On BBC Radio 4 on 26 July I heard Peter Aspden give his Point of View on Greece, especially in relation to the current financial crisis and the question that has been hanging over Greece’s continued EU membership. As I listened I found myself tuning in to the heart of what he was saying. I realisedContinue reading “My Reflections on ‘In Love With Greece’”
Category Archives: culture
Witty Insight into the London Art World
For all those who’ve wondered how one starts to get noticed as an artist in London, and is in the mood for a light-hearted approach to the subject I can recommend a book which might have escaped my notice if I hadn’t recently met the author at a conference. Emily Benet first posted her bookContinue reading “Witty Insight into the London Art World”
Exotic Lands and Mysterious Cultures: Ancient China
Recently I finished reading a book about “The Forbidden City” and this coincided with a BBC Radio 4 programme presented by Melvyn Bragg about the first western missionary to China, the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci. I heard that Matteo Ricci set out from Portugal to convert China to Christianity in 1584, and published a bookContinue reading “Exotic Lands and Mysterious Cultures: Ancient China”
Versatile Blogger Award
I was very pleased to learn that I’ve been nominated for this award by fellow-blogger and Goodreads friend Lance Greenfield whose blog I follow. Lance is the author of “Eleven Miles” a book which I reviewed recently and which I can thoroughly recommend. Writing a weekly blog post is an excellent writing discipline, and a wonderful creativeContinue reading “Versatile Blogger Award”
Film Review: “Philomena” starring Steve Coogan and Judi Dench
I belong to a Film Club which meets every 2 months and a few days ago our film of choice was Philomena. I’ve now watched it four times in as many days, and during that time I’ve been haunted by the characters, by the story, and by what it tell us about life and aboutContinue reading “Film Review: “Philomena” starring Steve Coogan and Judi Dench”
Book Review: The Beatles Lyrics by Hunter Davies
Having received this book as a Christmas gift, substantial 375-page tome that it is, I devoured it in a few days. I found the book utterly compelling. Hunter Davies starts by describing his search among collectors, companies and auction houses for what must surely rank among the most valuable “scruffy scraps of paper” in theContinue reading “Book Review: The Beatles Lyrics by Hunter Davies”
Opening Up the Genius of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Evocative and Imaginative Sherlock Holmes Exhibition at the Museum of London
The Museum of London have explored the story of Sherlock Holmes and his creation in an evocative and imaginative exhibition. When we visited on Saturday, as Sherlock fans, we found much to enthral, amuse and intrigue us. I was particularly captivated by a number of paintings of Victorian London in the fog, which Sir Arthur Conan DoyleContinue reading “Opening Up the Genius of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Evocative and Imaginative Sherlock Holmes Exhibition at the Museum of London”
Ancient Civilisations: Reflections From Stonehenge
Last week I was sitting in the café at the new English Heritage Visitors Centre near Stonehenge, listening to a conversation between two American visitors. “Well,” said one, “I definitely think it was three things; a church, a burial ground and a place of healing.” “You don’t mean church,” said her friend. “Oh no. Well,Continue reading “Ancient Civilisations: Reflections From Stonehenge”
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Quirky, Anarchic, and Fizzing with Life
During the last week we’ve been at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival – an overwhelming variety of acts and shows and comedians and performers, all jostling for your attention. Those who are trying to make a name for themselves are free: the already established are in big venues and do paid-for shows. I’ve never been handedContinue reading “The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Quirky, Anarchic, and Fizzing with Life”
Folk Festival Fun for Warwick
This weekend Warwick hosted its annual Folk Festival. Folk dancers and singers were out in force together with a wide variety of creative stallholders and vendors, and everywhere we saw bright coloured clothes and gypsy-style skirts and hats decorated with flowers. In common with many others I love to watch to listen to folk songsContinue reading “Folk Festival Fun for Warwick”
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