Stocking Fillers

These are two inexpensive things I have come across this year that proved to be transforming.

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice has just passed and the days are getting longer again. Pagans and Druids gather at Stonehenge to observe this which looks to me pretty dull. If you’d like to see something more spectacular travel to Ireland and Co. Meath.

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Categorised as History

Pickwick

At this time of year my thoughts turn to opening a bottle of something sweet. The approach of Christmas turns me into Mr. Pickwick.

Something Old, Something New

It’s usually something old on here so, for a change, here’s something new; talking statues. The first one I saw was Queen Victoria in Kensington Gardens.

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Categorised as Art, History

Spottiswoode

Does London need a new £500 million concert venue? The rather ugly roundabout where the Museum of London is now (it’s moving to Smithfield Market) is the proposed site, located between the Barbican and St Paul’s. Maybe we would do better to stick to George’s long term economic plan and build flats and offices that… Continue reading Spottiswoode

How About a Bacon Butty?

I expect you have often seen this or similar. At least sixty-one were built and now thirteen remain. It is, of course, a cabman’s shelter. As originally they were parked on public highways and some still are, they could be no  bigger than a horse and cart. 

Chronicles of War

Sir Alan (Tommy) Lascelles cropped up recently in a reply to a comment. He served as Assistant Private Secretary to George V, Edward VIII and George VI and then as Private Secretary to George VI and Elizabeth II, retiring in 1953 aged 66.

The Rule of Seven

Great discoveries have been made in a bath in Greece and an orchard in England. I make my contribution in the library bar at the Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner.

Christmas Shopping is a Nightmare

Fellow Irishman, blogger and all-round good chap, Tim, aka Lord Belmont, reported recently on a Christmas shopping expedition to Molton Brown. He notes that MB is now By Appointment. What would I have done in his buffed brogues if Her Majesty had come into the shop?

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Categorised as Shopping

From Z To Somewhere Else

A recent post about Dr Zhivago leads me to London Spy, a recently concluded psychological thriller on BBC TV. The journey has a few stops on the way so, if you’d care to come for the ride, all aboard!