Invasion time..... in blackpropaganda

Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of D Day - the last to be officially commemorated by the surviving veterans - a dwindling bunch - so all the leaders are in France, and there will be much talk of sacrifice tomorrow - they will not be showing Saving Private Ryan or The Longest Day. Whatever the Brits say, the whole thing depended on the resources of the USA - and while we concentrate on D Day remember the sacrifice of millions of Soviet soldiers at the same time - very often the contribution of the USSR is forgotten because of the Cold War. I fear this will make little sense to kids - 70 years is a long time - and they have been caught up in 1914. At least the weather should be better than in 1944.

Meanwhile life goes on with the big political spat here about how to try to stop Islamic extremism in schools. Not as easy thing to define - for instance is it extremist for a girl to wear a scarf - how much religion should be taught? Our white middle class politicians are not sure what to do.

And I painted a small picture for a neighbour's son who is getting married at the weekend - put it into an appropriate frame - and SW... took it across to his mother. Later that day we had an invitation to the evening party. Now that is embarrassing - it was just a small present - and now we join the party - it is very kind - but to be honest it would be nice to stay in - well, we shall go for an hour or so. and

**BBC NEWS - A flotilla of ships have started their journey from the UK across the channel to France to mark tomorrows 70th anniversary of D-Day in France. French news reports that France has responded already by surrendering

Ah, the oldies are the best!