My late father-in-law favoured High Dry Toast. Norman Murphy, an authority on P G Wodehouse and much else besides, likes Kendal Brown. I have just ordered some Seville. From 1720 until 1981 they could all be purchased at Fribourg and Treyer’s shop in the Haymarket.
Category: Art
Only Connect
What did E M Forster mean when he wrote “only connect” at the beginning of Howards End? I may have had a theory when I sat English A Level but I don’t have a clue now and I still remember that Howards End was not only not a page-turner but massively boring. OK, so now… Continue reading Only Connect
Three Artists
Alan Ellison and Ronnie Wood have an unusual connection. Both are in their sixties and both are artists. Alan lives in Wales and has featured in a previous post (The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore). Ronnie is making his first appearance in these pages. While you are mulling over their connection I will show you… Continue reading Three Artists
Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828)
Stones of Venice
Royal Salute
A Spy in the Family
In the 1980s I was introduced to Patrick O’Brian’s novels about Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin (it’s curious that the series does not have a title). Like so many others, I became hooked on the detailed descriptions of life on board a Royal Navy ship in the early years of the 19th century. The depth… Continue reading A Spy in the Family
Hunting
From Art – Zanzibar
In 1992 this picture won the BP Portrait Award, an annual prize that is still given at the National Portrait Gallery. It is by Lucy Willis who, at the time, was teaching Art to prisoners in Shepton Mallet jail and it depicts one of her classes. She looks through the other end of the telescope… Continue reading From Art – Zanzibar
Have You Read…..?
I don’t know which is the most trouble, having the hall and stairs painted or having new bookcases in the study. Hanging pictures and putting back books take ages but in both cases it’s an opportunity to re-arrange. More than a year ago, putting books back in the study, I came across a paperback that… Continue reading Have You Read…..?