A Brief History

In the 19th century the four acre walled garden had heated hothouses and some twenty gardeners. When my grandparents came back from Gloucestershire to live at Barmeath in 1938 the house had been empty for about ten years and house and gardens were both in a sorry state.

The Tour Continues

We are now on the first floor landing, above where you entered the hall earlier. The surrounds and pediments above the doors are eye-catching as is the plasterwork in the centre of the ceiling. The chandelier is Waterford glass bought inexpensively in Venice at the end of the 19th century. The door at the end… Continue reading The Tour Continues

Trials and Tribulations

Alan Brooke’s diaries have an unexpected dimension. His meticulous accounts of meetings, sherry parties, dinners and time with his family and bird books are what I expected and get. 

Brief Encounter

Alessandro Cicognini’s name is not familiar outside Italy. He was, he died aged 89 in 1995, a prolific composer of music for Italian films – more than a hundred. David Lean’s name is definitely familiar.

Gap Year

In late September 1972 I arrived by train at Rheims. It was the beginning of an eventful gap year.

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Categorised as Travel

My Medication

Earlier this year I thinned out my filing. One disposal, written in my mother’s hand on Barmeath writing paper, listed my childhood vaccinations. Except for blogging purposes, surely I could not need that?

Habakkuk

There are only two K tiles in a Scrabble set so, besides being a name, it would not be possible unless in conjunction with a Blank. Cast your mind back to circa 600 BC and you will find the prophet Habakkuk railing against God’s injustice.

The King’s Choice

The King’s Choice is a misleading film title for an English speaking audience – it is not about the Duke of Windsor. The king, as portrayed in the film, bears a remarkably close resemblance to Alan Brooke. If he looks less than happy it is because his wife had died in 1938 and his neutral… Continue reading The King’s Choice

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Categorised as History

Tomato Catsup

In 1876 Henry Heinz started selling Tomato Catsup – it sold well but the name didn’t catch on. Does anyone make ketchup better than Heinz?