I was listening to an old recording the other day of the guitarist John Williams playing ‘Cavatina’ on the Val Doonican show many years ago. I was curious about the speed that he was playing at. He seemed to be moving his fingers at a rate close to 110 beats per minute (bpm)

The musical bar had just been raised.

Up to then I had assumed a speed of 80 bpm would be sufficient to perform the piece well.

Time to think again.

I am currently cruising along around 55 bpm, all of which means that I need to get the proverbial finger out.

I’m on it.

On the political side of things, I find myself warming more and more to the idea of Donald Trump being re-elected. Quite simply, he never ceases to entertain, albeit in a morally vacuous manner.

We just need whatever entertainment we can grab onto these days.

Even if it’s dangerous.

On the home front it seems strange to me that there are so many different approaches to COVID-19 going around, given that the disease itself does not recognise borders of any kind. For island nations such as Ireland and Britain, surely there should be more co-ordination?

I feel certain that the answer to this and many other pressing questions are to be found in the downing of several pints of Arthur.

Enlightenment is close at hand.

And there are pensions that need safeguarding.