Life
Bugger
The French for tête-à-tête is one-to-one now, according to a new survey of English invaders by Alexandre des Isnards. Actually,…
A military port
Alas, the ’63 ports are beginning to fade. I came to that conclusion the last time I tasted a Warre’s,…
A land of extremes
A few years ago I would have quite liked to live in America. I’m not sure now. For one thing,…
High life
The vicissitudes of getting old are linked to the mystical innocence of childhood as one daydreams the precious time away.…
Low life
Sharon’s back. As soon as I heard, I went straight round to the house and let myself in. She was…
Real life
Really, I do wish people would stagger their baby-making. Absolutely every professional person whose services I have required in the…
Long life
The appointment of Sajid Javid as the new Secretary of State for Culture has been much criticised on the grounds…
Settling up
Mrs Oakley takes a dim view of my using the BMW that consumed much of her savings to ferry sacks…
Bridge
Somewhere highly intellectual I read that they were bringing back the Generation Game, recalling, in all their excruciating mundanity, Brucie’s…
Vengeance is mine
The history of the world chess championship includes five title matches where the challenger was the former champion, seeking his…
No. 312
White to play. This is from Botvinnik-Smyslov, World Championship (Game 2) 1958. White’s next was a clever way to win…
I’m a non-believer
In Competition No. 2845 you were invited to provide a hymn for atheists. This excellent, and topical, competition was suggested…
2160: 18 Down
Six unclued lights are 18 Down from the same source (five are entitled to appear; the sixth appears regularly). Six…
To 2157: Song X
If the grid were a TIMEPIECE (13/12), the six perimetric words (GRANITE, LIMESTONE, SERPENTINE, GREYWACKE, DALRADIAN and HORNFELS) might collectively…
Why I’m a kamikaze cyclist
The only way to survive as a London cyclist is to behave like a complete nutter
Battle for Britain
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What’s right with Saracens– and José’s Chelsea
It’s hard to love Saracens rugby club — their centre is called Bosch, a word that also describes their bulldozing…
Dear Mary
Q. My sister and I own a popular caravan park which, for 30 years, has given happiness to around a…
Oxford blues
It is now two decades since I lived in Oxford. I was then a drunk and lonely puddle of a…
Shouty
Hitler was ‘dark, shouty, moustachioed’ in Churchill’s eyes, or rather, that was Jonathan Rose’s view of how Churchill saw Hitler,…
Oxford blues
It is now two decades since I lived in Oxford. I was then a drunk and lonely puddle of a…
What’s right with Saracens– and José’s Chelsea
It’s hard to love Saracens rugby club — their centre is called Bosch, a word that also describes their bulldozing…
Settling up
Mrs Oakley takes a dim view of my using the BMW that consumed much of her savings to ferry sacks…
High life
New York The poet was right: April is the cruellest month. We at The Spectator lost Clarissa Tan, my good…
Low life
Two years ago, roughly, for a travel piece, I flew to Delhi and took a southbound train to a dusty…
