Life
We need to invent something better than Machu Picchu
Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but middle-class rules now require that every dinner party cheeseboard must contain at least two…
The Battle for Britain
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Electric shock
To mark the UK’s decision to exit from the EU, I can think of no better example than the triple match…
No. 417
White to play. This position is from Staunton-Horwitz, London (Game 3) 1846. How did White conclude his attack? Answers to…
Frightfest
In Competition No. 2956 you were invited to provide extracts from the unappealing-sounding programme of a festival that is making…
Dear Mary
Q. My wife and I are enthusiastic dancers so when we heard that people we know through mutual friends were…
From Hegel to Riesling
John Stuart Mill did not describe the Conservatives as the stupid party. He merely said that although not all Tories…
High life
The Spectator readers’ party was as always a swell affair, with long-time subscribers politely mingling with ne’er-do-wells like myself, the…
Long life
When you are recovering from a stroke, you spend much of the time asleep. But when you are not sleeping,…
Long life
When you are recovering from a stroke, you spend much of the time asleep. But when you are not sleeping,…
Low life
One moment Trev and I were grooving on the dancefloor, Trev with his head bowed, his eyes closed, and his…
Low life
One moment Trev and I were grooving on the dancefloor, Trev with his head bowed, his eyes closed, and his…
Gig economy
In the same song where the brilliant lyricist Ian Dury gave the world the couplet, ‘I could be a writer…
Real life
Bonjour mes amis! Cydney spaniel ici, en France! Well, the Eurotunnel was very nice, although the dog departure lounge could…
The truth about ‘post-truth politics’
The departure of Andrea Leadsom from the Conservative leadership race was a blow to pundits who claim we’re living in…
The truth about ‘post-truth politics’
The departure of Andrea Leadsom from the Conservative leadership race was a blow to pundits who claim we’re living in…
We need to invent something better than Machu Picchu
Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but middle-class rules now require that every dinner party cheeseboard must contain at least two…
Wild life
Gilgil, Kenya At our Gilgil hut in the Rift Valley I’ve had a new flower garden planted to welcome…
Bridge
I’ve never had the courage to ‘psyche’ at the bridge table, but I grudgingly admire those who do. Sally Brock…
Bridge
The magnificent English Ladies have won another gold medal at the Europeans in Budapest. They have won medals in the…
Wimbledon’s ultimate one-up man
What a well-behaved Wimbledon. Apart from a bit of racket-smashing (most of the ladies), low-level swearing (Nick Kyrgios), tantrums (Kyrgios),…
Low life
I walked into the bar and there was Trev standing in front of a giant screen showing Germany v. Italy…
2268: In state
The unclued lights (two of two words) are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer among other reference books. Elsewhere, ignore…
Long life
Amid the bloodshed and chaos that followed David Cameron’s resignation as prime minister, Theresa May earned praise for seeking to…
The art of the quit
Brits don’t quit,’ said David Cameron two weeks ago, to which the obvious rejoinder is: ‘Oh but they do!’ The…
