Following on from this piece at the start of the year, here’s another set of photos showing what remains after a pint of beer and a packet of crisps have been dealt with. They were taken at various bars in West London, Spain and Ireland. The concept of “The 4-Ring Man” was originally covered in… Continue reading The 4-Ring Man, in pictures (Part 2)
We are back from our holiday in Spain, well looked after throughout our stay by my brother, who has lived there for most of his adult life. In fact, he has lived there for well over half of his entire life. It is nearly 36 years since he left London to set up home there.… Continue reading Word of the week: sunburn
Today is our 18th wedding anniversary. The temperature here in London has been even hotter than on the day we got married, and back in 2001 that was the hottest day of the year. Just like last year, we drove into town to have lunch at a branch of Wagamama. Unlike last year we didn’t… Continue reading Our wedding video, “Dad’s Army”, and an audio treat
47 years ago this month, “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper was #1 in the UK charts. It was followed by “You Wear it Well” (Rod Stewart) and “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” (Slade). You will not find many better three-in-a-row sequences of chart-toppers. If you can think of one, leave a comment below. Recently, “School’s… Continue reading “We can’t even think of a word that rhymes!”
If you were in the UK in the 1970s and spent any time watching TV on a Saturday night you will have seen a musical act containing the word “Swingle”, “The Swingle Singers” perhaps, or “Swingle II”. They would appear on shows like “The Two Ronnies”, performing a cappella versions of, well, I can’t remember… Continue reading Word of the week: Swingle
WARNING: There are three photos at the end of this piece that show the effects of insect bites on my skin this summer, and an infection that affected my palms some years ago. You might find them rather unpleasant but they illustrate what this piece is about. If you are squeamish about such things, be… Continue reading Holiday notes: sun, sea, sand, and insect bites
The historian Norman Stone died recently, aged 78. If you met him, or knew of him, or know his work, you will probably have an opinion, or multiple opinions, about him, and/or his work. If not, you could read this obituary from the Guardian and be left with an entirely unflattering impression. I learnt of… Continue reading Norman Stone RIP, and the two things I learnt at college
The new football season is upon is. The first round of games in the Championship, the second tier in English football, played out last weekend, beginning on Friday night and ending on Monday night. Tonight, also a Friday, sees the opening fixture in the Premier League, England’s top tier. Liverpool host newly-promoted Norwich City. Last… Continue reading The new football season: one down, 45 to go
The EHIC, or “European Health Insurance Card”, entitles those of us who live in the UK to “reduced cost (or sometimes free) state-provided healthcare where treatment becomes medically necessary during a temporary visit to other countries of the European Economic Area or Switzerland”. I quote directly from the letter that accompanied our new cards when… Continue reading Word of the week: EHIC
A lazy Saturday afternoon. “Pick of the Pops” on BBC Radio 2 in the background, playing the charts from this date in 1967 and 1978. The #1s are “All you need is love” and “You’re the one that I want”. I am keeping an eye on the cricket, Day 3 of the First Ashes Test… Continue reading Ashes cricketers with surnames allowable in Scrabble
The Compartments 