Gaucho

Investec winces at being called a stock broker, it prefers to be known as a wealth manager – how common. It is perhaps not surprising that this financial services behemoth sponsors sporting events including the Epsom Derby.

Today & Yesterday

The beauty parlour that closed at the end of last year remains vacant and now Paperchase, that opened in March 2016, has closed too.

Plogging Party

Are you up for a Plogging Party? It’s in Sullakki, 28th – 30th September. I cannot go but if you are interested you can read about it here. 

Published
Categorised as Environment

Quarkini

Forgive me, for I have sinned; sins of omission are my special weakness. Earlier this summer I moaned about the bus replacement service after Ariadne auf Naxos at Longborough. You were entitled to think that I was on that bus when the reality is that I went back with my host in an ultra-comfy BMW.

Slovenian Rhapsody

Another day, another walk to Richmond. It was high water so no wildlife to see on the foreshore. It was Monday morning so some litter left by picknickers after a warm and sunny weekend. Home in time for a shower, a swift weak G&T and tube transfer to Sloane Square for a lunchtime chamber music… Continue reading Slovenian Rhapsody

Published
Categorised as Music

Daydream

“They seek him here, they seek him there Those Frenchies seek him everywhere Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That demned elusive Pimpernel” 

Prom Virgins

I was a little surprised that neither of my guests on Thursday evening had been to the Proms before, especially as one is a little older than me, but they do live in Ireland.

Brexit Line

Contingency plans for a disruptive Brexit next year have been widely written about in the press but some measures are top secret. However, a highly placed government source leaked this.

Published
Categorised as Politics

Scottish Mortgage

Two years ago I started buying Monks Investment Trust and told you why at the time: A Pug Called Sherbet. It has gone up by around 70%. On the same day two years ago I added to my holding in Scottish Mortgage. Both investment trusts, as it happens, are managed by Baillie Gifford.

Published
Categorised as Business

St Wulfstan and his Priory

Edward Elgar’s grave lies in the cemetery at St Wulstan’s church. It is curious that this saint is not better known. Incidentally his name has various versions of which Wulfstan is prevalent.