The unveiling

As most people will know, the British enjoyed a Royal Wedding this morning. A good day to put up the bunting and to wave a few flags.

Mrs Talpa, being a canny Scots, still has the flag that her grandfather waved at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It is a bit fragile and past its best, but we gave it a gentle wave. Made of crêpe paper it has stretched over the last 114 years with the result that the Queen is looking a tad long in the face.

At the bottom of the flag the manufacturer proudly proclaims that it is made of ENGLlSH crepe paper. Was nasty, cheap crêpe paper flooding in from Europe? Every generation has its own cross to bear!