Arts
The tale of John Barleycorn
Whilst listening to some 70’s era music – the time when music demanded competence – I came across a track by Traffic. I listened and remembered hearing it many years ago and that it was [more…]
Culture
Arts
Coffee – Five Manual Brewing Techniques
This article is about different coffee brewing techniques that don’t require plug-in machines. Many people swear by expensive espresso makers, pod machines, or electric percolators, but I prefer the simplicity of manual devices. These are [more…]
20th Century
Film Review: Bridge Over The River Kwai
David Lean’s The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) is not just a great film, it is a nearly perfect one. Even better, it was recognised as such from the start by virtually everyone. [more…]
Arts
A View From The Greenhouse; (Pain and Loss)
Welcome dear readers; before we get started, a warning. Those of you that aren’t interested in the maudlin, or the philosophy of loss, or the pain which accompanies it, look away now, this isn’t going [more…]
Culture
A View From The Greenhouse; Bath, A Chance Encounter, Long “Covid”
It’s been a month now since I last posted from the greenhouse, although, somewhat thankfully, it hasn’t been a month since I visited it. With the arrival of spring we see ewes and lambs arriving [more…]
Arts
Three Men on a Bike, Part Four
Two weeks after setting forth from Croydon we finally free-wheeled into St.Nazaire on the southern coast of Brittany, somewhat short of our initial target of St.Tropez. The tandem and single bike had survived various alarms [more…]
20th Century
Postcard From Latina
If one, parent’s night, your daughter’s Italian teacher tells you Latina is the ugliest city in Italy and adds in a whisper, “And then there’s Mousillini”, don’t agree with her until you’ve visited. Situated on [more…]
Arts
Three Men on a Bike, Part Three
Having recovered from the ravages of what we thought was pilchard food poisoning but was more likely some dodgy Camembert, and rested sufficiently at the Rouen youth hostel we ventured forth on Day 5 and [more…]
Arts
A Postcard Frae Glesgae
Over the last few weeks I’ve had occasion to visit Glasgow on two occasions, one for an overnight stay and the second time primarily to visit Kelvingrove Museum and Gallery. The happy circumstance of my [more…]