Autumn in Madrid

In Valencia in 2016 I saw Joaquín Sorolla‘s pictures for the first time. In March this year I saw more of his work at The Royal Academy in London.

Ptarmigan and Psillies

Earlier this year Penguin Random House (PRH) reprinted a couple of books by PG Wodehouse redacting some words in general use when the books were written but that have now become offensive to some people. Not to me, as it happens.

A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery

‘Begin at the beginning,’ the King said gravely. And ‘go on till you come to the end; and then stop.’ (Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll)

Travels with My Otter

A reader, John Tuffin, recommended Douglas Botting’s biography of Gavin Maxwell when there was an ottery post in August.

The Big Shave

Yesterday, on a rainy Saturday afternoon in London, I went to see Martin Scorsese’s latest at the very comfy cinema within the Riverside Studios.

From Jefferson to Blinken

We live in a democracy, others, poor things, live in totalitarian states governed by Fascists, Communists and the rest.

Published
Categorised as Politics

Gold Run

I remember enjoying the 1995 film version of Richard III with Ian McKellen as the Duke of Gloucester, later the eponymous king.

A Dear Old Fashioned Irish House

I have been re-arranging some books to make more room for biography and fiction and came across this niche memoir published in 1932 by J Catherall & Co (Printers) Ltd in Hexham.

Published
Categorised as Family