Life
The World Championship
The World Championship match between Ding Liren and Dommaraju Gukesh is now underway in Singapore. The $2.5 million prize fund will…
The Parties of the Year: my verdict
As the editor’s brief for this column is ‘Fomo-inducing’, I must push the boat out for my debut and am…
My picks for Cheltenham and the Twelve
With farmers outraged, the nation’s biggest employers warning the Budget will bring increased prices and lost jobs and growth out…
The complicated etiquette of the empty train seat
The empty train seat looked inviting, and all three of us stared at it, then looked away, not daring to…
The glamour of the scallop
There is a gentle irony to the dish coquilles St Jacques: a decadent, rich preparation of one of our most…
Aussie life
Were you to pop down to the shops and buy a Wagon Wheel these days, chances are you’ll be disappointed.…
Language
Here’ s a style guide suggestion – it’s time to resurrect the word ‘Aboriginal’. With a lower case ‘a’ this…
Chilean wine is hard to beat
We were assembled to taste Chilean wines assisted by magnificent Scottish food, courtesy of the Scottish embassy in London, otherwise…
The politics of glasses
Africa Orientale Italiana ‘Where did you get those glasses?’ a stylish Italian gentleman asked me, gesturing at the acetate L.G.R.…
Carry on Kafka: this is our Brave New World
An ex-copper who blogs as Dominic Adler – not his real name – came up with a good phrase this…
The revenge of the anger management counsellor
‘This is a New York strut,’ said the builder boyfriend as he wedged in place a steel bar, bracing shut…
The uncomfortable truth about boozing
‘Good for you. Amazing. I should do the same.’ ‘You must feel great. Lucky you.’ This is what I hear…
Why forcing a return to the office won’t work
The Romans never invented the stirrup. What we call a ‘chest of drawers’ was unknown before the late 17th century…
Dear Mary: How can I avoid a lunge on a date?
Q. I have been working in London as a receptionist in a private members’ club and consequently have had the…
Is ‘Chinatown’ offensive?
I’ve heard people using back-to-back housing to mean terraces separated by back yards. But strictly, back-to-back houses are built against…
Aussie life
I am not worried about being outed as a recipient of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ hospitality. Yes, it is true that…
