I have spent the last few days reading this biography of one of my university history tutors from half a century ago. It has been a nostalgic journey, and a surprising one: I didn’t get to know Jeremy Catto well … Continue reading
At about the time I was engaged on a series of long bike rides through France I met a man at a drinks party who had some involvement in the Brompton business. He asked me if I had ever considered … Continue reading
It seems that today is not independence day, after all, but thanksgiving day, brought forward by half a year. Up and down the land, those fortunate enough to survive lockdown have been out and about, singing a Fleetwood Mac song … Continue reading
Did Mrs Le Blond found a Ladies Ski Club?
Continue readingThe first British Ski Championship, Jan 6/7 1921
Continue reading“I have only ever written by hand. The lapsed graphic artist in me actually enjoys drawing the words.” John le Carré, The Pigeon Tunnel (2016) In all the tributes that have proliferated over the last 48 hours, I have neither … Continue reading
It is a not unusual occurrence, while I toil up Uffington’s White Horse Hill on what I refer to as my daily mortification, for me to cross paths with another cyclist, not once but three times: twice – an overtake … Continue reading
When I learnt from http://doggolf.info/ that Wales is among the least dog-friendly golfing corners of what for the moment, however inappropriately, we still call the United Kingdom, I felt an extra surge of pride in the lovely course and excellent … Continue reading
My base camp at the foot of the Lambourn Downs (north side) is well placed for bike rides up to the Ridgeway – short bursts of exertion that raise the pulse rate in beautiful surroundings. There are more than a … Continue reading
At least the lockdown spared us the torture of golf. Tasting an unfamiliar hint of serenity in the mixed salad of my mood, I can only attribute it to an absence of missed tiddlers and sliced drives onto the railway … Continue reading