Ducks in a Row

Two red-eared terrapins bookend a pair of ducks and a cormorant at Chiswick House yesterday. While the gardens have evolved the basic layout is William Kent’s and almost all his eye-catching features remain, including Burlington Gate.

Pembroke Lodge

Here’s a list of Oxford graduates with a PPE. I got a PEA at Durham; Psychology, English and Anthropology.

The Little Things in Life

It’s the little things in life that give disproportionate pleasure. Recently I have been given two presents.  This lens and screen cloth is almost too good to use – I may get it framed. If you’d like one, it’s on the National Gallery of Ireland website. 

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Categorised as Art

Rare Breeds

Last summer I visited the royal mausolea in the Home Park at Windsor. The post covered all the good bits, so you didn’t see this.

The Spy from Skibbereen

The Cold War was rather frightening. Leaflets advised what to do in the event of a nuclear strike. Ham-class minesweepers patrolled our inshore waters. RAF Bomber Command had nuclear-armed Vulcan bombers on standby on airfields around East Anglia. 

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Categorised as History

Do Not Resuscitate

The local council, Hammersmith and Fulham, have one department with which I cannot find fault; tree maintenance. They regularly prune the crab apple tree on the pavement outside our house and plant new trees when necessary. Our streetscape would be impoverished without their diligence and care.

On Box Hill

This is the view from Box Hill in Surrey. It is a short, steepish climb to the 735 foot summit and I was surprised how may people had made it up there until I saw a large car park operated by the National Trust near the top.

X-mini

I always glance at Jonathan Margolis’s technology column in the FT How To Spend It supplement. To be truthful, over the years I have amassed quite a lot of gadgets that I never use: a hi-spec digital camera, headphones that gave me tinnitus, AirPlay speakers that don’t always connect and have puppy-chewable flex; I’m a… Continue reading X-mini

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Categorised as Technology

Zither Time

Seventy years ago The Third Man was released with zither action. I read that in The Oldie but it reminded me that my sister worked for Shirley Abicair, famous for plucking the zither.

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Categorised as Family