The first thing anyone said to me one morning recently was: “He never listens to a word I say.”
‘He’ was the speaker’s dog. The speaker was a young woman, instructing her dog to cross the road, but he was too busy sitting on the pavement watching the world go by. The young woman had headphones on, and I wondered if the dog was trying to make a point. … More Extreme listening
I was brought up to be superstitious. I was also taught not to believe everything I was taught, which leaves me in the fortunate position of being able to pick and choose my charms. Such as blowing an eyelash and making a wish, or seeing the joy in two magpies. However, leaving a dropped knife … More Luck Under the Bridge
Knole Park, Kent.
It’s hard to socially distance with a stranger on a narrowboat, but we cannot resist the invitation. These are real Oxford Gyptians on a real canal that curves into a backwater of the real River Thames. … More Real Gyptians
As long as I can remember, my mother has dismissed matters of concern with the words “It’s fate!” Meaning: don’t worry about things you can do nothing about (although saying those words has never saved her from sleepless nights). Recently, my eldest son was sitting a test at a random location (not for COVID-19, but … More An Aside on Fate
Last time I was in Cambridge I ran past a lady. A ‘lady’ because she held herself so. It was a bright Sunday morning, early and quiet, and I had emerged from the secret gardens alongside Vicar’s Brook – a magical land of giant daisies and squashes, sweet peas and potatoes – to a prosaic … More The Lady
Yesterday, my daughter pointed out the grey in my hair. She thought she was being helpful. It’s not the only thing I’ve been reminded about this week. For example, the ‘lockdown-logue’ that I’ve forgotten to write. It started last Monday with a tight scrawl. Tuesday saw a looser enthusiasm which tailed off around mid-week, and … More Silver not Grey
Yesterday’s fun freezer find was a decade old. The label was a little smudged but read: “Rhubarb and [something illegible] Crumble, 2010.” I asked some friends the question: “Should we?“ There came a mixed response from “Glad it’s not just me!” and “Definitely!” and “Must. Not. Waste. Crumble.” to “2010????????” (which I took to be … More Illegible but not Inedible
Down the road from where we are staying sits an unassuming (but pretty) ‘shed’ at the side of a driveway belonging to Ottinge Court Farm. Inside the shed are some eggs and an honesty box, a freezer and two huge vending machines. One is named the MilkMate, and dispenses the day’s milk. A brilliant innovation … More MilkMate
First stop is lunch at The Skinny Kitchen – decent food and cracking crockery, but both its atmosphere and smiling staff are lacking (I guess the clue was in the name). There is no such mediocrity in the Cathedral – a beauty disguised by scaffolding. The whole complex is undergoing more than a mere facelift, … More Canterbury, Thomas and Gormley
Have Paprika, Will Travel 