News Breaks

I had a holiday last week. Nothing ever happens when you're on holiday, right?

Well, apart from a soccer match - the lads punched well above their weight and outclassed many teams thought much stronger (unlike out neighbours, England, who went out to the minor team of the championship, Iceland).

But the crown really goes to the supporters. The photo shows some of the emotion from the championship, but the report in the local (French) papers were all about the fans - good-natured, helpful, friendly and determined to party till it was all over.

Apart from that the only news I missed was the "Brexit" vote. I knew which way that was going - "like turkeys voting for Christmas" I said ... finger on the pulse - my mum and daughter both live in England and I was certain that, close as it was, the UK would vote to remain. (No photo of my face when I heard the news survived ).

Wow - I didn't see that coming! I can see why some Europeans are disenchanted - overwhelming bureaucracy, creaking unelected structures, rich-poor gap widening, and so on. But it affects everyone (well except the super wealthy, and blind politicians, and they exist in all countries).

Stay in the boat and try to fix the leaks, I thought; but no, jump ship and swim for it, apparently.

Whatever your point of view, and whether you believe the UK "booted Europe out" or "cast themselves adrift from the rest of civilisation" there will be repercussions. You never know, if the Scots insist on a referendum (they voted to remain in Europe) we could see a "Brisintegration" - which could trigger a similar referendum in the North, which could (I know, a long shot now) lead to a union of North and South ... but I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe Britain will do well alone (though I think the "Great" will go). Maybe England and Wales will do well and we will see an EU with Scotland and a united Ireland, with complicated border rules. Whatever will happen, it will be a change!