ISN'T IT ROMANTIC?

Royal Wedding day. You can't escape it. It's everywhere. Media coverage of propaganda intensity with only small dark chinks of questioning light. What can a republican do? Batten down the hatches, 24hour hermitage? It doesn't work. Red, white and blue is pervasive. A neighbour's side gate has become a Union Jack. Bunting, bunting, bunting. Egg-cups, paper plates, cakes. You know I could go on, so I won't. 


Can there be anything as anachronistic and divisive as the continued existence of a ruling class in a supposed meritocracy? It would seem there's a deference gene carried by a significant proportion of the UK population. But wait! An estimated world-wide audience of two billion people I hear. I can only hope that's a curiosity gene at work.


On the subject of mugs, the Steve Bell cartoon above has been put on mugs available from The Guardian newspaper. I guess this provides a mime show prop for more admirable national characteristics; defiant tea-drinking.


It's romance they say, but not as I know it. Romance as I know it is a far less arranged affair, lusty, dark and humorous, peppered with mundane tragedy and joy. On the pull, my story for week 15 draws on lives a bit different to those of Wills and Kate - I mean Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (throw in Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus for good measure). Bang goes my Knighthood. 




pip-pip