TIME TO STOP DIGGING...

Apropos my recent observations concerning Harry and Meg`s country cottage, it now seems the cost to the taxpayer has been a little understated.  Apparently the work is not quite finished - exterior painting to be done, landscaping, installation of security lights and the planting of £20,000 worth of quick-growing trees to ensure the seclusion of the `cottage.`  Oh and there are also plans for a badminton and tennis court, of course.   All of which will bring the total bill to anything between £2,8 million and £3.2 million, including the £250,000 contribution from the happy couple`s own resources for `fittings and fixtures.`

Royal officials have admitted that the cost to taxpayers is likely to rise and a well placed source has claimed that, "The final figure is excellent value for money for the taxpayer.  Whilst the original figure of £2.4 million has covered basic renovation costs the couple have spent £250,000 so far to ensure that the highest standards are met inside the property."  He goes on to say, "Security for the couple is of the utmost importance and a large scale planting programme worth up to £20,000 is proposed to shield the property from public gaze."

The `well placed source` is shown above and it`s pretty clear that he lacks any sense of irony.  For example, how can it be `excellent value for the taxpayer` when the taxpayer is having to cough up £20,000 for a forest of trees which are designed to prevent the taxpayer ever being able to see what his or her money has been spent on?   He`s got himself in a bit of a hole so If I were him, I would stop digging.   

And don`t even get me started on the fact that the taxpayer is also having to find $750,000 a year on the 20 Met. and Thames Valley police required to guard Frogmore Cottage.  Next up - La-la land The Movie.