4 years, 5.5 months after World War 2 finally ended, I was born. That should make me 71, which it does. I hate to put it to all those I grew up with….we’re all getting on a bit now!
Mum and Dad, both born mid-way through the First World War, didn’t go out of their way to burden me or my older siblings with the traumas they must have endured. Neither did they shy away from sharing their experiences we might have been curious to ask about. Mother did recall that, for whatever reason, she witnessed the sight of London’s very familiar skyline, with St. Paul’s Cathedral standing proud, silhouetted against a burning backdrop of shades of orange, a result of the huge glow caused by massive enemy bombardment. This would become a well known image, immortalised in numerous documentaries and, probably paintings as well.
Tonight, as I write, BBC 1 is relaying the most wonderful commemoration of “Victory over Japan Day”, a spectacular finale of the day’s events, this evening, at Horse Guards Parade. Numerous accounts from P.O.Ws and others involved, were projected on to the surrounding buildings, along with video clippings and appropriate images. A very fitting tribute, tasteful throughout and technically as well as artistically brilliant. V.J Day was commemorated “around the world”. And full marks to the B.B.C. for their dignified relaying of this event with no irritating voice-over. Brilliant! Joanna Lumley did lead the narration of this commemoration without any obvious interruption to the proceedings.
That new lamppost outside my house is a vast improvement on the concrete structure it replaced with its ghastly orange sodium light which had discoloured the nights on our Lane long before I moved up here. (See picture at the end of this blog). I don’t usually welcome unnecessary change, but this is a definite improvement. My childhood obsession with lamp-standards lingers on. There’s even one on board Queen Mary 2 for the benefit of British dogs crossing the Atlantic in dedicated kennels. American dogs are provided with a fire hydrant…I kid you not!
Yesterday, I lamented the demise of the recent hot weather. Although not so warm during the morning, the afternoon saw a return to the humid and warm weather of previous days. But today, although pleasant, August has become its familiar changeable self. Roger came over and it was still pleasant enough to drink tea on the patio.
I am hoping that our church can resume regular worship in the near future. The trouble is that the Covid-19 regulations apply to churches as much as other public places, and while some churches have re-opened, many remain closed. I have spent small amounts of time re-familiarising myself with pages from an old Book of Common Prayer which still refers to King George as the monarch. I do love the beauty of the slightly old fashioned English in which it is written. But some of its contents seem impossible to take on board. Tomorrow, I shall tune into Sunday Worship at 8.10, assuming I don’t over sleep after a dodgy night.
That’s it for tonight. Again, many thanks for reading. David 23.34hrs 15/8/20.
David's Cruise 