Monthly Archives: October 2026
L’état des choses
Quel spectacle que cette guerre de rue que nous endurons! Le vrai divertissement n’est pas seulement là : il se trouve aussi sur les plateaux de télévision, où sociologues et politologues, d’un air grave et inspiré, nous délivrent leurs analyses … Continue reading
Recap on week 44/2026
Monday A bit of a non-event day apart from the arrival of 3 comic books at once which had to be read sitting outside in the timid afternoon sunshine resulting in a very pleasant time. Tuesday In Which We Close … Continue reading
Two small grumbles from London
I forgot to mention two things about our little escapade to London last week. Call them my weekend moaning points, served with a side of British politeness. 1. The signal that wasn’t Phone coverage in London is not improving. You’ll … Continue reading
Fifty Years, One Belt, Zero Regrets
In a spectacular act of self-delusion, I decided last weekend to “start cleaning up the home office.” Anyone who has ever made this announcement knows what it really means: moving things from one pile to a slightly different pile while … Continue reading
London escapade
Summary of five days, two feet, countless pints and one abandoned itinerary Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Five days in London, and my carefully prepared itinerary didn’t survive its first encounter with a curry, my feet clocked up kilometres … Continue reading
London, Day 5
Departures Good night’s sleep? Check. Foot considerably less painful? Check. I’m giving full credit to the pint of Fuller’s London Pride last night. Medicinal, obviously. Doctors hate this one weird trick. It’s not even 10am and I’m already on the … Continue reading
London, Day 4
A tale of two Wests (and one sore foot) Slept until 5am, which at my age is basically a medical miracle. Apparently walking half the Thames Valley will do that to a man. Today’s plan: a cloth shop on King’s … Continue reading
London, Day 3
DRAFT 3:30 a.m. My body, apparently still on a schedule known only to itself, woke me for the third morning running. I then lay there for nearly two hours, staring at the ceiling and composing strongly worded letters to my … Continue reading
London, Day 2
DRAFT Breakfast: croissant 🥐 and tea in bed, which is where the day’s first Big Decision was made. “Why don’t we walk to Marble Arch instead of taking the tube?” Reader, this was said by a person who had not … Continue reading
London, Day 1
A military operation immediately loses to curry Or: how my meticulously timed itinerary lasted roughly 2 hours I arrived in London with a plan. A proper plan. Timed, scheduled, practically laminated. Napoleon would have looked at it and said, “A … Continue reading
