Prince Phillip is 90

How do we in today's world get to be positive without it all sounding saccharine and patronising? With all the gloom around- (particularly now that winter is here while the rest of the world revels in sunshine)- we feel the upset and pain of each other.

So how do we bring in those rays of joy? Do they exist?

How do we actually push our own boundaries of tolerance and accept the gifts out there?

How well do we stand up to the injustice an cruelty of past memories supported by present injustices?

Is it enough to live our own lives free of those negatives?

Those elected to positions of power and those who have grabbed power for themselves co-exist in a strange world. There we are sitting on the sideline and we watch because so often we are unable to intervene. Then we watch the psychopaths and narcissistic twerps playing out their games against each other.

So what is the answer to the first question? Perhaps -and I may have only one answer- we somehow detach ourselves and become compassionate observers and think of a nice cup of tea and a good lie down after the fray. After all to quote Walt Kelly - "Don't take life to serious it ain't no way permanent."

Left overs

Of all the most neglected dishes in the world the most neglected one is the 'left over'. Or sometimes it is called the 'wait and see'. With my cook and the rest of the household staff away enjoying the cosmopolitan delights of Australia I have been perfecting these two dishes.

The current 'left over' is based on braised venison neck chops - much favoured by my friend Charlie our security specialist- mushrooms, peas, leeks, and what ever else slowly cooked in a cast iron casserole is so yummy. Next day add rice and water to the left overs and bung it back in the oven. Even better next time round. Hunger is a great appetiser.

Now there hangs a possibility of a metaphor in life. What you have left over after an experience has some additional value if you just tweak it with some new ingredients and new spice.