Outstanding value

Global recession has clearly brought out the Dunkirk spirit in us, with ordinary people putting their noses to the grindstone, shoulders to the wheel (not like this), best feet forward, thinking caps on and all the other sternly heroic things we British do in difficult times, unlike lesser breeds who just sit around saying how terrible it is.

The other day I saw a splendid example of the drive, ingenuity, courage, inititiative and sheer grit which make us what we are. Driving along a main road I passed a row of houses; in one of the tiny front gardens there were two little tables and half a dozen chairs of assorted design, and leaning against the wall a carefully-written sign offered BACON SANDWICH AND CUP OF TEA 99p.

There appeared to be no customers and if I had not already been invited elsewhere to lunch I would have pulled up and supported this brave venture. As it was, I just drove past, worrying about the profit margin and the sadness of the proprietor if no-one at all ever stopped.