have passport will travel!

A mere two weeks after sending my old passport to the UK for renewal (awful – stranded on the Continent!) I have a shiny new one.

The cover is identical to the old version but inside, the opening text ("Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests... all those who it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.") is now displayed adjacent to an oak leaf and a charmingly clichéd National Trust-style row of cottages.

Beneath the marketing is some serious technology: I note that an electronic chip has been embedded – so presumably I can be tracked anywhere, at any time..

I will have to tell the French that I don't want any let from them. Ha ha.

Thereafter each page has a themed watermark that gives no doubt about our watery status: migrating birds, varied weather systems, fishing, beach huts, locks, fountains in formal gardens, crashing waves, more fishing – and an owl.

I'm feeling homesick!