A week of two halves. In the first part it comprised a fairly settled few days of decent weather, some pottering in the garden and walking Dog. Plus ca change…
The second half the whole of the UK went a bit demented as we celebrated the extraordinary fact the Queen has been on the throne for 70 years. It sort of boggles the mind, really, doing one job for that long. The resilience to be able to do the same thing day by day and still want more; it’s a version of Einsteinian madness and yet it is also one of the most applaudable things imaginable. The fondness with which Her Maj is held is testament to her ability to just keep on truckin’.
For four days, the country has worked its way through a host of celebrations. This time, unlike 2012 when there was a somewhat amateurish feel to the whole thing, it has been pretty slick. And this time too, the organisers have avoided the mistake of having Rock royalty like Paul McCartney prove once again that not everyone’s voice lasts for ever. Mind you, Rod Stewart and Elton John are beginning to push their luck.
For me the opening sequence to the concert on Saturday featuring the Queen and Paddington Bear tops everything: simple, funny and touching. No pretension. And of course I owe a lot to Paddington myself so to see him have tea with the Queen was well-deserved recognition of his importance.
Alongside these celebrations I spent three and a bit days at the test match; for those not in the know that is an international cricket match, this one being the first of three between the current world champions, New Zealand and England, who are on something of a bum’s rush in terms of recent performances. To say expectations were low would be to suggest there was some expectation at all.
Still, new dawns do occur and we had a new captain, manager and, no doubt sock sponsor so I went along with hope… oh rubbish, I expected humiliation and for one and a half of the first three days, that is what appeared likely. There were moments when the pendulum seemed to be swinging our way but it kept getting caught up in all the unsponsored socks or some such. And then… we won. Easily. Without drama. An oddly flat ending to a compelling game. I wasn’t sure whether to jump around or shuffle away in embarrassment and my lack of faith. I sort of jigged… inwardly.
That said, it is a three game series so there’s still plenty of time for England to make a total Horlicks of everything…
This week I will be going to the seaside to visit some friends. I’ll let you know how that goes.
And looking in a wider arc, our jolly leader may have part one of his comeuppance if the members of his party call for a vote of confidence. He’s such a oiled eel, mind you, that it wouldn’t surprise me if he slips free and continues to make the case for why having an elected Head of State would be a disaster. I wouldn’t want my favourite bear within a golden mile of that shaggy haired charlatan. I should, of course, in a spirit of political fairness point out that other complete numpties are available as potential Prime Ministers, both within the Tory party and those in opposition: we are truly blessed to have such a diverse range of tossers from whom to pick.
TanGental 
Lol Geoff totally agree with you on the polictical side , least said the better I don’t want to get banned!
Glad the cricket went your way and fingers crossed for the next two matches. Your garden is looking great. As is dog as always 💜
Unfortunately after two a a bit years of covid dodging hubby and I both succumbed, two days apart, to Covid so missed out on our planned celebrations. Which took place on our front lawn without us with neighbours giving me the off wave , as I had not at first been negative, but kept away for their safety…just as well as I became positive the next day and I can attest Covid is no fun …it’s still not messing about!
We did see the concert though and thought it was brilliant , like you we love the Paddington opening.
Hope you have a good time at seaside 💜💜 I going back to sleep now !
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Now that’s a bummer. Do get well soon please..
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We are doing our best thanks 😊
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Loved the Queen and Paddington! She’s amazing to do that and even her family didn’t know apparently!
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It was one of the really delightful moments of 2022…
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The Paddington video was brills. 🙏😂😘
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Twas an unexpected joy
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What a lovely mixed border Dog has created with the poppies, daisies and calendula. Enjoy the paddling and castle building!
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We will. Ice cream comes too I hope.
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It would be rude not to indulge!
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Oh, the Paddington Bear video was absolutely brilliant and funny – I loved it when the Queen took a marmalade sandwich out of her bag! As for the range of tossers to replace Boris of the Weird Hair, we have the twins over here, each one proving worse than the last. But I don’t want to keep poor bumbling, demented Joe.
I do not understand the rules of cricket – I watched for two hours one day and came away as confused as ever…
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Yes, as to cricket I’ve been watching since 1967 and I’m still sorting it out. There are nine ways to be out in cricket including taking too long to get out of the changing room at the start… it’s bonkers. And getting rid of one, leaves open the ‘be careful what you wish for’ issue.
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We all suffer with our elected leaders. I wish we had someone who could be counted on for 70 years to be looked up to as an icon. But, no, we get a grumpy old fool who can’t find his way to the office alone. One who constantly rants and raves at us ungrateful minions to be happy with higher prices, less oil, more illegals, and higher crime. He also pretends to be a world leader who happens to confuse allies with his lack of control over his staff. Meanwhile, he and his kid make millions. The cricket game looks like a great escape as does a trip to the seaside. Dog and the garden look terrific.
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Escape is, indeed the best option. Electing leaders or letting them have any real power never ends well, does it. Who was it said all political careers end in failure? What they failed to add was that most also don’t end soon enough.
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So true.
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I do so enjoy counting through the year with your garden, Dog, cricket, et al – thanks as always! 🙂 (Oh, and Her Majesty with Paddington Bear was the nicest official thing I’ve seen in a long while. <3)
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Yes if only all presidents monarchs and other heads of state would spend their time with marmalade eating Peruvians…
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It was quite dramatic when Root did his bit yesterday, but in a good way. Great that we didn’t mess about, as has often been the case recently. Let’s see what Friday brings. Good to catch up with you over a cuppa. Our seats must’ve been almost directly underneath yours!
The Queen/Paddington sketch was gorgeous! I expect he updated his friend Mr Gruber with all the details. I didn’t see the rest of the concert yet but enjoyed recording of Trooping and watched the Thanksgiving service live. The Pageant was amazing – thought it’d be naff but it wasn’t. Very fab moment when HM appeared yesterday at the end, sniff.
And now King Boris maybe de-throned! As you say, who’ll come next, eek.
Garden looks nice and peaceful. Beautiful wild flower display.
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Seems like Bojo has survived for now. Is there no one Ready to play Brutus?
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You’d have thought, wouldn’t you. They’re usually pretty good at that kind of thing.
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You would
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Umm, not the whole of the U.K. was demented! Not much went on up here and I managed to avoid it totally.
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Ah now, there you have the nature of selective BBC news items that made it seem like it touched many if not most corners. But then again you Weegies (adopted or otherwise) aren’t exactly typical of anywhere, are you?!
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Not just us, all of Scotland was sparse. Tend to take anything the BBC says about us with a pinch of salt!
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Yes we too. Probably means they’re spot on. Friends in Aberdeen suggested it was party central but that may just have been their street and they are close to Balmoral…!
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Oh yes, definitely hotspots, but not always as expected. Eg Perth I would have thought of as quite traditional, yet they had put big screens up and they were deserted. And I wouldn’t have strayed into the Orange Lodge areas of Glasgow …
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Goodness no. Ghastly I expect
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Bad enough when Rangers are playing!
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I can just imagine!! We only have to put up with Crystal Palace. Crystal Who?
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Perfectly put. Your account of the Test Match made me quite nostalgic. I haven’t followed cricket for aeons, but in my pre-teen years, I couldn’t get enough of it, spending days glued to the telly watching every minute of every test match. I soon gave up on England, though, and started supporting the West Indies. Far more exciting back then. Jon Snow and Bob Willis looked like Last of the Summer Wine compared with Michael Holding, Andy Roberts and Co.
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I’ve stayed loyal and depressed in equal parts…
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