God Save the Queen!!

  It`s Jubilee weekend and although the French TV has shown a certain interest, we have not significantly altered our life programme. This morning we went to church as usual but did note that a prayer was offered up for her Britanic Majesty. This afternoon, we visited a car-boot sale at Loubillé and went and bought a stool from a lady in Ligné who is clearing out her garage.
  However, as you can see, we have gone so far as to raise the flag over our bit of territory. Truly, `there is a corner of a foreign field, that is forever England` ( or in fact Great Britain, but it doesn`t scan!) Jacqui, our friend in Loubillé said she was afraid the locals would be offended and stated that there is a French law that foreign flags must not be flown over French territory. In fact, her French neighbours seemed tickled to death and said nothing was more normal than to celebrate the occasion.
   And really we do have reason to celebrate. It is common to be accused of jingoism if you praise your birth-country and sometimes it seems to be the fashion to run it down. No one wants to say `my Country, right or wrong` but Britain has given a lot to the world for such a small territory. The first to industrialise, the first to have a large canal network, likewise for railways, and metalled roads. The Americans often claim the high ground, but after all, we colonised that land first, too! We had the mightiest navy in the world and formed a huge empire which was (fairly) benevolently managed and was given back to its inhabitants without excessive bloodshed or bitterness. Not bad for a land the size of Belgium or whatever (geography was never my strong point, but substitute a more suitable country if you like.) The sixtieth anniversary of the start of the Queen`s reign is a good occasion to show a little national pride!
  I was only 10 when the old King died, on the day before my birthday. I can only remember if, because the Headmistress of my prep school called us together in assembly to announce the sad news and to call for a minute`s silence, the first I can remember. Half way through this solemn ceremony, someone`s stomach produced a loud rumble and the second half minute was spoiled by desperate efforts not to laugh. When, after an age the sign of dismissal was given, an irreverent roar of mirth caused our fierce Headmistress`s brow to darken but nothing was said. Of the Coronation I remember even less, there was no television in our house on which to watch the ceremony. I do remember receiving a coronation mug and bowl and of making a plastic model of the golden coronation coach.
   However, in the following sixty years Her Majesty has done us proud and I don`t think anybody will grudge the British a little party to mark the occasion.

              God save the Queen!

         Bye for now, gone to stand to attention...