The problem with giving in to old age and reducing my working hours means it is hard to be absolutely up-to-the-minute topical but when it comes to Brexit I'm all over it.

That is because I don't need to know what is happening on the national scene, I only need to know what colourful Maryport community stalwart bill Barnes is thinking.

He stomped into my office this week to announce: "I don't care what happens. I am leaving Europe on March 29. There will be no more Greek olives, Italian tiramisu, Brussels sprouts, pizzas, Frankfurters, Spanish onions or any other of that European stuff in my house.

"It's full English breakfasts and roast beef from her on in. I don't care how we voted, Brexit means Brexit."

If only it were that simple.

While I am quite sure Bill will be waving the Union flag on March 29 I wonder what the rest of us will be doing?

I have a feeling that, even though this column is premature, we will still be wondering around like headless looking in vain for some leadership from the top!

And it ain't coming.

I watched last week's vote with fascinating but by the end I couldn't remember if we had voted for Arthur, Martha or the isle of Man.

I think anyone who knows me knows I voted to remain for many reasons, not least of which was the fact that my own daughter lived and worked in Italy for four years and was able to do so because she has a UK passport.

Selfish reasons apart, though, I did feel that there was some kind of strength in unity. Considering that Europe was torn apart in war on two occasions of history not so long ago, it seemed to me that becoming one had to be a good thing.

Let me say, I was in New Zealand when the UK joined the Common Market and I well remember the anguish caused to New Zealand farmers in particular, who felt their strongest ally had turned her trading back on them to join forces with those who had been the enemy. But we survived and so did Britain although I am told food costs soared.

I don't know where we are going to be at the end of all this. I don't even know where we will be by the time you read this column.

I just hope that at the end of all the bitterness and the protest that even if we do not remain a united Europe we can at least try and become a United Kingdom with the emphasis on that first word.

I also hope we don't throw out the baby with the bath water.

We can talk about nonsense like straight bananas and blue vs red passports but there are really important issues that we have to remember.

Many of our workers rights or the right to be treated equally regardless of race, colour or creed are enshrined in European law.

If we leave on March 29 or continue the process of leaving until Kingdom Come, we must ensure that we keep the best of what it meant to be European and eat crooked bananas if we want.