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The balance of life

Earlier this week (Monday 9th March) I alighted upon a piece by Clare Foges on page 21 of my copy of The Times commenting upon the latest developments in the coronavirus epidemic and the UK government’s official advice on self-isolation – “Remain in your home. Do not go to work, school or [...]

March 11, 2020 // 0 Comments

The subtle art of letting it creep up on you …

Ageing is a weird process because every living thing does it without ever – I suspect – fully knowing (or should that be ‘acknowledging’) it. Every dog begins as a ball-of-fluff puppy, acts like one until they’re about eight or even ten and then gradually turns in to a wheezing, rarely [...]

February 10, 2020 // 0 Comments

The perils of non-surprise

When you’re my age – i.e. a stage at which most of what was once worth retaining of one’s body has already “gone south” (or missing) there’s a certain rhythm and lack of expectation to life. The prospect of being lured upstairs on the spur of the moment by an [...]

February 6, 2020 // 0 Comments

A funeral of a friend

Yesterday I attended the funeral of the father of a fellow Ruster. On the train journey along the South Coast I reflected on why we go to funerals: is it duty, paying your last respects, support, obligation? In my case it was to pay my last respects.  I was flattered to be considered close enough [...]

February 5, 2020 // 0 Comments

“Fake News” musings

One of the joys of being ‘being a certain age’ is the sense you has seen it all before even if, on a personal level, that isn’t quite necessarily true. The art of staying personally relevant in the 21st Century is tied to the notion that, whatever is going on, the essential nature of the [...]

January 27, 2020 // 0 Comments

On life and death

As someone in their seventh decade I consider myself both lucky and privileged to still be conducting an occasional correspondence with my godfather that has endured over half a century. A former academic who lives on the far side of the world, at 97 he still reads avidly, takes the Times Literary [...]

January 12, 2020 // 0 Comments

Not everyone can be telling the truth

Some readers will have noticed, or possibly even followed, the disturbing case in Cyprus of a 19 year old British girl who was allegedly raped by up to twelve Israeli youths and yet (as things currently stand) has ended up with a conviction for making a false allegation. I need provide background [...]

January 5, 2020 // 0 Comments

The modern way

For a variety of reasons – including personal preference – I am not a great one for fuss, bother and partying at the best of times and this year’s festive period has revolved around a somewhat low-key but warm and close family set-up. A while back it was agreed that, in contrast to previous [...]

December 26, 2019 // 0 Comments

The hazy days of a summer long gone

Back in the day I once worked with Simon, my immediate boss who was something of a fish out of water – an unworldly accountant, debuting in the crazy world of television, who suffered a degree of difficulty in accepting the norms of an industry that didn’t really have any. Because the [...]

December 25, 2019 // 0 Comments

Fitness and the far-off past

At the risk of spreading boredom amongst Rusters I am beginning today’s post with an update upon my recent attempts to hold back the effects of old age with an ongoing fitness campaign which have been only partially successful. Regular readers may be vaguely familiar with my progress in this [...]

December 5, 2019 // 0 Comments

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