Benford’s Law

There may not be enough PPE in hospitals but popular economist, Tim Harford, has his own PPE from Brasenose. His columns in The FT and broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 are usually intriguing.

Uneasy Money

“I know what I want,” said Basil. “I want to be one of those people one heard about in 1919; the hard-faced men who did well out of the war.” (Put Out More Flags, Evelyn Waugh)

A Day of Reckoning

A month ago I took a look at my savings, see Bertie and Brunner. Now it’s time to see how resilient my portfolio is.

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Bertie and Brunner

“Megan the sheepdog is moving to the US after being sold for £18,900” (Metro, 23rd February 2020). Bertie needn’t worry; there’s no price tag on him but sometimes it’s good to sell something and that’s what I did this morning. Five years ago I bought a boring investment trust, Brunner. In 2016 I explained why.… Continue reading Bertie and Brunner

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Interesting Times

The impact of Storm Ciara in west London was minimal. Almost all the parks were closed on Sunday, one tree and some boughs were brought down in Margravine Cemetery and a tree fell across the towpath on the river. The willow tree threatened with felling in 2018 (see Wind in the Willows) did not shed… Continue reading Interesting Times

Knights and Daze

In May this year I watched (on television) with sadness the funeral procession of Jean, Duke of Luxembourg. Now cast your mind back to 1558 when Charles V’s funeral procession took place in Brussels.

Hop, Skip and Jump

The seasons and the weather change; there’re always new things to see and the river has many moods. Now I talk, sometimes, to other dog owners. Recently I met a Dutch Shepherd puppy with his Swedish/Japanese owners. Overhearing other towpath walkers, I seldom hear English. London, at its best, is a cosmopolitan, civilised place to… Continue reading Hop, Skip and Jump

Ritz Crackers

Christmas Cracker This poem about Anthony Blunt, would have delighted John Julius Norwich; it surely would have been in his Christmas Cracker. Who’d have guessed it? Blunt a traitor And a homosexualist, Carrying on with tar and waiter – There’s a sight I’m glad I missed. It would earn its place because it comes from Harvest… Continue reading Ritz Crackers