And at least we could dress appropriately for the sunny weather whereas poor Kate was trussed up in full mayoral fig with fur trimming and tricorn hat, and the mace-bearer and town crier were scarcely less over-dressed.

We started at Kingsbury Mill at the “gonner stone”, bumped a volunteer child and lashed the stone with twigs – all very peculiar – and then proceeded in a stately and northerly direction to Stonecross and the Jolly Sailor where a bollard was similarly flogged.

From there to Key Field on top of the Tonman Ditch for more corporal punishment of innocent street furniture and a welcome refreshment break at the White Hart Tap.

Finally down through Cottonmill Crescent to the Ver, a bosky walk through woods and giant cow parsley, and then back to Kingsbury via the Fighting Cocks and some rather raucous onlookers in Verulamium.

A pleasant and barking mad way to spend a sunny afternoon but a further reminder that St Albans is very special.