Good Friday - looking on the bright side in blackpropaganda

When I was a boy nothing opened on Good Friday - shops were closed, and the focus was on the death of Christ on the cross on tv and radio. For Roman Catholics there was a three hour service from 12 until 3 pm, when, according to the story Christ died and the veil of the Temple was rent in twain. Oh yes, even though I am not particularly religious, and not a Catholic, I know the story very well.

And today. It is a Bank Holiday, and that is a time when people are free - so the shops are open - there is horse-racing for the first time in the UK on Good Friday. While there is some awareness on tv and radio in the main the schedules are much as ever.

I must admit, I have always been a bit concerned about the emphasis among Catholics about the suffering of Christ, and the iconography of the Cross and Crucifixion. I suppose if you are to celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday you have to talk about the death - but there always seemed something unhealthy about that emphasis.

And so what did we do today - we walked n the sunshine along the coast and then shopped. We both bought shoes, SW... bought a chair she had eyed which was a bargain - and we then came home to G & Ts. I shall contemplate a little on the meaning of Good Friday this afternoon, before having a Hot Cross Bun - and here is the rub - I did not buy a packet from a supermarket but just two from our local baker - good quality - and how much were they? 55p each. What you cry - for a cake? That is ten shillings and sixpence in old money - Ten bob for a cake?

Yep, the world has changed

Oh, and I cannot think of Good Friday without this