Favourite Music

An astonishing performance by Horowitz of Chopin's Prelude in D Flat Major 'Raindrop'

Amelia Lawford 16th February 2008

Marijke, Charlotte, Milly and Edward
Second granddaughter arrived on 16th Febuary in Melbourne. Lovely sister to Charlotte and sniff-delight to Wilbur...

Wiltshire Skies

Wiltshire is the most atmospheric county in England (Scotland is another matter). These views are of the West Kennett Long Barrow, with Silbury Hill just out of sight to the right and Avebury nearby

Click on the photos for larger views and the heading for some shots of these places from a recent visit

Ramesh Balsekar

The wild geese do not intend to cast their reflection; the water has no mind to receive their image - Chuang Zu

'Events happen; deeds are done; but there is no individual doer thereof' - The Buddha

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

Favourite paintings - Ayako by Theo Ramos

Ayako by Theo Ramos (1992)

Why I Prefer Pubs to Restaurants

The Thomas Lord, West Meon

Now that the smoke has gone, pubs - whether in towns or villages or tucked into a beautiful landscape - are again the centre of life in England; warm and cosy in winter and wonderfully welcoming on a summer's evening. The food in many of them has improved immeasurably. They take their produce from the surrounding countryside and support local farmers, butchers and fisherman. Many have interesting - mostly New World - wine lists and serve ruggedly independent beers. They are usually old and full of charm, don't turn up their noses at muddy boots, welcome dogs and are full of interesting characters - including the locals who increasingly eschew the cities, finding that most 'townies' no longer know anything of country life. Being cheaper than restaurants and full of atmosphere, they are a far better choice for lunch or dinner - and if the mood takes you, you can log onto their free wi-fi and stay all day.