These days it takes over a year to renovate a small London townhouse, groans the Countess du Ruel. About the time it took to build Rome. Just kidding! But there’s nothing funny about the building works going on in the posh postal codes. The horror of these renovations is spreading like a virus, worse than Swine Flu. Everyone is infected.

I am gratified to read that on the drive into Highgrove, there is a sign which reads, "You are now entering an old-fashioned place."  I'm sure it's obvious to the visitor, but it's good to make things clear, snorts Mrs. M. His recent approach to the Qatari royal family was another victory for the old-fashioned banner.  Many trendy urbanites will be disappointed, but a lot of old Chelsea residents do not want to see the Chelsea Barracks replaced with a £1 billon development of 525 flats in towers of copper, glass and concrete.  Ugh!