Notes on…
Glasgow
A wet walk in a Glaswegian graveyard might not be your idea of fun, but then you might not have…
Glasgow
A wet walk in a Glaswegian graveyard might not be your idea of fun, but then you might not have…
Florence
The British have always been in love with Florence. First visits cannot disappoint. One friend recalls being herded around as…
Florence
The British have always been in love with Florence. First visits cannot disappoint. One friend recalls being herded around as…
Political memorabilia
My first reaction on hearing of Margaret Thatcher’s death in 2013 was: ‘Great — now my autograph from her will…
Political memorabilia
My first reaction on hearing of Margaret Thatcher’s death in 2013 was: ‘Great — now my autograph from her will…
North Cornwall
In a documentary filmed at the end of his life, Sir John Betjeman, who lived in the village of Trebetherick…
North Cornwall
In a documentary filmed at the end of his life, Sir John Betjeman, who lived in the village of Trebetherick…
Picnics
Strange, isn’t it, that despite having such famously terrible weather, we Brits are so fond of a picnic. It’s something…
Picnics
Strange, isn’t it, that despite having such famously terrible weather, we Brits are so fond of a picnic. It’s something…
Flanders
Usually, one of the first indications that you’ve entered a bilingual country is that the road signs are in two…
Flanders
Usually, one of the first indications that you’ve entered a bilingual country is that the road signs are in two…
Country house opera
I stole a blanket last night. Rather a nice one, in fact. I feel bad about it, of course, but…
Country house opera
I stole a blanket last night. Rather a nice one, in fact. I feel bad about it, of course, but…
Tel Aviv
Just so you don’t get it confused with the City That Never Sleeps, Tel Aviv — my favovurite place on…
Tel Aviv
Just so you don’t get it confused with the City That Never Sleeps, Tel Aviv — my favovurite place on…
Father’s Day
No man ever watched a £20 note flutter from an opened Father’s Day card and thought: ‘How disappointing — not enough…
Father’s Day
No man ever watched a £20 note flutter from an opened Father’s Day card and thought: ‘How disappointing — not enough…
St Moritz
Here’s a tip: when travelling to St Moritz, it’s best not to mention the name of your final destination to…
St Moritz
Here’s a tip: when travelling to St Moritz, it’s best not to mention the name of your final destination to…
Antwerp
Napoleon didn’t think much of Antwerp. ‘Scarcely a European city at all,’ he scoffed. If only he could see it…
Antwerp
Napoleon didn’t think much of Antwerp. ‘Scarcely a European city at all,’ he scoffed. If only he could see it…
Normandy
I am compiling a list of the best black puddings. It began in Spain when I encountered my first morcilla…
Normandy
I am compiling a list of the best black puddings. It began in Spain when I encountered my first morcilla…
Barbados
Unusually, I didn’t leave the British Isles until I was 35, when I went to the Maldives for a fortnight.…
