It’s that red pin again.. This morning it marks Gozo, one of the twenty-one islands in the Maltese archipelago. Having never been here before and erratic Geography it comes as a surprise to see that I am south of Tunis.
Continuing the theme of writers who have sunk into obscurity, I was given a 1946 novel by Phyllis Bottome for Christmas. She must have spent a lot of time repeating, “Bottome with an E”.
French researchers have made a study of behaviour at pedestrian crossings controlled by lights. They observed 5,445 people at crossings in Strasbourg and Nagoya (Japan).
No doubt about it, going to Eton makes you grow up fast. Aged thirteen you choose what newspapers and magazines you want delivered, open a bank or, in my case, a Post Office account and pick a tailor.
On a Friday in November 1957, Rupert Hart-Davis was invited to lunch by Cecil Beaton at his house in Pelham Place. There was a butler and the other guests were Nancy Cunard, Mrs Ian Fleming and Somerset Maugham.