I thoroughly enjoyed my bank-holiday weekend, not least because the Pentecost Monday break was until recently threatened with abolition. I felt moved to write a short article about this very thing a few weeks back, which at least five people read because they were kind enough to leave comments.
Since the forecast was good I volunteered […]
Continue reading 'Camping Cars. Grrrrr.' »
I live, as some might already realise, many, many miles from the nearest half decent curry house. About 300 miles, in fact. I’m thinking of the Blackfield Tandoori (the name may have changed – it has been a number of years) just next to the Fawley oil refinery near Southampton on the South coast of […]
Continue reading 'Gastronomic Delights #3: Friday Evening Utility Curry' »
A fantastic day in the garden in beautiful early May weather. Sunny (I got slightly burnt, even with my Mediterranean complexion in 28°C of lovely warmth) and I got masses done in the garden including weeding out the pea & bean bed and planting a very large number of tomatoes into their final homes.
Now – […]
Continue reading 'Starman' »
Sorry to go on about this, but further to my earlier drivel about the poor old Ferry Boat Inn, I came across this quotation from Hilaire Belloc. Belloc, a Frenchman, became a naturalised Briton in 1902. A prolific writer, when asked why he wrote so much he replied: “Because my children are howling for pearls […]
Continue reading 'Pubs Again' »
If someone were to ask me “Jon; what is the best time of year to visit the Vendée?” I would probably answer “May.”
Astute readers (and you all are, few though you may be) will note my careful use of the subjunctive in that sentence: no-one has ever asked me that question, which possibly explains why […]
Continue reading 'Halcyon May' »
I’ve just returned from a few days in the UK seeing friends and relatives. I would have posted something immediately upon my return since I know that Ted, at least, worries when I go “off air” and starts imagining all kinds of unpleasantness involving Toads, high-voltage jump leads and superheated salad cream.
But what really happened, […]
Continue reading 'On “Executive” Flats and Other Afflictions of the 21st Century' »
We’re having a bit of building work done at the moment, the first real work we’ve had done to our own home since we moved here five years ago. Everything - money and effort - has been going into the business.
The works are quite modest: a leaky, ugly, old conservatory is being demolished and brand […]
Continue reading 'Snakes Alive!' »
Although still bruised and tender over the rejection by those tasteless yobbos and philistines over at Blog Burst, my ego received something of a lift this today when I proved myself right about something. This is an infrequent occurrence and is made all the more satisfying by its rarity.
About two years ago I came […]
Continue reading 'Truly, Madly, Deeply…Yellow' »
In a fit of self importance this week, I attempted to get this blog registered with a bunch called “Blog Burst.” This does not have anything to do with making my computer explode, but does have a lot to do with getting my blog noticed by ever many more deserving people with gaps in their […]
Continue reading 'Forget the Sofarons - It’s the BBQ’s You’ve Got to Watch' »
It is socially dangerous, without a doubt, to suggest that inanimate objects may be self-aware or have sapient qualities. Bicycles with a sense of irony or plant pots that exhibit bipolar tendencies, to pluck two examples entirely randomly from the air. This is the sort of activity that often precedes a visit from understanding men […]
Continue reading 'Sofas - the Good, the Bad & the Ugly. But Mostly the Ugly' »
