Snaffle a bargain

THIS month’s homily comes with a massive Government health warning. It goes like this: if I was as wizard at antique dealing and predicting future investment trends as I am at opining about them, I’d live in a medieval castle (some dealers do), fine bronze cannon on the battlements, walls festooned with ancient armour and weapons. Which, sadly, I don’t. Aeons ago, after transitioning – great word that, redolent with politically amazingly correct meanings – out of the Army, I went to Law School. We had a brilliant commercial law tutor. In one lecture he analysed company structures and the stock market, telling some great stories; great for law, at least. Dead impressed, someone asked whether he played the markets as he was so knowledgeable. “Are you mad?” he answered. “If I knew how to play the markets do you think I’d be standing here lecturing you lot?”

So, now you’ve been warned, my question is: what is going on