Spectacular 60

‘a reckoning with the truth of mortality.’ Unknown So a significant birthday comes around later this month and a new decade begins.  While I discover that I have to wait another six years to obtain a much coveted bus pass, I will soon be able to procure a ‘senior’ railcard. Consolation or inevitability?  At this … More Spectacular 60

More Mountains

Awesome: ‘something Americans use to describe everything.’ from the Urbandictionary.com I once knew a lady who scattered the word ‘awesome’ into conversation much as you might sprinkle sugar on your porridge and with almost equal abandon.  She was as likely to use it in reference to a particularly delicious slice of cake as to a … More More Mountains

Trivia Time

‘We should treat all the trivial things of life seriously and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.’ – Oscar Wilde I’m fairly certain that Mr Wilde and I wouldn’t see eye to eye on this subject, nevertheless everything can get a bit serious as the new school year begins even … More Trivia Time

2024 Summer Review

 While showers are still possible at any time of the year, they are more likely and more widespread during the summer due to the local effects of the hills and valleys, land and sea and subtle variations in heat and moisture. – The UK Met office It’s safe to say that the English summer has … More 2024 Summer Review

Tanks a lot!

‘Having trouble parking?… Get yourself a Sherman tank.’ – Kenny Everett – British comedian Back in the 1980s, the much-missed comedian Kenny Everett had a TV show which once included a sketch I remember simply as, Solve all you parking problems with a Sherman tank. You can still watch it by searching You Tube for … More Tanks a lot!

My Duty & Privilege

‘Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future.’ – Rishi Sunak, announcing the date of the General Election outside 10, Downing Street, May 2024 The political landscape in the UK is pretty bleak right now.  With a General Election hurtling towards us this week, this is highly disturbing. I’ve never felt less sure … More My Duty & Privilege

Adventures with the AA – ‘the fourth emergency service’

‘It’s OK, I’m with the AA’ – tag line for The Automobile Association I had planned to write this blog about the wonderful writer’s retreat in Wales that I attended last week but it’s been somewhat eclipsed since then by the epic journey that finally brought me back to Surrey. Perhaps I’ll return to it … More Adventures with the AA – ‘the fourth emergency service’

Ready for Lift Off

“The British nation is unique in this respect: they are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.” – Winston Churchill (speech 10th June 1941) So, while everyone was frantically casting their vote in South Africa, we left them to it and boarded a … More Ready for Lift Off