Signs and portents

Strange, the unpleasant shapes that rise in the wandering mind. Looks like Britain will be taking military action over Syria of course, for Obama must do something about that red line of his. I wonder if the president was having a slow day all those months ago, cos if I was some hard-as-the-hobs-of-hell rebel determined to sort Assad without delay, that little speech would have been like a visit from Santa.

For Cameron, it's not just a case of when the eagle squawks the poodle walks; a war is good for him in the same way it's good for Putin: it diverts away from very real trouble at home. And Assad is small beans...

I had just finished this train of thought when outside the train window I saw a pigeon hanging upside down from a tree. I think it was dead. We moved on so quickly I had nowhere to direct the RSPB.

If I was a superstitious woman I'd call it an omen. Someone remind me that I'm not a superstitious woman.