Monthly Archives: November 2015

I swung by Stratford Garden Centre the other day to see if they had any poinsettias (which they did), but when I saw these Cymbidium orchids I couldn’t resist buying them too. I have quite an emotional response to them, … Continued

Well, maybe just a little. I’m fortunate not to suffer from SAD in any kind of clinical sense, but I think we’re all probably inclined to get at least a little low in the dark months of the year – … Continued

At 7.15 this morning I was standing at my study window, looking to the east and coming to the conclusion that the large bank of low cloud in front of me meant that I wouldn’t get any dawn shots, so … Continued

R suggested these cufflinks to me as a subject for Tiny Tuesday today. I bought them for him a few years ago, at a time when he spent a lot of time wearing nice work suits with double-cuffed shirts. These … Continued

Not a song I’ve ever liked, I have to say – it’s musically uninteresting, and lyrically idiotic. Apologies to any massive Pink Floyd fans. Anyhoo, I was wandering around Stratford, feeling rather uninspired, when I spotted this scene: four young … Continued

I can’t stop thinking of the families whose lives have been devastated by the Paris attacks on Friday: parents who have lost children, and children deprived of parents; siblings, spouses and lovers who will never come home. When last I … Continued

There was a difference of opinion on the River Avon this evening: the swans voted for pizza, but the geese (who were all doing the 5:2 diet) preferred to go to the Boathouse for a Thai meal. Personally, I was … Continued

When I get up in the morning I immediately turn on the computers, so that they’ve finished booting and settled down ready for work by the time I’ve had breakfast. Then I check my emails, among which are notifications of … Continued

“Don’t mind us – we’re just hanging here admiring your fishing skills. Aren’t we boys?” “Fishing skills, yes.” “Skills.” “Yes, skills.” “Sorry – what was that? We’re making you nervous? Hear that boys – we’re making him nervous!” “Nervous!” “Why … Continued

Most of you will probably recognise this immediately as one of the ceramic poppies from last year’s installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Dead at the Tower of London. When the installation was dismantled the poppies were sold off … Continued