Christmas Day

25 December (1940) Christmas Day! An old butler came in to wake me at half-past eight, bearing the conventional tray with tea. He was a trifle apologetic at bringing it to an American. And as he began fussing around opening the curtains and folding my clothes, I asked him about himself. He said he had… Continue reading Christmas Day

Of Obelisk and Orchid

I have been interested in war memorials for a long time and have wondered vaguely when they were first erected and, in particular, when the names of the fallen of all ranks were listed and commemorated.

The Flight of a Sparrow

As, inevitably, I am nearer the end than the beginning of my span here, where I will be after I can only speculate. The Ven. Bede has words which may be comforting, or not.

Sustain and Gain

I have been beating the drum for Indonesian palm oil producer, MP Evans, since I started posting here ten years ago. You can see how it has performed in the last five years, above. So I’m all right Jack.

Walking the Streets

  In Paris on Monday it was 15C and the sun was out. We walked from near the Palais Garnier to the base of the Eiffel Tower. May I digress and tell you that sentence has the names of two architects with structures named after them. This is not as usual as you might think.… Continue reading Walking the Streets

Ocean’s Three

Richard reports on the vicissitudes of life on a small boat. Diamond Blue left Gran Canaria on 21st November.

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Off the Wall

I have supported the National Gallery through a membership for a year. So what’s the verdict?

Black Tulip

You can buy a bag of ten tulip bulbs for less than a tenner and, in April or May, see a display of black flowers. ‘Twas not ever so.