Bridges

There are now three crossings on the Forth. The new Queensferry bridge is on the right. But we don’t do new here, so let’s turn to an older bridge.

Bees’ Knees

The transformation scene in Richard Strauss’s Daphne, mentioned yesterday, is being played out in reality in my life.

Liguria

The shift from summer to autumn is marked by the Proms drawing to a close. I was at my penultimate concert on Wednesday.

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Categorised as Music

George Basevi

Wednesday’s post was mostly about the Grosvenors. The architect for Belgrave Square and the classical terraces surrounding it is George Basevi. He gets a mention on the plinth of Robert Grosvenor’s bronze.

News from Home & Abroad

Tuesday morning was deliciously quiet. Why, as I get deafer, should I notice and bask in quietness? Perhaps I should move to the country?

Dukes & Dogs

There are twenty-nine non royal extant dukedoms in the Peerages of England, Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The Duke of Norfolk, 1483, is the oldest and The Duke of Fife, 1900, the newest creation.

Two Bronzes

If you drive into London from the west it is hard to miss the Hogarth roundabout with its distinctive narrow, one-way flyover. It gets its name from painter and engraver William Hogarth whose house is hard by. It tends to get overlooked because of the proximity of the more spectacular Chiswick House.

What’s Up?

An unusual convention in Bridge is the Lightner double, described by Susanna Gross in The Spectator as “a bolt out of the blue which strikes fear into your heart. There you are, having bid confidently to slam, when suddenly one of your opponents pulls out the red card. Eek! It’s a Lightner double, which means they… Continue reading What’s Up?

Club Pictures

This group portrait by Rembrandt hangs in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It has a connection with the Savile Club.

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Categorised as Art