The Land of Cockayne

In Early Modern England, the fantasy land where life was always easy was known as The Land of Cockayne.  The people then fantasised about a world where there was no work, where food was always available, where there were no lords and masters.  Classical Celtic culture had Tir Nan Og, and other cultures their Blessed Isles and Summerlands, their Big Rock Candy Mountains.

I have been thinking what would be in The Land of Cockayne for us?  A land where boilers never break down; a land where there are never power-cuts, a land where washing machines and cars never break down; a land where no computers ever mess up your direct debits or bills; a land where such bills are always easily affordable; a land where living is easy.

Are these fantasies as unlikely as tables with never-ending feasts and fountains that give wine, like our ancestors thought of?  I suppose they are.  Does it do us good to fantasise about them?  Maybe, from time to time, it is relaxing for us think that there is such a land of Cockayne, where the living is easy.

Back to Monday morning, the rain and the bank statement.  Oh dear.