Living in Italy you may have come across Gay Odin’s cioccolata foresta. It’s a huge flake and delicious – Cadbury’s doesn’t even come close ! It’s made & sold in Naples, and they don’t export to post Brexit.

What a great thread. I’ll have to investigate some of these inks – I have a collection of Kaweco, Dupont, Pelikan and Waterman cartridges at home. I am completely sold on Kaweco at present and use no other […]

Which reminds me of the first time I got ‘slippered’ at Prep School pouring ink into the desk inkwell where there wasn’t an ink container. Head refused to accept stupidity in my mitigation. On the plus side, […]

Yes – shameful post Charlie Hebdo and failure to back Ukraine will stand against him.

Recent converts – the worst sort, but then in his case we know that already.

Sicily – far too hot in July/August – would be perfect in late May. If you love the Montalbano books and tv series, you can stay at Casa di Montalbano – https://www.lacasadimontalbano.com/

Oh no – what a fine actor. So many great roles, but his performance in Mississippi Burning stands out for me. Bad day today, also heard that one of Ireland’s finest – Jennifer Johnston – has dies. What a […]

Isn’t the rise of AiRBnB largely down to the avarice of hotels, particularly the chains who seem to have outsourced their services to revenue companies who care for nothing other than balance sheets ? I spent far […]

A good film viewing decade. Don’t think these have been mentioned. Witness. Three Brothers – Francesco Rosi. He made some great films, but still love this one above all the other ones. Love the Eric […]

The Olympic Stadium is fantastic, not sure if they do tours but even walking around is great. I love the modern hauptbanhof – going up and own the escalators and revelling in the majesty of the construction gives […]

Have been having a bit of Power Pop thing lately and this song is great. Was it a single ? No idea.

Great player, can’t ever forget that Ajax and Dutch side of ’74. They were the World Champions, they made football look so easy and graceful. I’m pretty sure Neeskens was involved in the run up to Cruyff’s goal vs […]

Never got much of a mention in the obits, but she was great in A Very Private Function as the social climbing wife, chucking the tinned peaches in the rubbish.

Good choices there @Jaygee. Whilst we’re here – Amongst Women as well. Yep, Suite Francaise is an extraordinary book. I think the ones you mention are Hans Fallada – Alone in Berlin – which I found a bit […]

Just having a pointless pop at Penguin classics for republishing La Bete as The beast within. Feel free to carry on using French, much like Eric Olthwaite’s dad did in Ripping Yarns, to avoid having to speak to his son.

I love a French classic – Bel Ami is my top tip assuming not already suggested. Also La Bete Humaine (or The beast within because we’re not supposed to be using French anymore) and Therese Raquin. There are two […]

Was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize whilst bombing the life out of Cambodia. The country has yet to recover – very much doubt they will be lighting candles in his honour.

Very sad news, irrespective of the life he led, 65 is no age at all. His songs will last, my memories of seeing them many times (1st time with Kirsty, Rico and Joe Strummer) will last a lifetime. He was a […]

True, came over as a decent sort who still had some understanding of what public service meant. Makes him a giant compared to now.

Phizer jab 3 weeks ago – no side effects other than a very mild headache. A bit concerned there might be some side effects as I take Warfarin, but nowt, and the whole process was friendly, efficient and the […]