Inevitably Gaza crept into our conversation this week, as politicians of all shades line up to criticise Israel for the civilian death rate, which we all find horrific.  Sadly, Hamas operate from the midst of the civilian population, so any retaliation for the rocket bombardment will take place there.   A ceasefire is probably the best available solution while positions are entrenched.  At least it might provide time for mediation via third parties. Television showed marches throughout Europe against the incursion into Gaza, mostly young people by our standards.  A couple of us find it hard to criticise the Israeli position having spent regular nights in wet Anderson air raid shelters during the Second World War.  When you’re on the receiving end of falling bombs, your greatest wish is that the other side is getting their share of grief.  Wars are never one sided.  If nothing else, a ceasefire would end the killing.

    The shooting down of MH17 gave the European Union an opportunity to come together and condemn the act.  Instead, they focused on their existing deals with Russia, no surprise.  David Cameron still seems convinced that membership of the EU allows each country to punch above its weight in international affairs.  Dream on Dave.  Self interest rules.         

    A highly anticipated teaser has been released for the film of the book, 50 Shades of Grey, due out next year.  The viewing figures on You Tube hit six figures in no time.  Not that it whet our appetites much.  We’ve seen more sado-masochism on old folks coach trips as they fight for the window seats.  Our knowledge of the book is second hand but we feel it will lack the touch of class that we associate with Bill Clinton.  His antics with a cigar keep him top of our all time list of great players, perfect material for a blockbuster film.  The only downside we could see would be the need for a health warning; it is tobacco after all.  The lads keep querying why I can’t write a similar book to 50 Shades that will sell by the million. Paddy’s reason, the unkind comment that my memory doesn’t go back that far. 

    An item about the Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge in Chester caught Ben’s eye.  Lovers around the world have joined the craze of attaching padlocks to bridges before throwing the keys into the water as a symbol of their everlasting love.  It has got so popular in Chester that that the council has decided to remove the locks, since they could make the bridge unstable in strong winds.  Similarly, in Paris, parts of the railings on a bridge collapsed under the weight of attached locks.  Having researched it for a book, the craze appeared to start on the Ponte Milvio in the north of Rome.  Even there, the local authorities have finally had to stop the practice.  It’s amazing how these fads spread now we have social media.  How long before we see Loom Bands used as an alternative to locks?  If your current love dims, the bands are easily removed and can be redesigned, perhaps made bigger, since the new love will always be greater than the first.  Based on celebrity behaviour and the wannabe’s that follow them, some Loom Bands could quickly become heavier than padlocks!    

    Tory MP, David Tredinnick is a member of two Commons committees – Health, plus Science and Technology.   He told the BBC last week that astrology had a proven track record at helping people recover from illness.  Perhaps he’s going through a mystic dark of the moon period, a commonly occurring Westminster syndrome based on some of the strange, unsolicited views we hear from elected MP’s.  We came to the conclusion that stargazing MP‘s are frequently on the cusp, so to speak.  In David’s case he may be star crossed, our advice to him, stop talking through Uranus.     

    Our fame as a nation is spreading.  The British Council has carried out a survey of 18-34 year olds in China, Germany, India and the US, 5000 participants in all.  27% said our worst characteristic was that we drink too much, 23% that we have poor eating habits.  We decided that regular trips to The Duke might be affecting the way foreigners view us, and Jez made the mistake of mentioning it to landlady, Pam.  Had any of the 5000 mortals surveyed been in the vicinity, we feel certain that Brits use of expletives would have been top by a long way!

    The healthy food pundits are now arguing about five versus seven a day.  We don't care which is best on the assumption that hops must be a fruit or vegetable!!