Royal Wedding

What a wonderfully symbolic event that became. Initially it began as most formal occasions do, with lines of mutton dressed as lamb trying to get the cameras to notice them and their £5000 outfits from some posh designer shops in Knightsbridge.

However, it became apparent as the two Princes (William and Harry) walked up the aisle of Westminster Abbey, that those hundreds of also-rans had seats without a view of the ceremony, because there was a screen and the choir stalls in the way, plus the distance from their seats to the altar steps was well over 50 yards as a minimum.

But the real contrast came as the bride walked up the aisle with her father, followed by four bridesmaids and two page boys. Whereas the average age of the congregation at the sides was around 55 or even more, the average age of those in the actual ceremony was about 18, as two of the bridesmaids were only 3. The whole ambience of the occasion changed, as the fuddy-duddies in their "look at me" clothes were all for nought as the kids took centre stage, and it was great - because while children can be told how to behave in a proper manner, they dont have any qualms about showing their true characters, something which pompous adults strive so hard to hide.

It was marvellous, and full of interesting body language. Had I been William turning to see Kate Middleton in that dress and veil standing beside me in the church, I would have just cried because she was so beautiful. Harry seemed to realise that his elder brother had really pulled a cracker, and probably decided his non-existant chance was finally over but the bride had a pretty fit sister. Say no more.

The page boys looked smart, but had that mischievous air which only page boys can have, and the two little 3 year old bridesmaids just stole their own show.

Sadly, the balcony kiss photos seem to include one bridesmaid looking decidedly annoyed with all the noise and commotion - and in later years that photo will probably haunt her as "did I really look like that at a Royal wedding?".  Never mind, I hope she was rewarded with lots of jelly, ice cream and cake.

Hot

Its hot outside today, and a bit too hot for sweatshirts, but t-shirts just do not look right on an upright whale. There is not much that I can do in the garden as everything is just starting to grow and can fend for itself at this time of year. I had lost the smalls in a drunken haze two afternoons ago, and try as I might I had not been able to find them until this morning.

I had not thought to look in the cool box, but there they were and once found I had vague recollections of putting them there. So they went in the sunshine on the kitchen worktop and I was lazing around outside when I heard a key in the door - oops Friday, and Rob is going to play golf. They were spirited away tactfully while he was looking at post.

Have slow cooked a pheasant for the risotto, but had no cider (surprise) so added a chopped apple to the stock to be boiled. Lets hope it turns out ok. Saw more orange tips and my first holly blue today. The great tits seem to be taking an interest in the area around the shed, maybe they are eyeing up a nest site. The wren seems to have given up on the hole in the tree stump.