Apologies for the long absence -- we went on vacation to Spain and I've been working my tail off lately (Does anyone read this?)

Anyway, here's a tidbit: I was walking to work one morning this week when I saw seven police officers on horseback heading down Finchley Road. They looked very smart in their uniforms. The hat, unlike the standard bobby's headgear, was a riding helmet with a black-and-white check pattern.

I smiled at the sight of this small law enforcement cavalry troop. One of the officers gave me a small grin in return (You weren't expecting a salute or a big smile, were you? This is England, after all).