The Feildings

This portrait by van Dyck hangs in the National Gallery in London. It depicts William, 1st Earl of Denbigh (c 1587 – 1643). He had been to India in the early 1630s and is seen, looking florid,  in Indian dress with a servant helpfully pointing out a parrot for him to bag.

Sherry Picking

The FT have a witty headline writer and this is one that appeared on Saturday above Jancis Robinson’s Wine article in the FT Weekend Magazine.

Seeing Sculpture

On Saturday I went on an observation mission remarkably similar to an election observation mission. I deployed to my Area of Observation (Northamptonshire and Warwickshire) by train on Friday evening with my observation partner.

European Parliamentary Election 2019

In March the British press laughed over the first round of the Presidential election in Ukraine pointing a finger at the record number of candidates, 39, and consequently the length of the ballot paper. Couldn’t possibly happen here. Well, I hope a Ukrainian journalist reads this because it’s pay-back time.

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Categorised as Politics

Knockfane

Knockfane is Homan Potterton’s first novel and I wondered what style he would adopt. The back cover promises “Knockfane is a Big House novel for a new generation”.

Stan’s The Man

A few days ago I mentioned watching A Clockwork Orange and Full Metal Jacket. My interest was kindled by a visit to the Kubrick exhibition at the Design Museum.

Trees Treat

The weather on Wednesday morning was inclement, nevertheless sixteen Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens gathered under the bandstand in Hyde Park. There was a high attrition level in my party.

Chop-Chop

If anyone tells you that it’s no more trouble to cook for eight as two they are full of nonsense. How can it be as quick to finely chop (deliberate split infinitive) four onions as one; four garlic cloves, zest four lemons. You get the message?

Monday Luncheon

Monday was a Bank Holiday in the UK and, as tradition dictates, it was a cold, although unusually, dry day. Lunch in the garden had to be re-scheduled in the kitchen.

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Categorised as Art