cloud is the real reason.

Saul April 16, 2010 at 13:08

I myself was due to fly out of the UK this morning, therefore I am more than happy to pin the blame on the Geordies.

Dungeekin April 16, 2010 at 13:22

At least they’ve got an alternate supply.

It may not be as good as what they normally use, but in a crisis like this I guess they have to take whatever comes.

Gloria Smudd April 16, 2010 at 13:50

Who would have thought it would ‘come’ to this?

Saul April 16, 2010 at 14:00

I expect Connoisseur’s of Baloubet du Rouet have a handy container to spit in.

Lexander April 16, 2010 at 14:28

It’s an ill cloud that does nobody any good…my biker couriers are, as I type, blasting their way all over the place with thermos crammed with spunk.

Gloria Smudd April 16, 2010 at 14:41

So why the long face?

Joe Public April 16, 2010 at 15:10

I suppose there are a lot of disappointed Belgian stallions not getting a ‘helping hand’ this weekend.

Chuckles April 16, 2010 at 16:35

Much as one would hate to interrupt the vicarious teledildonic thrills of these noble north paddock sires, I suppose if they are out of bottled, they will have to settle for local draught. As it were.
Or a whole new meaning to animal husbandry perhaps?

Alan April 16, 2010 at 16:44

Is Rebecca Loos just out of shot?

lenko April 16, 2010 at 17:20

@Dungeekin… yes, but not everyone wants to come home to find their mate using “an alternate supply” of sperm.

Saul April 16, 2010 at 22:29

Yes. the excuse would be hard to swallow.

smokey joe April 17, 2010 at 15:23

I’m surprised that smokers aren’t getting the blame for ash lying everywhere. It seems it’s actually caused by global warming which is melting the ice caps..

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ice-cap-thaw-iceland-volcanoes

di gestive April 17, 2010 at 16:42

It seems that all flights are being diverted to Dubai. The reason behind this is that Dubai as many people know became bankrupt recently and the government has seen an opportunity to lure people to spend their moolah on visits the world’s largest shopping mall, the world’s tallest tower, the world’s newest metro, the world’s most destructive construction site, blah blah. It’s an attempt to bring in some money to the cash strapped credit pariah Emirate, especially since Abu Dhabi seems to be taking over Dubai (world’s tallest tower, world’s newest metro, world’s best airline, etc, etc) in return for paying a few bills. Blimey that was a long sentence!!

Gloria Smudd April 17, 2010 at 17:02

Hi Di!
Has anyone thought to stuff those Dubai planes full of frozen arab stallion semen ready to jet to the UK once the volcanic ash drifts away from Britain’s airspace?

Anna Raccoon April 17, 2010 at 17:11