Category Archives: Design and architecture

Landlords, tenants and an uneven playing field.


“Remember, tenants should be aware that at any time, in the periodical phase of their tenancy, they can be evicted by landlords – tenants should bear this in mind when standing up for their rights.”  This telling phrase appears in … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Consumer rights, Design and architecture, Family, Home, Landlords, Life and romance, London, property, Property agents, Property rental, Tenant rights, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Independent retail: the personal touch and a bit of a natter


Many moons ago, my then partner invited me to accompany him to a corporate Racing Day. I had a hunch there was something going on between him and his client so decided my look had to pack a punch. A … Continue reading

Posted in Buildings, Business, Consumer rights, Design and architecture, Economy, enterprise, Female Founders, Food and wine, Home, Life and romance, London, property, Shopping, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Costa del Wick: meadows, marshes and meanders.


A hen party nailed it. Enforced listening to fifteen twenty-something women singing Bohemian Rhapsody at un-rhapsodic volume just fifty yards from our bedroom was not making us happy; the fifth rendition at 5am broke our will to live … there. … Continue reading

Posted in AirB&B, architecture, Buildings, Design and architecture, Health, holiday, Home, Life and romance, London, property, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frames, facades, finials and flourishes: how buildings tell stories.


I have a window fetish. There, I’ve said it. Mullions or muntins* of different widths make my hair stand on end; they let the building down, its facade a jumble. Simply put, both God and the Devil are in the detail … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, Buildings, Craft, design, Design and architecture, Life and romance, London, property, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Moving house, Spandangled, Spain … and the joy of magic pants.


Fortewinks’ May post was delivered with little insight as to the Very Difficult Time that was unfolding. Because every now and then the outcome of precipitous events does not become clear until later: this was such an episode. Shortly after … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Design and architecture, Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, holiday, Home, Life and romance, London, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Austin power: an idyllic week.


Times they are a-changing and Texas beckons; my modest business has found a greater appetite for its wares in the USA than on home turf. With opportunity snapping at our heels and new horizons long overdue, BB and I decided … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Austin, Business, Design and architecture, Education, Entertaining, Export, Family, Food and wine, Friends, holiday, Home, Hospital, Life and romance, London, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Up and down in San Francisco: the long walk


My recent ten-day business trip to Texas was preceded by a wonderful day in San Francisco. Arriving at the Stanford Court Hotel, I asked if my room had a view. Not from the third floor, confirmed the Reception Staff. Would you … Continue reading

Posted in Design and architecture, Entertaining, Food and wine, Friends, holiday, Life and romance, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Scotland: reunions, drama, art & a poet


  One rainy July afternoon, BB and I arrived at a remote part of Scotland where we found forty people sheltering under a large pergola tent, sharing a generous picnic. We had landed at the opening event of an Outlaw … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Design and architecture, Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, Life and romance, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A London antidote: the joys and jewels of Northern Ireland


Mystical light, ruby skies and shades of green that dazzle the eye; rambling roads, rocky ups and rolling downs … This is Northern Ireland, a striking, beautiful place that flies in the face of expectation to reveal visual joy, drama … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Design and architecture, Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, Health, Home, Life and romance, London, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Girls on Tour: The Three Graces and a Tasmanian Roadtrip


Australia is a substantial and beautiful country that until recently left my interest unpiqued. Until that is, Exocet (Youngest of All) deemed her culinary career incomplete without experiencing the territory’s joyful food culture; she moved to the other side of the world … Continue reading

Posted in Design and architecture, Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, Life and romance, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments