Sometimes it’s worth just stopping for a while to take a really good look around you. I haven’t been getting out and about as much lately, since some lowlife stole my bike (that’s my excuse, anyway) but I did finally succumb to the lure of the great out-doors a few Sundays ago. Forecast to be […]
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It’s a breezy but sunny afternoon and I’ve been cycling through the green and pleasant again. Happily traversing the gently undulating, tree-dotted and pleasantly sheepy landscape of south Northants. As is often the case when the wind is tossing the treetops about with that lovely rushing, roaring sound, I am irresistibly reminded of the sigh […]
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I’d be the first to admit I’m not the fastest thing on two wheels (if God had meant this to be, I’d have been born Belgian, and have at least one ‘x’ in my name), but I’d be prepared to wager if not a king’s ransom then at least a prince’s pocket-money that there were […]
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There’s nothing like turning a corner in the gently undulating countryside to be surprised by a sudden curving dip – like a caressing the curves of a body, hip, shoulder, belly – it’s very sensual and I can’t help but think in terms of the physical. I find a very personal satisfaction in such discoveries. […]
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Thankfully, the world is full of mysteries. I live in hope that some may eventually be resolved, but some will forever remain impenetrable, such as ‘just what is it about Bluebells?’ Where do they get that extra-ordinary, almost hallucinogenic quality that somehow manages to transform – albeit briefly – even the most prosaic patch of […]
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I can never remember when each season is officially supposed to start, but am happy to report that after several false starts Spring seems to have arrived (at least in my neck of the woods) The thing I hate most about winter (and there’s a lot to dislike, I often find) is the degree to […]
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The excellence of ‘Mad Men’ notwithstanding, I have very mixed views about advertising in general (he announced, for no very good reason other than it’s been on my mind of late) On the plus side there’s the high levels of craft skill usually displayed in advertising in most media. Something genuinely beautiful/astonishing/provoking happens along often […]
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Another sunny – stripped back, soon to be spring – Sunday, another walk in the woods. How English, how middle class can you get? I don’t care, sometimes the effort of stepping outside the stereotype just isn’t worth it. Especially not on a glorious day like this, cold, crisp and clear. I’m conscious of a […]
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I went for a bracing 6 mile walk several nights ago – a distressing experience in more than one way. It hurt, for one thing. This was almost a week ago, and my calves have only just stopped aching. I’m back to striding manfully about the place, instead of tottering around like an arthritic tortoise, […]
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Sunday 23rd August view all the photos It doesn’t take much to make Allan happy. A gentle breeze to take the edge of the heat, a seat at a quiet café, a cheap and delicious plate of rice salad and the best part of half a pint of caffe latte will do it pretty well […]
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