The Dragon Book of Verse

The Dragon Book of Verse was first published in 1935. The introduction to my (1937) edition was the property of Leighton Park School in Reading; a Quaker school founded in 1890. The Introduction explains that it is divided into two Books.

Flaming Way

The Royal Artillery Gold Cup was inaugurated in 1862 and, with interruptions for the Boer War and two World Wars, is probably more hotly contested today, well yesterday, than at any time in its long history. Since 1921 it has been run at Sandown Park.

Skin in the Game

I don’t like the expression ‘skin in the game’ but I cannot think of another way of putting it.

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Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Can you ever forgive me? sounds like the title of a Victorian novel. Of course I’m thinking of Can You Forgive Her? the first of Trollope’s Palliser series.

Rats!

Just parish pump news today. The equine ‘flu scare is over so I’m off to the races on Friday.

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Lunch in Covent Garden

It is enjoyable to invite friends to something. The criteria are: it should be something they could reasonably be expected to enjoy, it should be something they might not do themselves, it should be something I can afford to pay for.

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Washout

I don’t get out much so I was very pleased to be invited to the Royal Box at Sandown Park this week; of course it is too good to be true. There has been an outbreak of equine ‘flu and all racing in Britain has been cancelled. Being more of an Eeyore than a Tigger… Continue reading Washout

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Javea Architecture

On the skyline, inland from the lighthouse, there are eleven disused windmills, mostly dating from the 18th century.

TWATs

Do you remember when there were messages like this broadcast on Long Wave? ‘Would the driver of a blue Ford Anglia, registration number xxxx please call home as an emergency has arisen.’

Hermitage and Chapel

Let me introduce you to Santa Lucia. In her right hand she is strangling a frog, a bit of Catholic iconography with which I am unfamiliar.