Grab a coffee 2 go

The trainee gamekeeper on the 8:52 had in her hand what has become the scourge of London in the 21st century. The takeaway coffee cup. ‘Grab a coffee 2 go’ is the latest fast food American craze to arrive at our shores, and it is commuter types driven by sheer boredom to faddism, that are… Continue reading Grab a coffee 2 go

Undercover gamekeeper

The person opposite on this morning’s 8:52 service to Victoria is wearing one of those tweed jackets favoured by gamekeepers and the country set. I see quite a lot of commuters wearing or carrying things to work that point to a life outside of their chosen vocation. First impressions might give that commuters are bred… Continue reading Undercover gamekeeper

Celebrity Big Brother

I try to trade Celebrity Big Brother for Match of the Day at home, Mandy of course is having absolutely none of it, and quite rightly so. For she knows full well that despite my protestations I’m as interested in the banal daily happenings of the freak show as everyone else. Not that I’d know… Continue reading Celebrity Big Brother

Royals in fancy dress

This weekend provided yet another prime opportunity for the family Windsor to indulge in that time honoured royal tradition of dressing up. Getting decked out in whatever military uniform takes ones fancy for an appearance on the balcony, where an adoring public will clap like sheep at the choice of garment. Okay let’s start with… Continue reading Royals in fancy dress

1968: The year that rocked the world, Mark Kurlansky

I like the way that this book sounds, an historical text rewritten as a story by a journalist who has the ability to make anything sound interesting. The research involved is penetrating in the way that it picks up on personal points from eye witness accounts, this leaves the reader with a genuine sense of… Continue reading 1968: The year that rocked the world, Mark Kurlansky

I like Cherie Blair

If there’s one thing that has always amazed me in politics – it’s the good Tory wife. There was that period in the 80s and 90s when the news was filled with stories of Tory MPs cheating on their wives with an array of sexy young things. More often than not the week would end… Continue reading I like Cherie Blair

New Labour is right to treat the media with contempt

A lot has been made of the way in which New Labour controls the media so as to present itself in a favourable manner. There are two reasons why I think this is entirely justified. Firstly, in an age of electronic communication where images can be flashed around the globe in seconds, appearance is vitally… Continue reading New Labour is right to treat the media with contempt