A foxy tale: in the garden and in government
Though I do my utmost to give it the benefit of the doubt, I can’t help feeling that, for reasons best known to itself, the Government is determined to make a total dog’s breakfast of our emergence from the Covid pandemic – sacrificing the travel industry in the process….
Conspiracy theory
When scientists speculated whether pangolins or bats were the source, I was inclined to listen, knowing the Chinese propensity for eating anything with a pulse….
Royal Air Batley
As a consequence of Tracy Brabin’s election as Mayor of West Yorkshire, a by-election is to take place in the Batley and Spen constituency, of which the Batley-born actress and writer was MP….
The way ahead
As far as foreign holidays are concerned, we are in a tangled and complicated place, with talk of ‘vaccine passports’, ‘travel corridors’ and destinations designated red, amber, or green….
Draco
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what was going on in Athens around 622 0r 621 BC. Specifically about a chap named Draco. And that familiar warning about being careful what you wish for….
“Events, dear boy, events”
“Events, dear boy, events” – I’m sure you recognise that quotation. It is supposed to have come from Harold Macmillan, when he was asked what would most influence his Government’s policy and conduct….
Oscar Friedman
I’ve been rummaging around in the attic, looking for newspaper cuttings, photographs and other memorabilia in connection with a memoir I am writing….
A shot in the arm
Having just received my first vaccination (which I’ll get back to in a moment), that belief is strengthened. It had already received a boost by newspaper reports that ‘optimistic over-50s’ were rushing to book summer holidays both at home and abroad….
The year that was 2020
Whether 2020 was the last year of one decade, or the first year of another is, frankly, beside the point – though I happen to favour the second option….
Christmas Then and Now
My generation remembers Christmases when there were very few presents, little cause for celebration, and a severe shortage of food and alcohol. Those Christmases during my wartime childhood were not miserable or gloomy, however. We made the most of what we had, enjoying a brief respite from the unrelenting seriousness of life….
Trip of a lifetime
In September, in this “Now and Then” slot, I mentioned my friend Clare Dudley, and the terrifying trip I took to France on her behalf, several years ago….
The Poet
You won’t have heard of the Italian poet Piero Tomasello, or read any of his work. Unless, that is, you travel up into London, or down into Kent, from a railway station called Shortlands, which is located at the end of the road in which I live….
