This is a lovely book. The first I’ve read in which a fig tree is a leading character. Also had no idea just how bloody and brutal Cyprus was. Seeing human lives and all our self-inflicted misery, our conceits, as well as our love, through the perspective of a tree is very clever and also moving.
November 17, 2025 at 9:35 AM
This is a lovely book. The first I’ve read in which a fig tree is a leading character. Also had no idea just how bloody and brutal Cyprus was. Seeing human lives and all our self-inflicted misery, our conceits, as well as our love, through the perspective of a tree is very clever and also moving.
Japan have been by the far the more dangerous side in this game, Wales getting the rub of the ref. (Does LRZ not have a ‘duty of care?’) #WALvJAP
November 15, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Japan have been by the far the more dangerous side in this game, Wales getting the rub of the ref. (Does LRZ not have a ‘duty of care?’) #WALvJAP
I can feel a new war coming on.
November 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I can feel a new war coming on.
Remembering last summer, when I went to see the same musical three times in eight weeks. bennotinspain.substack.com/p/kiss-me-ka...
'Kiss Me, Kate' and the power of nostalgia
Or 'why I saw the same play three times in eight weeks'
bennotinspain.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Remembering last summer, when I went to see the same musical three times in eight weeks. bennotinspain.substack.com/p/kiss-me-ka...
Poignant two minute silence at the people of London memorial on the south side of St Paul’s.
November 11, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Poignant two minute silence at the people of London memorial on the south side of St Paul’s.
Does this boy love a stick. When they’re big like this he tends to growl at them. Beautiful day.
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Does this boy love a stick. When they’re big like this he tends to growl at them. Beautiful day.
There are a surprising number of vintage weapons available every week in our local country auction house. This week things have escalated a little.
November 8, 2025 at 10:26 AM
There are a surprising number of vintage weapons available every week in our local country auction house. This week things have escalated a little.
97. James Watson must have had pretty good 🧬 What a life, what an incredible achievement.
November 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
97. James Watson must have had pretty good 🧬 What a life, what an incredible achievement.
Goodness me, but Blue Lights is the highest quality television. Quite brilliant.
November 6, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Goodness me, but Blue Lights is the highest quality television. Quite brilliant.
I am sorry to report that my favourite shop in Liverpool St has closed. I never actually bought. Anything from them, but always enjoyed looking. Which may hint at the problem.
November 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I am sorry to report that my favourite shop in Liverpool St has closed. I never actually bought. Anything from them, but always enjoyed looking. Which may hint at the problem.
Grateful tonight that our otherwise wildly anxious dog isn’t scared of fireworks. The rest of you: hang in there champs. It’ll be over soon.
November 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Grateful tonight that our otherwise wildly anxious dog isn’t scared of fireworks. The rest of you: hang in there champs. It’ll be over soon.
A bit blowy on the east coast but a beautiful sunset.
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A bit blowy on the east coast but a beautiful sunset.
The last episode of the current season of Slow Horses is pure gold. Absolutely brilliant writing and performances.
October 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The last episode of the current season of Slow Horses is pure gold. Absolutely brilliant writing and performances.
Farewell then, Lyra Silvertongue. What a wonderful journey. Important evocative books. Peerless storytelling. Take a bow, Sir Philip Pullman, you have enriched my life and those of many others.
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Farewell then, Lyra Silvertongue. What a wonderful journey. Important evocative books. Peerless storytelling. Take a bow, Sir Philip Pullman, you have enriched my life and those of many others.
Very sorry to hear about the death of Prunella Scales. She was one of the celebrity endorsers of Labour I once had to drive to a campaign event in London. She was warm, generous, funny and memorable. The event didn't happen because a bus got stuck under a bridge en route. She took it well.
October 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Very sorry to hear about the death of Prunella Scales. She was one of the celebrity endorsers of Labour I once had to drive to a campaign event in London. She was warm, generous, funny and memorable. The event didn't happen because a bus got stuck under a bridge en route. She took it well.
Incredible sunset view of Etna this evening from Taormina, this is the White Lotus view.
October 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Incredible sunset view of Etna this evening from Taormina, this is the White Lotus view.
Reposted by Ben not in Spain
Jess Phillips is far and away the best person for this job. In terms of lifetime involvement with the victims of domestic violence and abuse and empathy with the victims you couldn't get a better candidate.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not a conspiracy theorist, but this is suspicious...1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not a conspiracy theorist, but this is suspicious...1/
Four survivors say Jess Phillips must quit for them to rejoin grooming inquiry
The government is standing by safeguarding minister Jess Phillips as the grooming gang row deepens.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Jess Phillips is far and away the best person for this job. In terms of lifetime involvement with the victims of domestic violence and abuse and empathy with the victims you couldn't get a better candidate.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not a conspiracy theorist, but this is suspicious...1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not a conspiracy theorist, but this is suspicious...1/
A long awaited day…
October 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
A long awaited day…
If you are, say, a municipality in the foothills of an active volcano, and you regularly set off what sounds a lot like an air raid alarm, you should consider warning visitors that this might take place. I’ve had gentler intros to the day tha waking at 8am to that and fearing Etna’s gone off 🌋
October 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
If you are, say, a municipality in the foothills of an active volcano, and you regularly set off what sounds a lot like an air raid alarm, you should consider warning visitors that this might take place. I’ve had gentler intros to the day tha waking at 8am to that and fearing Etna’s gone off 🌋
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness
October 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness
This is a wonderful book. Full of fascinating history and insight. Current chapter on marmalade reminding me of time Mrs H asked bemused market trader in Madrid for a box of Seville oranges 🍊 to be told this was not possible. ‘Señora, oranges come from Valencia.’
October 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This is a wonderful book. Full of fascinating history and insight. Current chapter on marmalade reminding me of time Mrs H asked bemused market trader in Madrid for a box of Seville oranges 🍊 to be told this was not possible. ‘Señora, oranges come from Valencia.’
One meal in here in Sicily and already planning next week’s diet.
October 20, 2025 at 11:54 AM
One meal in here in Sicily and already planning next week’s diet.
Funny old world, part 94. Sitting in the main square in Catania listening to a busker sing a Spandau Ballet song about Northern Ireland…
October 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Funny old world, part 94. Sitting in the main square in Catania listening to a busker sing a Spandau Ballet song about Northern Ireland…
I see the Tories have unearthed yet another rising star with a black hole where her morality and heart should be.
October 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I see the Tories have unearthed yet another rising star with a black hole where her morality and heart should be.