Ways and Means

If you have nothing better to do, reflect on the pace of change on our planet.

Îles de France

Almost three thousand miles west of France lie eight islands with a population today of 5,500 people and terrain not unlike the Falkland Islands. The similarity does not end there; both were recaptured in the 20th century.

Vermeer Today, Gone Tomorrow

Ireland was not immune to art thefts but from country houses not museums. Something stolen from one house was recovered in London, returned to its rightful place, and shortly afterwards stolen again not to be found so far.

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Categorised as Art

The John Blake Conspiracy

“How five art dealers, four policemen, three picture restorers, two auction houses and a journalist plotted to recover some of the world’s most beautiful stolen paintings.” ( Double Dealer by Peter Watson, dust jacket)

A Cold Night in Florence

The thefts in the Iain Pears art heist series are often close to reality, the main characters are well portrayed, the descriptions of Rome excellent but of course the plots and denouements contrived.

Grand Theft

If you are interested in the new version of Grand Theft Auto (a video game, m’lud) you are in the wrong place. This is about art theft.

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Categorised as Art

Paperback Writers

I’m looking forward to meeting Charles Thoroughgood and Commissario Soneri. If they arrive in time I will take them both away with me next week and go to bed with them – not at the same time obviously.

Published
Categorised as Literature

Rabbit Curry

It had been freezing hard all the way home, and the Quaker skated perilously once or twice on the northerly stretches. As I passed the forge near my gate I issued an order for frost-nails, and while I did so the stars were kindling like diamonds over the black ridge of Shreelane Hill. The overture… Continue reading Rabbit Curry

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Categorised as Literature

In the Curranhilty Country

“It is hardly credible that I should have been induced to depart from my usual walk of life by a creature so uninspiring as the grey horse that I bought from Flurry Knox for £25. Perhaps it was the monotony of being questioned by every other person with whom I had five minutes’ conversation, as… Continue reading In the Curranhilty Country

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Categorised as Literature

Early Days, Part V

“Now that I have come to the end of my first day’s hunting I am tempted to moralize about it. But I have already described it at greater length than I had intended, so I will only remind myself of the tea I had at an inn on the way home. The inn was kept… Continue reading Early Days, Part V

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Categorised as Literature