Favourite Places - St Ronan's

Usually, when one returns to a place one knew as a child, it seems smaller. Not so the huge old house and great cedar in the drive at my prep school, St Ronan's. Click the heading for some more photos from the visit, including some of the soon to be completed sports hall for which the school raised nearly £100,000 more than its target, showing how well-regarded it still is.

The Joy of YouTube

Pablo Casals playing The Song of the Birds at the UN

YouTube is a phenomenon that has no equal. On its vast databases are all the music of one's youth, performances or interviews with people who were heroes to one's parents, glorious songs from different countries, business interviews, virtuoso performances of every classic piece that one might long to hear, instructional videos of every description and of course film clips (and sometime complete films).

This wonderful facility is completely free to the user (thanks to Google) and is even available hand-held on the iPhone. This is truly one of the wonders of the modern age.

Lord Mayor's Dinner at the Guildhall

The Lord Mayor, Nick Anstee, gave a dinner for the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma at the Guildhall on 4th March 2010. It was the usual ceremonial affair, beautifully done. The Gloucesters added some royal flavour and Mandleson was the principal government representative. Little of substance was said in the speeches, though Zuma did lay unusual stress on the point that nationalisation of the mines was not the government's policy.....Click the heading for some photos

The Joy of Podcasts

Initially put off by the rather techie name for TV and radio recordings in a digital format that can be played on a computer or mobile phone, I have been slow to take to podcasts, but now understand their appeal. Inevitably, it's taken the iPhone and the connections that make it play through a car's speakers to effect this change. I can now listen to the Economist (which has a 'voice' version) and superb programmes like Melvyn Bragg's 'In Our Time' using the fairly unprofitable time while driving to catch up - or learn for the first time - about fascinating subjects like the dispute between Newton and Leibnitz over which of them 'invented' calculus. More recently, I have been hooked by 'A History of the World in 100 Objects' and David Reynold's 'America: Empire of Liberty'.

The New York Times commented on Radio 4's podcasts this week, writing:

“In Our Time,” a program on “the history of ideas,” is in a class of its own. Each week the host, Melvyn Bragg — a BBC veteran, whose life peerage makes him Lord Bragg of Wigton — offers a panel of academic experts, with Oxford and Cambridge heavily represented. The guests have titles like “associate professor in philosophy and senior fellow in the public understanding of philosophy at the University of Warwick.” They talk about arcane topics from history, literature, science and philosophy, throwing off casual asides on subjects like Sigmund Freud’s theory of “gain through illness” — the idea that people become neurotic because it is useful to them.

Mr. Bragg doesn’t spare the stage directions: Would you please tell us about this? And We’ll Get to That Later. But his careful questioning and quick wit underlie the brilliance of “In Our Time” — its ability to draw in listeners on subjects that they would not expect themselves to care much about, or perhaps even to be able to tolerate.

I convinced a friend to start downloading the program when I mentioned an interesting discussion of logical positivism. The next time I saw her, she told me that she was hooked and that a new episode on the Siege of Munster — which had popped up on my iPhone, but which I had not rushed to hear — was surprisingly fascinating.

Intellectuals also talk about ideas on a second BBC Radio 4 program called “Thinking Allowed,” but its focus is “new research on how society works.” The host, Laurie Taylor, interviews professors and authors on subjects that are contemporary and often a bit whimsical. There have been episodes on acquaintances — people somewhere between strangers and friends — and a phenomenon described as “laddish masculinity in higher education.”

The discussions often involve scholarly inquiry into the minutiae of everyday life, with special attention to the role of social class — a subject rarely discussed in the American news media. On one, an inquiry into the sociology of car behavior suggested that when two middle-class couples ride in a car, the owners of the car are likely to sit in the front, with the second couple in the back. When two working-class couples go for a drive, the men are likely to sit in the front and the women in the back.

Making abstruse subjects accessible to nonexperts can be a challenge, something Mr. Bragg, a self-proclaimed nonexpert, appreciates. “Thank you very much, indeed, for bringing that down to us,” he told the panel at the end of the show on logical positivism.

After a brief pause, he announced the following week’s topic: “The Ediacara Biota, pre-Cambrian life forms, which vanished 542 million years ago — were they the earliest form of life?”

Click the heading for a link to the Radio 4 podcasts.

Saatchi Gallery - New Art From India

The Saatchi Gallery has again put on a fascinating exhibition of new art - this time from India. Click the heading for some examples.

Click here for the earlier exhibitions:

New Art from the Middle East
New Art from China

Favourite Places - Whitefield

The road though Whitefield, north of Bangalore, India. Click the photo to get a proper sense of this timeless scene

Sadly, since this photo was taken, some time in 2007, there has been a huge road building project through Whitefield and most of these great trees have gone.

Sucker for Sunsets

The sunset gives an ordinary school building in a neighbouring street a starship quality

Number 22 Jermyn St

A dear friend, Henry Togna had a hotel in Jermyn St - Number 22 - as did his parents before him. It sadly closed in October 2009 as its long lease (from the Crown Estates) was up and the building (known as Eyrie Mansion) was to be rebuilt.

Number 22 was particularly favoured by Americans who returned to it year by year, loving its old-fashioned charm and more recently under Henry, its carefully refurbished comforts. One of those was Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who has written a most beautiful piece in praise of the hotel and the streets of London around it. You can read it by clicking the heading. And if you have time, don't miss some of the many comments below the article, added by other American visitors to London who clearly hold it as dear as he does, sometimes in as fine a prose as his.

The Joy of Breakfast

On these still dark winter mornings, breakfast is a singular pleasure, particularly when taken in the warm kitchen full of the smell of toast and coffee. It is a still greater pleasure when the weather allows it to be taken in the garden under the apple tree. And when travelling, though I subscribe to the view that 'breakfast should not consist of things bizarre', foreign breakfasts can also be a joy. Click the heading for some more photos.

Breakfast on the terrace of the Hotel Eden, Rome

Lying to Your Boss 2010

Click for large

Royal Hospital Chelsea Dinner 2010

A dinner at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea given by the Governor, General Lord Walker and Sir Michael Craig-Cooper, chairman of the Friends. Brigadier Edward Butler (grandson of 'Rab' Butler), gave a talk on Afghanistan, where he had commended 22 SAS and 16 Air Assault Brigade. Click the heading for some photos and videos from the evening.

See also
The Royal Hospital Carol Service 2009
The Margaret Thatcher Infirmary
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea

Shizue Futatsumori

Shizue Futatsumori, mother to Ayako and her six siblings, died in Aomori on 28th January 2010. She was the respected wife of a school headmaster, Juro Futatsumori, who died in 1984.

The Van Gogh Exhibition

Lucky enough to get early to the Van Gogh Exhibition at the Royal Academy. A very fine collection, accompanied by detailed interpretations of his work drawn from his letters - made the more fascinating by the brief trajectory of his life. Click the heading to see more paintings and drawings from the exhibition, taken necessarily surreptitiously.

Watching Friends from Afar

Not going skiing, but can at least see where some friends are and follow them by webcam

Britain in Winter

Wintery weather covers Britain. Click the photo for a more dramatic view. In the Deep Midwinter seems the most appropriate carol.

We seem to have forgotten that it was it was almost as snowy last year. Click here for a reminder and the Flanders and Swan song of the weather

Two Controversial Books

I have been reading two controversial books recently - Professor Ian Plimer's Heaven and Earth, which questions the science behind climate change, specifically charging that man-made CO2 emissions are not responsible for the present increase in CO2 in the atmosphere - it mainly comes from 'natural' causes - and that there have been periods of global warming in the past that clearly have nothing to do with CO2 derived from man's use of fossil fuels. That view seems now to be relegated the wild fringe but The Invention of the Jewish People by Shlomo Sand, another professor, this time of Jewish history at Tel Aviv University, argues that much of ancient Jewish history is a myth, including the exile, fostered in the name of nationalism, and in fact there is no such thing as the Jewish race, only a Jewish religion and tradition.

The world's scientists seem all to think that global warming is largely man0-made, and at the very least we must accept that we have to move past our rapacious use of the earth's non-renewable energy resources whatever climate change may be going on. So far as ancient Jewish history is concerned, to the extent that those myths are responsible for the present intransigence of Israel in the matter of sharing land with the Palestinians (who, on Sand's reading, are of the same blood and much the same ancient history as those that call themselves Jews), his work should be regarded as of seminal importance. However, I can't quite accept his premise that there is no binding Jewish blood. One has only to look at the arts - particularly music, to see the extent to which those with Jewish blood seem to have acquired a special mastery and sensitivity.

The Drapers' City Service

The Drapers' traditional New Year's Service was held at St Michael's Cornhill on 8th January 2010, with lunch at the Hall afterwards. The service was enlivened by a splendid address by Professor The Reverend Edward Norman and the singing of Lux Aeterna by Sir Edward Elgar. Click the heading for a video of the choir practicising the anthem, being conducted by Jonathan Rennert.

Elmore Abbey

I have to thank my friend Fr Frowin Reed, a Benedicine friar from Conception Abbey, Missouri, for the discovery that there are many abbeys still buried in the English countryside. Elmore is one of the smallest with only four monks, but it stands in a beautiful part of Berkshire and has a fine church next door. As one of my friends said, it's one of those marvellous places where 'the veil is very thin'.

Click the heading for more photos of the Abbey and our travels

Happy New Year

Wish I could have been in Sydney to see the fireworks at New Year. They looked to be more spectacular than ever, but London and particularly Edinburgh were terrific as well.

Christmas Scenes 2009

Snow

Snow in Hampshire


Snow in Sweden (sent by a friend). The hanging decoration is called a Winter Light. I think we should have them here

Litchfield Carol Service

The carol service at Litchfield is held in the evening on the Sunday before Christmas. The little church is always full and we sing a full dozen carols.

Afterwards, mulled wine and mince pies are served in the village hall.

Christmas at the Orangery 2009

Royal Hospital Chelsea Carol Service 2009

The Carol Service for the Friends of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea was held in the Wren chapel on 10th December 2009. The singing was superb, led by the Royal Hospital choir which is one of the finest in the London. Click the heading for an iphone-quality video of 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'

You can also see some photos here

The Mission to Seafarers Carol Concert 2009

The choir of Burntwood School. Click the photo for a larger view

The Mission to Seafarers Carol Concert was held as always at St Michael's Paternoster Royal, in the presence of the Princess Royal, accompanied by the chairman of the society, Robert Woods. This year the choir was from Burntwood School and they gave an exuberant and assured performance of both the well-known as well as some little known carols from around the world. Less good were the readers of excerpts from diaries and poems, Dan Snow and Tracy Edwards, who rushed their pieces so that it was difficult to understand them.

Click the heading for more photos of the City at Christmas.

Clic here for some on-line carols

Thomas Miller Carol Service 2009

As in previous years, the Thomas Miller Carol Service was held at St Katharine Cree Church, Leadenhall St with a reception afterwards at the office at 90 Fenchurch St. The chairman of the UK Club, Dino Caroussis, attended the service. Click the heaading for some photos from the event and here for some photos of the City at Christmas.

The Wellbeing of Women Christmas Fair 2009

The Wellbeing of Women Christmas Fair was held at Drapers' Hall on 7th December 2009. Click the heading for more photos from the event.

The Home Project

'Home' is a marvellous film made by Yann Arthus-Bertrand showing the ways in which mankind has depleted the world of much of its natural beauty and as well as its resources. You can see it on YouTube here

Favourite Views

Back in Australia, I can't resist posting one of my favourite views, described here. Click the heading for more, and this photo for a larger view

Fine Cell Work at the Leathersellers' Hall

Click the heading for more photos of the event.

Fine Cell Work, the charity that teaches needlework to prison inmates and sells their cushions, quits and other work, held a sale a the Leathersellers' Hall on 19th November that was very well attended. The guests were welcomed by the Master, Charles Barrow, and the past Master, Michael Binyon, gave a fine speech about the value of the charity to prisoners' self-respect. The prisoners do the work when they are locked in their cells, and the work gives them a skill and their earnings give them hope and independence.

“Fine Cell Work gives these men dignity in work and through this, dignity in life. When a man gains self-respect he may start addressing his offending behaviour” Officer, HMP Wandsworth

There is a new video about Fine Cell's work on their website

Lat year the event was held at the Drapers' Hall

Favourite Places

The view of the City from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. Click to enlarge. Click the heading for more photos

Anish Kapoor's Exhibition

Anish Kapoor's Exhibition at the Royal Academy has been rightly feted. Click the heading for some more photos

Ruskin on Pugin's Roman Catholic Conversion

Augustus Pugin converted to Roman Catholicism in 1850, perhaps somewhat unwisely describing the experience thus:

'Oh! Then, what delight! What joy unspeakable! .... the stoups are filled to the brim; the rood is raised on high; the screen glows with sacred imagery and rich device; the niches are filled; the altar is replaced, sustained with sculpted shafts, the relics of saints repose beneath, the Body of Our Lord is enshrined on its consecrated stone; the lamps of the sanctuary burn bright; the saintly portraitures in the glass windows shine all gloriously; and the albs hang in the oaken ambries, and the cope chests are filled with orphreyed baudekins; and pix and pax and chrismatory are there, and thurible and cross......

Perhaps he deserved it, but John Ruskin responded with some fine invective:

'But of all these fatuities, the basest is being lured into the Romanist Church by the glitter of it, like larks into a trap by broken glass; to be blown into a change of religion by the whine of an organ-pipe; stitched into a new creed by gold threads on priests' petticoats; jangled into a change of conscience by the chimes of a belfry. I know nothing in the shape of error so dark as this, no imbecility so absolute, no treachery so contemptible.'

Shortly afterwards Pugin went mad and was confined to Bedlam, and died the following year.

Favourite Writings - Marcus Aurelius - Meditations

Remind yourself constantly of all the physicians, now dead, who used to knit their brows over their ailing patients; all the astrologers who so solemnly predicted their clients' doom; the philosophers who expiated so endlessly on death or immortality; the great commanders who slew their thousands; the despots who wielded powers of life and death with such terrible arrogance as if themselves were gods who could never die; the whole cities which have perished completely, Helice, Pompeii, Herculaneum and others without number.

After that recall, one by one each of your own acquaintances, how one buried another, only to be laid low himself, and be buried in turn by a third, and all in so brief a space of time. Observe, in short, how transient and trivial is all mortal life; yesterday a drop of semen, tomorrow a handful of spice or ashes. Spend therefore these fleeting moments on earth as Nature would have you spend them, and then go to your rest with a good grace,as an olive falls in its season, with a blessing for the earth that bore it and a thanksgiving for the tree that gave it life.

Marcus Aurelius - Meditations

This reminds me much of The Rubiyat of Omar Khyyam and somewhat of The Tale of the Heike

Religion Flowchart

Favourite Poems - Animals

I think I could turn and live with animals,
They are so placid and self-contained
I stand and look at them long and long.
They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
Not one is dissatisfied,
Not one is demented with the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another,
Nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or industrious over the whole earth.

Walt Whitman - Animals

Favourite Photos

Starlings by Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 Danny Green. Click the photo for a larger view

Favourite Places - A Roadside Stall in India

A roadside stall in India

Favourite Places

The entrance hall

I am reluctant to tell anyone about this magical place, an hotel high in the hills to the south of Florence. These photos tell only part of the story; it is like staying in the house of someone like Guiseppe di Lampedusa. It's usually almost completely empty and one only rarely sees a member of staff. There are dark bars full of the arms of long-perished families -the house was built by a friend of Dante's - and breakfast is served on a shady terrace, but there is no restaurant. The rooms look out over the city or back to the cypress-cloaked hills behind. It's a place of perfect peace. 

The hills behind, from the terrace, on a rainy morning

Florence in the evening from the terrace

Valentina

The new Valentina in Putney. Click the heading for more photos

Valentina, the best Italian delicatessen in south London for almost twenty years, has now opened a branch in Putney, and it's another star. The original deli added a cafe last year that serves delicious pasta, risottos and other Italian dishes, but the Putney sibling is a more striking design and has a cafe area where Guispeppe and his team serve 'spuntini' - small dishes in the manner of tapas (but better and more substantial) - for £3-4 each and there is also a larger restaurant and bar upstairs. As in the Sheen cafe, there's free wi-fi, a godsend if you are a visitor from overseas.

The delicatessen is still the main event here, and it's superbly well stocked with wonderful breads, oils and pastas, but also offers cooked foods such lasagne and raviolis to take away. The spuntini menu contains delicious antipasto di mare and a frittatina - and omlette made with courgettes and onions finished with mozarella - and other delicacies.

Upstairs the bar and restaurant are decorated with photos of the owner, Bruno Zoccola's ancestors and those of his cousins, who also work in the business, a still-life with scooter and sidecar, and a flat-screen TV showing old black-and white Italian films. Wines are spectacular, from the highly prized and highly priced Tuscans to more modest but still delicious chiantis and atelier wines. My favourite is the La Grola from Allegrini.

Altogether a perfect place to shop for food, relax with a plate of something or go with friends for a meal. If I'm not at home, you'll probably find me there.

Favourite Places

Ridding Gate

Ridding Gate into Winchester College Meads