This evening, a scant week after my last report, I’ve been looking out of the window at what appeared to be the local flagpole newly equipped with a white flashing light. Thinking that unlikely I thought I’d better keep looking. I thought of aircraft, warnings; that sort of thing. Still unlikely, I thought. The pole is on a tall building just over the way. The building was going to be offices but is now a hotel, which I find a much better idea. Clearly the hotel people thought a flag worthwhile, and jolly good it looks, too, although I have my doubts about whether the flag can be seen from the ground. Perhaps one day I’ll go and have a look, tho’ that’ll want some remembering. Anyway, after I’d looked at the flag for some time I realized the flashing light is no such thing but that the flag itself reflects the beam of a spotlight playing on it from the foot of its pole, the random movements of the fabric creating the impression of a flashing light as it catches the edge of the beam.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the city there have been Royal goings-on, no doubt with much attendant junketing. The King of Siam was there looking amiable but not quite sure if he was doing it right (I think he was…) and most of the ladies were seemingly wondering if they were dressed right and no doubt hoping they weren’t the least attractive one there, as ladies will. The same thought didn’t seem to have crossed the minds of even the fattest of the Important Gentlemen… I found myself inwardly deploring the over-long hair of the soldiers and nodding approvingly at the chaps without ties. Everything seemed terribly informal and good-natured, with the always rather wickedly humourous looking Old Queen whispering conspiratorially with the Royal Daughters. I think they were all choosing their favourite ice-creams for afterwards. I confess I was disappointed that the new King didn’t emerge from the ceremony wearing a blow-up rubber crown.
But I thought the best thing was all the sailing ships on the IJ afterwards.
Incidentally, “the mosquitoes are back, Ted…” (with apologies, &c…)