I was seeking a little richly deserved peace and quiet yesterday in one of the less visited rooms at Strawberry Hill House (Have I mentioned the amazing exhibition there at the moment?  Tickets still available) when who should walk in but my dear and valued friend Anthony.  After all, how many men do you know that at a moments notice could do a Latin translation or provide the name of Norman Scott’s dog?  (Rinka, a Great Dane, in case you didn’t know). But was he focussed on the wealth of treasures around him?  No, he had tracked me down to complain about the absence of a blog this week.  The responsibility of inspiring such devotion is a little overwhelming, even for me.

My mind of late has been on higher things; namely my ceiling.  And walls.  The decorator has finally arrived and the house will go to the ball before Christmas.  Thank God for technology, not a phrase in daily usage I venture, because with a click on my iPad I was able to send pictures of the paint samples to my thirty most trusted advisors and decide on a colour without leaving the house.  FYI the way forward, so long Farrow and Ball’s ‘Elephant’s Breath’, is now either ‘Skylight’or ‘Cornforth White’.  I opted for the latter, largely on the basis that John Cornforth has connections with Strawberry Hill.  (Have I mentioned ….) and it goes with the carpet.

The Internet was also employed by my old schoolmate who was able to send me a snap of the perfect skirt for the Christmas season which she will hopefully despatch tomorrow. Note to self:  check for snowdrifts in Scotland.  Even I wouldn’t want her to risk life and limb just to get to the Post Office when, at a pinch, I could wear something else.  Who said that empathy course was a waste of time?

On a more serious note I see that The Sunday Times is doing a survey on Queen Bee syndrome.  Now I would never deny that men have their faults (See pages 2 – 95) but I would still rather work for a man than a woman who hates all other women.  Men are simple, straightforward creatures who can generally be persuaded/ordered to do what you want whereas a lot of women who’ve made it to the top seem to make it their mission in life to ensure that no other woman does.  Shame on you ladies.  Let your New Year resolution be to work on empowering and supporting your sisters.  Or brothers, I should add, in these gender fluid times.

Herein ends today’s sermon.  Now let me get back to admiring my walls.  Do I need to get out more?