Happy New Year. I have just successfully written 2022 for the first time. I find it’s normally about the 7th January when I write 2021 or whatever the previous year is, usually on an important cheque, in the days when people still wrote cheques. The fact that this is edition number 221 could easily have caused a slip of the pen, but it seems the ageing grey matter hasn’t entirely given up; yet.
Surveying the New Year lists of new knights, dames, CBE’s etc is normally a gently pleasurable and interesting exercise, without causing the blood pressure to rise too dramatically. However, this year you could have knocked me down with a feather when the nice man on BBC Radio 4 informed us that former Prime Minister Tony Blair was to be knighted, but not just knighted; he is to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain, dating back to 1348, when King Edward III instituted it. Appointments are at the sole discretion of the Sovereign and beside the Monarch and Prince Charles there can only be twenty four living Companions. Appointees are supposed to be Knights already, but TB has just jumped straight in there. Seemingly it’s protocol that all former PM’s are eventually appointed to the Order. So next in line it’ll be Brown, Cameron, May and BoJo. Edward III will be turning in his grave. There’s a Parliamentary Petition flashing around on social media calling for signatures so that his appointment can be debated in Parliament. Already there are well over 300,000 and rising fast. I’m not sure that Parliament has any power or authority to overrule the Monarch, but it will make for interesting viewing! Blair has blood on his hands and a massive stain on his reputation. It’s hugely insulting to all current and former Garter members that he should be allowed to join their ranks. Watch this space.
Meanwhile, the Spring-like weather is causing much head-scratching. I mowed our two lawns in early December before putting the John Deere to bed for the winter. That already seemed pretty late in the year and I was fondly hoping that it wouldn’t be required again before mid-February at the earliest. But with temperatures in the mid teens nature is seriously confused. Our camellia has so many buds/nascent flowers on it that it’s in danger of keeling over, while the grass is visibly growing. I have lovingly tended many a handsome greensward over the years, but never have I cut the grass in January, let alone just after New Year. What to do? It’s a dilemma. I’m sure that BoJo and the gang don’t have to retire to bed with such weighty problems furrowing their troubled brows…..do they?
Meanwhile, tax returns are due. Perhaps I’ll just wander down to the beach and bury my head in the sand.
ADayInTheStrifeOf 