Life
A tale of bitter brotherly rivalry
For early humans there was no distinction between spirit and matter. There was no idea of self; no barrier between…
Spectator competition winners: tourist misinformation
In Competition No. 3224, you were invited to submit snippets of misleading advice either for tourists visiting Britain or for…
My tips for this season and a look back at our Flat Twelve
There are Flat people and there are jumping people. People like the late Captain Tim Forster, trainer of three Grand…
Aussie Life
I’m not sure what the sacking of Michael Leunig says more about; the state of Australian journalism or the status…
Bridge | 6 November 2021
There isn’t much Nick Sandqvist (my first bridge partner, teacher and great friend) doesn’t know about bridge. He has been…
The Battle for Britain | 6 November 2021
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2531: Villainy
The unclued lights, two of two words, are of a kind. Across 1 Eastern divine seen in pilgrimage returning to…
My pro-vaxxer friends are changing their tune
My pro-vaxxer friends have been a lot nicer to me since they started testing positive for Covid. I’m calling my…
How men’s wardrobes prove constraints can be good for us
One thing that surprised every-one during lockdown was how many people derived unexpected pleasure from living under imposed restrictions. Can…
The real ‘scallop’ war: how do you pronounce it?
‘You say scallops and I say scallops,’ sang my husband in his best Ginger Rogers accents. Since we both pronounce…
Spectator competition winners: Beano acrostics
In Competition No. 3223, you were invited to supply an acrostic poem in which the first letter of each line,…
Short fights
If you play chess like a wet rag, sooner or later you will be made to regret it. In Nigel…
Is it worth gambling on supermarket wine bargains?
Rich men often look out for bargains. I suppose that is why they are rich. But there can be problems.…
Dear Mary: How do I politely avoid going to a memorial service?
Q. I will shortly be attending a major social gathering in London at which I can look forward to seeing…
Sky Sports is ruining my football season
When I promised my 13-year-old son, Charlie, that we would go to as many QPR games as possible in 2021-22…
2528: Not to Lose - solution
The unclued lights are all phrases in Chambers meaning ‘HURRY UP — or No T(ime) to Lose’. First prize Andy…
No. 678
White to play. Short-Ye, Sanjin Hotel Cup 2004. A snappy finish from a game in Winning. Which move allowed Short…
Lord Lucan, Joan Collins and the greatest dinner ever
There’s a narrow stretch of Chelsea, south of the King’s Road from Oakley Street to Ormonde Gate, that reminds me…
The healing power of champagne
The day after Catriona was fitted with a plaster cast and crutches, her elder sister arrived from the UK for…
Kiwi Life
Lorde vs Lana People who live in glass houses really shouldn’t get changed with the lights on. Doubly so, one…
Aussie Language
When New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the re-opening of the state he said: ‘We can’t remain a hermit…
Why I say no to apps
‘My phone says I can’t go out until Tuesday, so I can’t come and meet you,’ said my friend. And…
Michael Mailer’s new film is Chariots of Fire on water – and it’s great
New York I find most films nowadays as fascinating as a lengthy history of orthodontics but then I’m spoilt rotten,…
Spectator competition winners: dystopian animal stories
In Competition No. 3222, you were invited to supply a dystopian short story that incorporates as many collective nouns for…
The Battle for Britain | 30 October 2021
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