Irish Endurance

An interesting if arcane topic that may be of interest. I must declare an interest: I am a trustee of this charity founded in 1783. Tickets can be bought at the Society’s website. On the Fourth of July, 1806We set sail from the sweet cove of CorkWe were sailing away with a cargo of bricksFor… Continue reading Irish Endurance

Between the Sheets

I feel rather guilty when I finish an enjoyable, lightweight thriller. I ought to have been reading something more improving.

1988 and All That

I don’t hoard, there isn’t room for that indulgence in a small late Victorian terraced house; so it is giving me immense pleasure to read a copy of The Spectator dated 27 February 1988.

A KGB Vassal

Yesterday Greville Wynne was caught by the KGB stealing Soviet nuclear secrets. I suppose the KGB received a tip off from the Cambridge spies.

Alert for Vexillophiles

“College of Arms flag-flying news 2024 UEFA European Football Championship: On Sunday 14 July 2024, Departments of His Majesty’s Government are encouraged to fly an England flag – the Cross of St George – to celebrate the England Men’s Football Team reaching the final of Euro 2024, in addition to the Union flag. Where both flags… Continue reading Alert for Vexillophiles

A Stately Home

Houses open to the public usually fall into three categories: owner occupied, National Trust and English Heritage.

Moral Relativism

Hitherto I have not grasped the stinging nettle of anti-Semitism, indeed the word has only been used once here, in December 2019.

Lockdown Blues

“Fat buffoon, in power at last, do we deserve this tragic farce?“