Drinking
In praise of red wine
Way back in the 70s or it might even have been the 60s, the French Wine Industry insisted that red wine was really good for you. I took this to heart, forget the butter is [more…]
Drinking
Authoritarianism
Why do the English (*) drink so much?
This is a question asked by all foreigners, who look on in horror as we binge-drink our way through the week, stumbling through the streets in various states of inebriation. As though I were talking [more…]
Arts
The Geek’s guide to making perfect gin for £2.90 a litre bottle
It’s been a while since I wrote my last article. 4 years ago, to be precise. I have been reading all the comments for my sins and you guys have made me think and made [more…]
Drinking
The Spring 2026 Competition
It’s been a while but to encourage you to contribute articles I thought I’d run another competition. One small difference this time apart from the lack of holidays abroad I am going to choose the [more…]
Cooking
A Short Guide to Coffee (noun) Café Kaw-fee
At various stages of its journey from Arabia through Turkey and into Europe, coffee has been known as the Devil’s Brew and the forerunner of Viagra. The fact that it made it to England is [more…]
Drinking
Cocktails At Six
The nights have drawn in and once more we are approaching that strange time of year when apparently everyone is going to parties, or in my case not. So, if any of you are going [more…]
20th Century
A View From (Just By) The Greenhouse; A Mini Postcard, A Lament
I saw the squirrel before it saw me. It loped towards me by the verge before turning into the yard and setting off up the path, where it was met by Burt and the B&M [more…]
Drinking
Cruising to the Canaries – Part Three
Day 10 – Monday, at sea I awoke just after six thirty to scattered cloud and a bit of movement. We are on a fast run for this ship, about 20 knots, to Cadiz for [more…]
Drinking
Cruising to the Canaries – Part Two
Day 5 – Wednesday, Funchal, Madeira I awoke just after six; it was still dark, so turned over and went back to sleep for another forty minutes. This time it was grey and grotty, and [more…]