Political stage management has reached new heights (or depths) these past two weeks.
First, we had a very sensible and low key - over due - first visit of our monarch to Ireland since independence. Then President O'Bama arrived as part one of his Family Mystery tour to claim Mickey O'bama as a long lost cousin. How we lapped it up and how he seized the moment and the glass of Guinness (was HRH Prince Philip's anguish look at his glass the longest scowl in history?).
Then, when newly restored President Obama reached Blighty, it was Garden Fete meets Village Hall ping pong - all pictures no substance. Cameron paid homage to New Labour's spinning department and may yet pay for it when you realise that aside from a cyber committee (details slight at going to press) nothing else was achieved except once again a redefining of the "special v essential" relationship stuff.
There was nothing said about Syria or Bahrain yet we go forth blindly in Libya. Are we for democratic states in the Middle East or are we for those who side with us against Iran and Syria?
What is the UK's role in the world? What will "Next Generation Britain" look like and where is that road map?
Bring on the BBQ.