Sounds a bit like an advertisement for shire horses, doesn’t it and clearly not a slogan I would pick were I trying to persuade you to make me Prime Minister?  Not that that will ever happen.  This week’s competition readers:  Think of a worse job than being any sort of politician.

Anyway, even with my legendary energy  I wouldn’t  have time to run a country – yet another week when my Manolos haven’t touched the (red carpeted) floor.  On Monday my choir went on a group outing to see Les Miserables – that’s the musical, sweetie, not a visit to Labour Party HQ.  Possibly knowing we were in the audience the cast really outshone themselves, buoyed up by us all singing along I shouldn’t wonder.  I was inspired enough to suggest that our summer concert cannot go on without a revolving stage, barricades – a first class recycling of the horrid furniture in the Strawberry Hill cafe – and flags.  Flags may not happen because it would involve the male section singing and waving simultaneously; a multi-tasking step sadly beyond most of them, bless.

Wednesday saw me gracing the Marble Arch townhouse of the Dukes of Wellington, popularly known as Number 1 London.  Handy for the shops but the traffic noise! Decided not to extend my visit by listening to what I’m sure was a riveting talk on Prussian China and repaired instead to the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nicks for a reviving tincture under the bad influence of an 80 year old lady who should know better.

On Thursday I decided to celebrate Japan’s Greenery Day by taking Useless the Younger on a picnic in suitably verdant Bushy Park.  Menu planning for this meant that much of the mental capacity of my pub quiz team on Wednesday was devoted to thinking of suitably tinted fare which resulted in us coming fifth (against a strong field).  Thank God at least it wasn’t Purple or Turquoise Day.

To Ditchling on Friday to see an exhibition of the works of the somewhat questionable Eric  Gill.  Who would think that such goings on could happen in so picturesque a setting? Thence to a viewing of Devils Dyke, a location unknown to my geographically challenged companions.  I stayed in the car; it was very windy and how many times can you look at a view?

The day was rounded off with a visit to Charleston, home to another seriously disfunctional family.  But nice decor.  And very pretty garden.  Obviously, and regrettably,  strong, stable and creative just don’t mix.