Another BBQ today in the magnificent weather. No real rain for weeks and it is not looking good as we need some. Probably when it does come it will bucket down.The Royals - as I surmised, the point that they never attend funerals except for Heads of State and family friends has been lost. Newspapers both in N Z and the UK are generally critical and I suspect the majority of the public consider some sort of, even token appearance, by somebody, was warranted. The Palace should have said that although the didn't normally attend they would send a representative on this occasion as it was a significant event, the climb having been done on the eve of the Coronation. It certainly aids the Republican cause.
Not that any of it would have bothered Sir Ed in the least.
I think, from memory, he said at the time he would have rejected the knighthood if given the option but the PM Keith Holyoake had accepted it for him. Listening to a documentary on Radio NZ this morning Sir Ed mentioned that both Holyoake and Muldoon had refused to shake hands with him at one stage. Ed was of course a Citizen for Rowling member.
Then again the No Royal Show may be, as Baldrick would say "all part of a cunning plan".
Realising that Charles may not be acceptable to the Colonies the Palace are pre-empting the succession by trying to annoy us and thereby ensuring we take the first steps towards a Republic.
So we almost end on a quote from Blackadder:
Baldrick: I have a cunning plan to solve the problem.
Blackadder: Yes Baldrick. Let us not forget you tried to solve the problem of your mother's low ceiling by cutting off her head.
The End: Oz - India .....Cricket. What a great game and result. What a good decent person Kumble seems to be.
