Life
Real life
A letter arrives from David Cameron, asking me to vote by post in the European elections. Presumably he means vote…
Long life
The new mayor of New York, who despite his name (Bill de Blasio) claims Irish ancestry, is boycotting this month’s…
Commercial approach
British racing is such a quirky minefield that some were surprised when in 2011 the authorities chose Paul Bittar, a…
Bridge
Now and then an event enters the annual bridge calendar and becomes an instant ‘must play’. TGRs Auction Pairs is…
Varsity match
On Saturday 8 March the 132nd Varsity match between the teams of Oxford and Cambridge will see Oxford seeking to…
No. 304
White to play. This position is from Robbins-Smith, Varsity Match 1972. The black king has been drawn out into the…
Reunion blues
In Competition 2837 you were invited to submit a poem on the horrors of a reunion dinner. In days gone…
2152: T20 – it’s just not cricket!
The unclued lights (and 4 Down + N) are of a kind and along with the suggestion given by the…
to 2149: Super!
When preceded by GREAT, each unclued light yields a phrase listed in Brewer 19th edition. First prize Mrs T.…
You gotta have faith
An email popped into my inbox on Tuesday morning urging me to join a ‘fair admissions campaign’ that’s been launched…
A Victor for the future
Just do it. The people who make trainers have been telling us to ‘Just do it’ for 25 years now.…
Battle for Britain
Got something to add? Join the discussion and comment below.
Dear Mary
Q. My uncle, who is a brilliant dentist, has looked after my teeth since I was little. He also sees…
Dinner with the editors
Moro (‘moorish’ or ‘sexist’) is a Spanish restaurant on Exmouth Market, near the bones of the old Guardian and Observer…
McBess
My husband was surprised by quite a bit when we travelled by Underground in London the other day. Although he…
Dinner with the editors
Moro (‘moorish’ or ‘sexist’) is a Spanish restaurant on Exmouth Market, near the bones of the old Guardian and Observer…
A Victor for the future
Just do it. The people who make trainers have been telling us to ‘Just do it’ for 25 years now.…
Commercial approach
British racing is such a quirky minefield that some were surprised when in 2011 the authorities chose Paul Bittar, a…
High life
Gstaad Walking into a dinner party for 50 chic and some not-so-chic people in a nearby village last week, I…
Low life
My boy was downstairs cooking Sunday roast. Earlier, I had been clambering about on a woodpile, stepped awkwardly, and twisted…
Real life
The look on her face said it all. I can always tell my friend Denise is upset about something when…
Long life
With regard to modern technology, I find that people of around my age — by which I mean people in…
Bridge
To any player with even the smallest sadistic streak, squeezing your opponents is hugely satisfying. But there’s something even more…
Ukrainian knights
This week I pay tribute to the chess grandmasters from Ukraine, led by Vassily Ivanchuk, many times a candidate for…
No. 303
White to play. This position is from Moiseenko-Noah, Khanty-Mansisk Olympiad 2010. Even though the game is not yet out of…
