Hi Joe,

Thanks for that. I have no objection to pageantry per se, but somehow that American glitz seems a lot healthier than our peculiar upper class rituals. You should also remember that all of this dressing up and 'poncing about' (to use the venacular) is largely London based. Up here in't North we have to watch it on't telly (or not watch it as the case may be). I suppose that we could travel down to the Capital and stand around in the rain for hours with a plastic Union Jack on a plastic stick ... but, speaking personally, such an experience ranks about number 10,232,612 on the list of things that I would like to do before I die!