Dines' Days : Blooming lovely

Blooming lovely

LONDON looked in the prime of condition yesterday as I walked from the House of Commons towards Piccadilly.

Among the great, unsung, joys of the capital are the pelicans in St James's Park. At noon yesterday, they were enjoying a nap on a sunny rock outcrop in the middle of the lake, guarded by a solidary cormorant with Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria monument shimmering in the sunny distance.

And London also has the capacity to surprise me, even though I'm there at least once a week. Yesterday was no differenct. I've often seen the Queen Mary memorial but have never noticed, or if I have, completel disregarded, the much larger memorial to Queen Alexandra, the consort of King Edward VII.

When Prince of Wales, the larger than life Edward was one of this country's most promiscuous monarchs from a long line of promiscuous monarchs. His affairs and dalliances, both at home and in Paris, are legendary.

Alexandra was, in contrast, a sweet character who tolerated her husband's philanderings. No Diana type outbursts about crowded marriages from her. She lived from 1844 to 1925 and on her death, the memorial was erected on the wall of Clarence House next to St James's Chapel. It says simply: "Faith, hope, love, the guiding virtues of Queen Alexandra."

Back at Westminster, the corridors of power are in their annual summer chaos, as rebuilding and redecorating carry on apace. It's no wonder a recall of Parliament would have been resistsed because of the huge health and safety issues of MPs, assistants, and staff trying to walk down corridors now temporary culs-de-sac because of all the changes.

So life goes on. The Prime Minister has been back at work since last Friday - has anyone noticed and does anyone care?

posted on 31 August 2006 13:05 by Graham Dines

Comments

02 September 2006 09:42 by Angus Danton Green

# re: Blooming lovely

Well I know the PM is back.
Praise the Lord.
My chief had me on the Royal Mail Junk mail case within hours of the PMs return.
If I ever have to meet people outside the POW I always guide them to St James's Park, no matter what the weather is. That is other than when raining.
Sitting talking over matters that concern the people of this country in such surroundings is
made easier. Focus of the mind is acquired.
When out of the POW I am only a SATCOMVIDEO PHONE away from my masters.
I often turn the SVP around so they can look at the park as well.
Bye for now
ADG
POW Monitor.

03 September 2006 11:36 by Angus Danton Green

# re: Blooming lovely

Hello there,
Spent the best part of yesterday with, Yes Saturday.talking with Royal Mail Officers.
Regards Junk Mail, they think the solution is to fit Wheeled Bins, Recycle Material (Blue)with commercial Shedders.
At this point I made my excuses and had my car come round and take me home and watch what we call Who wants to be Maria?
Is it fixed?
Bye for now
ADG
POW Monitor.

04 September 2006 13:44 by Graham Dines

# re: Blooming lovely

Hi Anton

Your identity is beginning to fascinate me. I've looked in my parliamentary phone book, which albeit is now 14 months out of date, and the only Green's listed are Fiona, Jackie, John and Tim.
Walberswick may have given me a clue, because I do know someone who works in the House of Commons who has a weekend home there on the Suffolk Coast . . .