Birthdays and funerals

[shewhomust]

Further to my last, I am clearly not the only one for whom the death of the Duke of Edinburgh is sad but distant news: just as I was pouring water from the kettle into the teapot yesterday, a neighbour appeared from across the road with a slab of birthday cake in a napkin, and an invitation to drink a glass of fizz in her porch. I stayed home and drank my tea, but durham_rambler accepted the invitation, and was able to report back that her birthday had actually been a little while ago, and that the reason for the strand of blue in the icing was that the cake had been decorated to depict a swimming pool, complete with happy swimmers.

My own birthday falls within the week. I expect I will have more to say about this, but for the time being I will note only that - as if celebrations weren't limited enough already - the day will be marked by a royal funeral and a minute's silence.

Not for the first time, I can't do better than quote Wency Cope's All Purpose Poem For State Occasions:

‘The nation rejoices or mourns
As this happy or sombre day dawns...

Comments

[cmcmck]

I am finding the over reaction somewhat disturbing, but then, I AM a republican.

[shewhomust]

Speaking as a fellow republican, I take it for granted that there will be overreaction, but even by my standards, this seems exceptional. Of course, people are desperate for distraction at the moment...

[cmcmck]

So why did they take their usual TV away from them?

[anef]

One theory is that the BBC were terrified of getting rants from Tory politicians if they did too little, and preferred complaints from the general public by doing too much. I was expecting to be spoilered (is that a word?) re Masterchef anyway as I was planning to record the live progranmme to watch later. Instead I still have not watched the programme, and don't know who won. I daresay I will find out at some point, probably before I have watched the programme.

[shewhomust]

Whereas Friday's Have I got newd for you is presumably lost forever...

[shewhomust]

What anef said; and according to the Guardian the BBC had a huge number of complaints about it.

[athenais]

It sounds like quite a ridiculous amount of coverage for a 99-year-old man, prince or no prince, but then I don't feel strongly about anyone's royal family, our own politicians, and most celebrities. I am much more interested in your birthday! I hope you plan something enjoyable even if it coincides with a major national event like a funeral.

[shewhomust]

I suppose it's good for us to be reminded from time to time that like it or not (and I don't) this is a monarchy!

I am much more interested in your birthday!

That's kind of you! I don't know what we will do, but I'm sure I'll be posting about it -

[cellio]

Happy birthday despite the concurrent royal funeral.

[shewhomust]

Thank you!

[sovay]

My own birthday falls within the week. I expect I will have more to say about this, but for the time being I will note only that - as if celebrations weren't limited enough already - the day will be marked by a royal funeral and a minute's silence.

I hope it is a good birthday nonetheless!

[shewhomust]

I hope so too - and will let you know!

[nineweaving]

Let there be cake!

Nine

[shewhomust]

Oh, now that's a thought!