Laggard

I went shopping for a Sat Nat / GPS system yesterday. I spent a good half an hour in TESCO in front of a range of little boxes - Tom Tom, Garmin, Binatone, Navman etc etc. I came away without a Sat Nav but confirmed something that I had long suspected about myself.
I am a LAGGARD.
I shall continue with my dog-eared map for now until these new fangled gadgets prove themselves.

Le Grand Meaulnes

I have to say that I struggled to get to to the end of this book.
I remember a friend telling me how much they enjoyed it after having it as an 'A' level set text. It has its intriguing moments but it becomes too sentimental for my taste.
I am glad that I have finally got around to reading it, though.
(24/2/06-via Avantblog)

Cellini's salt cellar

l learned today from the magazine History Today that Benvenuto Cellini's remarkable salt cellar (stolen in 2003) has been recovered. According to the brief report I read, it had been buried by the thief who gave himself up after his identity was widely published.
These events completely passed me by. l did not know about its theft until l read about it in a recent article in the same magazine (History Today) and only found out it had been recovered today.
Perhaps I need to read the newspapers more carefully but even so, a work of art as amazing as this should have received more news attention.
Remember when Munch's "Scream" was stolen?

Arrr, Jim Lad!

Spent some time on Yellowcraig beach over the New Year period. It seems that it was a favourite spot of Robert Louis Stephenson and the little island of Fidra with its natural arch was a source of inspiration for “Treasure Island”.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is a test - blogging via wap.

That's better.

A more appropriate profile picture, I think.

Nicholas Barbon.

How's this for a name?
"If-Jesus-Had-Not-Died-For-Thee-Thou-Hadst-Been-Damned Barebone"
No wonder he preferred to go through life with a much more manageable "Nicholas Barbon". His father, Praise-God Barebone must have been passing down some sort of resentment of his own appellation! I wonder what Praise-God's father was called?
Anyway, we have a lot to thank him for as If-Jesus-Had-Not-Died-For-Thee-Thou-Hadst-Been-Damned was the father of the Fire Service.
Well, creator of Fire Insurance, actually.
So I suppose you could call him "If-Thou-Hadst-Paid-Thy-Premiums-The-Fire-Wouldst-Have-Been-Put-Out-And-Thou-Would-Not-Be-Homeless" Barebone.