Red-veined sorrel (Rumex sanguineus) is easy to grow, decorative and edible. Like spinach it’s rich in potassium which lowers blood pressure and I expect it to become very fashionable in gardens great and small.
What are you going to read this summer? May I recommend John Julius Norwich’s latest – his 24th – France, A History: From Gaul to de Gaulle.
Here’s a taste of what he dishes up:
I want to talk about the fate of the poor Templars at the hands of the odious Philip the Fair, and what happened to his daughters in the Tour de Nesle; about the wonderful Madame de Pompadour and the odious Madame de Maintenon; about Louis-Philippe, almost forgotten today but probably the best king France ever had; and that’s just for a start …
Reading JJN is like chatting with him over a glass or two of wine. He is the vey best of bonne oeufs; urbane, affable and genial.
And so to lunch: the 30th Gulls’ Eggs Luncheon held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall. Even the accomplished JJN would struggle to eat gulls’ eggs and smoked salmon standing up holding a wine glass but about 500 people did their best and it was in a good cause – The Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
Meanwhile here is some more inappropriate advertising that I saw in Richmond upon Thames high street.
Yes, I couldn’t agree more: JJN writes wonderful books, and I look forward to reading this latest one (whenever it makes its way to Oregon). The same delightful point of view that assembles the “cracker” each year seems to be increasingly evident in the more “serious” books. I suppose it helps if one agrees with his views on Pompadour, etc all.
In addition to inappropriate advertising there are copious inaccuracies in reports around the forthcoming nuptials. Again today the media is busy reporting on whom will walk Ms Merkle ‘down the aisle’. The answer is obvious: HRH Prince Harry. A bride processes ‘up’ the aisle with whoever is going to ‘give her away’, and recesses ‘down’ with her new husband. I have never heard anyone refer to going down to the altar or down to the east window. The BBC and the broadsheets should do better.