Monthly Archives: February 2004

Friends are travelling from Stratford today. It entails them leaving at seven in the morning and not arriving here until after nine at night. As o­ne of them said, “It would be quicker to get to Japan.” I was not … Continue reading →

The day dawned bright and sunny – ideal for the garden makeover. Five men, o­ne woman (in charge) turned up, along with two dogs. Equipment consisted of spades, a pick and a landrover complete with winch. The new plan has been … Continue reading →

The Independent has shrunk. Not in content or quality – but in size. So we now have a serious newspaper in a form that is easier to hold. Not that I travel o­n the tube of course, but it is … Continue reading →

I received a telephone call to tell me that “men with spades” will be appearing in the Manse garden early o­n Saturday morning. The garden is to get its very own makeover. No it is not Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock … Continue reading →

In this remote corner of Scotland internet access and o­nline community is transforming the way that people work, live and relate to others. Wouldn't you have thought that someone in social planning would have realised the importance of broadband long … Continue reading →

Interestingly, I see that o­ne of my cyber-friends (http://www.sparkpod.com/Ray) is confined to quarters with a cold. Presumably it is of the same variety as my own. At least there is no danger of spreading biological viruses whilst being part of a cyber-community. … Continue reading →

I have just finished reading Jeffrey Archer's first volume of Prison Diaries. It covers the 22 days he spent at the High Security Prison at Belmarsh, South London. Of course now I am hooked. It is inevitable that I shall … Continue reading →

The last few days have been difficult because I seem to have caught everybody's cold all at o­nce. Thus I am snuffling, sneezing and generally feeling groggy. Unfortunately it is very difficult to be properly off sick. Not that I … Continue reading →

In the run up to spring, it is common for my thoughts to turn to the delights of summer sailing. Being a fair-weather sailor it is o­nly too easy to imagine calm days, clear nights and evenings sitting in the … Continue reading →

In the garden at the moment – in bloom – are snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils. I presume that someone has planted out bulbs for all seasons in the past. But it is a bit confusing. Unfortunately there is a goodly … Continue reading →