The Centre of Things

In the one week we have the death of the Queen, a new prime minister, and - in a period which is going to be the biggest ever policing and security challenge - a new police commissioner in London from Monday. Whilst the role of the monarch these days is symbolic, with the real powers vested in the prime minister and cabinet, it does feel like the ground is shifting under us. The Queen has been there throughout my life, represented in everyday things from coinage and banknotes to stamps and postboxes. That will now all be history.

Most people in the UK have never experienced a change of monarch. After a 70 year reign it’s all very unsettling. Although some of the processes now in train are strangely fascinating. I don’t feel sad - the Queen lived a long and good life, was obviously hugely respected, and had old fashioned qualities which will be missed. But something is passing, and the future looks more uncertain.

And ….. it may be September, but four clematis in our garden are still in flower. The bees aren’t normally interested in them, although this one was an exception today.