Monthly Archives: March 2021

Grass cutting

Posted on 26th March 2021 by Ian

The unmistakeable scent of spring, freshly cut grass. The driver of the ride on mower cut the verge in neat swathes. The engine was barely audible above the sound of passing traffic. The machine was a far remove from mowers … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | Leave a comment

Useful geography

Posted on 25th March 2021 by Ian

“What is the point of teaching people about things like ox-bow lakes and not teaching them about important things like ethics?” I did not like to argue. Ethics is indeed important, but shouldn’t people also learn about the environment that … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and about | Leave a comment

Bad eating

Posted on 24th March 2021 by Ian

Like a marathon runner whose knees go wobbly in sight of the finish line, the struggle to reach Maundy Thursday when school closes for Easter feels like a wobble from side to side. Sitting at my desk this morning, gazing … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | 2 Comments

OK?

Posted on 23rd March 2021 by Ian

In the home of someone who was a keen gardener and maker of jams, marmalade, pickles and chutney, it was odd to find a bottle of manufactured sauce. Perhaps it was because my grandmother had come from Chiswick in west … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | 2 Comments

Stopping an invasion

Posted on 22nd March 2021 by Ian

Dying in 2014, he fell two years short of his hundredth birthday. Right until the end his mind was as sharp as ever, reflective, analytical, principled. A regular soldier, he had joined the British army in 1937 and had served … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and about | 5 Comments