How to solve the problems of the world

So I got a message yesterday morning which simply said, 'Market?'

Despite the obvious lack of grammar, or intellect, to convey a full and meaningful message, I saw who it was from and, believe it or not, I understood and replied.

We headed off to Sommieres for the Saturday shop and then wandered towards Elie's bar to meet up with the usual suspects. Peter, who must have been gagging for a drink, was already at the table and thoughtfully, for once, had a full carafe of rosé waiting for us. The market was busy and the tables were full but we managed to squeeze in. A little later we were joined by Bryan, who always arrives late, hoping to miss out on paying for a round. Anyway, after the third carafe it was amazing how quickly we solved the problems of the world. We whizzed through them, hardly drawing breath, ticking them off one by one. It never fails to amaze me as to how difficult governments make things for themselves.

Talking of making things difficult for yourself, it was interesting watching Gordon Brown defending himself this morning on the Andrew Marr show. With the benefit of hindsight, Blair was right in delaying the handover of power to Brown. He realised that he was not the man for the job but I suppose he just gave in to the inevitable. Whilst he is undoubtedly bright and hard-working, Brown lacks something and just does not have the common touch. It's difficult to see a way out and I suspect that he is leading his party to an inevitable election defeat. If Gordon could just make his way to the market on Saturday mornings, and sink a couple with us, we'd show him how to do it.