And now, new on BBC Radio Four, a well known author, blogger and podcaster, brings her unique views to radio. Grace Darling says it as it is…
Hello and welcome. Here we are going to talk about anything and everything. Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and wonder why it took humans so long to invent the bicycle or where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor goes to do his shopping now?
My guests this week are not revealing their names in case they are persecuted in social media, but I’m sure they will chip in with some acerbic comments.

What careers did you aspire to when you were at school? I wanted to be a journalist, but my home town only had one newspaper and nothing happened to be reported anyway. Now we can all be journalists with the wonders of PressWords and suchlike. My blog Scribbletide. com has millions of followers, some of them even genuine.
My next career idea in sixth form was to be a Political Editor, they don’t seem to have to do much except talk a lot and occasionally stand out in the rain. Where did all these talking heads come from? That girl you went to school with who wanted to be a hairdresser, suddenly appears on ‘Late Night News for Intelligent People’ as Chief Financial Editor of The Times. How on earth did she get there?
I blame it on Brexit. Endless discussions on what the results might be, followed by wailing and gnashing of teeth when the results came out and then interminable years of talking with the EU on how to do it. When Brexit was finally signed and sealed we had a world wide pandemic to commentate on plus Trump in Triumph and the game of musical chairs in our Cabinet.
My father loves to watch all the political and serious news programmes, with a running commentary
‘He’ll be gone next, she’ll be getting a vote of no confidence by the end of the week.’
My mother meanwhile will be busy knitting and making her own comments ‘I don’t care how clever that woman is, nobody with such an irritating voice should be allowed on television or radio. Oh for goodness sake, what does he look like, has he glanced in a mirror lately?’
Her knitting group once knitted the whole royal wedding, William and Catherine. While her friends created exquisite uniforms, beautiful dresses and realistic faces, Mother was consigned to knit the corgis. I don’t know if Sarah Fergusson, formerly known as The Duchess of York, knits, but she has apparently cottoned on to a more sophisticated method of copying corgis. The late Queen’s corgis were ill advisedly bequeathed to Andrew and Sarah and expected to live out their days in Windsor Great Park. We hear Sarah had plans to have them cloned and make money selling royal corgi cloned puppies. Do not try this at home, it is illegal in this country to clone your dog.

Another animal swept Trump from the headlines this week, the escape of a giant guineapig caused great excitement in Hampshire. Two Capybara sisters escaped soon after their arrival at Marwell Zoo, one huddled under a bush and was easily caught, while the other has been on the loose for over a week, with sightings but no chance of capture.

But let us finish today’s programme on a cultural note. The Bayeux tapestry is returning to England after more than 900 years in France. But whose idea was it? A French antique arts expert, defender of the tapestry, told me of his shock when watching President Macron and our Prime Minister having a jolly chat. Then out of the blue, in a throw away remark, Macron says ‘We’re sending the Bayeux Tapestry to England.’
What!!! That has never been mentioned and art experts were never consulted. The whole tapestry will fall to pieces if it’s moved…
Watch this space. If it disintegrates in England we will have to make them a new one and how long will that take?
Well that’s it for this week folks, my thanks to my guests, oh I’ve just realised I did not give them a chance to speak….
If you would like to listen to this week’s episode again you can listen later on BBC Radio Four Extra, BBC World Service and anytime on your smart speaker or whatever devices you know how to work with BBC Sounds.
What ideas would you like Grace to ponder on next week?

Very droll!
LikeLiked by 2 people
“My guests this week are not revealing their names in case they are persecuted in social media, but I’m sure they will chip in with some acerbic comments.” Isn’t that the truth? It’s like when reporters quote unnamed sources. It’s like a get-out-of-jail-free card to say anything you want.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes Peter, has there ever been a source that has been named!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I DO wake up in the night and ponder these difficult questions. I did ask Google where the Andrew formerly known as Prince did his shopping, but AI didn’t know. However, I now know he enjoys staying at home watching Line of Duty (an irony in that title) and playing video games. His favourite new hobby is keeping out of the public eye.
Grace Darling’s musings gave me a good laugh, which we all need at the moment. I can still hear my own mother saying exactly those words (what DOES he/she look like!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed Grace’s musings, look out for her next programme.
LikeLike
I am willing to ponder any ideas as long as they come with acerbic comments. I would especially enjoy hearing about how peace erupted in the Middle East.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully more coming soon Geoff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hilarious stuff, Janet. At least we have the escapee Capybara to fill in those ‘happy end segments’ on the news, allowing the presenter to sign off with a smile. Just after they have told us how many small children have been killed in Gaza and Iran today.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Pete, they must be hard put to find something light every day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this! I’ll tune in to keep up with the wandering capybara. Anything, but Trump!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Susie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A welcome slice of light relief from the news!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I thought it would be.
LikeLiked by 1 person