I used to get goose pimples, but now it seems I have to get goose bumps, which don’t sound half – or even one sixty-fourth – as exciting. Goose bumps, like zits, spread like a rash across the Atlantic in the mid-1980s, infecting Blue Peter presenters as they transformed from loveable, quirky characters into fashion-following, … Read more
Do the words we use really matter? Is it sufficient to utter a rough approximation of what we mean? Maybe it’s because I’m getting grumpier as I get older that I think about this. Two of the words I think about at the moment are ‘great’ and ‘ good’. Both words can be used to … Read more
As mentioned previously, tea plays a big part in my life, although the continental European tradition of drinking coffee also features highly. But whether it’s tea poured through a strainer or freshly ground coffee, I always like to drink from bone china. I prefer a cup and saucer, but a mug tends to be more … Read more
40 years pass so quickly. I was in the first year of grammar school and thriving on it. I’ve always been keen to learn and the move to senior school set my mind buzzing, although my body was tired. So while I enjoyed English, history, French and other subjects, the exertion of games and PE … Read more
I wandered along to Holborn Underground Station and realised that it was more than 22 years since I had last walked the route of my daily commute from this station down Kingsway to the Aldwych. I was determined to retrace my steps.
We used to have a number of different kitchen gadgets, but they spent most of the time gathering dust in cupboards. Some gadgets are useful, but their convenience is often minimised by the time spent cleaning them after use. Now we have very few gadgets.
ust when you’re nestling into your comfortable online environment, do you ever find reality making an unwelcome intrusion? Reality can be so demanding and inflexible.
What’s the best way for managing it effectively to minimise its impact? Here are my suggested top 10 reality management tools:
It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to sprawl out and listen to an entire album’s worth of music. Today I did it. Last week Ray Thomas’ ‘Our Guessing Game’ went through my head and I thought it was time to savour the digitally remastered CD of The Moody Blues’ ‘Every Good Boy … Read more
If I didn’t already live in Ilfracombe, I would book my holiday here. Plenty of accommodation, dining and activity ideas in the 2012 Ilfracombe brochure. Open publication – Free publishing – More accommodation
Similar to the European Union Stability and Growth Pact, I have an agreement with Mrs Z that when the deficit in my hair supply exceeds 3% of a full Barnet, it’s time to change my hairstyle to avoid comb over. At the weekend, I suggested two possible actions: To wear a badly made, shaggy, obviously … Read more
. . . especially in the following activities: COMBEbusiness After standing up and speaking at a public meeting, I was elected to the committee and then voted chairman of a new business group in North Devon. Thanks to my fellow directors and support from members, COMBEbusiness has established itself to promote business around the Ilfracombe, … Read more
Free parking is available in Ilfracombe for Christmas shoppers from 2pm to 6pm on Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 and Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 December 2011 at the following North Devon Council operated car parks: Jubilee Gardens Pier Wilder Road Cove Brookdale Oxford Grove Larkstone Lane Marine Drive Hillsborough Anyone wishing to take advantage … Read more
There’s so much wildlife to see around Ilfracombe, North Devon.
Studio Theatre will be staging a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Ilfracombe and Torrington, North Devon in June 2011.
The bluebells on the north and east sides of Hillsborough, Ilfracombe, North Devon are astounding at the moment.
After our first batch of runner bean seeds failed to germinate (we did use last year’s seeds), I bought new seeds and they are just now starting to raise their heads above the compost.
I looked over the fence and saw a mother duck and her fleet of ducklings. Unfortunately, there were three male ducks trying to mate with her, explaining the noise as she fought them off.
Our blackcurrant bushes certainly seem to have set the ladybirds going
This morning I spotted quite a few ladybirds on our two blackcurrant bushes.
This morning the apple blossom opened up . . .
