Retirement age and still awaiting a proper job

Back down in London again today.

It's the 65th birthday of the heir to the throne today and Charles still waits to start his "proper" job.

To mark the occasion, gun salutes were fired at the Tower of London as a sign of respect.

Just as a salute with the open hand was used historically to show that no weapon was concealed in the palm, so the firing of cannon as a salute indicated the friendly intent of an empty chamber.

This was the Royal salutes fired from the Tower of London this afternoon.

The number of rounds fired in a Royal salute depends on the place and occasion. At the Tower of London 62 rounds are fired on Royal anniversaries (the basic 21, plus a further 20 because the Tower is a Royal Palace and Fortress, plus another 21 'for the City of London').

Received some very good news over the phone on the train down to London. Lots of 'phone calls. Things could be looking up.