Arts
Postcard From Borrowdale
It seems an age now since I wrote about the 40 things we were going to do to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. To give you some idea, in 8 weeks we’ll have been married [more…]
Culture
Arts
The Swaling, Part Ten
France is one of those countries where children are encouraged and indulged, even on trains. My carriage was nearly full. It was modern and airy but noisy. I am on L’Aquitaine, a crack express that [more…]
20th Century
Postcard from Berlin
In June 2017 Master Reggie and I decided to go on a ‘lads’ tour of Berlin. Master Reggie had just completed his degree course and Mrs Reggie suggested it was time for some Father and [more…]
Arts
A paralysis of dignity
[Credit for this piece goes to Mojo, without whose astute observations I would not have been inspired to write these words.] I don’t know about you, but for a number of years now, there has [more…]
Arts
Arts
The Swaling, Part Nine
We are in the front room at 28 Dumfries Street, Kovan. The awful Nicolaas and Dora Clogg have called in response to an “Operation Bonfire” appeal in the Straights Star. Tai Tai and Lotus are [more…]
Arts
Book Review: Agent Running in the Field by John le Carré
A while ago this reviewer attended a lecture. The subject was ten books that had changed the world. Delivered by Melvyn Bragg, author of a work of the same name, having been talked through three [more…]
Arts
The Swaling, Part Eight
Tai Tai was invited into Belinda Wong’s business services premises on the seventh floor of residential block 357, apartment six. It was a standard-issue Housing Development Corporation room but fitted out for business. It was [more…]
19th Century
South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company
It is obvious from many of the articles that appear on this website that history and mechanical things are of interest. So here is one that combines the two, the history of a railroad and [more…]