25th September 2022

 For some, this weekend is a time of quiet reflection on the past year. Hilary Mantel, a remarkable author, has died. Monday saw the greatest televised pageantry ever as HM Queen Elizabeth was finally laid to rest next to her beloved Philip, and a mourning nation now looks forward to the coronation of King Charles III next summer. The king must learn to modernise the monarchy, and our new PM faces a mammoth task on all fronts. Already, the chancellor has evoked controversy this week with his mini-budget. If ever there was a budget to infuriate left-wingers, it was this one, seemingly giving to the rich more than to the poor. For right-wingers, though, it was clear:  bolster companies to create national growth, which would then trickle down to the rest of us. Trouble is, if we pander too much to socialism, you end up like the eastern bloc, where everyone’s poor except for the top tier of society. The answer, of course, is to keep to the middle ground. Like Mantel’s Cromwell, life is forever fraught, trying to keep the wolf from the door. For me, I’m sticking to our late queen’s wise words:  keep calm and carry on.

18th September 2022

The lying in State for our late Queen has been historic and peaceful. A truth has become evident:  countries with a monarchy are less likely to mount an unprovoked attack on another nation.  The monarch is the Head of State, with the ultimate power to overrule the prime minister of the day, should it be necessary. So, if the public, in a fit of zeal, vote in as prime minister a person who lets this new power go to his/her head, beware.  Not everyone can cope with the sudden rush of power and glory. In some people, this can create a feeling of self-importance and superiority.  What a pity that Germany didn’t have a monarchy in 1933, when the people voted in a man (Hitler) to provide them with jobs for the masses. Little did they know he would soon become a megalomaniac, a crisis a monarchy could have stopped. And, in the US, a monarch would have stopped the attacks at the Capitol building. A monarchy is an essential extra layer against anarchy. In complete contrast, let’s remember the wonderful legacy of Elizabeth, who showed the world, by example, how to be humble.

10-11th September 2022

Lately, I’ve been bemoaning the lack of respect everywhere, but then came Thursday and everything changed. Up and down the land, people have been crying, including me.  I’ve been struggling to understand it, but at last it’s become clear. For me, I’ve been unable to grieve for my own lost family. But now the Queen, a maternal figure for us all, has died, opening the floodgates. Around the country, others are reporting a similar reaction. So, now we have a king. He has shown wonderful respect for his mother, just as the 5th commandment decrees. We also have a new PM, the third woman in the role, who was loyal to, and respected, her predecessor. At least Charles won’t be like the last, very lustful, King Charles (II). Our new king only ever loved one woman. At last Camilla is by his side. Royal advisers back then had a lot to answer for, ruining the lives of Edward VIII, Diana and Princess Margaret too with their stringent rules on spouse suitability. At least Elizabeth was allowed to marry the love of her life. For the British public, a new era dawns. Passports, postboxes, coins, banknotes, stamps, royal food labels, the national anthem - all must be replaced. But let’s hope the public too have now learned respect.
RIP Queen Elizabeth II. 

G-d Save the King. 

4th September 2022

 In 1969 an important event happened. No, not the moon landing, but the birth of our first child. And what a roller coaster it was. After months of all-day sickness whilst still working, often enduring bus rides home where I had to stand all the way, then walk home half a mile away, somehow I survived. And then the 18 hour labour without pain killers or anyone recommending a caesarian. But our new baby girl miraculously survived, a healthy and robust nine and a half pounds. Fast forward to 2022, where we’ve just spent a wonderful two weeks together in Maine. We had such a good time, swimming in the lake opposite her home, and, along with son Jonathan, eating out at so many restaurants. I recall our girlie visit to the beauty salon. Such a treat for Julie and I to do something together, just the two of us, whilst L went on a trip with George to Owl’s Head to look at a motor museum. And at work, she’s just been promoted to Vice-President at a big insurance company. Back in 1969, holding her in my arms, I could never have imagined she’d do so well. We are very proud of you, Julie. Over the moon. Happy birthday!