Learn your lesson!

The flag of the Bailiwick of Guernsey flies proud all over the island. This one is above the hotel!

The constitutional position of Guernsey is complicated to a mere UK person (even a Scot with a parliament all of his own - well, me and the rest of the Scottish population).

Anyway, in St Peter Port this morning and suddenly there is developing a most blipworthy scene! The first thing to notice was the appearance of a Daimler with no number-plates. In the UK of course that is a privilege of the Crown. The car sweeps up to the door of the Town Church, and out come two well turned out ladies. They are - it appears - the wife of the Lieutenant Governor (hence no number plates since he is the personal representative of HM), and the wife of the Bailiff. The Bailiff is the chief officer in the Bailiwick.

Down the street comes a marvellous procession - led by officers of the Chief Pleas. The Chief Pleas is the island parliament. Behind come the LG and the Bailiff, and then about fifty or so of magnificently robed members of the Royal Court, judges, advocates, Constables, etc, etc.

But the most wonderful moment was when one little old rather bent lady shuffled in total oblivion of the pavement straight into the path of this august procession. She stopped the lot in her tracks. With great precision she walked a step at a time across the street - going where she was going - while the great and the good canonned to a dead halt! Wonderful.

The Chief Pleas was going to the Town Church for its annual service at the beginning of the Legal Year.

AND I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAMERA!!!! I know, I know!

Luckily, Picassa was not so fussy, so I can offer you this of The Bailiff, Sir Geoffrey Rowland.