Are there eggs in milkshakes?

As I've said before, I don't do politics on here and have no plans to start now.

However, seeing Nigel Farage being "milkshaked" yesterday took my mind back to various dicey campaign walkabouts I've witnessed in the past - and one in particular.

Whilst I have no time for Farage, he does have the right to walk down the street in safety.  His response to what happened yesterday was to blame his security team before stomping off.  Probably fair enough.

Back in 2007, William Hague - then Shadow Foreign Secretary - was in Bradford for the local elections.  On a walkabout (minus any security), a man crossed the street in front of me and extended his arm towards the star attraction.  As Hague reached out his hand to greet his "admirer," the man cracked an egg hidden in his other hand on the former Tory Leader's jacket and ran off.

Hague's immediate response was to laugh and announce: "That's why I wear a jacket!" before handing it to an aide.  Full credit to him for that.

Prior to his arrival, I spoke to the Yorkshire Post to ask if they would be covering his appearance in Bradford.  They said no but offered to use a picture in the following day's newspaper "if it's good enough."

I told Hague this at the start of his visit and asked if he would conspire with me to ensure the picture got in.

He said he was more than happy to help and posed for this shot. 

Whatever your politics, the current House of Commons is all the poorer without him. 

Derry good

I came to bed early tonight (I’m writing this on my phone) because Derry Girls didn’t win a BAFTA and I was grumpy. They missed out in the Scripted Comedy category to a show I’d never heard of, can’t remember its name and will probably never watch. (Still, well done). 

Yes, being from Northern Ireland, I’m biased. But Derry Girls does tickle me. More importantly, many people I’ve spoken to on this side of the water who’ve seen it love it every bit as much as me.

It’s been of a Derry weekend all round for me.  On Friday I saw The Undertones. (Not in the street, in an actual gig),

They were magnificent. Not a surprise, I’d seen them twice before, but they are now better than ever.

Folk I speak to always question how they can possibly perform without original frontman Feargal Sharkey, who left the band in 1983. The answer is his replacement Paul McLoone, who assumed the mantle a mere 20 years ago.

He’s magnificent. Energetic, wonderfully tuneful and as camp as a row of tents. What’s not to like?!

With his bandmates, they blasted out 25 tunes before returning for more. 

At the start of the encore, bass player Muckey Bradley said: “We just realised, we forgot one or two.”

He added  a little later: “Our bus doesn’t leave for 10 minutes. We have time for a few more!”

It was a fantastic night with The Undertones supported by the best warm-up act I’ve seen in The Neville Staple Band who rolled out the ska hits. 

But it was all about The Undertones. If you can see them, do see them. 

Unlike the cast and crew of Derry Girls this evening, you will not go home disappointed. 

Luna landing

If, like me, you're not glued to the news waiting for details of Harry and Meghan's new arrival, perhaps I can tell you about ours

Luna White.  She's a hamster.

We've not had a family pet before, at least not since joining this family.  But Charlotte has been demanding one for some time and we finally relented. 

A dog was out of the question because it needs to be walked and Charlotte doesn't do walking.

A goldfish doesn't do anything (apart from swim, obviously, and even I can do that).

Guinea pigs do even less.

I wanted cats but Vanessa remains unconvinced, at least until the autumn when I plan to make another pitch.

However, after paying a handful of visits to her friend's pet-filled house, Charlotte decided she wanted a hamster. And, after dragging our feet for a bit, there wasn't really a sound reason to deny her. 

Luna was purchased from Pets At Home after school today.  (Her cage was bought a few hours before after the one Vanessa scooped up on eBay arrived this morning in several smashed-up pieces).

So we'll see what happens next.  Probably not a lot, if truth be told.

Although Charlotte has treated Luna to a see-saw.

Maybe her friend's hamster can visit and sit on one end.