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Conclave (2024)

Conclave is the film of the Robert Harris story of a papal election. It’s not the normal stuff of films as it has no action sequences, nor special effects, nor glamorous young stars and the tension lies in the supervision of the election by Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes). There are 5 [...]

December 12, 2024 // 0 Comments

Two art books: Rogues and Scholars/Don’t Tell Sybil

Rogues and Scholars, penned by the ex-chairman of Sothebys – James Stourton – is a fairly comprehensive and balanced assessment of the London art market from 1945 to 2000. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the author centres on the two main players – the auction houses Christie’s and [...]

December 11, 2024 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/Bocca di Lupo

The favourite Soho trattoria is something of an institution. Alice (Mansfield) told me that George Melly, best known as a jazz vocalist, used to meet fellow Surrealists at the Barcelona in Beak St; artists have long patronised the drinking clubs of Soho, notably the Colony Club – of which [...]

December 5, 2024 // 0 Comments

The Van Morrison Alumni Band (Cadogan Hall Friday 29.11.2024)

Last Friday evening – after contacting a London-based couple we’ve known for a while to enquire whether they’d noticed this advertised concert and were informed they’d already bought tickets for it – the Memsahib and I attended an evening of Van Morrison’s music as performed by THE VAN [...]

December 1, 2024 // 0 Comments

A visit to Wiston Wine Estate

British wines are on the up. Camel Valley in Cornwall produces an award-winning and much-rated sparkling rosé, the Chapel Down Wine Estate of Kent sparklers are similarly highly-acclaimed, whilst  Sussex has a cornucopia of wineries stretching from West to East Sussex. One of the most famous is [...]

November 25, 2024 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard restaurant wrap-up

After visiting the Thyssen collection I suggested lunch at a restaurant El Rincon d’Esteban in a side street near our hotel and opposite the parliament The Cortes. In my experience politicians know their food though expect others to pay for it and apparently use El Rincon. We recced the [...]

November 18, 2024 // 0 Comments

First day in Madrid

Picking up where Nancy left off we arrived at Madrid’s Barajas airport without incident. I would note that security at Gatwick was oppressive with the staff delighting in confiscating liquid items such as Bob’s perspirants and shaving foam. I also noted that dress standards had dropped. Time [...]

November 16, 2024 // 0 Comments

London 2014/2124

Ten years ago I made my momentous decision to leave London for the South Coast. I was born in London and regarded myself as a Londoner. My closest friend- alas now passed – opined that I would be back in 2 years if I could afford the housing prices. I can see the attraction and attractions of [...]

November 12, 2024 // 0 Comments

FAWLTY TOWERS (THEATRE) – 3 stars out of 5

If under pressure and asked to list a selection of the Top Ten all-time greatest British sit-coms I should imagine that – in no order of excellence – I’d probably be scouting in the territory containing the likes of Steptoe And Son, Porridge, Only Fools And Horses, Till Death Us Do [...]

November 1, 2024 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/Tea at the Grand Brighton

In all the years I have been reviewing for The Rust I have never covered afternoon tea though it is now a popular though not inexpensive experience: Bob Tickler’s charming P/A Polly once paid £200 for tea at a high end London hotel. This may be as hotels are still recovering financially from [...]

November 1, 2024 // 0 Comments

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