Government..but not yet

In this small corner of planet earth known as the United Kingdom, Baron Mandelson of Foy in the County of Herefordshire and Hartlepool in the County of Durham, First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and Lord President of the Council is master of all he surveys.

Someone called Gordon lives in No 10 Downing Street but only at the Baron's say so.

Apparently according to today's Times the Baron's department extends into outer space and beyond. Even Sir Alan Sugarpuff has bent the knee before the Baron at his command "you're hired"!

So in case you're wondering it is true that Timelord received a call at the weekend to join the Baron's team......... and declined. Outer space is one thing, time quite another. I heard he went off to look for a guy called Tennant.

I shall make my position clear. When Mr Spock and Yoda come calling then you're talking. In the meantime Darth Vadar is just not on the same planet.

D Day: The Godfather's Story

Today is the 65 th anniversary of D Day. There will be much pomp and circumstance as Presidents Obama and Sarkozy go to the landing beaches and make their speeches.

But for me D Day is the Godfather's story, the story of Teapot's father who landed at Sword Beach in the red sector on the morning of the first landings. His story and the story of thousands of blokes like him.

We have a book in the Tardis called "Assault Division" published in 1947 which is an account of the landings. It is special because it has been annotated by the Godfather with his own personal memories.

65 years on and he is 90 and has just moved to Haslingden Hall in Lancashire where he can be looked after 24/7 as needs be. I know he will be spending a bit more time this weekend "contemplating" as he puts it. Not one for the reunions and the medal wearing - the rebellious streak common through the Teapot clan did not make him the Army's star pupil!

He was just the age of Big Al at the time of events which marked him for ever.

An inspirational story really, created out of horror, courage and fear rather than daring do. A story we will never forget.