The symbol of Warsaw is a mermaid, even though Warsaw lies some way from the sea.

Here is my successor HM Ambassador to Warsaw Ric Todd in a sandpit showing a playful mermaidish mode.

Separately, the Embassy has been hosting a reception for gay rights activists as a gesture of support with the next Equality Parade in Warsaw drawing near.

The Polish gay community is delighted, but not everyone in Poland thinks this is appropriate behaviour by an Ambassador. "The English are Teaching us Tolerance" reads a newspaper headline.

Somehow I am reminded of Round the Horne, a radio show from my youth with its immortal catchphrase:

"Hullo. I’m Sandy, and this is my friend Julian…"