Bring out the Branston
In a pub I asked what kind of sandwiches they had. ‘Ham and cheese,’ the man said. ‘Oh, yes please,’ I said. ‘Yes please what?’ he said. ‘Yes please, ham… Read more »
Category: Science
How the Robin became part of Christmas
The robin was voted Britain’s national bird in a 1960 poll, and that popularity hasn’t diminished over the years. Stephen Moss in his 2017 book The Robin – a Biography… Read more »
The Sting!
What is the quintessential sound of a traditional English summer? The tinkling nuisance of ‘Greensleeves’ as an ice-cream van turns up in a suburban street? The incessant drumming of rain… Read more »
Stick it in your family album
All lined up in a wedding group, here we are for a photograph.We’re all dressed up in our morning suits all trying not to laugh.Since the early caveman in his… Read more »
The wine is corked…
It was a ritual seemingly designed to intimidate the inexperienced diner which began with the scanning of an impossibly long wine list, desperately looking for something which wouldn’t involve taking… Read more »
Water water everywhere – in bottles at least
There may not be life on Mars but it’s just been confirmed that there is water – a whole underground lake of it around 12 miles across. But it’s probably… Read more »
Phew what a scorcher…
The famous headline apparently was never used in quite quite that form which is a bit of a blow, but it’s certainly been quoted as such ever since. And (as… Read more »
Just one Mosquito
If I’m deeply asleep the sound of an alarm clock will eventually get through, but not immediately. On the other hand like last night, the whine of a mosquito passing… Read more »