Ready, steady … bunting!!

We are approaching maximum Platinum Jubilee preparations here today. My blip shows the lake on our road with its fence festooned with bunting! The village post office has a large crotchet crown on the main post box. Cut outs of the Queen smile from shop windows. The Main Street is dressed overall in red white and blue! I do wonder what the Queen really thinks about it all! (I am also very conscious that all these Jubilee goings on are not widely replicated north of the border where only 45% support the monarchy.)

Meanwhile 350 miles north there is a football match underway at Hampden Park between Scotland and Ukraine this evening. The winner plays Wales for a place in the World Cup group stage in Qatar.

I doubt if a football match has ever been played under such emotionally charged circumstances due to the Russian war continuing in Ukraine. The free world is hoping Ukraine will win. Scotland, while enormously respecting Ukraine, also want to win, if they possibly can.

Ten years ago we lived in Warsaw. Poland and Ukraine co-hosted the Euro Football finals that year. We watched England play Ukraine in the Warsaw fan zone. The Poles and local Ukrainians made us feel very insignificant indeed. England just managed a 1-0 win!

It’s only a game. Or is it?