16th Century
The History of the Pencil
Before the pencil Pens and ink have been in existence for a very long time, being used by the ancient Egyptians for writing and drawing on papyrus, a papery substance made by beating reeds flat. [more…]
Articles by Tachybaptus
Cooking
Real Men Eat Real Quiche
After the crowning broad bean horror of Charles the ill’s recent circus, it’s time to rehabilitate the quiche from the gastronomic hell into which it has been plunged by meddling chefs. The original quiche is [more…]
21st Century
The Fall of Boris
All his life Boris had his eyes On winning that most glorious prize, The golden key to Number Ten, The greatest goal of powerful men. A chubby lad at a posh school, His one ambition [more…]
Fiction
A Right and Left – Part 2 of 2
Bond woke with a headache and a foul taste in his mouth. Trying to move, he found he was tied to a chair. As his vision cleared he saw an elderly man seated in front [more…]
Fiction
A Right and Left – Part 1 of 2
James Bond dozed in the warm Jamaica sun. It was only April, and the baking heat of summer was still to come. He daydreamed happily of past exploits and beautiful girls. No doubt they were [more…]
Literature
Archaeological Limericks
Both English and, to a much greater extent, Scottish and Irish Gaelic are full of words spelt very differently from the way they are pronounced. These are ‘archaeological’ pronunciations reflecting the way the language [more…]
21st Century
Return to the Inferno
Set thirty years in the future As I reclined upon a heavenly cloud, Imbibing a celestial Chianti, I heard a voice crying my name aloud; ‘Twas Virgil in his toga, calling, ‘Dante, There’s work to [more…]
16th Century
The Troubled History of the Potato
The potato is a native of the high Andes, a low-growing plant (Solanum tuberosum) with pretty purple flowers and round black fruits. To survive in its harsh environment it has evolved the habit of growing [more…]
20th Century
Car Review: Renault Type AI Sport CT
It was after the third accident in the pony trap going down Pitsford Hill that my wife said to me, ‘We really ought to buy a motor car. After all, this is 1910 and we [more…]